Rhiannon Wilkinson, head of Ashville College, is in the running for Headteacher of the Year (Independent) at the 2026 Tes Schools Awards, widely regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the education sector.

Her leadership has helped the college reach the Sunday Times Parent Power top 10 independent schools in the North.

Ms Wilkinson said: “Thanks to the home-grown skills and talents of all our staff and pupils, Ashville continues to grow, innovate and be forward-thinking.

“There is no shortage of inspiration in schools and their people across the UK, so I am thrilled that the Ashville name will be represented on the national stage at such prestigious awards.”

She is the only nominee in the North of England.

Ashville College also achieved record-breaking A-level results for the second consecutive year.

Greg Styles, Ashville College’s chairman of governors, said: “The combination of Rhiannon’s skills in strategic thinking and practical business innovation is something I have found to be quite unique in the education sector.

“Her visionary leadership has created the ‘new’ Ashville for the future, and she deserves to be recognised on the national stage.”

Cameron Norrie set up a first meeting with Jannik Sinner after battling into the fourth round of the Madrid Open.

While Norrie has faced Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic on multiple occasions, he oddly has never previously taken on world number one Sinner.

That will change at the Caja Magica on Tuesday when the British number one will bid to halt Sinner’s 19-match winning streak and make the quarter-finals in Madrid for the first time.

“I’ve never played him, which is crazy,” Norrie told Sky Sports. “I’m excited to play him but every time we practise he rips me up and smokes me.

“He’s really confident, probably the most confident player in tennis right now. I’m going to take it to him, I’m just going to play my game, play the ball in front of me.”

Having survived a near three-hour battle against Tomas Machac in the second round, Norrie managed to see off big-serving Argentinian Thiago Agustin Tirante in straight sets, coming through 7-5 7-6 (5).

“It was tricky,” said Norrie after the contest on the Caja Magica’s third court.

“I hadn’t played in the stadium courts yet, not even in practice, so it was a little bit different returning and it was tough to get the range.

“I had to go back because his serve was kicking so, so much. His first serve is an absolute rocket, as we expected, but I managed to dig deep when I needed to and played well in the big moments, and that was the difference.”

It was a contest of few chances but Norrie converted his third opportunity to break in the 12th game of the opening set with a backhand winner and then clinched his first match point in a nervy second-set tie-break.

Tirante, ranked 75, sent down a serve measured at 149 miles per hour in the sixth game but was unable to create any break points on the Norrie serve.

Man Utd youngster Shea Lacey scored in the U21s’ 3-2 win against Sunderland in the Premier League 2 playoff on Sunday.

Manchester United coach Adam Lawrence heaped praise on youngster Shea Lacey after his goal against Sunderland on Sunday. United’s Under-21s won 3-2 against Sunderland to seal their place in the Premier League 2 play-off quarter-finals.

Lacey scored United’s third goal of the game at Leigh Sports Village and had a hand in Jack Fletcher’s strike. The 19-year-old is now seen as a first-team player, but still drops down to U21 level for minutes.

Ruben Amorim handed Lacey his senior debut against Aston Villa in December, and the academy prospect was given two appearances from the bench by Darren Fletcher during his caretaker stint.

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U21 interim boss Lawrence spoke to the Manchester Evening News about Lacey’s display against Sunderland, saying: “I thought overall it was a really good performance. I think if you’re looking at Shea in this recent period, I think he’s playing with a lot of maturity.

“And you can see that training with the first-team players and being around their programme consistently is definitely helping him in a lot of areas of his game. His all-round performances today in terms of the consistency of his levels.

“There are always going to be a couple of bits around his decision-making and maybe being reliable in certain situations, but on the whole, I thought it was a really, really good performance. He got his goal, and he looked like a real threat at the top end of the pitch.”

Lacey has physically matured and has overcome a challenging period marked by minor injuries. “Credit to all the staff who work behind the scenes in terms of managing him, all the sports science and medical staff, just in terms of where he’s gotten himself to, and then naturally, he’s a young man and maturing all the time as well,” added Lawrence.

