A major White House security incident investigated by federal authorities is making headlines after gunfire erupted near the White House complex in Washington, D.C. The incident triggered a temporary lockdown, a large law enforcement response, and renewed concerns about security around one of the most protected buildings in the world.
What Happened?
According to the U.S. Secret Service, the incident occurred near the intersection of 17th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW, just outside the White House grounds. Reports indicate that a suspect opened fire near a security checkpoint, prompting Secret Service officers to respond. The suspect was shot during the exchange and later died from injuries sustained in the incident. A bystander was also injured.
Journalists working on the White House North Lawn reported hearing multiple gunshots before being instructed by Secret Service agents to seek shelter inside the White House briefing room. The White House was briefly placed under lockdown as officers secured the area.
Federal Agencies Launch Investigation
The White House security incident investigated by both the U.S. Secret Service and the FBI remains under active review. Federal authorities are working to determine the suspect’s motives and establish the full sequence of events.
FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed that FBI personnel were assisting the Secret Service at the scene. According to officials, no law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
President Trump Was at the White House
Reports indicate that Donald Trump was at the White House when the incident occurred. Security teams immediately implemented protective measures while officers responded to the gunfire. Authorities have not indicated that the president was in immediate danger during the event.
Eyewitness Accounts
Several reporters who were present described hearing between 20 and 30 gunshots. Video footage shared on social media showed journalists quickly moving to safety as Secret Service agents secured the area. Witnesses described a chaotic scene as emergency protocols were activated.
Security Concerns Grow
The latest White House security incident investigated comes amid heightened concerns over security around federal buildings and high-profile government officials. Security experts note that the White House remains one of the most heavily guarded locations in the United States, with multiple layers of protection designed to respond rapidly to threats.
Incidents of this nature often lead to reviews of existing security procedures and may result in additional protective measures if necessary.
What Happens Next?
Investigators are expected to:
Review surveillance footage from the area.
Interview witnesses and responding officers.
Examine the suspect’s background and possible motives.
Determine the circumstances surrounding the bystander’s injury.
Release further details as the investigation progresses.
Conclusion
The White House security incident investigatedby federal authorities highlights the challenges of protecting critical government facilities. While the situation quickly came under control, the incident caused injuries and prompted a significant security response. As investigators continue their work, officials are expected to provide additional information about what led to the shooting and whether any broader security concerns exist.
Spyware attacks on journalists, human rights defenders and political dissidents are now common. In early 2025, WhatsApp notified approximately 90 users – many of them journalists and civil society members from across Europe – that they had been targeted by Israeli spyware company Paragon Solutions. Months later, Apple sent threat notifications to a new group of iOS users; forensic analysis confirmed that two of them, both journalists, were affected by Paragon’s Graphite spyware using a zero-click attack, meaning they did not even need to tap a link to be compromised. These are not isolated incidents. They are ideal.
Over the past 15 years, security researchers have documented countless cases where government hackers have targeted and successfully compromised journalists, human rights defenders, critics, and political opponents.
These attacks rely on expensive, sophisticated, and covert tools that allow their operators to hack and install spyware on computers, but especially smartphones, which hold almost all the data about a person’s daily life.
Spyware gives its operators virtually complete access to the target’s device and data. Government spies can record phone calls, steal chat messages, access photos, and switch on a device’s camera and microphone to record ambient sound and nearby conversations. Spyware typically also tracks a person’s real-time location.
In response to these attacks, the tech giant now offers better security to its users. In particular, Apple, Google and Meta offer opt-in features specifically designed to counter targeted spyware attacks.
Generally, these features add additional security, sometimes by turning off or limiting some regular features. It’s a compromise, but after using these for a long time, I never found them too difficult or annoying to use.
Tech companies, security researchers who have studied spyware for years, and we at TechCrunch recommend using these features if you suspect you may be the target of government surveillance because of who you are or what you do. Even if you’re not, these security features will better protect your data from being misused.
No security measure is perfect, and ongoing efforts are made to address security vulnerabilities. Spyware makers find new ways to hack phones and services, then software makers learn from those attacks and respond. Rinse and repeat.
But that doesn’t mean these features aren’t worth using. On the contrary, these features have proved effective.
“These features are free, easy to enable, and are the best defence we have today against sophisticated spyware,” said security researcher Runa Sandvik, who has worked to protect journalists and other at-risk communities for more than a decade. “If features get in the way of something you’re doing, you can easily turn them off again – meaning it costs a lot less to turn them on and try them out.”
