A teacher named Becky Drury was seriously injured in a shooting at an elementary school in Bend, Oregon. A 16-year-old former student shot six people, killing one teacher and three children before he was stopped by a teacher and a parent.
Key Facts
The shooter was Griffin J John II, a 16-year-old former student at Silver Rail Elementary.
He entered the school with a shotgun and targeted a special education classroom.
Four people died: teacher Megan Lambert and three boys, including a five-year-old child.
Becky Drury was shot before she could protect anyone and pretended to be dead to avoid more harm.
Another teacher tackled the shooter after throwing her phone at him, and a parent then fatally shot the teen.
Drury clarified that she was shot before taking any protective actions, correcting earlier reports.
She lost most of her left hand and was badly hurt in her other arm.
The shotgun was legally purchased, and the shooting is still under investigation.
Schools in the area have reopened with police officers present to support students.
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Stocks fell sharply as investors became worried about whether the large spending on artificial intelligence (AI) will bring profits. The Nasdaq dropped 751 points due to concerns about rising debt for AI companies and higher oil prices.
Key Facts
The Nasdaq Composite Index fell 751 points, or 2.8%, on Thursday.
The S&P 500 dropped 1.4%, and the Dow Jones fell 0.1%.
AI companies are spending heavily on data centers, leading to large amounts of debt.
There is concern if these AI companies will make enough profit to cover their costs.
The Brookings Institution estimates AI infrastructure will cost over $10 trillion between 2025 and 2032.
Meta’s stock dropped 7.4% after mixed earnings with higher revenue but lower profits.
Tesla’s stock fell 2.1% after reporting stronger profits but weaker revenue than expected.
Oil prices rose due to worries about the Iran war, with U.S. oil near $99.44 a barrel and Brent crude at $113.
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Tom Skerritt, a US actor known for roles in movies like "Top Gun" and "Alien," and the TV show "Picket Fences," has died at age 93 from natural causes. He won an Emmy award for his acting in "Picket Fences" and had a long career in film, television, and theater.
Key Facts
Tom Skerritt died at the age of 93 from natural causes.
He was best known for movies such as "Top Gun" (1986) and "Alien" (1979).
Skerritt won an Emmy Award in 1993 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for "Picket Fences."
He acted in both movies and TV, playing solid and authoritative characters.
Skerritt also performed on stage, including in Broadway’s “A Time to Kill” in 2013.
His acting career began after a theater role led to his first film part in 1962.
He served four years in the Air Force and studied filmmaking at UCLA.
Skerritt had close friendships with actors like Robert Redford, who praised his integrity.
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Karoline Leavitt, former White House Press Secretary, said Katie Zacharia was not the right fit for the job after a short time as press secretary under President Donald Trump. Leavitt said the job is very hard and requires a lot of preparation. President Trump is still looking for a new press secretary who is smart, loyal, and can handle tough questions from the media.
Key Facts
Karoline Leavitt served as White House Press Secretary for nearly two years under President Trump.
Leavitt said Katie Zacharia’s brief time as Trump’s press secretary showed the role was not suitable for her.
The position of White House Press Secretary requires strong preparation and the ability to manage media pressure.
President Trump is considering several candidates to replace Zacharia, including Anna Kelly, Danielle Alvarez, Scott Jennings, and Monica Crowley.
Leavitt emphasized that Trump wants a press secretary who is tough, smart, loyal, and knowledgeable about his policies.
Zacharia expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and praised President Trump’s policies and efforts.
There is tension reported between Zacharia and media coverage, with President Trump criticizing how she was treated by reporters.
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President Donald Trump promised to focus on American problems and reduce foreign wars, but his actions have differed, including increasing conflict with Iran and protecting wealthy allies. Some Republicans running in November’s midterm elections are quietly moving away from Trump’s positions on issues like the Epstein files and the war in Iran because these topics are causing problems in their campaigns.
Key Facts
President Trump campaigned as an outsider promising to “drain the swamp” and prioritize “America first.”
After taking office, Trump reduced efforts to investigate Jeffrey Epstein’s network and started a conflict involving Iran.
Trump called Epstein investigations a “hoax” and resisted releasing FBI files related to Epstein despite earlier promises.
