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A drone attack on an oil refinery in Saudi Arabia has hit nearly half the kingdom’s output and 5% of global production and heightened tension in the middle east. Photo: Shutterstock. 

Refinery attack heightens tension

As the world waits with bated breath for US president Donald Trump’s reaction to Saturday’s drone attacks on refinery facilities in Saudi Arabia, oil prices soared as markets reopened, the FT reports. Reuters has an in-depth look at the impact on global oil supply. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo has blamed Iran for the attack, though Teheran denies any involvement and Yemen’s Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility, says CNBC. Trump said on Sunday that the United States was “locked and loaded” for a potential response, Reuters reports. Although earlier in the day spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway had said the president was keeping “many options on the table”, according to The Hill--a reference to suggestions that he had been willing to meet with Iranian president Rouhani. Trump himself denied he would meet Rouhani without conditions, says The Times of Israel.

Johnson to tell Juncker no delay to Brexit

UK prime minister Boris Johnson will tell Jean-Claude Juncker at their lunchtime meeting in Luxembourg today that the UK will not postpone Brexit beyond 31 October, the BBC reports. Johnson will also meet with his Luxembourg counterpart Xavier Bettel, as Delano reported on Friday. According to The Guardian, EU officials “reacted with exasperation” to Johnson’s statement that the UK would throw off the manacles of the EU and compared the country to Marvel comic book figure Bruce Banner and his alter ego The Incredible Hulk. As Sky News reported, Johnson said “The madder Hulk gets, the stronger Hulk gets.” But actor Mark Ruffalo, who stars in the Hulk films, reacted by tweeting that “Johnson forgets that the Hulk only fights for the good of the whole,” The Hollywood Reporter says.

China hacked Australian parliament, sources claim

In an exclusive story, Reuters says it has sources who claim Australia’s cyber intelligence agency has concluded that China was responsible for a string of cyber-attacks on political institutions earlier this year. The Australian parliament and three of its largest political parties were allegedly hacked before May’s general election. According to CNBC, China has denied any involvement and Australian officials have declined to comment.

More Hong Kong clashes

Hong Kong police and protesters clashed again on Sunday at what was meant to be a peaceful march by tens of thousands of demonstrators, according to The Guardian. Hundreds of protestors peeled off and threw rocks and petrol bombs and the police responded with teargas and water cannon.

China growth difficult to maintain says PM

Chinese prime minister Li Keqiang has said that for the world’s second largest economy “to maintain growth of 6% or more is very difficult”. Cited by CNBC, Li Keqiang said that he economy was “generally stable” as GDP grew 6.3% in the first 6 months, but CNBC also cites analysts who reckon that growth “has likely cooled further this quarter.”

Union calls for GM strike

The United Auto Workers union has called for a strike by 46,000 workers at GM plants following a breakdown in negotiations over pay and healthcare benefits, the FT reports. It will be the first strike in the US automobile sector in over a decade.

Ocean Viking lands migrants

Migrant rescue ship Ocean Viking has docked on the island of Lampedusa allowing the 82 migrants on board to step ashore. Politico says the move represents a “sea change from the hardline stance” of Matteo Salvini's far-right League party, which has been ousted from power in Italy.

Ric Ocasek dies

Ric Ocasek, the lead singer of The Cars, died on Sunday at the age of 75, Reuters reports. He was found dead at his home in Manhattan, but no further details have been released.

Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Duncan Roberts