“Sometimes we forget he is a young man and he’s going through those years of growth. But in terms of that maturity, it’s something we’ve definitely seen an improvement with on and off the pitch, so hopefully he will continue to build on that and take confidence from it.”

Lawrence was pleased with his side’s display against Sunderland, but said there were lessons to be learned after the Mackems came back into the contest when United had a two-goal lead.

“Sunderland are a good side, and I thought they played some good stuff, but I think the biggest lesson in terms of the team stuff is when we’ve got those two goal leads, so we’ve gone 2-1 and we’ve gone 3-1 today, and we had that similar one with the Real Madrid game we were 2-0 up,” he said.

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“You then give the opposition moments and in terms of the decision-making and the quality of the moments, then you give the opposition an opportunity, they take it and then you turn the game edgy.

“So, in all honesty, in the last part of the game, they could have scored, and it could have gone to extra time. We’ve managed to see the game out and obviously get the win.

“But the biggest lessons, if we want to get to the right nitty-gritty of this, would be to eradicate those mistakes and make sure that when we’ve got that two-goal lead, or a healthy lead, that we make sure that we continue with that dominance and see the game out properly.”

AFTER much speculation in the media, upmarket bakery chain Gail’s has confirmed it is to open its first cafe in North Yorkshire.

As reported in The Press, Gail’s is poised to make its Yorkshire debut with a North Yorkshire cafe location in its sights.

Despite media speculation that the location might be in Knaresborough, the company has confirmed to The Press that is will open in Harrogate.

A Gail’s spokesperson said: “Gail’s is excited to confirm it is opening a new bakery in Harrogate later this year.

New jobs at Harrogate bakery

“The opening will bring Gail’s craft baking to the community, including creating a number of craft baking, barista, and management roles.

“We will also be donating surplus baked goods through our Neighbourly partnerships.

“This is part of our ongoing commitment to giving back to the communities we serve and improving access to quality food and drink on the high-street.”

The premium bakery chain is currently looking for staff for its first cafe in North Yorkshire – roles for a bakery manager (salary at £42,000 pa), and an assistant manager (at £32,900) – both located in Harrogate – are currently listed on its own website and elsewhere online.

Gail’s Artisan Bakery which is coming to Harrogate

Gail’s began life in London in the1990s as a wholesale supplier to restaurants, before opening its first neighbourhood bakery cafe on Hampstead High Street in London in 2005.

The brand has since expanded rapidly – and continues to do so.

Positioning itself as a premium, mid‑range alternative in a market dominated by high‑street chains, Gail’s is known for handmade breads using natural ingredients and longer fermentation methods.

Menu options at Gail’s

The menu at Gail’s features a range of sourdough loaves, baguettes and pastries, alongside sweet treats such as buns and cookies, plus speciality coffees.

Inside a Gail’s bakery.

The well‑known business, which bakes fresh, handmade bread, pastries and cakes every day, operates more than 170 bakeries across the UK, with more expansions in the pipeline.

Current locations are primarily in London and the south east, including Oxford and Brighton, as well as Manchester and the surrounding area.

Its seasonal menu, listed on line, features six varieties of sourdough bread, and sweet treats including a malted chocolate and stout cake, chocolate tahini bite, and pecan crumb cake. The drinks menu boasts a range of match drinks and a turmeric latte.

Real Zaragoza goalkeeper Esteban Andrada has issued a grovelling apology after his violent assault on Jorge Pulido in the side’s clash with Huesca.

The shocking incident played out after Andrada was shown a second yellow card for shoving over Pulido on the touchline, with Huesca holding a narrow one-goal lead in the closing stages of the Spanish second-tier match.

The moment referee Damaso Arcediano Monescillo brandished his red card, Andrada completely lost his cool, sprinting back towards Pulido as tempers escalated in Sunday’s bad-tempered clash between the two relegation-threatened teams.

