Here are today’s most important stories.
Headlines
Migrant Riots in France Continue
More than half a million protesters took to the streets of France on Saturday, and riots spread to major cities overnight, with government buildings torched and about 1,800 people detained. In Limoges, the 143-year-old town hall was set ablaze and its spire collapsed, and more than 500 police officers were injured nationwide. President Emmanuel Macron, who vowed that rioters will be prosecuted and punished, is set to address the nation Sunday evening. Source
President Trump is standing by his decision to waive sweeping new Russia sanctions passed by Congress, calling the move a "very good decision" after signing an executive order Friday that cited the national interest. The waiver follows his deal with Vladimir Putin to release Russian diesel onto the global market as fuel prices soar, and it drew swift condemnation from critics in Congress. Source
Pope Leo XIV appeared at a window of the Apostolic Palace on Sunday to lead the weekly Angelus prayer, his first public event since undergoing lung cancer surgery five days earlier. The 71-year-old pontiff came to the window unaided and kept his usual noon appointment with crowds in St. Peter’s Square, a day after being discharged from Rome’s Gemelli Hospital. Find out More
Politics
Republicans in Texas went after Democrat James Talarico’s record at a Saturday rally for Attorney General Ken Paxton, who faces Talarico for the state’s open Senate seat. In Minnesota, GOP Senate nominee Michele Tafoya targeted Democratic Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan’s record, with alleged fraud schemes that may have cost taxpayers up to $9 billion at the center of that race. Read More
President Trump’s approval rating fell to 36% in a Fox News poll released this week, the lowest of either of his terms, including just 22% approval on his handling of inflation. The slide comes amid a string of October controversies less than three weeks before the midterms, including remarks at an Arizona rally that officials who leak sensitive military information "should be shot." Find out More
Democratic Senate candidates in red states dominated third-quarter fundraising, new federal filings show, including South Carolina Democrat Annie Andrews, who outraised Republican Sen. Darline Graham. The hauls could help Democrats push back against heavy Republican outside spending in the campaign’s closing weeks. Read More
U.S. News
A man was shot and killed just after noon on Saturday on the northbound E train platform at the 53rd Street–7th Avenue subway station in Midtown Manhattan. Police released images of the suspect, who wore a red hoodie, red pants, a black puffy vest, and a black mask, and fled north on 7th Avenue; no arrests have been made. Find out More
Investigators are still working to determine a motive in Thursday’s shooting at Silver Rail Elementary School in Bend, Oregon, where a 16-year-old killed three children and a teacher. The gunman was stopped by local father Kaylub Giamanco, who followed him into the school with a legally owned pistol as a teacher fought the attacker. See Details
Fire crews in Southern California worked through the weekend to contain the wind-driven Norte Fire, which burned at least six large coastal homes in the hills between San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. Thousands of residents were ordered to evacuate as Santa Ana winds pushed the flames, and while some orders were lifted Saturday, most remained in effect. Find out More
Business
President Trump’s deal for Russia to supply about 4.8 million metric tons of diesel, roughly ten days of U.S. demand, is unlikely to meaningfully lower fuel prices, experts say. Analysts also expect the agreement to deliver only a marginal financial benefit to Moscow, even as it raises concerns about further Western concessions. Source
Netflix reports third-quarter results after the closing bell Tuesday, Oct. 20, with Wall Street expecting earnings of $0.82 per share, nearly 39% higher than a year ago. Options traders are leaning bullish heading into the report, and the average analyst price target implies a roughly 30% gain over the next year. Source
Today’s economy bears a striking resemblance to the year 2000, with a tech-driven boom, low unemployment, elevated inflation fueled by energy costs, and a Federal Reserve raising rates to cool things down. The comparison comes as the debt markets funding the AI build-out have shown signs of strain this week. Find out More
World News
Canada’s defense minister, David McGuinty, confirmed both deaths and injuries after a "serious incident" sparked a major fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta, one of the country’s busiest military bases. The blaze spread beyond the base perimeter and was still burning Saturday, and officials have not yet released casualty figures or a cause. Read More
Iran has offered to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s key oil chokepoint, if the United States accepts its conditions. The offer comes as U.S. Central Command says the vast majority of Iran’s attempted attacks on shipping in the strait have failed. Source
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney accused the United States of trying to "break" Canada, sharpening tensions between the neighbors. His remarks come amid President Trump’s annexation talk and warnings about a separatist referendum inside Canada. Read More
Entertainment
"Street Fighter" is leading the weekend box office with an estimated $31 million debut from 3,575 North American theaters, despite a B-minus CinemaScore and lukewarm reviews. The Elizabeth Holmes documentary "You Can See Everything" is drawing lines and roughly 750 sellout screenings on a limited release, while "Whalefall" is struggling to find an audience. See Details
"Dancing with the Stars" pro Val Chmerkovskiy has been suspended from the show for one week after an online post invoking the Will Smith Oscars slap in response to judge Carrie Ann Inaba’s critique of his wife, Jenna Johnson. The post has since been deleted. Read More
Country star Zach Bryan released his eight-song EP "Young Manhood & Other Donatable Organs" on Friday. The project features a duet with Lana Del Rey on "Lies" and a collaboration with fellow Oklahomans Turnpike Troubadours on "Plainsman." Find out More
Sports
Miami climbed to No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time since 2002 after a chaotic Saturday in which five of the top seven teams lost. BYU jumped to No. 2, its highest ranking since its 1984 national championship season, while Notre Dame and Georgia both stayed in the top five despite close losses. Source
The Tampa Bay Rays beat the Cleveland Guardians 3-1 in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series on Sunday, taking a 3-2 series lead and moving one win from the World Series. Ace Drew Rasmussen dominated over seven innings, and the Rays used speed, bunts and steady contact to chase rookie starter Parker Messick after two innings. The series shifts to Tropicana Field for Game 6 on Monday night, with the winner advancing to face the Milwaukee Brewers. Find out More
The Cleveland Browns moved atop the AFC North with their fourth win of the season, a buzzer-beating victory over the Baltimore Ravens that gives them the division tiebreaker over both Baltimore and Pittsburgh. In London, Ka’imi Fairbairn’s field goal at the horn lifted the Houston Texans past the Jacksonville Jaguars for their second straight win after an 0-4 start. Read More
A Milwaukee Brewers fan who paid $1,000 for a "Timeless Ticket" back in 2015 is cashing it in for a seat at the 2026 World Series. The team sold just 1,000 of the tickets, which can be redeemed for any future home game with no expiration date, and the Brewers have confirmed they will honor them for the Fall Classic. Source
Off the Wall
An Ohio horse named Jenny earned a Guinness World Record after her tail was officially measured at 13 feet, 6 inches, breaking a mark of 12 feet, 6 inches that stood since 2007. Owner Mackenzie Lowe received the American saddlebred as a 13th birthday gift in 2019 and let the tail grow to see how long it could get. Find out More