Here’s a summary of these features and how to turn them on.
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Apple’s lockdown mode
Apple’s Lockdown Mode is available on all Apple devices, including iPhones. Apple says that when Lockdown Mode is enabled, “your device will not operate as it normally does”. In exchange for this inconvenience, your device will be more secure.
There is evidence that lockdown modes have helped in the past. Citizen Lab found that lockdown mode stopped a spyware attack carried out with NSO Group’s Pegasus software. As recently as March, Apple said it had never detected a successful attack on an Apple device with Lockdown Mode enabled.
Attachments received on iMessage are blocked by default except for some images, videos, and audios.
Links and previews in iMessage are blocked and appear as non-linked web addresses. (You can copy and paste the link into Safari or any other browser if you prefer.)
Fonts, some images, and some web technologies are blocked when browsing in Safari.
Incoming FaceTime calls are blocked if you haven’t contacted that person before or in the last 30 days.
Screen sharing, sharing content on SharePlay, and Live Photos are not available.
Incoming invitations to Apple services will be blocked unless you’ve invited the person first.
The focus feature, along with any related conditions, will not work as expected.
Game Center is disabled.
Location information is stripped away when you share photos.
“Shared album photos are removed from the Photos app, and new shared album invitations are blocked.”
You must unlock your device to connect it to an accessory or computer. When connecting a Mac with an Apple-made processor to an accessory, the computer needs to be unlocked and you must approve the connection with your passcode.
You can’t automatically connect to open or public Wi-Fi networks, and you’ll be disconnected from any non-secure Wi-Fi networks you previously connected to before enabling Lockdown Mode.
Your phone will not be able to connect to 2G or 3G cellular networks.
You cannot install a configuration profile or enrol the device in the Mobile Device Management program.
To switch to lockdown mode, go to Settings, then Privacy & Security and scroll down to Lockdown mode. Once you enable the feature, your Apple device will restart.
I’ve used lockdown mode for years. Although I noticed that some of the websites were a little glitchy in the beginning, I haven’t paid attention to that for a while. Additionally, you can turn off lockdown mode selectively for specific websites and apps without disabling the feature completely. There are some quirks, but I’ve also got used to them.
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Google’s Advanced Security Program
Google launched its Advanced Security Program in 2017. This feature helps make your Google account more resilient against all types of malicious hackers.
The Advanced Security programme includes the following features:
Restricts some third-party services and apps from accessing your Google Account, but only with your permission.
Enables “Deep Gmail Scan,” which scans your incoming emails for phishing attacks and malicious content.
Google enables Safe Browsing in Chrome, which warns users who navigate to dangerous sites or download dangerous files.
On Android, you can only install apps and games from legitimate app stores.
If someone tries to log into your account, Google takes extra steps to verify that it’s really you.
To turn on advanced security, go to its official page and click “Get Started”. This will prompt you to log in to your Google account. Follow the instructions given there.
First, you’ll need to add a physical security key (or a software passkey) as an additional verification factor in addition to your password. You’ll also need to add a recovery phone number and a recovery email address to your account or use a backup passkey or security key.
Image Credit: eff/
Android Advanced Security Mode
started last year And possibly inspired by Apple’s lockdown mode, Android Advanced Security Mode brings similar security to Google’s mobile operating systems.
Android’s Advanced Security Mode provides the following security features:
Enables Google Play Protect, which protects against malware and unwanted apps and checks all apps for “harmful behaviour”.
Apps cannot be installed from unknown sources, and updates to apps already installed from unknown sources will be prevented from running.
Enables Memory Tagging Extension (MTE) on supported devices. MTE is a hardware-enforced feature that protects against certain types of vulnerabilities.
The device automatically locks if it detects suspicious activity “indicating theft”, such as sudden and rapid movement. It is based on data from the device’s motion sensor, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
The device automatically locks when offline for a long period of time.
The device automatically reboots if the phone has been locked for 72 hours, making it harder to extract data using law enforcement tools designed to unlock phones, such as the one made by Cellebrite.
When the device is locked, USB connections are blocked.
Google scans for “unwanted and potentially harmful messages”.
Links sent through the Messages app by unknown users will be flagged.
Connection to the 2G network is blocked.
Google will identify spam callers.
You will be able to screen incoming calls and reject spam calls automatically. (Available only in some areas.)
Android enables safe browsing, which protects against malicious websites.
Chrome will automatically enforce HTTPS encryption for all sites.
