Zoomlion Defends Integrity Amid Auditor-General’s Claims of Billing Irregularities at All-African Games
Tension simmered in Accra this week as Zoomlion Ghana Limited found itself thrust into the spotlight following an Auditor-General’s report that scrutinized the company’s billing practices during the 13th All-African Games. The report, released in late May, questioned possible duplication of labour charges in Zoomlion’s invoices for cleaning and vector control services provided throughout the high-profile sporting event. But Zoomlion was quick to push back. In a pointed statement issued on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, the waste management giant dismissed the Auditor-General’s findings as “untrue,” insisting that the allegations stemmed from a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature and scope of its work. According to Zoomlion, the report failed to distinguish between two entirely separate service contracts, vector control and janitorial services, erroneously interpreting labour costs appearing on both sets of invoices as duplication. “The findings misinterpret operational reality, ignore the distinct scope of services provided under separate contracts and overlook the fact that all supporting documents were already available to the Auditor General at the material time,” the company’s statement read. Zoomlion detailed the breadth of its operations during the Games. Vector control, the company clarified, encompassed mosquito fogging and the management of reptiles, rodents, and cockroaches using specialist technology and teams. Janitorial services, meanwhile, included daily cleaning, waste evacuation, toilet maintenance, and mopping across key competition venues. Each service, they stressed, required its own personnel, schedules, and specialized equipment, justifying the separate labour charges. To underscore its transparency, Zoomlion revealed that all relevant documentation, ranging from invoices and contracts to daily supervision logs and equipment deployment records, had been submitted to the Ministry of Sports and other institutions overseeing the event. The company also highlighted the comprehensive scope of its work, which included over 30 different activities such as waste collection, vacuum cleaning, medical waste treatment, mobile toilet provision, water supply, and cesspit management. The logistical challenge was immense: Zoomlion deployed more than 350 specially trained personnel and a large fleet of equipment across four major venues, Accra Sports Stadium, Borteyman Sports Complex, Achimota Cricket Oval, and Bukom Trust Emporium. Staff underwent intensive training at the Army Peace Operations Training School in preparation for around-the-clock sanitation and vector control throughout the Games. In reflecting on its contribution, Zoomlion emphasized that its efforts helped ensure the Games proceeded smoothly, without a single sanitation incident or outbreak of disease. The company ended its statement with a firm rejection of the allegations: “Zoomlion unequivocally denies these allegations. The company is a responsible corporate entity that upholds the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and accountability in all its dealings.” As the dust settles, Zoomlion maintains that its reputation and the successful, hygienic staging of the All-African Games, speak louder than any report. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana welcomes Pope’s apology over Catholic Church’s role in slavery
Ghana has welcomed Pope Leo XIV’s apology for the Catholic Church’s historic role in slavery, describing it as an “act of moral courage” that was important in the global pursuit of “truth, human dignity and justice”. The Pope issued the clearest apology yet for the Church’s involvement in legitimising slavery and its delay in condemning it for centuries. Between the 16th and 19th Centuries, 12-15 million Africans were shipped to the Caribbean, with about two million dying during the journey. Ghana has long been leading efforts for compensation and apologies from Western nations for the slave trade. The West African nation’s government said the Pope’s recognition of the painful past was an important step towards healing, reconciliation and a just society. ”[The apology] reinforces the growing global understanding that confronting historical injustices demands truth-telling and moral responsibility as essential foundations for justice and reconciliation,” its statement, released late on Tuesday, said. The Pope’s apology was delivered in what is known as a encyclical – technically a letter to Catholic bishops, but which over recent decades have been how a pontiff passes on messages to the world. In the papal letter – titled “Magnifica Humanitas” (“Magnificent Humanity”) – Pope Leo sincerely asked for a pardon in the name of the Church, adding that it was “impossible not to feel deep sorrow when contemplating the immense suffering and humiliation endured by so many”. Leo said Church authorities had at times responded to requests of rulers by “regulating and legitimising forms of subjugation, including the enslavement of of [non-Christians]”. He also acknowledged that earlier in the Middle Ages, ecclesiastical institutions had their own slaves. “This constitutes a wound in Christian memory,” he said of the Church’s record. In April, Pope Leo completed a 11-day, four-nation of Africa – his first visit to the continent as