Oct 26, 2026, 03:30 AM UTC

Azerbaijan is expanding its influence within the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) by broadening the group's focus beyond historical and cultural cooperation toward strategic economic, energy, and security alignment. Speaking on Baku’s vision, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev emphasized that the OTS is evolving into a comprehensive platform to harmonize geopolitical and security interests across Eurasia.

Central to this strategy is Baku's effort to leverage its geographical position as a major transit corridor connecting Europe and Asia. In addition to expanding regional transport networks and energy supply lines, Azerbaijan is utilizing international summits and interfaith conferences to elevate the bloc’s global standing. Through these initiatives, Baku aims to align member states' national priorities with broader regional integration goals.

Sources: Trend News Agency.

French authorities detained 1,314 people across the country following nationwide protests on Saturday, October 24, which resulted in injuries to 53 law enforcement officers. In Paris alone, 126 individuals were placed in police custody.

The demonstrations coincided with the National Rally (RN) party congress in Orléans, where between 20,000 and 30,000 counter-protesters were expected. In response, French officials deployed nearly 3,000 security personnel alongside drone surveillance. Local authorities in Orléans also instituted a curfew for minors under 15 and banned all undeclared public gatherings on Sunday, October 25, ahead of an address by RN leader Marine Le Pen. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu previously confirmed that security forces would use a high-level, mobile strategy to counter organized groups attempting to disrupt order.

Sources: La Tribune, Le Figaro, Le Monde, Libération, RTBF Info.

Voting has concluded in Brazil's presidential runoff between incumbent left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and right-wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro, with ballot counting now underway. Electoral authorities extended voting operations by two hours following delays caused by transportation difficulties affecting voters.

Final pre-election polling indicated the candidates were tied at 50% each. Flávio Bolsonaro had previously led the first-round vote with 47% to Lula's 45%, outperforming earlier polling expectations. Friday's final television debate saw sharp policy exchanges following an intensely polarized campaign. Official preliminary results are currently being processed by the Superior Electoral Court.

Sources: Le Figaro, Le Monde, Le Soir, Libération, RTBF Info.

Romania is set to launch its Casa Verde Baterii residential energy storage scheme in October with a budget of 400 to 500 million lei. Moving away from the previous first-come, first-served model, the updated criteria evaluate applicants based on co-financing contributions and total installed capacity.

While state reports and media features highlight successful household transitions to renewable energy and reduced bills, the new scoring system faces criticism. Prosumer representatives argue that the framework favors applicants with larger budgets and excludes homeowners who already possess battery storage. Meanwhile, applicants in related green energy programs report administrative delays, complex bureaucracy, and contractor price estimates well above market rates.

Sources: Adevărul, Economedia, HotNews, Moldova1, Ziarul de Gardă.

Monitoring groups and news media in Turkey have published updated monthly data on gender-based violence for August. Figures released by the We Will Stop Femicide Platform recorded 22 femicides and 33 suspicious deaths of women, noting that 55 percent of the victims were killed in their homes. Separately, media outlet Bianet documented at least 25 women killed and 71 injured during the same month.

Meanwhile, legal proceedings have advanced in Siirt, where a local high criminal court accepted an indictment against five defendants concerning the death of a mother of four who disappeared in October 2024. Prosecutors utilized digital evidence, telecommunications data, and license plate tracking to conclude the victim was murdered.

Sources: Bianet, Cumhuriyet, TRT Haber