Some JavaScript functions have been disabled, reducing the browser’s attack surface for potential vulnerabilities.
You can also enable intrusion logging, which is an optional feature that helps researchers investigate spyware attacks.
To enable Advanced Security mode on your Android device, go to Settings, then Security & Privacy, and under Other Settings, tap Advanced Security, then tap Device Security.
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WhatsApp’s strict account settings
More than 3 billion people, including those in resourceful government agencies, use WhatsApp.
The demand for hacking tools targeting WhatsApp is so high that these exploits can cost millions of dollars – and they work. In 2019, WhatsApp caught a hacking campaign by NSO Group, which targeted around 1,200 users. Early last year, a spying operation caught WhatsApp in its net, ensnaring around 90 users in Europe.
In response, WhatsApp launched strict account settings earlier this year, including an opt-in feature that activates certain privacy and security controls depending on the operating system.
On Android and iOS, the Strict Account setting turns on the following features:
Two-Step Verification.
safety notices which alert users when a contact has changed their phone or reinstalled WhatsApp, or if an attacker takes control of their account.
Blocks attachments and media (images and videos) from unknown senders by default.
Link previews are closed.
Calls from unknown numbers are silenced.
Your IP address is hidden in the call.
Your profile information and activity, such as when you were last seen online, your profile photo and information about yourself, are hidden from people who are not your contacts or members of a pre-established group.
Only contacts or members of a pre-established group can add you to a group chat.
To turn on the feature, use your primary device, go to Settings, then Privacy, scroll down to Advanced, and turn it on.
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Ruben Amorim was keen to revive the career of a Manchester United star so he could be selected for England at this summer’s World Cup, but that has failed to materialise.
Ruben Amorum left United back in January. (Photo: Carl Racine/Getty Images)
Former Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim had expressed his desire to become the manager who pushed Mason Mount back into England contention – but the World Cup squad was announced on Friday. He confirmed that his efforts had failed. The former Chelsea midfielder became a key figure for the Portuguese’s strategy during his turbulent tenure at Old Trafford, although after his sacking, he struggled to establish himself.
The Reds comfortably secured Champions League qualification thanks to a change of watch under caretaker boss Michael Carrick. The former midfielder has since been handed a new two-year contract in recognition of his spell at United.
On Friday, Thomas Tuchel revealed his 26-man selection for the upcoming tournament in North America.
The England manager has faced scrutiny over some inclusions and omissions, while Mount was left out entirely, his most recent Three Lions outing coming four years ago during the last World Cup.
It was previously reported that Amorem intended to do everything he could to push Mount to progress and press his case for England selection.
The 27-year-old has adapted at United under the former Sporting manager and Amorim regarded him as a ‘super talent’ and one of the most underappreciated English players.
Speaking in December after United’s 4-1 victory over Wolves, Amorim praised Mt. He said, “I think, again, we were a bit sloppy on the ball after the goal and that gave the opposition a bit of hope.
“But we created many chances in the first half as well. We should have finished the half differently and then at half-time they realised we had everything to win the game, to win the three points. And they did.
I think we showed good pace and quality in the second half, especially considering that Wolves are having a really difficult moment as a team and as a club, so we took advantage of that.
Mason Mount was given a rare start for United. (Photo: George Wood/Getty Images)
Mount made just six appearances during Carrick’s tenure in charge, totalling 126 minutes, with his only full appearance coming in a goalless draw against Sunderland.
The England midfielder will have to adapt to fit into Carrick’s tactical setup, with Carrick opting not to deploy two No.10s, a position where Mount previously thrived.
An injury ruled him out for six matches in February, and the limited playing time for Mount after that was a cautious approach as the club worked to get him back to full fitness.
Carrick said last month, “It’s wonderful to have Mason back to miss him so soon after we came in and got together.
So, he obviously had some of that in about two or three weeks of building and finding his rhythm, finding his finesse. So, it’s great to have him back.”
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye has dismissed Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko after months of tension.
Government Secretary General Omar Samba Ba announced the decision during a broadcast late on Friday night.
The firing ends a period of open confrontation between the two former allies of the Patriotes Africain du Senegal pour le Travail, l’Ethique et la Fraternité (Pastef) party, which defeated the former ruling party in March 2024.
Ba said that with the dismissal of the prime minister, all members of the government resigned and the government was dissolved.
The Pastef party entered office after a fierce campaign against the then-ruling party Alliance pour la République, following widespread speculation that former President Macky Sall wanted to use the 2016 constitutional change to modify his term in office.
