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We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
We have a curated list of the most noteworthy news from all across the globe. With any subscription plan, you get access to exclusive articles that let you stay ahead of the curve.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. (WCIA) – Ayo Dosunmu, the former guard from Illinois, made headlines in the professional basketball scene on Saturday night.
Having recently been traded from the Chicago Bulls to the Minnesota Timberwolves mid-season, Dosunmu delivered a stunning performance by scoring 43 points, leading his team to victory over the Denver Nuggets. This achievement ranks as the second-highest points scored in a playoff game in the history of the Timberwolves.
Demonstrating remarkable efficiency, Dosunmu hit 13 out of 17 shots, maintained a perfect record from beyond the arc by sinking all five of his three-point attempts, and flawlessly converted 12 free throws.
This performance sets a new personal best for Dosunmu in both his college and NBA careers, surpassing his previous high of 36 points achieved during Illinois’ win over Missouri in 2020.
The Timberwolves triumphed over the Nuggets with a score of 112-96, securing a 3-1 lead in the series. They are now just one victory away from advancing to the Western Conference semifinals.
Former Illini Terrence Shannon Jr. also contributed to the Minnesota victory, playing seven minutes and draining a three-pointer in his only shot attempt of the night.
Game five of the series is set for Monday, April 27 in Denver.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Orrin Glenn Newsome, aged 66, was taken into custody yesterday following allegations that he struck a woman with a cane, resulting in the loss of her front teeth.
An officer from the Gainesville Police Department responded to the incident around 8 p.m. on April 24. According to their report, a domestic dispute erupted between Newsome and the victim at their residence. During the altercation, Newsome allegedly struck the woman twice on the head with a walking cane, leading to the dislodgement of her two front teeth. The victim reportedly retaliated by pushing the cane back, causing Newsome to sustain a forehead injury.
The officer noted the presence of blood droplets in the hallway and on the cane, aligning with the victim’s version of events. In contrast, Newsome claimed the confrontation took place in the bedroom while he was on the bed.
Newsome now faces charges of domestic aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. His criminal history includes eight non-violent felony convictions, two non-violent misdemeanor convictions, and two traffic violations. Previous domestic battery charges against him were dismissed in 2020 and 2021. Judge Donna Keim has ordered Newsome to be held without bail pending a State Attorney’s Office motion to keep him in custody until his trial. Should the judge reject this motion, bail will be determined at a subsequent hearing.
Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
President Trump, accompanied by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, Vice President JD Vance, Acting United States Attorney General Todd Blanche, and FBI Director Kash Patel, addressed the nation from the White House on Saturday evening. The address came in response to the turmoil and shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, which had to be abruptly canceled. Trump assured that the event will be rescheduled soon.
Among those present were First Lady Melania Trump and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
The President commended law enforcement for their swift response and even extended his appreciation to the media for their composed handling and responsible reporting during the crisis and its aftermath.
He confirmed that an officer was injured in the attack, but thanks to the protection of a bulletproof vest, the officer is expected to recover.
While Trump was eager for the event to continue despite the disruption, he ultimately acknowledged that proceeding was impractical under the circumstances.
.@POTUS: “A man charged a security checkpoint armed with multiple weapons, and he was taken down by some very brave members of Secret Service… One officer was shot, but saved… the vest did the job. I just spoke to the officer, and he’s doing great.” pic.twitter.com/ypKrVT8YPU
“In Butler, Pennsylvania, less than two years ago. You all know that story. And in Palm Beach, Florida, a few months after that, we came close.”
“In light of this evening’s events, I ask that all Americans recommit with their hearts in resolving our difference peacefully.”
“I will say you had Republicans, Democrats, independents, conservatives, liberals, and progressives.”
“Everybody in that room, big crowd, record-setting crowd.”
“There was a record-setting group of people. And there was a tremendous amount of love and coming together. I watched.”
