Saturday, 17 October 2026

President Trump signed an executive order waiving new Russia sanctions passed by Congress, arguing the move was in U.S. national interests. The sweeping sanctions package was scheduled to take effect Saturday and had been championed by late Senator Lindsey Graham.

Trump's Russia sanctions waiver drew swift bipartisan backlash from members of Congress, with Republicans and Democrats condemning the decision as undermining support for Ukraine and rewarding Putin.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy said Trump's decision to pause Russia sanctions was a 'reward' for Putin that would embolden the Russian leader and intensify the war, as Moscow continued attacks on Ukrainian power plants.

Zelenskyy indicated Ukraine remains 'ready to negotiate' and expressed openness to U.S.-led negotiations following Trump's Russia sanctions pause, as tensions between Trump and the Ukrainian president continue to escalate.

A federal judge dismissed Trump's lawsuit against New York City's sanctuary policies, citing the Tenth Amendment's anti-commandeering doctrine and allowing the city to continue limiting cooperation with ICE.

White House press secretary Katie Zacharia was ousted after just five days on the job, making her the shortest-tenured press secretary in modern U.S. history, with her tenure marked by speculation about her legal credentials and criticism of her first briefing.

The Trump administration escalated its conflict with California ahead of the midterm elections, warning local officials who process ballots from suspected noncitizen voters that they risk criminal prosecution.

Federal investigators raided Rep. Ilhan Omar's Washington, D.C. home, seizing her phone, computers, and passport as part of a criminal investigation into immigration fraud allegations. Omar's legal team asserted the search was neither justified nor lawful and violated constitutional protections for members of Congress.

The latest 'No Kings' coalition protests occurred nationwide on Saturday as an early voting 'day of action,' with thousands gathering across the country to encourage participation in midterm elections.

Trump claimed the U.S. Navy blockade has stopped all Iranian ships from crossing the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions escalate in the region with both the U.S. and Iran claiming control of the strategically vital waterway amid recent vessel attacks.