3 Charts That Explain the Economy as Voters Head to the Polls

New York Times - Oct 18, 2026

Inflation is high, consumer spending is strong and seemingly everything depends on what happens with artificial intelligence.

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Trump’s new press secretary Katie Zacharia out after less than week

Oct 18, 2026

Trump’s new press secretary Katie Zacharia out after less than week

WASHINGTON — White House Press Secretary Katie Zacharia was pushed out Friday after less than a week in the high-profile job following a series of blunders that added to distractions for her embattled boss, President Donald Trump. “Can confirm,” a White House official told AFP, after Fox News reported that Zacharia, 41, was “transitioning out.”

Japan retracts mistaken magnitude 9.9 earthquake alert

Oct 18, 2026

Japan retracts mistaken magnitude 9.9 earthquake alert

TOKYO — Japan’s weather agency withdrew an erroneous alert for a magnitude 9.9 earthquake minutes after issuing it, apologizing for the warning that disrupted transport. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) had initially warned on Friday that a magnitude 9.9 earthquake occurred near the Kuril Islands, known in Japan as the Chishima Islands, setting off loud

Haze triggers highest-level alert in parts of Southeast Asia

Oct 18, 2026

Haze triggers highest-level alert in parts of Southeast Asia

KUALA LUMPUR — Fires in Indonesia that have sent toxic smoke and disrupted daily life across Southeast Asia have triggered the highest-level alert by the regional bloc’s meteorological monitor. The months-long pollution spell has closed schools, fuelled a surge in respiratory conditions and restricted outdoor activities in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and East Timor. “This thing

Utah couple built a $2 million backyard pool with a 90-foot mountain and a scuba-diving tunnel

Oct 18, 2026

Utah couple built a $2 million backyard pool with a 90-foot mountain and a scuba-diving tunnel

In Utah, a dedicated couple has poured $2 million into an extraordinary backyard pool designed specifically for scuba diving. This stunning installation boasts a remarkable 90-foot artificial mountain, five magnificent waterfalls, and an exhilarating underwater tunnel. By creating such a bespoke sanctuary, they provide a fantastic recreational escapade for scuba lovers, complete with a lazy river and a fully equipped kitchen set within the mountain's embrace.

Florida commits $8.7 million to preserve two working ranches

Oct 18, 2026

Florida commits $8.7 million to preserve two working ranches

Florida has enacted a permanent conservation measure for two significant ranches located in Manatee and Highlands counties, encompassing nearly 1,500 acres. This initiative is designed to safeguard local agricultural practices and boost the economy. Through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program, the state aims to uphold agricultural land under conservation, as stressed by Commissioner Wilton Simpson for forthcoming generations, highlighting Florida's intent to preserve its agricultural legacy sustainably.

Zelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia put on hold by Trump

Oct 18, 2026

Zelenskyy urges support for new US sanctions on Russia put on hold by Trump

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged supporters Saturday to speak out in favor of new U.S. sanctions against Russia, hours after President Donald Trump signed an executive order putting the sweeping restrictions on hold. The White House decision has heightened fears that Ukraine could be left exposed to Moscow’s escalating attacks as winter approaches. Overnight Russian attacks killed at least four people, including an ambulance driver, and wounded dozens, officials said. Ukrainian drones killed a woman in a Russian border region and disrupted flights at Moscow’s airports, according to Russian authorities. In a social media statement, Zelenskyy called Trump’s decision unfortunate but avoided directly criticizing the U.S. leader despite deepening tensions between Ukraine and Washington in recent days. “A decision was unfortunately made in America to completely disregard the Lindsey Graham Act, which was supposed to impose truly effective pressure on Russia to bring this war to an end,” Zelenskyy wrote. “This Act could have helped enormously – and s

Mass protests in France spiral into worst riots in years

Oct 18, 2026

Mass protests in France spiral into worst riots in years

PARIS — Rioting erupted in cities across France on Saturday as demonstrations against rising living costs and declining public services spiralled out of control in some of the worst violence the country has witnessed for decades. While hundreds of thousands protested peacefully in street marches in scores of cities, violent fringe groups targeted public buildings, looted luxury boutiques and supermarkets and attacked police vehicles and officers. In Limoges, the city hall was set ablaze; in Marseille, black-clad protesters broke into city hall and defaced the building with anarchic graffiti, and in Lyon, protesters torched the city's tourist office. French Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said the government would not be "intimidated" by violence, and blamed the unrest on the "ultra-left" and criminals just months before a presidential election next year. "To those who clearly want to use this violence as a 'warm-up' before the presidential election, I say clearly: We will not let ourselves be intimidated. No one will impose their political agenda through violence," he wrote in a post

