GRIF MAG

The man accused offatally shooting a D.C. National Guardsman and seriously wounding anotherwas arraigned in federal court on Wednesday.

Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, who was shot during the Nov. 26 attack, entered the courtroom in a wheelchair and an orange jumpsuit.

He pleaded not guilty to one count of first-degree murder while armed, one count of transportation of a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with the intent to commit a felony, three counts of assault with intent to kill while armed, and four counts of possession of a firearm during a crime of violence or dangerous offense.

Lakanwal, 29, spoke Pashto during the hearing and used an interpreter to communicate. His attorney addressed the court on his behalf.

Lakanwal is accused of gunning downSpc. Sarah Beckstrom and Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe,while they were on patrol near the White House as part of their deployment to the nation's capital. Beckstrom died at the hospital from a gunshot wound to the back of the head, according to a federal criminal complaint.

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Wolfe was also shot in the head and rushed to the hospital in serious condition. He wastransferred to an inpatient rehabilitation facility in December.

The federal criminal complaint alleges that video showed Lakanwal standing outside a metro station and then running toward an interstate as he opened fire with a revolver. A major in the National Guard who was in the area shot him, wounding him.

He was detained by another major.

Officials said, according to the complaint, that Lakanwal drove from Washington State, where he lived, to D.C. and "purposely and with deliberate and premeditated malice" shot the Guardsmen.

In December, he pleaded not guilty in D.C. Superior Court to first-degree murder, assault with intent to kill while armed, possession of a firearm, and possession of a firearm during a crime of violence in addition to murder.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Trump administration is reducing the number of immigration officers in Minnesota but will continue itsenforcement operationthat has sparked weeks of tensions and deadly confrontations, border czar Tom Homan said Wednesday.

About 700 federal officers — roughly a quarter of the total deployed to Minnesota — will be withdrawn immediately after state and local officials agreed over the past week to cooperate by turning over arrested immigrants, Homan said.

But he did not provide a timeline for when the administration might endthe operationthat hasbecome a flashpointin the debate over President Donald Trump'smass deportation effortssince the fatal shootings of U.S. citizensRenee GoodandAlex Prettiin Minneapolis.

About 2,000 officers will remain in the state after this week's drawdown, Homan said. That's roughly the same number sent to Minnesota in early January when the surge ramped up, kicking off what the Department of Homeland Security called its "largest immigration enforcement operationever."

Since then, masked, heavily armed officers have been met byresistance from residentswho are upset with their aggressive tactics.

A widespread pullout, Homan said, will occur only after protesters stop interfering with federal agents carrying out arrests and setting up roadblocks to impede the operations.

Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats who have heavily criticized the surge, said pulling back 700 officers was a good first step but that the entire operation should end quickly.

"We need a faster and larger drawdown of forces,state-led investigationsinto the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, and an end to this campaign of retribution," Walz posted on social media.

Vice President JD Vance said the officers being sent home were mainly in Minneapolis to protect those carrying out arrests. "We're not drawing down the immigration enforcement," Vance said in an interview on "The Megyn Kelly Show."

Trump administration has pushed for cooperation in Minnesota

Trump's border czartook over the Minnesota operation in late January after thesecond fatal shootingby federal officers and amidgrowing political backlashand questions about how the operation was being run.

Homan said right away that federal officials could reduce the number of agents in Minnesota, but only with the cooperation of state and local officials. He pushed for jails to alert Immigration and Customs Enforcement about inmates who could be deported, saying transferring those inmates to ICE is safer because it means fewer officers have to be out looking for people in the country illegally.

Homan said during a news conference Wednesday that there has been an "increase in unprecedented collaboration" resulting in the need for fewer public safety officers in Minnesota and a safer environment, allowing for the withdrawal of the 700 officers.

He didn't say which jurisdictions have been cooperating with DHS

The Trump administration has long complained that places known as sanctuary jurisdictions — a term applied to local governments that limit law enforcement cooperation with the department — hinder the arrest of criminal immigrants.

Minnesota officials say its state prisons and nearly all of the county sheriffs already cooperate with immigration authorities.

But the two county jails that serve Minneapolis and St. Paul and take in the most inmates had not previously met ICE's standard of full cooperation, although they both hand over inmates to federal authorities if an arrest warrant has been signed by a judge.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, which serves Minneapolis and several suburbs, said its policies have not changed. The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office in neighboring St. Paul did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Border czar calls Minnesota operation a success

Homan said he thinks the ICE operation in Minnesota has been a success, checking off a list of people wanted for violent crimes who were taken off the streets.

