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  • Asian Stocks Extend Rally on US Earnings Boost: Markets Wrap

    Asian Stocks Extend Rally on US Earnings Boost: Markets Wrap

    (Bloomberg) — Asian shares extended gains Tuesday, buoyed by upbeat US earnings and indications that tensions between Washington and Beijing were easing.

    A regional stock gauge topped its record close as most major Asian benchmarks advanced. Chinese shares gained at the open, while Japanese equities strengthened amid expectations Sanae Takaichi will become the nation’s first female prime minister. US equity futures rose after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 each gained more than 1% Monday, while gold held near highs amid bubble concerns.

    Asian markets are finding fresh momentum after the S&P 500 logged its biggest two-day gain since June on Monday, with about 85% of companies beating profit estimates so far. Strong third-quarter earnings helped temper worries over the US government shutdown, while hopes of progress in US-China trade talks lifted sentiment. President Donald Trump reiterated his threat to follow through on a tariff hike on Chinese goods “if there isn’t a deal” by Nov. 1, but said he plans to meet President Xi Jinping next week.

    “The strong start to the week on Wall Street has helped Asian markets to open higher today,” said Nick Twidale, chief market analyst at AT Global Markets in Sydney. “A softening in trade concerns has also helped overall sentiment, with investors taking a glass 75% full look at the market at the moment.”

    Earlier this month, markets were roiled as Trump raised the prospect of a sky-high tariff rate, citing China’s “hostile” export controls. Soybean futures rallied Monday, with growers holding out hope that Trump will make a deal with China to restart stalled American exports.

    Separately, shares of critical mineral producers jumped in Sydney on Tuesday after Trump signed an agreement with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to boost America’s access to rare earths and other key materials.

    The Treasury 10-year yield traded below 4% and the dollar was steady early Tuesday as falling oil prices eased concern about the inflation backdrop before the release of consumer-price data.

    After a delay caused by the US government shutdown, the Bureau of Labor Statistics is set to release September’s consumer price index on Friday. The data, originally slated for Oct. 15, will give Federal Reserve officials a key reading on inflation ahead of their Oct. 30 policy meeting.

    The data may take on greater importance due to the government shutdown-driven data drought, said Rick Gardner at RGA Investments. He still sees a Fed cut in October and noted that a key test will be Big Tech earnings, with investors looking for clarity on how spending on artificial intelligence is leading to profitability.

    “We are seeing the typical seasonal volatility in October, but the recent swings have been relatively shallow by historical standards, as the buy-the-dip mentality appears to be in play,” Gardner said.

    Some of the main moves in markets:

    Stocks

    S&P 500 futures were little changed as of 10:32 a.m. Tokyo time Nikkei 225 futures (OSE) rose 1.1% Japan’s Topix rose 0.6% Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.9% Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 1.1% The Shanghai Composite rose 0.3% Euro Stoxx 50 futures rose 0.2% Currencies

    The Bloomberg Dollar Spot Index was little changed The euro was little changed at $1.1648 The Japanese yen was little changed at 150.72 per dollar The offshore yuan was little changed at 7.1208 per dollar The Australian dollar was little changed at $0.6516 Cryptocurrencies

    Bitcoin fell 0.8% to $110,281.06 Ether fell 1% to $3,961.26 Bonds

    The yield on 10-year Treasuries was little changed at 3.98% Japan’s 10-year yield declined one basis point to 1.660% Australia’s 10-year yield declined three basis points to 4.12% Commodities

    West Texas Intermediate crude fell 0.5% to $57.22 a barrel Spot gold fell 0.2% to $4,347.44 an ounce This story was produced with the assistance of Bloomberg Automation.

    –With assistance from Winnie Hsu.

    ©2025 Bloomberg L.P.

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  • “News feels unreal” – Ariarne Titmus makes emotional admission after ending whereabout submissions for drug tests after her retirement

    “News feels unreal” – Ariarne Titmus makes emotional admission after ending whereabout submissions for drug tests after her retirement

    Following her retirement from the sport, Ariarne Titmus made her feelings known about ending her whereabout submissions for drug tests. Titmus announced her retirement on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

    She last competed at the…

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  • BHP sees ‘resilient’ commodity demand despite slowdown in China

    BHP sees ‘resilient’ commodity demand despite slowdown in China

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    BHP has warned that it expects slower growth in China for the rest of the year but maintained a positive view of demand for commodities as it continues to hold talks with China over iron ore contracts. 

