RIA reports Russia will take political and military-technical measures in response to Finland removing its ban on nuclear weapons deployment.

Huatai Securities research note: Escalating Middle East tensions are disrupting global oil and gas supply-demand, temporarily lifting oil prices and driving inventory draws; but high prices are already causing demand destruction, and as supply constraints ease marginally the oil-price midpoint could gradually return toward equilibrium. In bulk chemicals, capex growth has clearly turned since H2 2025; measures to curb redundant competition, dual-carbon control and the exit of backward overseas capacity are promoting optimization of existing capacity and point to a capacity-cycle inflection. In electronic chemicals, AI compute growth, advanced process nodes, advanced packaging and domestic substitution are lifting semiconductor-material demand, and overseas supply disruptions could boost spot conditions for electronic specialty gases and other critical materials.

RBA deputy governor Kent said a review of alternative monetary tools leaves the central bank better able to respond to future shocks. He said the cash rate target remains the primary instrument, while other tools can provide additional support in exceptional periods but are more complex and carry greater risks. Kent referenced the MPC’s newly released framework for supplementary tools in a low-rate environment and said the Committee may be less tolerant of inflation undershooting the 2%–3% target range when rates are low. He added that, in that scenario, the bank could consider lowering the cash rate target earlier and more decisively to counter deflationary shocks.