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Alaska Republican Senator Dan Sullivan's attempt to challenge former Democratic Representative Mary Peltola during their final debate ahead of November's midterm elections appeared to backfire on Thursday, after he suggested that his opponent had received the questions in advance. The two candidates are competing in a closely watched US Senate race that could help determine which party controls the chamber. Their debate focused on President Donald Trump's policies, the impact on Alaska's economy and their plans to address the state's concerns if elected.&nbsp;The tense exchange unfolded after Peltola discussed rising gasoline prices in Alaska, linking the increase to the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Sullivan, a close Trump ally seeking a third term with the president's endorsement, then questioned whether the candidates had been given the debate questions beforehand. “Can I ask the moderator a question?” Sullivan said shortly after Peltola said Alaskans are suffering higher gas prices due to the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz. “We weren’t supposed to get these questions beforehand, were we?”&nbsp;Lori Townsend, chief editor at Alaska Public Media and the debate moderator, immediately rejected the suggestion. “Neither one of you got questions beforehand,” said Lori Townsend, the chief editor at Alaska Public Media, who moderated the debate. “Absolutely not.” Sullivan continued to question Peltola's responses, saying, “Okay, I’m just watching my opponent read from questions that seem to be answered,” Sullivan said. Peltola responded calmly: “I’m prepared,” Peltola responded.&nbsp;<h2>Watch the video</h2>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Sen. Dan Sullivan: We weren't supposed to get these questions beforehand, were we?

Moderator: &quot;Neither one of you got questions beforehand. Absolutely not.

Sullivan: Okay, I'm just watching my opponent read from questions that seem to be answered.

Mary Peltola: I'm prepared. https://t.co/sckOlkwsAx&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://x.com/cspan/status/2110941834083963365?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Sullivan's debate move draws attention</h2>Sullivan appeared to be suggesting that Peltola had violated debate rules by obtaining the questions ahead of time. However, the moderator's response left the accusation without support during the exchange. Peltola's brief reply also shifted attention towards her preparedness rather than the allegation itself. The moment became a notable episode in a debate already marked by disagreements over the economy, energy prices and the consequences of Trump's policies for Alaska.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/here-s-who-is-eyeing-the-white-house-press-secretary-role-after-katie-zacharia-s-exit-1792187360498">Here’s who is eyeing the White House press secretary role after Katie Zacharia’s exit</a><h2>A similar political misstep in Congress</h2>The exchange also recalled a recent incident involving Republican Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri during former special counsel Jack Smith's appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee. During that hearing, Schmitt accused Smith of perjury concerning an NBA basketball game in Atlanta that Smith had not attended. Smith was instead at the University of Maryland in College Park that evening, watching Maryland play the University of Iowa.<h2>Millions spent on the Alaska Senate race</h2>The contest between Sullivan and Peltola has attracted substantial financial investment, with the candidates spending more than $56 million on advertising, according to the supplied report. Their advertisements have dominated Alaska's limited broadcast airwaves for months, making the race one of the state's most prominent political contests. The general election is also expected to set new campaign-spending records.&nbsp;With the November midterms approaching, both candidates are seeking to strengthen their standing with Alaska voters. Their final debate offered another opportunity to draw contrasts over economic policy, energy costs and the direction of the country under the Trump administration. The outcome could have implications well beyond Alaska, as both parties compete for control of the US Senate.

Dan Sullivan's debate accusation against Mary Peltola backfires as Alaska's Senate candidates clash over Trump's policies, gas prices and the economy

Alaska Republican Senator Dan Sullivan's attempt to challenge former Democratic Representative Mary Peltola during their final debate ahead of November's midterm elections appeared to backfire on Thursday, after he suggested that his opponent had received the questions in advance. The two candidates are competing in a closely watched US Senate race that could help determine which party controls the chamber. Their debate focused on President Donald Trump's policies, the impact on Alaska's economy and their plans to address the state's concerns if elected. The tense exchange unfolded after Peltola discussed rising gasoline prices in Alaska, linking the increase to the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Sullivan, a close Trump ally seeking a third term with the president's endorsement, then questioned whether the candidates had been given the debate questions beforehand. “Can I ask the moderator a question?” Sullivan said shortly after Peltola said Alaskans are suffering higher gas prices due to the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz. “We weren’t supposed to get these questions beforehand, were we?” Lori Townsend, chief editor at Alaska Public Media and the debate moderator, immediately rejected the suggestion. “Neither one of you got questions beforehand,” said Lori Townsend, the chief editor at Alaska Public Media, who moderated the debate. “Absolutely not.” Sullivan continued to question Peltola's responses, saying, “Okay, I’m just watching my opponent read from questions that seem to be answered,” Sullivan said. Peltola responded calmly: “I’m prepared,” Peltola responded. Watch the video

Dan Sullivan's attempt to challenge Mary Peltola over debate questions backfired after the moderator confirmed neither candidate received them in advance

US midterms 2026: Dan Sullivan’s ‘gotcha’ attempt backfires against Mary Peltola in fiery Alaska Senate debate

Conservative commentator Laura Loomer has expressed interest in becoming the next White House press secretary after Katie Zacharia's sudden departure from the role following just five days in the position. Loomer, who also serves as a part-time adviser to President Donald Trump, took to X on Friday to put herself forward for the high-profile communications job, just hours after news of Zacharia's exit emerged. “Hear me out: Press Secretary Laura Loomer.”&nbsp;In a separate post, she added: “I would be an amazing Press Secretary. I’d show President Trump all the receipts. I would bring my binder full of receipts to every briefing.” Loomer also made a humorous reference to the circumstances surrounding the leadership change, writing: “So you’re saying if I dye my hair blonde and I change my name to Kora I have a chance?”<h2>Katie Zacharia's five-day White House stint</h2>The White House briefing-room podium is once again without a permanent press secretary after Zacharia's brief tenure ended. A White House official told Newsweek on Friday that Zacharia was ‘transitioning’ out of the role. CNN, citing advisers to the president, reported that Trump had fired her. Trump announced Zacharia's appointment on October 9, describing her as a longtime supporter with an ‘unblemished record of support’. He also expressed confidence that she would work fantastically with the Media, the American People, and my Administration. Zacharia succeeded Karoline Leavitt, who stepped down at the end of August following the birth of her second child.<h2>What Trump said about Katie Zacharia's departure</h2>Trump addressed the situation while speaking to reporters on Friday, saying he had asked Zacharia to reconsider her decision, according to Newsweek. “I just asked her, ‘Is this for you?’” Trump said. “And she’s a nice person. I’m going to let her make that decision.” He also criticised the media's treatment of Zacharia, saying she had been treated “very, very unfairly” and was being “brutalized by the media.” “I told her, ‘Honestly, if I were you, I would reconsider,’” Trump said. “Maybe it’s not for her.”&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterms-2026-ken-paxton-may-have-elon-musk-to-thank-if-he-wins-the-texas-senate-race-here-s-why-1792185787358">US midterms 2026: Ken Paxton may have Elon Musk to thank if he wins the Texas Senate race. Here's why</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">I would be an amazing Press Secretary. 

I’d show President Trump all the receipts. 

I would bring my binder full of receipts to every briefing.&mdash; Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) <a href="https://x.com/LauraLoomer/status/2111188695546233273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2026</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Questions surrounding Zacharia's first briefing and background</h2>Zacharia's first White House press briefing took place on Tuesday and lasted approximately 14 minutes. Only three media outlets were able to ask questions. The briefing drew criticism over its short duration, her delivery and her reliance on prepared remarks. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung initially defended her appointment, telling Newsweek she was “uniquely qualified and whip smart.”&nbsp;However, questions about her legal credentials emerged after Trump referred to her as an attorney. Zacharia graduated from Pepperdine University's law school in 2011 but did not pass the California bar examination. During an appearance with Sean Hannity on Thursday, she acknowledged taking the exam once and failing. She described the result as ‘inconsequential’ because she knew she would be moving to China.<h2>Who could become the next White House press secretary?</h2>Loomer is not the only name being discussed as a possible successor to Zacharia. Several figures considered when the White House was searching for a replacement for Leavitt have resurfaced in conversations about the position. CNN previously reported that conservative commentator Scott Jennings had emerged as an early favourite during the earlier search. Anna Kelly, the White House principal deputy press secretary, has also been frequently mentioned as a potential candidate. Other names under discussion include White House Communications Director Steven Cheung and conservative author and model Elizabeth Pipko, according to Newsweek.

Laura Loomer seeks the White House press secretary role after Katie Zacharia's five-day tenure ended, as Trump and other potential successors draw attention

Conservative commentator Laura Loomer has expressed interest in becoming the next White House press secretary after Katie Zacharia's sudden departure from the role following just five days in the position. Loomer, who also serves as a part-time adviser to President Donald Trump, took to X on Friday to put herself forward for the high-profile communications job, just hours after news of Zacharia's exit emerged. “Hear me out: Press Secretary Laura Loomer.” In a separate post, she added: “I would be an amazing Press Secretary. I’d show President Trump all the receipts. I would bring my binder full of receipts to every briefing.” Loomer also made a humorous reference to the circumstances surrounding the leadership change, writing: “So you’re saying if I dye my hair blonde and I change my name to Kora I have a chance?” Katie Zacharia's five-day White House stint The White House briefing-room podium is once again without a permanent press secretary after Zacharia's brief tenure ended. A White House official told Newsweek on Friday that Zacharia was ‘transitioning’ out of the role. CNN, citing advisers to the president, reported that Trump had fired her. Trump announced Zacharia's appointment on October 9, describing her as a longtime supporter with an ‘unblemished record of support’. He also expressed confidence that she would work fantastically with the Media, the American People, and my Administration. Zacharia succeeded Karoline Leavitt, who stepped down at the end of August following the birth of her second child. What Trump said about Katie Zacharia's departure Trump addressed the situation while speaking to reporters on Friday, saying he had asked Zacharia to reconsider her decision, according to Newsweek. “I just asked her, ‘Is this for you?’” Trump said. “And she’s a nice person. I’m going to let her make that decision.” He also criticised the media's treatment of Zacharia, saying she had been treated “very, very unfairly” and was being “brutalized by the media.” “I told her, ‘Honestly, if I were you, I would reconsider,’” Trump said. “Maybe it’s not for her.” Also Read: US midterms 2026: Ken Paxton may have Elon Musk to thank if he wins the Texas Senate race. Here's why

Laura Loomer has expressed interest in becoming White House press secretary after Katie Zacharia left the role just five days after her appointment

Here’s who is eyeing the White House press secretary role after Katie Zacharia’s exit

Billionaire Elon Musk has provided a major financial boost to Republican Ken Paxton's Texas Senate campaign, with $158 million in September donations routed through political groups supporting the candidate, according to campaign-finance filings released on Thursday. Musk, the world's richest person and a Texas resident with extensive business interests in the state, sent the money to a super PAC that subsequently transferred the same amount to a group backing Paxton's Senate bid.&nbsp;The contributions rank among the largest ever recorded in American politics and could help Paxton remain financially competitive against Democratic opponent James Talarico, whose campaign has significantly outraised him. Republicans in Texas have grown increasingly concerned about the contest, one of the most expensive and closely watched races of the year. The party faces the prospect of losing a statewide election in Texas for the first time in more than three decades.<h2>How Musk's $158 million reached the Paxton campaign?</h2>Campaign-finance filings show that Musk donated $75 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, the leading super PAC supporting Senate Republicans, on September 9. He contributed another $83 million on September 23. On each occasion, the super PAC transferred an identical amount to Texas PAC the following day. The group had been established by the Senate Leadership Fund to support Paxton's campaign.&nbsp;The money transferred to Texas PAC was not necessarily Musk's own contribution, and super PAC officials have publicly said they were seeking additional donations to fund their pro-Paxton efforts. Nevertheless, without Musk's record-breaking contributions, such a substantial sum would have been unlikely to reach the group supporting Paxton, according to the report. It is unusual for an individual donor to be so closely linked to such a large financial commitment benefiting a single candidate. The New York Times reported earlier in the week on Musk's contributions to the Senate Leadership Fund and the possibility that the money would ultimately support Paxton. The latest filings provide further details about how the transfers occurred.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-midterms-2026-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-donates-1-million-to-abdul-el-sayed-s-as-michigan-race-heats-up-1792183971867">US midterms 2026: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez donates $1 million to Abdul El-Sayed’s as Michigan race heats up</a><h2>Musk also donated $10 million to another pro-Paxton group</h2>Beyond the $158 million routed through the Senate Leadership Fund, Musk contributed another $10 million to a separate super PAC supporting Paxton. That donation enabled the group to begin airing television advertisements in late August. Musk lives in Austin and has extensive business interests in Texas. Paxton, meanwhile, serves as the state's attorney general, a position that gives his office regulatory responsibilities involving businesses operating in Texas, including Musk's companies. The two men have been political allies in the state.<h2>Musk targets Paxton's Democratic rival</h2>Despite his substantial financial involvement, Musk has generally shown limited public or private enthusiasm for individual candidates in this year's midterm elections. He has rarely posted on X, his social media platform, about Republican nominees. In recent days, however, he has published several critical posts about Talarico. Talarico has made the political influence of billionaires, including Musk, a central issue on the campaign trail. The dispute highlights the growing role of wealthy donors and outside political groups in high-profile election contests, where super PACs can spend substantial sums independently to support candidates.<h2>Texas Senate race draws national attention</h2>The Texas Senate contest has emerged as one of the most closely watched races of the election cycle, with both parties recognising its potential implications for control of the chamber. Paxton's financial position has been a concern for Republicans as Talarico has raised substantially more money through his campaign. Musk's contributions offer a significant source of financial support for groups backing the Republican candidate, potentially helping them sustain advertising and other campaign efforts.&nbsp;The scale of the donations also underscores Musk's growing influence in American political fundraising, as wealthy individuals and political action committees direct substantial resources towards pivotal Senate contests. With the race attracting national attention and large financial commitments from both sides, the contest between Paxton and Talarico is expected to remain a major focus as election day approaches.

