China's exports unexpectedly declined by 1.1% in October, marking the first contraction since February, primarily due to a significant drop in shipments to the US despite growth in other markets. This surprise slowdown highlights potential vulnerabilities in China's external resilience amid ongoing global trade uncertainties and high tariffs, raising concerns about future economic growth prospects.
October saw the highest layoffs in 22 years, with 153,074 announced, driven mainly by cost-cutting and AI, especially in warehousing and tech sectors, indicating a potential shift in the labor market dynamics amid economic tightening.
Layoff announcements in October reached a 22-year high with 153,074 cuts, driven by AI integration and sector restructuring, signaling potential challenges for the labor market amid economic adjustments and softening demand.
Layoff announcements in the US surged in October, marking the worst October in 22 years, driven by AI disruptions, softening consumer and corporate spending, and rising costs, with over a million layoffs in the first 10 months of the year. The ongoing government shutdown has delayed key economic data, complicating policymaking and economic assessment.
In October, the US private sector added 42,000 jobs, marking a rebound after two months of weak hiring, with pay growth remaining flat at 4.5% year-over-year for job-stayers. The report highlights modest job gains in education, healthcare, and trade, while employment declined in professional services and leisure. Pay increases varied slightly by industry and firm size, with larger firms seeing the most growth.
The article highlights the top 20 products that CNN Underscored readers loved buying on Amazon in October, including travel adapters, body butter, car safety tools, and car seat gap fillers, with a focus on seasonal and practical items during Prime Big Deal Days.
October 2024 experienced the lowest box office revenue in nearly three decades, with only $425 million earned, due to a combination of poor-performing big-budget films, lack of new releases, and external factors like Halloween and baseball playoffs, marking a challenging year for Hollywood's theatrical success.
The Halloween weekend in 2025 saw the lowest box office earnings of the year, with only $43 million in ticket sales due to the holiday falling on a Friday and lack of new releases. 'Regretting You' surprisingly led the charts with $8.1 million, closely followed by 'Black Phone 2' with $8 million. The overall October box office was the worst in 27 years, with several films underperforming, though some titles like 'KPop Demon Hunters' and 'Chainsaw Man' performed modestly.
My Nintendo is celebrating Halloween and the release of Pokémon Legends: Z-A with various rewards and sweepstakes, including a chance to win Pokémon-themed prizes, a trip to San Francisco, and a Mario and Yoshi statue, all accessible through earning Platinum Points.
In October 2025, a rare Harvest Moon coincides with the year's first supermoon, appearing about 7% larger and 15% brighter than usual, best viewed around moonrise on October 6-8, especially when low on the horizon for dramatic effect.
Packers defensive lineman Micah Parsons has been named NFC Defensive Player of the Month for October, his second such award, after impressive performances including nine tackles and four sacks in three games, contributing significantly to the team's defense.
In October 2025, a rare alignment will bring the Harvest Moon and the year's first supermoon together, peaking on October 7th. This event offers a brighter, larger Moon visible near the horizon at dusk, best observed from a clear eastern horizon between October 6-8, with the main spectacle on October 7th. No special equipment is needed—just a good view and patience to enjoy this natural show.
The Orionid meteor shower peaks on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, offering excellent viewing conditions due to a new moon, with the best time to watch after midnight through dawn.
A spectacular meteor shower, the Orionids, is expected to peak around midnight on October 21, offering excellent viewing conditions for sky enthusiasts, with bright fireballs and fast meteors, making it one of the year's most beautiful celestial events.
The second half of October could see positive developments in the stock market despite recent volatility, with potential tailwinds from geopolitical stability, end of government shutdown, and favorable seasonal trends, though earnings reports may pose some risk.
