We know it’s hard to keep up with the news. Here’s what happened last week!

Monday – 10/16

• Astronomers capture images of the collision of two neutron stars for the first time in history. Scientists theorize that collisions of neutron stars are responsible for the creation of certain elements, such as gold and uranium.
• At least 35 people are killed in wildfires in Spain and Portugal.
• Iraqi government forces attempt to tamper the independence drive by the nation’s Kurds by marching into the Kurdish-held city of Kirkuk.

Tuesday – 10/17

• Judge Derrick K. Watson, the Hawaiian judge who blocked President Trump’s last travel ban in March, has blocked Mr. Trump’s latest (and third) attempt at a travel ban.
• Senators Patty Murray and Lamar Alexander reach a bipartisan deal on health care. The deal funds the important Cost Sharing Reductions for two years. In exchange for this Democratic victory, the deal includes provisions for states to more easily avoid Obamacare regulations. The White House has sent mixed messages on whether or not it supports the deal.
• In a significant blow to the Islamic State, the Syrian city of Raqqa, deemed by ISIS to be its capital, has been liberated by a U.S.-backed militia of Kurdish and Arab fighters.

Wednesday – 10/18

• The flames of scandal embroiling the White House over President Trump’s call to Sgt. La David Johnson’s widow are fanned after Sgt. Johnson’s mother confirms that Mr. Trump did say that Johnson “knew what he signed up for.” This comes after Mr. Trump denied the allegations.
• Attorney General Jeff Sessions testifies before the Senate Judiciary Committee, but refuses to talk about his conversations with President Trump regarding Russia or the firing of former F.B.I. director James Comey.
• More than 140 women come out against what they describe as pervasive sexual misconduct from men in the California state legislature.

Thursday – 10/19

• Chief of Staff John Kelly defends President Trump’s remarks to Sgt. La David Johnson’s widow, as well as Mr. Trump’s utilization of Kelly’s late son as a political talking point. However, he also implicitly confirms Congresswoman Frederica Wilson’s account that Mr. Trump did indeed tell Mrs. Johnson that Sgt. Johnson “knew what he signed up for.” Mr. Kelly also accuses Congresswoman Wilson of bragging about securing money for a Florida F.B.I. building.
• Senator John McCain backs a Democratic bill that would force online companies such as Google and Facebook to disclose who is purchasing political ads for placement on these websites.
• The Spanish government announces that it will take emergency measures to halt Catalonia’s push for secession from Spain.

Friday – 10/20

• Chief of Staff John Kelly’s assertion that Congresswoman Frederica Wilson bragged about securing money is proven false as a video from the speech Mr. Kelly referred to surfaces.
• The Senate passes a new budget blueprint, paving the way for a potential tax reform bill in what would be President Trump’s first major legislative achievement. Critics of the proposed reforms allege that they amount to a break for the top 1% while raising expenses on the middle class.
• Prime Minister Rajoy of Spain holds an emergency meeting on how to utilize Article 155 of the Spanish constitution, a move that, if acted upon, would allow the central Spanish government to take full administrative control of Catalonia.

That’s all for last week’s news. See you next week!