Sall, who is expected to lead the country between 2012 and 2024, ultimately did not contest the election after violence erupted in the West African nation. Conflict: At least 16 people were killed and several injured in clashes between security forces and supporters of then-opposition leader Ousmane Sonko. Sall’s party lost the elections in the first round.
Sonko, head of the Pastef party, was barred from running after Senegal’s Supreme Court upheld a defamation conviction, and the Constitutional Court rejected his candidacy. Faye ran in Sonko’s place and Sonko was appointed Prime Minister.
“Praise be to Allah. Tonight I will sleep with a light heart in the Keur Gorgui neighbourhood,” Sonko wrote in a short post on Instagram after his dismissal.
In the last few months, there has been open conflict between the pair. Earlier this month, Faye said the former prime minister would only retain his post if he did it properly, following Sonko’s criticism. The two disagreed on key policies, including the negotiation of a loan from the International Monetary Fund.
Andy Robertson was not even born when Sir Kenny Dalglish stepped down after his first managerial stint at Liverpool in 1991.
But when he joined the Reds in 2017, he was aware of the legacy of some of the great Scots who had walked the same path before him.
Speaking to Kelly Cates and Dalglish – his father – in a BBC interview,
Robertson recalled those conversations after moving to Anfield.
“When I first signed, all the names were thrown at me,” he told Cates. “Your father, Alan Hansen and [Graeme] Souness…
“I know Liverpool fans love to have a Scottish player in their team. And I know usually if there’s a Scottish player, it leads to a bit of success.”
The relationship between Liverpool and Scotland has run deep since the days of great former manager Bill Shankly, and there is perhaps no man alive more beloved on the Kop than Dalglish.
During his initial 14-year tenure as captain and then player-manager, Dalglish scored 172 goals and helped deliver 18 major trophies, including eight league titles and three European Cups.
After more than 30 years, Robertson – who is set to play his final match at Anfield on Sunday – will depart as the latest in a line of men who have left an indelible impact from north of the border.
The defender arrived on Merseyside nine years ago when Jurgen Klopp signed him from Hull City for £8m. Four years ago, he was playing in Scotland’s fourth tier for Queen’s Park.
From those humble beginnings, the 32-year-old helped redefine the full-back role under Klopp and later Arne Slot, netting 60 Premier League assists – the second most by a defender behind former teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold.
They have won nine major trophies in that time, including two league titles and the Champions League.
But his legacy will live on as a man who played like a fan on the pitch. Dalglish called him “a great credit” to Liverpool.
Once Sunday’s match is over, Robertson’s focus will turn to captaining Scotland in his first Men’s World Cup for 28 years. He is just 10 caps away from equalling Dalglish’s record of 102.
“I’m a bit disappointed with the number of caps you’ve got with Scotland,” the 75-year-old told him.
There are different ways to end a Liverpool career. Steven Gerrard was among the most humiliated, a Champions League-winning captain sent off after a 6-1 defeat by Stoke City. Kenny Dalglish was more emotional as a substitute in a team that had already won the league in 1990.
Dalglish was brought in by the manager – himself – which meant he had two more exits: standing down in 1991 and being sacked in 2012.
Mohamed Salah has argued with Gerrard and Dalglish as part of a trinity.
Three of Liverpool’s great players are mentioned. He is third for goals, behind only Ian Rush and Roger Hunt, with a better goals-per-game ratio than either of them.
In fact, of the Anfield centuries, no one since the Second World War has scored at a faster rate than Salah. As far as assists in previous eras are concerned, Salah ranks fifth – Dalglish and Gerrard top that particular table – and, with at least 40, only Scott and Alan A. Court, who starred in the old Division 2, scored more goals per game.
And this is Salah’s last year, despite a hostile, sometimes furious, season. A man rarely booked has been suspended for Liverpool’s Champions League trip to Inter Milan after saying he had been treated unfairly and had nothing to do with Ernie Slott.
His final appearance, in the 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa, was less notable than the following day’s social media posts. Liverpool, he said, was “disastrous.”
There will be a grand farewell at Anfield on Sunday, with tributes from team-mates past and present pouring in. Nevertheless, it feels as though the celebration of Salat is less than before. With relations strained, Salah has fallen out, and there is a sense that a deal that seemed revolting when signed last year is now a mistake, as he leaves a year before its end.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah with manager Arne Slot after the substitution (Reuters)
The Anfield crowd, however, are likely to serenade their Egyptian king one last time. Slott can be forgiven for being more sensitive. Although he was not mentioned by name, he still felt that he was the target of Salah’s social media messages.