The president also confirmed what RedState’s Bonchie reported: namely, that the attacker had been apprehended and identified, and authorities are right now combing through his past:
“The man has been captured. They’re going to his apartment,” he said. “I guess he lives in California — and he’s a sick person…
BREAKING: Video Released of Cole Tomas Allen charging through the checkpoint and secret service responding at the White House Correspondents Dinner pic.twitter.com/7oioz2xGyy
Trump was asked if he feared for his life, considering this is the third assassination attempt in his second term, and Democrats keep preaching for ever more “resistance.” He had an answer:
🚨 NOW: President Trump just gave the PERFECT ANSWER
“Why does it [assassination attempts] keep happening to you?”
TRUMP: The ones that do the most — they go after. They go after impactful people.
Ann Jillian, who first charmed audiences as a Disney child star and later captured hearts as an ’80s sitcom sensation, also courageously shared her personal battle with cancer through her on-screen performances.
Despite reaching the pinnacle of her career, Jillian made the surprising decision to step away from the Hollywood spotlight.
The acclaimed actress, who earned a Golden Globe in 1989 for her role in the TV movie “The Ann Jillian Story,” recently opened up about her choice to leave the entertainment industry during an appearance on the podcast “Famous with Jacy Dawn Valeras.”
“I’ve been out of it for a while,” the 76-year-old actress explained. “And I’ve been out for a very good reason. I became a mother at 42, welcoming my only son, and I took that role seriously.”
Reflecting on the challenges of balancing stardom with parenting, she added, “Maybe some people can juggle both, and if they can, more power to them.”
“I love that they can. For me, I recognize that I cannot. Since I like to focus on what I do, I cannot do all things at the same time.
“I can, over the course of a lifetime — the life that the good Lord has given me — I can do everything that I want to do, but not all at the same time. Ultimately, if you try to do it all at the same time, something is going to suffer because your focus is going to go away from one thing.
“And I was determined at my age, at 42, that it was more likely going to be my only son,” Jillian added.
The actress got her start as a child star whose stage name was given to her by Walt Disney himself before she starred in 1961’s “Babes in Toyland.”
Just a year later, she appeared in 1962’s “Gypsy” alongside Natalie Wood and Rosalind Russell.
Jillian successfully grew up in the public eye and went on to star in the TV series “It’s a Living” from 1980 to 1986. In 1985, Jillian was diagnosed with cancer at age 35, which she fought — and won.
In 1992, Jillian gave birth to Andrew Joseph Murcia, the Los Angeles Times reported. Jillian said on the podcast that she had no regrets about her decision to prioritize motherhood.
“I felt that I had a great career,” she explained. “When I left the industry, so to speak, it was after my son was born … I had to be there to put him to bed. But then he had to grow roots. He had to go to school. And I thought about this.
“I thought, ‘I don’t want to be a thousand miles away if he gets a boo-boo. I don’t want to be a thousand miles away when he wants to talk about something just terrible that happened at school or just wonderful that happened at school.’
“I want to be there to see him get his first communion,” she said. “I don’t want to be in front of a camera somewhere when it’s time for him to have his first communion.
“So, basically, I hung up my dancing shoes, so to speak, and said, ‘Nope, nope, this is the most important role I have to play right now, and that’s being a mom.’
“I’m sure I made some mistakes along the way,” Jillian continued. “But I learned an awful lot, too. And I had the privilege with my husband and God of bringing life into the world and raising a young man who is now an international tax attorney.
“He’s handsome. He’s witty. He could have been an actor because he’s got a mind like a steel trap, his delivery is way better than mine ever was and he has a great voice. And I wouldn’t trade that for the world, for the time that I was gone.”
Over the years, Jillian has been selective in choosing gigs that won’t keep her far away from her family. Her last appearance was in a 2000 episode of “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
“I love my industry,” Jillian told the outlet. “I love what I did during the time that I was in that industry. I loved the job that I had and was thankful for it. I was really thankful … I find it remarkable when I look at it now.”
In 2021, Jillian spoke to Fox News Digital about how many people viewed her as a sex symbol during her time on “It’s a Living.”
“Well, it didn’t bother me,” Jillian said at the time. “I took it more as [the public] appreciated my looks. And that was fine with me. When you look good, you feel good. And that’s how I felt.
