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The President of Haiti has been assassinated in his own home.
Per BBC News, President Jovenel Moïse and his wife, First Lady Martine Moïse, were shot by an unidentified group of individuals at their private residence in Port-au-Prince at approximately 01:00 AM local time.
Moïse was killed outright, while reports say that his wife has been hospitalized and is allegedly in a critical condition.
The Haitian embassy in Canada broke the news on Twitter in an official statement, tweeting: "It is with great sadness that we confirm the assassination of President Jovenel Moise, during an attack on his residence by mercenaries.
"The First Lady, injured, receives the necessary care. Our hearts go out to the presidential family and to the whole nation."
Per Sky News, acting Haitian Prime Minister Claude Joseph called the attack "hateful, inhumane and barbaric", adding: "Measures are being taken in order to ensure the continuity of the state and to protect the nation."
Joseph added that the attackers had spoken English and Spanish and that Haiti's National Police and other authorities had the situation under control with officers deployed to the National Palace and of Petion-Ville.
BBC News reports that the president has faced accusations of corruption from his opposition during his tenure, with widespread protests throughout the country over poor living conditions and a lack of infrastructure.
The opposition has insisted that Moïse was supposed to step down from his position earlier this year. Meanwhile, parliamentary elections originally scheduled to take place back in 2019 have been continually delayed.
Back in February, President Moïse claimed that his administration had foiled an attempt on his life, which led to the arrests of 23 people, including a top judge and a senior police office.
Moïse had originally assumed office back in 2016, and ruled by decree for more than two years after Parliament was dissolved.
Sky News reports that crime has surged in the Caribbean nation's capital city, while inflation has spiraled at the same time as food, fuel, and other necessities have become scarce.
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World leaders have banded together to condemn the attempted assassination of Donald Trump after a recent rally ended in tragic fatalities.
Over the weekend, the former president of the United States was rushed off stage after shots were fired from the crowd at his rally in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania.
Video footage of the incident shows Trump being covered by security personnel after a bullet grazed past his ear six minutes into his speech, leaving him with streaks of blood coming down his face.
While he was being led off the stage and back into his car, the 78-year-old could be seen raising a fist of defiance, letting his followers know that he had survived the attack.
At least one spectator was killed and two others were critically wounded, according to reports after the incident.
The shooter, who has now been identified as 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks, was shot dead by the FBI and upon further investigation, a firearm was confiscated from a property he was linked to.
Taking to Truth Social after the attack, Trump updated his followers on his condition.
"I want to thank The United States Secret Service, and all of Law Enforcement, for their rapid response on the shooting that just took place in Butler, Pennsylvania," he wrote in a statement. "Most importantly, I want to extend my condolences to the family of the person at the Rally who was killed, and also to the family of another person that was badly injured. It is incredible that such an act can take place in our Country."
He continued: "Nothing is known at this time about the shooter, who is now dead. I was shot with a bullet that pierced the upper part of my right ear. I knew immediately that something was wrong in that I heard a whizzing sound, shots, and immediately felt the bullet ripping through the skin.
"Much bleeding took place, so I realized then what was happening," he added before concluding: "God bless America."
In the wake of the attack, many world leaders have taken to condemn what took place at Trump's rally, including French President, Emmanuel Macron, who stated: "France shares the shock and indignation of the American people."
The leader of Ireland, Simon Harris also took to X to condemn the attack writing: "What we saw last night from Pennsylvania was frightening and wrong."
"It is a relief that former President Trump is safe and survived the assassination attempt. Our hearts are with the innocent spectators killed and critically injured. There can be no place for political violence," he added.
The Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky also posted a statement on the social media platform, stating that he was "appalled to learn about the shooting of former U.S. President Donald Trump at his rally in Pennsylvania.
"Such violence has no justification and no place anywhere in the world. Never should violence prevail," he continued. "I am relieved to learn that Donald Trump is now safe and wish him a speedy recovery. My condolences go out to the close ones of this attack’s victim, a rally attendee.
"I extend my wishes for strength to everyone who is horrified by this event. I wish America emerges stronger from this," he added.
Sweden’s Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, also chimed into the conversation saying: "Sweden condemns the terrible attack in Pennsylvania. My thoughts go out to those who have been affected and to their families. Sweden stands behind the United States and wishes Donald Trump a speedy recovery."
The president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, said: "We are following with concern the treacherous incident faced by former US President and presidential candidate Donald Trump, and affirm Egypt’s condemnation of the incident. I express my wishes for President Trump’s speedy recovery and for the US election campaign to continue in a peaceful and healthy environment, devoid of any appearances of terrorism, violence or hatred."
The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said she is following the news from Pennsylvania with “apprehension” and extended her best wishes for a "speedy recovery" to Trump.
South Korea’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, posted on X: “I am appalled by the hideous act of political violence. I wish former President Trump a speedy recovery. The people of Korea stand in solidarity with the people of America.”
Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, also took to X to write: “I am appalled to learn of the shooting incident during former President Trump’s rally. We are strongly concerned and do not tolerate such forms of violence. On behalf of the Thai people, I wish former President Trump a speedy recovery. Our thoughts are also with the injured and affected families.”
