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Latino Voters May Be Key to Midterms; Macron Weighs in on Violent Protests; Trump Endorses Netanyahu; Canada Base Fire; Candidates Making Final Push Ahead Of U.S. Midterm Elections; U.S. Economic Struggles Driving Midterm Voters; Two Dead, Others Hurt After Truck Speeds Onto Soccer Field; Pope Makes First Major Public Appearance Since Cancer Surgery. Aired 2-3a ET

Aired October 19, 2026 - 02:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[02:00:00]

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to our viewers joining us here in the United States and from all around the world. I'm Rosemary Church. Just ahead on "CNN Newsroom," with just over two weeks until the midterm elections, President Trump has a packed campaign schedule trying to boost Republican candidates while Latino voters are playing a key role. Plus, France's president finally weighs in on violent protests across the country. How he says he'll hold people accountable. And Netflix just did something it has never done before. Why the streaming giant is reporting box office numbers.

UNKNOWN (voice-over): Live from Atlanta, this is "CNN Newsroom with Rosemary Church."

CHURCH: Good to have you with us. And we begin this hour with the U.S. midterm elections. The critical races that will determine control of the House and Senate are now just 15 days away and more new polling shows Republicans are on the defensive and struggling in states that went their way just two years ago.

In CNN's latest Poll of Polls, Democrats lead Republicans 54 to 45 percent when voters were asked which party's candidate they would support. This comes with President Trump's approval rating still at or near his all-time low and with many Americans saying they're upset about the rising cost of living. In fact, a brand-new poll from ABC News and "The Washington Post" reflects a real cost of living crisis. A vast majority of the voters surveyed say they're struggling to afford everyday items like groceries, healthcare, and gasoline.

Well, hoping to turn things around, President Trump is scheduled for campaign events every day this week, all of them in states he won in 2024. That includes Kansas on Monday, North Carolina on Tuesday, South Carolina on Wednesday, Iowa on Thursday, Florida on Friday, and Georgia on Saturday.

The shift away from Republican candidates is especially strong among Latino voters who were critical to Donald Trump's victory in 2024. CNN's Ione Molinares talked to voters in a large Hispanic community in Pennsylvania.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

IONE MOLINARES, CNN EN ESPANOL CORRESPONDENT: What do Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic have in common with an all-industrial city in Pennsylvania? The answer is here in Allentown. Just look. Mostly Dominican and Puerto Rican businesses, signs in Spanish. The Latino community has its mark here everywhere. In fact, more than half of the people that live here are Hispanic.

RICARDO LAPIERRE, ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT: Allentown, Pennsylvania is a city, I believe, that is family, and we commit ourselves to an organic direction.

MOLINARES: But there's another reason why we're here. Allentown is part of Pennsylvania's 7th congressional district, one of the most hotly contested in this midterm elections. And we went out to ask voters what are their issues in mind.

UNKNOWN (through translator): That they raise our wages. That there be health insurance for people who work or do not work.

PAVEL MARTIN, ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT (through translator): -- crime, equal opportunities for both Hispanics and those who are not Hispanic as well, equal rights, the economy, healthcare.

JOSE FAJARDO, ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT: With everything that's going on in our presidency and, you know, money just going skyrocketing.

MOLINARES: Republican Ryan Mackenzie wants to keep his seat in Congress. He's facing Bob Brooks, Democrat, in a very close race. And with so many Latinos living here, we also ask whom do they favor, Democrats, Republicans, and why.

YAN LOPEZ, ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT (through translator): Personally, I do consider myself a Republican because I also don't like so much being taken out of my paycheck for people who may take advantage of the system, but I'm also open to the options if there's a better candidate on the other side.

UNKNOWN (through translator): Well, I'm going to vote for the Democrat because the economy has declined a lot, mainly for immigrants.

VICTOR TORRES, ALLENTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA RESIDENT (through translator): I voted for this man, Donald Trump. And since there are so many strange laws, you know, against, I'm Hispanic, and I would like Hispanics not to be mistreated the way they are being mistreated.

