How a driver, a dad and a teacher tried to stop the Oregon school shooter
BEND, Ore. (AP) — A driver, a dad and a teacher are among at least three people who tried to stop a 16-year-old gunman who attacked an Oregon elementary school this week. Authorities say the driver was the first to call 911. He saw the gunman jump a fence at the school and yelled at him — drawing gunfire from the teen. A father of children who go to the Bend school was also driving by, and he ultimately followed the boy into the school and shot him. A teacher inside the classroom that he targeted threw a phone at him, tackled him and wrestled for control of his shotgun.
A winter of hunger looms for residents trapped in Russian-occupied city in Ukraine
Food and medical supplies have been scarce for months in Oleshky, which sits on the Dnipro River that separates Ukrainian forces from the city’s Russian occupiers. There’s no electricity, heat or running water. The roads around it are mined. Menacing drones buzz overhead. The city of 24,000, seized on the first day of the 4 1/2-year-old war, now has fewer than2,000 people. Some residents are fleeing on foot, walking for miles at their own peril. Oleshky now faces a humanitarian crisis. Russia and Ukraine have blamed each other for the catastrophe. As another harsh winter looms, there is no agreement for a humanitarian evacuation.
Trump puts new Russia sanctions that he recently signed into law on hold, citing national interest
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that puts on hold a sweeping new sanctions package targeting the Russian economy, telling Congress the pause was in the national interest. Named after late South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, the measure had sought to clamp down more quickly on the flow of financial resources fueling the war against Ukraine. The Friday move comes a week after Trump stunningly said the U.S. had agreed to purchase diesel from Russia to try to bring down global energy prices, despite that potentially hurting Ukraine in its war with Russia.
Iran war votes in Congress become a focal point for campaign ad attacks
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrats and aligned advocacy groups are hitting the airwaves with a flood of campaign ads on the Iran war as they seek to win back in the House and Senate. It’s the culmination of a strategy Democrats launched in the spring, when they began to repeatedly bring up resolutions aimed at ending the war. Now the votes that Republicans took on those resolutions are being highlighted in campaign ads across the country. In some cases, the Republicans being attacked have never even served in Congress before. No matter. Democrats are portraying them as rubber stamps for President Donald Trump.
Houthi strikes on Saudi Arabia show the Yemeni rebels' growing strength
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels have showcased their growing military capabilities, repeatedly striking the airport in Saudi Arabia's capital and seizing territory near a key shipping chokepoint. The Saudis have struggled to respond, and previous air campaigns against the Houthis have had limited success. The Houthis operate in a large, mountainous territory, threatening major oil facilities and trade routes. A recent report found they have sourced parts from Chinese suppliers for precision-guided missiles. The Houthis already have a wide array of missiles and drones resembling Iranian models, threatening Gulf states and Israel. Iran denies arming them, which would violate a U.N. embargo.
An American pope brings American-style governance to the Vatican, even in a health crisis
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has brought an American style of governing to the Vatican, including in the way it handles health crises. Not only did history’s first American pope announce himself that he had a lung nodule that required removal. But Leo’s doctors have been providing the medical updates for his recovery, not the Vatican. The written medical updates are spare, but provide authoritative information with a degree of accountability and transparency that is anathema to the Vatican. It's a far cry from the times of St. John Paul II, when his spokesman would tell some tall tales about his health that in retrospect seem hard to believe.
Coastal homes burn as hot winds fuel California fires
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — High winds are fueling a fast-moving fire that has burned homes in Southern California. At least six homes had burned in Southern California on Friday. Flames engulfed expensive coastal properties and prompted thousands to evacuate. Two firefighters were taken to the hospital with heat-related injuries. Black smoke was visible from far away while firefighters doused blazing homes. The wildfire started in the coastal city of San Clemente and quickly moved into San Juan Capistrano. It was one of several fires in the region that was hit by dry, warm gusts known as Santa Anas. They blow from the interior of Southern California toward the coast and offshore.
Canada's Carney makes final appeal against Alberta separation ahead of referendum
EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made a final appeal to voters in his home province of Alberta warning that a referendum that could put the oil-rich province on a path toward independence is a dangerous gamble at a time of growing threats to Canada’s sovereignty. Carney warned again that the referendum comes at the “worst possible time” as U.S. President Donald Trump wages a trade war and repeatedly threatens to make Canada the 51st state. Carney’s closing appeal came after two days of campaigning against separation. Earlier Friday, the Liberal prime minister joined Alberta’s conservative premier Danielle Smith in an unusual show of unity against independence.
US Coast Guard rescues 16 people and searches for more after mayday call off Mexico's Baja coast
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The U.S. Coast Guard says it has rescued at least 16 people floating in the Pacific Ocean following a mayday call from a sinking boat off Mexico’s Baja California coast. Another 11 people were believed missing. One of those rescued was being treated for a suspected shark bite. The people rescued were found before dawn Friday floating in the water about 140 miles west of Ensenada. It took about 90 minutes for a helicopter rescue crew to pull the survivors from the water. One person rescued said as many as 27 people had been on board. It's in an area frequented by migrant smugglers but also popular with fishing and leisure boats.
Embattled White House press secretary Katie Zacharia is leaving the job after less than a week
WASHINGTON (AP) — Katie Zacharia is leaving her role as White House press secretary after a brief and challenging tenure. She said on social media late Friday that it “was an honor to work for” President Donald Trump. A person familiar with the situation said earlier that Zacharia would be transitioning out. Her departure follows Trump's comments suggesting she reconsider her position. Zacharia faced immediate scrutiny during her first briefing Tuesday, where she appeared uncomfortable and was criticized for her professional background. She had previously described herself as a lawyer without passing a bar exam. Trump said he wanted her to have a good life and avoid media criticism. Zacharia's first official day was Monday.