Philippine President Ferdinand 'BobgBong' Marcos Jr added: “It is with great relief that we receive the news that former President Donald Trump is fine and well after the attempt to assassinate him. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family.
Together with all democracy-loving peoples around the world, we condemn all forms of political violence. The voice of the people must always remain supreme.”
Trump's presidential rival and current President of the United States Joe Biden also addressed the situation in a tweet, writing: "I have been briefed on the shooting at Donald Trump’s rally in Pennsylvania. I’m grateful to hear that he’s safe and doing well. I’m praying for him and his family and for all those who were at the rally, as we await further information.
"Jill and I are grateful to the Secret Service for getting him to safety. There’s no place for this kind of violence in America. We must unite as one nation to condemn it." he concluded.
The widow of the man who was tragically killed during the attempt to assassinate Donald Trump has spoken out.
Over the weekend, the nation was left reeling when 20-year-old Thomas Matthew Crooks opened fire at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, targeting the 78-year-old Republican candidate.
Trump narrowly escaped serious injury - or worse - sustaining only an ear wound, but the attack left one rally-goer dead and two others seriously injured.
Corey Comperatore, a 50-year-old volunteer fire chief from Sarver, Pennsylvania, lost his life during the shooting.
His loved ones say he sacrificed his life to protect his family during the attack.
Comperatore's daughter, Allyson, shared an emotional tribute on social media, describing how her father saved their lives.
"He truly loved us enough to take a real bullet for us. And I want nothing more than to cry on him and tell him thank you," she wrote.
Speaking from the White House on Sunday, President Joe Biden extended condolences to Comperatore's family.
"He was a father. He was protecting his family from the bullets that were being fired, and he lost his life. God love him," Biden said.
His widow, Helen Comperatore, revealed she declined to speak with President Biden following the incident, per the New York Post.
"I didn’t talk to Biden," Helen stated from her Pennsylvania home on Monday. "I didn’t want to talk to him. My husband was a devout Republican, and he would not have wanted me to talk to him."
“I don’t have any ill will towards Joe Biden. I’m not one of those people that gets involved in politics. I support Trump. That’s who I’m voting for, but I don’t have ill will towards Biden,” she said.
“He didn’t do anything bad to my husband. A 20-year-old despicable kid did.”
Helen described the rally as an anticipated “exciting day” for the family to support Trump.
As the shots erupted, Comperatore instinctively shouted “Get down”. They have been reported as his final words, as he heroically shielded his family with his body, sacrificing his life in the process.
Two others were injured alongside Trump during the incident, with David Dutch receiving serious injuries to his liver and ribs, requiring multiple surgeries.
James Copenhaver, 74, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania, attended the rally as a registered Democrat with a keen interest in local politics.
Albert Quaye, a supervisor in Moon Township, described Copenhaver as a retired individual deeply involved in community activities, including the Moon Township Military Banner Committee, which honors local veterans.
President Trump has shared an update after Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, was killed by ICE.
The 37-year-old man was fatally shot during a confrontation with federal immigration officers while protesting against a crackdown by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
The shooting took place around 9:05 AM near Nicollet Avenue, just over a mile from where Renee Good, a mother of three, was killed by an ICE agent earlier this month.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claimed that Pretti was carrying a 9mm handgun and “violently resisted” efforts to disarm him.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem suggested that he had come to the protest with “weapons and ammunition” and that the situation escalated when he attempted to harm law enforcement officers.
“This looks like a situation where an individual arrived at the scene to inflict maximum damage on individuals and to kill law enforcement,” Noem said, per The Guardian.
However, eyewitness accounts, video footage, and Pretti’s family have strongly disputed these claims.
Videos from the scene show Pretti holding a phone, not a weapon, and being pinned to the ground and pepper-sprayed by officers before being shot. Local authorities and the late nurse's family have also asserted that he was a lawful gun owner with a permit to carry.
In his initial statement, Trump told the Wall Street Journal that his administration is “reviewing everything” related to the shooting.
Despite video evidence contradicting the government’s narrative, the 79-year-old defended the actions of federal officers, stating: “I don’t like any shooting. I don’t like it."
"But I don’t like it when somebody goes into a protest and he’s got a very powerful, fully loaded gun with two magazines loaded up with bullets also. That doesn’t play good either," he added.
In a new update today (January 26), the president acknowledged the growing tensions in Minneapolis, where protests have erupted in response to Pretti’s death, and announced that Tom Homan, whom he referred to as his “border tsar”, would be sent to Minnesota to investigate, per BBC News.
He described Homan as “tough but fair” and emphasized that a “major investigation” was underway. Trump also referenced an alleged “$20 billion welfare fraud” in the state, which he claimed was partially responsible for the protests.
Pretti’s family has vehemently rejected the government’s version of events.
The late man's father shared an emotional statement, slamming the allegations that his son was involved in violent behavior.
“He cared about people deeply,” he said. “He was very upset with what was happening in Minneapolis and throughout the United States with ICE, as millions of other people are upset. He thought it was terrible, you know, kidnapping children, just grabbing people off the street.”