“I certainly don’t approve of some of the things that have happened over the years [in the industry],” she said.
“I support women standing up for themselves. But if you ask me specifically how I felt about that title back then, then I have to be very honest with you. And the truth is, I felt quite honored that people liked the way I looked, and I pleased their eyes. I was fine with that.”
Jillian also noted that faith kept her grounded in Hollywood.
“Some might say it’s not a normal childhood to go into a studio in front of cameras,” she said.
“That’s true. But from a young age, I was taught that it was just playing pretend. I just got paid for it. And playing pretend is very childlike, and it made me happy. I was never forced. I did it because I loved it. And I think that made the difference.”
A glimpse of a protest. An alert announcing breaking news. A series of posts dissecting a global crisis. Then more follow, in relentless succession.
For many individuals, this evokes an elusive sensation—a blend of urgency, helplessness, and unease that lingers uneasily.
As worldwide and economic uncertainties press heavily on the public mind, distinguishing between staying informed and feeling overwhelmed becomes increasingly challenging.
Tiffany*, a student of politics and international relations, once experienced anxiety sporadically. Now, she describes herself as “hyper-aware,” feeling anxious nearly every day amid the ongoing geopolitical turmoil.
“It’s been causing me significant anxiety, to the extent that I’ve awakened in the middle of the night with my heart racing,” she shares with SBS News.
Tiffany isn’t alone.
These findings are based on a survey of more than 3,000 young people. Source: SBS News / Graphic art by Yi Yin
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ national study of mental health and wellbeing, roughly one in six Australians aged 16-85 reported experiencing an anxiety disorder in the past 12 months.
Among younger Australians, the picture appears starker. According to research released by the national youth mental health foundation Headspace in November 2025, nearly half of young Australians report high or very high psychological distress, rising to 65 per cent among 18–25-year-olds.
But while national data shows anxiety is becoming more prevalent, it doesn’t fully capture how external circumstances, such as global and economic uncertainty, are shaping personal experiences.
So, what exactly is anxiety? And why does it seem as though everyone is feeling it more now?
Anxiety is something that ‘we all experience’
Danielle Einstein, a clinical psychologist and adjunct fellow at Macquarie University specialising in anxiety, says anxiety disorders occur when people stop doing what they need to do for everyday life.
“We recognise an anxiety disorder when somebody responds to their anxiety by avoiding whatever it is that’s made them scared, which might be an everyday challenge like talking to someone new,” she tells SBS News.
The issue that can arise with the subject of anxiety is that, because people recognise the word, they assign themselves a label.
While greater awareness has helped reduce stigma, Einstein says it may cause an individual to go from experiencing normal anxiety sometimes to developing a clinical anxiety disorder.
“There is a difference between anxiety, which we all experience and anxiety disorders, which is when avoidance is the primary response to experiencing anxiety, because the feeling itself is so intense, and it is hard to overcome it, but it’s not too hard when you understand it, and it’s certainly not too hard when you handle it quickly and effectively in the right way,” she says.
Danielle Einstein, a clinical psychologist, says anxiety disorders occur when people stop doing what they need to do for everyday life. Source: Getty / Justin Paget
According to Einstein, people often become hypervigilant to signs of anxiety once they start noticing them — a natural response, but not always a helpful one.
We need to engage in life with a lot of trial and error and just practice. That’s how we develop as humans, that’s how we get better at things.
Uncertainty as a driver for avoidance
Over the course of her career, Einstein has developed a theory of uncertainty, which examines how people can be influenced by a dislike of uncertainty.
“Uncertainty in negative situations makes us think in the back of our mind that maybe there’s going to be something bad happening in the future. But we’re not sure whether we should spend time thinking about it or not, because maybe it won’t happen,” she says.
She explains that this internal struggle can also be exacerbated by other stimuli, such as social media and news.
“With both positive and negative events, it makes us more curious because we want to know what happens, and if it’s a negative event we care about, then we can try to come to terms with it or resolve it,” she says.
