US consumer sentiment in October drops but better than expected

The U.S. Consumer Sentiment Index released Friday by the University of Michigan (UM) Surveys of Consumers fell to 55 in the October 2025 survey, slightly lower than September's 55.1 reading but better than expectations, as the consensus forecast of economists called for a reading of 54.2.

The preliminary reading of the Current Economic Conditions Index for October was 61, higher than the 60.4 reading in September but lower than 64.9 in October 2024. The Index of Consumer Expectations was 51.2, lower than September's 51.7 reading and down 30.9 percent from 74.1 in October 2024.

Year-ahead inflation expectations ebbed from 4.7 percent in September to a still-high 4.6 percent in October. Long-run inflation expectations held steady at 3.7 percent.

According to economist Joanne Hsu, director of the UM's Surveys of Consumers, pocketbook issues like high prices and weakening job prospects remain at the forefront of consumers' minds. At this time, consumers do not expect meaningful improvement in these factors

The Federal Reserve meeting minutes from September warned that the tariff increases are expected to push up inflation this year and further exacerbate inflationary pressures by 2026.

The U.S. job market is cooling significantly. The UM survey also showed that nearly half of American households still expect the job market to deteriorate further next year.

US consumer sentiment in October drops but better than expected

US consumer sentiment in October drops but better than expected

US consumer sentiment in October drops but better than expected

US consumer sentiment in October drops but better than expected

Efforts are underway in Gaza to restore what remains of the historic Abu Salim Mosque and preserve that it represents, after the religious site was hit by an Israeli airstrike on August 24.

Located in Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, the Abu Salim Mosque is widely regarded as one of Gaza's oldest and most historically significant religious landmarks.

However, more than half of the mosque currently lies in ruins, with parts of its historic walls collapsing following the Israeli strike.

The municipality and volunteers are trying to salvage whatever they can from the rubble, even the mosque's damaged stones, valued by Palestinians for their historical and cultural significance.

"We are searching for heritage books and stones. When conditions allow reconstruction in the future, the municipality will work with heritage organizations to restore this mosque," said Salem Abu Hasnin, a member of the Deir al-Balah Municipal Council.

The search through the rubble is made harder by a severe lack of equipment and resources.

"This mosque is both a heritage and archaeological site. It was built in 1951 in the Ottoman style. Our team launched a preventive preservation campaign, collecting historic marble pieces and scattered limestone for safekeeping," said Shaimaa Al-Natour, a member of the Heritage Guardians Team.

The mosque's library was also damaged. Among the debris, the team is trying to rescue surviving books and preserve them with whatever materials are available.

"Documenting, archiving and collecting historic books require special preservation boxes. We are working with very limited resources, keeping the books in cardboard or wooden boxes that are not designed for this purpose," said Muhannad Abu Lahya, a cultural heritage guide.

The Palestinian Ministry of Religious Endowments says almost all of Gaza's 1,275 mosques have been targeted since the war began, including well over 1,000 that were completely destroyed.

Despite the widespread destruction, Palestinians remain determined to preserve their heritage, hoping what they save from the rubble can one day be rebuilt into what was lost.

Efforts underway to preserve historic Abu Salim Mosque after Israeli strike