President Donald Trump on April 18 signed an executive order directing federal agencies to accelerate research and regulatory review of certain psychedelic drugs, including ibogaine, psilocybin and others, as potential treatments for severe mental illness and post-traumatic stress disorder. The order instructs the Food and Drug Administration to issue national priority review vouchers for three psychedelics to shorten review times, clears a path for the first U.S. human trials of ibogaine and expands use of the Right to Try pathway for eligible patients. The administration pledged about $50 million in federal‑state funding for psychedelic research and ordered coordination among HHS, the FDA, the Department of Justice and the VA. The signing in the Oval Office included HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, podcaster Joe Rogan and veterans advocates such as Marcus Luttrell. Ibogaine remains a Schedule I substance in the U.S. and has known cardiac risks; researchers and regulators have warned safety concerns and limited evidence require careful clinical study before approval or rescheduling.

A fragile pause in the Iran conflict produced a volatile weekend that briefly eased — then revived — global energy and market jitters. A U.S.-brokered 10-day Lebanon-Israel ceasefire announced April 16 prompted Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi on April 17 to say the Strait of Hormuz was open to commercial shipping for the truce period. That news sent Brent down about 9% to $90.38 and U.S. crude down roughly 11% to $83.85, while U.S. indexes (S&P 500, Nasdaq and Dow) hit record closes. Ships tested the route but many turned back, citing safety and insurance concerns; Iran said transits must be coordinated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and hinted at charging fees. On April 18 Tehran reversed course, saying it had tightened control over the strait, radioed that some vessels were barred and at least two merchant ships were reportedly hit by gunfire, including an Indian-flagged tanker identified by New Delhi as the Sanmar Herald. Washington and Tehran signalled ongoing negotiations — mediated partly by Pakistan — even as uncertainty about mines, insurance and enforcement left shipping and markets on edge.

On April 18, 2026 Pope Leo XIV sought to cool a week-long public spat with U.S. President Donald Trump while arriving in Angola on the third leg of an 11-day Africa tour. Speaking to reporters aboard the papal plane after leaving Cameroon, the U.S.-born pontiff said a recent speech condemning leaders who spend “billions of dollars” on war and decrying a world “ravaged by a handful of tyrants” had been prepared weeks earlier and was not aimed at Trump. The pope reiterated he has “no interest” in debating the president and will continue preaching a Gospel-based message of peace, including criticism of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. Trump earlier attacked Leo on Truth Social — calling him “WEAK on Crime” and “terrible for Foreign Policy” and briefly posting an AI-generated image of himself that was later removed. Leo’s Africa itinerary — with mass gatherings in Cameroon and a programme of meetings and visits in Angola including a planned meeting with President João Lourenço — has foregrounded his criticism of war, corruption and exploitation of natural resources across the continent.

On April 17-18, 2026 The Atlantic published an investigation by Sarah Fitzpatrick alleging FBI Director Kash Patel engaged in episodes of excessive drinking, unexplained absences and periods of unreachability during his tenure. The report, citing more than two dozen current and former FBI officials and other sources, describes visible intoxication at private clubs in Washington and Las Vegas, security aides having difficulty rousing him, and a request for “breaching equipment” after he was unreachable behind locked doors. It recounts a panic in April when Patel, unable to log into an internal system, believed he had been fired and frantically contacted aides, prompting calls across the bureau and to lawmakers. Patel and his legal team have denied the allegations, threatened to sue The Atlantic and published a pre-publication letter from attorney Jesse Binnall calling the claims "categorically false." The White House defended Patel; Karoline Leavitt cited falling crime and his role in the administration. The article has renewed internal discussions about potential succession, highlighted prior controversies (Olympics beer video, use of government aircraft) and provoked partisan debate and widespread public reaction.

On April 18, 2026, a man opened fire in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district, killing several people on the street before barricading himself inside a supermarket and taking hostages, Ukrainian officials said. Police special forces stormed the store after roughly 40 minutes of negotiations failed; the attacker was shot dead during the arrest attempt. Authorities gave varying tolls as investigations continued, saying at least five people were killed and dozens wounded, with several sources reporting six fatalities and around 10-15 people hospitalised, including a child. Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko and Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said the suspect was a 58-year-old man registered at a Kyiv address but originally from Moscow; he carried a legally registered carbine and had recently sought to renew his licence. Officials reported a fire in the suspect’s apartment and said the incident is being probed as a possible terrorist act. Four hostages were freed. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko expressed condolences and called for a swift investigation as police examine motive, weapon permits and medical certification tied to the shooter.

Actor Dylan Sprouse confronted and restrained an alleged trespasser on the grounds of his Hollywood Hills residence in the early hours of April 17, 2026, after his wife, model Barbara Palvin, called 911 around 12:30 a.m. Police and multiple outlets reported that Sprouse tackled the man on the lawn and held him until Los Angeles Police Department officers arrived. TMZ and other outlets reported Sprouse was armed and at one point held the suspect at gunpoint, though authorities said he did not draw his weapon; no shots were fired. The unidentified suspect did not enter the home and was taken into custody on unrelated outstanding warrants. No injuries were reported. Representatives for the couple and the LAPD did not immediately provide extended comment; footage of the arrest circulated online. Media accounts note the couple declined to press trespassing charges, and local reports identify the property as the Spanish‑style Hollywood Hills home the couple shares.