US President Donald Trump on Thursday rejected reports that he was wearing a bulletproof vest following an assassination attempt at the White House correspondents’ dinner. Speaking to reporters,
Trump joked that he didn’t want to look ’20 pounds heavier.’ He said, “I don’t know if I could handle looking 20 pounds heavier.
These guys look like this; some of these guys are physical specimens. “He said that while such precautions are sometimes considered, they do not support the idea of appearing overly protected. “I think it’s something you consider.
In a way, you don’t like to do it because you’re giving in to a negative element. I don’t know. But I’ve been asked about it.”
Trump said. Asked whether he was worried about the possibility of another attack, Trump said he avoided thinking about it.
“I don’t think about it,” he said. He added, “And if I did that, I wouldn’t be able to do a very good job here.
I’m not thinking about anything else apart from that. I don’t think about it. I really don’t think about it. If I did, I wouldn’t be effective.
“The comments came after reports and speculation about security measures following what officials described as a serious attack at the White House dinner.
The incident, which took place during the high-profile gathering, erupted into chaos when a gunman, reportedly armed, stormed the venue, triggering a security response, after which Trump fled the stage.
According to authorities, suspect Cole Tomas Allen allegedly entered the venue armed with guns and knives, causing panic as he fired gunshots and guests hid.
Trump was taken out safely during the incident. Authorities have charged Allen with attempted murder and other crimes.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the motive behind the attack, as well as reviewing electronic evidence and online posts linked to the suspect.
Despite the seriousness of the incident, Trump said he did not pay attention to personal security threats, saying he preferred to remain focused on his duties.
A multi-million-dollar shopping complex to be operated by Woolworths has been approved, despite opposition from the local government.
Fabcot, the development arm of Woolworths Group, proposed to build a retail centre with a supermarket and 10 tenancies at 822 Yule-Dean Road in Brabham.
At its meeting Wednesday, the Metro Outer Development Assessment Panel approved the development, estimating its cost at $22 million.
City of Swan councillor Rod Henderson was the only member of the panel to vote against the application, citing traffic problems.
“The applicant needs to go away and assess those things thoroughly,” he said at the meeting.
“We only have part of the story here and they need to go back to the drawing board.”
Despite opposition, four of the five members of the panel voted to approve the proposed Woolworths at Brabham.
Panel chair member Eugene Koltz acknowledged concerns about Yule-Dean Road running through the proposed centre.
“It is not unusual for major roads to pass through district centres… [like] traffic is going through Joondalup Centre, Whitford Centre,” he said.
“These things happen; perhaps it’s a pity.
“[But] This area has been undergoing iterations for many years.
The proposed Woolworths supermarket will cover 3,732 square metres, and the total lettable area of the shopping centre is estimated to be 4,968 square metres.
“The proposal is considered to be a catalyst for community development as part of the continued development of the Brabham Retail Town Centre,” the application states.
as he won at the Punchestown Festival for the eighth time at the highest level, adding the William Hill Champion Chase from Cheltenham to his two-mile crown.
Marine Nationale – who completed the same double 12 months ago – joined Majborough in the field, with Paul Townend delighted to leave the Willie Mullins-trained Il Etait Temps among the five runners.
Townend gave Il Etait Temps time to find his stride again after an early mistake and began to drop into the saddle aboard the 8-11 favourite, two jumps from the front as he approached three from home.
He then went on to drop the Marine National – whose campaign had been disrupted – as a result, the veteran Energumene won by five lengths after continuing to a distant but creditable third, after which he was promptly retired.
Mullins said of his winner: “He’s a hell of a horse and when you look at him, he doesn’t scream ‘big chaser’ to you at all. He’s not a large horse, but he’s strong.
“He’s got a lot of reserves because after that mistake, I thought, ‘Wow,’ when he came in third last with Marine National. Marine National is a good horse with a good engine to beat.
“To do what he did after falling at Ascot (the Clarence House Chase in January) and coming back to win at Cheltenham was special, when Paul was in top-flight jockey mode.
On the retirement of 12-year-old Energumene, who did the Punchestown-Cheltenham double twice in his illustrious career, he added: “He retired nice and well and ran a cracker. He gave us all such a good day at Fairy House (at Easter) when he made us feel young again.
It’s very sunny (ground-wise) for him today, but he still fought hard. Winning his first Champion Chase at Cheltenham is a cherished memory. He had the speed and ability to jump and he took it out.”
Meanwhile, Marine National trainer Barry Connell said, “I’m happy with the run, but he hasn’t got the bounce on the ball this year. He jumps brilliantly with those cheek pieces and the fit was perfect, but I’d say he’s a bit flat.”