[02:05:05]

MOLINARES: In 2024, Mackenzie won for just one-percentage point. Let's see what voters say on November 3rd. (END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Joining me now is Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia and co-author of "Campaign of Chaos: Trump, Biden, Harris, and the 2024 American Election." Great to have you with us.

LARRY SABATO, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF CENTER FOR POLITICS AT UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, AUTHOR: Thank you so much, Rosemary.

CHURCH: Of course. So, Larry, with the midterm elections just over two weeks away, new polls show Democrats leading among voters nationally with President Trump's approval rating at or near a career low of 34 percent. But those are national figures, of course. What do your calculations tell you about some of the closest races that will decide the outcome of these elections and which of those contests are you watching with particular interest?

SABATO: I think everybody is watching the Senate now mainly because all of us, at least in the field of elections, believe that the Democrats will carry the House of Representatives. We argue about how many seats. Personally, I think it's a 218 majority. I think Democrats will get somewhere around 230 seats, which is comfortable for them because that way, for example, the Democratic socialists will not have enough seats to veto whatever the leadership is trying to get the caucus to pass.

But it's the Senate that's really interesting because if Democrats take control of the Senate, they actually have more power than they will have just with the House simply because the Senate will approve or disapprove of court nominations, Supreme Court, appellate court, district court, cabinet nominations. There are all kinds of complications that come with losing the Senate.

Now, is that certain? Absolutely not. I still say it's 50-50 or, if you forced me today, I'd say 51 percent for the Democrats, 49 percent that the Republicans keep it, but that's amazing that we're actually at the point where Democrats could win the Senate.

CHURCH: Right. And Larry, most polls show voters trust Democrats more than Republicans when it comes to healthcare, cost of living, and inflation, and it's those issues that are dragging Trump's approval rating down to record levels, with many voters furious about how much it's now costing them at the pump and, of course, the checkout counter. Where in the country is this fury being felt the most, do you think?

SABATO: What is hurting the Republicans, and they could never have imagined this, is that the economic issues, which usually hurt the coast more in many respects, are actually hurting places like Texas and Kansas and Iowa and Ohio, places where there are critical Senate races, where the Democrats are really tied with the Republican candidates.

But you have so many of those economic factors hurting. The price of diesel and gasoline, the beef imports from Brazil that Trump thought was a clever way of bringing down the costs in the grocery store, in fact, have infuriated cattlemen in Texas and in Kansas. They've made it more likely that the tariffs and other things have had an effect in favor of the Democrats and will enable the Democratic candidates to win by small percentages.

CHURCH: Right. And President Trump just signed an executive order suspending Russian sanctions to allow for his controversial diesel deal with Russia's President Putin to take effect. And the U.S. President also just endorsed Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel's October 27th elections, saying the two nations will finish the job together when it comes to the war with Iran.

So, how do these foreign policy issues factor into the way American voters will cast their ballot in the looming midterms, do you think?

SABATO: Usually, foreign policy doesn't affect domestic elections, midterm elections, but this is going to be an exception. For one thing, the diesel deal with Putin is already causing a backlash among Republicans.

There's still a large percentage of the party, I'd say it is 35 percent, that are very Reaganite. They're very strongly anti-Russia. They're strongly anti-Putin. And they're shocked. They're shocked that Trump has suspended the last bill, really, that was passed by Trump's good friend, Senator Lindsey Graham. And Graham had stressed to Trump how important it was to maintain these sanctions on Russia. And all of a sudden, and really with very little warning, even to his supporters, he suspended it.

As far as Netanyahu is concerned, I don't think there are many candidates on either side that want to get into that dispute. But this doesn't help Trump and the Republicans.

[02:09:59]

The war in Iran has proven to be a disaster from day one. And now, it's over 70 percent unpopular. It's directly connected to the price of goods, of food, of diesel, of gasoline, and other things.

So, it just reminds people that Netanyahu, in a sense, pushed Trump into this although Trump seemed to go at it willingly, and it has been a disaster.

CHURCH: Larry Sabato, always a pleasure. Thanks for joining us. Appreciate it.

SABATO: Thank you very much, Rosemary.

