What happened this week
60 stories updated in the last seven days, grouped by section. Each one combines reporting from several sources.
World
Jacqui Lambie condemns One Nation cartoon mocking her struggle with vaginal prolapse
Jacqui Lambie condemned a One Nation cartoon that mocked her experience with vaginal prolapse, prompting support from fellow senator Monique Ryan.
Electricity costs put UK steelmakers in worst position in three years against EU rivals
UK steelmakers face their highest electricity cost disadvantage versus EU rivals in three years, with a premium over French producers nearing £30 per MWh.
Sydney man charged after alleged gunfire prompted Dulwich Hill lockdown
A Sydney man was charged after police responding to an alleged stolen car report were told a man was armed with a firearm, leading to a lockdown in Dulwich Hill.
Venezuela opposition renews support for Maria Corina Machado as leader
Venezuelan opposition groups have renewed their backing of Maria Corina Machado as their leader.
Alberta independence referendum: Will separatists survive a loss?
Al Jazeera examines whether Alberta's separatist movement could survive a defeat in an independence referendum.
Fire engulfs Albania’s Supreme Court as protests enter fifth day
A fire engulfed Albania's Supreme Court while anti-government protests entered their fifth day.
‘Anger and shame’: Macron denounces France’s nationwide rioting, looting
French President Emmanuel Macron denounced nationwide rioting and looting across France, expressing anger and shame over the unrest.
India’s crackdown on cockroaches, critics and cameras
Indian authorities have launched a campaign targeting cockroaches, critics, and surveillance cameras, according to Al Jazeera.
Clarence Seedorf calls out genocide in first Corinthians press conference
Clarence Seedorf accused genocide during his inaugural press conference as coach of Brazilian club Corinthians, according to Al Jazeera.
Russia’s war on Ukraine ‘must be brought to an end’, Zelenskyy says
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia's war on Ukraine must be brought to an end, according to Al Jazeera.
Macron criticises ‘unbridled violence’ after days of unrest and 2,400 arrests across France
French President Emmanuel Macron criticised what he called 'unbridled violence' after days of unrest that led to looting, hundreds of damaged shops and at least 2,400 arrests across France.
GCC condemns Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia as Yemen fighting intensifies
The Gulf Cooperation Council condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia amid reports of intensified fighting in Yemen.
Gaza bodybuilders find solace in strongman competition among the ruins
Gaza bodybuilders held a strongman competition among the ruins to find solace through sport.
Why the US is holding secret talks with Myanmar’s military ruler
Al Jazeera reported that the United States is holding secret talks with Myanmar's military ruler.
Shabana Mahmood to hold talks with EU over law enforcement cooperation
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to meet the EU’s home affairs commissioner to discuss law enforcement cooperation.
Indian Bollywood superstar Tiger Shroff allegedly shot at by gunmen
Al Jazeera reports that Indian Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff was allegedly shot at by gunmen.
Madueke scores only goal as below-par Arsenal beat Nottingham Forest
Madueke scored the only goal as Arsenal secured a narrow victory over Nottingham Forest in a below-par performance.
Residents recount drone strikes in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region
Residents in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region described experiencing drone strikes, according to an Al Jazeera video report published on 18 October 2026.
Zelenskyy thanks Trump for resumed intelligence sharing after US Starlink ‘message’
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Trump administration for resuming intelligence sharing while alleging the US deliberately limited Starlink access to send a message.
Trump endorses Netanyahu in Israeli legislative elections
Former US President Donald Trump publicly endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel's legislative elections, according to Al Jazeera.
‘Hybrid warfare’: Taiwan drives away 16 Chinese ships
Taiwan drove away 16 Chinese ships in an incident described by Al Jazeera as hybrid warfare.
French mayor attacked by settlers during occupied West Bank olive harvest
A French mayor was reportedly attacked by settlers while participating in the olive harvest in the occupied West Bank.
Photos: Antigovernment protesters clash with police in Albania’s capital
Antigovernment protesters clashed with police in Albania’s capital, according to an Al Jazeera photo gallery published on 18 October 2026.
Manchester United held at Leeds despite improved performance for Carrick
Manchester United were held to a result by Leeds United in a match where interim coach Michael Carrick noted improved performance.
JERUSALEM DAILY: Settlers attack EU diplomats
Israeli settlers attacked EU diplomats in the occupied West Bank, prompting the EU to condemn the incident.
Tirana sees sixth day of violent protests as Albania’s PM refuses to resign
Albania's prime minister has refused to resign amid a sixth day of violent protests in Tirana.
Arrests over France protests rise to 1,800, with whole streets in Paris ‘devastated’ – Europe live
French authorities reported that arrests related to the protests have risen to 1,800, with parts of Paris described as devastated and the unrest spreading to Italy and Portugal.
A timeline of West Bank attacks on Palestinians and foreign officials
Al Jazeera published a timeline article on 2026-10-18 detailing West Bank attacks involving Palestinians and foreign officials.
