France reeled from a weekend of riots that rattled its bond market. Washington's sanctions waiver for Russia deepened a rift with Kyiv as Ukraine launched one of its largest drone barrages of the war. Hormuz tensions kept energy costs high, Gaza food aid was cut, Ebola spread in Kenya and Canada mourned four soldiers killed in a base fire, while China's growth beat forecasts.
World mood: Uneasy · 55 stories from 374 headlines
Macron admits failures after violent cost-of-living protests sweep France
Mass protests over living costs, schools and public services turned violent across France over the weekend, with looting in Paris, a historic town hall burned in Limoges and around 2,400 arrests reported. President Macron rejected Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez's resignation after the minister said police had lost control, and acknowledged failures in anticipation and intelligence. Donald Trump blamed immigration for the unrest, and Yellow Vest activists called for new protests.
Why it matters: The unrest piles pressure on Macron's government roughly six months before a presidential election and is already unsettling investors in French debt.
France has seen recurring waves of street protest, from the Yellow Vest movement to pension-reform strikes. Inflation, reported to be fuelled partly by the US-Iran war, has sharpened anger over living costs and underfunded schools.
Ukraine launches over 1,000 drones at Russia, hitting St Petersburg oil sites
Ukraine sent more than 1,000 drones at Russia in one of its largest aerial attacks of the war, setting an oil export terminal and depot ablaze in St Petersburg. At least one person was killed, and a data centre used by a Russian social network was also hit.
Why it matters: Strikes on Russian export terminals feed into already tight global fuel markets.
Since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine has increasingly used long-range drones against Russian energy infrastructure, while Russia has targeted Ukraine's power grid.
Trump suspends new Russia sanctions and accuses Zelenskyy of resisting peace
President Trump used a national-interest waiver to block sanctions and tariffs under the Graham Act two days before they were due to take effect, saying it would keep peace talks going. Secretary of State Rubio called it a 60-day pause to assess global impact, including on buyers such as India. Trump said Zelenskyy does not want to end the war, while Zelenskyy called the waiver wrong and spoke with US envoys Witkoff and Kushner.
Why it matters: The waiver eases pressure on Moscow, worries European allies and affects major Russian energy buyers.
Trump signed the Graham bill targeting Russia over its invasion of Ukraine into law in September. Washington has pushed for a negotiated end to the war, straining ties with Kyiv.
Rubio denies pausing intelligence to Ukraine amid Starshield row
Zelenskyy said the US gave no warning of a Russian missile strike on Kyiv power plants and blamed Washington for his military losing normal access to the Starshield satellite service. Rubio denied any pause in intelligence sharing and urged Zelenskyy to focus on ending the war, as Russia announced a massive strike on Kyiv and its region.
Why it matters: Ukraine relies on US satellite intelligence to detect incoming ballistic missiles aimed at its cities.
Ukraine's military has depended heavily on SpaceX's Starlink and its government-focused Starshield variant for communications and early warning since the 2022 invasion.
Oil slips on Russian diesel deal but stays elevated by Iran war
Crude prices eased at the start of the week as traders expected more diesel supply under a deal between Trump and Putin and the US sanctions waiver. Analysts noted prices remain high, as the US-Israeli war with Iran is expected to keep supply tight into 2027.
Why it matters: Elevated oil prices feed inflation worldwide, from fuel pumps to food.
The US and Israel have been at war with Iran for much of 2026, disrupting Gulf energy flows. A brief June ceasefire did not hold.
Qatar warns Iran war energy shock has yet to peak as Hormuz tanker burns
Qatar's deputy prime minister said the global energy shock from the Iran war has not peaked, urged dialogue with Tehran and rejected Strait of Hormuz transit fees. Iran's IRGC said a tanker hit a mine and caught fire in the strait, while Foreign Minister Araghchi said an offer to reopen the waterway within six days stands. Iran also warned of a new operational plan if US attacks resume.
Why it matters: A large share of the world's oil and liquefied gas passes through Hormuz, so disruption there moves prices globally.
The Strait of Hormuz links the Gulf to the open ocean. Since the US-Israeli war with Iran began, Tehran has imposed its own rules on shipping through the strait.
Funding shortfall forces WFP to cut food aid to half a million in Gaza
The World Food Programme is cutting monthly assistance in Gaza from 1.6 million to 1.1 million people because of funding shortages. The agency says two-thirds of the population face crisis-level food insecurity and 200,000 are at risk of famine, more than a year after a US-brokered ceasefire.