pontiff – and where he made several forthright remarks including lashing out at foreigners who exploit Africa’s wealth for profit. | AFP via Getty Images (Pic): Pope Leo visited Algeria, Cameroon, Angola and Equatorial Guinea in April Ghana said the Pope’s acknowledgment of the “painful history” was significant, at a time the world was having a “deeper reflection” on the effects of slavery and colonialism. The country successfully pushed for a UN resolution in March, which recognised the enslavement of Africans as the “gravest crime against humanity”. Submitted by Ghana’s President John Mahama and backed by the African Union, it aims to provide a pathway to healing and the payment of reparations. It also seeks to address the enduring consequences of slavery like inequality and racial discrimination. Ghana, which still has some of the forts that were used for holding captives under inhuman conditions as they waited to be shipped to the Americas by European powers, is due to host a conference in June to discuss the next steps following the adoption of the UN resolution. On Tuesday, Human Rights Watch said the Pope’s apology marked an important step, but stressed apologies alone were not enough and that real reparative justice needed to go further. Religious institutions, along with states and corporations that benefited from slavery, should “reckon seriously” with their histories and take part in reparative efforts, the rights group added. Source: bbc
US Religious Freedom Panel Alleges Collusion in Nigeria’s Deadly Attacks, Urges Tougher US Policy as Violence Escalates
A report from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) landed like a thunderclap in both Washington and Abuja. The commission, tasked with monitoring global religious rights, accused some officers within Nigeria’s police and army of colluding with Fulani militias in a wave of deadly attacks and mass abductions that have terrorized religious communities across the country. The allegations were not made in a vacuum. The commission’s new report, bluntly titled “Non-state Violators of Religious Freedom in Nigeria: Fulani Militants,” painted a grim picture: government censorship and conflicting media narratives had obscured the true scale and motivation of armed groups violating Nigerians’ religious freedom. Even as the news spread, attempts to get a response from Nigeria’s police and military headquarters were met with silence, calls went unanswered, and messages went unread. Behind closed doors, US officials were already taking action. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth revealed that President Donald Trump had ordered the Pentagon to prioritize the protection of Nigerian Christians targeted by ISIS. This directive, Hegseth said, led, quietly but decisively, to the killing of ISIS’s second-in-command in Nigeria. “There’s a lot that happens behind the scenes that the president deserves credit for,” Hegseth remarked. The commission’s report was unflinching in its detail. It spoke of unknown fates for kidnapping victims, the opacity of ransom negotiations, and the possible complicity of some police and army officials. It described an environment where 30,000 armed actors, operating in loosely organized bands, roamed the country, with violence concentrated in the North-West, Middle Belt, and parts of the South. Escalating violence in the Middle Belt had, according to the commission, driven at least 1.3 million people from their homes, forcing them into overcrowded and unsafe displacement camps. The attacks were often meticulously timed, sometimes to coincide with Christian holidays such as Christmas or Easter, maximizing terror and psychological harm. The report recounted a litany of horrors: the massacre of more than 200 Christians, mostly women and children, in Benue’s Yelwata; mass killings in Plateau State; and the abduction of priests and imams alike, as violence targeted both churches and mosques. Observers, the report noted, debated the motivations behind the Fulani militants’ violence; some saw economic and environmental roots, others a campaign of genocide against non-Muslims. The truth, the commission concluded, was likely a tangled web of overlapping grievances, with religion playing a significant role. As the violence continued, the commission criticized Nigerian authorities’ inadequate response and highlighted claims of favoritism toward Muslim communities during investigations. It noted that some state governors had tried to address the crisis by establishing ranch lands for herders, hoping to reduce clashes over grazing routes. The report’s impact was not limited to Nigeria. In Washington, the commission urged Congress to bar lobbyists representing governments blacklisted for religious freedom violations from receiving payment for their services, a move directly targeting Nigeria’s recent re-designation as a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) by President Trump. The commission also recommended that Congress allow US residents to sponsor persecuted relatives for resettlement and to fund humanitarian aid for displaced populations. Meanwhile, Nigerian politicians ramped up their own lobbying efforts. The federal government signed a $9 million contract with Washington-based DCI Group to shape US perceptions and counter criticism, while opposition figure Atiku Abubakar engaged another US firm to burnish his reputation and counter rival narratives. Back in