Here are the five stories I would lead the LiveNow Africa morning brief with, based on developments overnight and early this morning.
1. Oil tumbles below recent highs as hopes rise for US-Iran diplomacy
Global oil prices have fallen to their lowest levels since September 10 as markets respond to renewed hopes that diplomacy could ease the US-Iran conflict. Brent crude fell about 2% to $101.71 a barrel, while US WTI dropped to $98.15. President Donald Trump has indicated openness to meeting Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian during the UN gathering in New York.
For Kenya, this is significant after weeks of concern over soaring global energy costs. Lower crude prices could eventually ease pressure on petroleum import costs, although local pump prices also depend on the exchange rate, taxes, freight, landed costs and EPRA's pricing cycle.
2. Ruto in New York as UN General Assembly opens amid wars and global economic uncertainty
World leaders are gathering in New York for the 81st UN General Assembly, with the Middle East war, Ukraine, artificial intelligence and the future of the UN itself dominating the agenda. President William Ruto is attending as Kenya pursues its diplomatic and economic interests at the gathering. Nearly 130 heads of state and government are expected.
For Kenya, watch Ruto's bilateral meetings, investment announcements and positions on reform of global financial institutions and multilateralism.
3. Ukraine fires more than 1,000 drones at Russia in largest attack on Moscow
Ukraine has launched one of the most dramatic attacks of the war, firing more than 1,000 drones towards Russian territory. Hundreds targeted Moscow in what Russian authorities described as the largest drone assault on the capital since the war began.
The Moscow Oil Refinery was damaged, while deaths and injuries were reported. Ukraine says the campaign is targeting oil, logistics and other infrastructure supporting Russia's war effort.
The attack is particularly significant because it demonstrates Ukraine's rapidly expanding ability to strike strategic infrastructure deep inside Russia.
4. Putin's party dominates Russia's first parliamentary election since Ukraine invasion
Early results show Vladimir Putin's United Russia party dominating Russia's first parliamentary election since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
United Russia had nearly 58% of the party-list vote in early results and was leading strongly in constituency races. The election took place under tight wartime political restrictions, with significant opposition activity constrained and voting also conducted in Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories.
The vote concluded as Ukrainian drones struck Moscow and other parts of Russia, bringing the war unusually close to the Russian capital during election weekend.
5. Hormuz remains dangerously quiet despite falling oil prices
The drop in crude prices does not mean the Middle East energy crisis is over.
Only about a dozen commodity vessels crossed the Strait of Hormuz over the weekend, compared with 35 the previous weekend. Before the conflict, roughly 125 large commercial vessels passed through the strait each day.
Hormuz normally carries roughly a fifth of global oil and LNG flows, making continued disruption one of the biggest risks to fuel prices worldwide. Some oil tankers are reportedly moving with their tracking transponders switched off, meaning visible vessel counts do not capture all traffic.
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