Elon Musk's $158 million in donations flowed through a Republican super PAC to support Ken Paxton's Texas Senate campaign against Democrat James Talarico

Billionaire Elon Musk has provided a major financial boost to Republican Ken Paxton's Texas Senate campaign, with $158 million in September donations routed through political groups supporting the candidate, according to campaign-finance filings released on Thursday. Musk, the world's richest person and a Texas resident with extensive business interests in the state, sent the money to a super PAC that subsequently transferred the same amount to a group backing Paxton's Senate bid. The contributions rank among the largest ever recorded in American politics and could help Paxton remain financially competitive against Democratic opponent James Talarico, whose campaign has significantly outraised him. Republicans in Texas have grown increasingly concerned about the contest, one of the most expensive and closely watched races of the year. The party faces the prospect of losing a statewide election in Texas for the first time in more than three decades. How Musk's $158 million reached the Paxton campaign? Campaign-finance filings show that Musk donated $75 million to the Senate Leadership Fund, the leading super PAC supporting Senate Republicans, on September 9. He contributed another $83 million on September 23. On each occasion, the super PAC transferred an identical amount to Texas PAC the following day. The group had been established by the Senate Leadership Fund to support Paxton's campaign. The money transferred to Texas PAC was not necessarily Musk's own contribution, and super PAC officials have publicly said they were seeking additional donations to fund their pro-Paxton efforts. Nevertheless, without Musk's record-breaking contributions, such a substantial sum would have been unlikely to reach the group supporting Paxton, according to the report. It is unusual for an individual donor to be so closely linked to such a large financial commitment benefiting a single candidate. The New York Times reported earlier in the week on Musk's contributions to the Senate Leadership Fund and the possibility that the money would ultimately support Paxton. The latest filings provide further details about how the transfers occurred. Also Read: US midterms 2026: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez donates $1 million to Abdul El-Sayed’s as Michigan race heats up Musk also donated $10 million to another pro-Paxton group Beyond the $158 million routed through the Senate Leadership Fund, Musk contributed another $10 million to a separate super PAC supporting Paxton. That donation enabled the group to begin airing television advertisements in late August. Musk lives in Austin and has extensive business interests in Texas. Paxton, meanwhile, serves as the state's attorney general, a position that gives his office regulatory responsibilities involving businesses operating in Texas, including Musk's companies. The two men have been political allies in the state. Musk targets Paxton's Democratic rival Despite his substantial financial involvement, Musk has generally shown limited public or private enthusiasm for individual candidates in this year's midterm elections. He has rarely posted on X, his social media platform, about Republican nominees. In recent days, however, he has published several critical posts about Talarico. Talarico has made the political influence of billionaires, including Musk, a central issue on the campaign trail. The dispute highlights the growing role of wealthy donors and outside political groups in high-profile election contests, where super PACs can spend substantial sums independently to support candidates. Texas Senate race draws national attention The Texas Senate contest has emerged as one of the most closely watched races of the election cycle, with both parties recognising its potential implications for control of the chamber. Paxton's financial position has been a concern for Republicans as Talarico has raised substantially more money through his campaign. Musk's contributions offer a significant source of financial support for groups backing the Republican candidate, potentially helping them sustain advertising and other campaign efforts. The scale of the donations also underscores Musk's growing influence in American political fundraising, as wealthy individuals and political action committees direct substantial resources towards pivotal Senate contests. With the race attracting national attention and large financial commitments from both sides, the contest between Paxton and Talarico is expected to remain a major focus as election day approaches.

Elon Musk donated $158 million to a Republican super PAC that transferred the same amount to a group supporting Ken Paxton's Texas Senate bid

US midterms 2026: Ken Paxton may have Elon Musk to thank if he wins the Texas Senate race. Here's why

From Katie Zacharia to Sean Spicer, explore White House press secretaries with short tenures, their time in office and the circumstances behind their departures

Katie Zacharia's short stint renews focus on White House press secretaries who served for days or months under US presidents. Here's a look at them

Who left the White House podium the fastest? Press secretaries with the shortest stints

US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York has transferred $1 million to a political account supporting Michigan Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, delivering a major financial boost to the progressive Democrat as he competes in a closely contested race. The donation, made on Friday, comes as Ocasio-Cortez campaigns in Michigan for El-Sayed and considers her own political future, including the possibility of a presidential run in 2028.&nbsp;The contribution is unusually large for a House member supporting a Senate candidate in another state. However, Ocasio-Cortez has made clear that she sees El-Sayed's victory as important not only for Democrats in the upcoming elections but also for the broader progressive movement. “I’m not waking up on November 4th wishing I did more to combat the smears aimed at Abdul,” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said in a statement to The New York Times on Friday. “I’m leaving everything I can on the field.”<h2>AOC campaigns across Michigan for El-Sayed</h2>Ocasio-Cortez spent Thursday travelling by bus across Michigan's Upper Peninsula alongside El-Sayed. On Friday, she was scheduled to hold three campaign events in the Detroit region without the candidate. Her $1 million contribution went to the Abdul for Michigan Victory Fund, a joint political effort involving El-Sayed's campaign, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee. The donation underscores the importance Ocasio-Cortez has placed on the Michigan Senate contest, which could play a decisive role in determining control of the US Senate. El-Sayed, a former public health official, is running against Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman. The two candidates are described in the report as running neck and neck.<h2>AOC weighs her political future ahead of 2028</h2>Ocasio-Cortez is openly considering her next political move. Her options could include seeking re-election to the House, launching a Senate campaign in New York against the seat currently held by Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, or pursuing a presidential bid in 2028. Her growing involvement in races beyond New York has attracted attention as Democrats begin positioning themselves for the next presidential election cycle.&nbsp;Michigan is expected to be one of the early states in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, making political relationships and campaign support in the state particularly significant. Ocasio-Cortez is not the only prominent Democrat using financial and organisational resources to support candidates nationwide while weighing future ambitions. California Governor Gavin Newsom has used his extensive email list to raise money for Democratic candidates and state parties across the country. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a billionaire, has contributed $1 million to support the Democratic nominee for governor in Texas and has also backed other races.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-secret-code-a-midnight-escape-and-300-deaths-the-russian-officer-who-turned-on-putin-1792177819380">A secret code, a midnight escape and 300 deaths: The Russian officer who turned on Putin</a><h2>A long-standing political alliance</h2>The relationship between Ocasio-Cortez and El-Sayed dates back to 2018, when she first defeated a Democratic incumbent in a primary election. At the time, she endorsed El-Sayed's campaign for Michigan governor and travelled to the state to campaign alongside him. He ultimately lost that election. Ocasio-Cortez endorsed him again during this year's closely contested Democratic Senate primary, continuing her support for his progressive political agenda.She has repeatedly described the Michigan race as an important test of whether progressive candidates can win in competitive states. “If Abdul can win in Michigan, anybody can win anywhere,” she said at a recent fund-raiser for him in New York City.<h2>Senate control at stake in Michigan</h2>The Michigan Senate race is attracting national attention because its outcome could help determine which party controls the chamber. El-Sayed is facing Rogers in a contest that has drawn substantial financial support. Although Schumer backed El-Sayed's rival during the Democratic primary, a super PAC allied with the Democratic Senate effort has reportedly spent more than $30 million supporting El-Sayed's campaign in the general election. Ocasio-Cortez's latest contribution adds another significant financial commitment to the race and reinforces her backing for the progressive candidate.<h2>AOC reports $4.7 million in third-quarter fundraising</h2>Ocasio-Cortez reported raising $4.7 million during the third quarter of the year, according to federal campaign finance filings released on Thursday. She entered October with nearly $17.4 million in cash on hand, giving her considerable financial resources as she evaluates her political options. Her fundraising totals and growing involvement in national races are likely to draw further attention as speculation continues about whether she will seek higher office in 2028.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez donates $1 million to Abdul El-Sayed's Michigan Senate campaign as the race intensifies and her potential 2028 presidential bid draws attention

US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York has transferred $1 million to a political account supporting Michigan Senate candidate Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, delivering a major financial boost to the progressive Democrat as he competes in a closely contested race. The donation, made on Friday, comes as Ocasio-Cortez campaigns in Michigan for El-Sayed and considers her own political future, including the possibility of a presidential run in 2028. The contribution is unusually large for a House member supporting a Senate candidate in another state. However, Ocasio-Cortez has made clear that she sees El-Sayed's victory as important not only for Democrats in the upcoming elections but also for the broader progressive movement. “I’m not waking up on November 4th wishing I did more to combat the smears aimed at Abdul,” Ms. Ocasio-Cortez said in a statement to The New York Times on Friday. “I’m leaving everything I can on the field.” AOC campaigns across Michigan for El-Sayed Ocasio-Cortez spent Thursday travelling by bus across Michigan's Upper Peninsula alongside El-Sayed. On Friday, she was scheduled to hold three campaign events in the Detroit region without the candidate. Her $1 million contribution went to the Abdul for Michigan Victory Fund, a joint political effort involving El-Sayed's campaign, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee. The donation underscores the importance Ocasio-Cortez has placed on the Michigan Senate contest, which could play a decisive role in determining control of the US Senate. El-Sayed, a former public health official, is running against Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman. The two candidates are described in the report as running neck and neck. AOC weighs her political future ahead of 2028 Ocasio-Cortez is openly considering her next political move. Her options could include seeking re-election to the House, launching a Senate campaign in New York against the seat currently held by Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, or pursuing a presidential bid in 2028. Her growing involvement in races beyond New York has attracted attention as Democrats begin positioning themselves for the next presidential election cycle. Michigan is expected to be one of the early states in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary, making political relationships and campaign support in the state particularly significant. Ocasio-Cortez is not the only prominent Democrat using financial and organisational resources to support candidates nationwide while weighing future ambitions. California Governor Gavin Newsom has used his extensive email list to raise money for Democratic candidates and state parties across the country. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a billionaire, has contributed $1 million to support the Democratic nominee for governor in Texas and has also backed other races. Also Read: A secret code, a midnight escape and 300 deaths: The Russian officer who turned on Putin A long-standing political alliance The relationship between Ocasio-Cortez and El-Sayed dates back to 2018, when she first defeated a Democratic incumbent in a primary election. At the time, she endorsed El-Sayed's campaign for Michigan governor and travelled to the state to campaign alongside him. He ultimately lost that election. Ocasio-Cortez endorsed him again during this year's closely contested Democratic Senate primary, continuing her support for his progressive political agenda. She has repeatedly described the Michigan race as an important test of whether progressive candidates can win in competitive states. “If Abdul can win in Michigan, anybody can win anywhere,” she said at a recent fund-raiser for him in New York City. Senate control at stake in Michigan The Michigan Senate race is attracting national attention because its outcome could help determine which party controls the chamber. El-Sayed is facing Rogers in a contest that has drawn substantial financial support. Although Schumer backed El-Sayed's rival during the Democratic primary, a super PAC allied with the Democratic Senate effort has reportedly spent more than $30 million supporting El-Sayed's campaign in the general election. Ocasio-Cortez's latest contribution adds another significant financial commitment to the race and reinforces her backing for the progressive candidate. AOC reports $4.7 million in third-quarter fundraising Ocasio-Cortez reported raising $4.7 million during the third quarter of the year, according to federal campaign finance filings released on Thursday. She entered October with nearly $17.4 million in cash on hand, giving her considerable financial resources as she evaluates her political options. Her fundraising totals and growing involvement in national races are likely to draw further attention as speculation continues about whether she will seek higher office in 2028.

AOC donates $1 million to Abdul El-Sayed's Michigan Senate campaign as Democrats battle for Senate control and speculation grows over her 2028 plans

US midterms 2026: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez donates $1 million to Abdul El-Sayed’s as Michigan race heats up

The US federal budget deficit rose to nearly $2 trillion in fiscal year 2026, reaching its highest level since 2021 despite President Donald Trump's promises to reduce government spending and the national debt.&nbsp;According to data released by the US Treasury Department on Friday, the deficit increased 12 per cent to $1.99 trillion, up from $1.78 trillion in the previous fiscal year. The widening gap comes as the country grapples with a national debt of around $40.3 trillion and rising borrowing costs.<h2>Rising debt interest adds to spending</h2>Interest payments on public debt were a major contributor to the increase, climbing by $144 billion to a record $1.36 trillion. The cost of servicing publicly held US debt, which stands at around $32 trillion, has risen in recent years amid higher borrowing costs and climbing bond yields.&nbsp;Trump has repeatedly pledged to curb wasteful spending, reduce annual deficits and bring down the national debt. However, federal debt rose substantially during his first term, from around $19.9 trillion in 2017 to $27.8 trillion in 2021. The increase coincided with tax cuts, higher defence spending and multi-trillion-dollar relief measures introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/iran-rejects-saudi-allegations-of-backing-houthi-attacks-renews-mediation-offer-1792179935300">Iran rejects Saudi allegations of backing Houthi attacks, renews mediation offer</a><h2>Tariff refunds add to the budget gap</h2>Refunds linked to Trump's tariffs also weighed on government finances after the US Supreme Court struck down his global duties in February, triggering repayments to importers.&nbsp;Treasury data showed that customs refunds totalled $145 billion during the fiscal year, primarily due to tariffs, offsetting a significant portion of the revenue generated by the duties.&nbsp;Overall government revenue rose by 3 per cent to $5.40 trillion in the fiscal year, which ended on September 30. However, expenditure increased at twice that rate, climbing 6 per cent to $7.40 trillion.&nbsp;The widening gap between revenue and spending has added to concerns over the sustainability of US public finances as debt-servicing costs continue to rise.

The US budget deficit rose 12 per cent to $1.99 trillion in fiscal year 2026 as rising debt interest, tariff refunds and higher government spending widened the gap between revenue and expenditure.

The US federal budget deficit rose to nearly $2 trillion in fiscal year 2026, reaching its highest level since 2021 despite President Donald Trump's promises to reduce government spending and the national debt. According to data released by the US Treasury Department on Friday, the deficit increased 12 per cent to $1.99 trillion, up from $1.78 trillion in the previous fiscal year. The widening gap comes as the country grapples with a national debt of around $40.3 trillion and rising borrowing costs. Rising debt interest adds to spending Interest payments on public debt were a major contributor to the increase, climbing by $144 billion to a record $1.36 trillion. The cost of servicing publicly held US debt, which stands at around $32 trillion, has risen in recent years amid higher borrowing costs and climbing bond yields. Trump has repeatedly pledged to curb wasteful spending, reduce annual deficits and bring down the national debt. However, federal debt rose substantially during his first term, from around $19.9 trillion in 2017 to $27.8 trillion in 2021. The increase coincided with tax cuts, higher defence spending and multi-trillion-dollar relief measures introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic. Also Read: Iran rejects Saudi allegations of backing Houthi attacks, renews mediation offer Tariff refunds add to the budget gap Refunds linked to Trump's tariffs also weighed on government finances after the US Supreme Court struck down his global duties in February, triggering repayments to importers. Treasury data showed that customs refunds totalled $145 billion during the fiscal year, primarily due to tariffs, offsetting a significant portion of the revenue generated by the duties. Overall government revenue rose by 3 per cent to $5.40 trillion in the fiscal year, which ended on September 30. However, expenditure increased at twice that rate, climbing 6 per cent to $7.40 trillion. The widening gap between revenue and spending has added to concerns over the sustainability of US public finances as debt-servicing costs continue to rise.