"I think it's very effective as far as public safety goes," he said Wednesday. "Was it a perfect operation? No."

He also made clear that pulling a chunk of federal officers out of Minnesota isn't a sign that the administration is backing down. "We are not surrendering the president's mission on a mass deportation operation," Homan said.

"You're not going to stop ICE. You're not going to stop Border Patrol," Homan said of the ongoing protests. "The only thing you're doing is irritating your community"

Schools ask court to block immigration operations

Two Minnesota school districts and a teachers union filed a lawsuit Wednesday to block federal authorities from conducting immigration enforcement at or around schools.

The lawsuit says actions by DHS and its ICE officers have disrupted classes, endangered students and driven families away from schools.

It also argues that Operation Metro Surge has marked a shift in policy that removed long-standing limits on enforcement activity in "sensitive locations," including schools.

Homeland Security officials have not responded to a request for comment.

Associated Press reporters Corey Williams in Detroit; John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; and Moriah Balingit in Washington contributed.

LAS VEGAS – Even if you've been to aDef Leppardconcert before, you've never seen them like this.

The enduring British quintet kicked off their12-show residencyatThe Colosseum at Caesars PalaceFeb. 3, with a 100-minute blitzkrieg of stunning visuals, frenetic lasers and a setlist deftly curated to hopscotch between nearly 50 years of classics and dashes of newer material that verifies their vitality.

In recent years, Def Leppard hasprimarily played stadiums, arenas and festivals, making the confines of the 4,100-capacity Colosseum feel especially intimate.

The new production designed for this monthlong, mostly sold-out run is spackled with Def Leppard hallmarks – the lighted"Hysteria"-era trianglethat rises and lowers to bookend the show, the 3D graphics of a menacing leopard, the zigzagging lights that prompt sheer euphoria.

It's all delivered around a sleek set that featuresdrummer Rick Allen, his Union Jack headphones firmly in place, atop a platform reachable by lighted stairs, and plenty of open space for the band to roam.

Led by silver fox frontmanJoe Elliott, Def Leppard exudes the confidence of a band that has absolutely nothing left to prove, but wants to, anyway.

More:Biggest tours of 2026, including Bruno Mars, Harry Styles and Rush

GuitaristsPhil Collen– he of ripped bare chest under vest and sparkly sneakers – andVivian Campbell– unassuming cool in dark glasses – frequently crisscrossed on stage, their dual guitar attack so integral to Def Leppard's sound.

The band, which has played two previous Las Vegas residencies since 2013, kicked off the show with their new song,"Rejoice."Filled with layered harmonies and a gripping drum loop, it sounds likeclassic Def Leppardwith a glow-up.

As Elliott told USA TODAY in an exclusive interview at Caesars Palace following the band's final rehearsal, the goal of new music is "not to sound old-fashioned, but at the same time maintain our identity. ("Rejoice") has all the ingredients – great guitar riffs, melodies, drama. We like a bit of onstage drama; we don't like drama in the dressing room."

Casual fans of the band's abundant hits –"Animal,"Armageddon It"and "Love Bites" among the smashes from 1987's 12-million-selling "Hysteria" album and"Bringin' on the Heartbreak"and "Foolin'" from earlier that decade among them – can devour the familiar. But what makes this residency special are the outliers.

In 2018,Def Leppard recorded a coverof Depeche Mode's "Personal Jesus" for a hits collection, yet never performed it live.

Until now, where the dark electronica of the original paired perfectly with Def Leppard's chiming guitars and a flurry of white lights added to the vibe.

The band also hadn't played their hit version ofDavid Essex's "Rock On"since 2019. The clever live production finds cool cat bassist Rick Savage thrumming out a solo before dovetailing into the song's familiar opening riff, which gives Elliott enough time to dash to the top level of the theater to belt the evocative anthem.

Diehard fans will appreciate the resurrection of"White Lightning,"a 1992 "Adrenalize" track written in tribute to Steve Clark, the band's early guitarist who died in 1991. Elliott clearly had his old friend top of mind at song's end as he raised his fist and blew a kiss skyward.