The Reuters Institute 2025 Digital News Report found that in Australia, 40 per cent of survey participants sometimes or often avoid the news.
Rubbia* works in the technology sector and remains active on social media to connect with friends and family, but says she has become “reluctantly informed”.
In the current socio-political climate, she says she has become more intentional about how she engages with news. Rather than actively following it throughout the day, she comes across it through conversations, social media and major headlines that are hard to avoid.
Despite this, she says exposure to sensitive and graphic content online has affected her mood, focus, and interactions with others.
Sometimes it feels like I am carrying things that are not directly mine to carry, and that can be quite heavy, but feels necessary.
While Rubbia feels pressured to stay constantly informed, she believes exposure alone does not necessarily lead to better understanding — nor does stepping back indicate indifference.
“For some people, especially those who feel closely connected to what is being reported, stepping back is not about not caring. It is actually the opposite. It is about recognising when something is affecting you and choosing to protect your wellbeing.”
The guilt of ‘disengaging’
Staying informed, for many, feels like a responsibility.
Luke Martin is a clinical spokesperson for the mental health and wellbeing support organisation Beyond Blue.
Luke Martin, a clinical spokesperson for Beyond Blue, suggests setting some gentle boundaries, such as checking the news at set times rather than all day, to avoid burnout. Credit: Aiez Ahmed
While acknowledging the difference between experiencing trauma firsthand and witnessing it online, Martin says the psychological impacts can still overlap more than people realise.
“We have a brain that reacts strongly to visual images and doesn’t fully distinguish between what is experienced and what is seen. So seeing distressing online content can activate similar areas of the brain as if you were there,” he tells SBS News.
“Over time, and with exposure that’s frequent, repeated and graphic, this can lead to symptoms that are similar to those of people who were closer to the event, such as feeling anxious or on edge when thinking about the event, having intrusive thoughts about the event, or a desire to avoid things associated with the event.”
What makes this conversation complex is the gap between exposure and experience.
Much of the distress that people feel is tied to events happening beyond their immediate lives. For those not directly affected, there is, in theory, the option to disconnect.
Tiffany argues the choice isn’t simple.
“Morally, I couldn’t look away because I know that’s what they want [those in power]. They want the general public and the working class to look away so they can keep doing what they’re doing.
I have the privilege to just not think about it, and that makes me feel guilty for even wanting to, but why should the responsibility be on my shoulders as someone who has minimal power?
Learning to manage overwhelm
David McGrath, CEO of the National Mental Health Commission, says both individuals and communities carry responsibility in navigating an increasingly complex information environment, particularly as geopolitical tensions and financial stressors continue to affect social cohesion.
“What’s really important to be able to build strengths around mental health resilience and mental health wellness is cohesive communities that assist each other. There’s a certain amount that [the] government can do, but beyond a certain point, there’s a requirement for communities to work together to be able to improve mental health outcomes,” he says.
Jenny Lai is a public speaker and mental health advocate who visits schools and businesses across NSW to share lived experiences and provide support strategies.
She says being part of a community has been integral to her mental health journey.
Once a week, she teaches English language classes and mentors through TAFE’s Adult Migrant English Program. She’s also found community through dance, which helps her to clear her mind, connect with others, and rebuild self-confidence.
Jenny Lai is a public speaker and mental health advocate who has found comfort and community through dance, which helps her to clear her mind and rebuild self-confidence. Credit: Jenny Lai
“They say depression can’t hit a moving target, so when you’re dancing, it definitely can’t hit you,” Lai says.
Like Rubbia, Lai has also struggled with her relationship to social media. She decided to remove social media apps from her devices after noticing their impact on her mental health. At the time, she says she felt guilty after a friend told her that she was being selfish. Now, she advocates for finding balance rather than complete withdrawal.
“One of the hardest truths about mental health is that sometimes you have to do things for yourself first before you actually think about anything else … if you’re not going to be able to make it through the day, how can you help anyone else?” she says.
Lai says awareness of what’s happening globally continues to impact her. But when it becomes overwhelming, she has learned to adjust.