CHURCH: Ukraine has launched one of its biggest drone attacks this year on Russia, hitting a key oil terminal in the city of St. Petersburg. The weekend strikes come as tensions grow between Ukraine and the U.S. Ukraine's actions are in defiance of pressure from President Trump to stop targeting energy infrastructure even as Russia has continued to hit Ukrainian energy sites. In a Truth Social post, President Trump slammed the Ukrainian president for hitting Russian refineries and claimed Zelenskyy doesn't want to end this war. Mr. Trump also defended his decision to waive sanctions related to Russian fossil fuel sales just days before they were set to begin.

In that same post, President Trump wrote, I am in the process of negotiating peace in the war between Russia and Ukraine, and don't want to do anything that will drive, foolishly, Russia away from the bargaining table.

Here's what Mr. Zelenskyy said about the importance of U.S. support for Ukraine.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KRISTEN WELKER, NBC NEWS WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Can Ukraine win this war without the United States, President Zelenskyy?

VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY, PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE: Very difficult. If it's without United States support, it's very difficult. But if United States will support Putin, I mean, it's unbelievable, it's tragedy, it's historic mistake and big tragedy.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: French President Emmanuel Macron is vowing to prevent a repeat of this weekend's violent protests as business owners and shopkeepers pick up the pieces from the looting and rioting. He spoke to the nation and said seditious elements from far-left factions will be held accountable for the violence, but he also says the majority of the protesters were simply calling attention to legitimate grievances that the government cannot ignore.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

EMMANUEL MACRON, PRESIDENT OF FRANCE (through translator): Yesterday, several hundred thousand of our fellow citizens demonstrated with a desire to voice legitimate demands. We must never confuse them with those who destroyed, vandalized, and looted. These demonstrators expressed concern about the cost of living and fuel prices, which stem from the conflict that began in the Persian Gulf, a conflict in which France has taken no part but whose consequences we are suffering. I fully understand their concerns.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: CNN's Melissa Bell is on the ground in Paris.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MELISSA BELL, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A walk with the dog in Paris shows the now and then of widespread protests in France, demonstrations that were largely peaceful but on Saturday night became incendiary. The interior minister said that more than half a million people took part in nationwide protests over rising costs, complaints of government inaction, and poor school conditions that at times turned quickly destructive. Rioters smashed storefronts, set fires, and attacked public buildings, leaving the nation in shock.

French President Emmanuel Macron blamed far-left groups and criminals for the unrest and vowed to take an action.

MACRON (through translator): Those who destroyed property must pay. Those who looted must reimburse the damage. Those who sought to bring down the Republic will be held accountable.

BELL (voice-over): President Macron held an emergency meeting with his ministers on Sunday, with more talks planned on Monday with French mayors, to address public safety and the grievances raised by protesters.

Meanwhile, a massive clean-up operation is underway. In Paris, a task force was announced to support damaged businesses. French authorities say that looters ransacked hundreds of stores and supermarkets across the country.

Even the statue of Marianne in the Place de la Republique is covered in graffiti and its base is damaged after protesters scaled the iconic French symbol the previous day as clashes with police raged around it.

Some people say that parts of the French capital look like a war zone and are stunned by the destruction.

MARGAUX EUDE, PARIS RESIDENT (voice-over): I support the mobilization. I was working yesterday. I couldn't come to protest. But I didn't think it would escalate like this because it's the troublemakers who came, and it breaks my heart because it delegitimizes the movement.

[02:15:00]

BELL (voice-over): But Paris isn't the only place reeling from the riots. In Limoges, authorities say that masked rioters torched the historic town hall, a landmark that survived two world wars, but not Saturday's chaos. And in Marseille, residents are picking up the pieces after a night of rampant looting and vandalism.

FARIDA, MARSEILLE RESIDENT (through translator): It's heartbreaking, seeing our city like this. If every protest ends with all the shop windows smashed and stores trashed, this simply can't go on.

BELL (voice-over): On Sunday, there were still some skirmishes in Paris, but as the smoke clears, the underlying issues that sparked these turbulent protests will likely be key factors in next year's presidential poll, a race where Macron isn't running after reaching his two-term limit and one where both the far-right and the far-left are gaining ground.

