⚡ Today in History

On October 20, 1944, Gen. Douglas MacArthur waded ashore at Leyte in the Philippines, making good on his famous vow to return. In 2011, Libyan rebels captured and killed dictator Muammar Gaddafi in his hometown of Sirte, ending his 42-year rule. Today, curfews are in effect across French cities after the country’s worst rioting in years, and the unrest is spreading to Italy, Belgium, and Portugal.

Top News

Paris under curfew after France’s worst riots in years 3,000+ BUSINESSES DAMAGED OR LOOTED

Protests over rising living costs turned violent across France over the weekend, with about 2,400 arrested and roughly 1,000 officers injured. Authorities imposed overnight curfews Monday in central Paris, Lille, and Nice after at least 3,000 businesses were damaged or looted. Organizers have called for a second round next Saturday.

Houthi missiles kill 53 at Yemeni government military base 53 DEAD

Iran-backed Houthi rebels fired three ballistic missiles Monday at the al-Alam military camp in Yemen’s Shabwa region, killing at least 53 and wounding more than 200. The strike targeted newly recruited government forces during a training drill, making it the deadliest Houthi attack since fighting with Saudi-backed forces resumed in September.

Iran threatens seven undersea internet cables in the Strait of Hormuz 7 CABLES

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard warned Monday that Tehran could target seven fiber-optic cables beneath the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula. An Iranian hardline editor claimed the cables carry more than 80% of the region’s banking, military, and commercial data traffic.

Trump and Zelensky trade harshest words yet as rift widens

Ukraine launched a large-scale drone strike Sunday on an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, Russia. President Donald Trump responded on Truth Social that President Volodymyr Zelensky “doesn’t want to end this war.” Zelensky fired back on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” calling US alignment with Russia a “historic mistake.”

Italy: Meloni calls emergency meeting after violent Milan protests 200+ ARRESTED

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni convened an emergency security meeting Monday after cost-of-living protests in Milan turned violent over the weekend. More than 5,000 people gathered, with over 200 arrested and damage estimated above €500 million, according to Italian media.

World

Cost-of-living protests spread across five European countries in one month 5 COUNTRIES

What began as student marches in France on September 17 has spread to Spain, Belgium, Italy, and Portugal over the past month. Experts say rising energy costs, underfunded schools, and a string of upcoming national elections are driving unrest across the continent.

Mali army and Russia’s Africa Corps killed 89 civilians in airstrikes

Human Rights Watch said Monday that Mali’s military and the Russia-controlled Africa Corps killed 89 civilians in airstrikes from April to August 2026. The report documented attacks including an August 19 strike on a cattle market in central Mali’s Bandiagara region that killed six men.

Zelensky: US restored missile warnings, but Starlink speed cap stays

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed Sunday that the United States has resumed sharing intelligence on Russian missile launches after a brief pause last week. Speed limits on Starlink — the satellite system Ukraine’s military uses for drone operations — remain in place, slowing the armed forces’ response to Russian strikes.

Alberta separation referendum concluded — results expected October 29

Polling stations closed Monday in Alberta’s first-ever vote on whether the Canadian province should begin separating from Canada. Ballots are being counted by hand over 10 days, with official results due October 29; pre-election polls showed about 72% of respondents favoring continued membership in Canada.

Kim Yo-jong threatens loudspeaker broadcasts along Korean border

North Korea’s Kim Yo-jong — sister of leader Kim Jong Un — threatened to resume anti-South Korea loudspeaker broadcasts along the demilitarized zone, SBS News reported Monday. Kim also warned of increased strike readiness near the border, prompting South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to reaffirm plans to take back wartime command from the US.

Politics

Trump approval drops to 31% — lowest of his presidency 31% APPROVAL

A Reuters/Ipsos poll released Monday put President Donald Trump’s job approval at 31%, his lowest mark yet, with 66% of Americans disapproving. Democrats lead Republicans by 12 points on the generic congressional ballot two weeks before the November 3 midterms.

DOJ charges 28 noncitizens in California voter fraud sweep 28 CHARGED

The Justice Department charged 28 foreign nationals with election crimes on Monday and arrested 11 across California, two weeks before the November 3 midterms. Federal data shows noncitizen voting is rare and has not changed race outcomes, but the sweep marks a new front in a simmering fight between the DOJ and California over voter rolls.

