In a news wrap on Thursday, President Trump announced the cancellation of plans to livestream the December execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan. Federal law enforcement agencies are investigating a series of letters containing what they describe as "suspicious substances" sent to congressional and state election officials. Additionally, police reported multiple victims in a shooting at a school in Bend, Oregon.
In Bend, Oregon, police reported multiple victims following a shooting at an elementary school. Officials confirmed that children are among the victims, with at least two individuals hospitalized. The shooter was reportedly shot and killed at Silver Rail Elementary School, potentially by a bystander, although this has not been confirmed.
Federal law enforcement is looking into letters containing suspicious substances sent to election officials in at least six states, including Ohio, South Dakota, and Maryland. The FBI stated it is investigating each incident and working with partners to identify those responsible. This comes less than three weeks before the midterm elections.
President Trump canceled the livestream of Nidal Hasan's execution amid bipartisan backlash. He expressed on social media that while he believed streaming the execution could serve as a deterrent, many people preferred not to witness it. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had announced the livestream plan last week, but several Republicans, including Vice President J.D. Vance, indicated they would not watch.
In Texas, voting rights groups have filed a lawsuit against the state's Department of Public Safety and the secretary of state due to delays affecting nearly 600,000 online voter registrations, attributed to a software glitch. Local election staff are working to process the registrations before early voting begins on Monday.
In Northwest Pakistan, the roof of a private school collapsed during morning classes, resulting in the deaths of at least 34 children and a teacher. Rescue workers arrived quickly, saving many lives, but over 50 others were injured, some critically. The school's owner has been arrested, and local police chief Mian Saeed described the incident as a grave instance of negligence.
In Albania, violent clashes occurred in the capital of Tirana as anti-government protests continued for a third day. Protesters attacked a bank, leading to injuries among more than 80 individuals, mostly police officers. The demonstrations began in response to a development project backed by Jared Kushner, President Trump's son-in-law, and demands for better school conditions.
In New York City, ousted Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty to new torture charges. Maduro, accused of overseeing a violent campaign against opponents, described the allegations as false. The couple was captured by U.S. military forces in January, with their trial scheduled for next June.
Questions have arisen regarding President Trump's new press secretary, Katie Zacharia, as reports indicate she has not passed the bar exam in any state. Zacharia holds a law degree from Pepperdine's Caruso School of Law and has referred to herself as general counsel in previous roles. Legal experts assert that such titles should not be used without passing the bar.
On Wall Street, stocks closed higher despite ongoing concerns about AI, with the Dow Jones industrial average rising more than 550 points. The Nasdaq gained 20 points, while the S&P 500 increased by a third of a percent.
In lighter news, the London Zoo announced the birth of 15 Afia Birago puddle frogs, one of the world's smallest and rarest amphibians. These frogs, measuring about a fifth of an inch, are the first of their kind to be born in captivity, contributing to efforts to save the species identified in Ghana eight years ago.