The US budget deficit rose 12 per cent to $1.99 trillion in fiscal year 2026 as rising debt interest, tariff refunds and higher government spending widened the gap between revenue and expenditure.

US budget deficit nears $2 trn as tariff refunds rise; debt crosses $40 trn

A 26-year-old Russian military officer secretly supplied Ukraine with sensitive battlefield intelligence, helping its forces kill more than 300 Russian soldiers before escaping across the frontline and joining a unit fighting against President Vladimir Putin's government, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. Lieutenant Lev Stupnikov allegedly used his position in the Russian army to pass military secrets to Ukrainian intelligence. His role gave him access to troop movements, operational plans and surveillance feeds from reconnaissance drones and cameras. After reaching Ukraine, Stupnikov joined the fight against Moscow. However, his decision came at a personal cost. He eventually lost contact with his wife, Liza, who accused him of betraying both his country and their marriage.<h2>'There's just meat': How he helped Ukraine strike Russian troops</h2>A graduate of the Budyonny Military Academy of the Signal Corps, Stupnikov was appointed chief signals officer of a battalion assigned to capture Vuhledar, a strategically important Ukrainian stronghold in the Donbas region. His responsibilities included maintaining communications between commanders and frontline units and ensuring they received information from surveillance systems. Instead, he secretly passed Ukrainian military intelligence precise details about Russian positions and planned movements.&nbsp;During a freezing morning in eastern Ukraine, Stupnikov pretended to suffer from stomach cramps to leave his fellow soldiers. Shortly afterwards, Ukrainian missiles struck the coordinates he had provided. The attack killed 68 Russian soldiers, including Colonel Gusein Musayev, who was reportedly among Kyiv's priority targets. Another 60 troops were wounded. "Were there explosions? Send a photo", a Ukrainian contact messaged Stupnikov after the strike. "There's just meat," he replied. According to the report, thousands of people, including soldiers and homemakers, communicated with Ukrainian agents through encrypted platforms.<h2>Russia's invasion changed everything for him</h2>Stupnikov's decision to turn against the Russian military stemmed from his opposition to the invasion of Ukraine. In February 2022, he watched videos of Russian helicopters flying over Ukrainian cities and bombs exploding as Moscow launched its full-scale invasion. The images left him horrified. "They were dropping bombs on innocent civilians," he said. “It was evil.” He struggled to understand how fellow soldiers could continue their daily routines while the war devastated Ukrainian communities.&nbsp;At home, he spent evenings with his wife, Liza, watching videos featuring Russian opposition figures and interviews with Ukrainian-held Russian prisoners of war. Even at the military academy, a small group of cadets shared similar views. They exchanged glances that suggested they understood one another, while some attempted to leave the institution. Their requests, however, remained pending for months. "I couldn't show my emotions," he recalled. "But inside, I was on fire."&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oregon-school-shooting-16-year-old-shooter-identified-used-shotgun-bought-by-mother-trump-praises-bystander-who-shot-gunman-as-great-hero-1792176243036">Oregon school shooting: 16-year-old shooter identified, used shotgun bought by mother; Trump praises bystander who shot gunman as 'great hero'</a><h2>His mother helped him contact Ukrainian intelligence</h2>Stupnikov's mother, Tatiana Yantsen, also opposed Putin's government. The 49-year-old office worker had participated in protests against the Russian president. In February 2024, three months after her son started serving on the frontline, she contacted Dmytro Karpenko, a computer programmer who worked closely with Ukrainian military intelligence. Karpenko operated a network of Russian informants through encrypted communication platforms. He had also attracted attention for publishing video interviews with Russian prisoners of war on YouTube.&nbsp;According to the report, some Russian servicemen contacted him after returning home and offered to provide military information in exchange for money. In October 2023, Karpenko announced a payment of 250,000 rubles, equivalent to approximately $2,700, to Russian servicemen willing to supply information supporting Ukraine's war effort. Stupnikov's eventual escape was organised through this network. He, Karpenko and Ukrainian scouts used encrypted applications to coordinate a route across the dangerous frontline.<h2>Russian officer's escape across the frontline</h2>In July 2024, Stupnikov slipped away from his Russian military unit at night and travelled north towards Ukrainian positions. Ukrainian operators monitored his movements in real time from an underground bunker using a live video feed. After approximately 40 minutes, he reached a tree line where soldiers from Ukraine's 72nd Brigade were stationed. The Ukrainian troops spotted a man wearing a Russian uniform approaching their position. From a dugout, they pointed their rifles at him and demanded, “What's the passcode?” Stupnikov responded with the pre-arranged answer, 'peanut shop', before being taken into Ukrainian custody. He later joined the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), a unit made up of ethnic Russians fighting alongside Ukraine against Putin's government. He now serves as a communications specialist, according to the report.<h2>His mother and sister planned to join him</h2>In February 2025, Stupnikov's mother and sister packed a backpack and a suitcase each in preparation for travelling to Moldova. Their plan was to cross into Ukraine on foot and meet Karpenko. Meanwhile, Tatiana had spent months receiving calls from Russian military officials seeking her help in persuading her son to surrender if he was still alive.She presented herself as a distressed mother, insisting that locating him was the authorities' responsibility.&nbsp;A year later, Stupnikov recounted his experiences in a two-hour video interview with Karpenko. The interview brought renewed attention to his defection and the intelligence he had allegedly provided to Ukrainian forces. Despite the consequences of his decision, Stupnikov maintained that his actions were consistent with the oath he had taken at the military academy nearly a decade earlier. He had pledged to defend his country's freedom, independence and constitutional order. In his view, Putin's invasion had destroyed those principles. "Did I betray my oath? I pledged to defend freedom, independence, and the constitutional order," he said. "But Putin destroyed all three."

Russian officer Lev Stupnikov reportedly leaked battle plans to Ukraine, helping kill over 300 Russian troops before escaping and joining an anti-Putin unit

A 26-year-old Russian military officer secretly supplied Ukraine with sensitive battlefield intelligence, helping its forces kill more than 300 Russian soldiers before escaping across the frontline and joining a unit fighting against President Vladimir Putin's government, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal. Lieutenant Lev Stupnikov allegedly used his position in the Russian army to pass military secrets to Ukrainian intelligence. His role gave him access to troop movements, operational plans and surveillance feeds from reconnaissance drones and cameras. After reaching Ukraine, Stupnikov joined the fight against Moscow. However, his decision came at a personal cost. He eventually lost contact with his wife, Liza, who accused him of betraying both his country and their marriage. 'There's just meat': How he helped Ukraine strike Russian troops A graduate of the Budyonny Military Academy of the Signal Corps, Stupnikov was appointed chief signals officer of a battalion assigned to capture Vuhledar, a strategically important Ukrainian stronghold in the Donbas region. His responsibilities included maintaining communications between commanders and frontline units and ensuring they received information from surveillance systems. Instead, he secretly passed Ukrainian military intelligence precise details about Russian positions and planned movements. During a freezing morning in eastern Ukraine, Stupnikov pretended to suffer from stomach cramps to leave his fellow soldiers. Shortly afterwards, Ukrainian missiles struck the coordinates he had provided. The attack killed 68 Russian soldiers, including Colonel Gusein Musayev, who was reportedly among Kyiv's priority targets. Another 60 troops were wounded. "Were there explosions? Send a photo", a Ukrainian contact messaged Stupnikov after the strike. "There's just meat," he replied. According to the report, thousands of people, including soldiers and homemakers, communicated with Ukrainian agents through encrypted platforms. Russia's invasion changed everything for him Stupnikov's decision to turn against the Russian military stemmed from his opposition to the invasion of Ukraine. In February 2022, he watched videos of Russian helicopters flying over Ukrainian cities and bombs exploding as Moscow launched its full-scale invasion. The images left him horrified. "They were dropping bombs on innocent civilians," he said. “It was evil.” He struggled to understand how fellow soldiers could continue their daily routines while the war devastated Ukrainian communities. At home, he spent evenings with his wife, Liza, watching videos featuring Russian opposition figures and interviews with Ukrainian-held Russian prisoners of war. Even at the military academy, a small group of cadets shared similar views. They exchanged glances that suggested they understood one another, while some attempted to leave the institution. Their requests, however, remained pending for months. "I couldn't show my emotions," he recalled. "But inside, I was on fire." Also Read: Oregon school shooting: 16-year-old shooter identified, used shotgun bought by mother; Trump praises bystander who shot gunman as 'great hero' His mother helped him contact Ukrainian intelligence Stupnikov's mother, Tatiana Yantsen, also opposed Putin's government. The 49-year-old office worker had participated in protests against the Russian president. In February 2024, three months after her son started serving on the frontline, she contacted Dmytro Karpenko, a computer programmer who worked closely with Ukrainian military intelligence. Karpenko operated a network of Russian informants through encrypted communication platforms. He had also attracted attention for publishing video interviews with Russian prisoners of war on YouTube. According to the report, some Russian servicemen contacted him after returning home and offered to provide military information in exchange for money. In October 2023, Karpenko announced a payment of 250,000 rubles, equivalent to approximately $2,700, to Russian servicemen willing to supply information supporting Ukraine's war effort. Stupnikov's eventual escape was organised through this network. He, Karpenko and Ukrainian scouts used encrypted applications to coordinate a route across the dangerous frontline. Russian officer's escape across the frontline In July 2024, Stupnikov slipped away from his Russian military unit at night and travelled north towards Ukrainian positions. Ukrainian operators monitored his movements in real time from an underground bunker using a live video feed. After approximately 40 minutes, he reached a tree line where soldiers from Ukraine's 72nd Brigade were stationed. The Ukrainian troops spotted a man wearing a Russian uniform approaching their position. From a dugout, they pointed their rifles at him and demanded, “What's the passcode?” Stupnikov responded with the pre-arranged answer, 'peanut shop', before being taken into Ukrainian custody. He later joined the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC), a unit made up of ethnic Russians fighting alongside Ukraine against Putin's government. He now serves as a communications specialist, according to the report. His mother and sister planned to join him In February 2025, Stupnikov's mother and sister packed a backpack and a suitcase each in preparation for travelling to Moldova. Their plan was to cross into Ukraine on foot and meet Karpenko. Meanwhile, Tatiana had spent months receiving calls from Russian military officials seeking her help in persuading her son to surrender if he was still alive. She presented herself as a distressed mother, insisting that locating him was the authorities' responsibility. A year later, Stupnikov recounted his experiences in a two-hour video interview with Karpenko. The interview brought renewed attention to his defection and the intelligence he had allegedly provided to Ukrainian forces. Despite the consequences of his decision, Stupnikov maintained that his actions were consistent with the oath he had taken at the military academy nearly a decade earlier. He had pledged to defend his country's freedom, independence and constitutional order. In his view, Putin's invasion had destroyed those principles. "Did I betray my oath? I pledged to defend freedom, independence, and the constitutional order," he said. "But Putin destroyed all three."

Russian officer Lev Stupnikov reportedly helped Ukraine kill 300 Russian troops by leaking military secrets before escaping and joining an anti-Putin unit

A secret code, a midnight escape and 300 deaths: The Russian officer who turned on Putin

Iran on Friday (Oct 17) denied involvement in attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia, a day after Riyadh accused Tehran of encouraging the group's latest escalation against the kingdom. Iran also renewed its offer to help end the hostilities.&nbsp;"The Islamic Republic of Iran rejects any claim that Iran has played a role in Yemeni (Houthi) operations," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in a statement.&nbsp;"Yemen's armed forces act according to their own interests and assessments, and such claims are not credible to those familiar with relations between Iran and its friends. Nevertheless, Iran does not consider an escalation of tensions to be in the interests of any party," he added.&nbsp;The denial came after Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Dr Rayed Krimly accused Tehran of having "encouraged" the escalation. Krimly also alleged that Iran continued "to arm, train and support the Houthi militia in violation of UN Security Council resolutions".&nbsp;Baqaei also reiterated an offer to mediate between the two sides, saying Tehran "has always been ready to use its good offices to help end the hostilities".&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/ankita-bhandari-murder-case-parents-meet-cbi-seek-impartial-investigation-1792175230656">Ankita Bhandari murder case: Parents meet CBI, seek impartial investigation</a><h2>Saudi Arabia reports missile and drone interceptions</h2>The Saudi-led military coalition, which has supported Yemen's internationally recognised government for more than a decade, said on Friday that it had intercepted and destroyed three drones in southern Saudi Arabia and Riyadh, along with two cruise missiles over the Red Sea.&nbsp;The coalition also reported intercepting a ballistic missile over Yanbu, a Red Sea city that serves as the terminus of a major oil pipeline.&nbsp;The Houthis have repeatedly targeted Saudi interests, including oil facilities, Red Sea shipping and Riyadh's international airport. The Saudi-led coalition said the airport had been targeted at least 20 times this month.&nbsp;Krimly also said the Houthis had rejected an offer to meet in Oman at the start of the latest round of hostilities.<h2>UN Security Council condemns Houthi attacks</h2>The United Nations Security Council on Thursday strongly condemned the escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, as well as strikes and threats against commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime passage leading towards the Suez Canal.&nbsp;The council also denounced the group's strikes on Riyadh's airport.&nbsp;Despite the accusations, Baqaei reiterated Tehran's willingness to facilitate a resolution, saying Iran had always been ready to use its good offices to help end the fighting.

Iran denied encouraging Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and renewed its offer to mediate as Riyadh reported intercepting missiles and drones and the UN Security Council condemned the escalating strikes.

Iran on Friday (Oct 17) denied involvement in attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia, a day after Riyadh accused Tehran of encouraging the group's latest escalation against the kingdom. Iran also renewed its offer to help end the hostilities. "The Islamic Republic of Iran rejects any claim that Iran has played a role in Yemeni (Houthi) operations," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in a statement. "Yemen's armed forces act according to their own interests and assessments, and such claims are not credible to those familiar with relations between Iran and its friends. Nevertheless, Iran does not consider an escalation of tensions to be in the interests of any party," he added. The denial came after Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Dr Rayed Krimly accused Tehran of having "encouraged" the escalation. Krimly also alleged that Iran continued "to arm, train and support the Houthi militia in violation of UN Security Council resolutions". Baqaei also reiterated an offer to mediate between the two sides, saying Tehran "has always been ready to use its good offices to help end the hostilities". Also Read: Ankita Bhandari murder case: Parents meet CBI, seek impartial investigation Saudi Arabia reports missile and drone interceptions The Saudi-led military coalition, which has supported Yemen's internationally recognised government for more than a decade, said on Friday that it had intercepted and destroyed three drones in southern Saudi Arabia and Riyadh, along with two cruise missiles over the Red Sea. The coalition also reported intercepting a ballistic missile over Yanbu, a Red Sea city that serves as the terminus of a major oil pipeline. The Houthis have repeatedly targeted Saudi interests, including oil facilities, Red Sea shipping and Riyadh's international airport. The Saudi-led coalition said the airport had been targeted at least 20 times this month. Krimly also said the Houthis had rejected an offer to meet in Oman at the start of the latest round of hostilities. UN Security Council condemns Houthi attacks The United Nations Security Council on Thursday strongly condemned the escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, as well as strikes and threats against commercial shipping in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a key maritime passage leading towards the Suez Canal. The council also denounced the group's strikes on Riyadh's airport. Despite the accusations, Baqaei reiterated Tehran's willingness to facilitate a resolution, saying Iran had always been ready to use its good offices to help end the fighting.