Japan to launch spacecraft on mission to get samples from Martian moon

Oct 18, 2026

Japan to launch spacecraft on mission to get samples from Martian moon

TOKYO — Japan is set to launch a spacecraft on the world's first mission to bring back samples from Phobos, one of the two small, potato-shaped moons orbiting Mars. Scientists hope the mission, which is expected to take five years, will provide clues to how Phobos and its smaller sibling Deimos formed, and hopefully even shed light on the origins of life in the solar system. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s launch of the spacecraft Tuesday on a new Japanese mainstay H-3 rocket comes as the United States, China and others consider sending astronauts to Mars. Samples from Phobos will provide useful data for scientists to consider using a Martian moon as a base for a future manned mission to the planet, said MMX project manager Yasuhiro Kawakatsu. “Despite their potential importance, Martian moons have never been fully investigated," Kawakatsu said. “They are known as the most important unclimbed mountains in the solar system." Japan leads the international mission that includes equipment and communications support from NASA and other national space agencies. JAXA aims to stud

Major fire breaks out in Alberta after deadly incident at military base

Oct 18, 2026

Major fire breaks out in Alberta after deadly incident at military base

EDMONTON, Alberta — Canada’s defense minister said Saturday that people were killed and injured in an incident at a military base in Alberta that caused a major fire. “I’m saddened to share that there have been both fatalities and injuries as a result of an incident on the base,” Defense Minister David McGuinty said. McGuinty did not provide casualty figures or details about what caused the incident. He said the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were involved in the investigation and described the situation as “very, very active and delicate.” The Canadian Armed Forces and federal, provincial and local authorities were coordinating the emergency response, he said. The nearby community of Wainwright was providing hospital and firefighting support. The Municipal District of Wainwright said the fire had crossed the base’s fence earlier Saturday and was spreading rapidly due to high winds. Firefighters from multiple jurisdictions were responding, and no evacuation order was in effect. “Our thoughts are with all the brave women and men affected,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said

Truck drives through soccer field during game in Kansas, killing 2 and hospitalizing 11

Oct 18, 2026

Truck drives through soccer field during game in Kansas, killing 2 and hospitalizing 11

WICHITA, Kan. — A woman drove a truck through a soccer field during a youth game in Kansas on Saturday, killing two people and sending 11 other victims to the hospital, authorities said. A 6-year-old boy and a 35-year-old man were killed, Wichita Police Capt. Aaron Moses said. The ages of the injured people ranged from 5 to 68. Moses said the driver, a 34-year-old, was in custody. He did not say whether authorities believe it was intentional. “We are still working to determine how this happened and why this happened,” he said. Two children were also in the truck, Moses said. Police Chief Joe Sullivan said that immediately after the incident, and before first responders arrived at the scene, people “sprang into action” to provide lifesaving assistance to the victims. “It was truly amazing,” Sullivan said. “But I think it's indicative of the Wichita community.” Authorities said there was no further public threat. Mayor Lily Wu advised people to avoid the area during the investigation and said the news was heartbreaking. “My thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected, es

Out-of-control truck kills 13 at Hindu festival in India

Oct 18, 2026

Out-of-control truck kills 13 at Hindu festival in India

NEW DELHI, India — A speeding truck in India killed 13 people when it ploughed into a crowd at a Hindu festival, officials said on Sunday, with President Droupadi Murmu describing the deaths as "heartbreaking." The heavily loaded truck reportedly lost control in the early hours of Sunday and hit devotees gathered at a temple in Gwalior, in the central state of Madhya Pradesh. The Press Trust of India news agency cited hospital officials as saying 13 people had died. "I express my deepest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the swift recovery of those injured," Murmu said on social media. India, with 1.4 billion people, recorded more than 183,000 road traffic deaths in 2025, or over 500 a day, according to the roads ministry. Many are linked to inadequate road infrastructure, ill-maintained vehicles and exhausted drivers, according to official data.

Turning the tides: Could hidden sea power energise our coastal towns?

Oct 18, 2026

Turning the tides: Could hidden sea power energise our coastal towns?

Engineer David Mummery has developed a tidal energy generator that he says can change lives for people living in coastal communities.

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