“Usually when he gets off the back of the second-last, pace is his speciality, and he looked like he ran a little bit flat. All credit to the winner, who was well ahead of the rest.
I don’t think his hold-up affected him. While I knew Eachtotheirown (winner of the Grade One Champion Novice Hurdle earlier in the day) did a great job, Marine National also performed well at Fairyhouse three or four weeks ago, but he’s been fine since then.
“My inclination is that he’s a bit flat, but that doesn’t take anything away from the winner. There’s no doubt he’s a worthy winner on the day.
“It sets us up for a good campaign next season and hopefully we’ll have a bit of luck with it.”
Image: Western Fold ridden by Jack Kennedy (centre left), on his way to winning the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown
Western Fold claimed the Grade One victory for Elliott and Kennedy
Western Fold boosted Gordon Elliott’s Trainers’ Championship bid as he topped the Dolly Insurance Group Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown.
Brown Advisory hero Kitzbuhel bowled along the front in the Grade One affair but faded at the business end as July Flower handled him heading for the final fence.
Western Fold jumped much better to take the lead, with Floor in the Park and Nowwhatdoyouthink also in the mix as the quartet battled it out and Kitzbuhel was pulled up.
But in the end it was the 18-1 elite runner who was too strong in the hands of Jack Kennedy, who took the €73,625 first prize by three and three-quarter lengths from Andrew Slattery’s Flavour in the Park.
Elliott said: “It’s great and while I was nervous at three miles, the last two times we’ve tried him on him we’ve ridden him a very easy ride. Today we cooled him down and it was a good performance. Some horses come to the end of their season, but he’s been busier than ever and has been one of the top earners this season.
“We initially thought about going for the American Grand National, a race Zanahir won for us last year, and while we tried Western Fold in open company in Ireland and it didn’t work out, the American race is a grade one so nothing to sneeze at.
“I’m not saying we won’t go to America, but for that there’s also the PWC Champion Chase at Goran in October and we might be in the hunt. The key with this horse is the ground and he’s a better rock on it.”
He added: “He’ll get a bit of a break now and while I’d love to go back for the Galway Plate, he might be too heavy after today.”
Image: Everyman’s journey by Sean Flanagan en route to winning the PRL Champion Novice Hurdle on day one at Punchestown
Everyone’s surprise at Punchestown is 16-1.
Each to their own prepared every yard to win the Grade One PRL Champion Novice Hurdle on the opening day of the Punchestown Festival.
Sean Flanagan immediately sent the seven-year-old to the head of the field and the 16-1 shot never saw another rival as he raced home four and a quarter lengths from Sting on Black.
The favourite, El Kairos, was the first to mount a challenge outside two flights but he could not keep pace with the Barry Connell prisoner and was soon treading water, as Eachtotheirown saw Black and Lee Lebow with the Gordon Elliott-trained El Kairos only fourth.
The winner was beaten just one home in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, a race which left Connell to change strategy.
He explained, “He was on the range the last day so the obvious thing was to leave him in front today and he got a freebie.” He’s a good horse; he’s only had a handful of runs over hurdles but he’s a chaser and we had to wait for him because he’s a big stamp of a horse.
“He was like a chaser jumping his hurdles today and he has a clean engine.”
Paddy Power quoted Octotheraon at 40-1 for Arkle, and Connell confirmed, “The Arkle Chase is top of my mind for him next season because he’s an out-and-out two-miler who doesn’t like to be held back. He’s been a slow burner and he hasn’t gone galloping, and he came to stay with him in the Supreme Court on the last day, and he came out here a fresh horse.”
“Next season he will be back to chase starters before the ground goes down and then go to Leopardstown twice before Cheltenham.”
Calix Delabriere made a clear charge on the run for home to take the Listed Killashy Hotel Handicap Hurdle.
I’m Slippy jumped the final flight with a slim lead over Kalix Delabarriere and Messerschmitt, but the Willie Mullins-trained Kalix Delabarriere (10-1) quickly put the race to bed, finishing four lengths clear of I’m Slippy.
Mullins said, “It was great for San Cleary-Farrell and owners to win a big hurdle at the Fairyhouse Festival and come back in style at Punchestown. We might have to take it up in class, although I think we’ll put it away now and come back chasing next season.
“He disappointed me two years ago when I thought he’d make a really good bumper horse, but it’s taken us another 18 months to get him right. He’s from Galway and he’s probably not what the breeders had in mind, but he’s a lovely big type and he’s had that kick at the end of his race.”