Footage of what happened next have gone viral across social media, with the Argentina international pictured swinging his right fist into an unsuspecting Pulido from behind, sparking a mass brawl between both sets of players.

Opposition goalkeeper Dani Jimenez and Zaragoza defender Dani Tasende were also given their marching orders for the part they played in the melee at Huesca’s Estadio El Alcoraz.

Centre-back Pulido, formerly of Atletico Madrid, was later seen holding a large ice pack to the side of his face. It is unclear at this stage if the injuries the Spaniard sustained in the attack are serious.

Andrada, meanwhile, issued a statement in the aftermath of Zaragoza’s 1-0 defeat, insisting he was ‘very sorry’ and claiming he was ‘here to face the consequences with the league’.

‘The truth is, I’m very sorry for what happened,’ the 35-year-old – who has been capped four times by Argentina – said in a short video shared on Zaragoza’s social media pages.

‘It’s not a good image for the club, for the fans, or for a professional like myself, so I’m very sorry.

‘Throughout my career, I’ve only had one red card for handling the ball outside the penalty area.

‘It was a critical situation where I lost control and reacted that way, but I’m very sorry and I know I wouldn’t do it again.’

Andrada added: ‘I know I’m a public figure, a professional with many years of experience, and all I can do is apologise to Jorge Pulido because we’re colleagues.

‘Honestly, it was my own actions and I lost focus in that moment.

‘I’m here to face the consequences with the league, or if they want me to come and explain, I’m available.’

A separate statement from Zaragoza, who sit second-bottom in La Liga 2, ‘strongly condemned’ Andrada’s behaviour and vowed to ‘take the appropriate disciplinary measures’ in due course.

‘We witnessed scenes unbecoming of this sport and which should never have occurred,’ it read.

‘These events do not represent the values ​​of Real Zaragoza or its fans, who throughout its history have been characterised by sportsmanship, courage, and respect for the opponent.

‘We are role models and examples for many fans, especially children, who cheer us on at every match and aspire to one day become one of their idols.

‘That is why these regrettable images should never have been seen.’

Zaragoza manager David Narrarro added: ‘There are lines we can’t cross.’

Huesca head coach Jose Luis, meanwhile, stated: ‘It’s hard to explain. I think it’s a complete loss of control.

‘I can put myself in their shoes, given what was at stake and all. But it’s unjustifiable.

‘It’s ugly. This was supposed to be a celebration of Aragonese football. I’d like people to talk about the match, even though it was ugly, with little play but a lot of hard work.’

Oscar Sielva scored what proved to be the winning goal as 19th-placed Huesca clung on to move one point clear of Zaragoza in the Segunda Division table.

Andrada should expect to be slapped with a lengthy suspension and appears likely to miss the remaining five matches of Zaragoza’s desperate fight for survival.

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Wayne Rooney believes the return of Bukayo Saka will prove to be ‘absolutely huge’ to Arsenal’s Premier League title aspirations.

Saka played his first game in almost a month on Saturday, coming on as a late substitute in Arsenal’s narrow 1-0 win over Newcastle United.

That victory, inspired by Eberechi Eze’s early goal, saw Arsenal regain their place at the top of the Premier League as they chase a first league title since 2004.

Saka has been nowhere near his best this season, scoring just twice since December, but Rooney believes his timely return till be ‘massive’ for Arsenal.

‘Bukayo Saka has been great for Arsenal over the last few years – maybe this season he hasn’t hit the heights but he’s such an important player,’ Rooney said on his BBC podcast.

‘So to get him back at this time of the season is going to be massive, it’s going to be really important. He’s clearly one of the leaders in there so to have him back is huge.

‘An in-form Bukayo Saka is one of the best players in the Premier League, there’s no doubt about that.

‘It will help the other players as well, he has a really good connection with Jurrien Timber and the midfield players.

‘Having someone you know you can rely on out there is really important and all those Arsenal players know they can rely on Saka and know what he brings to the team.

‘It’s huge for Arsenal, absolutely huge.’

