US Exits Iraq After Two Decades, China's Factory Activity Rebounds and Oil Rises on Peace Talk Hopes

Headline news for September 30, 2026: US forces complete their withdrawal from Iraq today ending more than two decades of military presence after four thousand five hundred American deaths. Iran hails it as a victory while Iraqi security officials warn of a potential security vacuum. China's factory activity returns to growth in September after two months of contraction.

Synopsis: A round up of global headlines to start your day by The Business Times.

Written by: Claressa Monteiro (claremb@sph.com.sg)

Produced and edited by: Claressa Monteiro or Nicole Teo

Produced by: BT Podcasts, The Business Times, SPH Media

Produced with AI text-to-speech capabilities

---

Follow Lens On Daily and rate us on:

Channel: bt.sg/btlenson

Amazon: bt.sg/lensam

Apple Podcasts: bt.sg/lensap

Spotify: bt.sg/lenssp