May 18th, 2026

• Oil Prices Edge Higher as Cease-Fire Remains Tenuous
• Gas surges past $4 a gallon while tomato and beef prices notch new records. A look at rising costs amid the Iran war.
• Saudis Bypass US Seeking Direct Pact With Tehran
• Trump says 'clock is ticking for Iran' after call with Netanyahu on China, Hormuz - "For Iran, the Clock is ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won't be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE," Trump wrote on Truth Social
• Senator John Fetterman Defends President Trump's Policies on Iran - "I Fundamentally Believe That Iran Should Never Acquire a Nuclear Bomb"
• Netanyahu speaks with Trump amid reports Israel, US preparing Iran strikes - PM to convene limited security cabinet; drone strikes UAE nuclear station; Iran media says US offered no concrete concessions, demands shutdown of all but one nuclear facility
• Drone strike hits Abu Dhabi nuclear plant; UAE, Saudi Arabia and UN watchdog condemn
• Iranian Drone Strike on the UAE Ignites Fire Near Nuclear Plant - No Radiation Leak Reported
• 'Go take them' - Trump reportedly encouraged UAE to seize Iran's Lavan Island in Persian Gulf - Gulf states hesitant to adopt aggressive stance against Iran amid uncertainty about US plans
• Persian Gulf Countries 'Refused' UAE Call For Joint Attack On Iran
• Report: Netanyahu revealed secret UAE visit to avoid being upstaged by election rival Bennett - Having learned Bennett was about to visit the Gulf nation, PM said to have rushed to publicize his own trip, enraging Abu Dhabi which has denied it ever took place
• The Iran War Is Crippling One of the World's Wealthiest Nations - Iranian attacks and the stoppage of seaborne transit have paralyzed Qatar's vital gas exports, stalling the economic pivots intended to anchor the country's growth
• Iran seizes Chinese-operated 'floating armory' near Strait of Hormuz
• Iran allegedly behind Canada attacks on US consulate, synagogue - Al-Saadi, working on behalf of the Islamic Regime proxy, told an undercover law enforcement officer that his "people" were behind two attacks in Canada, against a consulate and synagogue
• Report: Israel built two covert military bases in Iraq to support Iran strikes - NYT says Israel built first base in country in late 2024; this year, Israel built another installation there; Iraqi soldier and civilian killed to protect the secret
• Massive Blast Shakes Central Israel, Doubts Emerge over Official Test Narrative
• US brokers 45-day Israel-Lebanon ceasefire extension
• 4 IDF troops wounded, one severely, by roadside bomb in south Lebanon - Amid growing public anger over Hezbollah drone toll, Netanyahu claims he warned of the danger six years ago, but doesn't say why it wasn't addressed
• Dozens of Houthi rebels killed in Lebanon in Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah
• Hezbollah may return to political assassinations as control over Lebanon weakens, expert says
• 'Now 60%': Netanyahu admits Israel taking more territory in Gaza, despite ceasefire - PM confirms to cabinet the IDF is pushing past the Yellow Line demarcating the 53% of Gaza that Israel retained under US-brokered truce; IDF strikes in Strip allegedly kill 8
• After killing Hamas leader in Gaza, Israel ready to begin dismantling terror group 'one way or another' - Failure to disarm could lead to imminent resumption of military operations in Gaza Strip
• Early results in Fatah leadership vote show Abbas's son, intelligence chief elected - Millionaire Yasser Abbas expected to get seat on party's powerful Central Committee, as will Zakaria Zubeidi, ex-head of Fatah terror group who was behind dozens of attacks
• Palestinian Authority reportedly restores 'pay-for-slay' payments, raising questions over US aid compliance
• ICC reportedly files secret arrest warrants against 5 Israeli leaders over war crimes - Names of targeted individuals not released, believed to include current and former IDF chief, three coalition ministers
• ICC denies 'inaccurate' report it issued warrants for Smotrich and Ben Gvir - Haaretz says three additional warrants issued for unnamed politician and military officials; court reportedly sought ministers' arrest over West Bank settlements last year
