By Jamie Ross and Hannah Jewell  Email Listen to this briefing Good morning. It’s Wednesday, Oct. 16, and we cannot believe the level of drama at this year’s World Conker Championships. Now let’s get to the news. Donald Trump sidestepped questions about a peaceful transfer of power. What happened? Trump did not directly respond when asked if he would respect a peaceful transfer of power after next month’s election, and falsely claimed there was one in 2021. Zooming out: The endgame of Trump’s campaign has been marked by threats and insults — and a bizarre dance party. That “mortified” Rufus Wainwright, whose song made the playlist. Read this story            Kamala Harris will be interviewed on Fox News today. Why? She wants to reach a wider audience before the election — yesterday, she spoke to radio host Charlamagne tha God. The Fox interview with Bret Baier airs at 6 p.m. Eastern. Other election news: A Georgia judge blocked a rule that would have required counties to hand-count ballots. Critics said the rule could have caused chaos next month. Be careful: AI is spawning fake Trump and Harris voices. Here’s how to tell what’s real. Read this story            The U.S. warned Israel that it might withhold military aid. Why? To put pressure on Israel to improve dire conditions for civilians in Gaza. U.S. officials this week said Israel must improve access to food and medicine within a month. Or what? The U.S. could suspend arms transfers, the officials suggested. President Joe Biden has faced pressure from some voters to stop supplying weapons to Israel. Read this story              A federal disaster loan program has run out of money. Why? The Small Business Administration program is “exhausted” after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, Biden said yesterday. It could slow recovery operations for millions of victims. And the busy hurricane season won’t quit: Tropical Storm Nadine could form in the Atlantic later this week, but it probably wouldn’t threaten the U.S. mainland. Read this story            Body-cam footage showed police beating a disabled Black man. What’s happening? Tyron McAlpin faces charges of resisting arrest. But Arizona officials said they would review the case after video of the August incident was released this week. In the footage: Two officers punch McAlpin in the head and Taser him. McAlpin is deaf and has cerebral palsy, and his lawyer said he could not hear police commands. Read this story            ADVERTISEMENT     Hundreds of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” veterans were granted honorable discharges. What to know: The move, announced yesterday, will restore benefits to about 820 former service members who were kicked out of the military because of their sexual orientation. The bigger picture: More than 13,000 troops were forced out under the policy, which was in place from 1994 until 2011. Most were honorably discharged. Read this story            A hidden tomb was found at an ancient site made famous by Indiana Jones. From left, archaeologist Matthew Vincent, show host Josh Gates and professor Pearce Paul Creasman. (Discovery’s Expedition Unknown) Where? Petra, a city carved into sandstone cliffs in Jordan. Human remains and other items found in the tomb could tell researchers more about the mysterious people who built it. One strange coincidence: A vessel was discovered in the chamber. It looks “nearly identical” to the Holy Grail seen in the “Last Crusade” movie, which was partly filmed at Petra. Read this story