Evening News – October 18, 2026

Here's what happened today, Sunday, October 18.

INTERNATIONAL

Ukraine hits Russia with one of its biggest drone waves of the war

Ukraine launched more than 1,000 drones at Russia overnight Saturday into Sunday, in one of the largest drone attacks of the war. Russia's defense ministry said it shot down 1,015 drones across 15 regions, including annexed Crimea and the Black Sea.

The St. Petersburg Oil Terminal caught fire, along with the city's Ruchi oil depot. St. Petersburg Gov. Alexander Beglov called it a "massive" attack: one person was killed, five were wounded, and residential buildings were damaged. An Ozon logistics center and a VKontakte data center were also hit; both companies confirmed it.

The attack defies President Trump's demand that Ukraine stop striking Russian energy infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told NBC's "Meet the Press" that the U.S. siding with Russia would be a "historic mistake" — but also said Sunday he spoke with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner about peace efforts. Zelenskyy said that since Trump announced an energy ceasefire a week ago, Russia has hit Ukraine's energy sector 76 times, and over the past week launched about 2,700 attack drones, 1,700 aerial bombs, and 66 missiles.

Sources: CNN; New York Post.

Egypt offers military support to Saudi Arabia as Houthi attacks escalate

Egypt's presidency said Sunday that Egypt will give Saudi Arabia "all necessary and possible forms of support to defend its security and stability," after a National Defence Council meeting chaired by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

Sisi called for an urgent parliamentary session to authorize the military to help defend Saudi Arabia if the kingdom asks; lawmakers were expected to vote Monday. In a Saturday speech, Sisi said Egypt would act in line with guidance from King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who visited Egypt on September 15 after fighting reignited.

The move follows Houthi attacks in recent days on Riyadh's international airport and state oil giant Saudi Aramco, amid renewed fighting with Saudi-backed forces after a truce collapsed in Yemen. Reuters reports the fighting is now "another front in the US-Israeli war on Iran," which has threatened global energy supplies and driven oil prices up since the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February. Houthi advances threaten the strategic Bab el-Mandeb shipping route. Egypt's foreign minister discussed de-escalation with his Saudi counterpart Sunday.

Sources: Reuters; Al Jazeera.

France reels after one of its worst days of unrest in years

Protests over high prices and declining public services drew about 550,000 people across France on Saturday — and descended into some of the worst rioting the country has seen in years.

Nearly 1,800 people were arrested, a record 855 in Paris alone. More than 500 police officers, gendarmes, and firefighters were injured. One protester died in Paris after suffering a cardiac arrest during the demonstrations.

Violent fringe groups torched the 143-year-old town hall in Limoges in an arson attack, looted Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Dior, and Apple stores in Paris, Marseille, Lille, and Bordeaux, invaded the Bordeaux prefect's residence, and forced the suspension of more than 10 Paris metro lines.

President Emmanuel Macron posted on X: "No room for violence in our Republic. Those who have ransacked, attacked the prefectures as well as businesses, looted even our town halls, will be prosecuted and punished."

Sources: Reuters; New York Post.

Pope Leo XIV returns to the balcony after lung cancer surgery

Pope Leo XIV led the Sunday Angelus from the balcony of the Apostolic Palace before thousands in St. Peter's Square — his first major public appearance since cancer surgery. The 71-year-old pontiff said the experience brought him "closer to all those who suffer" and that he will gradually resume his duties.

He had surgery Tuesday, October 13, at Rome's Gemelli Hospital to remove the lower lobe of his right lung. Tissue tests confirmed adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. He was discharged Saturday — earlier than the expected week-long stay.

His public appearances are canceled until Wednesday, October 21. His surgeon, Prof. Stefano Margaritora, said there is no clinical reason to cancel his planned November 6–17 trip to Latin America, which includes Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru.

Sources: CNN; USA Today.

POLITICS

Trump's approval hits record lows two weeks before the midterms

Two new national polls released Sunday put President Trump's approval at record lows for his second term, with the midterms just over two weeks away on November 3.

An NBC News Decision Desk poll found 71% of adults say the country is on the "wrong track" — the highest of Trump's second term. Trump's approval sits at 34% among U.S. adults, with 66% disapproving; 51% "strongly disapprove." Among registered voters, 39% approve and 61% disapprove.

A Washington Post-ABC News-Ipsos poll released the same day put his approval at 33%, with 66% disapproving and 52% "strongly disapproving." About 3 in 4 disapprove of his handling of the cost of living and inflation. Democrats now lead 40%-33% as the party more trusted on the economy — the first time in over a decade — and lead by 8 points among registered voters on which party should control the House.