Iran denied encouraging Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and renewed its offer to mediate as Riyadh reported intercepting missiles and drones and the UN Security Council condemned the escalating strikes.

Iran rejects Saudi allegations of backing Houthi attacks, renews mediation offer

A deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, left three children and one teacher dead on Thursday. The 16-year-old suspect, identified as John Griffin Jr. III, was shot and killed by a bystander who confronted him inside the school, according to law enforcement sources cited by CBS News. Investigators said the suspect used a shotgun purchased by his mother, according to the sources. Authorities have not yet established a motive or confirmed whether the teenager had any connection to the school.&nbsp;Law enforcement officials told CBS News that investigators are examining the suspect's computer, phone, social media accounts, search history and other online activity. They are also investigating whether he had an interest in violence, including previous mass shootings. Officials stressed that the investigation remains in its early stages.<h2>Three children and one teacher killed</h2>Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said during a news conference on Thursday night that the children killed in the shooting were 5, 8 and 11 years old. The youngest victim, 5-year-old Rhoam Summer, was identified through fundraising campaigns and a social media post shared by his father. Two other people, a 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher, were hospitalized with critical injuries. According to Krantz, the gunman entered the school by shooting at locked doors. A bystander pursued the suspect, confronted him and shot him dead, the police chief said. Police officers responded within minutes of receiving 911 calls from the school. Upon arriving, they found the deceased gunman and other victims inside the building.<h2>Bystander identified as Kaylub Giamanco</h2>The family of the bystander identified him as Kaylub Giamanco, a Bend resident whose two daughters attend Silver Rail Elementary School. Giamanco's actions drew attention after he followed the gunman into the school and confronted him, ultimately ending the attack. In a statement released by his family, they said, "He is not seeking recognition, but instead wishes to express his gratitude to the first responders, school personnel, and community for the outpouring of love and support," the family said. Giamanco's mother also confirmed that he is the father of two children who attend the school, according to the Associated Press.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-trump-just-fire-katie-zacharia-as-his-new-press-secretary-here-s-what-he-said-1792172871191">Did Trump just fire Katie Zacharia as his new press secretary? Here’s what he said</a><h2>Trump calls bystander a ‘great hero’</h2>President Donald Trump praised the bystander who confronted and killed the gunman, describing him as a hero during remarks to reporters at the White House. "Well, I’ll tell you what. There was a great hero, and it could have been, as bad as it was, we had a great hero that went in and did the business. He took care of business," Trump told reporters at the White House. The shooting claimed the lives of three children, aged 5, 8 and 11, and a teacher. Another child and a teacher were rushed to the hospital with critical injuries. Police said the bystander saw the 16-year-old enter the school, followed him inside and engaged him in gunfire before killing him. Trump said the bystander's intervention may have prevented further casualties. "And thank God we had him, otherwise it would have been much worse. It’s a terrible thing, but thank goodness for a man that had a gun and knew how to use it," Trump said.<h2>Oregon midterm candidates suspend campaigns</h2>The deadly shooting has also prompted two politicians running for Oregon seats in next month's midterm elections to temporarily suspend their campaigns. Incumbent Congresswoman Janelle Bynum, who represents Oregon's 5th District, which includes parts of Bend, announced that she was pausing her campaign to focus on the community's response to the tragedy. Bynum said she was halting her campaign to focus on supporting and being with the community as it responds to this tragedy. Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair, the Republican candidate for the 5th District, also announced a pause in her campaign. Adair said she was suspending her campaign to focus on comforting and supporting our community.

Four killed in the Silver Rail Elementary School shooting in Oregon as a bystander kills the 16-year-old gunman. Investigators probe the motive

A deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, left three children and one teacher dead on Thursday. The 16-year-old suspect, identified as John Griffin Jr. III, was shot and killed by a bystander who confronted him inside the school, according to law enforcement sources cited by CBS News. Investigators said the suspect used a shotgun purchased by his mother, according to the sources. Authorities have not yet established a motive or confirmed whether the teenager had any connection to the school. Law enforcement officials told CBS News that investigators are examining the suspect's computer, phone, social media accounts, search history and other online activity. They are also investigating whether he had an interest in violence, including previous mass shootings. Officials stressed that the investigation remains in its early stages. Three children and one teacher killed Bend Police Chief Mike Krantz said during a news conference on Thursday night that the children killed in the shooting were 5, 8 and 11 years old. The youngest victim, 5-year-old Rhoam Summer, was identified through fundraising campaigns and a social media post shared by his father. Two other people, a 7-year-old child and a 54-year-old teacher, were hospitalized with critical injuries. According to Krantz, the gunman entered the school by shooting at locked doors. A bystander pursued the suspect, confronted him and shot him dead, the police chief said. Police officers responded within minutes of receiving 911 calls from the school. Upon arriving, they found the deceased gunman and other victims inside the building. Bystander identified as Kaylub Giamanco The family of the bystander identified him as Kaylub Giamanco, a Bend resident whose two daughters attend Silver Rail Elementary School. Giamanco's actions drew attention after he followed the gunman into the school and confronted him, ultimately ending the attack. In a statement released by his family, they said, "He is not seeking recognition, but instead wishes to express his gratitude to the first responders, school personnel, and community for the outpouring of love and support," the family said. Giamanco's mother also confirmed that he is the father of two children who attend the school, according to the Associated Press. Also Read: Did Trump just fire Katie Zacharia as his new press secretary? Here’s what he said Trump calls bystander a ‘great hero’ President Donald Trump praised the bystander who confronted and killed the gunman, describing him as a hero during remarks to reporters at the White House. "Well, I’ll tell you what. There was a great hero, and it could have been, as bad as it was, we had a great hero that went in and did the business. He took care of business," Trump told reporters at the White House. The shooting claimed the lives of three children, aged 5, 8 and 11, and a teacher. Another child and a teacher were rushed to the hospital with critical injuries. Police said the bystander saw the 16-year-old enter the school, followed him inside and engaged him in gunfire before killing him. Trump said the bystander's intervention may have prevented further casualties. "And thank God we had him, otherwise it would have been much worse. It’s a terrible thing, but thank goodness for a man that had a gun and knew how to use it," Trump said. Oregon midterm candidates suspend campaigns The deadly shooting has also prompted two politicians running for Oregon seats in next month's midterm elections to temporarily suspend their campaigns. Incumbent Congresswoman Janelle Bynum, who represents Oregon's 5th District, which includes parts of Bend, announced that she was pausing her campaign to focus on the community's response to the tragedy. Bynum said she was halting her campaign to focus on supporting and being with the community as it responds to this tragedy. Deschutes County Commissioner Patti Adair, the Republican candidate for the 5th District, also announced a pause in her campaign. Adair said she was suspending her campaign to focus on comforting and supporting our community.

Four people were killed in an Oregon elementary school shooting. A bystander killed the 16-year-old gunman as investigators search for a motive

Oregon school shooting: 16-year-old shooter identified, used shotgun bought by mother; Trump praises bystander who shot gunman as 'great hero'

Even as US President Donald Trump has ruled out attacking Iran before the midterms, military options are not off the table yet. Amid this, Iran reportedly fears an imminent US attack and is eyeing a large-scale retaliation.&nbsp;According to Iranian news outlet Jaryan, Tehran is threatening to target vital infrastructure in seven countries, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and even Oman, which has been working as a mediator.It is worth noting that US military bases in some of these countries bore the brunt of Iran’s fierce retaliation during the course of the war.Now, Iran’s potential targets include key bridges across these West Asian nations.The list includes the 36-kilometre-long Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Bridge, which is considered the fourth-longest sea bridge in the world. It connects Kuwait City to the country’s Subiyah area. The four-lane King Fahd Bridge, which connects Khobar in Saudi Arabia to Jasra in Bahrain, is also facing the prospect of being attacked by Iran. The iconic Sheikh Zayed Bridge, connecting Abu Dhabi to the mainland, is also on Iran’s radar. Additionally, the list reportedly includes Bahrain’s Sheikh Hamad Bridge and Jordan’s Abdoun Bridge.Now, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has made it clear that bombs and missiles cannot force Iran to surrender. Addressing the leaders’ summit on biodiversity, he urged countries to condemn the environmental genocide caused by the war in West Asia.Meanwhile, the Saudi-Houthi fighting has escalated. Saudi authorities released footage showing Houthi strikes on three of the country’s airports: Abha, Jazan and Najran. Debris, dust and smoke were seen all over.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-threatens-to-hit-key-bridges-in-7-countries-if-us-resumes-strikes-1792171209308/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-threatens-to-hit-key-bridges-in-7-countries-if-us-resumes-strikes-1792171209308/embed</a>The Houthis also launched a deadly missile attack on the presidential palace in Yemen. At least five people were killed and 16 others were injured in the attack, which hit command centres located inside the presidential compound.The spate of Houthi attacks also drew condemnation from the UN Security Council. In a statement, it demanded that the Iran-backed group immediately cease its escalation and attacks targeting civilians. The UNSC also stressed that sustainable peace in Yemen cannot be achieved through violence, coercion or the use of force.Besides several airlines cancelling flights to and from Saudi Arabia in light of heightened security concerns, major events in the country have also been postponed. These include the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council summit scheduled for October 24.Similarly, key sporting events such as the FIFAe Finals, the Six Kings Slam tennis tournament and three Saudi Pro League matches have been postponed.Additionally, the fourth edition of Riyadh Fashion Week, which was expected to feature Saudi and international designers, has been deferred to 2027.As tensions continue to rise in West Asia, all eyes are on America’s next course of action.

Tehran is threatening to target vital infrastructure in seven countries, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and even Oman, which has been working as a mediator.

Even as US President Donald Trump has ruled out attacking Iran before the midterms, military options are not off the table yet. Amid this, Iran reportedly fears an imminent US attack and is eyeing a large-scale retaliation. According to Iranian news outlet Jaryan, Tehran is threatening to target vital infrastructure in seven countries, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and even Oman, which has been working as a mediator. It is worth noting that US military bases in some of these countries bore the brunt of Iran’s fierce retaliation during the course of the war. Now, Iran’s potential targets include key bridges across these West Asian nations. The list includes the 36-kilometre-long Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Bridge, which is considered the fourth-longest sea bridge in the world. It connects Kuwait City to the country’s Subiyah area. The four-lane King Fahd Bridge, which connects Khobar in Saudi Arabia to Jasra in Bahrain, is also facing the prospect of being attacked by Iran. The iconic Sheikh Zayed Bridge, connecting Abu Dhabi to the mainland, is also on Iran’s radar. Additionally, the list reportedly includes Bahrain’s Sheikh Hamad Bridge and Jordan’s Abdoun Bridge. Now, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has made it clear that bombs and missiles cannot force Iran to surrender. Addressing the leaders’ summit on biodiversity, he urged countries to condemn the environmental genocide caused by the war in West Asia. Meanwhile, the Saudi-Houthi fighting has escalated. Saudi authorities released footage showing Houthi strikes on three of the country’s airports: Abha, Jazan and Najran. Debris, dust and smoke were seen all over. https://www.wionews.com/videos/iran-threatens-to-hit-key-bridges-in-7-countries-if-us-resumes-strikes-1792171209308/embed The Houthis also launched a deadly missile attack on the presidential palace in Yemen. At least five people were killed and 16 others were injured in the attack, which hit command centres located inside the presidential compound. The spate of Houthi attacks also drew condemnation from the UN Security Council. In a statement, it demanded that the Iran-backed group immediately cease its escalation and attacks targeting civilians. The UNSC also stressed that sustainable peace in Yemen cannot be achieved through violence, coercion or the use of force. Besides several airlines cancelling flights to and from Saudi Arabia in light of heightened security concerns, major events in the country have also been postponed. These include the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council summit scheduled for October 24. Similarly, key sporting events such as the FIFAe Finals, the Six Kings Slam tennis tournament and three Saudi Pro League matches have been postponed. Additionally, the fourth edition of Riyadh Fashion Week, which was expected to feature Saudi and international designers, has been deferred to 2027. As tensions continue to rise in West Asia, all eyes are on America’s next course of action.

Tehran is threatening to target vital infrastructure in seven countries, including Israel, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and even Oman, which has been working as a mediator.

Gravitas | Iran threatens to hit key bridges in 7 countries if US resumes strikes

US President Donald Trump has reportedly fired Katie Zacharia from his position as the White House Press Secretary just a week after her appointment. Trump earlier told reporters that he had asked Zacharia to reconsider her role, but declared that her brief tenure in the job was over. Her exit followed a series of blunders and criticism. Earlier, Zacharia admitted that she pretended to be a lawyer, which sparked more doubts about whether she was suited for the role of White House’s top spokesperson.“Honestly, if I were you, I’d reconsider,” Trump told Zacharia Friday (Oct 16) morning, as quoted by CNN. He said that he would speak after returning to the White House following his trip to Georgia, adding that he would leave the decision to her. The report added that Trump did not sound “particularly encouraging” of the press secretary.“Katie, do you need this?” he said he told her. “I don’t think you need this.”Meanwhile, Fox News reported, citing a senior White House official, that Zacharia was “transitioning out” of the role.<h2>Zacharia’s turbulent brief tenure</h2>Zacharia had been in the role for just five days after replacing Karoline Leavitt, known for her combative exchanges with journalists. During her tenure, Leavitt helped reshape White House media briefings by giving more access to outlets favourable to Trump while aggressively pushing back against critical coverage.On Tuesday (Oct 13), Zacharia’s first press briefing got off to a shaky start. The session lasted less than 15 minutes, opening with a slow rundown of what she described as Trump’s achievements before she took just three questions from reporters.Zacharia faced criticism after describing herself as a lawyer during television appearances and on social media, where she also identified herself as general counsel of a California-based conservative nonprofit. Although she holds a law degree, she admitted on Thursday that she had failed the bar exam required to practise law in the US.She attempted to contain the fallout through interviews with pro-Trump media outlets. On Fox News, Sean Hannity asked whether she had retaken the exam. Zacharia said she had not, explaining that practising law was never her intention. She later cited being overwhelmed by plans to move to China.During a Friday interview with Fox News, Zacharia was asked whether she still had Trump’s confidence. While she avoided a direct answer, she said that she hoped to earn the trust of those around her. She also sparked controversy by mocking China’s infrastructure, recalling that she had questioned its rise as a global power because it lacked “proper toilets”. China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning responded on Friday, suggesting Zacharia should “visit China more often.”

