If you develop a comprehensive watchlist of the articles and topics you're most interested in, you can simply watch that watchlist for article updates. You will immediately notice, I guarantee it, whenever some news item breaks. Within seconds there will be some aficionado come to update the article, and add the information, cited or uncited. Even after the fact, the article history is an extremely accurate indicator of the exact moment when that news was revealed or published.

The Main Page has a good summary of the biggest world headlines, and obituaries, so Dolly Parton's death won't escape your notice. Also, if you watch the disciplinary and/or dispute-resolution boards, you will discover all current controversies, which will generally include mass shootings and large-scale tragedies, as well as major political disputes and troubles worldwide.