Why it matters: The cuts come as winter approaches in a territory where hunger is already widespread.
The Israel-Hamas war that began in October 2023 devastated Gaza. A ceasefire brokered by the Trump administration halted major fighting, but reconstruction and aid access remain limited.
Kenya confirms eighth Ebola case as regional outbreak widens
Kenya has confirmed its eighth Ebola case, likely linked to the country's first patient, and warned that early symptoms can resemble malaria. In DR Congo the outbreak has reached an eighth province, and Gavi says vaccine candidates for the Bundibugyo strain offer hope, though none is yet approved.
Why it matters: The outbreak, blamed for more than 4,000 deaths, has no approved vaccine for its strain and is spreading across borders.
Ebola is a severe viral haemorrhagic fever. Existing vaccines target the Zaire strain, not the Bundibugyo strain behind this outbreak, which began in DR Congo.
China's economy grows 4.5% in Q3 as AI demand lifts exports
China's GDP grew 4.5% year on year in July-September, beating forecasts and accelerating from the second quarter. Strong overseas demand for electronics and tech goods boosted factory output, while consumer spending remained weak.
Why it matters: Stronger Chinese growth may let Beijing hold off further easing, affecting demand for commodities and trading partners.
China, the world's second-largest economy, has relied on manufacturing and exports while struggling to revive household consumption after a prolonged property slump.
French bonds, stocks and euro fall as riots unnerve investors
French bonds and Paris-listed shares sold off on Monday after the weekend violence, and the gap between French and German 10-year borrowing costs widened. The euro also weakened as analysts linked the unrest to existing worries about France's debt.
Why it matters: Higher French borrowing costs strain the eurozone's second-largest economy and weigh on European markets more broadly.
France carries one of the eurozone's largest public debt loads, and political instability has repeatedly pushed its bond yields higher relative to Germany's, the region's benchmark.
Putin reportedly proposes Ukraine summit with Trump and Xi, without Zelenskyy
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly proposed a three-way summit with Donald Trump and Xi Jinping to discuss ending the Ukraine war, without Ukraine at the table. The idea has drawn concern in Asia and comes amid warming Trump-Putin ties, including a deal for the US to buy Russian diesel.
Why it matters: A great-power summit excluding Kyiv would shape any settlement of Europe's largest war and has implications for security in Asia.
Russia, the US and China are the major powers with the most influence over the Ukraine war, and Kyiv has long insisted that no deal be negotiated without it.
Record freight and fuel costs reshape global oil and container trade
Soaring shipping costs are pushing delivered crude prices beyond what refiners will pay, forcing producers to cut prices or sell closer to home. The Hormuz crisis is also straining marine fuel supply, raising costs for container shipping.
Why it matters: Higher freight bills raise the cost of moving goods worldwide and squeeze producers' margins.
Most global trade moves by sea, and ships burn bunker fuel refined largely from Gulf crude, so supply shocks there ripple through the whole logistics chain.
Grass fire at Alberta military base kills four Canadian soldiers
A fast-moving grass fire during training at CFB Wainwright in Alberta killed four service members and sent 39 people to hospital, at least 19 in critical condition. The fire crossed firebreaks before being contained; its cause is unknown. PM Mark Carney called it one of the worst peacetime tragedies for Canada's forces on home soil.
Why it matters: The deaths raise questions about training safety at one of Canada's busiest military bases.
CFB Wainwright is a major army training area in eastern Alberta, used for large-scale exercises by Canadian and allied forces.
Alberta votes on whether to hold a binding independence referendum
Albertans are voting on whether the province should stay in Canada or hold a second, binding vote on independence. Polls suggest most favour remaining, but the campaign has exposed divisions, including within the separatist movement.
Why it matters: The outcome bears on Canada's unity and on the oil-rich province's relations with Ottawa.
Alberta, the heart of Canada's oil industry, has long complained of federal policies it sees as unfair, fuelling a separatist current. Quebec held independence referendums in 1980 and 1995.
Kenyan court to rule on pastor accused in Shakahola starvation deaths
A court in Mombasa is due to deliver its verdict on self-proclaimed pastor Paul Mackenzie and 30 co-accused, charged with murdering 191 children. Prosecutors say he urged followers to starve themselves and their children; a rights commission documented 448 deaths in the case.