US President Donald Trump has reportedly fired Katie Zacharia from his position as the White House Press Secretary just a week after her appointment.

US President Donald Trump has reportedly fired Katie Zacharia from his position as the White House Press Secretary just a week after her appointment. Trump earlier told reporters that he had asked Zacharia to reconsider her role, but declared that her brief tenure in the job was over. Her exit followed a series of blunders and criticism. Earlier, Zacharia admitted that she pretended to be a lawyer, which sparked more doubts about whether she was suited for the role of White House’s top spokesperson. “Honestly, if I were you, I’d reconsider,” Trump told Zacharia Friday (Oct 16) morning, as quoted by CNN. He said that he would speak after returning to the White House following his trip to Georgia, adding that he would leave the decision to her. The report added that Trump did not sound “particularly encouraging” of the press secretary. “Katie, do you need this?” he said he told her. “I don’t think you need this.” Meanwhile, Fox News reported, citing a senior White House official, that Zacharia was “transitioning out” of the role. Zacharia’s turbulent brief tenure Zacharia had been in the role for just five days after replacing Karoline Leavitt, known for her combative exchanges with journalists. During her tenure, Leavitt helped reshape White House media briefings by giving more access to outlets favourable to Trump while aggressively pushing back against critical coverage. On Tuesday (Oct 13), Zacharia’s first press briefing got off to a shaky start. The session lasted less than 15 minutes, opening with a slow rundown of what she described as Trump’s achievements before she took just three questions from reporters. Zacharia faced criticism after describing herself as a lawyer during television appearances and on social media, where she also identified herself as general counsel of a California-based conservative nonprofit. Although she holds a law degree, she admitted on Thursday that she had failed the bar exam required to practise law in the US. She attempted to contain the fallout through interviews with pro-Trump media outlets. On Fox News, Sean Hannity asked whether she had retaken the exam. Zacharia said she had not, explaining that practising law was never her intention. She later cited being overwhelmed by plans to move to China. During a Friday interview with Fox News, Zacharia was asked whether she still had Trump’s confidence. While she avoided a direct answer, she said that she hoped to earn the trust of those around her. She also sparked controversy by mocking China’s infrastructure, recalling that she had questioned its rise as a global power because it lacked “proper toilets”. China’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning responded on Friday, suggesting Zacharia should “visit China more often.”

US President Donald Trump has reportedly fired Katie Zacharia from his position as the White House Press Secretary just a week after her appointment.

Did Trump just fire Katie Zacharia as his new press secretary? Here’s what he said

Pakistan will take over the chairmanship of the boards of governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in 2027, returning to the position for the first time since 1953, the country’s Ministry of Economic Affairs said on Friday.&nbsp;The announcement was made during the 2026 World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings in Bangkok, where Pakistan’s Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, who also serves as the country’s governor to the World Bank, was designated as the incoming chair.&nbsp;The ministry described the appointment as a “historic milestone”, saying it would give Pakistan an opportunity to contribute to global economic discussions and facilitate dialogue among member countries.&nbsp;However, the diplomatic recognition comes as Islamabad continues to face financial pressures and depends on external assistance to meet its economic needs.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/cjp-s-abhijeet-dipke-detained-ahead-of-tiranga-event-at-delhi-s-connaught-place-1792151509528">Abhijeet Dipke, Neha Bora detained as CJP protesters gather for Tiranga Yatra at Connaught Place</a><h3>Pakistan awaits further IMF funding</h3>Pakistan is currently receiving support through two IMF programmes: a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and a $1.4 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF).&nbsp;The country has entered into at least 25 IMF loan programmes since joining the institution in 1950, reflecting recurring difficulties in securing sufficient foreign currency to meet external obligations amid inflation and financing pressures.&nbsp;Islamabad could receive another $1.2 billion from the IMF, subject to approval by the fund’s Executive Board. The expected disbursement follows an agreement between IMF staff and Pakistani authorities on the latest reviews of both programmes.&nbsp;The Boards of Governors are the highest decision-making bodies of the IMF and the World Bank, with each member country represented by a designated governor, usually its finance minister or central bank chief.&nbsp;At the World Bank, most responsibilities are delegated to executive directors, who oversee the institution’s operations. Under its bylaws, the chair is chosen at the annual meeting and serves until the end of the next annual meeting.

Pakistan will chair the boards of governors of the IMF and World Bank Group in 2027 for the first time since 1953, even as it continues to rely on IMF financial assistance.

Pakistan will take over the chairmanship of the boards of governors of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group in 2027, returning to the position for the first time since 1953, the country’s Ministry of Economic Affairs said on Friday. The announcement was made during the 2026 World Bank-IMF Annual Meetings in Bangkok, where Pakistan’s Economic Affairs Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, who also serves as the country’s governor to the World Bank, was designated as the incoming chair. The ministry described the appointment as a “historic milestone”, saying it would give Pakistan an opportunity to contribute to global economic discussions and facilitate dialogue among member countries. However, the diplomatic recognition comes as Islamabad continues to face financial pressures and depends on external assistance to meet its economic needs. Also Read: Abhijeet Dipke, Neha Bora detained as CJP protesters gather for Tiranga Yatra at Connaught Place Pakistan awaits further IMF funding Pakistan is currently receiving support through two IMF programmes: a $7 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) and a $1.4 billion Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF). The country has entered into at least 25 IMF loan programmes since joining the institution in 1950, reflecting recurring difficulties in securing sufficient foreign currency to meet external obligations amid inflation and financing pressures. Islamabad could receive another $1.2 billion from the IMF, subject to approval by the fund’s Executive Board. The expected disbursement follows an agreement between IMF staff and Pakistani authorities on the latest reviews of both programmes. The Boards of Governors are the highest decision-making bodies of the IMF and the World Bank, with each member country represented by a designated governor, usually its finance minister or central bank chief. At the World Bank, most responsibilities are delegated to executive directors, who oversee the institution’s operations. Under its bylaws, the chair is chosen at the annual meeting and serves until the end of the next annual meeting.

Pakistan will chair the boards of governors of the IMF and World Bank Group in 2027 for the first time since 1953, even as it continues to rely on IMF financial assistance.

Pakistan to head IMF, World Bank boards after 74 years  amid persistent economic crisis

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday (Oct 16) again raised concerns over Elon Musk-owned Starlink, saying services in Ukraine were still recovering after partial restrictions disrupted military communications. The disruption has also heightened concerns among European leaders over Kyiv's dependence on the satellite-based communication network.&nbsp;Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, Zelensky said connectivity had not fully returned to previous levels but was gradually improving.&nbsp;"Has the speed been fully restored to what it was before? No. Is the speed being restored now? Yes," he said.&nbsp;The disruption has renewed concerns over Ukraine's reliance on technology operated by Musk's SpaceX, particularly as Kyiv continues to depend on satellite communications for its battlefield operations.<h3>Europe struggles to find Starlink alternatives</h3>European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged that Europe could not replace Starlink's capabilities in the short term.&nbsp;"Starlink is really necessary for Ukraine and unfortunately in (the) short term Europe can't replace this capability," she said ahead of an EU summit where leaders discussed Ukraine's security and Europe's defence needs.&nbsp;Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs also stressed the importance of the satellite network, saying it was crucial for Ukraine to continue fighting. He added that Europe had some similar capabilities but lacked sufficient capacity.&nbsp;Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said he had discussed with French President Emmanuel Macron how European countries could provide more such services in the near future.&nbsp;Kallas said the European Defence Agency had identified critical capability gaps that the bloc needed to address as quickly as possible.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mallikarjun-kharge-writes-to-pm-modi-seeks-all-party-meet-on-delimitation-1792158766294">Mallikarjun Kharge writes to PM Modi, seeks all-party meet on delimitation</a><h3>Starlink disruption raises military concerns</h3>Ukraine relies on Starshield, SpaceX's military-grade satellite service, for battlefield communications, strikes against Russian-occupied territory and interceptor drone operations. It also uses the company's civilian Starlink network for non-offensive purposes.&nbsp;Ukrainian officials reported slower connectivity on some terminals on Wednesday and suggested Washington could be behind the restrictions. Musk, however, said any disruption was the responsibility of the US government rather than SpaceX.&nbsp;The latest developments have renewed questions about Ukraine's dependence on privately operated satellite technology. British Defence Minister Wes Streeting also discussed the issue with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday.

Zelensky said Starlink services were still recovering from disruptions as European leaders acknowledged that the bloc lacked an immediate alternative to the satellite network vital to Ukraine's military operations.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Friday (Oct 16) again raised concerns over Elon Musk-owned Starlink, saying services in Ukraine were still recovering after partial restrictions disrupted military communications. The disruption has also heightened concerns among European leaders over Kyiv's dependence on the satellite-based communication network. Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, Zelensky said connectivity had not fully returned to previous levels but was gradually improving. "Has the speed been fully restored to what it was before? No. Is the speed being restored now? Yes," he said. The disruption has renewed concerns over Ukraine's reliance on technology operated by Musk's SpaceX, particularly as Kyiv continues to depend on satellite communications for its battlefield operations. Europe struggles to find Starlink alternatives European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas acknowledged that Europe could not replace Starlink's capabilities in the short term. "Starlink is really necessary for Ukraine and unfortunately in (the) short term Europe can't replace this capability," she said ahead of an EU summit where leaders discussed Ukraine's security and Europe's defence needs. Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs also stressed the importance of the satellite network, saying it was crucial for Ukraine to continue fighting. He added that Europe had some similar capabilities but lacked sufficient capacity. Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten said he had discussed with French President Emmanuel Macron how European countries could provide more such services in the near future. Kallas said the European Defence Agency had identified critical capability gaps that the bloc needed to address as quickly as possible. Also Read: Mallikarjun Kharge writes to PM Modi, seeks all-party meet on delimitation Starlink disruption raises military concerns Ukraine relies on Starshield, SpaceX's military-grade satellite service, for battlefield communications, strikes against Russian-occupied territory and interceptor drone operations. It also uses the company's civilian Starlink network for non-offensive purposes. Ukrainian officials reported slower connectivity on some terminals on Wednesday and suggested Washington could be behind the restrictions. Musk, however, said any disruption was the responsibility of the US government rather than SpaceX. The latest developments have renewed questions about Ukraine's dependence on privately operated satellite technology. British Defence Minister Wes Streeting also discussed the issue with US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday.

Zelensky said Starlink services were still recovering from disruptions as European leaders acknowledged that the bloc lacked an immediate alternative to the satellite network vital to Ukraine's military operations.

Starlink disruption rattles Ukraine, Europe admits it has no immediate alternative

A massive overnight drone strike at the airports has caused chaos at 22 civilian airports across the western part of Russia and the Volga region, including all four Moscow hubs between October 15 and October 16. This comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that “we're done” with the energy ceasefire announced by the US President Donald Trump.St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED), Tambov Airport (TBW), Yaroslavl Airport (CEE), Yaroslavl Airport (IAR), Penza Airport (PEZ), and Saratov Airport (GSV) were all temporarily closed. According to Interfax, Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO), Domodedovo Airport (DME), Vnukovo Airport, and Zhukovsky Airport were completely grounded simultaneously for over five hours, with Domodedovo facing a cumulative seven-hour shutdown.Russian Federal Regulator, between 12:30 am and 3:52 am, Rosaviatsiya announced airspace closed and grounded runways across nine additional cities: Cherepovets, Yaroslavl, Tambov, Penza, Saratov, Nizhny Novgorod, Pskov, Saransk, and Ulyanovsk. By 5:05 am, the restrictions spread to five more regional hubsKazan, Nizhnekamsk, Bugulma, Samara, and Cheboksary.Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-invites-katie-zacharia-after-toilet-remark-1792150959539">China responds to Trump's Press Secretary Katie Zacharia after toilet remark: 'Visit China more often'</a>According to Rosaviatsiya, all 22 airports are operational now. Restrictions were lifted first at Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo at 5:06 am local time, followed by Domodedovo and Zhukovsky at 5:43 am. In St. Petersburg, Pulkovo Airport (LED) cleared its restrictions and resumed full flights by roughly 9:00 am local time. Though residual delays and chaos continue. Over 200 flights were actively cancelled or postponed, leaving thousands of passengers stranded.On October 16, 2026, TASS declared that the Russian Defence Ministry had confirmed that Ukraine launched 644 drones, with 57 of them heading directly towards Moscow.&nbsp;

Ukraine reportedly launched 644 drones at Russia, disrupting operations at 22 airports, including all four Moscow hubs, and stranding thousands of passengers.

A massive overnight drone strike at the airports has caused chaos at 22 civilian airports across the western part of Russia and the Volga region, including all four Moscow hubs between October 15 and October 16. This comes as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that “we're done” with the energy ceasefire announced by the US President Donald Trump. St Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED), Tambov Airport (TBW), Yaroslavl Airport (CEE), Yaroslavl Airport (IAR), Penza Airport (PEZ), and Saratov Airport (GSV) were all temporarily closed. According to Interfax, Moscow’s Sheremetyevo Airport (SVO), Domodedovo Airport (DME), Vnukovo Airport, and Zhukovsky Airport were completely grounded simultaneously for over five hours, with Domodedovo facing a cumulative seven-hour shutdown. Russian Federal Regulator, between 12:30 am and 3:52 am, Rosaviatsiya announced airspace closed and grounded runways across nine additional cities: Cherepovets, Yaroslavl, Tambov, Penza, Saratov, Nizhny Novgorod, Pskov, Saransk, and Ulyanovsk. By 5:05 am, the restrictions spread to five more regional hubsKazan, Nizhnekamsk, Bugulma, Samara, and Cheboksary. Also Read: China responds to Trump's Press Secretary Katie Zacharia after toilet remark: 'Visit China more often' According to Rosaviatsiya, all 22 airports are operational now. Restrictions were lifted first at Vnukovo and Sheremetyevo at 5:06 am local time, followed by Domodedovo and Zhukovsky at 5:43 am. In St. Petersburg, Pulkovo Airport (LED) cleared its restrictions and resumed full flights by roughly 9:00 am local time. Though residual delays and chaos continue. Over 200 flights were actively cancelled or postponed, leaving thousands of passengers stranded. On October 16, 2026, TASS declared that the Russian Defence Ministry had confirmed that Ukraine launched 644 drones, with 57 of them heading directly towards Moscow.

