At its 2026 Q3 results briefing, Huaibei Mining said construction of the 8 mln tpa Taohutu coal mine is proceeding. The company is advancing excavation of coal, rock and rail roadways and the first mining panel has entered gateroad construction. Huaibei expects joint trial operations by end-2026 or early-2027 and, after a 2027 ramp-up, to reach full production in 2028.

Brent fell more than 3% to about $95/bbl, extending its biggest weekly drop since April 2020, after an unverified Israeli media report said Iran had stepped back from seeking control of the Strait of Hormuz and charging transit fees. President Trump earlier said he is "extremely unlikely" to order a major strike unless Iran signs a "very strong" deal, and a decisive Democratic midterm result has eased market fears of severe escalation, pulling prices down from a late‑October six‑month high. Uncertainty persists: IRIB reported a US overnight strike on Qeshm Island, and US Secretary of State Rubio downplayed the odds of a breakthrough in talks.

German chancellor Merz has voiced support for Bavarian politician Ilse Aigner, 61, to become Germany's first female president, an insider said after Merz expressed backing at a CDU dinner in Berlin on Sunday. Merz, who also serves as CDU chair, is set to formally announce the support on Monday; Aigner is expected to assume the presidency next year.