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(Adds context, central bank data in paragraphs 2-4) BRASILIA, Oct 10 (Reuters) – Brazil's government on Friday announced a new real estate funding framework that loosens rules on the mandatory allocation of bank resources to the sector, releasing 36.9 billion reais ($6.72 billion) for them to boost housing loans. The changes are based on easing the use of savings accounts as the main source of housing credit in Latin America's largest economy. Although exempt from income tax, savings accounts offer returns well below the benchmark interest rate, leading to significant outflows in recent years as Brazilians gain financial literacy and easier access to fixed-income alternatives through investment platforms. Under the model presented by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's administration, banks will no longer be required to meet central bank reserve requirements or earmark destinations when using savings account funds, in a phased transition. The central bank estimates this will unlock 111 billion reais in new loans in its first year, 52.4 billion reais more than the current framework. Of that, 36.9 billion reais will be made available for immediate lending, it said in a statement. The overhaul is expected to fuel borrowing ahead of the 2026 general election, even as the central bank maintains high interest rates to cool the economy and curb inflation. Until the end of next year, banks must still allocate 65% of savings deposits to housing loans, while 15% may be freely used. The share held as compulsory central bank deposits will fall to 15% from 20%, freeing up 5% for additional housing loans. From 2027, banks that raise market funding and fully allocate it to housing loans may use an equivalent amount from savings accounts, which are typically cheaper, for free allocation over a set period. The government expects the flexibility to improve banks' profitability and enable lower rates on housing loans funded through other sources. Under the new rules, 80% of housing loans must comply with the Housing Finance System, which caps interest at 12% annually. ($1 = 5.4878 reais) (Reporting by Marcela Ayres; Editing by Paul Simao, Kirsten Donovan)

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* Over 1 million consumers affected by power cuts in Ukraine * One child killed, 20 people hurt, officials say * Transport delays and blackouts disrupt life in Kyiv * Russia intensifies attacks on Ukraine's energy (Adds Zelenskiy's comments in paragraphs 8,9,11, 13) By Vladyslav Smilianets and Yuliia Dysa KYIV, Oct 10 (Reuters) – Large parts of Kyiv were plunged into darkness in the early hours of Friday after Russian drones and missiles struck Ukrainian energy facilities, cutting power and water to homes and halting a key metro link across the Dnipro river. In the latest mass attack targeting the energy system as winter approaches, electricity was interrupted in nine regions and over a million households and businesses were temporarily without power across the country. In southeastern Ukraine, a seven-year-old was killed when his home was hit and at least 20 people were injured. In Kyiv, an apartment block in the city centre was damaged by a projectile, while on the left bank of the Dnipro that divides the capital, crowds waited at bus stops with the metro out of action and people filled water bottles at distribution points. "We didn't sleep at all," said Liuba, a pensioner, as she collected water. "From 2:30 a.m. there was so much noise. By 3:30 we had no electricity, no gas, no water. Nothing." According to Ukraine's energy ministry, over 800,000 customers temporarily lost power in Kyiv. CALLS FOR AIR DEFENCES, SANCTIONS ENFORCEMENT Ukrainians are bracing for a tough winter, as the full-scale war nears its fourth anniversary. Russia has intensified attacks on the energy system in recent weeks, striking power plants and gas production facilities, and local authorities are struggling with the scale of repairs required. "They can't demonstrate anything real on the battlefield… so they will attack our energy sector," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told reporters in Kyiv. Calling for more support from allies, he said that Ukraine's 203 main energy facilities needed air-defence protection. Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk met G7 ambassadors and representatives from some of Ukraine's biggest energy companies to discuss how allies could help protect the country against further attacks and repair the damage. "The blow is strong, but it is definitely not fatal," Zelenskiy told reporters in Kyiv. Ukraine's air force said it had downed 405 of 465 drones and 15 of 32 missiles in this attack. Ukraine's stretched air defences are no match for regular barrages on such a scale. According to Zelenskiy, Russia deliberately waited for bad weather to attack, and the inclement conditions reduced the efficiency of Ukraine's air defences by between 20% and 30%. Russia said its overnight strikes were in response to Ukraine's attacks on Russian civilian facilities. Ukraine regularly launches drone strikes against Russia's military and oil installations, although they are generally on a far smaller scale. Kyiv says it wants to force Moscow, which started the war, to negotiate a peace deal in good faith. COMMUTERS STRANDED AMID TRANSPORT DISRUPTIONS For many Kyiv residents, the day started with power cuts, disruptions in the water supply and transport delays Over 250,000 consumers in the capital were still disconnected from the grid late on Friday, according to authorities. "We had no power or water when I left my house. I can't get to work because subway is not operating and buses are overflowing," Anatoliy, a 23-year-old student, told Reuters. "I'm hoping for the best but I don't even know how to reach the other bank (of the Dnipro)," he said, after spending the night in his hallway because of loud explosions. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said the assault was among the heaviest concentrated strikes on energy infrastructure and reported significant damage. Her deputy, Oleksiy Kuleba, said two million customers in Kyiv temporarily faced problems with water supplies. Ukrainian private energy firm DTEK said its thermal power plants had suffered significant damage but did not immediately provide further details. Hrynchuk said it was three years to the day since Russia launched its first large-scale attack on Ukraine's power grid. "Today, Russia continues to use cold and darkness as instruments of terror," she said on Facebook. (Reporting by Vladyslav Smilianets, Anastasiia Malenko, Yuliia Dysa, Gleb Garanich and Ron Popeski; Writing by Mike Collett-White; Editing by Kim Coghill, Michael Perry, Timothy Heritage, Aidan Lewis and Sharon Singleton)

