Sunday, October 18, 2026

The 34-year-old woman who drove a truck onto a soccer field at Stryker Soccer Complex in Wichita, Kansas, on Saturday, killing a 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man, was released Sunday without charges, Wichita police said. Sources reported 10 or 11 others injured, including several children, none life-threatening. Her release is pending toxicology testing and a mechanical examination of the vehicle. Police have not stated a cause.

President Trump said Sunday that construction to rebuild East Potomac Golf Links near the National Mall will begin Nov. 15 and take about 15 months, under a plan developed with Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and architect Tom Fazio. The announcement comes amid a federal lawsuit over tree removal at the course, which has included a Justice Department bid to disqualify the presiding judge. Trump said the rebuilt course would remain open to the public while hosting tournaments.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Energy Secretary Chris Wright defended Trump's waiver of Russia sanctions and tariffs under the Graham Act, calling it a diesel deal meant to pressure Russia, not an economic lifeline. Bessent said "no one has been tougher" on Russia than Trump. Sen. Darline Graham, who holds her late brother Lindsey's seat, had disagreed with the waiver. The UK government also signaled disagreement with Trump's approach. Bessent separately said Zelensky should be "careful" about claims the US slowed Starlink service.

A man was shot and killed Saturday afternoon following an argument at the Seventh Avenue and 53rd Street subway station in Manhattan's Theater District, police said. No arrests had been made as of Saturday evening. Police said the killing was the seventh in New York City's subway and bus system since January.

Firefighters continued increasing containment Sunday on multiple Southern California wildfires, including the Norte, Bryson and Henderson fires, all fueled by strong Santa Ana winds and high temperatures. The Norte Fire, which began Friday near San Clemente and destroyed multiple homes, had allowed thousands of evacuated residents to return home as crews gained ground, with several smaller fires also burning across the region.

President Trump publicly endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reelection bid on Sunday in a Truth Social post, calling him a "Great Warrior Prime Minister" and giving his "Complete and Total Endorsement." Trump said any other Israeli leader would be the "wrong Leader" and that without Netanyahu, the U.S. would have to confront Iran itself. The endorsement comes nine days before Israel's October 27 elections, the first since the 2023 Hamas attack.

Former President Obama criticized the Trump administration's investigation into Rep. Ilhan Omar over alleged immigration fraud, calling it political targeting. Federal agents raided Omar's Washington home on Oct. 12, seized her phone and subpoenaed family members as part of a DOJ-authorized probe into her naturalization paperwork. Border czar Tom Homan said Omar could be denaturalized and deported if fraud is proven, citing a "strong case." Omar has called the allegations "disgusting lies."

Four people were killed and two wounded in a shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon. The two wounded survivors remained hospitalized as of October 18. A father was reported to have confronted the gunman during the attack, though further details about the shooter or a motive have not been reported. Governor Tina Kotek addressed the shooting publicly as the community mourned the victims.

Mexican authorities arrested a former Chihuahua state attorney general on treason accusations, alleging he allowed unauthorized participation by the US CIA in a drug raid. The case centers on claims that foreign agents took part in the operation without proper authorization, a charge Mexican officials consider a breach of national sovereignty. Further details of the raid were not disclosed.

Polls show Republican Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico in a close contest for a Texas Senate seat, with a CBS News poll calling the race a toss-up. Paxton has struggled to consolidate GOP support, polling under 90% among Republicans. Total ad spending in the race has topped $500 million. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed Paxton, who also has Trump's endorsement.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said Sunday that four service members died and dozens were seriously injured after a fire swept through Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta on Saturday. Defense Minister David McGuinty said the fire began during a "serious incident" and spread beyond the base due to high winds. Carney called it one of the worst peacetime tragedies for Canada's armed forces and ordered flags flown at half-mast. The cause remains under investigation; officials said there is no indication of terrorism.

Ukraine launched over 1,000 drones at Russia overnight, striking an oil terminal and a data center in St Petersburg and causing fires and power outages. At least one person was killed and 15 injured, Reuters reported. Russian state media called it one of the biggest drone attacks of the year. The strikes came amid separate tension between Ukraine and the Trump administration over energy policy.

French President Emmanuel Macron gave a televised address calling for calm after riots and looting caused widespread damage across France. Police arrested at least 1,800 people after masked groups clashed with officers, set fires and attacked public buildings during nationwide protests over rising living costs and poor school conditions that drew hundreds of thousands of demonstrators.

A crush occurred during a Hindu festival event in Kolkata, India, killing at least 19 people according to the Associated Press and New York Times, while Reuters and the BBC reported at least 17 dead. Many others were injured. The cause was unclear, and authorities detained the event's organizer and others involved, the New York Times reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu downplayed accounts of extremist attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank during the olive harvest, after US Ambassador Mike Huckabee had demanded investigation into the beating of a Washington Post photojournalist. The photographer said she suffered several broken vertebrae and that Israel's military appears to protect settlers more than Palestinians. US officials visited a Palestinian village following the attacks, which also included an assault on European diplomats.

Egypt's top security body said Sunday it had agreed to support Saudi Arabia amid escalating fighting between the kingdom and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi had called on Egyptian lawmakers to authorize military assistance to Saudi Arabia, saying any support would be defensive. The move follows a major escalation in the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke Sunday with Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, their first contact since tensions rose over a U.S. diesel deal with Russia and restrictions on Starlink/Starshield satellite service used by Ukraine's military. Zelensky said the U.S. has resumed intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. He also said U.S. support for Putin would be a "historic mistake," while calling Trump an ally. He said he does not know who ordered the satellite restrictions.