The family also denied that Pretti was carrying a gun when he was shot, insisting that he was holding his phone and was trying to document the incident.
“The sickening lies told about our son by the administration are reprehensible and disgusting,” they said. “Please get the truth out about our son. He was a good man.”
The aftermath of Pretti’s death has sparked protests not only in Minneapolis but also in cities across the United States.
Governor Tim Walz warned that the nation is at an “inflection point,” and expressed concerns about the escalating situation in Minnesota.
At the same time, former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama criticized the ongoing crackdown in Minneapolis, describing the situation as “horrible scenes” that “I never thought would take place in America," per BBC News.
Prominent Republicans have also voiced worries about the situation. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) called the incident “incredibly disturbing,” and urged a wide-ranging investigation involving both federal and state officials.
Governor Kevin Stitt (R-OK) stated that federal tactics and accountability have become a growing concern among voters, and Congressman James Comer, a Trump ally, suggested that the president should consider withdrawing immigration agents from Minneapolis.
Meanwhile, Democrats in Congress have threatened to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security unless a thorough investigation is conducted.
This raised the possibility of another government shutdown if the matter is not addressed.
A radio host was shot dead during a live stream from his home studio by a gunman who was pretending to be a listener.
The assailant, disguised as a listener, entered the home studio of 57-year-old news broadcaster Juan Jumalon, unleashing a devastating attack that has left the Philippines in shock, per the Daily Mail.
The horrifying incident took place during a morning broadcast in Calamba town, located in the Misamis Occidental province, as reported by local authorities.
Startling video footage of the attack captured the moment when Jumalon glanced away from the camera just before the shots rang out, causing him to slump back in his chair, all while the broadcast continued with background music.
Tragically, he was pronounced dead while en route to a nearby hospital.
The attacker, whose identity remains concealed, was seen grabbing Jumalon's gold necklace before making a hasty escape on a motorbike, where an accomplice was waiting outside the radio presenter's home.
Law enforcement has wasted no time in launching a thorough investigation to uncover the identity of the assailant and determine the motives behind this violent act.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr has strongly condemned the shooting, asserting that he has instructed the national police to track down, apprehend, and prosecute the individuals responsible.
In a firm statement, he declared: "Attacks on journalists will not be tolerated in our democracy, and those who threaten the freedom of the press will face the full consequences of their actions."
The Philippines has long been known as one of the most perilous places for journalists worldwide, the Mail reports.
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, a prominent press freedom watchdog, revealed that Mr. Jumalon is the 199th journalist to have lost their life in the country since 1986 - the year when democracy was restored, following the "People Power" uprising that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos and led to his family's exile in the United States.
The watchdog further emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating: "The attack is even more condemnable since it happened at Jumalon's own home, which also served as the radio station."
While the attacker was not captured on the Facebook livestream, the police are reviewing potential security camera footage from the house and neighboring residences in an effort to shed light on the incident.
This tragic incident is similar to a horrific event in 2009 when members of a powerful political clan, along with their associates, executed 58 people, including 32 media workers, in a violent and meticulously planned attack in the southern Maguindanao province.
This brutal act stands as the deadliest single attack on journalists in recent history and serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by journalists in the Philippines, as reported by Al Jazeera.
A proliferation of unlicensed firearms and private armies under the control of influential clans, coupled with weak law enforcement in rural areas, are among the pressing security concerns faced by journalists.
The Prime Minister of Slovakia has been left in a life-threatening condition after being shot in an attempted assassination.
Prime Minister Robert Fico, 59, was shot and wounded while greeting crowds in front of a cultural community center in the town of Handlova, where a government meeting was being held, according to the BBC.
Several gunshots were heard before Mr. Fico's security bundled him into a nearby car, before he was taken to hospital.
According to reports, his condition has been deemed life-threatening.
Juraj Bury, a journalist who was inside the building when the attack occurred at around 2.30PM local time, said: "A crowd was waiting outside [the cultural center] and one of them started shooting."
A witness told the Dennik N website that she heard three or four shots before Mr. Fico fell to the ground, and claimed that she saw wounding to his head and chest.
Eyewitnesses claimed his guards helped him into a car from where he fell beside a bench, before he was reportedly airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital.
The BBC reports that he was later flown to another hospital in Banska Bystrica, east of Handlova, which is north-east of the capital of Bratislava.
A post to Mr. Fico's Facebook page from his staff said that he was shot a number of times and is "currently in a life-threatening condition", having been transported to Banksa Bystrica for urgent surgery.
The message added that the next few hours would be "critical".
The suspect accused of shooting the Prime Minister has reportedly been detained by police, and is believed to be the man seen in video footage from the scene being handcuffed as he sat on the ground.
Slovakia's outgoing president Zuzana Caputova said she was "utterly shocked by today's brutal" attack on the prime minister, condemning it in the "strongest possible terms", as well as wishing Mr. Fico strength to recover.
Mr. Fico returned to power in Slovakia following last September's elections, and his tenure has proved highly contentious politically after he halted military aid to Ukraine in January, and last month pushed through plans to abolish public broadcaster RTVS.
This is a breaking news story, more to follow.
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