The same NBC poll found 55% of registered voters would choose Democrats to control Congress, though both parties are underwater on favorability: Democrats at 43% favorable / 57% unfavorable, Republicans at 37% / 63%. The poll surveyed 19,135 adults from September 28 to October 12, with a margin of error of ±2.6 points. It also found 71% doubt they'll see Trump's promised $5,000 "dividend," which experts estimate would cost about $1.2 trillion and needs Congress to approve it.

Sources: USA Today; Barron's.

Trump waives Russia sanctions, drawing bipartisan backlash

President Trump signed an executive order Friday waiving most sanctions under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 — a law he himself signed on September 18 after the Senate passed it 86-11.

The waived provisions would have imposed tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas and up to 500% on Russian goods. They were set to take effect Sunday, October 18. Trump certified to Congress that the waiver is in the "national interests of the United States."

The order came days after Trump's surprise deal to buy Russian diesel following talks with Vladimir Putin, as the White House presses Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian refineries to ease U.S. fuel prices ahead of the midterms.

Republicans broke ranks publicly. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said Saturday "it was a mistake." Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina called it "beyond irresponsible" capitulation. Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said "Lindsey would be appalled." Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska said Trump is "prolonging the war, not ending it." Nikki Haley called it "a terrible misjudgment of Putin." Sen. Darline Graham — the late Lindsey Graham's sister — also disagreed. Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma defended Trump on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday.

Zelenskyy condemned the move Saturday, saying Russia had just carried out "one of its biggest attacks" on Ukrainian energy. Ukraine and Russia negotiators talked Friday and could meet next week. In a Truth Social post Sunday, Trump said he is "in the process of negotiating peace," does not want to drive Russia from the bargaining table, and criticized Zelenskyy for not wanting "to end the war."

Sources: CNN; The Wall Street Journal; Fox Business.

Trump endorses Netanyahu nine days before Israel votes

President Trump posted a "Complete and Total Endorsement" of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Truth Social Sunday, calling him a "great warrior prime minister."

Israel's parliamentary election is October 27 — its first vote since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Netanyahu's Likud trails Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar Party in four major polls (Maariv, Channel 12, Channel 13, and Kan News). Trump told Axios's Barak Ravid, via CNN, that he always planned to endorse: "I just didn't want to do it too soon."

Trump tied the endorsement to the war with Iran: "If Israel has the wrong Leader… America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so." He hinted hostilities with Iran could resume: "unless they change their ways, rapidly, we will soon finish the job."

Analysts doubt the endorsement moves many Israeli voters. The share of Israelis who see Israeli security as central to Trump's decisions fell from 44% in June to 28% in July, according to the Israel Democracy Institute.

Sources: Reuters; The Wall Street Journal; CNN.

IMMIGRATION

ICE vehicle hit a Houston worker while chasing a man who died in 2017, family says

A federal immigration vehicle slammed into Miguel Parra Hernandez, a 48-year-old Houston construction worker from Mexico, during an enforcement action on October 10. He remains hospitalized in federal custody at Memorial Hermann Katy with multiple leg fractures and needs reconstructive ankle surgery.

ICE said officers spotted their target, Jose Mendoza-Cervantes, getting into a vehicle with Parra Hernandez and tried to detain both. But the Houston advocacy group FIEL says the man in ICE's released photo is actually Jose Hector Jimenez Mendoza — who died in 2017. His daughter provided a Mexican death certificate, which was turned over to the Harris County District Attorney. FIEL executive director Cesar Espinosa said: "ICE is lying… either somebody is not telling the truth or all of a sudden these two ICE agents have developed a sixth sense and are able to see dead people."

Harris County DA's office spokesperson Rafael Lemaitre told the AP that Mendoza-Cervantes was not in that vehicle. Criminal charges against the ICE officer who drove are being considered after surveillance footage contradicted ICE's claim that Parra Hernandez stepped in front of the vehicle. FIEL says Parra Hernandez has lived in Houston 34 years with no criminal record.

ICE did not respond to the AP's requests for comment.

Sources: CNN (AP report); USA Today (AP report).

ICE arrested 131 alleged gang members in one week, DHS says

ICE agents arrested 131 gang-affiliated people between October 4 and 10, DHS told Fox News Digital on Saturday: 22 affiliated with MS-13 and 13 with Tren de Aragua.

DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin said in a statement the arrests show ICE is smashing "gangs and cartels." DHS says ICE has made 12,018 gang-related arrests since President Trump retook office in 2025.