Martin Brassell’s Abiglin (11-2) was an impressive winner of the Goofs Defender Bumper, finishing five-and-a-half lengths clear of Mullins’ Altesse Du LuY to claim the €59,000 winner’s purse.
Brussel said, “It was great to get him here today and everything went well. We were keeping him in mind because he is a big, leggy horse and he has done what we were hoping for. He shows a bit at home and we were happy to give him a chance.
“He’ll get a break now because we want to let him mature a bit so he can handle the rigours of jumping.
Meanwhile, Brassel had an update on stable star Fasturslow, adding about the staying chaser: “He’s still on the easy list, but hopefully we’ll see him in the autumn/winter.” He’ll be back in training normally, around July or August.”
While Massey has long dominated the polls in Kentucky’s 4th District, this year’s polling shows a tighter race than expected.
The Quantas Insights survey, conducted from 6 to 7 April, showed Massey leading Galren by 46.8 per cent to 37.7 per cent.
In another survey conducted by Big Data Poll in early April, Massey was ahead with 52.4 per cent to Galerin’s 47.6 per cent.
According to Stephen Voss, a political science professor at the University of Kentucky, the relatively close primary could be a signal for Republican voting trends across the country.
Voss said, “Macy is an early opportunity to see what Republican voters will do when their pro-Trump inclinations collide with their conservative inclinations.” “That’s the biggest puzzle of this race.”
However, this episode is not the first time Trump has turned against Macy’s. In 2020, another election year, Trump famously petitioned to “kick Macy out of the Republican Party.”
But by 2022, Trump reversed his stance and endorsed Massie over a challenger who questioned the congressman’s commitment to the presidency.
Still, the past year has widened the rift between Trump and Massey, leading the president to take his most aggressive step yet to remove the congressman from office.
In 2025, the two Republicans clashed on many issues. For example, Massey opposed the president’s tax and spending measures out of fear of increasing the national debt.
That meant voting against Trump’s signature legislation last July, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
The Kentucky Republican also condemned Trump’s campaign of foreign interference. Last June, NBC News reported that the president’s allies began preparing for a primary challenge after Massey criticised Trump’s attacks on Iran.
Massey also led the charge to force the Justice Department to release all files related to the investigation of late financier and convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Shortly thereafter, Trump gave his approval to Galren, posting on his Truth Social site, “RUN, ED, RUN.”
By that time, Galren, a military veteran and fifth-generation farmer, had not yet entered the race. Four days later, on 21 October, he launched his bid.
Critics argue that Galren’s platform does not offer much differentiation from Macy’s. His campaign website lists his priorities as cutting taxes, reducing government spending, protecting gun rights, and opposing abortion – issues Macy also supports.
“I don’t think he’s offering any kind of alternative to electing Donald Trump,” Kahne said. “I think that’s it. It’s the only thing he has to offer.”
But Galren has profited greatly from Trump’s endorsement and has used it as a symbol of loyalty and authenticity.
“You deserve a genuine Republican conservative who stands firmly with our president and the Republican Party,” Galren declared at a Trump rally in March.
Trump, meanwhile, told the crowd that he was so frustrated that he wished “it was some warm body to beat Macy.”
The title-chasing Gunners face Burnley in an 8pm kick-off on Monday, with their final game of the season at Crystal Palace on Sunday 24 May.
The Arsenal Supporters’ Trust urged the club and the Premier League to “do more so that scheduling better reflects the needs of match-going supporters.”
“Arsenal Supporters Trust is disappointed with the Arsenal v Burnley kick-off at 8pm on Monday. The timing creates obvious difficulties for both sets of supporters, particularly those who travel or rely on public transport, and increases costs and disruption,” the fans’ group said in a statement.
“As the last home game of the season, it also means the traditional lap of appreciation won’t take place until 10 p.m., making it less accessible for many fans.
“We engaged with Arsenal ahead of the recent broadcast deal, recognising that clubs, including Arsenal, have a role to play in agreeing to these deals and saying that this would give more weight to the impact the games have on supporters.
“While we understand the significant financial benefits involved and how they support the club’s growth, we would urge both Arsenal and the Premier League to do more so that the scheduling better reflects the needs of match-going supporters,” the statement added.
Arsenal face a busy end to the season with a two-legged European tie against Atletico Madrid next week. (Getty)
The decision is the latest to cause controversy between fan groups and clubs after Manchester City tried to get around two fixtures with Bournemouth and Crystal Palace ahead of the final few days of the season.
City’s preference was to reverse their postponed fixture order and play Bournemouth in midweek before the FA Cup final on May 16 and then face Crystal Palace after that match, but the Premier League rejected the idea.