Nigeria, reactions to the USCIRF report were immediate and passionate. Dr. Bitrus Pogu, National President of the Middle Belt Forum, insisted the findings merely confirmed what many had long believed: elements within the security services were aiding insurgents. He recalled past warnings, like those from General T.Y. Danjuma and former President Jonathan, about collusion within the security apparatus, and called on US authorities to use their intelligence capabilities to help root out the conspirators. “This conspiracy is too large for peace-loving components of the security agencies to deal with alone,” Dr. Pogu warned. “No stone should be left unturned in addressing this terrible conspiracy against the Nigerian nation.” A similar note was struck by Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organization. Spokesman Jare Ajayi said he was not surprised by the commission’s findings, arguing that terrorism’s persistence in Nigeria pointed to complicity by powerful actors. While he praised the government’s stated determination to end banditry, he lamented the spike in violence and urged security agencies to look inward for saboteurs, politicians included. Ajayi concluded, “The US Commission’s assertion may be uncomfortable, but it must not be dismissed. It should serve as a beacon for a thorough investigation.” As Nigeria faces another perilous year, the ghosts of the missing and the displaced haunt both its countryside and its corridors of power. The world, now watching more closely, wonders how long the violence and the alleged complicity will continue unchecked. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Unpaid Allowances Threaten to Halt School Feeding in Krachi East, Leaving Thousands of Pupils at Risk
In Krachi East Municipality, the future of daily school meals for thousands of pupils hangs in the balance, as cooks and caterers under the Ghana School Feeding Programme threaten to halt their services over months of unpaid allowances. For many of these cooks, responsible for preparing meals for public basic schools, working without pay has become the norm. Despite the financial strain, they have continued to serve the children, often dipping into their personal savings or taking out loans just to keep the kitchens running. Madam Mariama Adisah, one of the affected cooks, shared her frustration: “We have been patient for too long. Some of us borrowed money just to continue cooking for the children because we know many of them depend on the meals. If the money is not paid soon, we will have no option but to stop.” Repeated appeals and discussions with programme caterers have brought only empty promises, with no funds disbursed to date. Now, the cooks and caterers have issued a final ultimatum, unless the government settles their outstanding allowances, they will withdraw their services, leaving pupils without their much-relied-upon meals. Caterers, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed that they have received no financial support from the government since they joined the programme. The prolonged delays in payments have forced many to operate on borrowed funds, credit purchases, or dwindling personal resources. The situation has become critical, with food suppliers now demanding cash upfront due to unpaid debts, making it increasingly difficult to secure basic ingredients like rice, beans, oil, and fish. “We have been using our own money because we didn’t want the children to go hungry, but things have become extremely difficult. Traders are refusing to supply on credit because previous debts have not been settled,” one caterer explained. The rising cost of food and transport has only deepened their troubles, leaving many indebted to both traders and financial institutions. The cooks and caterers warn that, without immediate government intervention, they will have no choice but to suspend their services, an action that threatens to disrupt academic work and jeopardize the welfare of thousands of children who rely on the programme for daily nutrition. They are urgently appealing to the government, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the National School Feeding Secretariat to release the outstanding funds and save the school feeding programme from collapse in Krachi East. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Queiroz Names 28-Man Black Stars Squad for World Cup Preparations, With Key Returns and Cardiff Camp
As anticipation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup mounts, Black Stars head coach Carlos Queiroz has unveiled a 28-man provisional squad set to anchor Ghana’s preparations in Cardiff. The group, which includes five goalkeepers, nine defenders, seven midfielders, and seven forwards, kicked off their intensive training camp at Wales’ National Football Development Centre, Dragon Park, on Monday, May 25, 2026. The camp marks the start of a crucial phase for Ghana’s World Cup ambitions, highlighted by a marquee friendly against the Welsh national team on June 2. This high-profile fixture is expected to test the Black Stars’ readiness ahead of their departure for the global tournament in North America. Queiroz’s selection has generated excitement, thanks to the return of key players and the inclusion of fresh talent. Among the squad is experienced left-back Baba Abdul Rahman, who reclaims his spot after a stellar season with PAOK FC in Greece, where he impressed with three goals and three assists