Nexus Europa — Oct 26, 2026, 04:00 PM UTC

Lula secures fourth term as Brazil president despite opposition challenge

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva won a fourth term in Brazil's presidential runoff, as challenger Flávio Bolsonaro called for the vote to be annulled.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has secured a fourth term in office after winning a runoff election with 51.79% of the vote. Lula became the first president since Brazil's 1985 return to democracy to win after trailing in the first round of voting.

His opponent, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, has refused to accept defeat and requested the annulment of the vote, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling.

International reactions were swift, with several world leaders celebrating Lula's victory. However, financial markets reacted negatively, with Brazilian pre-market stocks dropping significantly as investors had largely anticipated a win for Bolsonaro.

Sources: BBC News, Bloomberg, Daily Sabah, France24, Sweden Herald.

Algeria approves troop deployment to Niger in first foreign mission since 1973

Algeria's parliament has approved a military deployment to Niger, its first foreign troop operation since 1973, amid shared security and economic interests.

Algeria's parliament has authorized a military deployment to neighboring Niger, marking the nation's first foreign troop operation since the 1973 Arab-Israeli war.

The decision follows discussions in Algiers with Niger's defense minister as Niamey seeks assistance in combating insurgent groups operating near their shared border, including fighters affiliated with al-Qaeda and Islamic State.

In addition to bilateral security concerns, both nations hold shared economic stakes in the region, including the long-delayed Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline project intended to transport natural gas across the continent.

Sources: France24, BBC News.