Ukraine reportedly launched 644 drones at Russia, disrupting operations at 22 airports, including all four Moscow hubs, and stranding thousands of passengers.

Ukraine drone strike disrupts 22 Russian airports, over 200 flights

Kremlin on Friday (Oct 16) said that it was in “full” agreement with the US President Donald Trump’s criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over stalled peace efforts as Europe’s deadliest war in modern history continues for more than four years. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Zelensky of not taking responsibility and not wanting to enter a peaceful settlement process. This comes after Trump on Thursday (Oct 15) said that Zelensky was "not a good guy for us to deal with" and claimed that he does not want to help bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war.“The fact that Zelensky doesn’t want to take responsibility and enter a peaceful settlement process is unambiguous,” Peskov told reporters during a briefing. “Here, we fully agree with President Trump’s point of view.”<h2>What did Trump say?</h2>In an interview with Newsmax, Trump claimed that the Ukrainian president “doesn’t want to settle” the ongoing war with Russia. “If they’re going to end up with a settlement of some kind, they’re not going to do it with him. He doesn’t want to settle. He says he wants to settle, but he doesn’t.”He added that while both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky would like to see the war end, “but I think I find Zelensky to be more difficult to deal with than Putin.”Trump also criticised the Obama and Biden administrations over their handling of the conflict, including Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. He said the war had devastated Ukraine and reiterated his dissatisfaction with Zelensky.Putin has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine cede full control of the Donetsk region as a prerequisite for any ceasefire agreement – a condition Kyiv has consistently rejected. According to a Bloomberg report last month, Putin is expecting Russian forces to take full control of the Donetsk region by late February 2027.<h2>Zelensky-Trump rift grows</h2>The development comes as tensions between Kyiv and Washington continue to rise following a US-Russia diesel agreement. Zelensky has criticised the easing of restrictions on Russian diesel exports, arguing that it could benefit Moscow without securing concessions. The Ukrainian president earlier declared that Kyiv will no longer abide by US President Donald Trump’s energy ceasefire that demanded a halt to attacks on energy infrastructure.On October 11, Trump announced the energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, saying it was “effective immediately”. Zelensky denied knowledge of any such agreement but said that he would abide by it if Moscow did the same. However, Ukraine accused Russia of striking at least six of its energy infrastructure just hours after the announcement.Trump had repeatedly warned Kyiv against targeting Russia’s oil refineries, saying that it has led to a rise in fuel prices in the US ahead of the upcoming November 3 midterm elections. Meanwhile, reports suggested that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had also raised the possibility of limiting intelligence-sharing with Ukraine if the refinery attacks continued. A US official denied that a threat had been made.

The Kremlin has backed Trump’s criticism of Zelensky, accusing the Ukrainian leader of stalling peace talks as tensions over ending the Russia-Ukraine war continue to rise.

Kremlin on Friday (Oct 16) said that it was in “full” agreement with the US President Donald Trump’s criticism of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over stalled peace efforts as Europe’s deadliest war in modern history continues for more than four years. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov accused Zelensky of not taking responsibility and not wanting to enter a peaceful settlement process. This comes after Trump on Thursday (Oct 15) said that Zelensky was "not a good guy for us to deal with" and claimed that he does not want to help bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. “The fact that Zelensky doesn’t want to take responsibility and enter a peaceful settlement process is unambiguous,” Peskov told reporters during a briefing. “Here, we fully agree with President Trump’s point of view.” What did Trump say? In an interview with Newsmax, Trump claimed that the Ukrainian president “doesn’t want to settle” the ongoing war with Russia. “If they’re going to end up with a settlement of some kind, they’re not going to do it with him. He doesn’t want to settle. He says he wants to settle, but he doesn’t.” He added that while both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky would like to see the war end, “but I think I find Zelensky to be more difficult to deal with than Putin.” Trump also criticised the Obama and Biden administrations over their handling of the conflict, including Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. He said the war had devastated Ukraine and reiterated his dissatisfaction with Zelensky. Putin has repeatedly demanded that Ukraine cede full control of the Donetsk region as a prerequisite for any ceasefire agreement – a condition Kyiv has consistently rejected. According to a Bloomberg report last month, Putin is expecting Russian forces to take full control of the Donetsk region by late February 2027. Zelensky-Trump rift grows The development comes as tensions between Kyiv and Washington continue to rise following a US-Russia diesel agreement. Zelensky has criticised the easing of restrictions on Russian diesel exports, arguing that it could benefit Moscow without securing concessions. The Ukrainian president earlier declared that Kyiv will no longer abide by US President Donald Trump’s energy ceasefire that demanded a halt to attacks on energy infrastructure. On October 11, Trump announced the energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, saying it was “effective immediately”. Zelensky denied knowledge of any such agreement but said that he would abide by it if Moscow did the same. However, Ukraine accused Russia of striking at least six of its energy infrastructure just hours after the announcement. Trump had repeatedly warned Kyiv against targeting Russia’s oil refineries, saying that it has led to a rise in fuel prices in the US ahead of the upcoming November 3 midterm elections. Meanwhile, reports suggested that US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had also raised the possibility of limiting intelligence-sharing with Ukraine if the refinery attacks continued. A US official denied that a threat had been made.

The Kremlin has backed Trump’s criticism of Zelensky, accusing the Ukrainian leader of stalling peace talks as tensions over ending the Russia-Ukraine war continue to rise.

‘We fully agree’: Kremlin backs Trump’s criticism of Zelensky over Russia-Ukraine peace

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Israeli President Isaac ​Herzog to stop the "forced establishment" of the West Bank settlements. He said that the "Palestinian question" is “the greatest historical injustice of this century”. He added that Beijing has long maintained its support for a "two-state solution" and that it is the right approach to the conflict.&nbsp;China and Israel had a face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of a conference in Azerbaijan on Thursday. Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed the meeting in a post on the social media platform X. His office declined to comment when asked about their ​discussions on the West Bank or the Palestinians.“Our meeting focused on the relations between our countries and the situation in the Middle East. I expressed my appreciation for our bilateral ties, particularly in the fields of economic cooperation, trade, and culture.”&nbsp;“We also discussed regional developments. I emphasised Israel’s desire for peace in the region, alongside the strategic threats to our security, first and foremost from Iran and its terror proxies.”Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-invites-katie-zacharia-after-toilet-remark-1792150959539">China responds to Trump's Press Secretary Katie Zacharia after toilet remark: 'Visit China more often'</a>In 2023, Beijing brokered a deal to restore diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia after years of hostility. Earlier this year, Beijing, along with Pakistan, made efforts to broker a deal between the US-Israel and Iran, though the deal remained inconclusive. China has positioned itself as a mediator over the years in the Israel-Palestine conflict. In 2024, Beijing got the rival factions in Palestine to agree to form an interim "national reconciliation government". Beijing wants to fully open access to the Gaza ​Strip so a ​humanitarian "catastrophe" is ⁠not allowed to spread, said Wang Yi. China wants to resume dialogue between both parties as soon as possible and find a political settlement of the conflict.&nbsp;

China's Wang Yi urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to stop West Bank settlements, reaffirming Beijing's support for a two-state solution and a political settlement.

China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Israeli President Isaac Herzog to stop the "forced establishment" of the West Bank settlements. He said that the "Palestinian question" is “the greatest historical injustice of this century”. He added that Beijing has long maintained its support for a "two-state solution" and that it is the right approach to the conflict. China and Israel had a face-to-face meeting on the sidelines of a conference in Azerbaijan on Thursday. Israeli President Isaac Herzog confirmed the meeting in a post on the social media platform X. His office declined to comment when asked about their discussions on the West Bank or the Palestinians. “Our meeting focused on the relations between our countries and the situation in the Middle East. I expressed my appreciation for our bilateral ties, particularly in the fields of economic cooperation, trade, and culture.” “We also discussed regional developments. I emphasised Israel’s desire for peace in the region, alongside the strategic threats to our security, first and foremost from Iran and its terror proxies.” Also Read: China responds to Trump's Press Secretary Katie Zacharia after toilet remark: 'Visit China more often' In 2023, Beijing brokered a deal to restore diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia after years of hostility. Earlier this year, Beijing, along with Pakistan, made efforts to broker a deal between the US-Israel and Iran, though the deal remained inconclusive. China has positioned itself as a mediator over the years in the Israel-Palestine conflict. In 2024, Beijing got the rival factions in Palestine to agree to form an interim "national reconciliation government". Beijing wants to fully open access to the Gaza Strip so a humanitarian "catastrophe" is ⁠not allowed to spread, said Wang Yi. China wants to resume dialogue between both parties as soon as possible and find a political settlement of the conflict.

China's Wang Yi urged Israeli President Isaac Herzog to stop West Bank settlements, reaffirming Beijing's support for a two-state solution and a political settlement.

China tells Israel to stop West Bank settlements, calls Palestine issue ‘historic injustice’

Beijing has invited White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia to visit the country more often after she publicly claimed that White House lacked proper toilets. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to her remarks, laughingly inviting her to “visit China more often”.“[We] welcome her to visit China more often when she has the opportunity”.Katie was speaking at conservative commentator Jack Posobiec's podcast. She was asked about the notion that “the gold days, the glory days of the US were over and China was on the horizon”.“I remember this very distinctly, having just come from China, thinking, ‘How is China the next country on the horizon? They don’t even have proper toilets,” said the new White House Press Secretary.Zacharia supposedly lived in China with her husband for some time and has mentioned in her LinkedIn profile that she worked as an associate at one of China’s largest Zhong Lun Law Firm, in Beijing from 2011 to 2013.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-modi-marco-rubio-mumbai-meeting-mea-officials-1792146643094">‘Rubio has summoned his employee to Mumbai’: Rahul Gandhi questions Modi over Rubio's meeting with MEA officials</a>Zacharia made her debut as White House Press Secretary on Tuesday and made fumbles such as lacking information about intelligence sharing with Ukraine, and referred to her husband as "the president". She just took questions from three hand-picked reporters from right-wing outlets Breitbart, Fox News, and the Daily Mail before making a hasty exit.Zacharia had faced controversy when a reporter asked her from which state she passed the Bar exam. &nbsp;Zacharia answered, "When I moved to China." China’s national legal qualification exam is strictly restricted to Chinese citizens; foreign nationals are legally banned from sitting for the Chinese bar or holding a local law license.&nbsp;Trump introduced her as an "attorney" when appointing her, and she has routinely identified herself as a "lawyer" and "corporate lawyer" during dozens of cable news appearances. In fact she had listed herself as general counsel of a California-based conservative nonprofit. She later clarified in Posobiec's podcast that she sat for the California bar exam after graduating from Pepperdine University’s law school in 2011 but did not pass.&nbsp;

China invited White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia to visit more often after she claimed the country lacked proper toilets, sparking a response from Beijing.

Beijing has invited White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia to visit the country more often after she publicly claimed that White House lacked proper toilets. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to her remarks, laughingly inviting her to “visit China more often”. “[We] welcome her to visit China more often when she has the opportunity”. Katie was speaking at conservative commentator Jack Posobiec's podcast. She was asked about the notion that “the gold days, the glory days of the US were over and China was on the horizon”. “I remember this very distinctly, having just come from China, thinking, ‘How is China the next country on the horizon? They don’t even have proper toilets,” said the new White House Press Secretary. Zacharia supposedly lived in China with her husband for some time and has mentioned in her LinkedIn profile that she worked as an associate at one of China’s largest Zhong Lun Law Firm, in Beijing from 2011 to 2013. Also Read: ‘Rubio has summoned his employee to Mumbai’: Rahul Gandhi questions Modi over Rubio's meeting with MEA officials Zacharia made her debut as White House Press Secretary on Tuesday and made fumbles such as lacking information about intelligence sharing with Ukraine, and referred to her husband as "the president". She just took questions from three hand-picked reporters from right-wing outlets Breitbart, Fox News, and the Daily Mail before making a hasty exit. Zacharia had faced controversy when a reporter asked her from which state she passed the Bar exam. Zacharia answered, "When I moved to China." China’s national legal qualification exam is strictly restricted to Chinese citizens; foreign nationals are legally banned from sitting for the Chinese bar or holding a local law license. Trump introduced her as an "attorney" when appointing her, and she has routinely identified herself as a "lawyer" and "corporate lawyer" during dozens of cable news appearances. In fact she had listed herself as general counsel of a California-based conservative nonprofit. She later clarified in Posobiec's podcast that she sat for the California bar exam after graduating from Pepperdine University’s law school in 2011 but did not pass.

China invited White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia to visit more often after she claimed the country lacked proper toilets, sparking a response from Beijing.

China responds to Trump's Press Secretary Katie Zacharia after toilet remark: 'Visit China more often'

Air India has extended the suspension of flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until October 20, 2026, as security concerns mount following attacks on civilian aviation infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The decision comes amid growing international concern over threats to airports and aircraft in the Kingdom, with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council condemning the attacks.<h2>Air India offers full refunds</h2>In a statement posted on X, Air India said it was monitoring the situation and would assess when flights could safely resume.“In view of the evolving situation in Saudi Arabia, all Air India flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah stand cancelled until 20 October 2026. We are closely monitoring developments and continuously assessing the situation to ensure the safe resumption of operations,” the airline said.The carrier added that passengers affected by the cancellations were eligible for a full refund. It reiterated that passenger and crew safety remained its highest priority.<h2>IndiGo, Akasa Air also suspend flights</h2>Air India's extension follows similar measures by IndiGo and Akasa Air, which have suspended services on select Saudi routes until October 17.IndiGo cancelled flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah, urging passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport. Akasa Air extended its suspension on Riyadh and Jeddah routes, offering affected passengers full refunds or rescheduling without additional charges.<h2>ICAO condemns attacks on aviation infrastructure</h2>The ICAO Council issued its condemnation on Thursday (Oct 15), expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia and extending condolences to the victims and their families. The statement followed Saudi Arabia's address to the Council on October 8.The aviation body deplored attacks targeting civil aviation infrastructure, warning of their consequences for flight operations, aviation safety and security, and international peace and security.The ICAO is a specialised United Nations agency comprising 193 member states that establishes international standards for civil aviation.<h2>Death toll rises after Riyadh airport attack</h2>The disruptions come amid reports of attacks on Saudi aviation infrastructure and a warning from the Houthis urging international airlines, foreign workers and commercial travellers to avoid Saudi aviation hubs. The group declared Saudi airspace unsafe, while making an exception for Mecca and Medina.The death toll from the October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh rose to 13 after the Indian Embassy confirmed the death of an Indian national who had been injured in the incident.Air India said it would continue monitoring developments before deciding when services could resume.

