Market sources say SpaceX and Tesla plan to complete a merger before the end of Trump's term, targeting a signed merger agreement by 1H 2027.

UN experts said Meta Platforms (META.O) appears to have applied "disproportionate restrictions" to accounts linked to one side in Brazil's presidential election, consistent with complaints from President Lula's campaign that Meta systematically reduced the reach of its posts. Lula's camp also alleges Meta's AI refused to generate images of Lula while producing campaign material favorable to the son of former president Jair Bolsonaro. A judge at Brazil's electoral court ordered Meta not to interfere in the dissemination of political and election content. Meta said it treats content from both candidates equally and denied discrimination.

CPCA said Oct 1-18 China passenger vehicle manufacturer wholesales were 853,000 units, down 20% YoY and down 3% MoM; YTD wholesales 20.589 mln, down 6% YoY. Market retail in the period was 789,000 units, down 26% YoY and up 2% MoM; YTD retail 14.123 mln, down 22% YoY. NEV wholesales Oct 1-18 were 655,000 units, up 5% YoY and up 1% MoM; YTD NEV wholesales 12.104 mln, up 9% YoY. NEV market retail in the period was 520,000 units, down 13% YoY and down 2% MoM; YTD NEV retail 8.278 mln, down 13% YoY.