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(The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.) * Russian strikes cause critical damage to Ukrainian gas production * Ukraine will need to import gas from Europe to fill production gap * Ample LNG supplies will mitigate any European gas price increases By Ron Bousso LONDON, Oct 8 (Reuters) – Russia's heavy bombardment of Ukraine's natural gas infrastructure ahead of winter is set to have a knock-on impact on Europe's energy market as Ukraine draws more fuel from its western neighbours. Any increase in European gas prices as a result of Ukraine’s purchases is nevertheless likely to be mitigated by the abundance of global liquefied natural gas supplies. Russia stepped up attacks on Ukraine's energy grid and gas production facilities in recent days as the war enters its fourth winter. CRITICAL DAMAGE TO FACILITIES On Friday, Moscow launched its largest attack on Ukrainian gas infrastructure since the start of the war, which the CEO of state oil and gas company Naftogaz said caused critical damage to facilities. There were further strikes on civilian gas supply infrastructure over the weekend. Ukraine has also ramped up drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and facilities in recent weeks. It is so far unclear to what extent the strikes have hurt Ukraine's domestic gas production. A massive wave of Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities in March reduced production by over a third, meaning that the latest attacks could have similar or larger impact. The disruption comes at a crucial time for Ukraine as it scrambles to refill storage facilities before the onset of winter, when gas demand for heating soars. LOW STORAGE Ukraine operates Europe's largest underground gas storage which has a capacity of 31 billion cubic metres, though it currently holds around 13 bcm, or 42% of capacity, according to Erisa Pasko, gas analyst at Energy Aspect. The figure, however, includes around 4.7 bcm of gas in strategic reserves that are harder to tap, she added. Ukraine has traditionally exported gas to Europe, delivering Russian fuel under a major transit contract which accounted for around 5% of total European Union imports in 2024 and which offered Kyiv substantial revenue. The flow meant that Ukraine's gas storage and pipeline network was initially spared from Russian attacks, but that all changed when the transit agreement expired on January 1, 2025. Beyond its domestic gas production, which reached around 19 bcm last year, Ukraine today imports gas via interconnectors from Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. It has also started using pipelines via the Balkans to import small volumes of LNG delivered to Greece and Croatia. If the current damage to Ukraine’s production is at a similar scale to last winter’s, Ukraine will likely need to increase imports from western neighbours between October and March to 2.1 to 4.1 bcm, from a previous estimate of 1.5 bcm, according to Energy Aspect’s Pasko. “Storage fill is well below the historical average and Ukraine will likely take more precautionary measures this winter given continuous attacks on its gas infrastructure,” Pasko said. EU PRESSURE Stronger demand from Ukraine will therefore increase pressure on the neighbouring European gas market, which has itself undergone dramatic transformation in the wake of Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Russian gas exports to Europe have plummeted from over 150 bcm in 2021, or 45% of total imports, to 52 bcm, or 19%, in 2024, according to EU data. The EU is currently exploring ways to fully halt Russian imports by 2027. The rapid change led to a severe energy price shock in Europe, as it scrambled to import large volumes of more expensive LNG cargoes. In the first nine months of 2025, Europe’s LNG imports rose by 27% from the previous year to 108 bcm, of which U.S. cargoes accounted for 63%, according to data from consultancy Bruegel. The surge in LNG imports has been vital for replenishing the region's gas storage ahead of winter. EU storage was 83% of capacity by then, lower than the 93% the same time last year, according to data from industry lobby group Gas Infrastructure Europe. LNG CUSHION HEADING INTO WINTER The European gas market enters winter relatively relaxed thanks to a surge in global LNG supplies. Benchmark European TTF gas prices have dropped by around 90% from their post-crisis record of over 300 euros per megawatt hour to around 33 euros per MWh, reflecting the changing dynamics. But increased demand for gas from Ukraine would require Europe to boost LNG imports, pushing prices higher. The gas market will also remain highly sensitive to weather in the coming months. A harsh winter could further fuel demand and tighten supplies in Europe, putting more pressure on prices. Russia's intensified targeting of Ukrainian gas and power infrastructure poses real risks for the Ukrainian economy and population as winter sets in. The impact of the strikes will also be felt in Europe. Want to receive my column in your inbox every Monday and Thursday, along with additional energy insights and links to trending stories? Sign up for my Power Up newsletter here. Enjoying this column? Check out Reuters Open Interest (ROI), your essential new source for global financial commentary. ROI delivers thought-provoking, data-driven analysis. Markets are moving faster than ever. ROI can help you keep up. Follow ROI on LinkedIn and X. (Ron Bousso; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)

