ATTEMPTING TO ASSASSINATE PRESIDENT TRUMP A gunman burst out of a hotel doorway and charged through a security checkpoint in just four seconds as President Donald Trump was attending a press gala, according to new footage released by prosecutors. The CCTV video appears to show a security agent opening fire in the direction of the sprinting gunman, who is carrying a long-barrelled weapon, though it is unclear if he discharges it. Cole Tomas Allen, 31, is charged with attempting to assassinate President Trump at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. He has not yet entered a plea. The US justice department says the video also shows Allen "casing the area" at the hotel on the day before the dinner, when he allegedly checked in as a guest. He is seen walking down a Washington Hilton corridor on the eve of the gala and popping into the hotel's gym, according to prosecutors. The defendant is accused of carrying a semi-automatic handgun, a pump-action shotgun and three knives as he ran through a terrace level, one floor above the basement ballroom where the high-profile press gala was unfolding. Trump, Vice-President JD Vance, cabinet members and other White House officials were rushed from the venue after gunfire rang out. The new video, posted on X on Thursday by US Attorney for Washington DC Jeanine Pirro, appears to be a higher quality version of a clip shared by Trump on social media in the aftermath of Saturday's incident. The latest footage shows nearly a dozen security agents gathered around a security checkpoint at the hotel. A man wearing a long dark coat walks through the corridor and disappears into a doorway. A moment later the gunman, having shed his coat, re-emerges and sprints through a metal-detector with both hands on what appears to be a gun. His coat was concealing a 12-gauge shotgun, according to an affidavit filed by prosecutors. The footage appears to show an officer fire his handgun at the suspect. Prosecutors have said the agent was hit by gunfire, but the alleged assailant was not shot. A Secret Service spokesman told the BBC on Thursday: "The officer was struck in the ballistic vest, but was not seriously injured." Ballistics experts have been investigating whether the Secret Service officer was hit by a bullet fired by the suspect, or by other law enforcement at the scene. Pirro said in Thursday's post on X: "There is no evidence the shooting was the result of friendly fire." However, a memo filed by prosecutors on Wednesday, asking a judge to hold Allen in custody pending trial, makes no mention of any officer being shot. It says that as the suspect ran through the checkpoint, a Secret Service officer "observed the defendant fire the shotgun in the direction of the stairs leading down to the ballroom". Earlier statements in charging documents alleged that one officer was hit in the ballistic vest by a single shot fired by the suspect. Defence lawyers for Allen have questioned prosecutors' claims that their client opened fire. On Thursday the director of the US Secret Service told Fox News that the suspect had fired at a Secret Service agent at "point-blank range". "All the evidence that I've seen, the suspect shot our officer point-blank range with a shotgun," Sean Curran told the network. Our officer heroically returned fire while being shot point-blank range in the chest with a shotgun, he was able to get off five shots. It appears that the suspect hit his knee, while being engaged by the officer, on one of our magnetometer boxes and began to fall to the ground. "That's what appears to be, and at that moment is when officers and agents were able to subdue him and pile on top of him." Allen faces additional charges, including transportation of a firearm between states to commit a felony and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence - both of which have maximum sentences of 10 years. 1st May,2026

IRAN SAYS IT WILL RESPOND IF US RENEWS ATTACKS Iran says it will respond with “long and painful strikes” on US positions across the Gulf region if Washington renews attacks, and has restated its claim to the Strait of Hormuz, complicating the plans of the United States for a coalition to reopen the waterway. Two months into the US-Israel war on Iran, the strait remains closed, choking off 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supplies. That has sent global energy prices surging and heightened concerns about the risks of an economic downturn. Pakistan-led efforts to resolve the conflict have hit an impasse. Despite a ceasefire in place since April 8, Iran continues to block the strait in response to a US naval blockade of its ports, preventing oil exports – Tehran’s economic lifeline. Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei defended the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. “This is because of the war and the defence of our right – that is, according to international law, it is legitimate, legal, and accepted,” he said on Thursday night, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported. He accused the US of “exploiting a waterway” of which Iran is the coastal state. “In such circumstances, you cannot allow this waterway to be misused,” he said. Two months into the US-Israel war on Iran, the strait remains closed, choking off 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supplies. That has sent global energy prices surging and heightened concerns about the risks of an economic downturn. Pakistan-led efforts to resolve the conflict have hit an impasse. Despite a ceasefire in place since April 8, Iran continues to block the strait in response to a US naval blockade of its ports, preventing oil exports – Tehran’s economic lifeline Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei defended the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. “This is because of the war and the defence of our right – that is, according to international law, it is legitimate, legal, and accepted,” he said on Thursday night, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported. He accused the US of “exploiting a waterway” of which Iran is the coastal state. “In such circumstances, you cannot allow this waterway to be misused,” he said. 1st May,2026

TRUMP WARNS STRAIT OF HORMUZ DEADLINE United States President Donald Trump intensified his rhetoric against Iran on Sunday, promising a devastating military campaign if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened to international traffic by Tuesday. The President issued a series of blunt warnings via social media, specifically targeting Iran’s power grid and transportation networks. The ultimatum marks a sharp escalation in a conflict that has now entered its second month, with the global economy feeling the strain of disrupted energy corridors. “Tuesday will be Power Plant Day, and Bridge Day, all wrapped up in one, in Iran. There will be nothing like it!!!” Trump stated in a Truth Social post. The President characterized the Iranian leadership as “crazy bastards” and vowed they would be “living in Hell” should the deadline pass without compliance. The President’s plan to target civilian infrastructure has drawn immediate fire from legal experts and political opponents. International humanitarian law generally prohibits the destruction of facilities essential to the civilian population, and critics warn such strikes could be classified as war crimes. Senator Tim Kaine, D-Va., lambasted the administration’s approach during an appearance on reporters’ programs. Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, described the President’s rhetoric as “embarrassing and juvenile.” He argued that such aggressive posturing endangers American service members who may be captured in the future. “If you send the message that there’s no quarter for the folks on the other side, that really encourages them to mistreat our folks,” Kaine said. He further criticized the White House for what he described as “the absence of a plan, the absence of a clear rationale, no effort to get allies on board The diplomatic heat coincides with high-stakes military operations. President Trump confirmed Sunday that the United States successfully rescued a “highly respected Colonel” who had been missing since his F-15E Strike Eagle was downed over Iran last week. The President hailed the mission as “one of the most daring Search and Rescue Operations in U.S. History.” While the U.S. celebrated the recovery of the “seriously wounded” officer, Tehran offered a different narrative. Iranian state television broadcast images of wreckage, claiming they shot down a transport plane and two helicopters during the rescue. Separately, U.S. officials confirmed the pilot of an A-10 Warthog was forced to eject over Kuwait after being hit by Iranian fire. Iran’s military joint command countered by claiming four U.S. aircraft were destroyed during the rescue operation. A spokesman warned via IRNA news agency: “If you commit aggression again and strike civilian facilities, our responses will be more forceful.” A regional intelligence official, speaking to the media on condition of anonymity, contradicted Tehran’s claims regarding the rescue mission. The official stated the U.S. military intentionally blew up two of its own transport planes due to technical malfunctions to protect sensitive technology The conflict is no longer confined to U.S.-Iranian exchanges. Iran has expanded retaliatory strikes to Gulf Arab states hosting U.S. military installations. On Saturday, a projectile struck an auxiliary building near Iran’s Bushehr nuclear plant, killing one person, though operations were unaffected. Subsequently, Russia’s Rosatom evacuated 198 staff members from the site. On Sunday, Iranian drone attacks targeted petrochemical plants and power facilities in Kuwait, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates. The disruption has sent shockwaves through energy markets. The spot price for current physical cargoes of Brent crude oil soared Thursday to $141.36 (approx. GH¢1,556.37), the highest level since the 2008 financial crisis. The spot price reflects demand for Brent oil to be delivered in the next 10 to 30 days. The high price of immediate oil deliveries points to current physical supply constraints due to the huge disruption triggered by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The price was $32.33 (approx. GH¢355.95) higher than the Brent crude futures contract for June delivery, which closed at $109.03 (approx. GH¢1,200.42) on Thursday The escalating tension in the Middle East has triggered immediate economic repercussions across Africa. In Ghana, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) recently