🌍 Current Events — Monday, May 18, 2026 at 6:30 AM

#1Thousands Pack National Mall for 'Rededicate 250' Prayer Rally

Thousands gathered on the National Mall Saturday for "Rededicate 250," a faith-based celebration marking America's 250th birthday with prayer, worship, and speeches from President Trump, VP Vance, Secretary Rubio, and evangelist Franklin Graham. Trump read from 2 Chronicles 7, urging Americans to "humble themselves, and pray." The event kicks off the broader semiquincentennial celebrations leading to July 4, 2026. Source: Fox News — Link

#2Trump to Convene Situation Room as Tehran Threatens US Gulf Bases

President Trump is set to convene a high-stakes Situation Room meeting this week to review military options against Iran after the IRGC threatened to "deactivate" American bases in the Persian Gulf. Trump warned Sunday that "the clock is ticking" for Iran, declaring "there won't be anything left of them" if leaders don't act fast. The standoff centers on Iran's nuclear ambitions and the ongoing Strait of Hormuz blockade, now enforced by over 20 warships. Source: Fox News — Link

#3Two Navy F/A-18G Growlers Collide Midair at Idaho Air Show — All Four Crew Safe

Two Navy EA-18G Growler jets from Electronic Attack Squadron 129 out of Whidbey Island collided midair during the Gunfighter Skies Air Show at Mountain Home Air Force Base on Saturday. Video shows four parachutes deploying as the aircraft crash and explode on the ground. All four crew members ejected safely and are in stable condition; the air show was canceled and the base locked down. Source: Fox News — Link

#4Six States Vote Tuesday in Biggest Primary Day of 2026 Midterms

Tuesday marks the busiest primary day of the year, with Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Kentucky, Oregon, and Pennsylvania heading to the polls. The marquee race: Kentucky's 4th District, where Trump-endorsed Ed Gallrein leads eight-term Rep. Thomas Massie 48–43 in the latest poll. In Georgia, Trump's endorsement of Lt. Gov. Burt Jones for governor faces a competitive challenge from mega-donor Rick Jackson. Source: The Epoch Times — Link

Top World Stories

#5WHO Declares Ebola Outbreak in Congo a Public Health Emergency

The World Health Organization declared the Ebola outbreak in the DR Congo's eastern Ituri province a public health emergency of international concern, with over 300 suspected cases and 88 deaths. The strain is the Bundibugyo virus, for which no approved drugs or vaccines exist. The CDC confirmed a "small number of Americans" have been affected, and U.S. travel advisories are in effect. Source: Fox News — Link

#6Drone Strikes Generator at UAE's Barakah Nuclear Power Plant

The UAE Ministry of Defense reported Sunday that three drones entered the country from its western border, with two intercepted and a third striking an electrical generator outside the inner perimeter of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. No injuries were reported and radiological safety was unaffected. The plant supplies 25% of the UAE's electricity, and no country has claimed responsibility. Source: Washington Examiner — Link

#7Protests Spread Across Iran as Regime Threatens US Forces

Anti-regime protests in Iran have entered a sixth day, with opposition groups claiming at least eight deaths. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf warned that "all American centers and forces across the entire region will be legitimate targets" if Washington intervenes. Trump responded that the U.S. will act if Iran uses force against demonstrators — the most significant unrest since the 2022 Mahsa Amini protests. Source: Fox News — Link

Science & Technology

#8Harvard Physicist: Interstellar Object 3I/ATLAS Could Be Nuclear-Powered Spacecraft

Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb says the interstellar object 3I/ATLAS — estimated at 20 kilometers across, larger than Manhattan — displays an unexplained frontal glow that cannot be attributed to sunlight or standard cometary outgassing. Loeb suggests it could be a nuclear-powered spacecraft, noting that just 1 in 500 randomly entering objects would align so precisely with planetary orbits. Source: Fox News — Link

#9Scientists Create Human Eggs from Skin Cells in Fertility Breakthrough

Researchers at Oregon Health and Science University created early-stage human embryos using DNA taken from skin cells fertilized with sperm — a breakthrough that could eventually allow older women and same-sex couples to have genetically related children. Experts caution the technology is still in early stages and could be 10–15 years from clinical use. Source: Fox News — Link

Wildcard

#10TikTok 'Speedrunning' Trend Has Teens Storming Scientology Buildings

A viral TikTok trend has teens filming themselves rushing through Church of Scientology buildings to see how far they can get before being stopped. After LA incidents racked up millions of views, the trend hit New York — where youths broke into a Manhattan church, damaged property, and injured a staff member. The Church called the incidents "organized trespasses for social media attention." Source: Fox News — Link