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(Adds background on Serbia sanctions in paragraph 2, adds MOL quotes in paragraphs 5 and 6, adds background on Serbia's energy dependence in paragraphs 7-10) BUDAPEST, Oct 10 (Reuters) – Hungary's oil company MOL will increase deliveries to Serbia after U.S. sanctions on the NIS refinery, Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said in a statement on Friday. The United States imposed sanctions on Serbia's Russian-owned oil company NIS on Thursday, prompting neighbouring Croatia to cut crude supplies and raising concerns that the country's sole refinery may halt operations within weeks. "As MOL plays an important role in Serbia's crude oil and fuel supply… our Serbian friends can rely on increased supply from MOL," Szijjarto said, adding that this increase will not be able to fully replace the lack of shipments from Croatia. Szijjarto did not offer any details about the amount of the planned supply increase or the method of delivery. "Although our options are limited due to logistical challenges, we are committed to supporting the maintenance of security of supply [in Serbia]," MOL said in a statement. "In order to ensure reliable access to imported fuel for both retail and wholesale customers, MOL Serbia will continue to invest in expanding storage capacity, strengthening its local presence, and supporting the stable operation and growth of its retail network." NIS supplies around 80% of Serbia's diesel and gasoline demand, and 90% or more of jet fuel and heavy fuel oil. Without access to the JANAF pipeline from Croatia's Adriatic Sea, Serbia's options for crude imports at scale are limited. An oil pipeline connecting Hungary and Serbia is in the planning phase, and it could begin to meet all of Serbia's crude oil needs by 2028, Szijjarto said in April. The pipeline is expected to have the capacity to transport 4-5 million tonnes of Russian oil to Serbia through Hungary every year, the foreign minister said at the time. Ties between Serbia and Hungary have strengthened in recent years, and their long-time leaders, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, enjoy strong relations with Russia. (Reporting by Anita Komuves, editing by Deepa Babington)

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* Sabalenka remains on course for fourth Wuhan crown * World number one extends Wuhan winning streak to 20 * Gauff through to semi-finals, Paolini stuns Swiatek (Adds results) WUHAN, China, Oct 10 (Reuters) – Aryna Sabalenka extended her unbeaten run at the Wuhan Open to 20 matches with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Elena Rybakina on Friday, keeping alive her quest for a fourth straight title and setting up a semi-final clash with Jessica Pegula. Third seed Coco Gauff joined Sabalenka in the semi-finals with a comfortable 6-3 6-0 victory over German Laura Siegemund but second seed Iga Swiatek of Poland was stunned by Italian seventh seed Jasmine Paolini, who prevailed 6-1 6-2. In the 13th chapter of a rivalry that has played out on the biggest stages, including the 2023 Australian Open final, it was Sabalenka who struck first against Rybakina by breaking in the eighth game with a scorching forehand winner. Sabalenka, who won the Wuhan title in 2018-19 and again last year after the tournament returned following the COVID pandemic, clinched the opening set with a hold and broke Rybakina's serve in the first game of the next to tighten her grip on the match. The world number one closed out the victory despite service wobbles late on, improving her win-loss record against Rybakina to 8-5 and earning a measure of revenge for a stunning loss to the Kazakh in their previous clash this year in Cincinnati. "She's a great player, very nice girl and always tough to play against," Sabalenka said. "We have a really huge history against each other, always great battles, and I'm always excited to play her. She always pushes me to the limit. I'm super happy with my performance today, with the win and the support in the stadium. "I feel a really great connection with Chinese fans I guess. I feel at home every time I'm playing in this stadium. Honestly, it (the winning run) is crazy." Up next for the big-hitting Belarusian is American Pegula, who came from behind to defeat Czech Katerina Siniakova 2-6 6-0 6-3 for her 50th match win of the season, boosting her chances of qualifying for next month's season-ending WTA Finals. Four-times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka has won eight of her 10 meetings with Pegula, including in the U.S. Open final last year and the semi-finals of Flushing Meadows last month, and will be the hot favourite to advance. Later, in a rematch of their 2024 French Open final, Paolini produced a flawless display to outclass world number two Swiatek for the first time and book a clash with Gauff. "Finally I won a match," a beaming Paolini said immediately after her seventh meeting with Swiatek. "I'm super happy about my level. It feels amazing." (Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman and Neil Fullick)

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LONDON, Oct 10 (Reuters) – John Lodge, the co-singer and bass guitarist of British rock band The Moody Blues, has died at the age of 82, his family said on Friday in a statement cited by British media. The family said Lodge, whom they described as a "darling" husband, father, grandfather, father-in-law and brother, had been "suddenly and unexpectedly" taken from them. "John peacefully slipped away surrounded by his loved ones and the sounds of The Everly Brothers and Buddy Holly," the family said, referring to musicians Lodge admired. Born in Birmingham, Lodge joined The Moody Blues in 1966, two years after the band's formation. Together, they ventured away from the band's original R&B roots into the realm of symphonic rock. Lodge remained with the band until it stopped performing live in 2018, following the retirement of Graeme Edge, the last remaining original member, and the same year they earned their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Moody Blues are widely recognised for helping to pioneer progressive rock, notably through their use of orchestral arrangements and the Mellotron, an electro-mechanical keyboard instrument. Their 1967 album, 'Days of Future Passed', is considered one of the first concept albums, blending rock with classical music, and features hit single 'Nights in White Satin'. (Reporting by Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Catarina Demony)

