Words from the news, explained in easy English. From: Trump waives new sanctions targeting Russia.
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In this episode
- Trump waives new sanctions targeting Russia
- Sri Lanka hit by nationwide power blackout
- Missiles strike airport in Yemen’s Aden
- Israeli settlers attack Palestinians during West Bank olive harvest
- Protests planned across France over prices and inequality
- IMF chief warns poorer nations face debt and inflation pressures
Transcript
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Sources
- CBC NewsTrump pauses sanctions package targeted at Russian economy | CBC News
- RechercheOn October 16, 2026, President Donald Trump issued an executive order waiving specified sanctions, restrictions and duties under the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, saying the waivers were in the U.S. national interest. The order says they remain in effect until the president or designated officials determine further action is appropriate.
- RechercheThe waiver was reported amid public friction between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Guardian reported that Trump had publicly criticized Zelenskyy, including by suggesting Ukraine needed a new leader.
- RechercheThe White House order cites national interest but does not give its substantive rationale in the order text. CBC reported that the White House had not immediately explained how pausing the sanctions served that interest.
- Trump Waives New Russia Sanctions One Week After Diesel Deal - Newsweek
- Trump waives Russian sanctions as US-Ukraine relationship frays | Oxford Mail
- RechercheSri Lanka’s grid also shut down in February 2025 after solar generation exceeded consumption on a sunny Sunday; the CNA report says it took more than six hours to restore supplies. This is historical background, not a measure of the 2026 outage.
- Sri Lanka orders solar shutdown amidst blackout | EconomyNext
- RechercheAuthorities asked rooftop solar system owners to disconnect their installations until further notice to assist efforts to restore the grid.
- Power supply restored for some areas : Latest update - Newswire
- Sri Lanka hit by nationwide blackout as grid trips | Kuwait Times Newspaper
- RechercheAden airport was also attacked in December 2020 as a new Yemeni cabinet arrived; Al Jazeera reported at least 22 deaths. This is a historical casualty figure, not a count for the October 2026 airport incident.
- Arab News | 2 Houthi missiles strike Aden airport; no casualties reported
- Houthis claim missile attack on Aden airport as Iran denies involvement - Türkiye Today
- Houthi missiles strike Yemen presidential palace, killing five | Yemen | The Guardian
- Yemen: 27 Dead, Dozens Wounded In Deadly Attack On Aden Airport - Eurasia Review
- RechercheThe attacks disrupted an olive harvest that many Palestinian families rely on for income. Abbas Milhem of the Palestinian Farmers’ Union told the Associated Press that roughly 110,000 Palestinian families depend on privately owned groves for income.
- RechercheOn Oct. 16, masked settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives near Abu Falah in the occupied West Bank. CBC reported that witnesses and video footage showed the attack; it described Abu Falah as about 25 kilometres northeast of Ramallah.
- RechercheA Palestinian local official told the BBC that 12 Palestinians were injured in the attacks, including four Palestinian-American dual citizens. The figure is attributed to that official.
- France 24Students, trade unions and Yellow Vests set to protest across France
- Deutsche WelleFrance braces for nationwide protests
- Al JazeeraIMF urges support for poorer nations facing high inflation, war spillovers