Congress, including some Republicans, forced the release of some Epstein files, but many remain heavily redacted.
Republican lawmakers who supported Epstein file transparency faced political consequences, such as losing office or party support.
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned after publicly disagreeing with Trump about Epstein.
Some Republicans running for Congress are focusing on local issues and avoiding discussions about Iran and Epstein to improve their election chances.
Trump shifted from his earlier statements about reducing US foreign military actions by engaging in conflicts like the US-Israel war on Iran.
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Kansas Senator Roger Marshall said that the war between Ukraine and Russia, not a war with Iran, is the main reason for high diesel prices. He made this statement during a debate and agreed with President Donald Trump's criticism of Ukraine, while expressing cautious support for importing Russian diesel if it could help end the war.
Key Facts
Senator Roger Marshall is a Republican from Kansas.
He blamed high diesel prices on the war between Ukraine and Russia.
Marshall rejected the idea that a U.S. war with Iran caused the high diesel prices.
His views on Ukraine align with President Donald Trump's recent critical stance.
President Trump says Ukraine's attacks on Russian refineries raise fuel costs.
Trump supports importing Russian diesel to lower prices.
Marshall was hesitant about importing Russian diesel but open if it helps end the war.
Marshall made these remarks during a debate with Democrat Adam Hamilton.
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Ohio candidate Amy Acton received a large increase in donations after an attack ad from her Republican opponent, Vivek Ramaswamy. She became the second most popular fundraiser on the Democratic site ActBlue, just behind another candidate, James Talarico.
Key Facts
Amy Acton is running for governor in Ohio as a Democrat.
Vivek Ramaswamy is her Republican opponent.
Ramaswamy released a controversial attack ad targeting Acton.
After the ad aired, Acton’s fundraising donations rose sharply.
Acton became the second top fundraiser on ActBlue, a Democratic donation site.
The only candidate ahead of her on ActBlue is James Talarico, running for Senate in Texas.
The ad caused reactions from both Democratic and Republican sides.
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James Carville, a Democratic political strategist, said again that he believes President Donald Trump will leave office by Easter next year. He shared this view during an interview on Fox News with Laura Ingraham.
Key Facts
James Carville is a Democratic political strategist.
Carville predicted earlier this year that President Trump would leave office by Easter 2025.
He confirmed during a Fox News interview that he still believes this prediction.
The interview took place on the show "The Ingraham Angle," hosted by Laura Ingraham.
Carville mentioned that Trump is “not particularly…” but the sentence is incomplete in the article.
His prediction is focused on the political future of President Donald Trump, the current U.S. President.
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The U.S. State Department has asked some career diplomats applying for important jobs about how they voted in the last three presidential elections. According to a report, diplomats who voted for President Donald Trump may be eligible for mid- to upper-level foreign service positions.
Key Facts
The State Department is questioning some career diplomats about their voting records.
The focus is on votes in the last three U.S. presidential elections.
Diplomat candidates who voted for President Trump could qualify for higher-level foreign service roles.
The report also mentions looking into campaign donations.
This practice involves career diplomats applying for senior jobs within the State Department.
The information comes from the Washington Sun newspaper.
The inquiry relates to the selection process for diplomatic positions.
It is not clear how widespread this practice is across the department.
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The UK plans to relax financial rules created after the 2008 crisis that hold bank and financial firm leaders responsible for bad behavior. Under new proposals, only top executives like CEOs and CFOs need to prove yearly that they act properly, reducing extra checks on about 140,000 managers. The changes will also reduce reporting requirements for minor employee misconduct to focus regulator attention on serious issues.
Key Facts
The Bank of England and Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) are behind the new proposals.
Only the most senior executives will need to show they are “fit and proper” each year and before starting new jobs.
Around 140,000 managers will no longer face extra checks on their conduct.
Reporting of “lower-level misconduct” like being late or minor mistakes will not need to be sent to regulators.
Firms must still report serious misconduct, final warnings, or firings to the authorities.
These rules were created after the 2008 banking crash to make bank leaders more accountable.
The changes aim to make UK financial firms more competitive globally.
The regulators estimate the changes will save businesses about £2 billion over 10 years and cut regulator costs significantly.
