World
Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence Targeted in Arson Attack: What We Know
A shocking arson attack rocked the official residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in Harrisburg early Sunday, April 13, 2025, forcing the governor, his wife Lori, their four children, two dogs, and another family member to evacuate.
A shocking arson attack rocked the official residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro in Harrisburg early Sunday, April 13, 2025, forcing the governor, his wife Lori, their four children, two dogs, and another family member to evacuate. The blaze, which caused significant damage to the historic 29,000-square-foot Georgian-style mansion, has left the community reeling and authorities scrambling to uncover the motive behind this targeted act of violence.
Suspect Arrested in Harrisburg Arson Case
Pennsylvania State Police arrested 38-year-old Harrisburg resident Cody Balmer in connection with the fire. According to officials, Balmer scaled a nearly 7-foot iron fence, evaded state troopers, and broke into the residence, where he allegedly set the fire using homemade incendiary devices. Balmer turned himself in on Sunday afternoon and now faces serious charges, including attempted murder, terrorism, aggravated arson, and aggravated assault. An affidavit reveals Balmer expressed anger toward Governor Shapiro, even stating he would have attacked him with a hammer if they had crossed paths.
A Terrifying Wake-Up Call
The ordeal began around 2 a.m. when state troopers, part of the governor’s security detail, pounded on the family’s door to alert them to the flames. “We woke up to bangs on the door, and thanks to the quick actions of law enforcement, we got out safely,” Shapiro said during an emotional press conference. The fire, which started in a room often used for public events and art displays, left behind charred walls, destroyed furniture, and ash-covered floors. Photos released by the state show remnants of a Passover Seder the family had hosted just hours earlier, including a singed “Passover Crafts” sign.
Shapiro Vows Resilience Amid Tragedy
Governor Shapiro, a prominent Democrat elected in 2022, addressed the attack with a mix of gratitude and defiance. “This wasn’t just an attack on my family—it was an attack on the entire Commonwealth of Pennsylvania,” he said, choking back tears. He expressed deep appreciation for the first responders who extinguished the blaze and for the outpouring of support from across the state and nation, including messages from Vice President JD Vance and Senator John Fetterman. Shapiro also reaffirmed his commitment to his Jewish faith, noting that the family would celebrate their second Passover Seder that evening. “No one will stop us from living our faith proudly,” he declared.
A Historic Residence Scarred
Built in 1968 along the Susquehanna River, the Pennsylvania Governor’s Residence has housed eight governors and serves as both a home and a cultural hub, showcasing art exhibits on its first floor. The fire caused extensive damage, with images revealing torched ceilings, blackened walls, and a devastated piano. Despite the destruction, Shapiro promised, “We’ll rebuild stronger than ever.” Authorities, including the FBI’s Philadelphia field office, are assisting with the investigation, and a security review is underway to prevent future incidents.
Questions Linger as Investigation Continues
While Balmer’s arrest marks a significant step, many questions remain unanswered. Officials have not yet determined a specific motive, though Shapiro described the attack as “targeted.” Balmer’s prior run-ins with the law, including a 2016 guilty plea for forgery and theft and a pending 2023 simple assault case, have raised concerns about his background. The Dauphin County District Attorney’s Office has indicated that federal charges may also be filed.
A Call for Unity and Healing
In the wake of the attack, Shapiro called for an end to the rising tide of political violence. “This kind of violence is not okay—it’s becoming far too common, and it has to stop,” he urged. The incident comes amid heightened tensions, with elected officials across the country facing increasing threats. For now, the Shapiro family is safe, and the community is rallying around them, but the scars of this terrifying night will take time to heal.
This article is based on information from trusted sources and will be updated as new details emerge.
Business
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The announcement suggests that Israel may soon pull ahead of other countries in the race for laser weapons. Nations have pursued the technology for decades, but efforts to scale lasers have been complicated by significant technical difficulties. The systems were described as a less powerful “prototype” of the 100-kilowatt Iron Beam laser interceptor that will be operational in Israel by the end of the year. The Defence Ministry also released footage of what it said were the lasers intercepting fixed-wing drones in the sky. Israel’s air defenses have faced over 26,000 aerial attacks from missiles, drones and rockets since Oct. 2023. Most of the projectiles, which were fired from Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Iraq and Yemen, were intercepted by the Iron Dome and long-range Arrow shield systems. Many drones, however, penetrated its defenses.
Business
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Business
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Economic picture
With unemployment still low and demand steady, Fed officials have said they are comfortable keeping rates unchanged until they have a better understanding of where the economy is headed. Trump, however, has repeatedly said the central bank should lower borrowing costs.Trump, meanwhile, has ramped up his criticism of Powell in recent weeks. At one point, Trump said in a social media post that “Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!” Federal Reserve officials held interest rates steady for a third-straight meeting and emphasised they see a growing risk of both higher inflation and rising unemployment.Companies scrambled in the first quarter to import merchandise ahead of the tariffs, and a surge in consumer spending in March suggested households also sought to frontload purchases. Key inflation gauges cooled in the month.Chair Jerome Powell will hold a press conference with reporters at 2:30 p.m. in Washington.Powell and his colleagues are determined to keep tariffs from sparking a persistent rise in inflation, and several officials have signaled they would not support lowering interest rates preemptively to protect against a slowing economy.The S&P 500 index of US stocks and Treasury yields fell following the announcement, while the dollar pared gains.“Uncertainty about the economic outlook has increased further,” the Federal Open Market Committee said in a statement Wednesday at the conclusion of a two-day meeting in Washington. “The committee is attentive to the risks to both sides of its dual mandate and judges that the risks of higher unemployment and higher inflation have risen.”
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Economic picture
The central bank announced Tuesday that Kansas City Fed President Jeff Schmid would miss the May meeting due to the recent death of his wife. Kansas City was represented by First Vice President Kim Robbins. Schmid’s vote passed to alternate member Neel Kashkari, president of the Minneapolis Fed.“Although swings in net exports have affected the data, recent indicators suggest that economic activity has continued to expand at a solid pace,” the statement said.President Donald Trump‘s trade policy has unleashed a wave of uncertainty across the economy. While the levies are still being negotiated, economists widely expect the expansive tariffs to boost inflation and weigh on growth. That would pit policymakers’ two goals – price stability and maximum employment – against one another.Trump, meanwhile, has ramped up his criticism of Powell in recent weeks. At one point, Trump said in a social media post that “Powell’s termination cannot come fast enough!” Companies scrambled in the first quarter to import merchandise ahead of the tariffs, and a surge in consumer spending in March suggested households also sought to frontload purchases. Key inflation gauges cooled in the month.Officials voted unanimously to keep the benchmark federal funds rate in a range of 4.25 per cent to 4.5 per cent, where it has been since December.
Economists say it will take time for the full effect of the new tariffs to work through the economy. So far, the impact has mainly included a sharp decline in sentiment and a surge in imports. The US economy contracted at the start of the year for the first time since 2022, but a gauge of underlying demand stayed firm.The S&P 500 index of US stocks and Treasury yields fell following the announcement, while the dollar pared gains.But the president has since insisted that he does not intend to fire Powell.
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