What are the 10 biggest news stories from today?
These are the ten biggest global and national news stories making headlines on Sunday, October 18, 2026:
1. Shortest-Serving White House Press Secretary Fired After Five Days
In a historic and chaotic turn of events, President Donald Trump fired White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia after just five days in the role. Zacharia, a conservative commentator appointed as the successor to Karoline Leavitt, faced severe scrutiny following a widely panned 14-minute inaugural briefing on Tuesday. The backlash intensified when she admitted she had never passed a bar exam despite repeatedly representing herself as a lawyer during past television appearances.
2. Trump Predicts "Very Soon" End to the War in Iran
Addressing reporters, President Trump claimed the war with Iran—initiated by joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes under "Operation Epic Fury" in February—will end "very soon". The conflict has heavily decimated Iranian military infrastructure but has also come at a high cost, with the Congressional Research Service reporting that 81 U.S. aircraft have been lost, damaged, or crashed since the war began. Trump predicted that oil prices would "drop like a rock" once the conflict officially concludes.
3. 777 Partners Founder Joshua Wander Pleads Guilty to $500M Fraud
Joshua Wander, the 45-year-old co-founder and former CEO of the Miami-based private equity firm 777 Partners, has pleaded guilty in a New York federal court to wire and securities fraud. Wander admitted to orchestrating a massive, years-long scheme to defraud investors and lenders out of more than $500 million to fund sports teams and airline acquisitions. As part of his plea deal, Wander has agreed to forfeit at least $500 million in proceeds and faces up to 40 years in prison.
4. Heroic Intervention Stops Oregon Elementary School Shooter
Police in Bend, Oregon, have praised the "true heroism" of a local father and a school teacher who successfully intervened to disarm a 16-year-old active shooter. The suspect entered Silver Rail Elementary School armed with a firearm. The father, who was waiting in his car outside, and a teacher inside the school put their lives on the line to subdue the gunman, preventing what authorities stated could have been a catastrophic mass casualty event.
5. Masked Settlers Attack Palestinians and U.S. Journalist in West Bank
International condemnation has erupted after a group of approximately 80 masked settlers attacked Palestinian farmers and a Washington Post journalist who were harvesting olives in the West Bank. The victims were beaten and kicked, and several suffered injuries. The incident has further inflamed tensions in the region, prompting IDF Chief of Staff Almog Zamir to publicly condemn the violence and call for increased security for all civilians.
6. Zelenskyy Appeals for 300 Patriots and €70B as Grid Attacks Leave 600k in Dark
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made an urgent plea to European Union leaders in Brussels, requesting 300 Patriot missile interceptors and an additional €70 billion ($79 billion) in aid for next year. The appeal came as reports surfaced that Ukraine has nearly exhausted its supply of U.S.-made interceptors. Concurrently, devastating Russian missile strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have knocked out electricity for more than 600,000 citizens as winter looms.
7. North Korea Tests "Zam-2.0" AI-Assisted Torpedo System
Pyongyang announced the successful underwater test-fire of its "Zam-2.0" torpedo system. According to North Korean state media, the "super-speed" weapon utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) for precision target detection and guidance. Regional defense analysts warn that North Korea is rapidly upgrading its naval and missile technologies, potentially utilizing technical assistance from Russia.
8. AOC Donates $1 Million to progressive Senate Ally in High-Stakes Michigan Race
Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has transferred a massive $1 million from her political account to boost Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, the progressive Democratic candidate running for a crucial Senate seat in Michigan. The high-profile donation comes as Donald Trump faces intense criticism for mockingly calling El-Sayed "Mohammed" at a Georgia rally, fueling a bitter and highly nationalized race just weeks before the midterm elections.
9. Suspicious "White Powder" Letters Intercepted in Washington State
Federal authorities have launched a nationwide investigation after multiple letters containing a suspicious white powder were intercepted in Seattle and Olympia, Washington. One letter, addressed to the Washington Secretary of State's elections division, was intercepted before reaching staff, while another prompted the evacuation of the 32nd floor of a Seattle federal building. The FBI is coordinating with local agencies to identify the substance and the source.
10. Global Protest Wave Sweeps Across Europe and Asia
A massive wave of Gen Z and student-led protests has surged internationally this weekend. Demonstrations have erupted across major cities in Albania, France, India, and Italy, with citizens taking to the streets to voice intense frustration over rising inflation, local economic hardships, and government policies.
Citations (19)
- wikipedia.org
Backs: “Shortest-Serving White House Press Secretary Fired After Five Days. In a historic and chaotic turn of events, President Donald Trump fired White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia after just five days in the role.”
- theguardian.com
Backs: “Shortest-Serving White House Press Secretary Fired After Five Days. In a historic and chaotic turn of events, President Donald Trump fired White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia after just five days in the role.”