Air India has cancelled flights to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until October 20 amid Houthi threats and attacks on Saudi aviation infrastructure that have raised regional security concerns.

Air India has extended the suspension of flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until October 20, 2026, as security concerns mount following attacks on civilian aviation infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. The decision comes amid growing international concern over threats to airports and aircraft in the Kingdom, with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council condemning the attacks. Air India offers full refunds In a statement posted on X, Air India said it was monitoring the situation and would assess when flights could safely resume. “In view of the evolving situation in Saudi Arabia, all Air India flights to and from Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah stand cancelled until 20 October 2026. We are closely monitoring developments and continuously assessing the situation to ensure the safe resumption of operations,” the airline said. The carrier added that passengers affected by the cancellations were eligible for a full refund. It reiterated that passenger and crew safety remained its highest priority. IndiGo, Akasa Air also suspend flights Air India's extension follows similar measures by IndiGo and Akasa Air, which have suspended services on select Saudi routes until October 17. IndiGo cancelled flights to and from Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam and Madinah, urging passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport. Akasa Air extended its suspension on Riyadh and Jeddah routes, offering affected passengers full refunds or rescheduling without additional charges. ICAO condemns attacks on aviation infrastructure The ICAO Council issued its condemnation on Thursday (Oct 15), expressing solidarity with Saudi Arabia and extending condolences to the victims and their families. The statement followed Saudi Arabia's address to the Council on October 8. The aviation body deplored attacks targeting civil aviation infrastructure, warning of their consequences for flight operations, aviation safety and security, and international peace and security. The ICAO is a specialised United Nations agency comprising 193 member states that establishes international standards for civil aviation. Death toll rises after Riyadh airport attack The disruptions come amid reports of attacks on Saudi aviation infrastructure and a warning from the Houthis urging international airlines, foreign workers and commercial travellers to avoid Saudi aviation hubs. The group declared Saudi airspace unsafe, while making an exception for Mecca and Medina. The death toll from the October 10 attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh rose to 13 after the Indian Embassy confirmed the death of an Indian national who had been injured in the incident. Air India said it would continue monitoring developments before deciding when services could resume.

Air India has cancelled flights to Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah until October 20 amid Houthi threats and attacks on Saudi aviation infrastructure that have raised regional security concerns.

Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air extend Saudi flight suspensions amid Houthi threat

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Oct 15), in an interview, said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was "not a good guy for us to deal with" and claimed that he does not want to help bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. He claimed that the Ukrainian president "doesn't want to settle" the ongoing war with Russia. "If they're going to end up with a settlement of some kind, they're not going to do it with him. He doesn't want to settle. He says he wants to settle, but he doesn't."An earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale has struck Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula region, according to European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). There has been no reports of any casualties so far or a tsunami warning sounded.A video of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching a fiery critique of the opposition Congress party is making the rounds on social media. In the clip, Modi lambasts the Indian National Congress, asserting that "Congress has become a burden on the country."Stay with us for the latest news, breaking updates and developments as they unfold.

Amid protests by the opposition and the Cockroach Janata Party against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered a Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in 17 states and Union territories. This comes despite the SIR exercise continuing in other parts of the country.And though both the exercises conducted by the Election Commission of India (ECI) aims to improve the accuracy of electoral rolls, they are different. Here we explain to you how they are different from each other.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/what-is-special-summary-revision-how-is-it-different-from-sir-wion-explains-1792140927820">Read more</a>

What is Special Summary Revision, how is it different from SIR? 

United States President Donald Trump on Friday said that he does not trust anyone in politics, including Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu. He said this on being asked by Newsmax whether he trusts the Israeli Prime Minister and what kind of relationship he shares with him. “I don’t trust anybody, honestly. In the world of politics I don’t trust anybody," said Trump in the interview. He was also asked whether Washington had any plans to campaign for Netanyahu in the upcoming October 27 legislative elections, to which he replied, “Well, they’d like me to be. Yeah, they’d like me to be."<a href=" https://www.wionews.com/world/i-don-t-trust-anybody-says-trump-when-asked-about-netanyahu-1792129330578">Read more</a>

'I don’t trust anybody', says Trump when asked about Netanyahu

A video of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching a fiery critique of the opposition Congress party is making the rounds on social media. In the clip, Modi lambasts the Indian National Congress, asserting that "Congress has become a burden on the country." The viral video comes amid a growing tussle between the Modi-led NDA government and opposition parties—including the Congress and the INDIA bloc—over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and opposition demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. What exactly did Prime Minister Modi say, and when did he give this speech? Has he broken his silence on the ongoing nationwide protests? Here is everything you need to know.<a href=" https://www.wionews.com/trending/congress-a-burden-on-country-did-pm-modi-break-silence-on-opposition-protests-against-sir-and-gyanesh-kumar-old-video-goes-viral-wion-fact-check-1792131341125">Read more</a>

'Congress a burden on country': Did PM Modi break silence on protests against SIR and Gyanesh Kumar? Old video goes viral | WION Fact-check

Catch today's top updates: Donald Trump says Volodymyr Zelensky 'doesn't want to settle' the war, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake strikes Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, and PM Modi's viral attack labels Congress a 'burden on the country'. Stay tuned for live news. 

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Oct 15), in an interview, said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was "not a good guy for us to deal with" and claimed that he does not want to help bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. He claimed that the Ukrainian president "doesn't want to settle" the ongoing war with Russia. "If they're going to end up with a settlement of some kind, they're not going to do it with him. He doesn't want to settle. He says he wants to settle, but he doesn't." An earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale has struck Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula region, according to European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). There has been no reports of any casualties so far or a tsunami warning sounded. A video of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launching a fiery critique of the opposition Congress party is making the rounds on social media. In the clip, Modi lambasts the Indian National Congress, asserting that "Congress has become a burden on the country." Stay with us for the latest news, breaking updates and developments as they unfold.

Catch today's top updates: Donald Trump says Volodymyr Zelensky 'doesn't want to settle' the war, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake strikes Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, and PM Modi's viral attack labels Congress a 'burden on the country'. Stay tuned for live news.&nbsp;

Latest News India & World LIVE updates: Trump says Zelensky 'doesn't want' war settlement; 7.0 quake hits Russia’s Kamchatka; PM Modi slams Congress

A coded letter commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1809 and left unsolved for more than two centuries has been deciphered in just six hours using artificial intelligence. This groundbreaking feat highlights how the emerging technology is changing the study of history. Carter Church, a 27-year-old AI engineer at US cybersecurity firm SentinelOne, used OpenAI’s latest model, GPT-6 Astra, to decode the wartime message, which, as it turns out, contains details about the positions of French and allied troops. The letter, made up of symbols, numbers and letters spread across two dozen lines, had for decades remained overlooked in an online academic archive.<h2>Weeks' work done in hours</h2>Church said the task would have taken weeks using conventional methods. He spent several evenings working on the cipher before consulting Japanese patent engineer Satoshi Tomokiyo, who maintains an online catalogue of unsolved codes, to verify the solution.“What AI mostly brings is persistence,” Church told AFP, describing an “unbelievable sense of satisfaction and excitement” when he saw the result.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/claude-ai-sent-philadelphia-police-phony-murder-anthropic-argues-incident-less-severe-than-other-cybersecurity-episodes-1791617194991">Claude AI sent Philadelphia police phony murder; Anthropic argues incident 'less severe' than other cybersecurity episodes</a><h2>AI changes the game for amateur code-breakers</h2>The discovery is part of a wider shift in historical cryptography, as publicly available AI systems help people without specialist training tackle problems that once demanded extensive research and painstaking manual work.Tomokiyo, whose website Cryptiana is a resource for amateur cryptographers, described 2026 as a potential turning point for historical code-breaking. He said that since mid-September, AI had been used to solve most of the ciphers listed on his website.While researchers have been developing AI systems for cryptanalysis for some time, the public availability of advanced general-purpose models has accelerated the process. Church used OpenAI’s GPT-6 Astra, but others have previously used models developed by rival AI company Anthropic.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/something-truly-catastrophic-will-happen-former-openai-employees-sound-the-alarm-claim-they-were-fired-for-prioritising-ai-safety-1791511799924">'Something truly catastrophic will happen': Former OpenAI researchers sound the alarm, claim they were fired for prioritising AI safety</a><h2>'Mixed feelings'</h2>The rapid progress has also brought mixed feelings among enthusiasts who have spent years pursuing difficult codes. Tomokiyo said he was pleased to see long-standing puzzles solved, while questioning the ease with which AI appeared to have overcome some of them. "I'm excited long-time problems are now solved, but on the other hand, I have mixed feelings, because AI seems to have solved these difficult problems so easily," he said.He acknowledged that AI has taken away the satisfaction of being the first to crack a cipher and said: “I feel useless.” Some ciphers may remain unsolved for years, he added, particularly when there is little relevant data available to help AI identify patterns.

AI has helped crack a coded letter from Napoleon’s 1809 military campaign in just six hours, after more than 200 years without a solution. What was hidden in the historical pages? Scroll down to find out.

A coded letter commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1809 and left unsolved for more than two centuries has been deciphered in just six hours using artificial intelligence. This groundbreaking feat highlights how the emerging technology is changing the study of history. Carter Church, a 27-year-old AI engineer at US cybersecurity firm SentinelOne, used OpenAI’s latest model, GPT-6 Astra, to decode the wartime message, which, as it turns out, contains details about the positions of French and allied troops. The letter, made up of symbols, numbers and letters spread across two dozen lines, had for decades remained overlooked in an online academic archive. Weeks' work done in hours Church said the task would have taken weeks using conventional methods. He spent several evenings working on the cipher before consulting Japanese patent engineer Satoshi Tomokiyo, who maintains an online catalogue of unsolved codes, to verify the solution. “What AI mostly brings is persistence,” Church told AFP, describing an “unbelievable sense of satisfaction and excitement” when he saw the result. Also read | Claude AI sent Philadelphia police phony murder; Anthropic argues incident 'less severe' than other cybersecurity episodes AI changes the game for amateur code-breakers The discovery is part of a wider shift in historical cryptography, as publicly available AI systems help people without specialist training tackle problems that once demanded extensive research and painstaking manual work. Tomokiyo, whose website Cryptiana is a resource for amateur cryptographers, described 2026 as a potential turning point for historical code-breaking. He said that since mid-September, AI had been used to solve most of the ciphers listed on his website. While researchers have been developing AI systems for cryptanalysis for some time, the public availability of advanced general-purpose models has accelerated the process. Church used OpenAI’s GPT-6 Astra, but others have previously used models developed by rival AI company Anthropic. Also read | 'Something truly catastrophic will happen': Former OpenAI researchers sound the alarm, claim they were fired for prioritising AI safety 'Mixed feelings' The rapid progress has also brought mixed feelings among enthusiasts who have spent years pursuing difficult codes. Tomokiyo said he was pleased to see long-standing puzzles solved, while questioning the ease with which AI appeared to have overcome some of them. "I'm excited long-time problems are now solved, but on the other hand, I have mixed feelings, because AI seems to have solved these difficult problems so easily," he said. He acknowledged that AI has taken away the satisfaction of being the first to crack a cipher and said: “I feel useless.” Some ciphers may remain unsolved for years, he added, particularly when there is little relevant data available to help AI identify patterns.

AI has helped crack a coded letter from Napoleon’s 1809 military campaign in just six hours, after more than 200 years without a solution. What was hidden in the historical pages? Scroll down to find out.

AI decodes Napoleon-era secret letter unsolved for more than 200 years. What was hidden in the ciphers?

Tesla's Roadster promises more than electric sports-car performance. From aerospace-inspired styling and a minimalist cabin to SpaceX thrusters designed for aerial manoeuvres, explore the features behind Elon Musk's ambitious vehicle.

Tesla's Roadster promises more than electric sports-car performance. From aerospace-inspired styling and a minimalist cabin to SpaceX thrusters designed for aerial manoeuvres, explore the features behind Elon Musk's ambitious vehicle.

Inside Tesla's Roadster: 10 features of Elon Musk's 'flying car' that push the limits of electric vehicles | In Pics

United States President Donald Trump on Friday said that he does not trust anyone in politics, including Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu. He said this on being asked by Newsmax whether he trusts the Israeli Prime Minister and what kind of relationship he shares with him.“I don’t trust anybody, honestly. In the world of politics I don’t trust anybody," said Trump in the interview.&nbsp;He was also asked whether Washington had any plans to campaign for Netanyahu in the upcoming October 27 Legislative elections to which he replied, “Well, they’d like me to be. Yeah, they’d like me to be."&nbsp;However, he did talk about his relations with Netanyahu and hailed it as "Very good". He also praised their “very successful… military partnership” against Iran.&nbsp;<h2>Trump on use of MOAB or "Mother of All Bombs" against Iran</h2>&nbsp;The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, commonly known as the "Mother of All Bombs", is a GPS-guided conventional weapon developed for the US military.&nbsp;It was developed by the US Air Force Research Laboratory in collaboration with defence contractor Dynetics. The weapon was designed to destroy large areas and strike targets such as cave networks and tunnel complexes.&nbsp;One the claims of US likely to use "mother of all bombs" against Iran Trump ruled out using nuclear weapons against Tehran and said that Washington did not need them.&nbsp;"No, I wouldn't use nuclear. We don't have to," he said and emphasised that "The mother of all bombs is one big bomb, but it's not nuclear".&nbsp;The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, commonly known as the "Mother of All Bombs", is a GPS-guided conventional weapon developed for the US military.&nbsp;It was developed by the US Air Force Research Laboratory in collaboration with defence contractor Dynetics. The weapon was designed to destroy large areas and strike targets such as cave networks and tunnel complexes.&nbsp;<h2>Trump says war to be over soon</h2>&nbsp;I the same interview Trump said that the war will end soon as Tehran was negotiating with Washington.&nbsp;"The Iran war will be over very soon. It's going to end very soon," he said and added, "One way or the other, it'll end very soon. And oil will go dropping like a rock — and gas prices as well."&nbsp;

However, Trump did talk about his relations with Netanyahu and hailed it as “Very good”. he also acknowledged that Israel wanted Washington to play a role in the upcoming October 27 Legislative elections.

