General News Today — October 17, 2026

As the world grapples with violence and conflict, two dramatic stories are unfolding today. In Oregon, a teacher and a parent are being hailed as heroes after intervening in a school attack, with the parent ultimately using a firearm to subdue the suspect. Meanwhile, Pope Francis is calling on Russian President Vladimir Putin to broker a ceasefire in a Ukrainian city under siege, highlighting the devastating impact of war on civilians.

In other news, concerns about the darker side of technology are growing. Australia is exploring ways to regulate "toxic algorithms" that can have a corrosive influence on online discourse. And in a different realm, a renowned mathematician, Terry Tao, is sounding the alarm about a crisis in his field, where the pressure to produce results can take a toll on mental health. On a more personal note, many parents will relate to the challenge of dealing with children's social anxieties, such as not receiving a party invitation. Finally, authorities are facing a difficult task in protecting a high-profile inmate, ex-MP Donaldson, from harm while in custody.

Today's signal:
• Oregon teacher fought school attacker before armed dad shot suspect 'multiple times' (bbc.co.uk)
• Pope Asks Putin for a Cease-Fire for a Ukrainian City Under Siege (nytimes.com)
• Toxic algorithms wouldn't let them go - now Australia wants an off switch (bbc.co.uk)
• ‘I’m on a War Footing’: Terry Tao and the Crisis in Math (nytimes.com)
• Your child didn't get a party invite - here’s what to do (bbc.co.uk)
• 'Massive challenge' to protect paedophile ex-MP Donaldson from harm in jail (bbc.co.uk)