Energy:
1. Market News: The US and Russia hold talks on investor plans for the Nord Stream project.
2. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) tenders for crude oil shipments in December.
3. Hungary launches comprehensive energy sector reforms, planning to reduce wholesale electricity prices by over 60% by 2040.
4. Saudi Arabia plans to allow shipments outside the Strait of Hormuz and considers changing the crude oil pricing benchmark.
5. Major crude oil traders: Without transshipment operations, oil prices could hit $200.
6. Australia plans to require LNG producers to reserve one-fifth of their production domestically.
7. Iraq's National Oil Marketing Organization (SOMO) set the official selling price (OSP) for Basra Medium crude oil exports to Asia in November at a discount of $2.80/barrel to the Oman/Dubai average; the OSP for Basra Medium crude oil exports to Europe in November at a discount of $3.85/barrel to the spot Brent crude price; and the OSP for Basra Medium crude oil exports to North and South America in November at a premium of $3.10/barrel to Argus Sour crude oil.
Agriculture/Mining:
1. Lithuania plans to propose a EU ban on the transit of Russian grain.
2. Governor of the Polish Central Bank: The Polish Central Bank holds 672 tons of gold and aims to increase its gold reserves to 700 tons.
3. Indian officials confirmed the cancellation of import tax breaks for precious metals, increasing the cost of gold and silver imports.
4. Indian Ministry of Mines official: Considering establishing important mineral reserves.
5. Indonesian customs officials stated that Indonesia will impose a consumption tax on sugary drinks starting in the second half of 2027.
Middle East Situation:
1. A surge of very large crude carriers (VLCCs) into the Middle East exacerbates the global ship shortage.
2. Iran and Oman reach an agreement on the coordinates of a safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Other:
1. Shipping giant Maersk: Will increase the Emergency Fuel Surcharge (EFS) to 20% starting October 12, 2026.
2. The World Trade Organization (WTO) raises its 2026 global merchandise trade growth forecast from 1.9% to 3.9%.
3. World Meteorological Organization: El Niño is expected to intensify and persist until February 2027.
4. Japan Meteorological Agency: The probability of El Niño strengthening to its strongest level on record and continuing into winter is 100%.
