HAVANA TIMES – We bring you some of the top international news stories compiled by Democracy Now on Monday, October 19, 2026.
Hundreds of Thousands March in Over 140 Cities in France on Saturday
Oct 19, 2026
In France, hundreds of thousands of protesters marched in over 140 cities on Saturday, demanding relief from the high cost of living, more funding for public services and improvements to deteriorating schools, among other grievances. The demonstrations were the latest — and largest — in a series of protests that began in September with student-led rallies over overcrowded classrooms and crumbling school infrastructure, that have since grown to a broader nationwide movement. Some cities saw property destruction, arson and theft, with isolated incidents of violence. There was damage reported to symbols of the state, including city halls in Lille, Marseille and Limoges, and a tourist office in Lyon. Officials said almost 1,000 police officers were injured, and some 2,400 people were arrested. France’s Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said police had “lost control,” and offered to resign. President Emmanuel Macron rejected his offer. Macron blamed the violence on “dissenters from far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals.”
Many of the hundreds of thousands who marched peacefully said there was too much media focus on property damage and not on the issues of austerity and police violence against children. This is a protester in Paris.
Paola Formenti: “I think the protests are very legitimate. There is a lot of anger. There is a lot of difficulty in living and studying. So I believe it’s legitimate. And, of course, in this legitimate protest, sometimes there are violent people that take advantage, but I think it’s very minor.”
The French president is off on a three-day tour of Gulf Arab states — Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
Millions of Protesters Participate in “No Kings” Demonstrations on Saturday in the U.S.
Oct 19, 2026
Here in the U.S., millions of people took to the streets at more than 3,000 local events in all 50 U.S. states on Saturday, seeking to rally voters for midterm elections under the banner “No Kings.” Organizers sought to make Saturday the largest single day of early voting in U.S. history; they’re also organizing poll monitors and election defenders ready to respond to election sabotage. This is Seattle resident Olivia Pope.
Olivia Pope: “Having freedom here in America is important. Not having a king ruling over us is important. Being able to have universal healthcare is important. I actually experienced an injury with no healthcare, and it was $48,000.”
Meanwhile, the social media giant Meta has apologized after the No Kings coalition’s Instagram account was shut down for several hours during Saturday’s demonstrations. Meta later apologized, citing an automated action it said was made in error. The No Kings coalition is demanding an explanation, writing, “Restricting communications about voting in the middle of an election is unacceptable.”
Thousands March in Tunisia Against President Kaïs Saïed
Oct 19, 2026
In Tunisia, thousands marched in the capital Tunis Saturday in the biggest protest against President Kaïs Saïed in years. The march was led by the powerful Tunisian General Labor Union, with opposition parties and civil society groups. Protesters demanded the release of jailed critics and accused Saïed of crushing dissent since he consolidated power in 2021, when he dissolved Parliament, fired dozens of judges and began ruling by decree. This is the vice president of the Tunisian Human Rights League.
Jamaleddine Sebaa: “A suffocating crisis on all levels, frankly speaking. Almost all rights today have been violated. The state is no longer fulfilling its duty to provide rights for Tunisian citizens, and that is what made us determined today to make the voice of the Tunisian people heard. Tunisia first, and the Tunisian people above all.”
Protests Continue to Roil Albania, as Demonstrators Call for Prime Minister to Resign
In Albania, protests have rocked the capital Tirana for a week, as anti-government demonstrators clashed with police, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. Albania’s protests started in May, when environmentalists rallied against a planned luxury resort tied to President Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Environmentalists say the development would destroy sensitive wetland habitats. The movement soon grew into broader protests against corruption and the cost of living. Most recently, students led the protests, demonstrating against high tuition, poor university conditions and a lack of jobs. This is a protester.
Jetmir Kurti: “It’s corruption, fraud. There is injustice for everyone. They don’t see — we don’t see the future with this government, with its politics, with the rich people that are getting richer every day. So, we need a change; otherwise, everyone will escape from here.”