Why it matters: The case has prompted debate across Kenya over the regulation of religious groups.
Mass graves were found in the Shakahola forest near Malindi in 2023, linked to Mackenzie's Good News International Church. Families have waited years for answers.
AI firm Anthropic said it will commit 5% of its shares to a public benefit fund ahead of a planned stock listing, which could fund NGOs or direct payments to groups affected by AI job disruption. Elon Musk then said he will give one SpaceX share to every US child next year, without saying how.
Why it matters: The pledges signal growing pressure on tech firms to share AI-era wealth amid fears of job losses.
Anthropic, maker of the Claude AI models, and SpaceX are among the most valuable private tech firms, and both are approaching public markets.
Australian MP Helen Haines critically injured in alleged car attack
Independent MP Helen Haines was critically injured after being struck by a car outside her electorate office in Wangaratta, Victoria. Police arrested the driver, and PM Anthony Albanese described it as an attack; police say there is no ongoing threat.
Why it matters: The attack raises concerns about the safety of elected officials in Australia.
Haines has represented the rural Victorian seat of Indi as an independent since 2019, succeeding fellow independent Cathy McGowan.
Israel arrests eight after settler attacks on diplomats and US journalist
Israeli police arrested eight suspects after settlers attacked a European diplomatic delegation, including a French mayor, and badly beat Washington Post photojournalist Heidi Levine in the West Bank. The EU condemned the assault and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee called the attack on Levine terror, while Netanyahu questioned the delegation's account.
Why it matters: Attacks on foreign diplomats and journalists increase international pressure on Israel over settler violence.
Israel has occupied the West Bank since 1967, and settler violence against Palestinians has risen in recent years. Most of the world considers the settlements illegal, which Israel disputes.
Trump endorses Netanyahu ahead of Israel's October 27 election
Donald Trump endorsed Benjamin Netanyahu for re-election, calling him a great partner against Iran. Netanyahu, who also urged alliances with India and Latin America in case of a hostile future US president, faces a vote in which Arab-led and ultra-Orthodox parties could be kingmakers, and AI deepfakes are a new concern.
Why it matters: The result will shape Israel's policy on Iran, Gaza and relations with the US.
Netanyahu is Israel's longest-serving prime minister and is seeking another term. This is the first national election since 2022, after the Gaza war and the war with Iran.
Lula and Flavio Bolsonaro clash in heated Brazil run-off debate
President Lula and right-wing senator Flavio Bolsonaro traded accusations of lying and corruption in their first debate before the October 25 run-off, clashing on the economy, security and health. Lula asked whether his rival would apply Argentina-style spending cuts, and his campaign has complained to the UN about alleged Meta favouritism.
Why it matters: The vote will set the direction of Latin America's largest economy.
Lula returned to power in 2023 after defeating Jair Bolsonaro. Jair's son Flavio, a senator, now carries the family's right-wing banner.
Pope Leo XIV makes first public appearance after lung cancer surgery
Pope Leo XIV led the Angelus from the Apostolic Palace balcony, thanking crowds in St Peter's Square for their prayers and promising a gradual return to duties. His surgeon said there is no clinical reason to cancel his planned Latin America trip next month.
Why it matters: The health of the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics is closely watched.
Leo XIV, born Robert Prevost in Chicago, was elected in 2025 as the first US-born pope, succeeding Francis.
HRW accuses Mali's army and armed groups of grave abuses
Human Rights Watch says Mali's military, Islamist fighters and separatists are committing serious laws-of-war violations against civilians, and urged the African Union to act to prevent further atrocities.
Why it matters: Civilian abuses in Mali fuel displacement and instability across the Sahel.
Mali has been ruled by a military junta since coups in 2020 and 2021 and has fought jihadist and separatist insurgencies for more than a decade.
Saudi-led strikes intensify in Yemen as Houthi drones target the kingdom
Houthi officials said Saudi forces launched 110 strikes across Yemen in a day and that one strike killed nine in the north. The Saudi coalition reported intercepting Houthi drones and said two pilots died in a helicopter crash it blamed on a malfunction, as Egypt weighs defensive support.
Why it matters: The renewed war adds another front of instability around Gulf energy and Red Sea shipping routes.
Yemen's civil war pits the Iran-aligned Houthis against the internationally recognised government backed by a Saudi-led coalition. Fighting reignited in July after a long lull.
