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About 700 federal officers — roughly a quarter of the total deployed to Minnesota — will be withdrawn immediately after state and local officials agreed over the past week to cooperate by turning over arrested immigrants, Homan said.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

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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.

VALERIE MACON / AFP via Getty; Alamy Stock Photo

NEED TO KNOW

• Jennifer Garner revealed that she once bit off a portion of a stunt performer's ear while filming a fight sequence for her 2007 movie The Kingdom

• Garner reunited with the stunt performer in question, Sala Baker, for the upcoming season of her Apple TV series The Last Thing He Told Me

• The Last Thing He Told Me's second season begins streaming Feb. 20

Jennifer Garneris revealing she once pulled off a feat more commonly associated with boxerMike Tyson.

Garner, 53, told reporters at a Tuesday, Feb. 3 press day for her Apple TV seriesThe Last Thing He Told Mein Santa Monica, Calif. that she once bit a portion of a stunt performer's ear off while filming a fight sequence for her 2007 movieThe Kingdom, according toThe Hollywood Reporter.

After Garner and her costarNicolaj Coster-Waldaupresented a scene fromThe Last Thing He Told Me'supcoming season, in which Garner performs a fight sequence with actor and stunt performer Sala Baker, the actress noted that she previously worked with Baker onThe Kingdom.

"Pete Berg, who was the director, told him to try to kill me. We did not have a lot of choreography, and he told me to do anything I could to survive," she recalled. "He did, and I did, and I ended up scrambling onto his back. I bit his ear, and we have a picture of him missing a chunk of ear, because we were not kidding."

Garner also noted that when she and Baker reunited forThe Last Thing He Told Me, the series' crew asked him, " 'Can you be careful with her?' " "I was like, 'No, no, no, no, he's not going to be careful. I'm not going to be careful. Just back out of the way. I have a score to settle here.' And Sal was with us the entire season," she said. "So prepare yourselves."

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Alamy Stock Photo

Garner specifically said that she bit Baker's ear "like Mike Tyson," when Coster-Waldau asked her further about the incident. Tyson, 59, was famously disqualified from a boxing match against Evander Holyfield in 1997 after hebit off a portion of Holyfield's ear. "Why are you all looking as if this is a great thing? What is wrong with you people?" Coster-Waldau jested.

"Don't make me mad. I seem nice. I've warned you before," Garner responded with a smile, perTHR.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE'sfree daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

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Garner costarred with Jamie Foxx, Chris Cooper and Jason Bateman inThe Kingdom, an action-thriller that follows a group of FBI agents who travel to Saudi Arabia to investigate terror attacks on American and Saudi citizens in the country.

The Last Thing He Told Me's second season begins streaming on Apple TV Feb. 20.

Read the original article onPeople

AfterSavannah Guthrie asked for prayers amid the ongoing search for her mother, her fellow "TODAY" co-anchors on Wednesday honored their colleague's faith.

"All of her friends are rallying, and know that the way that we can help her is to pray," Jenna Bush Hager said after a segment about the Guthrie family's faith. "Her faith leads us, and Nancy leads us as well."

On Monday night, less than 48 hours after authorities believeNancy Guthrie was abducted from her Arizona home, Savannah Guthrie shared a message on Instagram asking to "please pray."

Her comments have resonated nationwide as local and federal authorities continue to search for her 84-year-old mother, who was reported missing Sunday afternoon from her home outside of Tucson after she did not show up at church.

"We believe in prayer. We believe in voices raised in unison, in love, in hope. We believe in goodness. We believe in humanity. Above all, we believe in Him," Savannah Guthrie wrote in a caption.

On Wednesday, several "TODAY" co-hosts reflected on her message of prayer, including Bush Hager, who revealed that she used to attend church with Savannah Guthrie. Craig Melvin noted that over the last few days, people have "come out of the woodwork" to share they are praying for the Guthrie family — something he said "Savannah and the family needs to hear."

"My pastor used to have this saying years ago," he added. "He's like, it's easy to be faithful when things are going well in your life. It's easy to be faithful when you're at the mountain, top of the mountain, but the God of the mountain is the God of the valley."

