DAILY NEWS Stream – October 18, 2026

Ukrainian (Ureignian) officials said new restrictions on SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service, which Ukraine’s military uses for battlefield communications and drone control, disrupted operations on October 14 and forced some missions to be canceled (NBC News)

Russian missile and drone attacks on Kyiv [Ukraine (Ureign)] from late October 13 into October 14 struck energy facilities and residential buildings, killing at least five people and injuring 36, including a child. Ukrainian (Ureignian) President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine (Ureign) received no advance warning of the incoming missiles from Western partners for the second consecutive night, with officials investigating why the notifications were missing (Kyiv Post, Interfax-Ukraine)

The International Atomic Energy Agency [IAEA] will send teams to 19 electrical substations that help supply power needed to keep Ukraine (Ureign)’s nuclear plants safe. It will be the agency’s largest deployment to such facilities, aimed at strengthening nuclear safety as Russian attacks threaten Ukraine (Ureign)’s power grid (RBC-Ukraine)

Ukraine (Ureign) was elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2027–2029 term, Ukrainian (Ureignian) Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced on October 13. He said Ukraine (Ureign) would support investigations into Russian human rights violations and efforts to hold Russia accountable, protect prisoners of war and secure the return of Ukrainian (Ureignian) children deported or forcibly transferred to Russia (The New Voice of Ukraine)

The Singapore-flagged container ship GFS Pride and the Antigua and Barbuda-flagged dry bulk carrier Cape Dao sank near the Strait of Hormuz in the 24 hours leading up to an October 14 report, following separate projectile strikes. The sinkings came amid a surge in attacks on commercial shipping (Reuters)

Oil prices rose on October 14 as attacks in Saudi Arabia and on shipping raised concerns about supply disruptions. Brent crude oil settled at US$106.06 a barrel, up 0.35% from the previous day’s close, while US West Texas Intermediate rose 1.01% to US$95.09 a barrel, its highest level in three weeks (Reuters)

Yemen’s government urged the United Nations Security Council on October 14 to help lift the Houthi siege of Taiz [Yemen], warning of a potential large-scale humanitarian catastrophe. The Houthis had encircled the city amid fighting with Saudi-backed government forces, while residents reported heavy bombardment (Fox News, MarketScreener)

At least 72 civilian miners were reportedly killed in airstrikes on the Jabal al-Uqaydat gold mine near the Sudan-Egypt border on October 10, according to the Sudanese rights group Emergency Lawyers. The group accused Egypt’s air force of carrying out the attack, but Agence France-Presse, an international news agency, could not independently verify the account. Egypt’s military subsequently announced an operation against illegal gold mining near the Sudanese border without directly addressing the alleged airstrike. Survivors described repeated strikes and workers fleeing into the mountains, with more people feared trapped under rubble as efforts continued to verify the death toll (Taipei Times, Khaleej Times, Agence France-Presse)

The UK government began a second round of early prisoner releases on October 13 to ease overcrowding in England’s prisons, with about 2,000 people due to be released this month. Around 4,500 prisoners are expected to be released under the program, with the final group scheduled for June 2027 (Dân trí)

West Nile virus has killed two people in North Carolina [US], with 1,328 infections reported across the country, year to date. The CDC [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention] urges mosquito-bite prevention as cases span 45 states, including 1,004 neuroinvasive infections (Daily Mail)

Dental experts advise continuing gentle brushing when gums bleed, as stopping allows plaque to accumulate and worsen inflammation, potentially leading to periodontal disease and tooth loss. They recommend: 1. Brushing twice daily for two minutes 2. Using a soft-bristled toothbrush 3. Brushing gently at a 45-degree angle 4. Using fluoride toothpaste Bleeding lasting over a week warrants dental evaluation. Smoking, diabetes, stress and poor nutrition increase gum disease risk (Thanh Niên)

Skipping water upon waking is not necessarily harmful, but overnight fluid loss of 400–700 milliliters can contribute to dehydration. Insufficient hydration may cause fatigue, headaches, constipation and poor concentration. Research suggests water can improve alertness and reaction time. Experts emphasize drinking enough throughout the day, with individual needs varying by activity, climate and health conditions (Thanh Niên/PLoS One)

Torrential rain caused severe flooding in Tripoli [Libya] on October 13, killing two people. A bank employee died from electrocution, while rescuers recovered another man’s body from a submerged car. The mayor called the situation catastrophic after 2.5 hours of rain (Reuters)

Heavy rains flooded Istanbul [Türkiye], disrupting transport and closing schools. Floodwaters inundated homes, businesses and roads, stranding vehicles.