Drone strikes kill civilians in Darfur and Kordofan
Drone attacks killed civilians, including women, in West Darfur and West Kordofan, while other strikes targeted military sites in eastern Sudan, according to Dabanga.
Why it matters: Sudan's war has created one of the world's largest humanitarian crises.
Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces have been at war since April 2023, with Darfur and Kordofan among the worst-hit regions.
Japan set to launch first mission to return samples from Mars moon Phobos
Japan's space agency is preparing to launch a five-year mission to collect about 10g of material from Phobos, the larger of Mars's two moons, and bring it back to Earth. Scientists hope it will reveal how Phobos and Deimos formed.
Why it matters: It would be the first sample return from the Martian system, advancing understanding of planetary origins.
Japan's JAXA has previously returned asteroid samples with its Hayabusa missions. The origin of Phobos, whether captured asteroid or debris from an impact on Mars, is debated.
Thawing permafrost makes tap water undrinkable in Arctic Longyearbyen
Residents of Longyearbyen in Svalbard have been told not to drink tap water because of heavy metal contamination that scientists link to thawing permafrost. Experts say other Arctic communities may face similar risks.
Why it matters: It is a concrete example of climate change threatening basic services in Arctic towns.
Svalbard is among the fastest-warming places on Earth. Permafrost thaw can release metals and pollutants long locked in frozen ground.
UN biodiversity talks in Armenia face nature loss reality check
Countries are meeting in Armenia for UN biodiversity talks as scientists warn many goals to halt nature loss remain off track, and that declining biodiversity is already harming people.
Why it matters: Loss of species threatens food, water and health systems that people depend on.
In 2022 nations adopted the Kunming-Montreal framework, pledging to protect 30% of land and sea by 2030. Periodic UN conferences review progress.
El Niño drought and wildfire haze hit Indonesia's Kalimantan
Wildfires in Central Kalimantan have produced toxic haze affecting millions, while El Niño-driven drought has lowered rivers in West Kalimantan, disrupting transport for palm oil mills handling about half the province's processing.
Why it matters: Haze threatens public health and disruption to palm oil can affect global vegetable oil supplies.
Indonesia is the world's top palm oil producer. Dry El Niño years often bring peatland fires and cross-border haze.
Takaichi rejects blame for weak yen and rising bond yields
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi denied that her policies are behind the yen's weakness or the rise in government bond yields. Japan is also reaching out to foreign investors in English, who held 13% of JGBs in June.
Why it matters: Japan's bond market and currency affect global capital flows and borrowing costs.
Japan has the developed world's largest public debt. After years of ultra-low rates, rising yields and a weak yen have raised concerns about fiscal sustainability.
India's crude import bill jumps 46% as Middle East crisis lifts prices
India paid $15.4 billion for crude imports in September, up 46% from a year earlier, while volumes rose 7%. Finance Minister Sitharaman named fuel, fertiliser and access to capital as risks to the economy in 2027.
Why it matters: A bigger oil bill strains India's trade balance, currency and inflation outlook.
India is the world's third-largest crude importer and buys most of its oil from abroad, making it highly exposed to Gulf disruptions.
Global food inflation expected to intensify as supply shocks mount
Food prices are rising across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia, hitting the poorest hardest. In Ghana, an expert said 65% of people cannot afford a healthy diet.
Why it matters: Rising food costs deepen hunger and can fuel social unrest in poorer countries.
Food prices are sensitive to energy, fertiliser and shipping costs, all of which have been pushed up by conflict in the Gulf.
Venezuela opposition alliance confirms Machado as leader
Venezuela's opposition coalition confirmed Nobel laureate María Corina Machado as its leader, as one faction holds transition talks with the interim government following the US ouster of Nicolás Maduro.
Why it matters: Who leads the opposition will shape Venezuela's political transition.
Machado led the opposition campaign against Maduro and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Maduro was removed from power by the US.
Albania protests enter seventh day as Rama refuses to resign
Protesters have rallied in Tirana for a week against poor university conditions, high tuition fees and corruption, demanding Prime Minister Edi Rama step down. Police used water cannon and tear gas, and the European Commission condemned the violence.
Why it matters: Prolonged unrest could complicate Albania's bid to join the European Union.
Edi Rama's Socialist Party has governed Albania since 2013. The country is an EU candidate, and corruption is a recurring public grievance.
