I'll gather today's top headlines for you — pulling the latest developments as of today.
Most important events and topics in the news today - Sunday, October 18, 2026:
1. US Politics & Policy
•Trump waiver of Russia sanctions stirs bipartisan outrage - The Washington Post / AP report that President Trump's decision to waive sanctions on Russia has outraged Congress. Related coverage notes Trump offering Putin economic relief in hopes Russia will return the favorand Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying Trump will 'analyze' global impact during the pause.
•White House schedule - President Trump travels to Highland Heights, KY then to Palm Beach for a Candlelight Dinner on Sunday, October 18, 2026.
2. Major Breaking Incidents in US & Canada
•Wichita, Kansas - mass casualty incident - Officers responding to 'mass casualty incident' at Wichita sports complex involving a vehicle. Two people, including a child, killed after person drives through soccer game in Kansas. All events canceled at Stryker Sports Complex following deadly crash.
•Alberta, Canada - military base fire - Major fire breaks out in Alberta after deadly incident at military base. Described as Deadly 'Incident' at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright Sparks Fire with fatalities and injuries confirmed by Canada's defence minister.
•Hawaii - Kilauea eruption ends - Kilauea lava fountaining ends after nearly 6 hours in Halemaumau crater. This was episode 55 of ongoing eruption since 2024 after rare two-month pause.
3. World / Geopolitics
•Israel / Gaza - Israeli news site Ynet reported Defense Minister Israel Katz submitted formal request to extend currently active state of emergency, which was set to expire on October 18. Separately, Israel halts commercial goods from entering Gaza; Hamas denies tax claims - trending Oct 17-18.
•Ukraine - Ukraine runs out of US-made Patriot interceptor missiles as Trump snubs Zelensky – report dated October 18, 2026.
•Yemen / Middle East - Houthi missile attack on Yemeni presidential palace kills two, minister says - BBC. Yemen's government says PM, cabinet survived Aden attack by Iran-backed Houthis.
•Strait of Hormuz tensions - Two Ships Sink Near the Strait of Hormuz After Projectile Strikes Amid Rising Attacks. UN Official Warns of Possible Food Crisis if Hormuz Fertiliser Plan Is Not Activated.
•India - Today's roundup features Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interaction with Asian Games participants, new defence and space agreements, rising merchandise exports including Defence Ministry contracts worth ₹4,106 Crore for GSAT-7C Satellite and Varunastra Torpedoes and India's Merchandise Exports Rise 23.04% to USD 44.40 Billion in September. India and the US continue legal drafting of trade pact, says Piyush Goyal.
4. Europe Protests and Unrest
•France - Mass protests erupt across Europe, with violence and destruction in France. French Rioters Set Historic Limoges Town Hall Ablaze as Far-Left Demonstrations Spiral Out of Control. The Limoges Town Hall, a historic landmark built in 1883 and protected since 1975, was "largely.... Emmanuel Macron has vowed prosecution for rioters.
•Albania - Student Unrest in Albania's Capital Tirana Leaves Banks and Buildings Burning.
5. Economy, Markets & Technology
•AI bubble warning dominates business press - "The AI bubble is about to burst — and a big market correction is coming" - New York Post. Financial Times calls it The dress rehearsal for an AI reckoningwith Reuters noting As AI rally wobbles, stock market's spotlight turns to earnings.
•Markets today - Sensex Jumps 1,534 Points and Nifty Crosses 23,000 as Falling Oil Prices Lift Market Sentiment. Asian Markets Decline as AI-Related Stocks Face Selling Pressure After Strong US Inflation Data.
•Solana crypto update - Solana news today centers on the scheduled Alpenglow upgrade, which the Solana Foundation says will go live on Solana mainnet on 21 October 2026.
6. Other Notable Topics Today
•Vatican - Pope Leo Returns to Public Activity Following Reported Cancer Diagnosis.
•Sports - Real Madrid Complete Dramatic Comeback to Defeat Roma 4–3 in the UEFA Champions League and Barcelona Beat Galatasaray 4–1 as Arsenal Secure a Comfortable 3–0 Win Over Lille.
•Entertainment - Selma Blair ‘did not intend to harm anyone’ during airplane incident, representatives say following alleged flight altercation and arrest, and Taylor Swift Has a Cinderella Moment in Dior at the 2026 Academy Museum Gala.
> News is updating rapidly. For live coverage, broadcasters including CBS News LIVE: Latest news, breaking stories and analysis on October 18 and NBC's Morning News NOW Full Broadcast – Oct. 18 are providing continuous updates.