France Faces Fiscal Test After Violent Protests (Europe)
Italian Protests Expose Economic Discontent (Europe)
Settler Attacks Draw Diplomatic Scrutiny in West Bank (Middle East)
Trump Backs Netanyahu as Israeli Election Nears (US)
Houthi Attacks Expose Saudi Military Limits (Conflict)
Albania Protests Test Its EU Ambitions (Europe)
US Restores Missile Alerts Amid Ukraine Rift (Europe)
Drone Incidents Put NATO Air Defences on Alert (Europe)
Putin Proposes Ukraine Talks Without Kyiv (Russia)
Ebola Spreads Across Borders as Kenya Cases Rise (Africa)
A succinct daily briefing delivered each weekday to help you stay on top of the stories shaping the world.
France’s government faces a deepening political test after nationwide protests over living costs and public services descended into the country’s worst unrest in years. Around 550,000 people marched on Saturday, with almost 2,400 arrested and nearly 1,000 police officers injured. Rioters attacked public buildings and shops. At the same time many demonstrators protested peacefully but found their peaceful protests hijacked by rioters and looters.
The violence comes ahead of Tuesday’s parliamentary vote on the first part of Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s 2027 budget, which seeks to make €54 billion in savings. France’s debt reached €3.6 trillion, or 119% of GDP, in the second quarter of this year complicating efforts to contain its deficit.
President Emmanuel Macron condemned the destruction and ordered a review of police preparedness. He also requested talks with students, teachers, unions, lawmakers and businesses to develop proposals addressing the crisis. Political opponents traded accusations over responsibility, while some unions called for further demonstrations on 5 November.
Sources: New York Times, CNBC
Violence at cost of living protests spread across northern Italy with clashes in Milan continuing for a second day on Sunday. Masked youths threw bottles and fireworks at police at Piazza Duomo, damaged shops and erected barricades. Police responded with tear gas and water cannon. At least four officers and 20 demonstrators were injured on Saturday.
The demonstrations reflect anger over high prices, stagnant wages and a shortage of affordable housing. Clashes were also reported in Turin, Bologna and Bergamo, while thousands protested in Rome. Italian General Confederation of Labour leader Maurizio Landini announced a general strike for November 20.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned the violence and called a security meeting for Monday. Milan Mayor Giuseppe Sala acknowledged the protesters’ grievances but said attacks on police and damage to the city were unjustifiable. The unrest has exposed a divide between the economic complaints driving demonstrations and the violence accompanying them.
Sources: Le Monde, DW
Attacks by Israeli settlers on European diplomats and an American photojournalist have drawn fresh scrutiny of violence in the occupied West Bank, days before Israel’s October 27 election. Masked settlers assaulted Belgian, French & Polish representatives near the Palestinian village of Taybeh on Saturday. A day earlier, Washington Post photographer Heidi Levine was seriously injured while covering an olive harvest near Abu Falah.
US Assistant Secretary of State Riley Barnes and US Ambassador to the Holy See Brian Burch visited Taybeh on Sunday. US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee condemned the assault on Levine and called for arrests, while attending a settler conference that day.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned both attacks but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the circumstances required further investigation. Israeli authorities announced no arrests by Sunday. Rights group Yesh Din recorded at least 170 settler attacks since September 27, amid mounting criticism of the government’s response.
Sources: Times of Israel, Washington Post
US President Donald Trump has endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of the October 27 election, praising his leadership during the joint US-Israeli war against Iran. Trump also suggested further American action against Iran could depend on Netanyahu remaining in office, saying he was reluctant to act alone under another Israeli leader.
The endorsement follows months of disagreements between the two leaders over Iran, Lebanon and Gaza. Their joint war against Iran has disrupted global energy markets, while Trump’s proposed ceasefire has disappointed some Israelis. Netanyahu thanked Trump and pledged that they would complete their mission.
Polls suggest Netanyahu’s governing coalition could lose its majority, although opposition parties may also struggle to form a government. Analysts say Trump’s support could help persuade wavering Netanyahu voters but is unlikely to transform the contest. Israel’s prime minister is chosen through parliamentary coalition building, leaving the outcome uncertain even after voting.
Sources: Reuters, Associate Press
Saudi Arabia’s advanced military is struggling to contain Houthi missile and drone attacks, exposing weaknesses in its air defences despite one of the world’s largest defence budgets. A strike on Riyadh’s international airport killed at least 13 people, while another attack injured six in Najran on Sunday. Saudi officials face shortages of missile interceptors and the challenge of protecting infrastructure spread across vast territory.
The Houthis combine mobile launchers, domestic weapons production and mountainous terrain with Iranian assistance. A senior US official said Saudi defences intercepted more than 90% of missiles aimed at protected areas, but over half of Houthi attacks targeted undefended locations.
