US President Donald Trump’s approval has fallen to a new low, two weeks before the midterm elections, in which the Republican Party is playing for control of Congress, according to a new poll by Ipsos, The Washington Post and ABC News.

Trump’s Attack on Mail-In Voting Seeks to Create an Advantage for Republicans: Trump Popularity Drops To Record Low Weeks Before Midterm Elections

The poll reflects the worst support figure among Americans: only 33% of those surveyed approve of his management, compared to 66% who disapprove; 52% express strong disapproval.

This approval rating (33%) is four percentage points lower than that registered last July and 12 points lower than in February 2025, when his approval registered 45%.

This is the lowest level the president has ever had, even considering any other time in his first term, The Washington Post noted.

NEW ABC News/Ipsos poll: Trump’s approval rating has plunged to 33%, down from 45% at the start of his second term. A record 66% disapprove.

Among Republicans, approval has fallen from 88% to 79%. Just 39% strongly approve of Trump, down from 63% in February 2025.

Winning! pic.twitter.com/p6kKeoJELQ

— Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) October 18, 2026

Among likely voters, Trump’s approval is 38 percent, while 62 percent disapprove.

Overall, the results show that voters are concerned about the cost of living and the president’s decision to go to war against Iran, which has affected the price of gasoline.

In fact, 71% of respondents consider the price of gasoline to be “unaffordable,” a figure higher than the 28% registered in February, before the war in Iran caused an increase in fuel costs.

Added to this is that 72% of respondents stated that the country is moving in the wrong direction, which represents an increase of five points compared to April.

A guide compiles images and data of 82 species of macrofungi recorded in a park in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, which harbors a diversity of these organisms fundamental to ecosystems and that often go unnoticed in urban green spaces.

Ecuador Records 15 Ant Species for the First Time: A Guide Records 82 Species of Macrofungi in a Park in the Capital of Ecuador

The work, which included the participation of researchers linked to the University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW), the National Institute of Biodiversity of Ecuador (Inabio) and a company focused on the study of fungi known as Mycena LLC, was carried out in the Guangüiltagua Metropolitan Park, one of Quito’s emblematic natural spaces.

🍄#NuevaPublicación | El #INABIO, en colaboración con la Reserva Ecológica Sumak Kawsay In Situ y la @ueaeduec, presentó la "Guía fotográfica y descriptiva de Macrohongos Sumak Kawsay In Situ". Descárgatela aquí: https://t.co/yO1FyJJyQD pic.twitter.com/Ca1TY2b1Hw

— INABIO.EC (@INABIO_EC) July 3, 2026

The document presents species and records from different taxonomic groups, including representatives of the orders Agaricales, Auriculariales, Boletales, Gomphales, Russulales, and Trechisporales, as reported by Inabio in a statement.

“The images allow observing the variety of forms and characteristics of the identified macrofungi, from umbrella mushroom specimens to coral-like structures and shelf fungi that grow on various substrates such as leaf litter, tree trunks, and on the ground,” added the Ecuadorian entity.

The guide offers a visual tool to recognize the variety of macrofungi in the forested area and highlights the importance of continuing to document the biodiversity of the fungi present in the natural spaces of the Ecuadorian capital.

According to Inabio, the record also represents an opportunity to bring scientific research closer to the public and encourage interest in the observation and conservation of Quito’s natural heritage.

João Veloso, the spokesman for young people camped in Lisbon’s Rossio square, has called for rent limits, repeal of the new lease law, and greater state intervention in the real estate market.

France Reports 855 Arrests in Paris After Protests: Lisbon’s Camped in Rossio Square Spokperson Asks for a Ceiling on Rents

In addition, he has proposed a general strike in Portugal to put pressure on the government of Prime Minister Luís Montenegro. “What we want are rent ceilings and an end to the new tenancy law,” sijo Veloso.

As he explained, the new regulations allow landlords to raise rents “100 or 200 euros from one year to the next,” while the previous legislation set a limit of 2%, he said.

