Oregon shooting: Gunman dead after college rampage

• Multiple officials identify the shooter as 26-year-old Chris Harper Mercer
• Ten people were killed and another seven were injured, sheriff says
• Thoughts and prayers are "not enough," says President Barack Obama
• Others were hit, she told her family.
  Everyone in the classroom dropped to the ground.
  The gunman, while reloading his handgun, ordered the students to stand up if they were Christians, Boylan told her family.
  "And they would stand up and he said, 'Good, because you're a Christian, you're going to see God in just about one second,'" Boylan's father, Stacy, told CNN, relaying her account.
  "And then he shot and killed them."
  [Last update posted at 11:28 p.m. ET]
  (CNN ) -- Ten people were killed when a gunman opened fire at Oregon's Umpqua Community College on Thursday, forcing the nation to face yet another mass shooting.
  Seven other people were injured, and the shooter is dead, Douglas County Sheriff John Hanlin told reporters. Earlier estimates had put the number of people hurt much higher.
  Multiple law enforcement officials familiar with the investigation identified the gunman as 26-year-old Chris Harper Mercer. Investigators have interviewed members of his family and friends, they said.
  "I will not name the shooter," Hanlin said. "I will not give him the credit he probably sought."
  
  

West Coast refute former player's claims of drug culture at club in 2006

West Coast say they are extremely disappointed at the timing and content of claims made by former player Daniel Chick that there was a toxic culture of illicit drug use within the Eagles’ 2006 AFL premiership-winning team.

Chick claimed in Thursday’s Herald Sun that he and former team-mates Daniel Kerr and Ben Cousins took massive doses of asthma drug prednisone in a pattern experts describe as bizarre and inappropriate.

“The West Coast Eagles are extremely disappointed by the content, timing and publication of some unsubstantiated claims by former player Daniel Chick in a Melbourne newspaper today,” West Coast said in a statement on Thursday.

“The club was not contacted to provide any balance to the article and strongly refutes the allegations in that story. The club and its medical staff are deeply offended by these allegations and will discuss internally an appropriate course of action.”

The allegations came just three days before the AFL grand final, the Eagles’ first since winning the flag nine years ago after beating the Sydney Swans by a single point.

Chick revealed in the report that a club staffer hid certain players from drug testers, that a former Eagles figure dished out sedatives in bulk to players and that the use of cocaine, ecstasy and methamphetamine were widespread in the squad.

Chick also said some players would snort crushed Xanax and take Valium with vodka to relax on flights to and from Perth.

Prednisone use is banned under anti-doping rules, unless cleared by a special Asada medical committee. Chick said Cousins, Kerr, and himself, who were asthmatic, had this approval. However, he would only ever take the drug during the season, on game days, and with other stimulants.

“I couldn’t even sit still on the bench,” Chick said. “I started taking the 20mgs and 5mgs tablets on game day but then it escalated up to 40 to 50mgs quickly. It smashes your system. I’ve since read a lot about it, we didn’t know what was done to us. You feel bulletproof basically.

“Even the next day or two you wouldn’t feel knocks but by Wednesday you flatten out and it is hard to get going again. Once you are in that cycle it was like an addiction.”

Chick said he’d gone public with the story as he wanted senior figures to be made more accountable for their players’ health.

“What went on at West Coast is due to lack of leadership from the top down,” he said. “Players’ health should be more important than protecting the brand ... I don’t think the premiership is tainted but it came at too high a price.”

When do the clocks go back in October 2015 and why does the date change?

October has arrived and as the temperature begins to drop, thoughts turn to when the clocks will go back.

It's not something we all look forward to, but on the plus side, we'll get an extra hour in bed when the clocks go back.

A good way of remembering the clocks changing is the saying, "Spring forward, fall back."

When do the clocks go back in October 2015?

The clocks will go back at 2am on Sunday, October 25, so it will be lighter in the mornings.

Why does the date change?

In the UK the clocks always go forward on the last Sunday in March at 1am, and back an hour on the last Sunday in October at 2am.

