World leaders react to shooting at US gala attended by President Trump
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
World leaders expressed shock and relief after a shooting incident at a media gala in Washington, D.C., attended by US President Donald Trump. Law enforcement detained a suspect armed with a shotgun, handgun, and multiple knives, who will face federal charges. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack on democratic institutions and press freedom. French President Emmanuel Macron stated that violence is unacceptable in a democracy and extended support to Donald Trump. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara were shocked by the attempted assassination and relieved the President and First Lady were safe, wishing a speedy recovery to the wounded police officer. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was relieved about the safety of President Trump, the First Lady, and the Vice President, condemning violence in a democracy. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed relief for all guests and stated that political violence has no place in any democracy. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was glad President Trump and his wife were safe, emphasizing that violence should never be the way. Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned the attack, stating that violence is never the answer. Hungary's outgoing Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a Trump ally, said there is no place for violence in politics. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas was relieved there were no casualties, noting that an event honoring a free press should not become a scene of fear. P
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 10 countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Punch Nigeria.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency NDLEA has intercepted a consignment of the stimulant drug Captagon in Kwara State, marking the second seizure of the drug in Africa after a previous one at Lagos' Apapa Port five years ago. Captagon, an amphetamine-type stimulant, is known for producing euphoria, suppressing fatigue, and reducing fear, and its production and sale are linked to militias and criminal groups. NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi stated that 10,000 Captagon pills, valued at $25 per pill, were recovered on April 21, 2026, from 33-year-old Nasiru Mu’azu, along with nine packets of Tapentadol 250mg. In a separate operation on April 24, 2026, at the same location, officers seized 155,900 capsules of Tramadol, 6,000 ampoules of Tramadol injection, 3,000 tablets of Co-Codamol, and 9,000 tablets of Bromazepam, leading to the arrest of 24-year-old Aminu Isah. In Oyo State on April 21, 2026, Eze Prince Emeka, 33, was arrested after excreting 45 pellets of cocaine weighing 1.043 kilograms. He intended to travel through trans-Saharan routes to Algeria and potentially Europe. Other seizures include 1,196,000 pills of pharmaceutical opioids in Edo State, 810 kilograms of Arizona cannabis in Lagos, 154.5 kilograms of skunk in Bauchi State, and 466.8 kilograms of skunk in Ekiti State. In Cross River State, approximately 20,000 kilograms of cannabis were destroyed on eight hectares of farmland. Additionally, 394 pieces of improvised explosive device components were seized in
Must ReadThe Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project SERAP and the Nigerian Guild of Editors NGE have filed a lawsuit against the National Broadcasting Commission NBC, challenging its alleged “arbitrary, unconstitutional, and unlawful” threats to sanction broadcast stations and presenters. The suit, filed at the Federal High Court in Lagos on April 24, 2026, contests the NBC’s directive warning broadcasters against “expressing personal opinions as facts,” “bullying or intimidating guests,” and failing to maintain neutrality. SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, and General Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Onuoha Ukeh, jointly signed a statement announcing the legal action. The groups argue that the provisions of the 6th Edition of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code, which the NBC relies upon, are “vague and overly broad” and infringe upon freedom of expression and media freedom guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution. They contend that journalistic work inherently includes opinion, commentary, and analysis, which are central to professional standards and democratic discourse. The plaintiffs assert that the Nigerian Constitution is the supreme law, and any inconsistent subsidiary legislation, like the Broadcasting Code, is null and void. They warn that the NBC’s approach could stifle media freedom, lead to self-censorship, and undermine Nigerians’ democratic rights to diverse information, especially ahead of the 2027 general elections. SERAP and NGE are seeking a d
Must ReadInternational efforts to mediate between the United States and Iran faced uncertainty after President Donald Trump cancelled his envoys’ planned trip to Pakistan for talks. Trump stated there was no point "sitting around talking about nothing" but noted that Iran revised its proposal shortly after his decision. The White House had indicated Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff were to travel to Pakistan for discussions aimed at a deal. Trump later told Fox News he had scrapped the trip, asserting that the US held "all the cards." When asked if the cancellation meant a return to hostilities, Trump replied, "No, it doesn’t mean that. We haven’t thought about it yet." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi concluded a visit to Islamabad, meeting Pakistan’s military chief Asim Munir, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar. Araghchi described his Pakistan trip as "very fruitful" but expressed skepticism about Washington’s intentions. Iranian state television reported Araghchi had no plans to meet US officials, with Islamabad acting as a conduit. Sharif spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, reiterating Pakistan's commitment to facilitating "durable peace." Pezeshkian reportedly told Sharif that the Islamic Republic would not be coerced by Washington’s "hostile actions." Pressure to end the war has intensified due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated its intention to ma
Must ReadThe National Drug Law Enforcement Agency has issued a warning about a new method of drug trafficking where suspects ingest illicit drugs for overland journeys through the Sahara Desert to North Africa and Europe. NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi stated that traffickers are increasingly using road routes due to heightened surveillance at airports. This development could lead to a rise in roadside excretion of illicit substances as operatives increase monitoring on highways. Babafemi described the method as risky and dangerous, highlighting the lengths traffickers go to evade arrest. A video showed NDLEA operatives recovering condom-wrapped pellets, apparently excreted by a suspect, which were then documented and tested. This new trend emerges amidst the NDLEA's ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking at both airports and inland.