News

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre reported that a 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu at a depth of 10.0 kilometers.

Major General Abdullahhi, Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces and Commander of the Khatnam Anbia Central Command, stated that Iran has rendered the US Navy ineffective and will never allow US warships to re-enter the Persian Gulf, nor approach the Strait of Hormuz or Iran's land and sea borders. Abdullahhi stated that Trump and the US leadership view the US Navy as the pinnacle of American power, using it to threaten the region and the world, but now the US Navy can no longer approach the waters surrounding the Persian Gulf or Iranian territorial waters. He said, "The US president can only dream of the US military re-entering the Persian Gulf. They will never realize this wish. Under no circumstances, at any time, will we allow US warships to enter the Persian Gulf." Abdullahhi criticized Trump for claiming that Iranian nuclear facilities had been destroyed while repeatedly emphasizing that Iran must not possess nuclear weapons, calling these statements contradictory and intended to mislead international opinion and the American public. He also stated that Iran will continue to resist the US and Israel, believing that the longer the confrontation continues, the deeper the US and Israel will be mired in difficulties.

GFZ (German Center for Geosciences): A 7.1-magnitude earthquake has struck the Vanuatu Islands.

According to Nikkei: Japan's JFE Steel, in partnership with India's JSW Steel, is building a large blast furnace in India, aiming to double its production capacity by 2030.

According to Axios: A US intelligence memo warns that Iran's plot to assassinate US officials overseas has entered an "advanced phase."

Market news: Boeing (BA.N) 777 freighter production has been halted since August due to disputes with parts suppliers. Production of the Boeing (BA.N) 767 has also been interrupted due to disputes over wing components.

Barclays: Market urgency to secure supply is rising, and short-term oil price risks remain significantly skewed to the upside.

Barclays: Inventory depletion and recovering demand are tightening the spot market. Despite policy efforts to ease diesel supply shortages, short-term oil price risks remain clearly skewed to the upside.

According to the Iraqi News Agency, Iraqi Prime Minister Muammar Zaidi stated that the Strait of Hormuz crisis prevented Iraq from benefiting from rising international oil prices, and the country's oil exports fluctuated between suspension and resumption due to the regional situation. Iraq is planning to build new oil export pipelines to avoid over-reliance on the Strait of Hormuz and is seeking to restore the Ceyhan export route and expand its oil export channels. Zaidi also stated that Iraq will not participate in any wars and will continue to serve as a platform for meetings between all parties; the regional crisis must ultimately be resolved through agreement. He pointed out that closing the border between Iraq and Iran is not in the interests of either country and would only lead to Iraq's economic self-isolation. Regarding the oil industry, Iraq plans to increase its daily crude oil production capacity to 10 million barrels by 2032 and increase the proportion of non-oil revenue in government revenue. Zaidi stated that after adjusting the pricing of locally supplied oil, the government expects to increase the national treasury by approximately 20 trillion dinars annually, accumulating to approximately 80 trillion dinars over the next four years.

French Finance Minister Lescuer: Moody's rating decision acknowledges the robustness of the French economy.

Moody's: The recent sharp rise in French government bond yields has further increased the risk of a deterioration in France's debt affordability.

Moody's: France's fiscal deficit is projected to reach 5.2% of GDP in 2027.

Moody's: The baseline expectation is that the next French president and government are unlikely to implement fiscal consolidation quickly.

Moody's: France's Aa3 rating is contingent on France passing a 2027 budget aimed at reducing the fiscal deficit, while financing costs and social tensions ease in the coming months.

Moody's: Since the last regular review of France's sovereign credit rating, slower economic growth and a widening fiscal deficit have increased France's debt burden.

US officials: The next round of working-level talks between the US, Ukraine, and Russia may be held in Abu Dhabi or Switzerland.

Tesla (TSLA.O): The Roadster's cockpit interface design is inspired by fighter jet cockpits.

U.S. bank deposits rose to $19.810 trillion from $19.772 trillion last week.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed down 653.95 points, or 1.24%, at 52,214.03 on Friday, October 23; the S&P 500 closed down 39.76 points, or 0.52%, at 7,623.67; and the Nasdaq Composite closed down 53.52 points, or 0.21%, at 25,955.34.

The White House: The changes will take effect at or after 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time on October 30, 2026.