Jordon Steele-John says ‘I’m not on leave’ and accuses Greens leader of making ‘bad call’ regarding complaints
WA Greens senator Jordon Steele-John says he is not on leave and accuses the party leader of a bad call regarding complaints about his behaviour towards women.
Hilarious quips and ‘100,000-volt’ energy: the hypemen (and women) redefining Afrobeats music
<p>Style of emceeing based on high-octane, ad-libbed vocals has flourished thanks to its unique way of captivating crowds</p><p>For the 2015 freshmen cohort of the history degree programme at the University of Lagos, their classmate’s first-semester presentation was so captivating that they began calling him Toby Shang, after the 16th-century Chinese dynasty he had focused on.</p><p>His crowd engagement that day had been harnessed from his high school days as a ginger-man (energiser) in a three-man band and as a private tutor. By his final year at university, his viral catchphrases and infectious energy had resulted in a hit song, Shedibalabala. Today, he is one of the self-acclaimed “evangelists and pioneers” in the Afrobeats sub-genre some are now calling Afrohype or lamba.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/18/lagos-hypemen-redefining-afrobeats-music-afrohype">Continue reading...</a>
‘Many family stories’: Tim Winton’s Cloudstreet takes out ABC radio poll of top 100 Australian books
Tim Winton’s Cloudstreet was voted Australia’s favourite book in an ABC Radio National poll, with Markus Zusak’s The Book Thief and Trent Dalton’s Boy Swallows Universe placing second and third.
An extraordinary life: descendant welcomes biography of woman ‘gifted’ to Queen Victoria
<p>A girl called Àìná was captured by an African king and later taken to England to become Sarah Forbes Bonetta, protege of the imperial monarch </p><p>When she was seven years old, Bayo Randle’s great-great-grandmother Sarah Forbes Bonetta was presented to Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle as a “diplomatic gift” from an African king.</p><p>Victoria would go on to pay for Bonetta’s education, approve her marriage to one of west Africa’s wealthiest men, and become godmother to her eldest daughter.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/oct/18/sarah-forbes-bonetta-biography-queen-victoria">Continue reading...</a>
‘4,000 people minding our own business’: four decades on, Falklands again face a hostile Argentina
The Guardian reports that Argentina’s president, facing declining poll numbers, has launched economic attacks on the Falkland Islands’ oil industry and hinted that the islands’ fisheries sector could be targeted next. The article describes a session of the Falkland Islands’ legislative assembly in Stanley, where eight members (five men, one woman) gathered in a wood‑panelled courtroom that also serves as the assembly hall, beneath a portrait of King Charles and historic governor photographs. It notes that the islands’ population of roughly 4,000 residents continues to live “minding our own business” while external pressure mounts, marking roughly four decades since the 1982 Falklands conflict. The piece does not detail any specific policy measures beyond the verbal threats, nor does it outline any response from the Falkland Islands government or international actors.
Indigenous woman shackled to hospital bed while in labour in Queensland
An Indigenous woman was reportedly shackled to a hospital bed while in labour in Queensland, days before a bill to ban the practice was blocked by Labor and Coalition.
US
Ukraine and the U.S. are at odds over Starshield. Here's what to know
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he believes the U.S. government is behind his military's loss of normal access to the key satellite communications service used by the Ukrainian military.
Noah Adams, longtime host of NPR's All Things Considered, has died
One of NPR's most gifted storytellers, his soft voice and vivid writing helped define the network's sound for a generation of Americans.
Pope Leo says he will gradually resume duties after cancer surgery
Pope Leo XIV thanked thousands of faithful in St. Peter's Square on Sunday for their prayers while he was hospitalized, and said he plans to gradually return to his usual duties.
Trump defers federal diesel taxes to help farmers, but states issue warnings
President Trump's executive order deferring federal taxes on diesel is aimed at helping farmers but it's more complicated than it sounds and states are warning drivers they may owe taxes later.
If you have the scratch, they have the scares
Scary stories are more than fun, they're big business.
With an ad aimed at Trump, this Republican exposed GOP angst about Latino voters
Rep. María Elvira Salazar filmed an ad warning the president that he's "gone too far" on immigration. It reflected concern among some Republicans that their gains with Latino voters could be at risk.
Carney says 4 service members killed and dozens injured in fire at Alberta military base
Four service members were killed and dozens injured in a fire at an Alberta military base, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said.
Oregon governor Tina Kotek reacts to Silver Rail Elementary school shooting
NPR's Joel Rose talks with Oregon Governor Tina Kotek about the shooting at Silver Rail Elementary in Bend, Oregon.
France's Macron vows to hold accountable those who 'sought to bring down the Republic'
Police arrested at least 1,800 people across France after violent groups clashed with officers and looted shops during nationwide demonstrations that drew hundreds of thousands of people.
Pope Leo XIV leaves hospital days after lung cancer surgery
The Pope left Rome's Gemelli Hospital Saturday, days after surgery for lung cancer removed the lower lobe of his right lung. He is currently scheduled to travel to Latin America in November.
