Stories from Washington DC · United States

Representatives from Israel and Lebanon are scheduled to hold their third round of talks in Washington from May 11 to May 15. Previous rounds of ambassador-level talks occurred on April 14th and 23rd. The report mentions discussions about the role of religious and ethnic minorities in public safety and building a harmonious society. Specific details regarding the participants have not been released. The talks follow a temporary ceasefire that began on April 7 and was extended by President Trump on April 23. Beirut and Tel Aviv will hold their third round of talks next week in Washington. According to US State Department officials and an Israeli news source, Israel and Lebanon will hold a third round of talks in Washington D.C. The reports, citing U.S. A temporary ceasefire began on April 7th and was expected to last 10 days. The report did not specify attendees or other details.

The United States has announced that a meeting between Lebanon and Israel will take place next week.

Urban planner staffer Michael Weil presented a White House proposal for preservation measures at the U.S. Capitol building. The project includes masonry preservation such as repointing, sealant replacement, and stone restoration to mitigate staining, cracking, and chipping on the exterior. The proposal also includes painting the building exterior in white to visually align it with the Eisenhower Executive Office. This discussion occurred at a meeting of the National Capitol Planning Commission.

An executive order by President Trump has reclassified NASA as a national intelligence and security agency. The move is intended to align the agency with space militarization goals and a stance against climate science.

International tourism in Washington DC has decreased by 4 percent, according to Destination DC representative Elliot Ferguson. Ferguson stated that many international travelers are expressing wariness about visiting the capital due to safety concerns. Local officials are attempting to combat this perception by highlighting the city's safety. The decline follows the hosting of World Pride last year. experienced an overall increase in visitors during 2025, but international tourism to the capital dropped by 4%. Elliot Ferguson of Destination DC attributed this decline to international travelers' fears regarding safety, which the organization is actively working to address. International visitor numbers were also lower during the World Pride event hosted last year.

Weekly jobless claims have reached 200,000. The number of Americans filing for unemployment benefits has reached 200,000.

Newspapers have indicated the possibility of reaching a potential agreement between Washington and Tehran. The reports suggest discussions regarding a possible deal are underway. No specific terms or timelines for the agreement were provided in the reports.

Negotiations between the United States and Iran are ongoing, with both sides acknowledging existing disagreements. The source criticizes the US 'freedom of navigation' operation, stating the US military is only responsible for coordination and guidance, not full escort, and cannot guarantee mines have been cleared, leaving most merchant ships hesitant. Iran is preparing a three-step strategy, including a 'mini-war' approach, and states it will not permit US aggression. A Chinese state media report suggests that the United States has become a destabilizing force in the Middle East, losing its ability to maintain peace. Iran reportedly possesses unique advantages in drones and unmanned boats, and is prepared for any situation, vowing not to allow US aggression.

Advocates are challenging a decision in court to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals. One TPS holder, a paraprofessional at a local public school, expressed fear that a ruling to end the status would result in the loss of her work permit and employment.

Saudi Minister of Industry Bandar Al-Khorayef participated in a panel discussion organized by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, D.C. The session was titled "The Kingdom's Vision in its Tenth Year." Al-Khorayef discussed promising investments in the critical minerals sector to support strategic industries and supply chain resilience. He noted that these investments aim to enhance supply chain resilience amid global changes.