Oct 18, 2026
5 min read
Hundreds of thousands of people marched across France on Saturday as cost-of-living protests turned violent in several cities. In the United States, lawmakers from both parties condemned President Donald Trump's waiver of new Russia sanctions, while attacks on shipping around the Strait of Hormuz and on Saudi Arabia continued.
Half a million march as violence spreads across France
About 550,000 people joined protests across France on Saturday, including about 110,000 in Paris, Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said. He reported about 400 arrests and 60 officers hurt. Paris police said on Sunday they had detained a "record" 855 people in the capital, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported, and that a demonstrator had died of cardiorespiratory arrest. Rioters set fire to Limoges town hall, and its spire collapsed. President Emmanuel Macron said those who attacked town halls "will be prosecuted and punished".
Lawmakers condemn Trump's Russia sanctions waiver
Republican and Democratic lawmakers on Saturday condemned Trump's order waiving almost all measures in a new Russia sanctions law two days before they were due to take effect, the Associated Press (AP) reported. The law, named after the late Senator Lindsey Graham, authorised tariffs of up to 100% on major buyers of Russian oil and gas. Republican Senator Thom Tillis called the move "beyond irresponsible". Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said it helped only Russia. Congress is in recess until after the 3 November elections, AP said.
Iran says two tankers hit mines near Hormuz
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Saturday that two oil tankers, each carrying about 2 million barrels of crude, caught fire after hitting mines in the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported. There was no independent confirmation. Early on Sunday, the UK Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) said a tug off the United Arab Emirates was struck by two projectiles, wounding one person. October has seen the most attacks on ships since the war began in February, according to UKMTO data.
Ukrainian drones set St Petersburg oil terminal ablaze
Ukrainian drones struck St Petersburg overnight, setting fire to an oil terminal, an oil depot and warehouses, the city's governor, Alexander Beglov, said on Sunday. He said one person was killed and five were injured. Russia's Defence Ministry said it downed 1,015 Ukrainian drones overnight. Russia launched 180 drones and an Iskander-M ballistic missile at Ukraine overnight, Ukraine's air force said, reporting hits at 20 locations. The attack was still under way on Sunday morning, the air force said.
Saudi Arabia intercepts Houthi missiles, loses helicopter
The Saudi-led coalition said early on Sunday it had destroyed two Houthi ballistic missiles aimed at Khamis Mushait, as well as drones over the Riyadh and Eastern regions, the Saudi Press Agency reported. A Saudi National Guard helicopter crashed in Najran, near the Yemeni border, killing its two crew. Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki blamed a technical malfunction, hours after the Houthis claimed to have shot the aircraft down, AP reported.
Explosion and fire kill at least seven at Canadian base
At least seven people died and dozens were injured in an explosion and fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta on Saturday, Global News reported, citing military sources. Defence Minister David McGuinty confirmed deaths and injuries but gave no figures, calling it a "very, very active and delicate situation". Military sources told Global News that a live-fire exercise had struck a gas line. Prime Minister Mark Carney called it a "serious incident".
Settlers attack European diplomats in West Bank
Israeli settlers attacked a convoy of European diplomats visiting olive harvesters near Taybeh in the occupied West Bank on Saturday, beating French mayor Bernard Baudoux and damaging a Belgian vehicle, Al Jazeera and France 24 reported. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called on Israel to arrest those responsible. Israeli police opened an investigation. Separately, US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called Friday's beating of Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine by settlers "a despicable act of terror", AP reported.
IMF meetings close with resilience warning and walkout
The annual meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank closed in Bangkok on Saturday. Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan, who chairs the IMF's steering committee, said the global economy showed "remarkable resilience" but "there is no room for complacency", citing wars, energy security, high debt and artificial intelligence (AI) risks, Reuters reported. Nearly half the delegates walked out as Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov spoke, Bundesbank President Joachim Nagel said. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva called inflation "a tax on the poor", AFP reported.
Pope Leo leaves hospital after cancer surgery
Pope Leo XIV left Rome's Gemelli hospital on Saturday and returned to the Vatican, four days after surgeons removed the lower lobe of his right lung. Tests after the operation confirmed lung adenocarcinoma, NPR reported. His doctors said blood tests and a chest X-ray showed he was fit to be discharged. Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said recovery would take about a week. His public schedule has been cleared until at least 20 October.
No Kings rallies urge Americans to vote early
Rallies organised by the No Kings network, which opposes Trump, took place across the United States on Saturday to urge people to vote early in the 3 November midterm elections, AP and Al Jazeera reported. Events were held in Washington, New York, Atlanta and many smaller communities. The rallies were billed as nonpartisan. Organisers said the day was about ensuring "every eligible voter understands their options for how to vote".
The week ahead
Monday 19 October: China publishes third-quarter gross domestic product (GDP) data, with a Reuters poll forecasting 4.4% annual growth. Albertans vote on whether to begin moving towards a binding referendum on leaving Canada. Tuesday 20 October: UK labour market data; Netflix reports results. Wednesday 21 October: UK inflation figures; Tesla, Meta and IBM report results. Thursday 22 October: Turkey's central bank announces its interest rate decision. Friday 23 October: the Bank of Russia sets rates, and flash purchasing managers' indices (PMIs) are due for the euro zone, Germany, the UK and the US.
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