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Co-host Carson Daly added, "It's easy to be pessimistic and negative at a time like this, but I feel like you have the same option to still think about a positive outcome. I know these hours and days goes by, that feels harder, but we still have that ability. You know, through our faith, think let's get Nancy home."

No suspects have been identified in the investigation that now involves the FBI. The Pima County Sheriff's Department believes Guthrie — who has limited mobility and has no cognitive issues — was taken "possibly in the middle of the night, and that includes possible kidnapping or abduction."

"Thank you for lifting your prayers with ours for our beloved mom, our dearest Nancy, a woman of deep conviction, a good and faithful servant. Raise your prayers with us and believe with us that she will be lifted by them in this very moment," Savannah Guthrie added in her Instagram post Monday. "We need you."

In early 2024, Savannah Guthrie published a memoir, "Mostly What God Does: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere."

Loyal viewers of the "TODAY" show have previously heard Savannah Guthrie speak about her mother and their shared faith, saying in 2023 that "the greatest gift my mother gave me was faith and belief in God. It changed my whole life."

The family, in which Savannah Guthrie is one of three children, was raised to have deep convictions and faith. That belief proved crucial after Savannah Guthrie's father, Charles Guthrie, died when she was 16.

"I remember being asked by friends, "How can you still believe?" And I remember saying, "Oh, no. This is when I need him the most. I can't lose my dad and lose God at the same time," Savannah Guthrie said on air in 2024.

During a tribute to her mother on her 80th birthday, Savannah Guthrie called her a "woman of great faith" and described her as an inspiration. The inspiration continued to Savannah Guthrie's own children, as she previously said on air that she believes it is her "job to tell my kids about the God that I know, but then God has to do the rest when they grow up, it's theirs to choose."

The family ofTheBlind SideactorQuinton Aaronreportedly plans to investigate his wife, Margarita Aaron, after suspicions about her background, including claims she's been married to another man for 34 years.

Quinton was hospitalized last monthand put on life support after collapsing at his home. He was said to be walking up the stairs in his apartment when he suddenly lost function of his legs, causing him to fall. He was rushed to a hospital in Atlanta and put on life support for a severe blood infection.

While Quinton has been in the hospital recovering, his family is said to have learned some shocking details about his wife. In a statement toUs Weekly, the Aaron family said, "Since the health crisis of our beloved family member Quinton Aaron, we have raised some suspicions about the legitimacy of Quinton and Margarita's marriage to each other, as well as her legitimacy as a registered nurse. We have found some alarming details."

The statement continued, "We as a family believe Margarita isn't who she claimed to be to us. This has caused us to want to investigate her further."

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A post shared by Quinton Aaron (@officialquintonaaron)

Quinton's cousin Asia also told the outlet that Margarita has been married to another man "for 34 years," claiming, "I spoke to her real legal husband myself."

Margarita's daughter and niece also confirmed toTMZthat she is indeed married to another man.

Margarita responded to the accusations on Tuesday (February 3), tellingTMZthat she and Quinton got "spiritually" married in December 2024. She also said she has "no power of attorney" over Quinton and has never made any medical decisions on his behalf.

Quinton's brother Jarred shared a different story, telling the outlet that he believed Margarita was making "crucial and life-saving medical decisions" and that he "genuinely fears for [his] brother's life." Jarred also noted he is waiting until Quinton recovers to share this information with him.

In response to Jarred's claims, Margarita told the publication, "If he's saying I'm such a bad person, why does he live with me and Quinton?"

Quinton made his film debut in Michel Gondry'sBe Kind Rewind(2008) before landing his breakout role as former NFL star Michael Oher inThe Blind Side(2009). He's also appeared in episodes ofLaw & Order,Law & Order: SVU,Mercy,One Tree Hill,Harry's Law, andDrop Dead Diva. Most recently, he starred in the 2022 filmThe Baby Pact

Read the latest entertainment news onTV Insider.

By Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON, Feb 4 - Meaningful talks between the United States and Iran will have to include Tehran's missile arsenal and other issues, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday, as Tehran said it would only discuss its nuclear programme, not its missiles.