in 35 matches. Another headline inclusion is winger Ernest Nuamah of Olympique Lyonnais, who rejoins the team after overcoming a serious ACL injury that sidelined him for nearly a year. Youngster Paul Reverson, currently with Ajax in the Netherlands, is also making waves with his first-ever national call-up, a move seen as part of the technical team’s long-term vision. Other notable names on Queiroz’s roster include Abdul Mumin of Spain’s Rayo Vallecano, Alidu Seidu from French side Stade Rennais, and Augustine Boakye with AS Saint-Étienne. The Black Stars will remain in Cardiff for the duration of their training camp before heading to North America, where they have been drawn into Group L for the World Cup’s opening phase. Their group stage journey will see them play across three major cities: Panama in Toronto, Canada; England in Boston, United States; and Croatia in Philadelphia, United States. With the squad assembled and preparations underway, Ghanaian football fans are eagerly watching as the Black Stars gear up for another shot at global glory. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Bank of Ghana Halts New 0.75% Wallet-to-Bank Transfer Fee Pending Review
The Bank of Ghana has stepped in to halt the planned introduction of a 0.75 per cent charge on direct wallet-to-bank transfers by Mobile Money Fintech Limited (MMFL), following a wave of public concern and debate. MMFL had announced that the new fee would be implemented starting June 1, 2026, sending ripples across the digital payments landscape. Many Ghanaians voiced worries about how the extra charge could discourage mobile money transactions, undermine financial inclusion, and increase the cost of accessing digital financial services. Responding to the mounting concerns, the central bank issued a statement on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, directing MMFL to put the proposal on hold. The Bank of Ghana emphasized the need for broader stakeholder engagement and a thorough review of the planned fee. According to the central bank, any changes to charges within the mobile money ecosystem must be approached with caution to safeguard consumers’ interests and ensure the continued growth and fairness of the mobile financial services sector. The Bank of Ghana reiterated its commitment to protecting users and supporting their financial well-being. While the central bank’s intervention has temporarily paused the fee, it remains unclear when the consultation process will be completed or whether the proposed charge will be revised, approved, or scrapped altogether. For now, customers and industry stakeholders await the outcome of further discussions and the future direction of mobile money fees in Ghana.
Ghana Police Intensify Crackdown on Drug Trafficking in Upper East; 74 Arrested in Major Operations
The Ghana Police Service has escalated its campaign against narcotics trafficking and violent crime in the Upper East Region, culminating in the arrest of 74 individuals during two recent operations in Paga and Navrongo. Acting on intelligence, the Inspector-General of Police’s Special Operations Team launched a targeted crackdown on known criminal hotspots and suspected drug distribution networks. These efforts aim to disrupt trans-border crime and curb the flow of narcotics in the region. The first major sweep took place on May 20, 2026, along the buffer zone at the Ghana-Burkina Faso border in Paga. Officers apprehended 40 suspects, 28 men and 12 women, comprising a mix of nationalities: 23 Ghanaians, 8 Nigerians, 6 Burkinabés, 1 Malian, and 1 Togolese. During the operation, police seized numerous parcels and sacks containing suspected narcotic substances as well as five motorbikes believed to be integral to the drug distribution network. Just two days later, on May 22, the Special Operations Team moved into action again, this time raiding criminal enclaves in Navrongo Municipality. The focus was on areas infamously known for illicit activities, such as the Condemned Road Corridor, “After Six” Spot, and “Lighter Inn” Spot. This second operation netted 34 more suspects, 32 men and two women. Authorities also confiscated 11 motorbikes, quantities of suspected drugs, and various foreign cigarettes suspected of being smuggled into Ghana. All 74 suspects were promptly brought before High Court Two under the jurisdiction of His Lordship Justice Ernest Pascal Gemadzie. Sixteen of them were remanded into police custody, with their next court appearance scheduled for June 4, 2026. The remaining 22 suspects are currently being profiled and screened for further legal proceedings. According to the Police, all those arrested remain in custody and are assisting with ongoing investigations. Security agencies have vowed to continue their efforts to identify and apprehend additional individuals connected to criminal activities in the affected communities. These latest operations underscore the Ghana Police Service’s nationwide commitment to dismantling the narcotics trade, fighting violent crime, and tackling cross-border criminal networks, particularly in vulnerable border communities. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Avoid Watching Black Stars’ World Cup Live Matches–Ex-Mighty Rocks Manager Warns Heart Patients
