Top World News — October 12, Morning
Oil prices fell on Monday as traders reacted to US President Donald Trump’s announcement of a Russia-Ukraine “energy ceasefire” and a Russian diesel-supply deal. Crypto markets held steady, with Bitcoin continuing its slow climb ahead of Wednesday’s US inflation report.
Oil falls on Trump’s Russia-Ukraine “energy ceasefire” announcement
Brent crude dropped roughly 1 to 2 percent to around $103.35-$103.55 a barrel in Monday trading, reversing Friday’s climb to $105.48. The move followed Trump’s announcement on Sunday that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to halt attacks on each other’s energy facilities, alongside a deal for Russia to supply extra diesel to global markets. However, neither Ukraine nor Russia has confirmed the ceasefire — Ukraine’s President Zelensky said he was still awaiting details. A bipartisan group of US senators also called the diesel deal potentially illegal. Attacks by Houthis on Saudi Arabia and weekend tanker incidents in the Gulf kept prices above $100.
Bitcoin and Ether steady as dollar hits 18-month high
Bitcoin traded near $83,789, up about 0.2 percent, and Ether near $2,540, up 0.15 percent, on Monday morning in Asia — a continued steady climb from the weekend. The US dollar sat near an 18-month high, and US consumer sentiment slumped in early October as rising living costs tied to the Middle East conflict weighed on households. Traders now price in an 81 percent chance that the Federal Reserve holds interest rates steady at its October meeting. Wednesday’s US consumer price index report is the week’s key market catalyst.
No new China-US or China-UK tariff moves
No new tariff or trade-policy developments emerged between China and the US or UK in the latest news cycle. Searches continued to surface only recycled items from earlier frameworks and misdated stories.
Market snapshot: Bitcoin ~$83,789 (+0.2%), Ether ~$2,540 (+0.15%), Brent crude ~$103.35-$103.55, WTI ~$89.81-$90.73. Dollar near 18-month high. Key events ahead: US CPI on Wednesday October 14, FOMC on October 28, and the US midterm elections on November 3.
Watch: today’s video briefings
Reuters World News covers the Riyadh airport attack aftermath, the Trump-Zelensky diesel deal row, Hurricane Isaias, and India’s protest crackdown.