Why do we have Daylight Saving Time?

The tradition of putting clocks forward in spring and back in autumn was started by London builder William Willett in 1907.

He argued that the population's health and happiness would be improved by putting the clocks forward 20 minutes every Sunday in April and with the opposite being done in September.

Johanna Konta suffers battling defeat by Venus Williams at Wuhan Open

Johanna Konta said she was looking forward to a “good night’s sleep” after herrun at the Wuhan Open came to an end. The 24-year-old Briton took Venus Williams the distance in a pulsating quarter-final, with the American winning the last four games to dig herself out of a hole and prevail 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 in a match that took two hours and 40 minutes.

Konta was serving for the match with a 5-3 lead in the final set but Williams, who struggled on her serve throughout, was able to channel her frustrations and take the victory. In the final balance, the margins were minimal as Williams won 107 points to Konta’s 106.

“I was happy with my overall performance and even though I was serving for the match I don’t feel I lost it; Venus raised her game and played incredible tennis,” Konta told Sky Sports News. “I grew up watching her and feel lucky that I got to share a court with a champion. But I also definitely wanted to win out there and I did give my best but in the end it wasn’t good enough.”

Serena Williams calls time on 2015 season after pulling out of China Open

 

Read more

Konta, ranked 66th in the world, pulled off the biggest win of her career when shecame from 5-1 down in the deciding set to defeat the world No2, Simona Halep, in the third round. She will replace Heather Watson as Britain’s No1 when the new rankings are released next week.

“For me, rankings are neither here nor there,” Konta said. “What really makes me happy are the consistent performances I’ve put in here day in, day out.”

Konta started against Williams in much the same way she did against Halep, carving out two break points at 15-40 in the opening game, only for the American to recover to hold.

The 35-year-old seven-times grand slam champion then broke Konta’s serve to move 2-0 in front but Konta hit back in the third game, taking the third of her three break chances as she whipped a forehand cross-court as her opponent raced to the net. Williams broke again before going 4-1 ahead on her way to taking the set.

Williams, however, was not at her best on serve and continued to give Konta opportunities in the second set. Konta broke to take a 3-2 lead and then broke Williams again to secure the set 6-3.

Konta would strike first in the third, too, surviving a break point to go 2-1 up and then hitting Williams again for a 3-1 lead.As Konta took a 3-1 lead in the third set, The American was visibly frustrated, with herself, the noise from the crowd and some of the line decisions but just when it looked as if her emotions would get the better of her, she channelled her anger into some punishing shots, which quickly levelled it up at 3-3.

A double fault gave Konta another break chance in the eighth game, however, and she took it at the second invitation, gaining a 5-3 lead – and the opportunity to serve for the match. Again Williams rallied, going 15-40 up. A cross-court shot was called out to give Konta another life but Williams ensured it was short-lived.

After Williams made it 5-5, it was Konta who began to feel the pressure as mistakes crept into her game and she began to hit her shots long. With Williams on break point, a double fault from Konta made it 6-5 to the American and now it was her turn to serve for the match.

Konta took the first point, which sent Williams to the umpire to complain about a noise from the crowd, with the tension high. Konta looked as if she could capitalise when she moved 15-40 up but Williams rediscovered her serve and hit back to deuce. Konta pulled off a brilliant drop shot on match point but it only delayed the killer blow from Williams, who breathed a huge sigh of relief upon sealing the win.

Konta will return to Britain shortly and plans on playing in three European tournaments before taking a well-earned holiday.

Kim Davis Recounts Secret Meeting With Pope Francis

Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis says a private meeting with Pope Francis has inspired her -– and given her a renewed sense of purpose.

“I was crying. I had tears coming out of my eyes,” Davis said in an exclusive interview with ABC News. “I'm just a nobody, so it was really humbling to think he would want to meet or know me.”

Davis, who refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples, says the private meeting occurred during the pope’s historic trip to the United States. After receiving a surprise phone call from a church official, the Kentucky county clerk says she traveled to Washington, D.C., where she and her husband Joe met the pope Sept. 24 at the Vatican Embassy.