Former Bolgatanga Mighty Rocks manager and development advocate Mr. Gabriel Agambila has issued a stark warning to Ghanaian football fans: temper your hopes for the upcoming World Cup in the United States, or face crushing disappointment that could endanger your health. With kickoff just days away, Agambila points to a chaotic and disjointed buildup, one he says is painfully familiar. Ghana still has no official roster. According to Mr. Agambila, across Europe, players are reporting to camp without any formal release or communication from a head coach who has never even seen them in person. “This is no time for blind hope,” Agambila told reporters. “Ghanaians should celebrate qualifying, but nothing more.” For die-hard supporters, his advice is grim: lower expectations now to avoid being overwhelmed by what’s coming. Those with weak hearts or high blood pressure, he suggested, should skip live matches entirely and wait for replays. “Almost four years, and we keep making the same mistakes while expecting different results,” Agambila lamented. Football, he explained, is an investment of time, a bond forged through proper preparation. “That preparation simply hasn’t happened.” His verdict was blunt: “We are coming to the USA as tourists. Nothing else.” On a more reassuring note, Agambila confirmed that members of the Alagumgube Association in the diaspora will, as always, welcome the supporters, the team, and the officials upon arrival. But he warned that the warmth of that reception cannot mask the chill awaiting Ghana on the pitch. Below are some critical concerns by Mr. Agambila 1. The Black Stars have arrived in Wales without the head coach yet. 2. With only a few days to the World Cup, the official squad list has still not been released. 3. Players based in Europe are already reporting to camp without an official release from the coach, who has yet to even see the players physically. 4. My advice to football-loving Ghanaians is to only rejoice in the fact that we qualified for the World Cup and to cease having any high hopes. This is especially important for die-hard soccer fans; we must psych ourselves up so we are not overwhelmed by the results that await us. 5. I would even advise those with blood pressure issues, if they are not strong-hearted, to only watch replays of the games. 6. For close to four years now, we have kept making the same old mistakes while expecting different results. 7. Football is an investment of time that requires bonding together and doing the right preparation, none of which we have done. 8. I will say we are coming to the USA merely as tourists and nothing else. 9. Alagumgube in the diaspora will, as usual, welcome the supporters, the team, and the officials to the USA when they arrive. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Premier League clubs hit financial jackpot as Arsenal lead 2025/26 earnings table
The money in the Premier League just keeps getting crazier, and the latest earnings table proves that England’s top flight is still football’s ultimate cash machine. Fresh figures released at the end of the 2025/26 season show that Arsenal topped the Premier League earnings chart with a massive £198.7 million, narrowly ahead of Manchester City on £192.5 million and Manchester United on £191.5 million. The numbers combine television rights, commercial distributions, merit payments, and facility fees — and once again show why even mid-table English clubs can spend like European giants. Full Premier League earnings list (2025/26) 1. Arsenal – £198.7m 2. Manchester City – £192.5m 3. Manchester United – £191.5m 4. Aston Villa – £182.6m 5. Liverpool – £181.8m 6. Bournemouth – £170.5m 7. Sunderland – £168.2m 8. Chelsea – £162.6m 9. Brighton & Hove Albion – £161.6m 10. Brentford – £161.5m 11. Fulham – £155.2m 12. Newcastle United – £154.5m 13. Everton – £147.7m 14. Leeds United – £144.5m 15. Crystal Palace – £137.5m 16. Nottingham Forest – £137.1m 17. Tottenham Hotspur – £135.8m 18. West Ham United – £128.6m 19. Burnley – £118.1m 20. Wolverhampton Wanderers – £117.7m What makes the figures even more unbelievable is this: the bottom clubs in England are still earning more than champions in some of Europe’s biggest leagues. Germany, Spain, and France can’t keep up In Germany, Bayern Munich, one of the biggest football brands on the planet, is projected to earn around €107 million from Bundesliga distributions. In Spain, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid remain the only clubs capable of competing financially with England’s elite, earning around €170m–€180m annually from league-related revenue. Meanwhile, in France, even champions Paris Saint-Germain reportedly earn far less from domestic league distribution, with Ligue 1 clubs struggling after major TV-rights complications. The Premier League’s massive international TV audience is the main reason for the gap. Every club receives huge guaranteed broadcast money before league position bonuses are even added. Why young fans should care These numbers explain almost everything happening in modern football: * Why Premier League clubs dominate transfer windows * Why English teams can outbid European rivals for players * Why even smaller EPL clubs can sign international stars * Why the Premier League feels more competitive every season For younger fans watching on TikTok, YouTube, and streaming platforms, the Premier League isn’t just a football league anymore; it’s global entertainment powered by billions. And with clubs now earning close to £200 million a season before Champions League money is added, Europe’s financial power shift looks far from over.
