At a Trump rally at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Oct. 27, a speaker's racially insensitive joke about Puerto Rico made national headlines and sparked backlash. The twist? The speaker was not Trump.

Donald Trump’s return to power in the 2024 elections signals a dramatic turning point, not just for the U.S., but for the Post-Cold War global order. As disillusionment with Western liberalism and the status quo grows, both domestically and internationally, authoritarian movements are gaining momentum worldwide. If the West doesn’t adapt and deliver real progress, it risks being overtaken by a new era of populism and autocracy.

In October 2024, North Korea sent troops to Russia to aid its war efforts against Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in the Russo-Ukrainian War. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the conflict has attracted substantial international attention, with the US emerging as one of Ukraine’s primary supporters. The involvement of North Korean troops could signal a major shift in Moscow’s strategy in the war.

Research your ballot before you vote. If you are registered with a specific party, you should have received a sample ballot listing all candidates and measures that will appear on your official ballot. If you did not receive one, Ballotpedia offers a digital sample ballot for your area. Take the time to research candidates and measures thoroughly so you can make informed choices. Millions of military service members, abolitionists, suffragists, activists, and devoted citizens have fought — and often sacrificed their lives — to secure your right to vote. Do not squander it. Fill out your entire ballot.

On the evening of Oct. 18, the island of Cuba experienced a blackout, leaving 10 million residents without power.

On Oct. 16, 2024, Yahya Sinwar, the leader of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), was killed by the Israeli military.