Melissa Bell, CNN, Paris. (END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: And it's not just France where anger is boiling over. A wave of discontent is sweeping through other cities in Europe. In Albania's capital, student-led anti-government protests turned violent for a sixth day as Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama refuses to resign. Protesters set fire to government buildings and have thrown Molotov cocktails, rocks, and bricks at police. Rama has warned the protests only hurt Albania's chance at joining the European Union.

Largely peaceful protests began earlier this summer against a luxury coastal development backed by U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in- law, Jared Kushner, but the movement shifted last week as students upset over high education and living costs joined in.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NOEL XHOXHI, PROTESTER: I think it's going to get even worse, the riots and the civil disobedience.

RENEE REFFO, PROTESTER: People are not getting paid the amount that they're supposed to get paid. They're working long hours to get nothing at the end of the month. There are no rights. There's like lower class and there's high class, there's no middle class.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: And in Italy, chaos erupted in the streets of Milan for a second day during protests over the cost of living. Police fired tear gas and used water cannon to try to contain several hundred people who broke shop windows and began looting stores. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has condemned the violence and called for a government meeting on Monday to discuss a response.

Well, there's much more to come here on "CNN Newsroom," including Israel's critical election. How Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is making his case to voters after getting a late endorsement from President Trump. We're following two major stories out of Canada, s tragedy at a military base just ahead of a major referendum in Alberta. Back in just a moment.

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[02:20:00]

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CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone. President Trump has finally endorsed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with just over a week to go until Israel's election day. The relationship between the two leaders has sometimes been rocky in recent months. President Trump told CNN contributor Barak Ravid that it was always his intention to endorse Netanyahu but he -- quote -- "didn't want to do it too soon."

Netanyahu was quick to thank Trump for what he called his tremendous support. The Israeli prime minister also cited the endorsement in an appeal to undecided voters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL (through translator): He gave me his unequivocal support, and he explained why. He said that, together, we achieved remarkable things. We crushed Iran, we crushed the Iranian axis, and we pushed back the immediate threat of nuclear bombs. Our partnership, which has accomplished so much, will continue in the next two years, perhaps longer, in order to eliminate the Iranian threat once and for all.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: CNN's Kevin Liptak has more from the White House.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KEVIN LIPTAK, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: President Trump is throwing his support behind Benjamin Netanyahu as the Israeli prime minister is battling for his political survival. For months, President Trump had stopped short of providing his endorsement. And even when he was asked by reporters whether he wanted Netanyahu to remain as Prime Minister, he never quite said. He said he wasn't involved in that election.

But now, just days before Israelis head to the polls, President Trump is offering his full-throated support. He says that -- quote -- "Bibi Netanyahu has been strong, brave, and brilliant in the face of tremendous opposition, including that coming from even Israel, itself. Despite all of that, he has endured and, in fact, he has thrived.

Now, it used to be kind of taboo for an American president to endorse in a foreign election. President Trump has sort of blown past that tradition for a long time now. But it is an open question of just how much effect this endorsement will have. President Trump used to be enormously popular in Israel.

During an election in 2019, there were billboards that lined highways there showing Netanyahu and Trump together. Those billboards are not there now. And many Israelis have soured on President Trump, including because of the war in Iran. They think he has just dropped the ball there.

Now, in his endorsement, President Trump did mention Iran. Now, this is an issue that has put him at odds with Netanyahu in a lot of ways. It has become clear now for months that the U.S. and Israel have divergent interests in that conflict.

President Trump, in his endorsement, said that the U.S. and Israel would -- quote -- "finish the job soon in Iran." But he also offered something of a warning. He said that if Israel -- quote -- "has the wrong leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and he says he was not inclined to do that.

Kevin Liptak, CNN, the White House.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Some people in Alberta, Canada want to separate from the rest of the country. Residents of the province will vote on Monday in a non-binding referendum asking whether they want to remain a part of Canada or start the legal process to hold a vote on separating.

[02:25:04]

It's the first time the oil-rich province has posed the question to the public. Polls consistently show most Albertans want to stay with roughly a quarter of residents supporting secession. Separators argue federal power and energy policies have stifled the province's economy.