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STOCKHOLM, Oct 8 (Reuters) – Switzerland-based security services company Verisure said on Wednesday it had set the price in its initial public offering on the Stockholm bourse at 13.25 euros per share. Shares will start trading on Wednesday. (Reporting by Anna Ringstrom, editing by Terje Solsvik)

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Oct 8 (Reuters) – The following are the top stories on the New York Times business pages. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. – Tesla on Tuesday unveiled new versions of its two most popular models, Model Y and Model 3, to sell for $40,000 and $37,000 respectively. – A Los Angeles jury ordered Johnson & Johnson on Monday to pay $966 million to the family of a California woman who died from a rare and aggressive cancer, after the company was found liable in a lawsuit claiming its baby powder products cause cancer. – New Jersey's attorney general is investigating the frequency of sexual violence during Uber rides and whether the company has misrepresented the safety of its ride-hailing service to passengers and drivers. – The European Union's executive arm on Tuesday proposed a sharp increase in steel tariffs as it raced to protect the bloc's steel industry from Chinese competition, a move that is likely to impose painful costs on Britain and other close trading partners. (Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)

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JAKARTA, Oct 8 (Reuters) – Indonesia's Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani on Wednesday said that the government has entered into discussions with China about restructuring the debt of Indonesia's high-speed train company. (Reporting by Stefanno Sulaiman; Editing by David Stanway Writing by Fransiska Nangoy)

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NAIROBI, Oct 8 (Reuters) – The following company announcements, scheduled economic indicators, debt and currency market moves and political events may affect African markets on Wednesday. – – – – – GLOBAL MARKETS Asian stocks tracked Wall Street lower on Wednesday as investors grappled with the fallout from political drama in France and Japan, while a prolonged U.S. government shutdown catapulted gold spot prices to a record $4,000 per ounce level. WORLD OIL PRICES Oil prices rose on Wednesday as investors brushed off oversupply fears, having digested a decision earlier by OPEC+ to restrain production increases next month. EMERGING MARKETS For the top emerging markets news, double click on AFRICA STOCKS For the latest news on South African stocks, click on SOUTH AFRICA MARKETS The South African rand was steady on Tuesday, after central bank data showed that the country's foreign reserves increased last month. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO RATES Democratic Republic of Congo's central bank lowered its main interest rate by 750 basis points to 17.5% on Tuesday, saying it expected inflation to fall further over the next 12 months, settling around its medium-term target of 7%. NIGERIA DEBT Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has asked parliament to approve $2.3 billion in new loans and authorize the issuance of a $500 million debut sovereign sukuk on international debt markets, according to a letter read to lawmakers on Tuesday. KENYA RATES Kenya's central bank cut its benchmark lending rate for the eighth meeting in a row on Tuesday, saying there was room to ease monetary policy further as inflation remains well within its target range. ANGOLA DEBT Angola is looking to raise $1.5 billion dollars in its return to international capital markets, the finance ministry said on Tuesday, becoming the latest African sovereign to seize on the most favourable borrowing conditions in six years. KENYA LOANS Kenya has completed converting three railway construction dollar-denominated loans from China into yuan in order to save on interest payments, its Finance Minister John Mbadi said on Tuesday. For the latest precious metals report click on For the latest base metals report click on For the latest crude oil report click on

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SPOT GOLD RISES 1% TO $4,021.22/OZ

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Jack Draper, the British tennis standout who rose to No. 4 in the ATP rankings midway through the 2025 season, hired Jamie Delgado as his lead coach, multiple media outlets reported on Tuesday. Delgado coached Andy Murray to the 2016 Wimbledon title, the Murray's third and final grand slam title. He coached Murray through the 2021 season and has also coached top-20 players Denis Shapovalov and Grigor Dimitrov. Delgado and Dimitrov parted ways last month. Draper, 23, experienced career highs in 2025, but the year ended on a sour note. He withdrew from the U.S. Open before the second round because of an arm injury and he hasn't played since. He stunned the field and captured his first ATP Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells, Calif., in March, defeating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals and Denmark's Holger Rune in the finals. Two months later, he reached the final of the Madrid Open, falling to Norway's Casper Ruud on the clay. Draper broke into the top five of the ATP rankings and was considered a dark horse to win his home slam at Wimbledon. However, he lost to Croatia's Marin Cilic in the second round and was diagnosed shortly thereafter with the bone bruise that cost him most of the hard-court campaign. Draper tried to return at the U.S. Open, but retired after winning his opening singles match and gave up hopes of competing in the year-end ATP Finals in Turin, Italy. "Unfortunately, the injury to my arm is something I have to rest and means I'll be sitting out the rest of 2025," Draper wrote on social media. "It is very difficult for me to accept as I was building some incredible momentum this year and playing some great stuff." The first major event of 2026 is the Australian Open, which begins on Jan. 18. –Field Level Media