“I put my hand out and he reached and he grabbed it, and I hugged him and he hugged me,” Davis said. “And he said, ‘thank you for your courage.’”

Father Benedettini from the Vatican Press office released a statement after reports emerged that Davis and the pope had met.

“The Holy See is aware of the reports of Kim Davis meeting with the Holy Father. The Vatican does not confirm the meeting, nor does it deny the meeting. There will be no further information given,“ the statement reads.

Hours later, Father Benedettini said, in another statement, “I do not deny that the meeting took place, but I will not comment on it further."

The Apostolic Nunciature in Washington, D.C. would also not elaborate, echoing the Vatican's latest statement.

Davis drew national attention -– and spent six days in jail -– after refusing a judge's order to issue marriage licenses in Rowan County, Kentucky, to same-sex and heterosexual couples, citing her religious beliefs.

Davis, back at work, is still not issuing any marriage licenses.

ABC News' Terry Moran asked Francis Sunday night if he supports individuals, including government officials, who claim religious liberty as a reason to disobey the law.

Francis responded, "I can't have in mind all the cases that can exist about conscientious objection, but, yes, I can say that conscientious objection is a right that is a part of every human right. It is a right. And if a person does not allow others to be a conscientious objector, he denies a right."

When asked if that includes government officials, Francis said, "It is a human right and if a government official is a human person, he has that right. It is a human right."

Davis says Pope Francis left her and her husband with a rosary.

“He told me before he left, he said, ‘stay strong.’ That was a great encouragement. Just knowing that the pope is on track with what we're doing, it kind of validates everything to have someone of that stature,” Davis said.

Davis says she’s committed to her cause, even if it means more time behind bars.

“I've weighed the cost and I'm prepared to do whatever it takes, even jail,” she said. “It's still the same battle, we just have some more fighting with us now.”

Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo coy on future after matching record

Cristiano Ronaldo was involved in an angry exchange with journalists after equalling the all-time goalscoring record at Real Madrid, and gave mixed-messages over his future saying: "Nobody knows what will happen next year."

Ronaldo's brace in the 2-0 win over Malmo on Wednesday saw him match former Madrid striker Raul Gonzalez's record tally of 323 goals for the clubafter just 308 games.

The 30-year-old's future at the Bernabeu has been the subject of speculation, though, with Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United credited with an interest.

Ronaldo is reported to have been unhappy with the fact that Rafa Benitez was brought in to replace Carlo Ancelotti as Madrid boss over the summer as well as having concerns the treatment of teammates Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos.

Asked in the mixed zone after Wednesday's game if he was happy in Madrid and whether he had any issues with the club over the summer, he told newspapers including AS: "My future is at Madrid. I am good here.

"I want to win things here and I feel good, but I have said millions of times that nobody can tell what will happen in the future. We will see what happens.

"I have a good relationship with everyone -- the president, coaches, workers... The relationships are good because I am a professional."

He added: "Nobody knows what will happen next year. I want to win things at Madrid as I think that this club has the potential to win things, but I do not know the future."

The Portugal forward has made a point of refusing to talk to the Madrid media in recent months, and he was asked whether someone had shown him disrespect, saying: "That is my decision. I speak when I want and the club has not pressured me.

"This is not the moment to speak about [whether someone has shown me disrespect]. When someone does not talk, it is because something is not going well. Everyone is free to think what they like."

Powerball Player Wins $310M on Ticket Sold at Michigan Shell Station

The winning ticket — the second-largest so far this year — was sold in Three Rivers, some 30 miles south of Kalamazoo, Michigan Lottery spokesman Jeff Holyfield confirmed.

The winning numbers were 21-39-40-55-59 and Powerball 17, according to its website.

An attendant at the gas station told NBC News that she had not heard anything about the winning jackpot and didn't know who'd bought the ticket.

"The winner or winners would need to contact us during business hours, which are 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.," Holyfield added in an email.

The "last big winner we had didn't contact us for a month so she could line up a financial planner [and] lawyer,"