• Death penalty law for West Bank Palestinians convicted of deadly terrorism comes into effect - 'Terrorists who murder Jews will not sit in prison in pleasant conditions... they will pay the heaviest price' says Defense Minister Katz
• Settlers said to torch car, steal phones and beat Palestinians in West Bank attacks - Palestinian media share footage of man in ambulance after reported attack near Bethlehem on at least five Palestinians; assailants said to steal cellphones, damage property
• IDF Returns Dozen-Plus Settler Activists Who Illegally Crossed Into Syria
• IDF warns of severe personnel shortages, last window to solve crisis with legislation - Military says still missing 12,000 troops, with gap to widen further in coming year, government's draft bill won't provide adequate solution
• As coalition collapses around him, Netanyahu revives Haredi draft exemption bill - Renewal of deliberations 'just an attempt to delay the election date,' says senior Haredi political official. Lapid accuses PM of 'selling out Israel's security'
• Israel's defense groups are becoming Europe's industrial partners
• London police: 20 right-wing, 12 anti-Israel protesters arrested in dueling rallies - Hate crimes account for arrests of nine attendees of massive rally organized by anti-Islam provocateur Tommy Robinson, and two participants of opposing Nakba march
• Terror leader activated terror cells across Europe to commit 18 attacks against Americans, Jews following Iran war: feds
• Saudi Arabia says it intercepted three drones entering from Iraq
• Putin 'could be toppled in 60s-style palace coup' as Russian elites 'turn' on him - As Vladimir Putin hides in high-tech bunkers, an expert warns a 1960s-style palace coup could be looming as Russian elites turn on the leader over his failing war
• Russian Media: Ukraine's Anti-Corruption Agencies Preparing To Arrest Zelensky's Wife Elena - Kiev Authorities Deny Report
• Ukrainian drones hit Russia in massive overnight attack - Ukraine has launched almost 600 drones at Russia in one of its largest overnight attacks amid Moscow's invasion. The region around the Russian capital was one of those targeted.
• Revenge Strike: Moscow rocked by blistering drone strikes leaving 4 dead days after Putin's forces kill 24 in devastating Kyiv attack
• Report: Communist Cuba Stockpiling Drones Amid Fears of Potential U.S. Military Action
• U.S. eyes attack-drone threat from Cuba
• Surprise arrest during Trump's border crackdown opens door to Cuba-shaking Raul Castro indictment
• Venezuela Extradites Maduro's 'Bagman' Alex Saab to the US - Shady Businessman Was Previously Pardoned by Biden, and May Now Testify Against Maduro
• Two presidential campaign staffers killed in Colombia as elections near - Colombia's citizens' rights office says the violence could hinder the 'exercise of political rights' ahead of the May vote to replace Gustavo Petro
• Canada deepens Arctic defense ties with Nordics after Trump threats
• Trump administration to create $1.776B 'Truth and Justice Commission' to compensate allies: Sources
• Comey Tells Legion of Deep State Prosecutors to "Hang On" and Wait For President Trump to Leave Office
• GOP senator who voted to convict Trump in impeachment trial loses primary - Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana failed to advance to the runoff in his GOP Senate primary five years after his vote to convict Donald Trump, which led the president to call for his ouster
• Blanche Says Everything is About to be Made Public as DOJ Probes Russiagate Conspiracy
• Acting AG Todd Blanche Says DOJ Conducting Multiple Investigations Into 2020 Election
• 'American People Will Learn About What We Uncovered': Acting AG Blanche Says There's a 'Ton of Evidence' 2020 Election Was Rigged
• When AI Goes Too Far: The License Plate Camera Controversy
• AI license plate cameras tore this town apart and led to a state of emergency - In Troy, New York, residents and city officials are at odds over police use of Flock cameras, which some call a safety tool and others see as surveillance.