But he has spent much of the season praising Salah in public. He has maintained his dignity and demonstrated his diplomacy. “Mo and I both have the same interest; we want the best for this club,” he said. Salah, he claimed, was the unstoppable 2024-25 figure he would remember, not the more unhappy version that appeared of late.
Liverpool manager Arne Slott reacts on the touchline during Friday night’s 4-2 defeat at Aston Villa. (PA Wire)
“One hundred percent last season,” Slott said. “I think he said it and he meant it even more when I said it because he won a lot of things at this club; he said the most special thing I won was the Premier League title last season.
“Now I can safely say it was the most special thing I’ve won in my life so I’ll remember him and how important he was to the club this season and the goals he scored for me as a result. We, as a club, as a team, weren’t at the same heights this season but I’ll 100 per cent mainly remember him for last season and the fans should remember that he played for us this season.”
Salah’s last campaign, and his first under the slot, was his best of a brilliant set of eight. He scored 44 in the first, threatening Rush’s club record of 47. But his first year under Slott saw him net 34 goals and 23 assists in all competitions, scoring 29 and creating 18 in the Premier League alone. He was named the best footballer of the year for the third time.
Mohamed Salah is set to play his final game for Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday. (P.A)
It was Salah whom Jurgen Klopp called an all-time great; whom Trent Alexander-Arnold called relentless to be the best; whom Alisson called one of the most important footballers in Liverpool’s history; and whom Virgil van Dijk called a once-in-a-lifetime player.
This season, as Salah’s powers have waned, as Liverpool have struggled, as he has lost his place in the team, and as his goal tally has dropped to seven in the Premier League and 12 in all competitions, has been atrocious. But while the slot – combined with the club’s hierarchy – left him to express his December dissent, the peacekeeper is unlikely to deny him a farewell and the pragmatist knows Liverpool may need a goal against Brentford.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah reacts against Aston Villa (Getty)
The winner of Liverpool’s 2019 Champions League final has one final goal: to get only Champions League football. Liverpool must hope Salah’s final game is more like Gerrard’s than Dalglish’s.
But Slott said, “I think that was one of the things Mo said in his post – that he also understands how important qualification is for us for the Champions League.” A 258th goal could be part of his legacy. But if the slot is vacated, Salah’s reign ends there; he will think he is the best of the Egyptians. And for eight years, it was surprisingly excellent.
The defender’s brother has condemned the decision.
Harry and Zoe Maguire (Photo: Zumaguiar Wilkinson/Instagram)
Harry Maguire’s mother has taken to social media to share her ‘disgust’ at his exclusion from England’s World Cup squad. Boss Thomas Tuchel will officially announce the 26-man squad for the tournament tomorrow (Friday), leaving out Maguire, 33.
Maguire confirmed his axing on social media.
This is despite him having an impressive second half of the season under Michael Carrick at Manchester United. Maguire confirmed his axing on social media, and fans outraged by the decision believe he should have been called.
In a post on Instagram, the defender said, “I believed I could play a major role for my country in the postseason this summer. I’m shocked and dismayed by the decision. I’ve loved nothing more than wearing this shirt and representing my country over the years. I wish the players all the best this summer.”
Her furious mother, Zoe, also told her, The Mirror reports. On X, he wrote: “Absolutely disgusting.”
One of his brothers, Joe, also fumed: “This move could possibly be the worst decision I’ve ever seen in my life. No words.”
Tuchel will explain his decision regarding Maguire at a press conference on Friday. The centre-back isn’t the only big name to miss out on. Cole Palmer, Phil Foden, Luke Shaw and Morgan Gibbs-White are also among the high-profile omissions.
It was Maguire’s mother who ‘began to cry’ when he was recalled to the England squad in March after an 18-month absence. Speaking of his memory, the 33-year-old said, “It’s wonderful; it’s something I’ve missed. When you’re not picked, when you’ve been a regular for six or seven years, it’s difficult. I spoke to the manager and he told me I was in.
“I called my family. My mum was on holiday and she was crying. I have reached a stage in my career where there is not much information available about me. I’m 33 years old. If I play even one minute in the World Cup or every game, I’ll do everything possible to make sure this country succeeds.”
But now the only football Maguire will play this summer will be during United’s pre-season. The Red Devils are set to travel to Europe for a series of friendlies, while England will battle to end their 66-year spell in North America.