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SEOUL, Oct 10 (Reuters) – Brazil's Estevao and Rodrygo each netted twice as the visitors cruised to a 5-0 victory over South Korea in a friendly on Friday, showcasing a dominant display under Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti at the Seoul World Cup Stadium. Brazil opened the scoring in the 13th minute through 18-year-old winger Estevao from close range after a perfectly weighted through ball from Bruno Guimaraes. They doubled the lead in the 41st with a piece of brilliance as Rodrygo curled a strike into the bottom corner to finish a fine collective effort by the five-times world champions. Brazil struck again after the break as Estevao capitalised on a misplaced pass from Kim Min-Jae in the 47th for his second before Rodrygo finished off a swift move started by Vinicius Jr, who wrapped up the win after another counter in the 77th. (Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Ken Ferris)

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By Lewis Jackson BEIJING, Oct 10 (Reuters) – China has further tightened export restrictions on rare earths ahead of talks between Presidents Donald Trump and Xi Jinping at the end of the month. The country produces over 90% of the world's processed rare earths and rare earth magnets and has used export restrictions to throttle shipments. The 17 rare earth elements are vital materials in products ranging from electric vehicles to aircraft engines and military radars. Here's what you need to know about the new rules: WHAT DID CHINA ANNOUNCE? China already tightly controlled its exports of rare earths but on Thursday added five new elements, bringing the total subject to restrictions to 12. It also limited the export of dozens of pieces of equipment and material used to mine and refine rare earths, processes where it is the world leader. The restrictions force exporters to apply for licences. An earlier round of controls in April caused shortages of rare earth magnets which led car plants around the world to pause operations. In a nod to fears of a repeat, China said it would facilitate licence approvals, but intended to reject applications related to defence and would closely scrutinise those related to advanced semiconductors and certain kinds of artificial intelligence. WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR FOREIGN PRODUCERS? Beijing said for the first time that it intends to apply its regime to foreign producers who make certain rare earth products using Chinese material or equipment. Washington has had similar rules since the 1950s, using them in recent years to stop foreign semiconductor companies selling chips to China if they are made with U.S. technology. Rare earth producers anywhere in the world must now get approval from China for sales if they use the country's rare earth equipment. Rare earth magnet makers must do the same if their goods contain more than trace amounts of Chinese rare earths. The rules appear designed to entrench China's dominance over the rare earth supply chain and hamstring efforts to build alternatives. DO THE RULES APPLY TO ANY FOREIGN PRODUCER USING CHINESE RARE EARTHS? No. China is only claiming global jurisdiction over the production of some rare earths and related magnets. So, a washing machine made in Germany with a Chinese rare earth magnet does not need permission from the Ministry of Commerce to be sold in other European countries. However, they would apply to a German company making rare earth magnets using Chinese rare earths. HOW COULD CHINA ENFORCE THESE NEW RULES? It's unclear. Chinese law allows for penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment for breaking export control laws but it would be difficult to prosecute foreign producers. For foreign rare earth companies reliant on Chinese material or equipment, falling foul of the rules could put them at risk of being cut off from Chinese suppliers. That risk is likely to add impetus to work already underway in the U.S. and Europe to diversify away from the Chinese rare earths supply chain. (Reporting by Lewis Jackson in Beijing; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)

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RPT-SHAPOORJI PALLONJI MISTRY: INDIA'S SHAPOORJI PALLONJI GROUP SAYS HAVE CONSISTENTLY ADVOCATED THE PUBLIC LISTING OF TATA SONS

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Oct 10 (Reuters) – BASF SE: * BASF CFO: OUR 40% SHARE IN FUTURE COATINGS COMPANY IS VALUED AT EUR 1.2 BILLION * BASF SAYS THERE WILL BE AN ATTRACTIVE BOOK GAIN FROM THE COATINGS TRANSACTION Further company coverage: (Reporting by Ludwig Burger)

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RUSSIA'S PUTIN ON AZERBAIJAN AIRLINES PLANE CRASH: I HOPE WE'VE TURNED THE PAGE

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Oct 10 (OPTA) – Results from the WTA 1000, Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open Women's Singles matches on Friday .. Quarter Finals .. 1-Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) beat 8-Elena Rybakina (KAZ) 6-3 6-3 6-Jessica Pegula (USA) beat Katerina Siniakova (CZE) 2-6 6-0 6-3 3-Coco Gauff (USA) beat Laura Siegemund (DEU) 6-3 6-0 7-Jasmine Paolini (ITA) beat 2-Iga Swiatek (POL) 6-1 6-2

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(Updates with additional quote from military spokesperson, paragraphs 1-2) Oct 10 (Reuters) – Hamas is no longer the militant group whose invasion of Israel triggered the two-year war in Gaza, the Israeli military spokesperson said on Friday at the start of a ceasefire with the Palestinian militant group. "Hamas is not the Hamas of two years ago. Hamas has been defeated every place we fought them," Brigadier General Effie Defrin, the military spokesperson, told reporters at a briefing. He urged Palestinian residents of Gaza to avoid entering areas under control by the Israel Defense Forces in the enclave. "I am calling from here on the residents of Gaza to avoid entering areas under IDF control. Keep to the agreement and ensure your safety," he said. Thousands of displaced Palestinians began flocking towards their abandoned homes after a U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect on Friday and Israeli troops began pulling back from parts of Gaza. (Reporting by Howard Goller; Editing by Alison Williams and Ros Russell)

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