• Doctors' AI Systems Are Hallucinating Nonexistent Medical Issues During Appointments With Patients
• Ex-Government Scientist Claims US Has Recovered Four Distinct Alien Species from Crashed UFOs
• Astrophysicist Tyson: 'Bring out the alien' if govt has proof
• A City-Killer Asteroid Just Passed Shockingly Close to Earth, and Scientists Barely Saw It Coming
• 5.4 magnitude earthquake hits the West Chile Rise
• 5.2 magnitude earthquake hits the Mid-Indian Ridge
• 5.2 magnitude earthquake hits near Syriam, Burma (Myanmar)
• Two dead as 5.2-magnitude earthquake hits southwest China
• 5.0 magnitude earthquake hits near Finschhafen, Papua New Guinea
• 5.0 magnitude earthquake hits near Liuzhou, China
• Sabancaya volcano in Peru erupts to 25,000ft
• Sheveluch volcano on Kamchatka, Russia erupts to 22,000ft
• Popocateptl volcano in Mexico erupts to 21,000ft
• Sangay volcano in Ecuador erupts to 21,000ft
• Purace volcano in Colombia erupts to 18,000ft
• Bezymianny volcano in Russia erupts to 17,000ft
• Semeru volcano in Indonesia erupts to 15,000ft
• Reventador volcano in Ecuador erupts to 15,000ft
• Fuego volcano in Guatemala erupts to 14,000ft
• Santa Maria volcano in Guatemala erupts to 14,000ft
• Central Bismarck Sea volcano in Papua New Guinea erupts to 12,000ft
• Dukono volcano in Indonesia erupts to 11,000ft
• Mayon volcano in Indonesia erupts to 11,000ft
• Kanlaon volcano in the Philippines erupts to 10,000ft
• Ambae volcano on Vanuatu erupts to 10,000ft
• El Nino now has an 82% chance of becoming a monster - NOAA says it could rival the strongest event in recorded history
• Trump, top officials and faith leaders headline historic 'Rededicate 250' rally on National Mall
• Trump Reads Bible Verse Urging People to Humble Themselves Before the Lord
• US Bombs ISIS in Nigeria: Christians Say It's a Good Start, but the Fulani Threat Remains Unaddressed
• All Hell Breaks Loose at DC Navy Yard Chipotle: Father Shields Terrified Children as 'Teens' Break Out in Violent Brawl, Throw Chairs
• Three suspects in custody after at least 10 shootings in Austin - "We don't have any specific motive that has been identified. In fact, these actions appear to be random."
• DHS Secretary Confirms 50% of All Murders in Fairfax County, Virginia, Committed by Illegal Aliens - 'That's Just in Fairfax!'
• Cartel-Linked Mexican Senator Enrique Inzunza Cazarez Arrested in San Diego - Conspired with Sinaloa Cartel's Los Chapitos to Flood America with Deadly Fentanyl and Drugs in Exchange for BRIBES and Political Protection
• DNA testing closes 40-year-old Wenatchee murder case
• Mass DC prayer event with top White House officials seeks to reclaim US Christian roots - Hegseth, Rubio, Johnson to speak at 'Reclaim 250,' which critics see as promoting Christian nationalism; rabbi included on roster; one day earlier, Trump proclaimed 'Shabbat 250'
• 3 suspected pedophiles arrested in child molestation case in WA state - fourth perp killed himself
• Around 10 New Suspected Epstein Victims Identified in French Investigation
• Mamdani-Endorsed Socialist Running for Congress Calls for 'Trans Bill of Rights,' Taxpayer-Funded 'Gender-Affirming Care'
• California Girl's Track Star Weighs Protest Ahead of Battle Against Trans-Identifying Male Athlete
• Kansas Judge Blocks Ban on Sex Change Treatments for 'Transgender' Kids, Claiming It Violates State Constitution and Parental Rights
• Parental Rights Outrage! Illinois Mother Sues School District, Alleges Officials Secretly Socially Transitioned Child After Mental Health Crisis
• Arizona man charged with murder of 16-year-old girlfriend after she refused to abort his baby
• Masks On: W.H.O. Declares Global Health Emergency as Ebola Outbreak in Congo and Uganda Builds
• In Ebola outbreak, a number of Americans in the Congo believed to have had exposure to suspected cases - CDC says it supporting partners who are 'actively coordinating the safe withdrawal' of individuals 'directly affected by this outbreak'
• CDC aiding withdrawal of affected Americans after Ebola outbreak in Congo, Uganda