The war in the Middle East is now in its second month as a fragile ceasefire holds, spreading to Europe and escalating across the region after the US and Israel launched air strikes against Iran, killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior leaders. The initial strikes, dubbed Operation Epic Fury, sent shockwaves through sectors from shipping to air travel and oil, amid rising energy costs and disruption to business in the strategic waterway, a global trade hub.
Here’s what’s happening in the Middle East and across the US, after shots were fired at the annual White House correspondents’ dinner.
Key Events
- 4 mins ago: Alleged gunman’s motive probed after Trump flees shooting
Alleged gunman’s motive probed after Trump flees shooting
A suspected gunman’s motive is being investigated after shots were fired at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. US President Donald Trump was whisked away by security at the Washington Hilton ballroom during the annual event as gunshots were heard in the lobby about 8.30pm on Saturday.
The alleged gunman, Cole Tomas Allen, 31, sprinted through a security checkpoint with a shotgun, exchanging fire with Secret Service agents in chase, footage shows. Minutes before, Allen’s brother notified the New London Police Department of an alleged “manifesto” Allen had sent to his family members just before the incident.
The Trump administration is now trying to clarify the timeline of when the suspected gunman’s family learned of his writings — and when they notified local police in Connecticut, multiple sources familiar with the matter told CNN. A White House and an administration official now say the timeline is in flux. While the suspect did send what some in the administration are calling a “manifesto” to his family roughly 10 minutes before the incident, one source said the family did not read or report the writings to local law enforcement until after the event. Another source, though, said the FBI is still actively investigating the matter and was hesitant to confirm precisely both when the family learned of the writings and when they notified law enforcement.
The alleged gunman referred to himself in the manifesto as “The Friendly Federal Assassin”. The writings made clear the suspect wanted to target administration officials, and specifically indicated the suspect was not targeting law enforcement, the source added.
A 31-year-old California man named Cole Thomas Allen stormed a security checkpoint at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, opening fire with guns before being tackled and arrested by law enforcement.