reported a surge in fuel prices, with petrol rising to GH¢13.30 per litre and diesel to GH¢17.10 per litre. Experts warn that a prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could increase Ghana’s annual oil import bill by $2.4 billion (approx. GH¢26.42 billion), potentially reversing recent gains in inflation management. The African Union (AU) has called for “urgent de-escalation,” warning that the conflict threatens food security and economic resilience across the continent, as 20% of the world’s oil supply remains at risk. Despite the looming deadline, some diplomatic threads remain active. Oman’s foreign ministry reported meeting with Iranian officials to discuss visions for ensuring transit. “During the meeting, experts from both sides presented a number of visions and proposals that will be studied,” the Omani statement on X read. Concurrently, Iran’s foreign minister has, in principle, left the door open for peace talks with the U.S. amid ongoing mediation from Pakistan. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed gratitude for the efforts in Islamabad but gave no indication of Tehran’s willingness to bow to Trump’s specific demands. “We are deeply grateful to Pakistan for its efforts and have never refused to go to Islamabad. What we care about are the terms of a conclusive and lasting END to the illegal war that is imposed on us,” Araghchi said on X. In a supporting statement on Saturday, Pakistani officials told the media that efforts to broker a ceasefire are “right on track Closing the Window for Negotiation The window for these diplomatic efforts is rapidly closing. On March 26, President Trump extended a pause in attacking Iran’s energy facilities by 10 days to April 6 at the request of the Islamic Republic’s government. In a televised address from the White House on Wednesday, the President told Americans he expects the war to last another two to three weeks but insisted the conflict was nearing its conclusion. “We are going to finish the job, and we’re going to finish it very fast,” he said. With the 48-hour countdown under way, the President’s patience appears to have reached its limit. “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to MAKE A DEAL or OPEN UP THE HORMUZ STRAIT. Time is running out – 48 hours before all Hell will reign [sic] down on them,” Trump warned Saturday in a Truth Social post. He is scheduled to speak from the Oval Office on Monday at 1 p.m. ET (5 p.m. GMT). As the deadline approaches, the international community remains caught between the White House’s demand for an immediate reopening of the Strait and Tehran’s insistence on ending what it terms an “illegal war.” With global markets and regional stability hanging in the balance, the coming 48 hours represent a critical juncture that will determine if diplomacy can still avert a total regional conflagration. 6th April,2026

IRAN DOWNS WARPLANE The United States military expanded search and rescue operations Saturday following the downing of an American warplane over Iranian territory. This incident marks the first loss of U.S. aircraft within Iran since the conflict began six weeks ago. Iranian authorities identified the downed craft as an F-15E Strike Eagle and have publicly called for citizens to locate the “enemy pilot” in exchange for a reward. “If you capture and hand over a pilot or pilots of the enemy alive… you will receive a valuable reward and prize,” an Iranian news anchor announced. Videos emerged Saturday appearing to show Iranian police in the town of Charam firing at specialized Black Hawk helicopters participating in the recovery effort. Pentagon officials confirmed that one crew member was successfully rescued following the Friday engagement. However, the status of a second service member remains unknown. Military analysts note that crews are extensively trained in “SERE” (Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape) protocols to lower their profile in hostile terrain. While Iran claimed a second aircraft crashed in the Persian Gulf, U.S. officials clarified that an A-10 Thunderbolt II was indeed struck on Friday. The pilot successfully navigated the “Warthog” out of Iranian airspace before ejecting and was subsequently rescued. These two incidents bring the total number of manned U.S. aircraft lost during this conflict to at least seven. The loss of aviation assets occurred only two days after President Donald Trump delivered a national address claiming victory. During that speech, the President asserted that the U.S. had “beaten and completely decimated Iran” and promised to “finish the job, and we’re going to finish it very fast.” Brigadier General Alireza Elhami, commander of Iran’s Joint Air Defense Base, countered that the downing was the result of “innovations” in air defense that have caused “confusion and bewilderment for the enemy.” Democratic Rep. Seth Moulton criticized the President’s earlier claims, stating the Commander-in-Chief “doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” The conflict reached new levels of intensity as the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran reported an airstrike near the Bushehr nuclear facility. Simultaneously, U.S.