Brazil’s Lula Holds First and Only Debate with Flávio Bolsonaro Ahead of Presidential Runoff
Oct 19, 2026
In Brazil, right-wing Senator Flávio Bolsonaro and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva sparred in their first and only debate on Sunday, one week before the presidential runoff election. Flávio Bolsonaro is the son of far-right former President Jair Bolsonaro. He finished two points ahead of Lula in the first round of voting, but polls have recently narrowed. During the debate, President Lula attacked Flávio Bolsonaro for supporting his father’s response to the COVID pandemic. This is Flávio Bolsonaro.
Flávio Bolsonaro: “The PT, the Workers’ Party, has been governing Brazil for 20 years, and nothing has changed or improved for you when it comes to healthcare.”
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva: “Only someone who knows nothing about healthcare, someone who has never used the public health system, could say something like that. They had a four-year run, and it was the greatest disaster in this country’s history: 716,000 people died due to the government’s irresponsibility. Half of those deaths could have been prevented if they had listened to science, if they had believed in science, but they didn’t.”
Ukraine and Russia Trade Drone and Missile Strikes After Trump Waives Sanctions on Moscow
Oct 19, 2026
Russian officials say one person was killed and five others were wounded Sunday as Ukraine launched more than 1,000 drones across 15 Russian regions. The drone swarm set an oil terminal on fire in St. Petersburg, knocking out power to thousands of residents. It also struck a Russian retail chain’s logistics center and a data center operated by the largest Russian social media platform. Russia followed with a large-scale missile and drone attack on Kyiv overnight that killed a 21-year-old woman and left more than a half a million households without electricity. The attacks struck more than 10 energy sites, a clinic, a school, a metro station and homes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the attacks came with no advance warnings from Western intelligence agencies.
Two days before the Lindsey Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 was supposed to go into effect, which Trump signed, he waived the sanctions against Russia, saying he would sign a deal with President Vladimir Putin to purchase diesel fuel. Lawmakers from both parties criticized the plans. North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis — who is not seeking reelection — was among Republicans distancing themselves from Trump. He wrote, “It’s unconscionable that this administration is capitulating to a Russian dictator who illegally invaded Ukraine and butchers innocent civilians every single day.”
Israeli Settler Attack on Palestinian Olive Harvest Wounds Dozens, Including WaPo Photographer
Oct 19, 2026
In the occupied West Bank, armed Israeli settlers descended on Palestinian villages over the weekend in a coordinated assault on the annual olive harvest. Dozens of Palestinians were injured. Witnesses say Israeli forces responded by siding with the settlers, firing tear gas at Palestinians who tried to defend themselves. In one incident, at least 80 masked settlers attacked an olive harvest in the town of Abu Falah on Friday; among their victims was Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine, who was beaten for more than 10 minutes by settlers, who stole her passport, phone, wallet and camera gear. Levine was hospitalized with serious injuries, including a stab wound. She spoke to reporters from a hospital bed in Ramallah.
Heidi Levine: “And I just am so ashamed that as a parent myself, I cannot understand how a parent can raise such individual monsters. They’re not even humans. And yes, they are Jewish terrorists, and they are giving everyone in the country a horrible reputation.”
In rare critical comments, U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee called the attack on Heidi Levine “terror” and called for the prosecution of those responsible.
Separately, Israeli settlers assaulted Belgian, French and Polish diplomats and a French mayor in another part of the occupied West Bank on Saturday. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cast doubt on reports of settler attacks, calling them “sensational headlines before the full facts emerge” and part of a smear campaign. But Israeli police later said they had taken 10 suspects into custody for questioning. Prosecutions of Israeli settlers are rare.
Later in the broadcast, we’ll speak with Jasper Nathaniel, a journalist covering Israel’s occupation of the West Bank. His new piece is titled “The Palestinians Who Rescued Heidi Levine.”