One arrestee named by DHS: Salvadoran national Gustavo Adolfo Flores-Ramirez, described as an MS-13 member, arrested in Las Vegas. El Salvador wants him for aggravated homicide, aggravated femicide, rape of a minor, firearms charges, and illicit grouping. He was previously arrested in the U.S. in September 2021 and deported to Mexico.

Note: these figures come from DHS's own statement to Fox News Digital; both published reports trace back to that single announcement.

Sources: Fox News; New York Post.

CORPORATE WATCH

Bank of America hit with $1.21 billion Treasury penalty

The Treasury Department hit Bank of America with more than $1.21 billion in penalties on October 13 — the third-largest penalty in Treasury history.

FinCEN assessed a $1.2 billion penalty for willful violations of the Bank Secrecy Act. The OCC assessed $750 million — the largest in OCC history — which is credited against the FinCEN figure. OFAC added an $11.6 million settlement over 475 apparent sanctions violations involving Russia, Belarus, Iran, narcotics, and terrorism.

Investigators found the bank failed to report more than $5 billion in suspicious transactions on time. Over $1 billion of that involved national-security and priority illicit-finance risks, including Chinese money-laundering networks and trade-based laundering near the southwest border. The bank admitted willful BSA violations. The conduct covered January 2018 through July 2025.

The fallout: Bank of America's third-quarter earnings per share were cut by $0.17, the stock fell 4.8% to $51.39 on October 14, and a securities class action was filed on October 16.

Sources: FinCEN (U.S. Treasury); Daily Caller; ICLG.

CVS to pay $315 million over unlawful opioid prescriptions

CVS agreed on October 13 to pay $315 million to resolve allegations that from October 2013 through December 2025 it illegally filled prescriptions for opioids and other controlled substances — and billed Medicare and other federal programs for them. The case grew out of a 2024 DOJ lawsuit and a 2022 whistleblower suit.

The Justice Department alleged that corporate performance metrics, incentive pay, and understaffing put profit ahead of patient safety — preventing pharmacists from flagging bad prescribers. Under the deal, CVS must build a DEA-monitored reporting hotline and proactively monitor dispensing patterns. CVS says it disagrees with the allegations and admits no wrongdoing.

Sources: U.S. Department of Justice; Reuters.

Cloudera settled with DOJ and Labor over discrimination against U.S. workers

DOJ's Civil Rights Division and the Department of Labor announced a coordinated settlement with Cloudera Inc., a Santa Clara data-management company, over alleged discrimination against qualified U.S. workers during recruitment under the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) program.

The deal bars Cloudera from the PERM program for two years — one of the Labor Department's strongest sanctions — plus back pay for affected workers. The announcement came October 16.

Note: beyond the DOJ's official release, only one news reprint was found covering this settlement, and the back-pay dollar figure was not disclosed in the sources. No fitting photo was available for this story.

Sources: U.S. Department of Justice; CrweWorld.

MARKETS

Wall Street stumbles into the weekend as tech sells off

Stocks fell Friday to close out a rough week. The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 175 points (-0.3%) to 52,002. The S&P 500 fell 84 points (-1.1%) to 7,659. The Nasdaq slid 573 points (-2.1%) to 26,140.

For the week: the Dow gained 0.7% — its second straight weekly gain — but the S&P 500 lost 1.9% and the Nasdaq lost 4.5%, its worst weekly drop since June, snapping a four-week winning streak.

An AI and tech selloff on debt fears drove the losses, while a rotation into defensive stocks like Coca-Cola, Walmart, Procter & Gamble, and health care kept the Dow positive for the week. Chip stocks led the rout: the PHLX Semiconductor index fell 11.4% for the week.

Biggest movers Friday: Twilio fell 10.6%, the worst in the S&P 500 that day. Micron dropped 5.6%, Intel 5.8%, Oracle 5%, ServiceNow 4%, Salesforce 2%. CoreWeave fell 12% — about 25% over five sessions — with its bonds selling off and yields above 15%. For the week, CrowdStrike and Snowflake each lost about 17%, and Palo Alto Networks and Cloudflare each lost about 18%.

On the economic front: September inflation came in hot at 3.7% (announced Wednesday), and producer prices jumped 1.3% on the month and 6.3% year-on-year — the highest since December 2022. Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh spoke at the IMF meeting in Bangkok and declined to signal a decision for the Fed's October 27–28 meeting. The Fed funds rate sits at 3.75%–4.00% after a September 16 hike. Markets now see about a 17% chance of a hike at the late-October meeting (down from 28% the day before) and about an 89% chance in December. The 10-year Treasury yield ended the week near 5.10%, down from about 5.24% the prior week, after spiking to 5.33% on the inflation report.