-Israeli strikes hit the prestigious Shahid Beheshti University in Tehran. A separate strike reportedly “wiped out” a popular music school in Tehran that had served as a community haven. Separately, a missile strike in a residential area of North Tehran killed at least one person and gutted buildings. In a separate retaliatory wave, Iranian fire targeted Kuwait’s Mina al-Ahmadi oil refinery, while the Israel Defense Forces reported search and rescue teams were responding to “reports of impact” at sites in central Israel. Regional instability spread to the United Arab Emirates as an Iranian drone struck the Dubai headquarters of Oracle. The Revolutionary Guard had previously named Oracle as one of 17 U.S. tech targets, noting that co-founder Larry Ellison is an ally of President Trump. While the Dubai Media Office described the event as a minor incident, falling debris from intercepted attacks also caused two fires at Abu Dhabi gas facilities, resulting in at least one fatality Iran continues to maintain a strategic grip on the Strait of Hormuz, causing severe disruptions to global markets. The disruption has reduced global oil and gas supply by approximately one-fifth, triggering an “everything crisis” as prices for petrochemical derivatives like plastic, rubber, and polyester soar. Global food prices rose 2.4% in March alone due to energy costs. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf issued a veiled threat Saturday against the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has postponed a vote on a Bahraini resolution to secure the Strait of Hormuz until next week. Diplomats cite resistance from China and Russia, with Beijing’s envoy warning that the resolution could “legitimize the unlawful use of force The war has claimed thousands of lives across multiple borders since Feb. 28. Indonesia expressed “grave concern” after three of its peacekeepers serving with UNIFIL were injured in southern Lebanon, marking the third such incident in a week. While President Trump has threatened “much more to follow,” domestic opposition is growing. Republican Senator John Curtis announced he cannot support further funding for military operations without a formal declaration of war from Congress. President Trump is asking Congress for a historic $1.5 trillion for defense, a 40% increase intended to build the “Golden Dome” missile defense system. This request follows a string of recent losses, including three F-15s lost to “friendly fire” on March 2 and a KC-135 tanker crash on March 12. Amidst the war effort, internal turmoil hit the Pentagon as Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth abruptly fired Army Chief of Staff Gen. Randy George. Sources indicate the two were at loggerheads over personnel management and Hegseth’s alleged sidelining of officers—including female and Black officers—for political reasons. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni publicly disagreed with President Trump’s criticism of European allies, stating her priority is defending national interests. This rift follows Italy’s recent move to block a U.S. aircraft from using a military base in Sicily. Despite these tensions, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is scheduled to meet with Trump Wednesday to discuss the alliance’s role in the conflict. The downing of American aircraft and the subsequent “enemy pilot” hunt represent a significant shift in the war’s friction, moving the conflict from a distance-based air campaign to a direct confrontation on Iranian soil. As both sides target critical infrastructure—ranging from research universities to desalination plants—the window for a diplomatic resolution appears to be closing in favor of a broader regional escalation that tests the limits of both military technology and international alliances. 6th April,2026

VICE PRESIDENT LAUNCHES SEED PROGRAMME The initiative is aimed at nurturing a new generation of student entrepreneurs and forms part of government’s broader strategy to tackle youth unemployment. Speaking at the launch on Thursday, the Vice President noted that the programme reflects the commitment of President John Dramani Mahama to addressing one of Ghana’s most pressing challenges—job creation for the youth. SEED builds on the success of the Adwumawura Programme, which attracted a large number of applications, demonstrating the readiness of young Ghanaians to innovate and pursue entrepreneurial ventures. The programme, being implemented by the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) under the leadership of Eric Adjei, in partnership with the National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS), is designed to support students in transforming innovative ideas into sustainable businesses. Vice President Opoku-Agyemang commended the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, NEIP leadership and other stakeholders for their roles in bringing the programme to fruition. She also congratulated the first cohort of participants and urged them to take full advantage of the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to national development. The SEED Programme is expected to be implemented across tertiary institutions through innovation hubs, further strengthening Ghana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and promoting job creation among the youth. 1st May,2026

