Sunday 18 October 2026 07:30 UTC
Deadly explosion and fire strike Canadian military base
A major explosion and fire at CFB Wainwright, a Canadian military base in Alberta, killed at least seven people and injured dozens, military sources said. Canada’s defence minister confirmed deaths and injuries. The fire spread beyond the base, while hospitals faced large numbers of casualties. One possible cause was a live-fire exercise hitting a gas line or well, but authorities had not established the cause.
Russia attacked more than 15 critical energy sites across Ukraine with over 350 drones and ballistic and cruise missiles. Lutsk, Rivne, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Shepetivka, Slavuta and Netishyn were among the hardest-hit places. Romania said two drones entered its airspace and were shot down. Latvia warned residents in three municipalities to shelter, possible drones were reported over Lithuania and Estonia, and NATO aircraft scrambled over Poland.
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Four sources said Elon Musk proposed slowing Ukraine’s Starlink service to Donald Trump, who agreed and cleared the way for Pentagon restrictions. Musk said the US military and ultimately the president decided the limits; Trump denied that either man was responsible. Volodymyr Zelensky said terminals inside Ukraine remain capped at 161 kilometres an hour, stopping faster interceptor drones from working, while tests in EU territory maintained connections above 180 kilometres an hour.
Saudi aircraft struck advancing Houthi forces near the old airport in western Taiz, Yemen, during a renewed push towards the city. Accounts also said the United Arab Emirates agreed to resume funding some anti-Houthi forces in southern Yemen, with Saudi Arabia providing air support. In Rome, Pope Leo left hospital four days after lung-cancer surgery.