Technology
Science
Scientists discover a natural compound that could protect the brain from too much salt
Eating too much salt may do more than raise blood pressure. It could also harm memory and social behavior. In a new study, Japanese researchers discovered that a soy-derived compound called LPC70 helped protect mice from several damaging effects of a high-salt diet. Mice given the supplement had lower blood pressure, better memory, and improved social interactions compared with mice consuming excess salt alone.
Physicists create a bizarre new quantum state called a fractional fermi sea
Physicists have discovered a strange new state of quantum matter in which ultracold atoms defy familiar organizational rules, forming a highly excited yet surprisingly orderly configuration called a "fractional Fermi sea." The discovery challenges established quantum theories and hints at exotic quasiparticles that scientists have dubbed potential "super-Fermions."
Eating blueberries every day may have a surprising effect on your mood
Eating blueberries every day could have surprising effects on mood, according to a small study that found greater reductions in depressive symptoms among older adults who consumed the fruit for three months. Researchers also detected changes in gut microbial enzymes, suggesting a possible gut-brain connection, although the mood benefits were not statistically significant compared with a placebo.
Magic mushroom ingredient takes the fight out of aggressive fish
A psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms appears to have an unexpected effect: calming highly aggressive fish. Researchers discovered that low doses of psilocybin significantly reduced aggressive attacks in mangrove rivulus fish without disrupting their normal social interactions. The findings suggest psilocybin may selectively calm escalating aggression rather than simply suppressing all behavior.
Scientists discover a surprising twist in Japan's 7,300-year-old volcanic apocalypse
A catastrophic volcanic eruption 7,300 years ago devastated Japan, but new research reveals that its impact on prehistoric populations was far more complex than previously believed. While some communities disappeared or declined, others unexpectedly flourished as survivors migrated, adapted, and found new ways to thrive.
Scientists uncover 3 key brain pathways linked to lasting depression relief
Researchers have uncovered three brain pathways linked to lasting improvements in people receiving deep brain stimulation for severe, treatment-resistant depression. They also discovered that patients who failed to improve after two years shared a striking pattern: insufficient stimulation of a crucial brain connection. The findings suggest that millimeters in electrode placement could make a major difference in treatment outcomes.
Two monster black holes could collide in just 100 years
Astronomers have uncovered compelling evidence of two supermassive black holes spiraling toward a potentially spectacular collision at the center of galaxy Mrk 501. A previously unseen jet of particles revealed the likely presence of a second black hole, with observations suggesting the pair completes an orbit every 121 days. Depending on their masses, these cosmic giants could merge in as little as 100 years.
Scientists discover that male and female skin play by different rules
Scientists have uncovered a surprising difference in how male and female skin repairs and renews itself. By tracking individual skin stem cells in living mice for five months, researchers discovered that female cells work together in a highly coordinated way, while male cells operate more independently. This synchronization, driven by sex hormones, helps explain why wounds heal faster in female mice, especially during the first few days.
Scientists who discovered a third form of magnetism win major physics prize
Physicists have uncovered a hidden third form of magnetism that challenges more than 100 years of established physics. Called altermagnetism, the discovery could transform future computing and electronics while opening an entirely new frontier in quantum research.
APOD: 2026 October 18 – Sonified: Eagle Nebula Pillars
NASA published an APOD entry titled 'Sonified: Eagle Nebula Pillars' on 2026 October 18.
Scientists find a youth protein that helps aging brain cells act young again
Scientists have discovered that a protein linked to youth helps protect the brain’s immune cells from age-related decline. Restoring the protein in older mice improved the cells’ ability to clear debris and reduced signs of inflammation, raising hopes for future treatments targeting brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease.
NASA’s SpaceX launch lights up the sky with a giant glowing jellyfish
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket created a dazzling, jellyfish-shaped glow across the eastern United States as sunlight illuminated its exhaust during an early morning launch. The mission delivered equipment and scientific experiments to the International Space Station, including research that could advance treatments for blindness, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other diseases.
Archaeologists discover 1,200-year-old mummified hairless dog in Peru
Archaeologists have discovered 1,200-year-old remains of Peru’s famous hairless dogs at an ancient Wari Empire burial site, including remarkably preserved mummies and puppies buried alongside humans. Their unusual teeth, diets, and burial arrangements reveal surprising clues about how ancient Peruvians cared for, bred, and sometimes discarded their dogs.
NASA’s Roman Space Telescope exceeds expectations by nearly 30%
NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has exceeded expectations after engineers made incredibly tiny adjustments to sharpen its view of the universe. By moving a mirror just one-sixteenth the width of a human hair, the team helped bring its powerful instruments into near-perfect alignment. Roman’s Wide Field Instrument now produces image quality nearly 30% better than predicted, promising exceptionally sharp cosmic surveys.
This bird flies thousands of miles, but its wings have a catch
Scientists have uncovered an unexpected trade-off in the wings of the European nightjar, a bird that migrates thousands of kilometers but sacrifices high-speed flight efficiency to hunt insects with remarkable agility. Even more surprisingly, it generates thrust on the upward wingbeat, a technique that could inspire new flying technologies.