- taipeitimes.com
Backs: “Zacharia, a conservative commentator appointed as the successor to Karoline Leavitt, faced severe scrutiny following a widely panned 14-minute inaugural briefing on Tuesday.”
- pbs.org
Backs: “The backlash intensified when she admitted she had never passed a bar exam despite repeatedly representing herself as a lawyer during past television appearances.”
- britannica.com
Backs: “Trump Predicts "Very Soon" End to the War in Iran. Addressing reporters, President Trump claimed the war with Iran—initiated by joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes under "Operation Epic Fury" in February—will end "very soon". The conflict has heavily decimated Iranian military infrastructure but has also come at a high…”
- aa.com.tr
Backs: “Trump Predicts "Very Soon" End to the War in Iran. Addressing reporters, President Trump claimed the war with Iran—initiated by joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes under "Operation Epic Fury" in February—will end "very soon". The conflict has heavily decimated Iranian military infrastructure but has also come at a high…”
- migflug.com
Backs: “The conflict has heavily decimated Iranian military infrastructure but has also come at a high cost, with the Congressional Research Service reporting that 81 U.S. aircraft have been lost, damaged, or crashed since the war began. Trump predicted that oil prices would "drop like a rock" once the conflict officially…”
- paddleyourownkanoo.com
Backs: “777 Partners Founder Joshua Wander Pleads Guilty to $500M Fraud. Joshua Wander, the 45-year-old co-founder and former CEO of the Miami-based private equity firm 777 Partners, has pleaded guilty in a New York federal court to wire and securities fraud. Wander admitted to orchestrating a massive, years-long scheme to…”
- conflictinternational.com
Backs: “777 Partners Founder Joshua Wander Pleads Guilty to $500M Fraud. Joshua Wander, the 45-year-old co-founder and former CEO of the Miami-based private equity firm 777 Partners, has pleaded guilty in a New York federal court to wire and securities fraud. Wander admitted to orchestrating a massive, years-long scheme to…”
- insideworldfootball.com
Backs: “Wander admitted to orchestrating a massive, years-long scheme to defraud investors and lenders out of more than $500 million to fund sports teams and airline acquisitions. As part of his plea deal, Wander has agreed to forfeit at least $500 million in proceeds and faces up to 40 years in prison.”
- footballtransfers.com
Backs: “As part of his plea deal, Wander has agreed to forfeit at least $500 million in proceeds and faces up to 40 years in prison. 4.”
- golocalprov.com
Backs: “Heroic Intervention Stops Oregon Elementary School Shooter. Police in Bend, Oregon, have praised the "true heroism" of a local father and a school teacher who successfully intervened to disarm a 16-year-old active shooter. The suspect entered Silver Rail Elementary School armed with a firearm.”
- golocalprov.com
Backs: “Heroic Intervention Stops Oregon Elementary School Shooter. Police in Bend, Oregon, have praised the "true heroism" of a local father and a school teacher who successfully intervened to disarm a 16-year-old active shooter. The suspect entered Silver Rail Elementary School armed with a firearm.”
- youtube.com
Backs: “The incident has further inflamed tensions in the region, prompting IDF Chief of Staff Almog Zamir to publicly condemn the violence and call for increased security for all civilians. 6.”
- youtube.com
Backs: “Concurrently, devastating Russian missile strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have knocked out electricity for more than 600,000 citizens as winter looms. 7. North Korea Tests "Zam-2.0" AI-Assisted Torpedo System”
- taipeitimes.com
Backs: “North Korea Tests "Zam-2.0" AI-Assisted Torpedo System. Pyongyang announced the successful underwater test-fire of its "Zam-2.0" torpedo system. According to North Korean state media, the "super-speed" weapon utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) for precision target detection and guidance.”
- indiatimes.com
Backs: “The high-profile donation comes as Donald Trump faces intense criticism for mockingly calling El-Sayed "Mohammed" at a Georgia rally, fueling a bitter and highly nationalized race just weeks before the midterm elections. 9. Suspicious "White Powder" Letters Intercepted in Washington State”
- thurstontalk.com
Backs: “Suspicious "White Powder" Letters Intercepted in Washington State. Federal authorities have launched a nationwide investigation after multiple letters containing a suspicious white powder were intercepted in Seattle and Olympia, Washington. One letter, addressed to the Washington Secretary of State's elections…”
- cnn.com
Backs: “Global Protest Wave Sweeps Across Europe and Asia. A massive wave of Gen Z and student-led protests has surged internationally this weekend. Demonstrations have erupted across major cities in Albania, France, India, and Italy, with citizens taking to the streets to voice intense frustration over rising inflation,…”