Arsenal are attempting to win the Premier League for the first time in 22 years after three successive second-place finishes.

Rooney believes ‘all the pressure’ is on Arsenal rather than title rivals Manchester City but still expects Mikel Arteta’s side to get over the line.

The Gunners have not been at this flowing best for weeks but Rooney believes Arsenal will benefit from having ‘easier’ fixtures than Man City.

‘I think Arsenal will win the title and I do think they will win it,’ Rooney added.

‘I thought the Newcastle game was so important and thought if they won that they could go on to win every game. If they didn’t they could have fallen apart but to win that game was so big.

‘Man City have a couple of tricky games in there and I can see them slipping up once or twice. Man City have the trickier fixtures, if you look at Arsenal’s last four games they are really winnable, all four of them.

‘The City ones, there’s a couple you think they could slip up, like Everton and Bournemouth. I give the edge to Arsenal based on the fixtures.

‘Man City’s fixtures are a little bit trickier than Arsenal’s – I think Arsenal will win every game and Man City will mess up once or twice.’

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MORE: Gary Lineker names surprise team that could deny Arsenal the Premier League title

MORE: ‘Top manager’ – Paul Merson urges Chelsea to hire Premier League boss

MORE: Chelsea told to sign £47.5m Man City star on a free transfer this summer

TUI, easyJet and Jet2 have made pledges over fuel surcharges as the UK government issued guidance to travellers

Three airlines and tour operators have made significant announcements in the past 48 hours for travellers who have already booked holidays – as well as those still weighing up their options for 2026. On Friday, the government issued a statement to passengers across the UK amid growing fears over jet fuel shortages and potential flight cancellations.

Anxiety has been mounting that those with flights already booked – or considering travelling abroad – could be hit with hefty additional charges from carriers to cover rising fuel costs triggered by the Iran crisis. Now TUI, easyJet and Jet2 have all responded – confirming they will not be imposing any such fees.

Neil Swanson, Managing Director at TUI UK&I, said: “We understand that customers want both confidence and clarity when booking a holiday. Our teams are here to support people who are thinking about booking, and those who have already booked with TUI can be reassured that their holiday price is fixed, with no fuel surcharges added.”

easyJet has put out a fresh statement pledging that both the airline and its tour operator arm will not be adding surcharges to any pre-booked flights and package holidays, or future bookings. The company said holidaymakers can book with complete confidence thanks to its Best Price Guarantee and Ultimate Flexibility policy: “easyJet and easyJet holidays has confirmed that it will not introduce surcharges on its flights or package holidays, giving customers complete peace of mind when booking.

READ MORE: TUI issues update today, April 26, for passengers who have paid for holidaysREAD MORE: Airline easyJet gives major new update to all passengers with holidays

“No surcharges will apply to any pre‐booked easyJet holiday packages or to any new bookings for summer 2026.easyJet currently sees no disruption to its jet fuel supply and all flights and package holidays continue to operate normally.” Garry Wilson, CEO of easyJet holidays, said: “We know that holidaymakers may have questions about what recent global events might mean for their travel plans this summer so we are giving our customers absolute peace of mind that no surcharges will be added to their flights or package holidays.

“Our operations remain unaffected, so customers can be confident that not only will their holiday go ahead as planned, but there will be no surprise extra payments, and they can enjoy their brilliant holidays at unbeatable prices.”

Jet2 has confirmed it won’t be adding surcharges to any pre-booked flights or holidays to cover rising costs, including those related to jet fuel. In an effort to calm growing anxiety, the Department for Transport on Friday released direct guidance to passengers with bookings through carriers including Jet2, Ryanair, Wizz, easyJet and British Airways.

Jet2 has axed surcharge provisions across all its flights and holidays, despite the carrier never having previously imposed them. The policy encompasses all flights and holidays booked through any channel, be it online, via the mobile app, contact centre or independent travel agent. It does not cover tourist taxes, which are payable at the resort during the stay and are settled directly with the accommodation provider.

