๐ Iran is optimistic about soon finalizing an agreement with Russia regarding the railway section of the North-South Transport Corridor, according to Iran's ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali. This development highlights the ongoing collaboration between the two nations in logistics and infrastructure projects. For more details, visit Vedomosti.
๐จ Australia has reported its latest economic data for September. The Manufacturing PMI dropped to 49.3, down from 52, indicating a contraction in manufacturing activity. The Services PMI also decreased to 51.4, from 53.2, while the Composite PMI fell to 50.8, down from 52.7. These figures suggest a slowdown in economic growth across various sectors.
โ ๏ธ๐ท๐บ Inflation expectations among Russians rose to 14.2% in September, returning to July levels when they peaked at 14.7%, the highest since March 2022. This resurgence may concern the Central Bank and prolong its pause on interest rate decisions โ Vedomosti.
๐ท๐บ Russia's state debt increased by 6.8% in the first quarter of 2026, reaching 37.5 trillion rubles. The expenses for servicing this debt amounted to 1.8 trillion rubles, according to a report from the Accounts Chamber.
๐ BlackRock predicts that blockchains will evolve from speculative tools into decentralized settlement networks for AI agents. This shift is expected to transform the financial landscape, enabling more efficient transactions and interactions between artificial intelligence systems. As the technology matures, the role of blockchains in supporting AI operations could become increasingly significant.
๐ As Bitcoin matures as an asset and liquidity increases, CryptoQuant's CEO anticipates that in this cycle, BTC will achieve a 3-5x growth rather than the previously expected 10x or more.
๐ฎ๐ณ๐จ๐ฆ๐ฒ๐ฝ Modi is set to visit Canada to finalize a trade deal while accelerating negotiations with Mexico, prompted by the disruptive policies of former President Trump, according to BBG. A new round of talks with Canada is anticipated to begin on October 5.
๐จ India has reported positive economic growth in September, with the Manufacturing PMI rising to 55.7 from 52.8. Meanwhile, the Services PMI also showed improvement, increasing to 55.8 from 54.1. The Composite PMI reached 56.5, up from 54.3, indicating robust expansion across sectors.
๐ซ๐ข Only three vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz on September 22, according to RTRS.
๐ China is expected to experience a coking coal deficit until at least 2027, which will sustain high demand for imports. Major suppliers include Australia, Mongolia, and Russia. In August, Russia increased coal exports to its main foreign market, China. For more details, visit Bloomberg and Kommersant.
๐บ๐ธ The head of the "AI Forces" of the United States may be appointed as Treasury Secretary Bessent, according to RTRS.
๐ข Due to the risks associated with transporting oil through Middle Eastern straits, the rental cost of a supertanker for routes between the Middle East and the rest of Asia has exceeded $1.2 million per day for the first time, according to the Financial Times.
๐ข๐ฐ๐ฟ Kazakhstan will auction off 56 oil and gas sites, according to the Ministry of Energy. "The upcoming December auction will feature 56 subsoil plots out of a total of 112, located in various regions of Kazakhstan," the ministry stated.
โ ๏ธ๐ท๐บ Sales of new buildings in Moscow fell to their lowest level since the COVID-19 period in August. According to a report by PRIME, sales volumes decreased by 21.4% compared to July 2026 and by 45.2% compared to the same period in 2025. Despite the decline in sales, prices continue to rise.