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Nomura's report indicates that El Niño could lead to a decline in rice production in India, Thailand, and Vietnam. As a major rice importer, the Philippines faces the greatest risk. Asian rice export prices are rising. In October, the year-on-year export prices of white rice with a 5% broken rice content in Thailand and Vietnam surged to 36.9% and 11.4% respectively, compared to year-on-year decreases of 14.6% and 21.6% in January. The price of long-grain white rice with a 25% broken rice content in India has also increased, but the increase is smaller. From the supply side, lower-than-normal rainfall has led to a 3.5% year-on-year decrease in the summer rice planting area in India. With El Niño potentially intensifying into the first quarter of 2027, drought conditions could make it difficult for Thailand to replenish its reservoirs, thus limiting second-season rice production. Meanwhile, the Philippines has increased rice imports to compensate for domestic supply gaps, driving a recovery in demand. Rice is a staple food for Asian residents, and its price trends warrant close monitoring. In the 2025/26 season, only 11.3% of global rice production will enter the international trade market. Therefore, a domestic supply shortage in one country could have a ripple effect across the entire region. The Philippines faces the greatest risk because rice has the highest weighting in its Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket at 8.9%; furthermore, the Philippines is Asia's largest net importer of rice.

Alexei Likhachev, CEO of Rosatom: Russia has completed maintenance work on the Zaporizhia thermal power plant.

According to Iran's Labor News Agency (ILNA), Israeli Defense Minister Katz stated in an interview Saturday evening that Israel will not go to war with Iran before the US midterm elections, but is prepared for any possible attack from Iran, possibly triggered by domestic pressure. He added that the Iranians are well aware of the heavy blows they have suffered at Israel's hands. He further stated that Israel's warning is based on existing indications and aims to send a clear message to Iran and the international community, preparing for possible developments. Katz also claimed that intelligence held by the Israeli regime indicates that Israel's enemies are attempting to influence the elections through attacks and military action. He stated that the Israeli military is prepared to thwart these attempts and will respond decisively to any possible attack. Katz emphasized that there are currently no plans to postpone the elections; Israel hopes to hold them as scheduled, and the election results will determine whether the regime will continue its actions against Iran and attempt to overthrow the country. He claimed that Israel has so far completed 80% to 90% of its mission in Iran, and despite the heavy blows inflicted, this mission must be completed.

As the South Korean stock market plunges, individual investors are re-buying leveraged single-stock products betting on a rebound in Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix. Previously, individual investors were net sellers after South Korean regulations tightened at the end of July, but this month marked their first net buying. In the US stock market, funds have also poured into ETFs tracking semiconductor indices that offer returns of up to three times in a single day, exceeding 4 trillion won. According to data from the Korea Exchange and Koscom ETF Check on the 25th, from the 1st to the 23rd of this month, individual investors net bought 14 leveraged single-stock products related to Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, totaling 315.4 billion won. Of these, seven products related to SK Hynix saw net buying of 226.3 billion won, and seven products related to Samsung Electronics saw net buying of 89.1 billion won. In July, individual investors net bought 14 single-stock leveraged funds, totaling 2.7728 trillion won. However, on July 31st, with tightening regulations (such as increased deposit requirements), they began selling these funds. Net selling of South Korean stocks reached 648.4 billion won in August and 497.9 billion won in September. The market generally believes that the KOSPI index has fallen 18.83% this month, and stock prices are nearing their bottom, with individual investors betting on a stock market rebound. Regarding overseas stocks, aggressive investment by individual investors continues. According to data from the Korea Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation, from September 1st to 22nd, South Korean investors made net purchases of US$4.8009 billion (approximately 6.3621 trillion won) in US stocks. Among them, the "Direxion Daily Semiconductor 3x Long Stock Exchange-Traded Fund (SOXL)," which tracks the US semiconductor index and achieves a three-fold daily return, saw net purchases of US$3.54764 billion (approximately 4.7041 trillion won), accounting for 73.9% of the total.

A shooting occurred at a university in Florida on the 24th, injuring multiple people.

Japan Meteorological Agency: A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck the Ogasawara Islands region (28.00°N, 139.90°E) at 10:09 a.m. on October 25, with a focal depth of 470 km.

According to South Korean media outlet Chosun Ilbo, Samsung's next-generation mobile application processor, the Exynos 2700, outperformed Qualcomm's (QCOM.O) latest processor in internal Samsung tests.

Many European countries have begun to implement winter time, which means that trading hours in European financial markets and the release of economic data will be delayed by one hour compared to summer time.

According to Al Jazeera: US President Trump stated, "We have eliminated Iran's first and second tiers of leaders, and now we don't know who else to negotiate with. Oil tankers are waiting to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, and we will arrange for them to leave as soon as possible."

US President Trump: Audi will invest $4 billion to build a manufacturing plant in central Georgia. Construction is expected to begin soon, with a future capacity to produce up to 200,000 vehicles annually.

According to Saudi Arabia's Al Arabiya TV, US President Trump stated that "we destroyed Iran's uranium enrichment capabilities in Operation Midnight Hammer. We ended Iran's nuclear ambitions in time and crippled Iran financially and economically."

Musk: Starlink has always operated as a civilian system, and its terms have always been clear—it is not a killing machine. Service will be terminated if the terms are violated. As for StarShield, its use is a decision for the US government.

US President Trump: The United States should prioritize accepting immigrants from Norway, Sweden and Denmark.

Market news: A large-scale drone attack by Ukraine targeted a 163,000-square-meter shopping mall in the Belgorod region of Russia.

The White House: Georgia is set to receive massive investment, a significant increase in tax refunds, and historic rural healthcare funding.

US President Trump announced that Audi will invest in Georgia.

US President Trump: To achieve greatness, we must bring religion back, and make it far more powerful than it is now.

The Japanese Prime Minister will meet with German Chancellor Merz on Wednesday to discuss the issue of electric vehicles.

US President Trump: Iranians are bad people and their leadership is terrible.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio: Our relationship with Pakistan will never come at the expense of our relationship with India.