France curfew, Russian energy strikes, Trump's golf course fight (Updated)

Hi, I'm Carmel Crimmins in Dublin. And I'm Christopher Waljasper in Chicago. It's Monday, October 19th. Today, Russia hits several Ukrainian energy sites, leaving half a million homes without power. Alberta goes to the polls to decide whether to break away from Canada. Trump's golf course renovation fight escalates. And Macron calls for calm after one of France's most violent days of unrest in years. This is Reuters World News, bringing you everything you need to know from the front lines in 10 minutes, seven days a week. Ukraine says it again received no advanced warning from its Western partners before a major Russian missile and drone strike overnight. Russia fired 16 ballistic missiles and more than 200 drones to counter the attack. And it'll, you know, France might slide deeper into crisis before there's a broader realization that something may need to change. You can listen to that episode of Econ World now. There's a link in the show notes and it's available wherever you get your podcasts. We know that the road ahead, especially for those who are suffering from severe burn injuries, will be long, requiring weeks and months of intensive and specialized work. We know that the road ahead, especially for those who are suffering from severe burn injuries, will be long, requiring weeks and months of intensive and specialized care. Polls show about 70% of Albertans want to stay in Canada, but Smith has promised to respect the result and begin the legal process for a binding referendum if the vote passes. The stakes are high, not just for Alberta, but for a country already grappling with regional tensions and threats from abroad. Amanda Stevenson sent us this from the town of Red Deer. So Prime Minister Carney has spent the last few days in Alberta campaigning hard for the Remain side. He's been here promoting national unity and really trying hard to get out the Remain vote in the referendum. The mood is interesting and varied. What we have seen is from the Remain side, a very interesting upswing in patriotism. I've seen more Canada flags in Alberta in the last six months than I've ever seen in this province. What's interesting is that polls show that the vast majority of Albertans, 70% or more, want to stay in Canada. But the separatist movement, they're loud, they're a loud, vocal minority, and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith agreed to put this question on the ballot. Even though she says she's a federalist, she was doing it to appease that loud minority, which actually makes up a significant base of her own party. From the separatists, we've seen, in some respects, some satisfaction that they're getting their day. The separatists, who think this vote may not go their way, are happy that they at least managed to get the question on a ballot. And they're looking forward to continuing to drive this movement into the future. If it were to pass, that would be a huge political shakeup in Canada. And it would have negative implications for Prime Minister Carney's leadership. Australian independent lawmaker Helen Haynes is in critical condition after being deliberately struck by a vehicle outside her office in Wangaratta. Police say a 43-year-old man drove his white Toyota Land Cruiser into the MP before being detained by bystanders. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says a terrorism task force is investigating, though the motive is still unclear. He pointed to social media raising the temperature around politics in a country where political violence is rare. It comes as incidents of threatening behaviour, It comes as incidents of threatening behaviour, towards lawmakers, have jumped to more than 1,000 in the past year. That's according to Australian authorities. A new Human Rights Watch report says Mali's military and their Russian backers have killed dozens of civilians in what it calls apparent indiscriminate drone strikes, part of an offensive against insurgents. According to the report, the civilian casualties have more than doubled in recent months, compared to the same period a year ago. Among the incidents documented, a strike on a cattle market during the day, a pre-dawn attack on a health centre, and the shooting and the killing of five young girls mistaken for attackers. Mali's military rulers have leaned heavily on Russian paramilitary group Afrika Korps, formerly known as the Wagner Group, particularly since April's attack that killed the defence minister and hit the main airport in Bamago. Neither Mali nor Russia have commented on the report. Mali has previously denied killing civilians in counter-insurgency operations. President Trump is now saying work will begin immediately on his planned renovation of a federally owned golf course. In a post on Truth Social, he also called the federal judge who ordered a work stoppage and advance notice on any further work a, quote, crazed lunatic. Over the weekend, Trump had said renovations on the East Potomac golf links would resume on November 15th. Last week, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes, said she was, quote, "furious" with the Trump administration for cutting down around 500 trees without notifying the court. She ordered a temporary halt and written notice before any further modification could be made. For more on any of the stories from today, as well as more analysis and news shaping our world, check out Reuters.com or the Reuters app. There's a link in the description to download it. And start getting pure news straight from the source. Don't forget to follow us on your favorite podcast player. 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