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(Adds rig counts in the Permian and Texas) * Rig count down 7% from last year, Baker Hughes says * Permian Basin rig count lowest since September 2021 * EIA projects rise in crude and gas output By Scott DiSavino Oct 10 (Reuters) – U.S. energy firms this week cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating, the first reduction in six weeks, energy services firm Baker Hughes said in its closely followed report on Friday. The oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output, fell by two to 547 in the week to October 10. Baker Hughes said this week's decline puts the total rig count down 39 rigs, or 7% below this time last year. Baker Hughes said oil rigs fell by four to 418 this week, while gas rigs rose by two to 120, their highest since August. In the Permian Basin in West Texas and eastern New Mexico, the biggest U.S. oil-producing shale formation, the rig count fell by one this week to 250, the lowest since September 2021. In Texas, meanwhile, the rig count dropped by six this week to 238, also the lowest since September 2021. The oil and gas rig count declined by about 5% in 2024 and 20% in 2023 as lower U.S. oil and gas prices over the past couple of years prompted energy firms to focus more on boosting shareholder returns and paying down debt rather than increasing output. The independent exploration and production, or E&P, companies tracked by U.S. financial services firm TD Cowen said they planned to cut capital expenditures by around 4% in 2025 from levels seen in 2024. That compares with roughly flat year-over-year spending in 2024, increases of 27% in 2023, 40% in 2022, and 4% in 2021. Even though analysts forecast U.S. spot crude prices would decline for a third straight year in 2025, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) projected crude output would rise from a record 13.2 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2024 to around 13.5 million bpd in 2025. On the gas side, EIA projected a 56% increase in spot gas prices in 2025 would prompt producers to boost drilling activity this year after a 14% price drop in 2024 caused several energy firms to cut output for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic reduced demand for the fuel in 2020. EIA projected gas output would rise to 107.1 billion cubic feet per day (bcfd) in 2025, up from 103.2 bcfd in 2024 and a record 103.6 bcfd in 2023. (Reporting by Scott DiSavino; Editing by David Gregorio)

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Oct 10 (Reuters) – St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank President Alberto Musalem on Friday said that with interest rates now between modestly restrictive and neutral, there is possibly room for another interest-rate cut to shore up the labor market, but urged caution given too-high inflation. "I am open minded about a potential further reduction in interest rates to provide further insurance against labor market weakening," Musalem said. "I believe that we have to tread with caution because there's limited room for further easing before monetary policy could become overly accommodative, and I believe that monetary policy should continue to lean against persistence in inflation." (Reporting by Ann Saphir; Editing by Chris Reese)

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Cincinnati Bengals All-Pro wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase will be listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers due to an illness, head coach Zac Taylor announced Friday. Chase hopes to be in the lineup for the spiraling Bengals (2-3), who will turn to veteran quarterback Joe Flacco on Sunday. Flacco, 40, and a sixth-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft were acquired by Cincinnati from the Cleveland Browns this week in exchange for a fifth-round selection in the same draft. Chase, 25, leads the team in catches (32), targets (45), receiving yards (374) and receiving touchdowns (three) in five games this season. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Chase led the NFL in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708) and touchdown grabs (17) as well as yards per game (100.5) in 17 games (16 starts) last season. Chase has 427 catches for 5,799 yards and 49 TDs in 67 regular-season games (66 starts) since being drafted with the fifth overall pick in 2021. –Field Level Media

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