Steve Heapy, CEO of Jet2 said: “Holidaymakers should have every right to book their hard-earned break in the sun, without worrying about being hit with additional costs, and they can have that complete assurance when they book a flight or holiday with Jet2. As a result of today’s announcement, customers booking with Jet2 know that they are locking in their price without additional cost surprises later and we strongly believe that is the right thing to do by them. Ahead of a busy summer this is yet more evidence of why, on top of our incredible holidays and award-winning customer service, nothing beats a Jet2holiday.”

Dan Jorgensen, the EU energy commissioner last week said: “Unfortunately, it’s very likely that many people’s holidays will be affected, either by flight cancellations or very, very expensive tickets.

“Even if we do everything we can do, if the jet fuel is not there, then it’s not there. Jorgensen added: “[Currently] it is primarily a crisis of prices and not yet a crisis of supply, but unfortunately we cannot be sure to prevent a crisis of supply, especially on jet fuel in the future, if the crisis continues.””

In response, the Department for Transport said on Friday: “There is no current need for passengers to change their travel plans. UK airlines buy jet fuel in advance, and airports maintain stocks to support their resilience. The government is working closely with the aviation industry to monitor risks and minimise disruption to passengers.

“If your flight is cancelled, you have clear legal rights, including the right to a full refund or re-routing. Read this factsheet for the full picture on the current situation and what it means for you.”

Meanwhile, IAG – the parent company of British Airways, Aer Lingus and Spain’s Iberia – has referred to “pricing adjustments to reflect these higher fuel costs”. A spokesperson said: “We are not seeing jet fuel supply interruptions, but fuel prices have risen sharply and, despite our hedging strategy, which gives some shorter-term mitigation, we are not immune to the impact.”

Is there a shortage of jet fuel in the UK? DtT said: “UK airlines are clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. It is typically bought in advance, with airports and their suppliers keeping stocks of bunkered fuel to support their resilience.”

Is there a shortage of jet fuel in the UK?

DtT said: “UK airlines are clear that they are not currently seeing a shortage of jet fuel. It is typically bought in advance, with airports and their suppliers keeping stocks of bunkered fuel to support their resilience.”

Do you need to change your travel plans?

Officials explained: “There is no current need to change upcoming travel plans. Government regularly meets with industry to monitor risks, understand pressures and ensure clear communication with passengers, should circumstances change.

“We recognise that families may be concerned, and that aviation and tourism businesses are operating in challenging global conditions. We are working hand‑in‑hand with industry to help flights keep operating.

“We advise passengers to continue checking with their airlines before they travel, and to check the FCDO travel advice for the latest updates. You should also ensure you have appropriate travel insurance.”

How is the government protecting passengers?

Under UK law, if your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to either a full refund or to be booked onto an alternative flight if you:

• depart from an airport in the UK on any airline
• arrive at an airport in the UK on an EU or UK airline
• arrive at an airport in the EU on a UK airline

For more information about your rights, you can:

What is government doing?

The UK Government said: “Since the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, we have been closely monitoring UK jet fuel stocks and working with airlines, airports and fuel suppliers to ensure passengers keep moving and businesses are supported.

“We continue to plan for a range of contingencies, while focusing on securing a long lasting and workable solution to get shipping flowing freely again through the Strait of Hormuz.”

How are airlines being supported?

In terms of carriers the DfT said: “At some UK airports, airlines are given scheduled times known as ‘slots’ in which to take off or land.

“Under normal rules, airlines must use at least 80% of their allocated slots during a season to keep them for the following year. If they fall below this threshold, those slots can be reassigned to another airline. This is known as the ‘use it or lose it’ rule.

“Airport Coordination Limited, the independent body that manages slot allocation at UK airports, has updated its guidance so that airlines will not lose their slots if fuel shortages prevent them from flying. Airlines can now apply for an exemption from the ‘use it or lose it’ rule in these circumstances.

“This means airlines can focus on minimising disruption for passengers, rather than feeling pressure to operate flights purely to protect their slots.”

