Sunday, October 25th

What happened

French authorities closed Paris museums and deployed about 70,000 police and gendarmes Saturday as hundreds of thousands marched nationwide. The Interior Ministry counted about 410,000 protesters while the CGT union estimated about 800,000; police detained nearly 1,000 people, more than last weekend. The protests began over staff shortages and poor conditions at a high school near Paris, then widened into demands for better education, higher wages and cost-of-living relief. Authorities kept the Paris march on the southeastern edge and limited rallies elsewhere, saying the curbs reduced violence risks. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said no public buildings were targeted, compared with last weekend’s attacks. The Louvre closed, and police used tear gas at the endpoint.

What happened

Ukraine said Starlink and Starshield had returned to normal operating speeds, with stable connections for equipment moving faster than 400 km/h. Ukraine relies on SpaceX’s Starlink for communications and logistics, while the military-grade Starshield supports operations including drones and intercepting Russian attacks. Elon Musk said SpaceX closed a loophole because Ukraine’s military used civilian Starlink for offensive drone strikes, violating its terms. Trump administration officials denied ordering the slowdown, while Musk said Starshield limits are set by the U.S. military and ultimately the president. Ukrainian Defense Minister Yevhenii Khmara credited dialogue with Washington. The exact order and reasoning remain unclear.

What happened

Former President Barack Obama campaigned for Democratic candidates Sherrod Brown and Amy Acton in Ohio, then for Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed in Detroit, as Democrats pushed turnout before the November 3 midterm elections. The contests are close and could affect Senate control. El-Sayed could become the first Muslim U.S. senator, but is courting Black voters after primary divisions and community tensions. Obama blamed Trump for higher costs; Trump defended his record by citing tariffs and other policies. Obama condemned Republican Vivek Ramaswamy’s ad featuring Acton’s estranged mother, while Ramaswamy called it an attack on alleged dishonesty. His campaign later aired a shorter version that dropped one claim. Early voting is underway in Michigan.