By Rafiq Raji, PhD
Twitter: @DrRafiqRaji

Global Markets

• Asian shares wobble as China cancels trade talks with US; oil rallies
• Markets in Japan, South Korea, China closed for holiday
• Investor focus on Sino-US trade war, Brexit, Fed meeting
• US tariffs on $200 bln Chinese imports take effect
• MSCI ex-Japan falls, E-minis for US stocks a tad weaker

Oil Markets

• Oil rises as markets tighten ahead of iran sanctions
• US crude inventories at lowest level since 2015
• Tighter US market comes ahead of new Iran sanctions
• Brent crude futures up 1.2 pct at $79.74 per barrel (0036GMT)
• US WTI crude futures up 1.1 pct at $71.52 a barrel

Precious metals

• Gold inches down on firm dollar as China halts trade talks
• Spot gold down 0.2 pct at $1,196.51 (0039GMT)
• US gold futures largely unchanged at $1,201.1 an ounce

Grains

• Soybeans slumps nearly 1 pct as China cancels trade talks with US
• Most active CBOT wheat futures down 0.1 pct at $5.21-1/2 per bushel (0030GMT)
• Most active corn futures down 0.3 pct at $3.56-1/4 per bushel
• Most active soy futures down 0.8 pct at $8.40-3/4 per bushel
• Most active rice futures unchanged at $9.88 per hundredweight

Key African events or data releases today
[Posts & comments at my Twitter handle @DrRafiqRaji]

• Kenya interest rate decision today [fcst. 9.0%, prev. 9.0%]
• Ghana interest rate decision today [fcst. 17.0%, prev. 17.0%]
• UN general assembly in focus as heads of state arrive New York city
• Protests expected in Liberia today over missing central bank funds
• Inconclusive Osun state elections in southwest Nigeria could become subject of litigation at tribunal even before planned supplementary polls on Thursday; to be in focus all week

Key African events or data releases over the weekedn & early a.m today
[Posted & commented on some headlines below at my Twitter handle @DrRafiqRaji]

• Rebel attack in Congo ebola zone kills 18
• Nigerian maritime agency identifies nationalities of 12 abducted ship crew
• Tanzania ferry death toll rises to 224, ship’s manager detained
• Tripoli clashes leave 115 dead, 383 injured – health ministry
• In Nigeria, Shell’s onshore roots still run deep
• Two car bombs explode in Somali capital, one dies
• Pirates kidnap 12 crew members from Swiss vessel in Nigerian waters – ship operator
• Africa’s nomadic herders help, not harm, land and planet – UN
• US military says US airstrike kills an estimated 18 Somali militants
• Libya’s AGOCO resumes 3,000 bpd production at abandoned well in Messla
• Nigeria oil unions threaten nationwide strike over Chevron dispute
• Morocco extradites ex-priest to face abuse charges in New Mexico
• Nigeria’s central bank withdraws Skye Bank’s operating licence
• Zimbabwe’s new finance minister says ‘fiscal shock’ needed for reform
• Why weeds could provide an answer to Cape Town’s water worries
• Africa Crude – Unipec snaps up Sonangol spot cargoes
• Congo central bank revises 2018 GDP estimate down to 4.1 pct from 4.2 pct
• Congo confirms evboal case at Ugandan border
• Tunisia’s weakened premier unlikely to push reform as polls loom
• France to press Mali to implement peace deal with rebels
• Chad names fourth fiance minister in a year
• Moroccan dairy and water duo feel the impact of boycott campaign
• US may aid Liberia in search of missing millions
• Travellers wait as fighting shuts runways in Libya
• South Africa rhino poaching drops sharply but hundreds still being killed
• South Africa’s Life Healthcare not ruling out return to India after Max disposal
• South Africa’s Ramaphosa outlines stimulus plan for ailing economy
• Kenya’s president signs finance bill with contested new taxes into law
• Kenyan shilling steady amid flat importer appetite
• Morocco’s CPI drops to 1.7 pct y/y in August
• South Africa’s NUM union signs wage deal with AngloGold
• South Africa to reallocate $3.5 bln of budget to revive economy – Ramaphosa
• South Africa’s Clicks CEO to retire, names insider as successor

N.B. Full stories of above headlines are available on Reuters