Police and paramedics were called just after 10.50pm on Sunday (April 26) night to “serious” crash, which National Highways says involved a car.

Two people were taken to the RVI in Newcastle including one in a critical condition, the North East Ambulance Service (NEAS) confirmed.

Follow our live blog here for the latest updates

Their current condition is not known. Durham Police has been contacted for comment.

The road has been closed overnight for crash investigation work and is expected to remain closed over the morning rush hour.

Drivers are being urged to plan their routes in advance and follow sign-posted diversion routes.

A NEAS spokesperson said: “We received a call from police on Sunday (April 26) night at 10.53pm to reports of a serious road traffic collision on the A1(M) north near junction 62 at Chester le Street.

“We sent six resources to the scene including a duty officer, hazardous area response team, a doctor and emergency ambulance crews, which began arriving at the scene from 10.59pm onwards.

“We took two male patients to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle, one of which was in a critical condition, for further treatment.”

See where the road is closed

Diversion routes

Drivers travelling southbound should follow the Solid Diamond symbol on road signs.

• Exit the A1(M) southbound at Junction 63.
• Join the A167 southbound and continue towards Chester-le-Street and Durham.
• Continue on the A167 to Thinford Roundabout (near Spennymoor).
• At Thinford Roundabout, turn left to join the A688 eastbound/northbound.
• Follow the A688 towards Bowburn. Rejoin the A1(M) southbound at Junction 61.

Road users travelling northbound are advised to follow the Solid Triangle diversion symbol on road signs.

• Exit the A1(M) northbound at Junction 61.
• Join the A688 westbound and continue towards Thinford Roundabout (near Spennymoor).
• At Thinford Roundabout, turn right to join the A167 northbound.
• Continue on the A167 northbound towards Durham and Chester-le-Street.
• Join the A167 northbound to reach Junction 63.

Donald Trump erupted during his 60 Minutes interview with CBS presenter Norah O’Donnell after she quoted the suspected White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooter’s manifesto

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Donald Trump has launched a blistering attack on CBS presenter Norah O’Donnell after she quoted excerpts from the suspected gunman’s manifesto during his 60 Minutes interview about the White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting.

Trump tore into O’Donnell’s line of questioning in a manner typical of his relentless assaults on the media, which he has consistently labelled a “disgrace”. When she read from the document allegedly sent by Cole Tomas Allen shortly before the attack – in which Allen made reference to a “peadophile, rapist, and traitor” – Trump erupted, reports the Mirror.

“I was waiting for you to read that because I knew you would because … you’re horrible people. Horrible people. Yeah, he did write that.

“I’m not a rapist. I didn’t rape anybody. I’m not a paedophile. Excuse me. Excuse me. I’m not a paedophile. You read that crap from some sick person? I got associated with all – stuff that has nothing to do with me. I was totally exonerated.

“Your friends on the other side of the plate are the ones that were involved with, lets say, Epstein or other things. But I said to myself, ‘You know, I’ll do this interview and they’ll probably … read the manifesto’. But you should be ashamed of yourself reading that because I’m not any of those things.”

Allen described his targets as “administration officials: prioritized from highest-ranking to lowest” – though he appeared to leave FBI Director Kash Patel off his list.

In an apparent reference to Trump, Allen wrote: “I am no longer willing to permit a paedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes.”

Investigators also uncovered anti-Trump and anti-Christian material on Allen’s social media profiles.

In content reportedly handed to authorities by his brother, Allen allegedly wrote: “Turning the other cheek is for when you yourself are oppressed. I’m not the person raped in a detention camp. I’m not the fisherman executed without trial.

“I’m not a schoolkid blown up, or a child starved, or a teenage girl abused by the many criminals in this administration. Turning the other cheek when someone else is oppressed is not Christian behavior; it is complicity in the oppressor’s crimes.”

Trump revealed that the First Lady had been visibly shaken by the shooting. When asked whether she had been frightened, he said: “Well, I don’t wanna say, and people don’t like having it said that they were scared. But certainly, I mean, who wouldn’t be when you have a situation like that?

