Sunday, October 18th

What happened

President Donald Trump signed an executive order waiving many sanctions, restrictions and tariffs under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act. Trump said he had certified to Congress that the waiver was in the national interest, as he sought more Russian diesel supplies and lower fuel prices. The law passed with bipartisan support and was signed by Trump in September. It aimed to pressure Russia over its war in Ukraine by targeting Russian revenue and countries that buy Russian energy. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the waiver unfortunate and urged supporters to keep pressing for sanctions. The waivers remain until Trump or the secretary of state decides further action is appropriate.

What happened

Katie Zacharia called her brief service as White House press secretary an honor after leaving the job five days into her tenure. The White House, through communications director Steven Cheung, said Zacharia was transitioning to another administration role, while news reports citing administration sources described her removal as an ouster. Zacharia began on October 12, after President Donald Trump chose her to replace Karoline Leavitt, who had left in August. Scrutiny intensified after Zacharia acknowledged failing the California bar exam and not being licensed to practice in the United States. Trump said the media treated her harshly and urged her to reconsider staying unhappy. The White House had not named a replacement.

What happened

Hundreds of thousands of people marched across France as the student-led protest movement widened into a national challenge over schools, living costs and public services. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said about 550,000 people joined more than 100 marches, while the CGT union and student organizers put turnout at about 800,000. The movement began in mid-September with students demanding better school conditions, then drew unions and some Yellow Vest activists into broader protests over wages, pensions and prices. Protesters pointed to fuel and food costs, school staffing and possible public-service cuts. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence and promised prosecutions. The government said about 1,200 people were arrested.