Lebanon's Interior and Municipal Affairs Minister Ahmad Hajar met President Michel Aoun to discuss the national security situation. Hajar briefed the president on measures his ministry has taken to shore up nationwide security and stability, saying protecting citizens' safety is a priority and the ministry will not tolerate impunity.

Brent crude falls more than 2% intraday to $105.45/bbl.

China's National Bureau of Statistics said at an Oct. 19 briefing that domestic demand gradually improved in the first three quarters. Consumption contributed 46.7% of GDP growth in the period, adding 2.1 percentage points. Imports, a key component of domestic demand, rose more than 20% YoY in each quarter, reflecting increases in both volumes and prices. Headline CPI rose 0.9% YoY in the first three quarters; core CPI (ex food and energy) rose 1.1% YoY, indicating mild price increases and an improving supply–demand balance.