Also, in Canada, four service members have died after a large fire broke out at one of the nation's busiest military bases. Officials there say the cause of the fire is still being investigated.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MAJ. GEN. WADE RUTLAND, COMMANDER, 1ST CANADIAN DIVISION: During the conduct of a training, a grass fire ignited in the training area. The cause of this fire is under active investigation. What I would say is there were multiple training activities happening throughout the training area at the time. Uncommonly strong winds caused the fire to spread rapidly and shift direction towards the range administrative area.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

CHURCH: The fire began at the armed forces base at Wainwright, Alberta, around 130 miles from the provincial capital, Edmonton. In addition to the four deaths, dozens were seriously injured. Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney said the fire stemmed from a -- quote -- "serious incident" without providing more details. An official from the Department of National Defence says there is no indication of terrorism.

CNN's Paula Newton has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PAULA NEWTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The Canadian military is still trying to come to grips with the scope of this tragedy. But Prime Minister Mark Carney made it clear that, in fact, he called this one of the worst tragedies for the forces on Canadian soil in peacetime, and that includes people, he says dozens of people, who are at this hour still critically injured and the resources that it took on the ground, so many people, because the fire was, in his words, violent and fast moving. They had to be triaged not just there in the community, but were medevacked out to different locations in the province.

I want you to listen now to Prime Minister Mark Carney as he kind of describes exactly what they're facing here. Listen.

MARK CARNEY, PRIME MINISTER OF CANADA: And CFB Wainwright is where the women and men of our armed forces learn to do the hardest things this country can ask of anyone. Those we lost, those who were injured, were trained to defend Canada, to serve Canada. And now, Canada serves them. We will be there for their families for as long as they need. We will care for the injured through every step of their recovery. And we will stand by the women and men of our armed forces as they bear the weight of this loss. They will not carry it alone.

NEWTON: Now, this base, which is about a two-hour drive south of Edmonton, Alberta, is used for live training for the military forces all the time. This is live ammunition training.

And while we do not know the details of exactly what happened here, I want you to look at some of the video. Look, they have tight procedures in place to make sure everyone is safe, but there was some kind of explosion or fire, and that, in the prime minister's words, it was violent and fast-moving. In fact, members of the community had to scramble there to make sure they could hold the line on that fire and to make sure it did not spread to the neighboring community.

There had been high winds in the area, not a lot of rain. Right now, they say that there is no danger to residents in the area but, still, many people are trying to come to grips with this tragedy and, as the prime minister said, dozens injured and many of them have severe burns.

Paula Newton, CNN, Ottawa.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Still ahead on this hour of "CNN Newsroom," the midterm elections could turn on America's pocketbooks. How the economy and cost of living crisis will drive voters. Back with that and more in just a moment.

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[02:30:00]

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[02:32:19]

ROSEMARY CHURCH, CNN ANCHOR: Welcome back, everyone. I'm Rosemary Church.

More now on our top story, Republicans and Democrats have just two weeks left to make their final pitches to voters before the midterm elections. The polling to this point has not favored the GOP, with many voters voicing their frustrations with President Trump's policies. And early in-person voting data from at least two states, Iowa and North Carolina, has shown signs of a Democratic advantage so far.

Well, the big key for Republicans is getting their voters motivated to head to the polls. That's why President Trump is planning another major campaign push this week, aiming to boost candidates in states he carried in 2024. Georgia is home to one of the key races that could determine which party controls the Senate and the president's trip there will be closely watched.

CNN's Rafael Romo has details from here in Atlanta

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RAFAEL ROMO, CNN CORRESPONDENT: President Trump has visited Georgia three times this year, and he's about to return once more to campaign for Republican candidates, especially Congressman Mike Collins, who's facing an uphill battle in the state's U.S. Senate race against his Democratic rival, Senator Jon Ossoff, the incumbent.

That's probably why Trump campaign in Dalton, Georgia, on Friday, where he once again showed his support for Collins, who has built a national profile as a combative, Trump aligned politician. Trump is planning to return to Georgia next Saturday, when he will campaign in Macon to also show his support for Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson, who's running against former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, a Democrat.

Next Saturday's rally in Macon will be the president's fourth stop in Georgia this year, a sign that Republicans feel they face a challenging 2026 midterm elections. During his remarks in Dalton, the conservative northwest corner of Georgia, Trump took shots at Ossoff's physical appearance while complimenting Collins by saying he's all man.

