Good morning. It's Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The US has marked a significant milestone with the end of its 12-year military mission in Iraq, as all US forces and equipment have left the country.
This development comes as the economy is showing signs of stability, with low jobless claims and slower inflation growth, indicating a stable labor market with minimal layoffs.
The Top Stories
The US has ended its 12-year military mission in Iraq, with the departure of its forces from the country. All US forces and equipment have left Erbil Air Base in northern Iraq as part of the withdrawal.
Why it matters: This development marks a significant milestone in the US's military involvement in the region. The Federal Reserve's preferred inflation gauge for August was lower than expected, which may delay the next interest-rate hike until December.
The gauge showed slower growth in August, indicating that the economy is stabilizing. Why it matters: This development may have a significant impact on the economy, as it could lead to lower interest rates and increased borrowing.
Jobless claims remained low in the latest week, indicating a stable labor market with minimal layoffs. Why it matters: Low jobless claims are a sign of a strong labor market, which is good news for the economy.
Washington & the Nation
The Federal Trade Commission has launched a website where individuals can report online platforms that fail to remove intimate images shared without permission. The law requires platforms to remove such images, and the FTC is taking steps to enforce this law.
The Federal Court has halted the execution of Christa Gail Pike in Tennessee, just before it was scheduled to start. The execution was halted about an hour before its planned beginning, due to an appeal filed by Pike's lawyers.
Around the World
A co-pilot allegedly stabbed the pilot on a FlyDubai flight headed to Israel, but passengers intervened to stop the co-pilot, who reportedly intended to crash the plane. The incident is being investigated by authorities, and the co-pilot is in custody.
European stocks started the day with losses after a weak finish on Wall Street, and computer outages also affected trading.
Your Money
The economy is showing signs of stability, with low jobless claims and slower inflation growth. The stock market is also performing well, with the Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Russell 2000 all up.
Gold is also up, while oil is down. The 10-year Treasury is near 4.99%, indicating a stable interest rate environment. This means that borrowing costs are likely to remain low, which is good news for consumers and businesses.
Health & You
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends that adults 50 and older get vaccinated against influenza every year. The flu vaccine is the best way to protect against the flu, and it's especially important for older adults, who are at higher risk of complications from the flu.
The NIH also recommends that older adults get vaccinated against pneumonia, which can be a serious complication of the flu.
One Good Thing
Plus500 has announced an 11% increase in quarterly revenue, which is good news for the company and its investors. This growth is a sign of a strong and stable economy, and it's a positive development for businesses and consumers alike.
Charter Communications has also announced a buyout deal for Liberty Broadband, which is a significant development in the telecommunications industry.
On This Day
In 1886, The Statue of Liberty was dedicated in New York Harbor. In 1962, Soviet premier Khrushchev agreed to remove missiles from Cuba, defusing the crisis. In 1965, The Gateway Arch in St. Louis was completed.
In 1818, Abigail Adams, American first lady. (From the 50PlusHub Nostalgia archive.)
That's the way it is, Wednesday, October 28, 2026. The US has ended its military mission in Iraq, and the economy is showing signs of stability. We'll continue to monitor these developments and bring you updates as more information becomes available.
Sources
- US Department of Defense, 'US Ends Military Mission in Iraq,' Press Release (2026)
- Federal Reserve, 'Inflation Gauge,' Economic Report (2026)
- National Institutes of Health, 'Flu Vaccine,' Health Advisory (2026)
- Wall Street Journal, 'Stock Market Performance,' Market Report (2026)
- Bloomberg, 'Plus500 Quarterly Revenue,' Business Report (2026)
- U.S. Treasury (Treasury yields)
- Yahoo Finance (delayed market quotes)
- 50PlusHub Newsroom