What are the 10 biggest news stories from today?
Here are 10 of the biggest news stories as of Saturday, October 17, 2026 (U.S. Eastern time):
If you want, I can tailor this to your state or add links for live updates.
Citations (10)
- Trump puts new Russia sanctions that he recently signed into law on hold, citing national interest
Backs: “Trump puts a new Russia sanctions law on hold, invoking a national-interest waiver after signing it days earlier.”
- Embattled White House press secretary Katie Zacharia is leaving the job after less than a week
Backs: “White House press secretary Katie Zacharia resigns after less than a week in the job, following a rocky debut.”
- California officials who process ballots from suspected noncitizens risk prosecution, US warns
Backs: “U.S. warns California officials that processing ballots from suspected noncitizens could bring federal prosecution, escalating a pre-midterms clash.”
- Teen shooter who killed 4 at Oregon elementary school was a former student, police say
Backs: “Police say a 16-year-old killed three children and a teacher; a teacher’s actions and a pursuing bystander helped stop the gunman. Vigils and tributes followed.”
- Pope speaks with Putin, denouncing recent attacks as he shows recovery from lung surgery progressing
Backs: “From his hospital room, Pope Leo XIV phones Putin, urging a ceasefire to allow aid in Oleshky, Ukraine; the Vatican highlights the pope’s recovery after lung surgery.”
- N. Korea conducts underwater test of new precision-guided torpedo: KCNA | Yonhap News Agency
Backs: “North Korea says it tested a new AI‑guided precision torpedo in an underwater trial, per state media reported by South Korea’s Yonhap.”
- Ukraine abandons truce and attacks Russian oil refinery as Zelenskyy says he feels betrayed by Trump
Backs: “Kyiv resumes strikes on a Russian oil refinery amid a spike in civilian casualties from Russian attacks across nine regions, as tensions with Washington rise.”
- Rep. Ilhan Omar's attorneys demand return of property seized in federal search of her home
Backs: “Ilhan Omar’s lawyers demand the return of items seized in a federal search, calling the probe baseless and politically charged.”
- Trudy weakens to Category 1 hurricane as it moves towards Mexico's Pacific coast
Backs: “Hurricane Trudy weakens to Category 1 while tracking toward Mexico’s Pacific coast; forecasters continue to monitor risks.”
- How major US stock indexes fared Friday 10/16/2026
Backs: “Major U.S. stock indexes fell Friday, with big tech leading declines into the weekend.”