DONALD TRUMP, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: The people of Georgia are going to defeat your weak, arrogant, hate-filled, radical left senator who is really. I call him Pee-wee Herman. Pee-wee Herman, looks like Pee-wee. His name is Jon Ossoff, highly overrated.

Somebody said he's a good-looking man. I don't think he's a good- looking man. I actually think Mike Collins is a good-looking man. And he's all man. He's all man. I'm not sure about Ossoff.

ROMO: How did Ossoff respond to the president? Well, he attacked the president's policies as he spoke on Saturday during a rally in Cobb County.

[02:35:00]

SEN. JON OSSOFF (D-GA): Now, remember, they promised to lower prices on day one. Instead, under the failed president, Donald J. Trump, it costs more than ever in American history to fill up your truck, stock your fridge, visit the doctor or power your home.

They promised to drain the swamp. Instead, it's the most corrupt administration of all time, and everybody knows it.

ROMO: The hotly contested races for the U.S. senate in Georgia's governors office have energized voters who are flocking to the polls since early voting started in Georgia on Tuesday, more than 800,000 people have cast ballots in the state, including more than 91,000 on Saturday alone. President Trump narrowly carried Georgia in 2024 after losing it in

2020, also narrowly.

Rafael Ramos, CNN, Atlanta

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Joining me now is Ryan Patel, senior fellow at the Drucker School of Management at Claremont Graduate University.

Good to have you with us.

RYAN PATEL, SENIOR FELLOW, DRUCKER SCHOOL OF MANAGEMENT, CLAREMENT GRADUATE UNIVERSITY: Good to join you, Rosemary.

CHURCH: So, Ryan, the looming midterms are 15 days away, with new polls showing voters angry with President Trump and his Republican Party over the state of the economy, the cost of living and inflation. How bad is it for most Americans out there?

PATEL: Yeah, I mean, I think if you take the political aspect to it, you -- the consumer price index or the thoughts of what consumers are thinking is a multi-year low, where job data is unemployment is actually pretty low. So what does that mean that people are not just looking at job data on jobs. They're looking at how things are expensive for themselves.

You see an average household paying $700 a month more. I think the really thing that people are really focused on right now is what hits at the kitchen table. You can talk about GDP, you can talk about national policies. People are focusing on what is at their table. They're not focused on these promises. They're looking at what can you do for me now? And I think that's what we're going to see in the next 14 to 15 days.

CHURCH: Yeah. The Trump administration is trying to tell many of them that the economy is booming, but they're not feeling it, are they? Because that's not their experience day to day.

So how would you describe the U.S. economy and indeed the global economy right now?

PATEL: Yeah. I mean, I think, you know, I wouldn't use the word "uncertainty" because you kind of know what is going to happen is there needs to be more resilience with consumers. And I think that's what to expect. I think the economy isn't in bad shape, but it's in a shape that, you know, you don't really know what's going to happen in the next five, six months, especially when you see the prices of that.

And we're going to go into holiday season here, Rosemary. So this is the time where two thirds of the spending, the GDP, of consumer spending is start to -- start to occur. So I think the main thing for people right now, in the next two weeks and for politicians, if its Democrats or Republicans or independents, is that how are you clearly transpiring what you're trying to say to the American people of how to vote and what it means to them? I think that is the key in this -- on these races, actually.

CHURCH: So, Ryan, how much blame for the downturn in the U.S. economy can be attributed to Donald Trump's war with Iran and his trade tariffs?

PATEL: Well, I mean, in the short term, it's -- I don't -- I don't -- I mean, I wouldn't -- I wouldn't say anyone would disagree that it's become more expensive, right. And it's become more volatile.

It's also allowed not just individuals to create more savings, but also businesses are sitting on the sidelines keeping cash on the sideline, waiting to see what happens, because things are more expensive. You can't buy more inventory.

So this has caused -- now I would use the word uncertain uncertainty on what people should be buying. Big purchases are on there. Obviously the inflation is, is, is getting, you know, kind of staying still.

