The Brief

Hundreds of demonstrations took place across France amid anger over conditions in schools and the cost of living; CBS News puts participation at around half a million people. NPR reports most were peaceful, but some turned violent, with cars and buildings set alight and shops looted. CBS News reports more than 1,800 arrests, and says masked groups attacked public buildings, including city halls. BBC reports a historic town hall in Limoges was damaged in an apparent arson attack.

In a televised address, President Emmanuel Macron called for calm and said those who looted will have to pay for the damage and those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable. Al Jazeera reports he promised to increase security but stopped short of announcing a state of emergency or curfew.

Prime Minister Mark Carney said four service members were killed and dozens were injured in an incident that caused a major fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright. He described it as one of the worst peacetime tragedies for Canada's military on domestic soil.

PBS reports strong winds spread the flames beyond the base into the surrounding rural area, and BBC says Carney described crews fighting the fire through the night in "some of the worst conditions imaginable." A cause has not been given; Defence Minister David McGuinty earlier called the situation "very active and delicate."

Al Jazeera reports Gulf Cooperation Council ministers condemned Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and urged action against the group, while fighting has displaced more than 233,000 people across Yemen.

PBS reports Egypt's top security body agreed to help Saudi Arabia defend itself. The Houthis have repeatedly attacked airports and oil infrastructure in the kingdom with drones and missiles that can change direction in flight, which poses a challenge to interceptors.

President Trump endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for reelection in a social media post, calling him a "Strong, Brave, and Brilliant" leader.

Israelis vote Oct. 27, in the first national elections since the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot said masked settlers targeted Belgium's consul general, French and Polish diplomats and Catholic representatives in the village of Taybeh.

The Israeli military condemned the violence, while the prime minister's office said it was part of a "smear" campaign. Israeli police said footage online appears to show the attack.

Al Jazeera reports the EU has condemned the attack and demanded accountability. Separately, CBS News reports U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee called for prosecution of those who attacked journalist Heidi Levine in the West Bank, calling the attack "vicious."

BBC reports an overnight attack on St Petersburg hit oil facilities and killed at least one person. The strikes also hit a data centre used by Russia's equivalent of Facebook.

CBS News reports Ukraine launched about 1,000 drones at Russia and that the strikes set oil facilities ablaze, as tensions between Kyiv and Washington deepened.

Alberta is not voting to leave Canada on Oct. 19. Voters will instead decide whether the province should remain in Canada or begin the legal process toward a future separation referendum.

CBS News reports around 20% of Alberta residents want to formally separate.