A global Halloween primer and cultural snapshot.
Target has pulled a children’s Halloween costume and has apologised after critics said the product and its promotional image evoked Jim Crow–era minstrel caricatures. The retailer has deleted the listing, opened an internal review and said the item "should never have been part of our assortment," while activists and some analysts have renewed boycott calls and warned of reputational fallout.
Developments across multiple regions have kept negotiators busy. The week has seen ongoing discussions while some participants push for concrete concessions and timelines.
Milk Makeup has introduced a Line + Fill Lip Liner and Lip Color, a single pencil that defines the lip line and fills in color, with a matte finish and up to eight hours of wear. Priced around $22, it includes a built-in sharpener and aims to streamline makeup routines for busy mornings and day-to-night wear.
Paisley’s two-day Halloween festival is underway with thousands watching a Friday parade and street performances, but Saturday’s events are canceled due to strong winds from Storm Boelo. Grandstand tickets are refunded. Public safety remains the priority as organisers adapt to severe weather.
France faces a third weekend of protests over cost of living and education with thousands of police deployed nationwide. Demonstrations plan to press demands on school funding and Parcoursup reforms, while authorities warn of a high risk of disorder and deploy measures to limit violence.
Protests led by youth groups in Germany and France have escalated amid rising living costs and concerns over education, housing, and public services. Authorities are mobilising security and preparing to manage large demonstrations across several major cities this weekend.
France faces a high-risk Halloween with protests planned nationwide. Interior Minister Nuñez has banned central Paris marches, heightened police presence, and warned of possible unrest after dark. Demonstrations have surged since late September, with youth-led and union groups demanding action on education costs, living expenses, and police conduct. Courts have restricted routes and curfews have been imposed for minors in key areas.
The FBI says TraderTraitor has tied a new wave of crypto theft to malicious activity, with assets being converted primarily into Ethereum. Binance has begun reimbursing users for most losses, while investigators warn of ongoing laundering attempts. Trump has commented that North Korea involvement remains unconfirmed as the investigation advances.
Hundreds of thousands have protested across France this weekend over the cost of living. Clashes in Paris and other cities have produced a widely shared video showing a homemade incendiary device igniting a gendarme's leg; prosecutors have opened an attempted murder investigation and police have made more than 770 arrests nationwide.
The Northern Lights have been visible across parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England over Halloween, with a less intense display continuing into Sunday. The Met Office reports a slight chance of renewed aurora sightings in northern Scotland on Thursday as solar conditions shift. Stargazers are advised to seek remote locations to avoid light pollution and to look north for the best view.
Authorities report 13 incidents of metal objects found in Halloween sweets across Austria, Austria, Hungary and Germany, with injuries limited to minor mouth wounds. Police urge vigilance as investigations expand to multiple states and neighbouring countries.
Sophia Aitken has died after being struck by a Stagecoach bus on Lauchlan Way in Kilwinning. The 12-year-old pupil from Kilwinning Academy died at the scene. Police are investigating, appealing for dashcam footage and witnesses to come forward.
In the 10 days after the government’s Be Ready campaign, hand sanitiser sales jump 83%, bottled water 67%, and tinned goods 37%, with a corresponding rise in daily shoppers for tinned meat. Officials say the growth comes from more households adding the recommended items to their weekly shop, not from panic buying.