“By that time I think she realized ahead of time that that was more of a bullet than it was a tray. And she was … I looked at her face just a little while ago before I came. I saw the scene. They played it for me and, you know, pretty good closeup. And she looked very upset about what just took place, you know? Why not?”

Trump went on to praise Melania for the way she had handled the situation, describing her as both strong and composed.

“She handled it great. I mean, she was, she’s very strong, smart. She got it. She knew what was happening. She listened. I did too, by the way.”

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President Donald Trump reacted angrily when asked about White House Correspondents’ Dinner shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen’s alleged manifesto, which sharply criticized the Trump administration.

The president called CBS News “disgraceful” for quoting segments of the manifesto during an interview that aired on 60 Minutes on Sunday. Officials allege that Allen, a 31-year-old from Torrance, California, sent the anti-Trump manifesto to his family members moments before the shooting, calling himself the “Friendly Federal Assassin”.

“I am no longer willing to permit a paedophile, rapist, and traitor to coat my hands with his crimes,” the letter read.

Mr Trump hit back: “I’m not a paedophile” and “I’m not a rapist”.

Gunshots were fired inside the Washington Hilton shortly after 8:30pm, prompting panic as Secret Service agents rushed the president and other Cabinet officials out of the ballroom, while others took cover under tables.

The suspect shot and injured one law enforcement officer, before being detained near the hotel screening area, officials said. The officer was treated and released from the hospital on Sunday.

Allen faces impending firearms and assault charges and is set to be arraigned on Monday. He is reportedly not cooperating with authorities.

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Chaotic scene unfolded minutes after gala began

The shooting at the security barricades happened minutes after the event got underway.The Secret Service and other authorities swarmed the room as guests ducked under tables by the hundreds.

Gasps echoed through the ballroom as guests realized something was happening. Hundreds of journalists immediately got on phones to call in information.

“Out of the way, sir!” someone yelled. Others yelled to duck. From one corner, a “God Bless America” chant began as the president was escorted offstage.

Outside the hotel, members of the National Guard and other authorities flooded the area as helicopters circled overhead.After an initial attempt to resume the event, it was scrapped for the night and will be rescheduled.

Donald Trump was unusually conciliatory after what he saw as a third attempt on his life in less than two years. He suggested that his personal politics had made him a repeated target, but he also called for unity and bipartisan healing in an increasingly violent world.

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“It’s always shocking when something like this happens. Happened to me, a little bit. And that never changes,” Trump told reporters in a hastily organized news conference at the White House late on Saturday.

Namita Singh27 April 2026 07:30

Video: Trump says he ‘wasn’t making it any easier’ for Secret Service during WHCD shooting

Namita Singh27 April 2026 07:17

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Acting head of Justice Department says Trump officials were targets

Shooting suspect Cole Tomas Allen is believed to have traveled by train from California to Chicago and then onto Washington, where he checked himself in as a guest at the hotel where the gala dinner was held with its typically tight security, said acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. He is believed to have acted alone and is set to face criminal charges on Monday.

Authorities say Allen attempted to charge toward the cavernous ballroom at the Washington Hilton but was tackled to the ground in a violent scene that resulted in shots being fired, US president Donald Trump being hurried off the stage unharmed and guests ducking for cover beneath their tables.

“It does appear that he did in fact set out to target folks who work in the administration, likely including the president,” Blanche told NBC.

Namita Singh27 April 2026 06:24

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Suspect’s brother reached out to Connecticut police

Suspect Cole Tomas Allen’s brother contacted police in New London, Connecticut, after receiving the writings, according to the law enforcement official, who was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity.

The New London Police Department said in a statement it was contacted at 10.49pm, about two hours after the shooting, by an individual who wanted to share information related to it. The police department said it then immediately notified federal law enforcement.

Allen’s sister, who lives in Maryland, told investigators her brother had legally purchased several weapons from a California gun store and kept them at their parents’ home in Torrance without their knowledge, according to the official.