Talks between the countries amid fears of a military ​confrontation have been planned for Friday, with Iran pushing to restrict the negotiations to discussion of its long-running nuclear dispute with Western countries.

"If the Iranians want to meet, we're ready," ‌Rubio said. But he added that talks would have to include the range of Iran's ballistic missiles, its support for groups around the Middle East and its treatment of its own people, besides the nuclear dispute.

A senior Iranian official, however, said the ‌talks would only be about Iran's nuclear programme, and that its missile programme was "off the table".

TALKS MAY MOVE TO OMAN

The meeting was originally planned for Turkey, but a Gulf official, another regional official and Iranian state-affiliated media said the talks were expected to take place in Oman.

Rubio said U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff was prepared for the talks but that the location was "still being worked through" after Iran had previously agreed to a particular format.

Iran wanted the meeting to take place in Oman as a continuation of previous rounds of talks held in the Gulf Arab country on its nuclear programme and asked for a change of location from ⁠Turkey, the regional official said.

This was to avoid any expansion of the ‌discussions to issues such as Tehran's ballistic missiles, the regional official said.

Plans for the talks, to be mediated by several countries, were still being finalised, the Gulf official said, adding that the discussions would start on the nuclear issue and then move to other topics on a step-by-step basis.

The diplomatic efforts come after ‍U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of military action against Iran during its bloody crackdown on protesters last month and the deployment of more naval power to the Gulf.

After Israel and the United States bombed the Islamic Republic last summer, renewed friction has kindled fears among regional states of a major conflagration that could rebound on them or cause long-term chaos in Iran.

Trump has continued to weigh the option of strikes on Iran, sources say. Oil prices have ​risen on the tension.

NUCLEAR DISPUTE

U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that "bad things" would probably happen if a deal could not be reached, ratcheting up pressure on the Islamic Republic in a standoff ‌that has led to mutual threats of air strikes.

Iran's leadership is increasingly worried a U.S. strike could break its grip on power by driving an already enraged public back onto the streets, according to six current and former Iranian officials.

Trump, who stopped short of carrying out threats to intervene during last month's crackdown, has since demanded nuclear concessions from Iran, sending a flotilla to its coast.

Iran also hopes for an agreement that could help lift Western sanctions over its nuclear programme that have ravaged its economy - a major driver of last month's unrest.

Ministers from several other countries in the region including Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates had been expected to attend Friday's talks, but a regional source told Reuters that Tehran wanted only bilateral talks with the U.S.

BALLISTIC MISSILE STOCKPILE

Iranian sources told Reuters last ⁠week that Trump had demanded three conditions for the resumption of talks: zero enrichment of uranium in Iran, limits ​on Tehran's ballistic missile programme and an end to its support for regional proxies.

Iran has long said all three demands ​are unacceptable infringements of its sovereignty, but two Iranian officials told Reuters its clerical rulers saw the ballistic missile programme, rather than uranium enrichment, as the bigger obstacle.

An Iranian official said there should not be preconditions for talks and that Iran was ready to show flexibility on uranium enrichment, which it says is for peaceful, ‍not military purposes.

Since the U.S. strikes in June, Tehran ⁠has said its uranium enrichment work has stopped.

In June, the United States struck Iranian nuclear targets, joining in at the close of a 12-day Israeli bombing campaign and Iran struck back at Israel with missiles and drones.

Iran said it replenished its missile stockpile after the war with Israel last year, warning it will unleash its missiles if its security is under threat.

Adding ⁠to tensions, on Tuesday the U.S. military shot down an Iranian drone that "aggressively" approached the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier in the Arabian Sea, the U.S. military said, in an incident first reported by Reuters.

In another incident in the Strait of Hormuz, ‌the U.S. Central Command said Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps forces had approached a U.S.-flagged tanker at speed and threatened to board and seize it.

(Reporting by Simon Lewis, Humeyra ‌Pamuk, Andrew Mills and Parisa Hafezi; Writing by Michael Georgy and Angus McDowall; Editing by Aidan Lewis)