Nov 1, 2026, 03:30 AM UTC

French authorities deployed heavy security across several cities during nationwide demonstrations on 24 October, coinciding with the Rassemblement National (RN) party congress in Orléans. Authorities mobilized nearly 3,000 law enforcement personnel in Orléans to manage an expected 20,000 to 30,000 counter-protesters.

To prevent potential clashes around the venue, the Loiret prefecture instituted a ban on unapproved public gatherings in Orléans for 25 October, the day of Marine Le Pen's address. Local officials also announced a curfew for minors under 15 years old, while Paris police authorized drone surveillance to monitor demonstrations.

Following the weekend events, officials reported 1,314 arrests across France, with 126 individuals held in police custody in Paris. A total of 53 law enforcement officers sustained injuries during the operations.

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

The United States has completed the withdrawal of its remaining military forces from Iraq, concluding more than twenty years of deployment under a bilateral agreement finalized in 2024. President Donald Trump welcomed the final troop departure, calling it a "great day for America" and expressing confidence in Iraq's current governance.

However, security analysts and media outlets offer differing assessments of the withdrawal's consequences. While observers note that Iraq possesses greater institutional stability today than during the previous 2011 drawdown, security experts warn that the absence of U.S. forces could create a strategic vacuum. There are growing concerns that Iran and affiliated militant groups could exploit the exit to expand regional influence. Meanwhile, the Pentagon is evaluating its broader military footprint across the Persian Gulf following recent Iranian strikes against American facilities.

Sources: Defence24, Portal obronny, Rzeczpospolita, TVP info

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will not attend the upcoming Organization of Turkic States (OTS) summit in Turkey, marking the first time in 17 years he has missed an official gathering of the regional bloc. Official statements from Baku emphasize Azerbaijan's commitment to the alliance, highlighting its transition from cultural cooperation toward security, energy, and transport integration across Turkic-speaking nations.

However, independent reporting suggests Aliyev's absence points to underlying political friction between Baku and Ankara following recent diplomatic disagreements. Azerbaijani officials have not publicly detailed the reasons for his decision not to attend. Despite his absence, state-aligned media maintains that Azerbaijan remains a key driver of regional cooperation.

Sources: OC Media, Trend News Agency