“No matter how small, no matter how big, I always take a moment to just focus on my breathing. It grounds your nervous system and cools you down to a state of calmness,” she says.
For others navigating anxiety, Martin suggests setting some gentle boundaries, such as checking the news at set times rather than all day, to maintain engagement without burning out.
The process, he says, is ongoing. While there is no clean fix, small adjustments in how people consume and respond to information may help both individual mental health and broader community resilience.
*Surnames have been withheld for privacy reasons.
This article is for general information only and should not be relied on as a substitute for professional medical advice. Readers are advised to consult a qualified health professional for guidance specific to their situation.
Readers seeking support with mental health can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. More information is available at beyondblue.org.au. Embrace Multicultural Mental Health supports people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Charlaine Olmedo Biography – Charlaine Olmedo Wiki
Charlaine F. Olmedo serves as a Judge at the Superior Court of California, Los Angeles County, where she handles complex criminal, high-security, and long-duration cases. Her appointment to the judiciary came in 2002, courtesy of then-California Governor Gray Davis, a member of the Democratic Party.
Judge Olmedo’s academic journey began at Beverly Hills High School in Beverly Hills, CA. She completed her undergraduate studies in Political Science at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1986, and went on to earn her Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University School of Law in 1989. That same year, she was admitted to the California Bar.
In 1989, Olmedo embarked on her legal career as a deputy district attorney within the Hardcore Gang Unit of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office. Five years later, she transitioned to a role as a prosecutor for the U.S. Justice Department.
Before her judicial appointment in 2002, Olmedo was an assistant U.S. Attorney at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles. Her work there involved significant contributions to the Organized Crime Strike Force.
Charlaine Olmedo Age
Born in 1964, Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo has built an illustrious career in law and justice.
Salary
As a Superior Court Judge for the Los Angeles County in California, Charlaine Olmedo earns an annual salary of $336,139.
Political Party
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Charlaine F. Olmedo is nonpartisan.
A dramatic moment unfolded on a Mississippi highway this week when a group of middle school students demonstrated remarkable courage and quick thinking. They managed to prevent a potential disaster by stopping their school bus after the driver lost consciousness.
The incident occurred with around 40 students from Hancock Middle School on board. Their driver, 46-year-old Leah Taylor, had just departed the school when she was suddenly struck by an asthma attack, as reported by The Associated Press.
In an attempt to manage her condition, Taylor reached for her medication but unfortunately passed out before administering it.
In the face of danger, the students didn’t hesitate. They immediately took action to steer the bus to safety, averting what could have been a serious accident.
This event underscores the bravery and quick response of the young students who stepped up in a critical moment, ensuring their safety and that of their peers.
Sixth grader Jackson Casnave, 12, who was sitting behind the driver, noticed the bus begin to swerve. He rushed forward to grab the wheel and called for help.
“I didn’t have time to process my emotions,” Casnave said. “I just wanted to make sure that nobody got hurt.”
Darrius Clark, who is also 12, then hit the brakes, and the students steered the bus to a median and brought it to a stop.
Students sprang into action to stop a school bus after the driver passed out, bringing the vehicle to a safe stop.(WLOX via AP)
Clark’s sister, Kayleigh, 13, called 911, later saying she struggled to hear the operator over the screams from classmates.
“I was scared, but also I had to help,” Kayleigh said.
Eighth grader Destiny Cornelius, 15, saw the driver holding a nebulizer and helped administer the medication, while 13-year-old McKenzy Finch assisted.
Students at Hancock Middle School in Mississippi helped stop a school bus after the driver lost consciousness, preventing a crash.(Google Maps)
Finch also noticed the driver’s phone ringing and alerted the district’s transportation team about what had happened.
Taylor, who has since made a full recovery, praised the students for their actions.
“I’m grateful for my students,” Taylor said. “They’re the ones that saved my life and everybody else’s on that bus.”
The students were honored at a school pep rally Friday and are set to receive a celebratory lunch next week, The AP reported.