Oil stayed high on Middle East supply fears: WTI crude settled around $99–$101 a barrel, up about 7–10% for the week (sources differ slightly on the exact settle). The VIX fear gauge closed at 19.99, its highest since July 29.

Sources: Investopedia; Associated Press via Barchart.

BREAKING

Truck plows into youth soccer game in Wichita, killing 2

Around 3:25 p.m. Saturday, a 34-year-old woman drove her Chevrolet pickup through a youth soccer field at the Stryker Sports Complex in Wichita, Kansas, hitting children and adults.

Killed: a 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man, both from McPherson and unrelated to each other. Both were pronounced dead at the scene. Eleven others — ages 5 to 68, including five children ages 5 to 9 — were hospitalized; police say their injuries are not life-threatening.

The driver, from Garden City, had two of her own children in the truck and a third playing at the complex. After interviewing more than 30 witnesses, police released her from custody Sunday pending toxicology results and a vehicle examination. No charges have been filed — it is not yet known whether the act was intentional or accidental.

U.S. Soccer, Sporting Kansas City, and the Kansas City Current issued statements Sunday. Events at the complex are canceled until further notice.

Sources: USA Today; New York Post; People.

OTHER STATES

Texas: Air Force member dies in fall at Alamodome

A U.S. Air Force service member fell from the rafters of the Alamodome in San Antonio during a pregame rappelling demonstration Saturday, before the UTSA Roadrunners vs. Navy Midshipmen "Salute to Armed Forces and Veterans" game. The Air Force confirmed Sunday that he died at a local hospital.

He was part of the rappel team from Detachment 2 of the 6th Combat Training Squadron, based at Joint Base San Antonio–Camp Bullis and headquartered at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. Witnesses say he appeared to lose control and slid down the rope before crashing onto the field.

The game was delayed about 10 minutes while medical personnel treated him on the field; he was carried off on a stretcher. His identity has not been released. The incident is under investigation.

Sources: USA Today; El Paso Times; New York Post.

California: boat capsizes off Baja, 11 missing, survivors bitten by sharks

Eleven people were still missing Sunday after a boat carrying 27 people capsized about 140 miles west of Ensenada, Mexico — outside U.S. waters. The Coast Guard's Southwest District got the distress call around 1 a.m. local time Friday, reporting a vessel taking on water.

Sixteen people were rescued. Three of the rescued suffered injuries consistent with shark bites, and several more had severe injuries. The Coast Guard gave lifesaving first aid during transport to San Diego, where all 16 were taken to local hospitals.

All of the rescued are Mexican nationals, confirmed by the Mexican consulate in San Diego. Customs and Border Protection is interviewing the survivors. The Coast Guard said the area is a popular smuggling route for migrants heading from Mexico toward the U.S., per AP and CBC reporting.

Search-and-rescue continued Saturday and Sunday with the U.S. Navy and the Mexican Navy: crews from Coast Guard Air Stations Ventura and Sacramento, the Coast Guard Cutter Active, the USS Kingsville, and a Navy helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23. No additional people had been found as of Sunday.

Sources: USA Today; People (citing AP).

New York: fatal Midtown subway shooting pushes transit killings to 7 this year

A man in his 30s was shot once in the chest around 12:20 p.m. Saturday on the northbound E-train platform of the Seventh Avenue/53rd Street station in Midtown Manhattan, which serves the B, D, and E lines. He was taken to Bellevue Hospital and pronounced dead.

The shooting followed an argument between two or three men on the platform. The gunman fled on foot north on Seventh Avenue and remains at large — described as armed and dangerous, wearing a red tracksuit, black vest, and black face mask. NYPD released surveillance photos.

This is the seventh killing in the New York City transit system (subway and bus) so far in 2026, versus four over the same period in 2025 — nearly double year-over-year. The victim has not been publicly identified. No arrests had been made as of Sunday.

MTA chief security officer Michael Kemper said the MTA supports New York's legal fight to keep guns out of the subway.

Sources: New York Post; USA Today; CNN.

---

Sources / Fuentes: CNN, New York Post, Reuters, Al Jazeera, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Fox Business, Barron's, Fox News, FinCEN (U.S. Treasury), Daily Caller, ICLG, U.S. Department of Justice, Associated Press via Barchart, Investopedia, People, El Paso Times.