Trump rallies in Kansas for Marshall — seat held by GOP since 1932

President Trump held a rally Monday night in Park City, near Wichita, for Republican Senator Roger Marshall, who faces Democrat Adam Hamilton on November 3. Kansas has not elected a Democrat to the US Senate in 94 years, but polls show Hamilton running within single digits.

Vance campaigns in North Carolina as both parties fight for Senate

Vice President JD Vance rallied in North Carolina on Monday as both parties battle for Senate control ahead of the November 3 midterms. A Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll released Sunday showed voters prefer a Democratic-led Congress by 19 points over one that advances Trump’s agenda.

NBC poll: 71% say country on “wrong track” heading into midterms

An NBC News survey released Saturday found 71% of Americans believe the country is headed in the wrong direction, driven largely by inflation and the Iran war. The poll also showed Democrats holding a double-digit lead on the generic congressional ballot with two weeks to go before Election Day.

Markets

Nasdaq rebounds 1.11% as chipmakers snap eight-day slide +1.11%

The Philadelphia Semiconductor Index ended an eight-day losing streak — its longest since 2008 — as Western Digital (+6.1%), SanDisk (+5.5%), and Micron (+3.0%) led a Monday rebound. The Nasdaq rose 1.11% to 26,430, the S&P 500 gained 0.41% to 7,690, and the Dow edged lower to about 52,000.

Brent crude falls 0.3% to $109.55 on Russia supply hopes −0.3%

Brent crude fell 0.3% to $109.55 a barrel Monday after Trump’s waiver on Russian fuel sanctions raised hopes of more oil reaching global markets. WTI crude settled at $103.66, still about 78% above its price a year ago, as Iran’s blockade of the Strait of Hormuz keeps pressure on supply.

Netflix reports Q3 earnings after Tuesday’s close $0.82 EPS EST.

Netflix releases third-quarter results after Tuesday’s closing bell, with analysts expecting about $0.82 per share on roughly $13 billion in revenue. The stock has dropped about 25% in 2026 after the company lost a bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery and cut about 1,000 jobs — roughly 6% of its staff.

10-year yield climbs to 5.14% as Fed rate decision nears 5.14%

The 10-year Treasury yield rose to 5.14% on Monday as traders positioned ahead of the Federal Reserve’s October 27–28 meeting. Gold traded near $4,144.70 an ounce, while Bitcoin held around $82,300.

GM, Tesla, and Meta among big earnings due this week

General Motors reports third-quarter results before Tuesday’s open, with Tesla and Meta Platforms due later in the week. Analysts are watching for signs of consumer spending as high fuel costs and borrowing rates weigh on household budgets.

Entertainment

Rays one win from World Series after 3–1 Game 5 victory GAME 6 MONDAY

Tampa Bay pitcher Drew Rasmussen threw seven strong innings Sunday as the Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 3–1 at Progressive Field, taking a 3–2 ALCS lead. Game 6 was Monday night at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, where a Rays win would send them to the World Series against the Milwaukee Brewers starting October 23.

Theo Von’s Netflix special “I’m Doing Fine” drops today

Comedian Theo Von releases his third Netflix stand-up special on Tuesday. Von, who built a following through podcasts and social media, announced the release on October 12 through an exclusive with Variety.

McConaughey’s independent-voting video divides fans ahead of midterms

Actor Matthew McConaughey posted a six-minute video to X on Sunday urging Americans to consider independent candidates in the November 3 elections. The 56-year-old Oscar winner called the two-party system “lopsided,” drawing backlash from critics who called the message a “privileged perspective.”

Rajinikanth’s “Jailer 2” opens at No. 2 at global box office

Indian action star Rajinikanth’s “Jailer 2” landed at No. 2 at the worldwide box office in its opening weekend, trailing only Paramount’s “Street Fighter.” The sequel drew strong crowds across India and Southeast Asia.

Brand trial enters second week at London’s Southwark Crown Court

The trial of British comedian Russell Brand on seven charges — including three counts of rape — entered its second week Monday at Southwark Crown Court in London. Brand has denied all charges involving six women, and the trial could run until December 11.