Iran's parliament approves new defence minister, who warns the US
Iran's parliament approved Mehrdad Akhlaghi as defence minister, replacing an acting minister. His predecessor Aziz Nasirzadeh was killed in a US-Israeli strike in February, and Akhlaghi threatened enormous damage if the US attacks.
Why it matters: The appointment signals Tehran's posture as US-Iran talks remain stalled.
A US-Israeli attack in February reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and senior commanders, launching a war that has disrupted the region.
Reported Iranian funding for Hezbollah puts pressure on Lebanon
A reported $200m in Iranian aid to Hezbollah has increased US pressure on Lebanon's government, posing a new challenge to its authority over the armed group.
Why it matters: The dispute tests Lebanon's efforts to assert state control amid regional war.
Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shia movement and armed group backed by Iran. The US and Israel want it disarmed, and Lebanon's government has pledged to bring arms under state control.
Taiwan drives away 16 Chinese ships in 'maritime harassment'
Taiwan's coast guard said it drove away an unusually large group of 16 Chinese vessels operating in coordination around its main island and the disputed Pratas islands.
Why it matters: Grey-zone pressure around Taiwan keeps tensions high in a key region for global chip supply.
Beijing claims self-governed Taiwan as its territory and has stepped up military and coast guard activity around the island; Taipei rejects the claim.
Truck ploughs into worshippers in India's Gwalior, killing 13
A truck lost control and ran into devotees outside a temple during a religious festival in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, killing at least 13 people and injuring nearly 40.
Why it matters: The crash highlights crowd and road safety risks at India's large festival gatherings.
India's autumn festival season draws huge crowds to temples, and road accidents are a leading cause of death in the country.
Vietnam signed a free trade agreement with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland that cuts or removes tariffs on industrial, farm and fish products and covers services, intellectual property and sustainable development.
Why it matters: The deal expands market access for one of Asia's fastest-growing export economies.
Vietnam already has a trade agreement with the EU. The European Free Trade Association groups four non-EU European states.
Equatorial Guinea expands successful malaria programme to mainland
Equatorial Guinea said it will extend its anti-malaria programme to the mainland and Annobón island after the effort sharply reduced cases on Bioko Island.
Why it matters: A proven model for cutting malaria could save lives in a disease that weighs heavily on Africa.
Malaria kills hundreds of thousands of people a year, mostly young children in sub-Saharan Africa. Bioko's programme has run for about two decades.
Babis coalition wins no seats as opposition holds Czech Senate
Opposition parties kept control of the Czech Senate after elections in which Prime Minister Andrej Babis's governing coalition failed to win seats, a major setback for the populist leader.
Why it matters: An opposition-held Senate can slow the government's legislative agenda.
Babis, a billionaire and founder of the ANO movement, returned as prime minister after the 2025 parliamentary election.
Argentina targets Falklands oil as US warns sanctions bill could hit its firms
Facing weak polls, Argentina's government is pressuring the Falkland Islands' oil industry and hinting fisheries could be next. The US has told Buenos Aires that a bill toughening sanctions on resource exploitation around the islands could affect American companies, Clarín reported.
Why it matters: The dispute could affect offshore energy investment and UK-Argentina relations.
Britain and Argentina fought a war over the islands in 1982. Argentina still claims them as the Malvinas, while islanders have voted to remain British.
More Pakistani opposition figures implicated under anti-terror law
Pakistan's political showdown continues as additional opposition figures are named in cases under the country's anti-terrorism law. Separately, an army officer was killed in an IED blast.
Why it matters: Using anti-terror laws against rivals raises concerns about political freedoms in a nuclear-armed state.
Pakistan's opposition, led by supporters of jailed former PM Imran Khan, has been in a long confrontation with the government and military establishment.
Russian military satellite shadows US radar satellite aiding Ukraine
Russia's Cosmos-2612 has repeatedly changed orbit to approach ICEYE-X36, a US-registered commercial radar satellite whose operator supplies imagery to Ukraine.
Why it matters: Close approaches to commercial satellites raise fears of conflict extending into space.
Commercial satellite imagery has become important to Ukraine's war effort, and Russia has previously tested satellites able to manoeuvre near others.
UK mortgage costs rise above rents as asking-price cuts hit 15-year high
Hamptons says 56% of UK first-time buyers now pay more on their mortgage than they did in rent, the highest share in at least a decade, with rates rising since the Iran war began. Sellers are cutting asking prices on about 3,000 homes a day, the most in 15 years.