But the core, I would say when it comes to food and shelter and rent is continue to be very sticky. And I think that's not helping when you have costs starting to rise and people starting to, to pay attention more about when is this going to end? Asking those kind of questions.

CHURCH: Yeah. And, Ryan, President Trump signed an executive order late Friday to suspend Russian sanctions and tariffs in an effort to allow the purchase of Russian diesel as part of his controversial deal with President Putin. How likely is it that his plan will work to lower diesel prices in time for the midterms?

PATEL: You know, that's a great question. I don't know if it will be the midterms, but definitely it will be potentially for the for the upcoming spending season where people start to travel in the in the fall, in the winter, in November, December time, typically years, the past, you would see oil prices typically. And diesel prices typically are all time low for the year because you want to get the economy going.

So I'm not saying that's what he's trying to do for there, but that might be something of a, you know, a block of a decision that he's trying to make.

CHURCH: All right. Our thanks to Ryan Patel joining us and sharing your analysis and perspective. Always a pleasure to chat with you.

PATEL: Thank you.

CHURCH: Well, police have released the woman who allegedly drove onto a soccer field during a youth game in Kansas on Saturday. Two people were killed, including a six year old boy. Ten others were injured.

CNN's Mark Morales has the latest.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MARK MORALES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: The driver was released pending the results of a toxicology report and a mechanical examination of the car. So far, she has not been charged. However, it's important to know that she is not out of the woods yet. Remember that investigators are still trying to figure out what led to this whole thing happening in the first place. Because remember, in order to charge somebody, you need evidence.

So, that evidence, whatever that may be, is really going to be key as to whether or not charges, if at all, get filed. Now, investigators have been going through looking for any type of video that they can find, whether that's surveillance tape on the ground or any video that any witnesses might have taken. They've even interviewed as many as 30 witnesses that might have seen this. And that includes the drivers, two children that were in the SUV before the car took off.

Now, it's also known by investigators that the car was parked nearby, and a parking spot before this incident all happened. And witnesses have really been talking about how chaotic those scenes were. If you remember, first responders had arrived to the scene and actually found people that were rendering aid to some of the folks that were hurt. Now, an affiliate of ours actually spoke to some of those witnesses where they described the chaotic scene. Take a listen.

ISAAC, WITNESS: May dad went to the truck, took the person out the truck. So they don't hit any more people. Shocked he did that because if he didn't do that, maybe the car would have stopped and more people could have gotten hit.

BRYANT GAZA, WITNESS: I was mainly just shocked, you know, when you see a car driving over a bunch of people, you just like, you're just in shock. I was scared, obviously. Didn't know what to think. Just ran out the way, hoping it didn't follow me. Hoping I didn't get hit.

MORALES: Ten others who were injured were taken to area hospitals. Five of those were children. Police are still continuing the investigation. They plan to meet with the district attorneys office next week and do a initial case presentation.

Mark Morales, CNN, New York.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: An Austrian Airlines flight from Israel made an emergency landing in Bulgaria on Sunday due to a bomb threat. The flight took off from Tel Aviv, bound for Vienna, when the crew reported receiving the threat. Officials say a Bulgarian air force fighter jet escorted the aircraft until it landed.

The Airbus A320 plane was carrying 51 passengers and six crew members. Officials said they would search the aircraft and rebook the passengers on other flights.

We have much more coming up on the show, including Pope Leo's address to the public after his lung cancer surgery, what he had to say during Sunday's Angelus prayer. That's next

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[02:46:20]

CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone.

Pope Leo has made his first major public appearance since undergoing lung cancer surgery. The 71-year-old pontiff led the Angelus prayer from the balcony overlooking Saint Peter's Square on Sunday.

CNN's Christopher Lamb has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRISTOPHER LAMB, CNN VATICAN CORRESPONDENT: Well, thousands gathered in Saint Peter's Square to hear from Pope Leo for the first time since his lung cancer surgery and diagnosis, the pope spoke with a strong and clear voice. He wished the crowd a happy Sunday, and he reflected that the recent experience of being in hospital had made him feel closer to those who suffer and are sick. The pope also emphasized that he is slowly planning to get back to work.