“What they did took courage,” the school’s principal, Dr. Melissa Saucier, said. “They didn’t wait for somebody to step in, they stepped up themselves, and that says a lot about their character.”
The Stagecoach Music Festival faced unexpected challenges on Saturday evening as strong winds swept through, prompting an ’emergency evacuation’ of the fairgrounds.
Taking place in Indio, California, just a week after the Coachella festival, Stagecoach this year boasted a star-studded lineup, drawing country music fans from far and wide.
Among the performers, Sydney Sweeney captured attention with a bold appearance on stage alongside Diplo, setting the scene for Lainey Wilson’s anticipated headlining act.
However, as the wind intensified, organizers made the difficult decision to evacuate attendees prior to Wilson’s performance, as witnesses shared with JustJared.
A stark message reading ‘EMERGENCY EVACUATION’ flashed across screens, followed by instructions: ‘The festival has been postponed until further notice. Please move quickly and calmly to the nearest exit.’
Within an hour – after several people had already left the scene – the festival posted to X and Instagram: ‘The show will resume. We are working to open doors and prep the site for your safety. Stay tuned for updates.’
The Stagecoach Music Festival was thrown into disarray Saturday evening as an ’emergency evacuation’ sent revelers fleeing the fairground; Sydney Sweeney seen onstage with Diplo
Lainey Wilson, who is scheduled to headline the festival Saturday night, is pictured the previous day backstage at Stagecoach with Ella Langley
Wilson, 33, announced on X that her set had been rescheduled to 10:30pm, reassuring her fans: ‘These crazy winds ain’t gonna stop us.’
She was part of a glittering trio of headliners at this weekend’s festivals, sandwiched between Cody Johnson on Friday and Post Malone on Sunday.
Saturday was a celebrity-strewn affair, with Diplo, 47, welcoming Sweeney, 28, onstage as part of his Diplo’s HonkyTonk air conditioned tent party.
Shrugging off the moral panic over her racy Euphoria scenes, Sweeney was seen perched cheerfully on the shoulders of her music mogul boyfriend Scooter Braun, 44.
Held at the Empire Polo Club, the festival welcomed such acts to its Saturday lineup as Riley Green, Journey, Little Big Town, Gavin Adcock and Teddy Swims.
Meanwhile on Friday, Johnson had performed at the head of a bill that featured names like Bailey Zimmerman, Red Clay Strays and Ella Langley.
Legacy acts like Wynonna Judd, Counting Crows Lyle Lovett were mingled with newer faces like Miley Cyrus’ little sister Noah Cyrus.
Post Malone’s big night on Sunday will also be filled with boldface names including Brooks & Dunn and none other than Hootie and the Blowfish.
Saturday was a celebrity-strewn affair, with Diplo, 47, welcoming Sweeney, 28, onstage as part of his Diplo’s HonkyTonk air conditioned tent party
Shrugging off the moral panic over her racy Euphoria scenes, Sweeney partied cheerfully at Stagecoach with her music mogul boyfriend Scooter Braun, 44
Held at the Empire Polo Club, the festival welcomed such acts to its Saturday lineup as Riley Green, Journey, Gavin Adcock (pictured left) and Teddy Swims
Kimberly Schlapman (left) and Karen Fairchild (right) of Little Big Town are pictured this Saturday playing Stagecoach at the Empire Polo Club
Wilson was part of a glittering trio of headliners at this weekend’s festivals, sandwiched between Cody Johnson on Friday (pictured) and Post Malone on Sunday
Legacy acts like Wynonna Judd, Counting Crows Lyle Lovett were mingled with newer faces like Miley Cyrus’ little sister Noah Cyrus
Guy Fieri offering a Stagecoach Smokehouse experience, giving live cookery demonstrations with such celebrity guests as Wynonna Judd
Diplo, Pitbull and Ludacris have been enlisted for the famous Late Night on Mustang sets, with Guy Fieri offering a Stagecoach Smokehouse experience.
Fieri himself gives live cookery demonstrations at his pop-up and also welcomes celebrity guests, including this year Wynonna Judd and Gavin Rossdale.