Riyadh has sought military assistance from Turkey, Pakistan and European countries while continuing airstrikes in Yemen. The United States has limited its support to intelligence and other assistance. Analysts warn that air power alone cannot defeat the Houthis, leaving Saudi Arabia confronting difficult military and diplomatic choices.
Sources: Wall Street Journal, PBS
Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama has refused to resign after six days of student-led protests, warning that the unrest threatens the country’s ambition to join the European Union. Demonstrations over alleged corruption, unemployment and poor education standards have spread from Tirana to other cities. Protesters have attacked government buildings, banks and shops, while police have used tear gas, water cannon and rubber bullets.
On Sunday, demonstrators again clashed with police outside the Education Ministry. Police said 388 people had been charged with criminal offences during the protests, which have injured scores of officers and demonstrators.
Rama, who has governed since 2013, invited students to talks but blamed unspecified foreign interests for the unrest. Albania is seeking EU membership by 2030, and the European Commission condemned the violence while welcoming assurances that the right to protest would be protected. Rama maintains that the demonstrations threaten that accession path rather than his government.
Sources: Reuters, DW
The United States has resumed intelligence sharing on Russian ballistic missile launches after a three day interruption, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Sunday. Ukraine relies on American warnings to detect incoming missiles but alerts came only after five Russian missiles struck Kyiv on October 12. Zelensky said the service was now restored, although restrictions on Ukraine’s Starshield satellite communications remain in place.
The restoration comes amid growing friction between Kyiv and Washington. Zelensky criticised US President Donald Trump’s agreement to import Russian diesel and his decision to waive sanctions on Russia, warning that American support for Moscow would undermine Ukraine’s ability to defend itself.
Trump said his decisions were intended to keep Russia at the negotiating table. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pointed to continuing intelligence and munitions support but declined to say whether Washington considered Ukraine an ally. Zelensky expressed hope for further talks with US officials next week.
Sources: Reuters, Kyiv Independent
NATO fighter jets scrambled over Lithuania on Sunday after a suspected drone entered its airspace and apparently exploded, forcing residents in northern and central areas to shelter for an hour. Kaunas airport temporarily closed and debris struck a civilian vehicle. Two Italian Eurofighters responded but could not identify the object through cloud cover.
Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said the object arrived from Poland, although Polish radar did not confirm a border crossing. Ukraine suggested Russian electronic warfare may have diverted a drone off course. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda warned that Russia’s war was spilling across NATO’s eastern flank.
The incident followed Romania’s downing of two unidentified drones over its Black Sea waters on Saturday. Two chemical tankers had also been attacked off Romania’s coast on Thursday, leaving seven crew members missing. NATO is due to discuss the Romanian incursion on Tuesday, as repeated incidents raise concerns about security along the alliance’s borders.
Sources: South China Morning Post, DW, Reuters
Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a summit with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss ending the Ukraine war without Ukrainian participation. The meeting could take place alongside November’s APEC summit in Shenzhen. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed discussions but said neither the meeting nor its agenda had been agreed.
The proposal follows an October 9 call between Putin and Trump that produced an agreement for the US to buy Russian diesel. Trump has also delayed sanctions against Moscow, arguing that imposing them could drive Russia away from negotiations. He has criticised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over attacks on Russian oil facilities.
The format would exclude Ukraine and European governments from discussions about the war’s settlement. China has indicated it would not object if Trump agreed, although he has not committed. The prospect has alarmed Kyiv and European allies concerned about a settlement favouring Moscow.
Sources: Times of India, Wall Street Journal
Kenya has confirmed an eighth Ebola infection as an outbreak originating in the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to spread across East Africa. Director-General for Health Patrick Amoth said one of 38 people tested on Sunday was positive. The 49-year-old patient attendant, who cleaned utensils and linens, was probably exposed to Kenya’s first case, a traveller from Congo who died in Nairobi on October 5.
Four other infections were reported on Saturday, including three healthcare workers who treated the first patient and one relative. The outbreak involves the Bundibugyo strain, for which no vaccine or specific treatment is available.
Congo has recorded at least 9,400 cases and more than 4,500 deaths since May. The virus has now reached eight Congolese provinces, while North Kivu authorities plan restrictions on arrivals from neighbouring Ituri. Uganda previously recorded 20 cases and two deaths before being declared Ebola-free in August.
Sources: Reuters, Al Jazeera
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On this day …
On this day in 1987, global financial markets experienced one of the most dramatic crashes in modern history. The Dow Jones Industrial Average plunged 22.6% in a single session, its largest one-day percentage decline on record.
The sell-off spread across international markets, wiping billions from share valuations. Unlike previous major crashes, Black Monday occurred without an accompanying economic recession.
Computer-driven programme trading, portfolio insurance strategies and deteriorating investor confidence contributed to the collapse.
Regulators subsequently introduced circuit breakers and other safeguards designed to prevent disorderly trading.
Nearly four decades later, the episode remains a reminder that financial innovation can create risks that markets do not fully understand until something goes wrong.