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Germany has pledged another €1bn in military aid for Ukraine during Chancellor Friedrich Merz's visit to Kyiv.

Elsewhere, US bombers have returned home from Britain, while Brazil's presidential election is heading to a runoff.

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1️⃣ 🇺🇸🇬🇧 US bombers leave Britain: The US has withdrawn all its air force bombers from RAF Fairford following a suspected attack on the base last month. A Pentagon official confirmed the aircraft had returned to their home stations, describing the move as part of routine operational requirements.

2️⃣ 🇧🇷 Brazil heads to runoff: Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Senator Flávio Bolsonaro will contest a presidential runoff after neither secured an outright majority. The electoral court announced that the second round would take place on 25 October.

3️⃣ 🇱🇻🇺🇦 Latvian PM wins election: Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' United List won 42 of parliament's 100 seats, with 97% of votes counted, putting him on track to lead another pro-Ukraine coalition. Analyst Roberts Kits said either the National Alliance or the Progressives could give him a parliamentary majority.

4️⃣ 🇬🇧🇨🇳 Britain considers EV tariffs: Britain is considering tariffs on Chinese electric cars that could match the EU's 45% levy, The Times reported, citing concerns over subsidies and dumping. Reuters could not independently verify the report, while a government spokesperson said no tariffs had been imposed.

5️⃣ 🇺🇦 Kyiv adds drone defences: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said more than a dozen automated heavy-machine-gun combat modules had been installed in Kyiv, with eight more planned for the surrounding region. He said Ukraine's defences intercepted 85-92% of conventional Shahed drones but only 50-70% of jet-powered versions.

🇩🇪🇺🇦 Germany boosts Ukraine aid

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz announced another €1bn in military aid during a visit to Kyiv, saying Germany would not be intimidated into abandoning its support for Ukraine.

Chancellor Merz also pledged €350m to help repair Ukraine's energy infrastructure.

German businesses signed 14 agreements worth roughly €6.6bn, covering missile, radar and drone technology.

The deals included IRIS-T missiles from Diehl Defence, Hensoldt radars and jet-powered drone interceptors from Quantum Systems.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the countries were close to finalising a broader defence agreement and praised the SPYS jet-powered interceptor.

1️⃣ 🇾🇪 Yemen announces new operation: Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council announced a major operation against the Iran-backed Houthis to regain territory controlled by the group. Council head Rashad al-Alimi called for international support as Houthi fighters advanced towards Taiz and disrupted the road to Aden.

2️⃣ 🇬🇧🇮🇱 Israel bars Green leader: Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar barred Green Party leader Zack Polanski from entering the country after party members adopted a motion declaring Zionism a form of racism. Members approved the policy by 1,022 votes to 813, despite opposition from four of the party's five MPs.

3️⃣ 🇧🇦 Dodik claims election victory: Bosnian Serb politician Milorad Dodik claimed victory for his party, with ally Željka Cvijanović leading the race for the Serb seat in the country's tripartite presidency. She had more than 55% of the vote with nearly 90% counted, while Dodik said his party would hold a large majority in Republika Srpska's assembly.

4️⃣ 🇮🇪🇮🇱 UEFA bars Israeli reporters: UEFA barred two Israeli reporters from the post-match press conference after Ireland and Israel drew 1-1 at a neutral venue in Serbia. Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson urged UEFA to keep the two teams apart in future competitions, following a request from the Football Association of Ireland.

5️⃣ 🇫🇷 France keeps schools closed: Between 400 and 500 French schools will remain closed or partly closed on 5 October because security conditions have not been met, Education Minister Édouard Geffray said. The announcement followed unrest in which 24 schools were burnt or ransacked, with a gradual return to classes planned.

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