The endurance of Def Leppard is not only due to their stability. Yes, they're one of the few rock bands to boast an original/longtime lineup and yes, while all of the members are in their 60's, they still ooze rock star fire.

More:Styx's Tommy Shaw talks Vegas shows, favorite blanket and why he loves bus tours

Elliott's voice, while occasionally husky on the high notes in "Rocket" and "Photograph" (a visual nostalgia-fest showcasing a retrospective of the band in, well, photos), still contains plenty of heft. And the blistering fretwork from Collen and Campbell injects every Def Leppard song with adrenaline.

But it's the band's atypical ability to experiment without altering their musical DNA that adds to their legend.

The underappreciated,near-electronica "Slang"has returned after several years and the combination of zippy neon green lighting, a mid-song detour into David Bowie's "Fame" and Elliott's stroll through the crowd to slap hands with fans made it a set highlight.

But Def Leppard can just as adroitly spin into the defiant"Rock of Ages"(complete with a special feathered guest to handle its illustrious "gunter glieben" intro) or the delicate guitar strains and emotional longing of"Hysteria."

The band famously sings in "Rock of Ages" that "it's better to burn out than fade away." But Def Leppard has proven yet again that it won't be doing either any time soon.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Def Leppard blazes through new Las Vegas residency

JUSTIN TALLIS / POOL / AFP via Getty

NEED TO KNOW

• Queen Camilla faced questions from a reporter about the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and his victims during a royal visit to a school

• It came one day after Prince Edward briefly addressed the scandal

• The former Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson appeared in emails and photos in the latest release of Epstein-related documents by the Department of Justice

Queen Camillawas faced with questions about the royal family's reaction to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation and his victims after the former Prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, appeared in files recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice.

The Queen, 77, arrived at London's Christ Church Primary School for a planned engagement to help mark the National Year of Reading on Feb. 4, when a reporter asked the royal questions as she exited her car.

In a video shared by ITV News on social media, a reporter is heard saying, "Good morning, Your Majesty, good morning. Will the royal family help the Epstein investigation? Do you have a message for Epstein's victims, Your Majesty?"

Queen Camilla ignored the questions, heading straight into the school and shaking hands with a greeter just inside.

The Queen didn't respond when asked if she had a message for Epstein's victimshttps://t.co/VJzFCNJxGzpic.twitter.com/qm24AsHrgE

— ITV News (@itvnews)February 4, 2026

Just one day prior to the Queen's questioning,Prince Edwardmadebrief remarks about the matterat the World Governments Summit in Dubai on Feb. 3, becoming the first member of the royal family to address it since the latest files were released. He told CNN's Eleni Giokos: "Well, with the best will in the world. I'm not sure this is the audience that is probably the least bit interested in that. They all came here to listen to education, solving the future."

"But no, I think it's all really important always to remember the victims, and who are the victims in all this, a lot of victims in all this," Prince Edward said.

Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamfaced aheckler during their Jan. 20 visit to Scotland. The Prince and Princess of Wales did not react to the person calling out after they arrived at The Gothenburg pub, who asked repeatedly, "How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein?

Rick Friedman/Corbis via Getty; Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty; Mike Marsland/WireImage

Newly released documents link Andrew, 65, and Ferguson, 66, to Epstein, including numerous email exchanges that took place after Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution and soliciting prostitution.

In onemessage dated Jan. 30, 2010, Ferguson allegedly wrote, "You are a legend. I really don't have the words to describe, my love, gratitude for your generosity and kindness." In another exchange fromAug. 3, 2009, she thanked Epstein for helping her with brand deals and "being the brother I have always wished for."

Other emails from the new batch of Epstein-related evidence includedisturbing commentsabout Andrew and Ferguson's two daughters,Princess Beatrice, now 37, andPrincess Eugenie, now 35. In one, Epstein asked Ferguson about a possible upcoming trip to New York, to which she replied, "Not sure yet. Just waiting for Eugenie to come back from a shagging weekend!!"

In addition, new photos from the Jan. 30 releaseshow Andrew kneeling on all foursover an unidentified woman on the ground.

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Andrew'sroyal titles and honors were strippedby King Charles in the fall amid renewed interest in his and Ferguson's ties to Epstein.

Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, and a representative for Ferguson had no comment when PEOPLE reached out about these latest emails.

Read the original article onPeople