Wilson, who previously played Stagecoach in 2022 and 2023, is headlining the festival for the first time ever at this year’s edition.
She promoted Saturday’s appearance earlier this week, teasing that ‘your girl’s never done pyro,’ and ‘I’m doing pyro,’ on John Mayer’s SiriusXM show How’s Life.
‘We’re doing all kinds of stuff,’ Wilson said, explaining that she was ‘gonna have some guests’ and wanted to offer her audience ‘a different experience.’
The recent security breach led to the abrupt cancellation of the much-anticipated gala, a staple event on Washington D.C.’s social calendar, especially cherished by political figures and journalists.
Curious about who graced the annual event with their presence?
First lady Melania Trump and President Donald Trump attend the annual White House Correspondents Dinner. (AP)
Among the distinguished guests were U.S. Vice President JD Vance and President Trump, both attending the correspondents’ dinner.
Fortunately, neither Trump nor Vance sustained injuries during the incident, which prompted a swift response from authorities who quickly descended upon the banquet hall. In a scene of chaos, many of the 2,600 attendees sought shelter, taking cover under tables.
First Lady Melania Trump was also present at the event. According to reports from Reuters, she appeared to react to some disturbance within the crowd.
US Vice President JD Vance joined President Trump for the correnspondents’ dinner. (AP)
FBI director Kash Patel, Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth, Homeland Security secretary Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt were also in attendance.
US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attended the annual event with his wife, actress Cheryl Hines.
White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller attended the dinner with his wife Katie Miller.
US House Speaker Mike Johnson was among the congressional members who were evacuated by security officials.
FBI director Kash Patel talks on the phone during the White House Correspondents Dinner. (AP)
Republican representative Mike Lawler was also a guest at the dinner.
He told PBS News he heard a pop and “we didn’t know what the hell it was. And then you heard all sorts of things clatter,” he said.
Kerry Kennedy, a lawyer and activist who is part of the Kennedy family, was having a conversation with politician Jamie Raskin when the shooting broke out.
“I hit the floor at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner mid conversation with Rep. Jamie Raskin, who heroically protected me, whispering, “You’re ok, you’re ok, you’re ok,” Kennedy wrote on Facebook.
“Then the doors burst open, and scores of Secret Service agents rushed into the room, many with hands on holsters.”
Erika Kirk, whose husband Charlie was assassinated at a college event last year, was at the dinner and was seen being consoled afterwards.
Kirk has been the CEO of Turning Point USA since her husband’s death.
In a social media video posted by CNN host Sara Sidner, Kirk was seen being escorted out of the event.
“I just want to go home,” she said in the video.
Celebrity mentalist Oz Pearlman served as the official entertainment for the evening.
Trump had interacted with Pearlman on stage minutes before the secret service stormed into the main ballroom.
Mehmet Oz, also known as physician and television presenter Dr Oz, attended the gathering with his wife Lisa Oz.
Dr Oz now works under President Trump as an administrator for the Centres for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
CNN’s Kaitlan Collins does a report before President Donald Trump speaks in the James Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House. (AP)
Actor Zachary Levi, who voiced Flynn Rider in the Disney film Tangled, recounted the security incident.
“We were sitting at the table, and there was some loud banging that definitely caught my attention,” Levi said in comments reported by USA Today.
“In the back of my head I kind of jokingly thought that kind of sounds like gun shots.”
“The next thing we saw, everybody started to turn and drop, there was commotion.”
A host of prominent Washington journalists were also present at the event.
Kaitlan Collins, Wolf Blitzer, Pamela Brown and Kasie Hunt were among the journalists and anchors representing CNN.
CBS News senior correspondent Weijia Jiang attended the event in her capacity as a journalist and the White House Correspondents’ Association president.
CBS News senior correspondent Weijia Jiang. (AP)
Correspondents Jacqui Heinrich and Bret Baier were among those representing Fox News at the annual event.
Following the security incident, Blitzer said he was close to the suspect when shots were fired outside the ballroom.