United States President Donald Trump on Friday said that he does not trust anyone in politics, including Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu. He said this on being asked by Newsmax whether he trusts the Israeli Prime Minister and what kind of relationship he shares with him. “I don’t trust anybody, honestly. In the world of politics I don’t trust anybody," said Trump in the interview. He was also asked whether Washington had any plans to campaign for Netanyahu in the upcoming October 27 Legislative elections to which he replied, “Well, they’d like me to be. Yeah, they’d like me to be." However, he did talk about his relations with Netanyahu and hailed it as "Very good". He also praised their “very successful… military partnership” against Iran. Trump on use of MOAB or "Mother of All Bombs" against Iran The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, commonly known as the "Mother of All Bombs", is a GPS-guided conventional weapon developed for the US military. It was developed by the US Air Force Research Laboratory in collaboration with defence contractor Dynetics. The weapon was designed to destroy large areas and strike targets such as cave networks and tunnel complexes. One the claims of US likely to use "mother of all bombs" against Iran Trump ruled out using nuclear weapons against Tehran and said that Washington did not need them. "No, I wouldn't use nuclear. We don't have to," he said and emphasised that "The mother of all bombs is one big bomb, but it's not nuclear". The GBU-43/B Massive Ordnance Air Blast, commonly known as the "Mother of All Bombs", is a GPS-guided conventional weapon developed for the US military. It was developed by the US Air Force Research Laboratory in collaboration with defence contractor Dynetics. The weapon was designed to destroy large areas and strike targets such as cave networks and tunnel complexes. Trump says war to be over soon I the same interview Trump said that the war will end soon as Tehran was negotiating with Washington. "The Iran war will be over very soon. It's going to end very soon," he said and added, "One way or the other, it'll end very soon. And oil will go dropping like a rock — and gas prices as well."

However, Trump did talk about his relations with Netanyahu and hailed it as “Very good”. he also acknowledged that Israel wanted Washington to play a role in the upcoming October 27 Legislative elections.

An earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale has struck &nbsp;Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula region, according to European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). There has been no reports of any casualties so far or a tsunami warning sounded.&nbsp;The quake struck at a depth of 140 km (86.99 miles) and took place at about 3.35 pm (local time).&nbsp;While the epicenter was 146 km between south and south-west (SSW) of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Russia and 80 km between north and norht-east(NNE) of Ozernovskiy. Kamchatka is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent seismic activity and volcanic eruptions due to the movement of tectonic plates.&nbsp;In July last year, a magnitude 8.8- earthquake had struck off Kamchatka coast triggering a tsunami.&nbsp;(This is a developing story)&nbsp;

There has been no reports of any casualties so far in the earthquake that sruck at a depth of 140 km (86.99 miles) and took place at about 3.35 pm (local time).

An earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale has struck Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula region, according to European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC). There has been no reports of any casualties so far or a tsunami warning sounded. The quake struck at a depth of 140 km (86.99 miles) and took place at about 3.35 pm (local time). While the epicenter was 146 km between south and south-west (SSW) of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Russia and 80 km between north and norht-east(NNE) of Ozernovskiy. Kamchatka is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent seismic activity and volcanic eruptions due to the movement of tectonic plates. In July last year, a magnitude 8.8- earthquake had struck off Kamchatka coast triggering a tsunami. (This is a developing story)

There has been no reports of any casualties so far in the earthquake that sruck at a depth of 140 km (86.99 miles) and took place at about 3.35 pm (local time).

Earthquake measuring 7 magnitude strikes Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula

"Turns out the future does have flying cars," Elon Musk wrote on X on Thursday (Oct 15), sharing a video of Tesla's long-awaited Roadster performing dramatic aerial manoeuvres using thrusters developed with his rocket company SpaceX. The feat of engineering was unveiled at SpaceX’s rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas (near Waco).“A friend of mine, Peter Thiel, once said the future promised us flying cars, but instead we got 140 characters,” Musk, the world's first trillionaire, joked while addressing a crowd of cheering fans at the unveiling event. The "140 characters" bit was a reference to the character limit of social media posts on Twitter before he bought it in 2022. “Well, not anymore,” he stated.An astounding video of the car shows the white electric sports car lifting off the ground, hovering, flipping and manoeuvring above a paved surface. The demonstration also features the vehicle performing high-speed stunts under spotlights, with thick plumes of smoke adding to the spectacle.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Turns out the future does have flying cars https://t.co/6fexPp6SXI&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/2110913107094606330?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.x.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The reveal has reignited interest in Musk's long-promised vision of a car that can "fly". Here's all you need to know about the Tesla Roadster.<h2>0 to 60 in under 1 second: How Tesla's flying Roadster works</h2>Tesla demonstrated the Roadster using a combination of cold-gas thrusters and a fan-based suction system. The thrusters, developed in collaboration with SpaceX, are designed to propel the vehicle into the air and help control its movements.During the event in Texas, the car drove up a ramp, remained upside down briefly and returned to the ground. It was also shown lifting off from a stationary position and clearing a row of parked Tesla vehicles.Musk has described the Roadster as a collaboration between Tesla and SpaceX. According to the company, the car has an acceleration time of 0 to 60 miles per hour in 0.81 seconds.<h2>When will the flying Tesla Roadster launch?</h2>The Roadster has been one of Musk's most anticipated projects since Tesla first unveiled its second-generation version in 2017. Deliveries were originally expected in 2020, but the vehicle has faced repeated delays.Tesla now expects production to begin in 2028. The company has not yet provided a complete set of production and pricing details for the newly revealed vehicle.<h2>Is Tesla's flying car ready for everyday use?</h2>Not yet. The demonstration showcased a specialised vehicle performing controlled stunts, rather than a flying car designed for routine commuting.Notably, the car comes in two variants: a specialised Rocket variant with the ability to lift off the ground and a Thrust version intended for road use. The Rocket version is not yet approved for public roads.Musk has acknowledged uncertainty over whether the vehicle would be legal in every jurisdiction and said it was not necessarily optimised for safety. Speaking at the unveiling event, Musk acknowledged that the Roadster, which Tesla describes as "Beyond The Limits of Physics" on its website, was “not necessarily a safety-optimised car”, but it said it would “be an actual car that’s on the roads”.“I’m not sure it’s necessarily legal in all jurisdictions,” he accepted. “But there will be such a car that someone can own.”

Tesla has unveiled a futuristic version of its Roadster featuring SpaceX-developed thrusters, with Elon Musk describing the vehicle as a glimpse of the flying-car future. A sports car that can lift off the ground and perform aerial manoeuvres? All you need to know about Tesla Roadster.

"Turns out the future does have flying cars," Elon Musk wrote on X on Thursday (Oct 15), sharing a video of Tesla's long-awaited Roadster performing dramatic aerial manoeuvres using thrusters developed with his rocket company SpaceX. The feat of engineering was unveiled at SpaceX’s rocket development facility in McGregor, Texas (near Waco). “A friend of mine, Peter Thiel, once said the future promised us flying cars, but instead we got 140 characters,” Musk, the world's first trillionaire, joked while addressing a crowd of cheering fans at the unveiling event. The "140 characters" bit was a reference to the character limit of social media posts on Twitter before he bought it in 2022. “Well, not anymore,” he stated. An astounding video of the car shows the white electric sports car lifting off the ground, hovering, flipping and manoeuvring above a paved surface. The demonstration also features the vehicle performing high-speed stunts under spotlights, with thick plumes of smoke adding to the spectacle.

Tesla has unveiled a futuristic version of its Roadster featuring SpaceX-developed thrusters, with Elon Musk describing the vehicle as a glimpse of the flying-car future. A sports car that can lift off the ground and perform aerial manoeuvres? All you need to know about Tesla Roadster.

'Turns out the future does have flying cars': Musk's Tesla unveils 'flying' sports car with SpaceX technology | Watch

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Oct 15), in an interview, said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was "not a good guy for us to deal with" and claimed that he does not want to help bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. He claimed that the Ukrainian president "doesn't want to settle" the ongoing war with Russia. "If they're going to end up with a settlement of some kind, they're not going to do it with him. He doesn't want to settle. He says he wants to settle, but he doesn't."Trump said this in response to a question about whether Trump had asked Zelensky to halt Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-re-done-zelensky-says-trump-s-energy-ceasefire-is-over-vows-to-resume-russia-refinery-strikes-amid-starlink-row-1792045045113">'We're done': Zelensky says Trump’s 'energy ceasefire' is over, vows to resume Russia refinery strikes amid Starlink row</a><h2>Trump criticises Zelensky over peace efforts</h2>In the interview with Newsmax, Trump also criticised the Obama and Biden administrations over their handling of the conflict, including Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. He said the war had devastated Ukraine and reiterated his dissatisfaction with Zelensky.The latest remarks come amid growing tensions between Washington and Kyiv over Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. Trump has blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for contributing to rising global fuel prices, a claim disputed by experts. His administration has also threatened to withdraw intelligence support and arms shipments unless Kyiv halts the attacks, according to the supplied report.Watch what he said here:

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">.@POTUS: &quot;Zelensky is not a good guy for us to deal with... If they're going to end up with a settlement of some kind, they're not going to do it with him. He doesn't want to settle. He says he wants to settle, but he doesn't.&quot; https://t.co/jVbg0jRJg0&mdash; Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2110890674442719515?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2026</a></blockquote>
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Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-s-answer-to-president-trump-zelensky-accuses-russia-of-violating-energy-ceasefire-within-hours-of-announcement-six-energy-facilities-hit-1791864980398">'Putin's answer to Trump': Zelensky accuses Russia of violating energy ceasefire within hours of announcement; six energy facilities hit</a><h2>Dispute over energy truce</h2>Earlier in the day, Zelensky lifted restrictions on Ukrainian strikes against Russian oil refineries after continued Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. In a fiery interview with FT, he said, "The block [on attacking refineries] is out. We’re done." The wartime leader also lamented what he called the "dangerous" withdrawal of US intelligence sharing and access to the Starlink satellite internet service.Previously, on October 11, Trump had announced an energy truce between Russia and Ukraine. However, within hours Ukraine reported that Russia had violated the ceasefire, striking at least six of its energy facilities.The developments have added to uncertainty over efforts to end the war, with the two sides continuing to disagree over military action and the terms of a possible settlement.Zelensky had previously expressed frustration with Trump's approach to the conflict. Asked whether he felt betrayed by the US president, the Ukrainian leader replied, "Really, yes... but it's a little bit more complicated than just my emotions or my feelings."He also said he believed Trump's advisers were steering the US president in the wrong direction. &nbsp;

Donald Trump has called Volodymyr Zelensky a difficult partner for Washington, claiming the Ukrainian leader does not want peace with Russia. The remarks come amid fresh tensions over refinery strikes and efforts to secure an energy truce.


US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Oct 15), in an interview, said that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was "not a good guy for us to deal with" and claimed that he does not want to help bring an end to the Russia-Ukraine war. He claimed that the Ukrainian president "doesn't want to settle" the ongoing war with Russia. "If they're going to end up with a settlement of some kind, they're not going to do it with him. He doesn't want to settle. He says he wants to settle, but he doesn't." Trump said this in response to a question about whether Trump had asked Zelensky to halt Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries. Also read | 'We're done': Zelensky says Trump’s 'energy ceasefire' is over, vows to resume Russia refinery strikes amid Starlink row Trump criticises Zelensky over peace efforts In the interview with Newsmax, Trump also criticised the Obama and Biden administrations over their handling of the conflict, including Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea. He said the war had devastated Ukraine and reiterated his dissatisfaction with Zelensky. The latest remarks come amid growing tensions between Washington and Kyiv over Ukraine's attacks on Russian energy infrastructure. Trump has blamed Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries for contributing to rising global fuel prices, a claim disputed by experts. His administration has also threatened to withdraw intelligence support and arms shipments unless Kyiv halts the attacks, according to the supplied report. Watch what he said here:

Donald Trump has called Volodymyr Zelensky a difficult partner for Washington, claiming the Ukrainian leader does not want peace with Russia. The remarks come amid fresh tensions over refinery strikes and efforts to secure an energy truce. &nbsp;

Trump says Zelensky 'not a good guy' amid fresh Russia-Ukraine tensions | Watch video

Multiple people were reportedly stabbed in downtown Portland, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon, triggering a major emergency response involving police officers and fire crews. The Portland Police Bureau described the incident as a ‘major event’, while Portland Fire &amp; Rescue confirmed that three victims had been reported so far. In a social media post, Portland Fire &amp; Rescue said it was responding to a multiple victim traumatic scene in downtown Portland.&nbsp;A large number of police officers and other emergency personnel gathered near the 400 block of Southwest Broadway and the 700 block of Southwest Alder Street, close to the Dossier hotel. Authorities have yet to release additional information about the victims' conditions or confirm whether a suspect has been identified. The incident occurred just hours after a deadly school shooting in Bend, Oregon, left four people, including three children, dead.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oregon-elementary-school-shooting-leaves-multiple-victims-suspected-shooter-dead-1792099937718">Oregon school shooting: 16-year-old identified as suspect after at least four killed, including three children</a>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">NOW: Reports of multiple people stabbed in downtown Portland, Oregon. Emergency radio traffic points to a potentially serious incident. https://t.co/lDTNZgaFxY&mdash; Open Source Intel (@Osint613) <a href="https://x.com/Osint613/status/2110892997269467473?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 16, 2026</a></blockquote>
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According to preliminary information provided by a law enforcement source, three children and one adult were killed in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend on Thursday. Police identified the suspected shooter as a 16-year-old boy from Bend. Bend Police Department Chief Mike Krantz told reporters, "We have identified the suspect as a 16-year-old Bend resident," adding that "the suspect had been shot by a community member who had seen the suspect enter the school and pursued him into the school and engaged him."&nbsp;Following the shooting, Silver Rail Elementary School was placed under lockdown as authorities responded to the incident. The Bend Police Department also established a reunification point where families could meet their children.Bend-La Pine Schools Superintendent Steven Cook expressed sorrow over the tragedy in a statement, saying, “We are stunned and heartbroken by this senseless tragedy,” and adding, “We extend our deepest sympathy to the families and to everyone affected by this violence. No words can adequately express the grief our community is experiencing.”

Multiple stabbings in downtown Portland prompted a major emergency response as a deadly shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend killed four people

Multiple people were reportedly stabbed in downtown Portland, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon, triggering a major emergency response involving police officers and fire crews. The Portland Police Bureau described the incident as a ‘major event’, while Portland Fire & Rescue confirmed that three victims had been reported so far. In a social media post, Portland Fire & Rescue said it was responding to a multiple victim traumatic scene in downtown Portland. A large number of police officers and other emergency personnel gathered near the 400 block of Southwest Broadway and the 700 block of Southwest Alder Street, close to the Dossier hotel. Authorities have yet to release additional information about the victims' conditions or confirm whether a suspect has been identified. The incident occurred just hours after a deadly school shooting in Bend, Oregon, left four people, including three children, dead. Also Read: Oregon school shooting: 16-year-old identified as suspect after at least four killed, including three children

Multiple stabbings in downtown Portland triggered an emergency response as Oregon reels from a deadly school shooting in Bend that killed four people

Portland stabbing: Multiple people reportedly stabbed hours after deadly Bend school shooting

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