Oct 29, 2026, 05:00 AM UTC

The United States has completed its military withdrawal from Iraq, concluding over twenty years of armed presence. U.S. President Donald Trump described the departure as "a great day for America," writing on social media that while past errors led to the long engagement, Iraq is now capable of managing its own security.

The exit follows a 2024 agreement finalized during the Biden administration and executed under Trump. While security conditions in Iraq are currently more stable than during the 2011 troop reduction, analysts and media reports warn that the U.S. departure could strengthen Iranian influence and empower local militant factions. Concurrently, the U.S. Department of Defense is assessing its broader military posture across the Middle East following recent Iranian strikes on American facilities in the Persian Gulf, potentially signaling further force redeployments in the region.

Sources: Defence24, Portal obronny, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info

Brazilian electoral authorities have completed the vote tally for the presidential runoff, confirming incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's reelection with 51.78% of the vote against challenger Flávio Bolsonaro's 48.22%.

The final hours of balloting were marked by logistical disruptions after public transit shortages in several municipalities prompted Lula's campaign to petition the Supreme Court for extended voting hours. Electoral judges granted a two-hour extension to accommodate affected voters before counting resumed.

Following the publication of official results by the Superior Electoral Court, Flávio Bolsonaro formally requested the annulment of the election outcome. Electoral officials are reviewing the filing amid lingering political polarization.

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

Ukrainian national and local authorities in Kyiv are stepping up efforts to prepare the capital for the winter season following increased Russian strikes on critical infrastructure. Official plans include building protective structures around energy facilities and organizing potential evacuations for residents with limited mobility. Concurrently, municipal leaders urged citizens to stockpile food, water, and backup power supplies.

However, former officials and investigative reports raised concerns over systemic delays. Serhiy Sukhomlyn, former head of the State Restoration Agency, stated that authorities must rely on "a warm winter and the inaccuracy of Russian strikes." Further reporting indicated that delayed procurement processes mean several long-term capital energy resilience projects will not be completed until March 2027.

Sources: Liga net, NV, Радіо Свобода, Українська правда.

Former French presidential candidate Ségolène Royal has gathered the necessary endorsements to compete in the left-wing primary organized by the Socialist Party and Place Publique. Royal will compete alongside six declared candidates, including Socialist Party First Secretary Olivier Faure.

The primary, scheduled over two rounds on October 9–10 and October 16–17, aims to select a unified candidate for the 2027 presidential election. Royal attributed her endorsement success to longstanding party ties, though her early criticisms of rival candidate Raphaël Glucksmann have highlighted internal rivalries. Meanwhile, Communist Party leader Fabien Roussel announced a separate presidential candidacy outside the primary framework.

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

French authorities deployed nearly 3,000 security personnel in Orléans to safeguard the Rassemblement National party congress, where between 20,000 and 30,000 counter-protesters were expected to gather. To avert clashes during Marine Le Pen's scheduled address on Sunday, October 25, the Loiret prefecture prohibited all unapproved public gatherings across the municipality and instituted a nighttime curfew for minors under 15. In Paris, law enforcement deployed aerial drones to monitor crowd movements.

Nationwide demonstrations on October 24 resulted in 1,314 arrests and left 53 police officers injured, with 126 individuals detained in the capital. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced that security operations would remain "massive" to maintain public order and counter disruptive groups.

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