Putin blames Ukraine for Crimea bridge 'attack', MLB Wild Card round update: 5 Things podcast

On today's episode of the 5 Things podcast: Putin blames Ukraine for deadly 'terrorist attack' on Crimea bridge

Russia upped its attacks in Ukraine over the weekend. Plus, North Korea confirms the simulated use of nukes to 'wipe out' enemies, police reveal more details about last week's Las Vegas stabbings, horror tops October box offices and the MLB Wild Card round is in the books.

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Hit play on the player above to hear the podcast and follow along with the transcript below. This transcript was automatically generated, and then edited for clarity in its current form. There may be some differences between the audio and the text.

Taylor Wilson:

Good morning and Happy Indigenous People's Day. I'm Taylor Wilson and this is 5 Things you need to know Monday, the 10th of October, 2022. Today, Russia retaliates for the Crimean bridge collapse, plus the latest on North Korea's recent missile launches and more.

Here are some of the top headlines:

1. Former US Ambassador to the United Nations Bill Richardson continues to unofficially negotiate for the release of Americans Brittney Griner and Paul Whelan from Russia. He told CNN yesterday that an agreement for their freedom could be reached by the end of the year.

2. Kanye West's Twitter and Instagram accounts have been locked. The social media platform said the moves came because of antisemitic posts by the rapper.

3. And the Philadelphia Eagles remain the only undefeated team left in the NFL. They held on to beat the Arizona Cardinals yesterday, 20 to 17 to improve to 5 and 0 on the season.

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Russia is blaming Ukraine for the truck bomb that partially destroyed a critical bridge connecting Russia and Crimea. And Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the head of his investigative committee to open a criminal case. Putin said, "There is no doubt this is a terrorist attack aimed at destroying Russia's critically important civilian infrastructure." Ukrainian officials have hinted at involvement but have not claimed responsibility. The Kerch Bridge has become a symbol of Russia's taking of Crimea eight years ago, a peninsula on the Black Sea. The 12 mile, $3.6 billion bridge reopened yesterday to rail and limited vehicle traffic with a long line of cars waiting to cross.

Meanwhile, in an apparent retaliation, Russia launched multiple missile attacks on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhia last night, killing at least 13 people and injuring more than 60. The strikes caused at least one apartment building to partially collapse. Tetyana Lazunko and her husband took shelter in the hallway of their top floor apartment. They wondered why civilians were targeted.

Taylor Wilson translating for Tetyana Lazunko:

There is nothing in the area, no industry, no military, no military factories. Why are they bombing us? Why?

Taylor Wilson:

The International Atomic Energy Agency says a Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was repaired and reconnected to the grid yesterday. The IAEA said the plant's link to a 750 kilovolt line was cut by bombings on Saturday. The facility's reactors are shut down, but still require electricity for cooling and other safety functions. The plant has been held by Russian forces for months, but operated by Ukrainian employees. Earlier today, Russia again hit multiple Ukrainian cities, this time including the capital of Kyiv. At least eight people were killed there as air raid sirens filled the streets. The city's subway stopped running while people took shelter in stations, and power and water were knocked out in some areas.

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North Korea has confirmed the simulated use of nuclear weapons to try and wipe out enemies. State media there reported today that a recent series of missile launches from the country were part of the simulation. The country's Korean Central News Agency said "Through seven times of launching drills of the tactical nuclear operation units, the actual war capabilities of the nuclear combat forces ready to hit and wipe out the set objects at any location and any time were displayed to the full." KCNA said the missile tests were in response to recent naval drills between South Korean and US forces. Those involved the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan for the first time in five years. North Korea considers US-South Korean military drills an invasion rehearsal. But the allies have said they are defensive in nature. Since the inauguration in May of a new conservative government in South Korea, US and South Korean militaries have been expanding their exercises.

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We're learning more about last Thursday's knife attacks on the Las Vegas strip. The unprovoked violence began just before noon that day when a man claiming to be a chef outside the Wynn Casino approached performers dressed as showgirls and claiming to want a picture, then pulled out a 12 inch kitchen knife. He later stabbed at least eight people, killing two of them. Authorities say victims were both locals and tourists. That's according to a three page arrest report from police. They've also identified the suspect as 32 year old Yoni Barrios. He faces two counts of murder and six counts of attempted murder. Clark County District Attorney, Steve Wolfson.

Steve Wolfson:

We intend to file two counts of murder with use of a deadly weapon and four counts of attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon. This is a serious case as I'm sure everybody can understand. What a tragedy for this to have occurred.

Taylor Wilson:

Barrios is currently being held without bail. He's set to be arraigned on charges tomorrow. One of those killed has been identified as Maris Jordan, a 30 year old performer on the strip. The other, 47 year old Brent Hallet, also a Las Vegas resident.

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Well, it's October, so maybe fitting that horror was the shining star at this weekend's box office. According to studio estimates yesterday, Smile, that movie you've maybe seen creepy promos for during sporting events with fans smiling at the camera, it topped the North American Box office for the second straight weekend.

Clip from Smile:

Taylor Wilson:

But two debuts struggled. Amsterdam starring Christian Bale and Margot Robbie opened in third with just $6.5 million despite an $80 million budget. And family film, Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile, voiced by Shawn Mendes, pulled in $11.5 million. That's still modest for the first major family movie to open since the summer. But on a smaller scale, Todd Field's Tar debuted with $160,000 in just 4 theaters in New York and Los Angeles. For all the latest from the world of film, stay with our entertainment section on USATODAY.com.

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The Major League Baseball post season's first round is in the books. The Wild Card round saw three sweeps. The Philadelphia Phillies over St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Guardians over Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners over Toronto Blue Jays. Then yesterday in the only series to go the full three games, the San Diego Padres blanked the New York Mets six nothing to eliminate them. Divisional series in both the National League and American League begin tomorrow with four games on tap. Be sure to stay with USA TODAY Sports for all the preview action.

And you can find 5 Things every day of the year right here, wherever you're listening right now. Thanks to PJ Elliott for his great work on the show, and I'm back tomorrow with more of 5 Things from USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Russia retaliates for bridge collapse, MLB Wild Card update: 5 Things podcast