Why it matters: Higher borrowing costs are squeezing households and cooling the housing market ahead of the UK Budget.
UK mortgage rates track market expectations for interest rates, which have risen as energy-driven inflation pressures returned.
Japan's Daiichi Life offers $4.4bn for Australia's Challenger
Japanese insurer Daiichi Life has offered $4.4 billion to buy the rest of Challenger, Australia's largest annuities provider, giving it control of a position in the country's fast-growing retirement market.
Why it matters: The deal reflects Japanese insurers' push into overseas markets with growing retirement savings.
Daiichi Life already holds a stake in Challenger. Australia's compulsory superannuation system has created one of the world's biggest pension pools.
Great Lakes ministers endorse plan to disarm foreign combatants
Five Great Lakes countries endorsed draft procedures in Lusaka for disarming, demobilising, repatriating and reintegrating foreign fighters operating in the region.
Why it matters: Removing foreign armed groups is key to easing conflict in eastern DR Congo and its neighbours.
Foreign rebel groups from neighbouring states have operated in eastern DR Congo for decades, fuelling regional tensions.
Hundreds of fuel tankers expected to ease Malawi shortages
Malawi's transporters association expects about 287 fuel tankers this week, which could ease petrol and diesel shortages that have caused long queues. The country also faces a heatwave forecast to reach 42C.
Why it matters: Fuel shortages disrupt transport, farming and business in one of the world's poorest countries.
Landlocked Malawi imports all its fuel by road and has faced recurring shortages tied to foreign-currency scarcity.
Wave of homemade synthetic drugs deepens US addiction crisis
A new wave of synthetic drugs is spreading across the US, with communities in cities such as Chicago struggling to respond, according to BBC reporting from users, dealers and recovery workers.
Why it matters: New synthetic drugs complicate efforts to curb overdose deaths in the US.
The US opioid epidemic, driven in recent years by fentanyl, has killed hundreds of thousands of people.
Climate · Pagham Harbour, West Sussex, United Kingdom
Seabirds rebound on England's south coast after bird flu wipeout
Conservation work by the RSPB in the Solent has helped terns, gulls, plovers and oystercatchers recover. A sandwich tern colony at Pagham harbour wiped out in 2022 now has 756 breeding pairs.
Why it matters: The recovery shows targeted conservation can help wildlife bounce back from disease outbreaks.
A highly pathogenic avian flu strain killed large numbers of wild seabirds across Europe from 2021 onward.
Tonga's big win pushes England to brink of Rugby League World Cup exit
Tonga beat England in week one of the Rugby League World Cup, leaving England on the verge of elimination, while coach Kristian Woolf praised his team's depth.
Why it matters: Tonga's rise reflects growing strength of Pacific nations in international rugby league.
Tonga has become a rugby league force over the past decade, drawing many players with Tongan heritage from Australia and New Zealand.
Global stocks mostly fell, with the S&P 500 down 1.09%, the Euro Stoxx 50 down 0.97% and India's Sensex down 1.2%, as French riots and the Iran war energy shock weighed on sentiment. Brent slipped 1.09% to $108.66 on hopes of more Russian diesel supply after Washington's sanctions waiver, but remains up 4.6% over the month. China's stronger-than-expected 4.5% growth helped the Shanghai Composite and Hang Seng edge higher, while the US 10-year yield held above 5% and the yen weakened past 158 per dollar.
Iran war oil shock, Russian relief
Brent eased on the US waiver of Russia sanctions and a diesel deal, but Hormuz disruption and record freight costs keep energy expensive. Importers such as India feel it most, with a 46% jump in the crude bill and a weaker Sensex.
French unrest rattles Europe
Riots in France sparked a sell-off in French bonds and stocks and widened spreads over Germany, weighing on the euro and European indices.
China's AI export engine
China's 4.5% third-quarter growth, driven by AI-related electronics exports, lifted Chinese and Hong Kong shares on the day, though both remain lower over the month. Copper and Australian stocks edged up.
High yields and a weak yen
The US 10-year yield sits near 5.1% and the dollar index is up 1.7% over the month, while Japan's prime minister rejected blame for the yen near 158 and rising bond yields. Gold firmed slightly but is down 5.3% over the month.
Emerging markets and food costs
Brazil's Bovespa rose 0.54% and is up 10.7% over the month ahead of a closely fought run-off, while food inflation pressures poorer importers even as wheat is down 7.1% over the month.