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BioWare, a well-known game developer, has closed down, stopping work on the next Mass Effect game called Mass Effect: Universe. A short trailer from the game leaked online, showing some story and action scenes, and confirmed by several sources as authentic.
Key Facts
BioWare, a respected video game company, was recently shut down by its parent company EA.
The next Mass Effect game, titled Mass Effect: Universe, was canceled due to BioWare’s closure.
A leaked trailer about two minutes long appeared online, showing early footage from the game.
The trailer features an ex-military character in an N7 coat, an Asari alien, and a bar gunfight scene.
Scenes in the trailer include planets, a huge alien in a glass container, and a holographic map with many points of interest.
The leak was first shared on Reddit and later confirmed as real by IGN and journalist Jason Schreier.
Some sci-fi authors publicly shared their involvement in the game's story development before its cancellation.
EA stated only a small team was working on Mass Effect: Universe when the decision was made to stop its development.
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Europe faces a challenge in maintaining its advanced social welfare systems because its economic growth is much weaker than in major competitors like the U.S., China, and India. This slow growth raises concerns about the future of social protections, economic competitiveness, and political unity across the continent.
Key Facts
Europe has one of the world's most advanced social systems, described as "very sophisticated."
The continent's potential economic growth rate is about half that of the United States, one-third that of China, and one-fourth that of India.
Weak economic growth threatens the long-term sustainability of Europe's social protections and the political agreement supporting them.
Recent social unrest in France reflects broader economic pressures affecting lower-income groups, including rising living costs and energy problems.
Europe has limited influence over ongoing geopolitical conflicts impacting its economy.
China's growing industrial power poses a challenge to European industries through increased exports.
The preferred European response to trade tensions with China is negotiation first, with stronger trade defenses considered only if necessary to avoid raising prices.
Europe must balance protecting its industries, preserving social welfare, and managing economic competition in a world with increasing international rivalry.
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Republican Ashley Hinson disagrees with President Trump’s deal involving Russia supplying diesel fuel. She plans to tell him it was a bad idea before his Iowa rally, where he will support her Senate campaign in a tight race against Democrat Josh Turek.
Key Facts
Ashley Hinson is a Republican House representative running for an open Iowa Senate seat.
President Trump announced a deal with Russia to supply diesel fuel to global markets to lower fuel prices.
Hinson said she believes the deal with Russia is a bad idea and plans to say so to Trump.
The diesel deal received criticism from some Republicans who oppose supporting Russia amid its war with Ukraine.
Iowa’s Senate race is closely contested between Hinson and Democrat Josh Turek.
Turek criticizes Hinson for voting to continue U.S. involvement in the Iran war multiple times.
President Trump will hold a rally in Sioux City, Iowa, to support Hinson before the midterm elections.
Iowa’s gas and diesel prices are slightly below the national average but still high.
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Tom Skerritt, a well-known American actor famous for TV shows like Picket Fences and movies such as Alien and Top Gun, has died at age 93. He passed away from natural causes, and his family remembered him for both his acting career and his kindness.
Key Facts
Tom Skerritt was 93 years old when he died.
He acted in TV series like Picket Fences and Mash.
He appeared in films including Alien, Top Gun, A River Runs Through It, and Ted.
Skerritt’s career spanned about 60 years.
He co-founded TheFilmSchool in Seattle to help new filmmakers.
His family said he was known for humor, wisdom, generosity, and love.
They said he believed stories could help people heal and make a difference.
He died on a Wednesday from natural causes.
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Aipac, a major pro-Israel group in the US, said it will stop directly endorsing political candidates or giving them money. Instead, it will keep supporting candidates through other political funds. This change shows that Aipac recognizes its direct support is now hurting more than helping candidates because public opinion about Israel has changed.
Key Facts
Aipac announced it will no longer directly endorse or fund political candidates.
It will still use its super PAC, United Democracy Project, to support pro-Israel candidates.
The change reflects a shift in US public opinion regarding Israel, especially after the Gaza conflict.
Aipac has spent millions supporting candidates, including $32 million in Michigan against a critic of Israel.
Many candidates who once accepted Aipac money now distance themselves from the group.
Some elected officials have returned Aipac donations or refused to take its money.