Blizter had just left the men’s restroom on an upper floor outside the ballroom at the Washington Hilton when he saw a man with “a very, very serious weapon.”
“All the sudden a guy with a weapon, it was a very, very serious weapon, it starts shooting,” Blitzer said.
“I happened to have been a few feet away from him as he was shooting.”
Several journalists from Australia were among the guests in attendance.
Australian journalist and dating columnist Jana Hocking told social media she was forced to hide under the table at the event.
Hocking, who had earlier posted photos of herself getting ready and arriving at the event, wrote on Instagram “I’m ok, we hid under a table.”
ABC Australia Americas editor John Lyons was inside the main ballroom as the security incident unfolded.
“The president has been put under a table, people are on the floor,” Lyons said in a video.
“It’s pretty scary because we don’t know what’s happened.”
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A California couple is taking legal action against the city of Los Angeles after officials blocked their plans to demolish a property once owned by Marilyn Monroe, designating it as a historic monument instead.
In a federal lawsuit titled Brinah Milstein et al. v. City of Los Angeles, homeowners Brinah Milstein and Roy Bank contend that they purchased the Brentwood estate for $8 million in 2023, intending to remove the aging structures and redevelop the land.
Historically significant, the 2,300-square-foot Spanish bungalow was owned by Monroe for approximately six months before her untimely death.
The lawsuit claims that over the years, the property has undergone significant alterations by 14 different owners, leading to its current state of disrepair.
According to the couple, the city initially granted demolition and grading permits on September 7, 2023, before the property’s historical designation halted their redevelopment plans.
A day later, the City Council moved to begin the process of declaring the property a historic-cultural monument after fans of Monroe and historians pressured the city to stop the demolition.
Councilmember Traci Park, whose district includes the property, pushed to protect the home, and the City Council ultimately voted in June 2024 to designate the site a “historic-cultural monument.”
The owners say that move killed their demolition plans and turned a private home into what amounts to a public monument without compensation.
“They couldn’t demolish, couldn’t repair, couldn’t build and couldn’t sell to someone who could. The city had effectively turned their private property into a public monument without paying for it,” Pacific Legal Foundation said in a press release Friday announcing it had joined the homeowners’ legal fight.
The couple said they purchased the property for over $8 million and have since absorbed approximately $30,000 in permits, hundreds of thousands of dollars for added security and millions in attorneys’ fees.
Their lawsuit also claims they pay over $100,000 annually in property taxes, insurance and utilities to hold the property, which remains unusable as they intended.
They say the city’s designation has created a tourist trap and security risk with multiple break-ins.
The complaint also alleges the walled-off property isn’t viewable from the street, so designating the property a landmark “lacked a public purpose.”
“The City took no action regarding the house’s now-alleged ‘historic’ or ‘cultural’ status, essentially admitting it was neither and that no public good would be served by so designating the house or the Property,” the complaint states.
According to Pacific Legal Foundation, the couple offered to pay to relocate the home so it could be turned into a public museum, but the city refused.
The complaint says the cultural-historic designation, along with its unrentable condition, leaves the house’s market value “zero or a negative amount.”
The lawsuit, which names Mayor Karen Bass and the City of Los Angeles as defendants, argues the city’s preservation decision amounts to an unconstitutional taking under the Fifth Amendment.
“These homeowners have a straightforward request: either let them use their own property or compensate them fairly for turning it into a public monument,” said Pacific Legal Foundation attorney J. David Breemer.
“The Fifth Amendment doesn’t have caveats. If the City of Los Angeles wants a museum, it must pay for one — not force private homeowners to bear the cost and liability.”
Los Angeles filed a motion to dismiss the case, arguing the owners knew before buying the home that it had Marilyn Monroe ties, attracted tourists and could someday be landmarked.
They also argue the owners have not shown a valid constitutional taking claim yet and have not exhausted all available city processes for altering the property.
The owners previously challenged the designation in state court and lost at the trial court level before filing the federal takings case.
Mayor Karen Bass’ office and the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office did not immediately return Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