Secret Service says officers fatally shot a person who fired at them near White House
Secret Service officers shot and killed a person who the agency said approached a security checkpoint Saturday near the White House and fired at them. Shortly before 6 p.m. ET, an individual approached a checkpoint just outside the White House complex and began firing at officers, a Secret Service spokesperson said, citing a preliminary investigation. Secret Service officers returned fire and hit the suspect, who later died at an area hospital, the spokesperson said. “During the shooting, a bystander was also struck by gunfire. It remains unclear whether the bystander was struck by the suspect’s initial gunfire or during the subsequent exchange of gunfire,” the spokesperson added. Secret Service personnel were not injured, and President Donald Trump was in the residence and unaffected, the spokerson said. He’s been briefed on the incident by the Secret Service, a White House official said. The bystander is in critical condition, according to a law enforcement official. | Suspected gunman Nasire Best The suspect has been identified as 21-year-old Nasire Best, three sources told CNN. Best had previous encounters with the Secret Service, one law enforcement source said, including an incident in June 2025 in which he blocked an entry lane at the White House. After claiming he was “God,” he was detained by the Secret Service and committed to the Psychiatric Institute of Washington for mental evaluation, the source said. The following month, in July 2025, the Secret Service arrested Best again after he attempted to enter a White House complex driveway, the source said. A judge issued an order demanding he stay away from the White House grounds. While investigating the encounters last year, investigators discovered Best had made various statements on social media, including claiming he was “the real” Osama bin Laden, and at least one post indicating his desire to harm Trump, the source said. But police had never encountered the suspect behaving violently or wielding a weapon before, according to a law enforcement source. Gunshots trigger rapid security response CNN reporters heard what appeared to be dozens of gunshots near the White House shortly after 6 p.m. ET, triggering a roughly 40-minute lockdown for the press on the grounds and a rapid response from the Secret Service. The sounds of gunfire broke out nearly an hour after a press lid had been called at 5:06 p.m. — a signal that reporters were not expecting to see Trump again for the remainder of the day. By that point, many journalists and White House press staff had already departed the complex. Members of the press corps on the North Lawn were rushed into the White House briefing room, where they were told to shelter in place as Secret Service agents shouted “get down” and warned of “shots fired.” CNN counted roughly two dozen journalists sheltering inside the briefing room during the lockdown, including photographers, producers, photojournalists and correspondents. Secret Service agents carrying rifles could be seen moving through the North Lawn area following the incident and blocking the White House press briefing room. The lockdown was lifted just after 6:45 p.m. ET. The incident unfolded after several top administration officials, including White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Vice President JD Vance, were captured by CNN cameras leaving the White House grounds. CNN has reached out to the White House, DC Metropolitan Police, and the DC Fire and EMS Department for comment. FBI Director Kash Patel said on Xthat the agency was on the scene and supporting Secret Service. Selina Wang, ABC News’ chief White House correspondent, posted a video on X showing the moment the apparent shots rang out and she ducked for cover. “I was in the middle of taping on my iPhone for a social video from the White House North Lawn when we heard the shots. It sounded like dozens of gunshots. We were told to sprint to the press briefing room where we are holding now,” she posted. The incident comes less than a month after the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, where reporters and Trump administration officials ducked for cover as shots rang out. The suspect in that shooting, Cole Tomas Allen, sprinted through a security checkpoint with a shotgun in hand, exchanging fire with Secret Service agents who chased behind him, according to security footage. He has pleaded not guilty to attempting to assassinate Trump and to other charges. Source: cnn.com