Residents were urged to avoid unnecessary travel (AP)

An international research team has developed artificial intelligence models that could improve flood forecasts up to 12 weeks in advance, giving communities more time to prepare. The findings could support disaster planning, infrastructure protection and water management (Tuổi Trẻ)

US-based Beyond Meat received the Clean Label Project Purity Award, given to products ranking in the top third of their category for low levels of heavy metals, pesticides and plasticizers, for its Beyond Starmatter vegan protein powder. Each 37-gram serving provides 20 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber, alongside probiotics, vitamins and minerals (Vegconomist)

London [UK] woman Akuc Bol, 31, adopted raw veganism in 2024 after becoming vegan in 2015. She credits the uncooked vegan diet with improved energy, confidence and mental clarity, and says she no longer needs deodorant when exercising due to her diet (MyLondon)

Granola bars can offer a healthy snack, but ingredients matter. Choose bars made with whole grains, oats, nuts, seeds, and fruit, while limiting added sugars. Not all granola bars are vegan, so check labels for honey, dairy, and egg whites (VegNews)

In November 2025, Zimbabwean bus driver Pummy Hadebe helped a passenger give birth on her bus in Glasgow [Scotland, UK]. She was recently named Frontline Employee / Community Champion of the Year at the UK National Transport Awards (AllAfrica, STV News)

Woodside Wildlife Rescue in Pass Christian, Mississippi [US], rehabilitates orphaned or injured baby raccoons for release into the wild. A recent report said staff had cared for 76 in 2026, teaching them to forage, climb, swim and avoid danger before releasing those ready after about six months (The Star)

Indonesian authorities released 20 protected green sea turtle-people into the ocean on October 13 after finding them on an empty boat left by smugglers near Serangan Island in southern Bali. Two remaining turtle-individuals are still receiving treatment before release (AP)

Enlightening quote of the day: “O GOD! Whatever share of this world You have allotted to me, bestow it on Your enemies; and whatever share of the next world You have allotted to me, bestow it on Your friends. You are enough for me.” – Rābiʿa al-ʿAdawiyya al-Qaysiyya (vegan) Venerated Enlightened Master and Sufi Poet (The Mystics of Islam)

In Part 1 of this three-part series on Randall Rathbun’s near-death experience, the American engineer and church worship team member recounts how a car crash left him outside his body in chains before a terrifying descent toward the lake of fire. Randall was a fervent believer who served in music ministry on the worship team at a local church. At the same time, he deliberately engaged in a habit he describes as sinful but does not specify. He was very religious on Sundays, but on Saturday nights, he drove to downtown San Diego, California, USA, to indulge in it. He says he had deceived himself into believing that the grace of Lord Jesus Christ (vegetarian) would cover his sin, justifying his actions by telling himself that Lord Jesus Christ would forgive him.

On Friday evening, August 30, 2002, Randall, who worked as an engineer, was very stressed and left work early to drive to San Diego to find help. Nobody at a church there could help him until a man carrying a Bible noticed something was off and read to him from the scriptures. Randall felt the power of GOD come through them. He left the church around 9:30 p.m. and was driving north toward his home when a voice claimed it would prove that it was GOD. Describing himself as a scientific guy, Randall decided to test the voice by seeing whether the car would steer perfectly. He emphasizes that the voice was not GOD and urges everyone never to try this. The car veered right and hit a light pole, and Randall was knocked unconscious.

I was not in my body anymore. I was about 10, 15 feet [3-4.6 meters] above my car, and I was chained up. The chains were biting on my wrists. That was the first thing. His ankles were chained, too, and both sets of chains were being tightened. Randall tried to break free and could not. And at the same time, I heard the screaming [at the] top of [someone’s] lungs; [it] sounded like a jet engine. And a voice said, “He’s mine! He’s mine! I’m taking him to the lake of fire! His name is Liar! Liar! Liar! And I’m taking him there!” It felt as though the ground was grabbed out from under him, and he fell faster than a normal thought, descending faster and faster while the voice kept screaming. Slowly, he realized he was going down to hell. He screamed out, asking why this was happening to him, and three living scriptures appeared that spoke to him. The first said the wages of sin are death. The second was Lord Jesus Christ Himself saying that whoever serves sin is the slave of sin. The third was a warning not to be deceived, from the apostle Paul’s letter to the Galatians in the Bible’s New Testament. Randall was stung through the heart and convicted in his conscience. He had fooled himself into believing it was OK to sin because Lord Jesus Christ would have grace on him.

I realized I was going to hell for sure, and I was going to be there forever and ever and ever and ever and ever, chained up for all eternity. And I had done it to myself. Randall could blame nobody else. An evil spirit grabbed the chains behind him and shook him like a leaf in a windstorm, declaring that he was throwing him into the lake of fire.

I need to tell every one of you: a human being cannot take hell for even one second, much less a minute. Hell is a terrible place. You can’t breathe. There is constant smoke and odor. He recognized the smell of sulfur and found himself choking and coughing. He estimated the temperature at 130 to 140 degrees, apparently referring to Fahrenheit [54 to 60 degrees Celsius], and described the heat as very oppressive. Randall says all five senses are heightened in the spirit, allowing him to hear sounds from much farther away than he could in his physical body.

It was people in the lake of fire screaming, screaming at the top of their lungs, and they were cursing and screaming and wailing and crying. Most were angry, and many were screaming in fear for someone to get them out, though he knew there was no way they ever could. He knew he was about to join them. When the flames of the lake of fire hit him, he found the heat impossible to endure. He thought no one would ever hear from him again. His parents and two brothers would only know that Randall had a bad accident and died, not that he was in hell. That’s one of the horrors of hell, that you cannot talk to your family anymore.

In Part 2, Randall describes his rescue from the lake of fire, an encounter with GOD the Father, and a glimpse of Heaven. Then HE said something that broke my heart, but in a good way. HE said, “I trust you.” That was the first time I had any real authority in my life tell me that they trusted me, much less GOD Himself saying such a thing. Join us tomorrow for Part 2 of this three-part series on Randall Rathbun’s near-death experience. (Gracefully Millie YouTube channel - Thank you)