Aipac said the 2026 election will be very challenging and that it will change its political strategy.
Critics say Aipac’s brand has become politically harmful for candidates due to its strong stance on Israel.
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Florida State Senator Angie Nixon, a Democratic Socialist, won her party’s primary in August and is now trailing her Republican opponent by four points in recent polls for the Florida Senate seat. The race is considered competitive ahead of the upcoming election.
Key Facts
Angie Nixon is a Florida State Senator and identified as a Democratic Socialist.
She won an upset victory in the Democratic primary in August 2026.
Current polls show Nixon four points behind her Republican rival.
The election is for a Florida Senate seat.
The race is closely watched as it could change party control for this seat.
Primary and polling results suggest increased voter interest and competition.
This race is part of the broader political contests happening in the US for state government positions.
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A 27-year-old woman named Aisha Zaman was charged after a police officer was shot in Nottingham. The officer was injured while approaching two suspects and is now in the hospital receiving treatment.
Key Facts
The shooting happened around 4:50 a.m. on Sunday in the Angel Row area of Nottingham.
Police found a weapon and set up a large crime scene around the location.
Aisha Zaman faces charges for having a banned gun and intending to use it to commit a serious crime.
The injured officer was trying to talk to two suspects when he was shot.
The officer is currently in the hospital being treated for the injury.
The incident took place in the Hyson Green area, where Aisha Zaman lives.
Police are continuing their investigation and will provide more information soon.
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The Justice Department has ended more than 50 old school desegregation cases without fully checking if the schools had stopped racial discrimination. A watchdog group found that in many cases, the DOJ did not ask courts to confirm that schools had fixed their past discriminatory practices before dismissing the cases.
Key Facts
Since President Trump took office in 2025, the DOJ supported ending at least 56 school desegregation cases.
In at least 18 cases, the DOJ did not ask courts to confirm if schools had achieved "unitary status," meaning they ended racial discrimination.
Courts consider six main areas to decide unitary status: student and staff assignments, transportation, facilities, and extracurricular activities.
One case in Concordia Parish, Louisiana, was dismissed despite ongoing discrimination, after the DOJ sided with the school board.
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division has filed lawsuits and consent decrees since the 1960s to fight school segregation.
These legal agreements aimed to change school policies to avoid racial segregation of students.
As of May 2022, the DOJ was involved in about 140 active desegregation cases before recent dismissals.
The watchdog group that reported this is Red Line for Civil Rights, linked to former DOJ attorneys.
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A curfew has been put in place in some parts of Paris, lasting every night from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. until Monday morning. This was done after recent violence and looting during protests, but students still held a large protest on Thursday after a court lifted a police ban.
Key Facts
The curfew applies in certain areas of Paris every night from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. until Monday morning.
The curfew began after violence and looting occurred over the weekend.
The Paris police prefecture officially ordered the curfew extension on Thursday.
Students held a protest on Thursday even though the police had banned it.
The protest went ahead because a court overturned the police ban using an emergency decision.
Students have been protesting for weeks, including before the bigger rallies on October 17.
The unrest is partly linked to issues like inflation and education.
French political leaders and officials are responding to the unrest and protests.
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Microsoft, Yahoo, and other companies are working to make artificial intelligence (AI) tools more useful for their workers by understanding how people actually do their jobs. They found that just adding AI without changing work processes and infrastructure does not always improve productivity, so careful planning and focus on business needs are important.
Key Facts
Microsoft introduced its AI assistant, Copilot, but sales staff stopped using it because it was not helpful in their daily work.
Microsoft engineers worked closely with salespeople to create better AI tools tailored to their specific tasks.
Yahoo found its software systems were not ready for AI and tested retooling its development setup to improve engineering speed.
Research shows only about 32% of companies see clear improvements from AI investments, and many stop or pause their AI projects.
Companies with weaker technology foundations are more likely to give up on AI if they do not focus on core technical needs like computing power and data.
Experts say AI projects should prioritize business goals to decide where to invest in technology and data.
Improving only one part of software development with AI can move the bottleneck instead of solving it, so a broader approach is needed.
Faster AI coding makes it more important to carefully plan what to build and thoroughly check AI outputs before use.
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