🇺🇸America Tonight🇺🇸
Russia sanctions waived • California fire • Hormuz tankers hit 👇
📅 October 17th, 2026AD
THE FIVE NATIONAL STORIES AMERICANS SHOULD KNOW TODAY
📋 TONIGHT'S FIVE
1. 🏛️ Russia sanctions waived
2. 🔥 California fire
3. 🛢️ Hormuz tankers hit
4. 🎤 $5,000 pledge
5. ⛪ Pope leaves hospital
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🏛️ TRUMP WAIVES NEW RUSSIA SANCTIONS, DRAWING FIRE FROM BOTH PARTIES
President Trump waived sweeping new sanctions against Russia passed by Congress, saying in an executive order Friday that the move "is in the national interests of the United States," NBC News reported.
Trump signed the law, named for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., last month. It took aim at Russia's largest buyers of oil and gas, which may include China and India.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said on Fox News Saturday that the decision "was a mistake." Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., called it a "craven, cowardly action."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said lifting the sanctions was "wrong" and "only helps the Russians."
Diesel prices have shot up almost 70% since the Iran war began in February, NBC reported.
📍 Washington
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🔥 WIND-DRIVEN NORTE FIRE FORCES THOUSANDS FROM HOMES IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
The Norte Fire ignited midday Friday in San Clemente, Calif., and has burned at least 570 acres, with 5% contained, fire officials said Saturday, ABC News reported.
Some 4,600 homes and nearly 16,000 people are in the evacuation zone, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.
At least six homes have been damaged or destroyed. No residents have been hurt, but two firefighters have been injured, officials said.
The agency lifted evacuations Saturday for a zone in San Clemente and part of a zone in San Juan Capistrano.
Firefighters are also battling blazes in Malibu and Azusa as strong Santa Ana winds whip across Southern California.
Utility power shutoffs have left more than 90,000 people in Los Angeles and Ventura counties without power, ABC7 reported.
📍 San Clemente, Calif.
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🛢️ IRAN SAYS TWO OIL TANKERS HIT MINES IN THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said Saturday that two oil tankers were on fire in the Strait of Hormuz after hitting mines, The Hindu reported.
The Guards said each tanker was carrying more than two million barrels of crude oil and was trying to pass through the strait illegally.
Iran accused the ships of turning off their positioning and radar systems. There was no independent confirmation of the reports.
On Friday, Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, said, "the Strait of Hormuz is controlled by the United States and our regional partners, not Iran," Euronews reported.
The strait normally carries about one-fifth of global oil consumption, The Hindu reported.
📍 Strait of Hormuz
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🎤 TRUMP PROMISES $5,000 PAYMENTS IF REPUBLICANS WIN THE HOUSE AND SENATE
President Trump promised $5,000 payments to adults if Republicans win control of the House and Senate, at a rally Saturday on Northern Kentucky University's campus, WLKY reported.
"If Republicans win the House of Representatives and the Senate, I'm going to give all adults, citizens in the United States of America $5,000," Trump said.
He called it the "Trump Dividend" and said tariff revenue and economic growth would fund it. The cost would be about $1 trillion, he estimated.
Andy Barr, the Republican running against Democrat Charles Booker to replace Sen. Mitch McConnell, also spoke at the rally at Truist Arena.
Early voting in Kentucky begins Oct. 29. Election Day is Nov. 3.
📍 Highland Heights, Ky.
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⛪ POPE LEO LEAVES ROME HOSPITAL DAYS AFTER LUNG CANCER SURGERY
Pope Leo XIV was discharged from the hospital Saturday after surgery for lung cancer, NBC News reported.
The pontiff, 71, a Chicago native, walked out of Rome's Gemelli Hospital unaided and spent a couple of minutes with well-wishers before he was driven back to the Vatican.
His doctors said blood tests and a chest X-ray Saturday morning showed he was fit to leave.
Dr. Stefano Margaritora, his surgeon, said he could be fully recovered in about 10 days and saw "no clinical reasons" to stop his planned trip to Latin America next month.
The Vatican has not said whether the cancer might have spread. Leo will recite the Angelus prayer at noon Sunday from the Apostolic Palace, the Vatican said.
📍 Rome
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WASHINGTON WATCH
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18th, 2026AD
🕒 7 a.m. Central: President Trump has executive time in Palm Beach, Florida, closed to the press, then returns to the White House, per the White House schedule.
📅 Oct. 18: New tariffs on top buyers of Russian oil were set to apply to purchases made on or after this date under the Graham Act. Trump's order waives them.
That's America Tonight.
The headlines change every day.
The consequences last for years.
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