Alperen Aktas
18 October 2025•Update: 18 October 2025
ISTANBUL
Here is a rundown of all the news you need to start your Saturday, including US President Donald Trump saying a US strike in the Caribbean targeted "drug-carrying submarine"; Hungary voicing a readiness to provide conditions for Russia-US talks in Hungary; and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voicing support for Trump’s suggestion that Moscow and Kyiv should halt hostilities in Ukraine, “stop where we are” and begin negotiations, after his White House meeting.
TOP STORIES
- Trump says US strike in Caribbean targeted ‘drug-carrying submarine’
US President Donald Trump said the latest American strike in the Caribbean targeted a “drug-carrying submarine” allegedly built to transport “massive amounts of drugs.”
“We attacked a submarine, and that was a drug-carrying submarine built specifically for the transportation of massive amounts of drugs,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “This was not an innocent group of people. I don't know too many people who have submarines, and that was an attack on a drug-carrying loaded submarine.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the strike as part of Washington’s “narco-terrorist operation” in the region but declined to provide additional details.
- Hungary voices readiness to provide conditions for Russia-US talks in Budapest: Kremlin
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban conveyed to Russian President Vladimir Putin his readiness to provide proper conditions for a proposed Moscow-Washington summit in Budapest, according to the Kremlin.
A statement after a call between the two leaders said Putin outlined the main content of his Thursday phone conversation with US President Donald Trump.
Putin said during contacts with US officials, he conveyed plans to discuss an “algorithm for further actions” in the context of Ukraine peace talks, with a view to holding a summit between Russia and the US in the Hungarian capital.
- Zelenskyy backs Trump’s suggestion that Russia, Ukraine ‘stop where they are’ in war
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy voiced support for US President Donald Trump’s suggestion that Moscow and Kyiv should halt hostilities in Ukraine, “stop where we are” and begin negotiations.
“He is right. President is right, and we have to stop where we are,” Zelenskyy told reporters after meeting Trump at the White House. “This is important, to stop where we are and then to speak.”
Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that his meeting with Zelenskyy was “very interesting and cordial,” and he urged Kyiv and Moscow to “stop the killing and make a deal.”
NEWS IN BRIEF
- The European Commission said any potential meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin would be welcomed if it helps bring a "just and lasting peace" to Ukraine.
- Antarctica’s frozen stability is showing signs of unraveling under the pressure of global warming, with scientists observing increased surface melting, glacier acceleration and shrinking sea ice similar to trends seen in Greenland, according to media reports.
- More than 1 million women and girls in the Gaza Strip need food assistance, with nearly 250,000 requiring urgent nutrition support, said UN Women, warning that despite a "fragile" ceasefire, the crisis is far from over.
- China launched 18 communications satellites from northern Shanxi province.
- The Palestinian resistance group, Hamas, confirmed it will hand over the remains of an Israeli captive under a Gaza ceasefire agreement.
- At least 11 Palestinians were injured by Israeli army fire and attacks by illegal settlers in the occupied West Bank, medics said.
- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa preparations for an international conference for Gaza reconstruction, scheduled for next month.
- An Israeli hostage was killed in a failed rescue attempt by the army in southern Gaza, caused by an intelligence error.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson criticized the "No Kings" rallies expected Saturday across the US, describing the event as a politically motivated gathering of far-left activists that he claimed promotes anti-American sentiment.
- Hamas urged mediators to continue their role in overseeing the implementation of the remaining terms of the ceasefire agreement with Israel, appreciating the efforts of Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye that helped broker the truce earlier this month.
- Finland reported more than 400,000 suspected criminal offenses over the first nine months of the year, a 3% increase compared to 2024, new figures revealed.
- More than one-fifth of the population in the European Union was at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2024, according to data released by the EU's statistical office Eurostat.
- An Israeli extremist group blocked trucks carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza at the Kerem Shalom crossing.
- Russia claimed it took control of three more settlements in eastern Ukraine.
- China announced the expulsion of nine military officials, including two top generals, from the ruling Communist Party over corruption offenses, the Defense Ministry said.
- Türkiye and Libya signed two new memoranda of understanding (MoUs) on contracting receivables and new-era projects, the Turkish Trade Ministry announced.
BUSINESS & ECONOMY
- Global markets fall as US federal government shutdown enters 17th day
Global markets declined as the US federal government shutdown entered its 17th day and fears over the banking sector intensified following fraud-related loan losses at several national banks.
National banks Zions Bancorp and Western Alliance announced fraud in some loans, triggering concerns over their loan portfolios.
Zions Bancorp said it discovered irregularities in two commercial loans and reported a $50 million loss to the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), sending its shares down 13.1%. Western Alliance lost 10.8% after filing a lawsuit against a borrower for fraud, according to its SEC filing.