She described her brother as prone to making radical statements, the official said.

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Allen legally bought a .38-caliber semiautomatic pistol in October 2023 and a 12-gauge shotgun two years later, according to the law enforcement official and another one who also spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.

Namita Singh27 April 2026 06:17

DC gala shooting suspect aired grievances against Trump in writings to family

The man accused of opening fire at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner railed against Donald Trump administration policies and referred to himself as a “Friendly Federal Assassin” in writings sent to family members minutes before an attack that authorities increasingly believe was politically motivated, according to a message reviewed by The Associated Press.

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The writings, sent shortly before shots were fired on Saturday night at the Washington Hilton, made repeated references to president Donald Trump without naming him directly and alluded to grievances over a range of administration actions, including US strikes on boats accused of smuggling drugs in the eastern Pacific Ocean.

Investigators are treating the writings, along with a trail of social media posts and interviews with family members, as some of the clearest evidence yet of the suspect’s mindset and possible motives.

Authorities uncovered what one law enforcement official described as numerous anti-Trump social media posts linked to the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old California man accused of trying to breach a security checkpoint at the dinner while armed with multiple guns and knives.

Namita Singh27 April 2026 06:13

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Suspect armed with handgun, shotgun and multiple knives

Washington Interim Police Chief Jeffery Carroll said the suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, was armed with a shotgun, a handgun and multiple knives.

Allen had purchased two handguns and a shotgun and stored them ⁠at his parents’ home, the White House official said.

The suspect lived with his parents in a two-story house on a tree-lined street with picket fences and craftsman-style homes in the historic district of Torrance, a seaside town in the South Bay area of greater Los ‌Angeles.

Neighbors in the middle-class neighborhood on Sunday said they were ​only casually acquainted with him and his parents, with most saying they never spoke to him beyond a ‌brief hello or waving to them as they gave Halloween candy to trick-or-treaters.

Namita Singh27 April 2026 05:52

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Suspect Cole Allen sent anti-Trump manifesto to family before opening fire

The suspected shooter at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner sent a manifesto critical of President Donald Trump to his family before he allegedly opened fire at the Washington Hilton, The New York Post reports.

The Post reported that the manifesto showed that Allen allegedly wanted to kill officials from the Trump administration.

Namita Singh27 April 2026 05:44

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Most Americans believe political rhetoric is encouraging violence

Conservative political activist Charlie Kirk was shot dead at a rally last September, just months after the June 2025 slaying of Democratic Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband and the wounding of a Minnesota state senator.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted in the days following Kirk’s murder found Americans believe increasingly harsh rhetoric surrounding politics is encouraging violence in the US.

A White House official said law enforcement officials who interviewed suspect Cole Tomas Allen’s sister were told he had a tendency to make radical statements, had attended an anti-Trump “No Kings” protest and referred to a plan to do “something” to fix issues with today’s world.

Namita Singh27 April 2026 05:24

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Video: Trump says ‘NFL should hire’ WHCD shooting suspect

Namita Singh27 April 2026 05:22

What happened at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner?

Officials have said the suspect fired a shotgun at a ‌Secret Service agent at a security checkpoint in the Washington Hilton hotel before being tackled and arrested.

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Donald Trump, first lady Melania Trump, ‌vice president JD Vance and Cabinet officials were rushed out as the incident unfolded. The Secret Service agent who was shot escaped serious injury because the bullet struck his protective vest, Trump said.

Trump, who had boycotted the media gala in the past, has requested that the dinner be rescheduled within 30 days. White House Correspondents’ Association President Weijia Jiang of CBS said the group’s board would determine their next steps.

The suspect will be charged in federal court on Monday with assault of a federal officer, discharging a firearm and attempting to ⁠kill a federal officer, acting US Attorney General Todd Blanche said, adding he did not know if there was an Iran connection to the attack.

Further federal indictments will be coming later, Blanche said.

Namita Singh27 April 2026 05:22

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