DISRUPTION AFFECTED ELECTRICITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY. Energy and Green Transition Minister, John Abdulai Jinapor, has announced the full restoration of all power generation units following a major system disruption that affected electricity supply across parts of the country. In a Facebook post on Friday, May 1, 2026, Dr Jinapor described the recovery effort as a significant achievement. He consequently commended the engineers, technicians, and emergency response teams for their swift and coordinated response in bringing the generation units back online. Dr Jinapor praised the dedication and professionalism of personnel across key institutions, including the Ghana Grid Company (GRIDCo), Volta River Authority (VRA), and the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), as well as other supporting agencies. Through their tireless work, discipline, and commitment to country, power has been restored and system stability secured,” he noted. "I extend my sincere appreciation to the leadership and staff of GRIDCo, VRA, ECG, and all supporting agencies whose coordination made this possible," he added. Earlier, John Abdulai Jinapor asked the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Grid Company Limited (GRIDCo), Mark Awuah Baah, to step aside pending investigations into the incident. The directive was announced by the Minister of Information, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, April 26. The fire, which occurred on April 23, 2026, knocked between 720 megawatts and nearly 1,000 megawatts off the national grid, forcing a full suspension of electricity exports and prompting a nationwide audit of energy infrastructure. Beyond GRIDCo, Kwakye Ofosu also confirmed a major leadership shake-up within the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) in the Ashanti Region, where a significant power outage swept across residential neighbourhoods, commercial centres, and industrial zones following the Akosombo incident. 1st May,2026

NO DRUMMING, LOUDSPEAKERS OR FUNERALS The Accra Metropolitan Assembly has announced a one-month ban on drumming and noise-making across the Ga Traditional Area, beginning Monday, May 4 and ending Thursday, June 4, 2026. In a press release signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Gilbert Nii Ankrah, the Assembly warned that all religious and social activities producing excessive noise must cease entirely for the duration of the period. Some areas covered by the ban include communities around the Accra Metropolitan Assembly Head Office, Gamashie, Ablekuma West and Kasoa. Churches have been directed to conduct their services strictly within their premises without the use of musical instruments. The Assembly further stated that loudspeakers fixed outside churches, mosques, and pubs are prohibited, while roadside evangelists must suspend their activities entirely until the ban is lifted. The Ga Traditional Council, in a parallel directive, has imposed a ban on funeral rites and all related activities, meaning no public mourning, procession, or burial ceremonies involving amplified sound or drumming will be permitted. In a strong appeal for interfaith restraint, the AMA urged religious bodies and traditional authorities to show mutual respect and prevent their followers from making derogatory or inflammatory remarks about the beliefs and practices of others. The notice stressed that such remarks could undermine the peace and harmony the ban seeks to protect. Enforcement, the Assembly clarified, rests solely with an identifiable joint task force comprising AMA personnel, the Ghana Police Service, and representatives of the Traditional Councils. All members of this team will wear tags. No private person or unauthorised group is allowed to enforce the noise abatement. Residents, towns, and villages within the Ga Traditional Area are expected to cooperate fully. The AMA described the period as the “Nmaa Dumo” observance and appealed for compliance to ensure an incident-free season. The release ended with the familiar civic call: “Accra, live in, love it!!!” “All are enjoined to abide by these guidelines,” the notice read. “For peace, harmony and national security.” 1st May,2026

BEWARE OF FAKE RECRUITMENT LINKS Mr Goodman assured the public that the official recruitment system remains secure and has not been compromised, dismissing claims of a potential breach. Any cloned or unauthorised websites should be disregarded entirely,” the statement emphasised In a statement issued by spokesperson Tony Goodman, the Ministry stressed that the only authorised platform for recruitment is http://mohrecruitment.com, urging applicants to ignore any alternative links, particularly those shared on social media. The Ministry advised prospective applicants to rely solely on verified communication channels and avoid dealing with intermediaries or individuals offering assistance through unofficial means. To help combat fraud, the public has been encouraged to report suspicious activities via the dedicated hotline 0244435350. The MoH also announced that recruitment for pharmacists, pharmacy technicians, physician assistants, and allied health professionals has been completed The next phase, involving nurses and midwives, is scheduled to take place from May 4 to May 15, 2026. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a transparent, fair, and secure recruitment process. 1st May,2026