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SYDNEY, Oct 8 (Reuters) – Australia women's coach Joe Montemurro is looking forward to welcoming Sam Kerr back for friendlies against Wales and England this month, but said he had not broached the subject of whether the prolific striker would retain the captaincy. Kerr, who has scored 69 international goals for Australia, last played for the Matildas in November 2023 and only recently returned to the pitch in a limited role for her club Chelsea after recovering from a serious knee injury. Montemurro suggested the 31-year-old was likely to be in the squad he announces on Friday for friendlies against Wales and England, but said her return to international football would be similarly managed. "It's great to see her back," Montemurro told Australian media on Wednesday. "Obviously I've had a few discussions with her, and I think the great thing is that she's really got an enthusiasm and a real passion back for the game. That's the first and foremost important part of that. "She hasn't played 90 minutes yet. So we'll just see getting closer to camp what sort of minutes we believe is going to be the best for her so that we make this return perfect both from a football and a mental perspective." Arsenal defender Steph Catley has worn the captain's armband in Kerr's absence and Montemurro said there had been no conversations about who would lead the team out in Cardiff on October 25 and Derby three days later. "Integrating her is probably the first and foremost thing," he said. "I haven't spoken to anyone about it. The captaincy will be assessed once we get closer to the first game." Australia host the Women's Asian Cup in March next year and Montemurro had some good news about the return of forward Mary Fowler, who also suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in April. "Hopefully at the end of the year we'll see her getting some game time at (Manchester) City," Montemurro said. "She's travelling really well and fingers crossed the Asian Cup is looking really, really positive from that perspective." (Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Editing by Jamie Freed)

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(Updates prices) By Brijesh Patel Oct 8 (Reuters) – Copper prices slipped on Wednesday, weighed down by a stronger U.S. dollar and profit-taking after the metal hit a 16-month high earlier this week on concerns over supply disruptions. Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange fell 0.5% to $10,708 per metric ton by 0317 GMT. On Monday, the metal hit its highest since May 2024. The dollar index extended gains to a third session, touching a more than one-month high against its rivals. A firmer dollar makes greenback-denominated assets more expensive for holders of other currencies. Operations at Indonesia's Grasberg mine, the world's second-largest copper mine accounting for 3% of global concentrate production, have been halted for nearly a month after a mud-flow disaster killed seven workers. The operational suspensions at Grasberg, coupled with disruptions at Kamoa-Kakula in the Democratic Republic of Congo and the El Teniente mine in Chile, suggest supply concerns are likely to persist this year. "The recent supply-side disruptions remain a supportive factor for copper prices," analysts at ANZ said. Grasberg didn't say when operations would be back to normal. This, along with disruptions in Chile, are helping copper, ANZ said. Chile's output fell 9.9% year-on-year in August after an accident at Codelco's flagship mine on July 31. The world's largest copper producer exported $4.39 billion worth of the metal in September, down 2.03% year-on-year, Chile's central bank said on Tuesday. Among other London metals, aluminium was steady at $2,740 a ton, nickel fell 0.3% to $15,450, lead lost 0.2% to $2,007.5, zinc slipped 0.3% to $3,035 and tin was down 0.3% at $36,445. Chinese markets are closed from October 1 to 8 for the Golden Week holiday. For the top stories in metals and other news, click or (Reporting by Brijesh Patel in Bengaluru; Editing by Sumana Nandy and Subhranshu Sahu)

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Oct 8 (Reuters) – The following are the top stories in the Financial Times. Reuters has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. Headlines – AstraZeneca blood pressure drug succeeds in late-stage trial – UK pledges to defend steel industry after EU says it will raise tariffs to 50% – Ex-KPMG auditor fined for third time in four years for 'serious breaches' – Jaguar Land Rover to restart UK production after devastating cyber attack Overview – AstraZeneca's new blood pressure drug succeeded in a late-stage trial, setting the stage for regulatory approval it forecasts could generate up to $5 billion in annual sales. – Britain vowed to protect its steel industry from "unfair behaviours", as the EU proposed raising steel import tariffs from 25% to 50% and cutting duty-free quotas. – Britain's accountancy regulator fined former KPMG partner Anthony Sykes 51,187 pounds ($68,549.63) for "serious breaches" of international standards in the firm's 2022 audit of retailer N Brown. – Jaguar Land Rover, owned by India's Tata Motors, will resume key UK manufacturing operations on Wednesday after a month-long halt triggered by a cyber attack on August 31. ($1 = 0.7467 pounds) (Compiled by Bengaluru newsroom)

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