Now, Pep Guardiola’s side face four games in their final 12 days of the season as they bid for a domestic treble. Title rivals Arsenal also have four games in their 12-day period, as they take on Atletico Madrid in a two-legged Champions League semi-final tie while also taking on Fulham and West Ham in the league between April 29 and May 10.
Young Palestinian artists in Gaza staged an impromptu exhibition on Tuesday and found another way to show the world what they have been through during the war and fragile situation. ceasefire.
The row of paintings, like much of Gaza’s life, displayed itself outside, open to the weather and curious eyes. In one area there was a painting of a dove, a bullet hole, a silhouette of a man, and the war between Israel and Hamas. This has taken the lives of more than 70,000 people.
It was a sunny day in Burij, central Gaza. Children screamed and played while fans of the paintings took pictures and pondered.
“They painted their feelings, their ambitions, their hopes, and their visions during four months of continuous workshops in my studio,” said Ghanem al-Din, who organised the exhibition of dozens of paintings.
21-year-old Obay Al-Qarshali was one of the artists. He said he fled his home in Gaza City in late 2023 after the war began following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7. He took only what he could in his haste, leaving behind more than 30 of his paintings.
They are now lost in the bombing and destruction, he said.
His paintings on display depicted broken glass, mattresses and other items on top of cars and debris from buildings. He and millions of his fellow Palestinians, who have also been displaced, often more than once, are all too familiar with this.
Al-Qarshali said he changed positions at least seven times in the battle.
“Given how much we were displaced and how much suffering we had to endure carrying our belongings, tents, crowds and much more, I wanted to express something that troubled me deeply: that we left our homes and our safe places, forced to flee, disperse and change our location. This piece expresses so much,” he said.
The timing of the next step in the Gaza ceasefire is unclear. Disarmament of Hamas in Gaza is a major challenge before we can seriously begin governance change, stabilisation and reconstruction in the region.
A United Nations and European Union report last week said reconstruction would cost more than $70 billion and take a decade.
It said Gaza’s economy had declined by 84%. More than 371,000 housing units have been destroyed. More than half of Gaza’s hospitals are “non-functional.” Nearly all schools in the area of more than 2 million people were destroyed or damaged.
Large-scale fighting has subsided since a ceasefire took effect in October, but Israeli forces continue almost daily attacks and shelling around military-held areas, killing more than 800 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-led government, keeps detailed casualty records that are generally considered reliable by UN agencies and independent experts. It does not provide details of civilians and militants.
An Israeli airstrike on Tuesday hit a car in Gaza City, killing four people, according to Shifa Hospital.
The strike went away from the so-called yellow line that separates Israeli-controlled areas from the rest of Gaza. Israel’s military said, without giving further details, that it killed a “terrorist” at that location.
The dead bodies were wrapped in white clothes and placed outside on the ground so that the crowd could mourn.
A major supermarket chain with around 2,400 stores across the UK is to close one of its city branches in a few weeks.
After two decades of trading on the South Side, Co-op will close its long-serving convenience store on Thurston Road in Hillington, Glasgow, in mid-June.
The closure comes as the retailer’s lease on the unit expires this year and the landlord has repossessed the premises, leaving the business unable to continue operating on the site.
Bosses informed staff about the decision and are now prioritising support for colleagues, although it is not yet clear whether any jobs will be lost or whether workers will be redeployed to other local branches.The dedicated workforce and regular customers who have been visiting the shop for many years are concerned by the news..
While the retail giant manages a huge national network, including more than 300 locations across Scotland, it confirmed that this specific site would be removed from its portfolio.
The company explained that despite the closure, it maintains a strong presence in the region, with approximately 30 of its stores continuing to service the wider Glasgow postal area.
A Co-op spokesperson said, “Co-op is committed to serving and supporting local communities with approximately 30 stores operating in the Glasgow Postal Region.
“Unfortunately, we are unable to be at this location. Our priority is to fully support the notified associates, and we thank the community for their support of this store.
According to reports, the Hillington branch was opened about 20 years ago and has become a major hub for residents of the area (Scottish Sun).
The news comes amid intense pressure on the high street, with several other retailers also announcing Scottish closures due to leases expiring or changes in commercial priorities.
The Co-op continues to operate dozens of stores across Greater Glasgow but confirms it cannot secure a future at the Thurston Road site.
Local shoppers expressed disappointment at the loss of the convenient neighbourhood store, although the chain stressed its ongoing commitment to the wider city. The branch is set to bring down its shutters for the final time in mid-June.
Express.co.uk has contacted the Co-op for comment.