POPE LEO XIV, CATHOLIC CHURCH (through translator): Now that I have overcome this delicate phase, as you know, I will gradually resume my activities, always with God's help and your prayers.

LAMB: Now, the news of Pope Leo's lung cancer diagnosis has come as a huge shock to people inside the Vatican. It's not clear how things are going to pan out in the short term for him in terms of all the events and schedules that he has in his calendar. Of course, the big question is, can he make this trip to Latin America scheduled from the 6th to the 17th of November? The surgeon who operated on him says there's no clinical reason why he can't go.

However, the trip has not been officially confirmed yet post- operation. So it's a lot of questions over that trip, which would include going to Peru, a country of course. Leo knows so well, having served there for many years. But the itinerary of the trip is to go to some high altitude places in the country.

So it remains to be seen whether that trip will definitely take place. But on Sunday, Pope Leo, making his first major public appearance since his hospitalization, the pope pleasing the crowd, offering them his blessing, and he's going to continue his recovery for the coming days.

Christopher Lamb, CNN, Rome.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: Thousands attended the lord of miracles procession in Peru's capital, Lima, on Sunday. It's one of the country's largest religious celebrations and is held every October. This year, those marching in the crowd expressed their hope that Pope Leo would make a good recovery after his cancer surgery, so he would be able to visit Peru next month.

And coming up here on CNN NEWSROOM, Netflix is pulling back the curtain on its box office numbers for the first time in history. What's driving the change, when we come back.

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[02:53:09]

CHURCH: Welcome back, everyone.

A Japanese space mission is preparing to head to Mars. The Martian moons exploration, as the name implies, will survey the two moons of the red planet, Phobos and Deimos. The journey to get there is expected to take about ten months. Then the plan is to collect soil samples from Phobos that scientists hope will explain the origin of the two moons. Japan is hoping this will be the first time a spacecraft travels to the mars system and brings a sample back to earth.

A documentary about disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes is breaking box office records. "You Can See Everything", from Nathan Fielder and Lance Oppenheim, made more than $15 million this weekend. It's the biggest documentary opening in more than 20 years. The film follows Holmes and her partner in the weeks before she went to prison in 2023. She was convicted for defrauding investors in her company, which claimed to have revolutionized blood testing.

Netflix is reporting its box office numbers for the first time in history. The move comes after the streaming giant released the Spanish LGBTQ drama "La Bola Negra". The film is a major Oscar contender.

CNN's David Daniel has more.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DAVID DANIEL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Something new from Netflix, it has reported official box office grosses for the first time. The media company tells variety its Oscar contender "La Bola Negra", made more than $277,000 over the weekend in just four theaters, a per theater average of nearly $70,000. That ranks second only to Oscar winner "Parasite" as the best screen average ever for a non-English language film.

[02:55:03]

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I definitely feel like I'm more self conscious after getting on social media.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You'll never be pretty enough. You'll never be skinny enough. You're never going to be enough.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We are putting young women through the most severe mental health crisis that the country has ever experienced.

DANIEL (voice-over): "Miss Representation: Rise Up" looks at how the tech driven era of A.I. and deep is amplifying gender based harassment, and how women are fighting back against those who would silence them. The documentary opens in theaters beginning Thursday.

In Hollywood, I'm David Daniel.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

CHURCH: British luxury car maker McLaren is selling five Formula 1 cars, all in working condition. They're part of racing history spanning more than three decades and have been driven by champions including Lewis Hamilton, the late Brazilian Ayrton Senna, and one was even tested by actor Brad Pitt. The cars will be sold through high end dealer Tom Hartley, jr., and are expected to sell for tens of millions of dollars.

And finally, this hour, it was a race to the finish line. Dachshunds in Munich, Germany, competed in the annual sausage dog race on Sunday. Excited owners waved toys and treats to get the dogs across the finish line. What started as a race with just 30 dogs four years ago, has now grown to a full competition, drawing dozens of attendees.

I want to thank you so much for your company this hour. I'm Rosemary Church, CNN NEWSROOM with Christina Macfarlane is next after a quick break. Stay with us.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome. I'm Christina Macfarlane in London.

Ahead here on CNN NEWSROOM:

France, reeling from protests.