    The Australian company, the largest global miner by market capitalisation, reported a 1 per cent decline in iron ore production to 64mn tonnes during the three months to September, due to maintenance upgrades of its facilities in Western Australia.

    Its copper production increased 4 per cent while steelmaking coal production grew 8 per cent in the quarter. 

    BHP has been embroiled in negotiations with China’s state-run iron ore buyer over the terms of future purchasing amid reports that the world’s largest consumer of iron ore has stopped buying some of the miner’s products.

    Melbourne-based BHP has refused to comment on commercial negotiations with China Mineral Resources Group, which co-ordinates much of the country’s iron ore purchasing.

    BHP made no reference to the talks in its production report but pointed to a slowdown in demand in the coming months. 

    “Overall macroeconomic signals for commodity demand remain resilient, and global growth forecasts are moving higher,” said Mike Henry, BHP chief executive. “While we expect some deceleration in growth in [the second half] of [2025], in China we still expect GDP growth of [about] 5 per cent for the year.”

    BHP shares opened 2 per cent higher following the release of the production numbers. The company holds its annual meeting this week.

    The Australian company, which attempted to buy UK rival Anglo American last year, has increased its exposure to copper through acquisitions in Australia and South America in the past three years and has forged ahead with a major plan to produce potash in Canada as it has looked to reduce its reliance on iron ore.

    In contrast, BHP scaled back its steelmaking coal operations with the downsizing of a mine in Queensland after the state imposed higher taxes on commodity companies.

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  • How Moglix Built A $700 Mn Global B2B Marketplace

    How Moglix Built A $700 Mn Global B2B Marketplace

    India’s ecommerce narrative has been dominated by consumer marketplaces and D2C brands. From record-breaking festive sales and the rise of new-age brands to the explosive growth of quick commerce — consumer-facing platforms have…

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  • Prince Andrew has a lot more explaining to do | Prince Andrew

    Prince Andrew has a lot more explaining to do | Prince Andrew

    Your article (Prince Andrew’s fall from grace complete as monarchy cuts him loose, 17 October) reflects a wider narrative that portrays the removal of Prince Andrew’s titles as a bold, moral act by the royal family, as though it resolves…

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  • What raises dementia risk? A drink a day, even social drinking can affect brain, says new study

    What raises dementia risk? A drink a day, even social drinking can affect brain, says new study

    Although the World Health Organisation (WHO) has been saying that no amount of alcohol is safe as it affects various organs of the body and is carcinogenic with repeated use, new research continuously proves why even limited alcohol use should no…

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  • Sombr claps back at ‘body shaming’ fan ahead of S.F. show – San Francisco Chronicle

    1. Sombr claps back at ‘body shaming’ fan ahead of S.F. show  San Francisco Chronicle
    2. Sombr speaks out after viral TikTok criticises his concert as ‘cringe’: “Live a little”  The Express Tribune
    3. Why Is Sombr Beefing With a 25-Year-Old…

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  • ‘Bugonia’ review: Yorgos Lanthimos’ provocative film falls flat despite Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons – San Francisco Chronicle

    1. ‘Bugonia’ review: Yorgos Lanthimos’ provocative film falls flat despite Emma Stone, Jesse Plemons  San Francisco Chronicle
    2. Go bald or go home: LA cinema offers free Bugonia ticket to those willing to shave their heads  The Guardian
    3. San…

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  • Ministry outlines roadmap to accelerate CPEC Phase-II – Business Recorder

    1. Ministry outlines roadmap to accelerate CPEC Phase-II  Business Recorder
    2. China–Pakistan Economic Corridor relaunch exposes China–Pakistan interdependence  East Asia Forum
    3. Pakistan strengthening provincial-level coop with China  The Nation…

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  • Microplastics May Be Tied to Vascular Dementia Cases, Review Finds : ScienceAlert

    Microplastics May Be Tied to Vascular Dementia Cases, Review Finds : ScienceAlert

    Vascular dementia is caused by blood flow issues in the brain: it’s one of the most common types of dementia, but not as well researched or understood as others.

    Neuropathologist Elaine Bearer from the University of New Mexico is trying to…

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