PORTUGAL SE SUMA A LA OLA DE PROTESTAS EN EUROPA 🇵🇹🔥

Miles de manifestantes se concentraron en la plaza del Rossio, en Lisboa, para exigir el derecho a la vivienda y rechazar la precariedad laboral. La movilización cobra mayor fuerza tras la reciente represión policial en… pic.twitter.com/BnfH19r3ML

— Madelein Garcia (@madeleintlSUR) October 18, 2026

The spokesperson called for public measures to expand the supply of affordable housing. “What we also want are effective measures from the State, such as public housing, using public properties to rent to people,” he noted.

Veloso criticized the government for selling state properties to private companies, which, he denounced, then obtain significant profits from these properties.

The leader acknowledged the influence of housing protests held in Spain and France. “Of course, there is influence from the encampments in Spain and also from the mobilizations in other countries, such as in France,” he affirmed, and defended the need to coordinate mobilizations to demand measures that facilitate access to affordable housing.

The spokesman particularly urged the General Confederation of Portuguese Workers (CGTP), the main Portuguese trade union, to support the call.

“It is important that the CGTP listens to the people, takes to the streets and goes on a general strike so that we can effectively confront this Government and, who knows, bring down the Montenegro Government,” he declared.

The Rossio encampment is part of youth mobilizations for the right to housing, which have also taken place in other Portuguese cities, including Porto.

Around 200 people were arrested in Belgium during demonstrations this Saturday against cuts in education, the police, the federal government, and the rise of the far-right, which ended with heavy clashes between security forces and protesters, local authorities reported today.

Belgium: Massive Anti-Fascist Protest in Brussels: Around 200 Arrested in Belgium During Protests Against Education Cuts

In Brussels, where the largest concentration occurred, 150 people were arrested. Most, 118 cases, were administrative arrests, while 32 were judicial detentions due to the alleged throwing of projectiles at the police, resistance to authority, and arson, Belgian media affirmed.

Among the 32 detainees are 15 minors, they added. The police in the Belgian capital also reported that five members of the police force were slightly injured during the demonstration.

A wave of cost-of-living, education and housing protests swept across Europe, with France at the center and violent clashes in several cities.

🇫🇷 France: About 550,000 marched nationwide; Limoges town hall and a Lyon tourist office were set on fire, around 1,800 people were…

— Clash Report (@clashreport) October 18, 2026

On the other hand, during the protest in the French-speaking city of Liège 45 other arrests were recorded, 12 of them minors. Both demonstrations began peacefully on Saturday morning, consisting of young people, teachers and trade unionists.

However, at noon there were clashes with the police during the march of the protesters, which lasted until late in the afternoon.

The police used water cannons and tear gas against participants in Brussels, while some of the protesters smashed public furniture, vehicles and set fire to a container.

Public transport was also affected in the capital, with several metro and bus lines cut off or diverted.

This Sunday, Venezuela holds the Second National Popular Consultation of 2026, the eighth since 2024, where communities vote to select state-funded development projects.

Venezuela Opens 12,769 Polling Stations for Community Vote: Venezuela Holds the Second National Popular Consultation of 2026

More than 5,418 communes will choose from 37,205 previously selected projects in community assemblies, with 11,495 polling stations open throughout the country as long as there are voters.

For the first time, condominium boards are participating. A total of 120,000 neighborhood organizations are voting on 428 projects linked to health, school rehabilitation, roads, agriculture, and sports areas.

The Bolivarian National Armed Forces deployed more than 130,000 troops from the Republic Plan to protect 12,700 polling stations.

Citizens in Caracas and communities nationwide have begun voting in the 2026 National Popular Consultation to select local development and infrastructure projects for direct community funding.

Local communities in Petare and across the Capital Region are participating in the… pic.twitter.com/net5IbRrQw

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) October 18, 2026

This will be the eighth National Popular Consultation since 2024, and it is supported by article 70 of the Constitution as a means of popular participation and protagonism.

The number of participation instances (communes or communal circuits) has grown from 4,000 in the first consultation of 2024 to more than 5,300 in recent consultations.

The president in charge of Venezuela, Delcy Rodríguez, has called on the population to actively participate in the 2026 National Popular Consultation to strengthen the work of popular power and citizen participation.

“So let’s go to democracy, to participation and to the emotion that always brings us to an election. Let’s choose these projects, like one of Villa Zoila, and we will have the best results for each project,” said Rodríguez yesterday during to the community of Villa Zoila.