Mass Funeral Held for 75 Palestinians Whose Remains Were Uncovered from Gaza Rubble
Oct 19, 2026
Image Credit: Anadolu Agency via Reuters Connect
In Gaza, a mass funeral was held on Sunday for 75 Palestinians whose remains were found under the rubble of homes and buildings destroyed by Israel. This comes as the U.N. has announced major cuts to the World Food Programme’s Gaza operations due to a funding shortfall. The agency is reducing monthly assistance to 1.1 million people, down from 1.6 million, even as two-thirds of Gaza’s population faces crisis levels of food insecurity — or worse.
Trump Backs Netanyahu for Prime Minister Days Before Israeli Election
Oct 19, 2026
President Trump endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Truth Social on Sunday, just days before Israel’s election on October 27. The endorsement comes as most polls show Netanyahu’s coalition short of a majority. It’s Israel’s first election since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. Trump endorsed Netanyahu two days after Israeli settlers attacked Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine.
“There’s a Failure in the Leadership”: Widower Confronts JD Vance over Iran War Deaths
Oct 19, 2026
During a CBS News town hall, a widower of U.S. service member Nicole Amor confronted Vice President JD Vance. Amor was one of six people killed in an Iranian drone attack back in March, its deadliest attack on U.S. forces during the Iran war.
Joey Amor: “There’s a failure in the leadership, and I want to know how this administration is going to start holding those leaders accountable for the actions and the deaths of the soldiers that we — that we honor and that we love.”
Houthis Strike Military Training Camp as UAE Joins Saudi-Led Attacks on Yemen
Oct 19, 2026
In Yemen, Houthi forces attacked a government military training camp in the Shabwa province, killing 18 people. It comes as fighting between Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Houthis has escalated in recent weeks. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates has agreed with Saudi Arabia to reenter the conflict in Yemen by reportedly resuming payments to some government forces. This comes as The Wall Street Journal reports that Iran has provided the Houthis with training, intelligence and tactical guidance to launch attacks against Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s government.
Guatemalan Anti-Corruption Lawyer Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa Is Murdered
Oct 19, 2026
In Guatemala, a prominent anti-corruption lawyer, Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa, died after being shot by two men while visiting a sports center in Guatemala City. Guatemalan police reported that they had detained two men. President Bernardo Arévalo condemned the attack, saying, “The direct perpetrators and those who ordered the crime must face the full weight of the law.” Solórzano Foppa had been outspoken against Guatemala’s most powerful politicians, business leaders and companies. We’ll have more on this story later in the broadcast.
Trump Administration Seeks to Denaturalize and Deport Rep. Ilhan Omar, Tom Homan Confirms
Oct 19, 2026
The White House’s so-called border czar Tom Homan on Saturday became the first senior Trump administration official to publicly state that the administration was looking to possibly denaturalize and deport Congressmember Ilhan Omar. His comments come after federal agents raided her home last week. Homan spoke on Fox News on Saturday.
Tomi Lahren: “Would this involve denaturalizing and then deporting her, if it — if it turns out that there is some kind of immigration fraud?”
Tom Homan: “Of course. If you lie during naturalization process, there is a process to denaturalize somebody. We’ve done it before. It’s a — it’s a — it’s a long, tedious process, but it’s been done before. I’ve been involved with those investigations before. And certainly, if the evidence points that way, that could happen.”
President Obama, whose citizenship has also been questioned by President Trump, condemned Homan’s comments and defended Congressmember Omar, writing on Sunday on X, “The full weight of the federal government is being brought down on a law-abiding elected official because she has dared to criticize the president.” Obama added, “If this becomes the new normal, there’s no reason to believe it will stop with her — or that future presidents, in either party, won’t do the same.”
Katie Zacharia Ousted as Press Secretary After Just Five Days on the Job
Oct 19, 2026
The White House’s new press secretary, Katie Zacharia, resigned on Friday after just five days on the job. It comes after her disastrous debut as press secretary last Tuesday. Zacharia was also facing questions on whether she misrepresented herself as a lawyer despite failing the California bar exam.