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Asian stocks rose on Tuesday as the prospect of easing trade tensions between the world's top two economies boosted risk sentiment, while the near-certainty of Sanae Takaichi becoming Japan's next prime minister sent the Nikkei to a record high. U.S. President Donald Trump said he expects to reach a fair trade deal with Chinese President Xi Jinping and downplayed risks of a clash over the issue of Taiwan.Trade tensions between the U.S. and China have weighed on the markets in recent weeks, with investor focus now on Trump's planned meeting with Xi on the sidelines of an economic conference in South Korea next week.The lingering hope that a resolution could be on the cards lifted investor sentiment. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan hit an over four-and-half-year high and was last up 0.94%. China stocks rose 0.2% while Hong Kong's Hang Seng was 1% higher in early trading.Australian shares surged as investors snapped up rare earths and critical minerals stocks after the country signed a supply deal with the United States.Japan's Nikkei rose 0.86% to a record peak and was on the cusp of hitting landmark 50,000 points ahead of a parliamentary vote later in the day that is expected to confirm fiscal dove Takaichi as the nation's next prime minister.INVESTORS BUY THE DIP Investor sentiment was also hit hard last week as a clutch of bad loans at U.S. regional banks spurred concerns over credit risks that threatened to spill into the broader markets. The prolonged U.S. government shutdown also weighed on risk assets. But investors so far this week have shrugged off those concerns and bought the dip, focusing on upcoming earnings from several large firms and betting that trade tensions would ease. "The market has hurdled the wall of worry with ease, with new capital injected into risk and fresh oxygen into the market's lungs," said Chris Weston, head of research at Pepperstone. Market expectation of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates in the next two meetings and comments from White House economic advisor Kevin Hassett that the federal government shutdown is likely to end this week also buoyed sentiment. A broad rally sent all three major U.S. stock indexes to a sharply higher close overnight with chip stocks hitting a record high.Analysts currently expect third-quarter S&P 500 earnings growth, on aggregate, of 9.3% year-on-year, marking an improvement over their 8.8% growth estimate as of October 1.TAKAICHI SET TO BECOME JAPAN'S PM The spotlight will be on the parliamentary vote later in the day as hardline conservative Takaichi is all but certain to become the country's first female prime minister.The yen was last 0.1% stronger at 150.61 per dollar, having fallen slightly in the previous session as investors anticipated that Takaichi's likely premiership after the backing of the right-wing opposition party Ishin. [FRX/] Analysts expect Takaichi to be pro-stimulus and against further hikes in interest rates, a negative for the yen and bonds but a plus for equities.Other currencies were mostly calm, with the euro steady at $1.164925. The dollar index was little changed at 98.575. Gold prices were stuck near record highs due to safe-haven flows and U.S. interest rate cut wagers. Spot gold eased a bit to $4,350 per ounce, just below the record peak of $4,381.21 hit on Monday.

Major stock indexes gained sharply on Monday with investors looking forward to quarterly earnings reports from big U.S. companies this week, while U.S. Treasury yields edged lower ahead of upcoming U.S.-China trade discussions. Gold prices rose more than 2% on expectations of further U.S. interest rate cuts and sustained safe-haven demand. Investors are also monitoring the U.S. federal government shutdown, now in its 20th consecutive day. Key economic reports have not been published by government agencies as a result, although the September U.S. Consumer Price Index report is expected to be released on Friday.White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said on Monday the shutdown was likely to end this week.The U.S. quarterly reporting period has unofficially entered its second week, and investors are keen to see reports this week from Tesla, IBM, Netflix, Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola and other big names. On Wall Street, the three major U.S. stock indexes each rose more than 1%."Some big, large-cap stalwarts are going to be reporting," said Jake Dollarhide, chief executive officer of Longbow Asset Management in Tulsa, Oklahoma."Of course, if we see some disappointing earnings, that could affect the market negatively. But investors have come into the week with rose-colored glasses on, feeling very good about where we've gone this year."The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 515.97 points, or 1.12%, to 46,706.58, the S&P 500 advanced 71.12 points, or 1.07%, to 6,735.13 and the Nasdaq Composite climbed 310.57 points, or 1.37%, to 22,990.54. As U.S. regional banks' earnings keep rolling in, some market watchers said tighter credit conditions could remove some froth in the market.MSCI's gauge of stocks across the globe rose 11.79 points, or 1.20%, to 995.69.European shares closed higher as initial concerns over the stability of the U.S. banking sector eased.The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 1.03%. On the U.S. trade front, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Friday he expects to meet this week with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in Malaysia to try to forestall an escalation of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods that U.S. President Donald Trump said was unsustainable.Trump also confirmed he would meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in two weeks in South Korea and expressed admiration for the Chinese leader. The yield on benchmark U.S. 10-year notes fell 2.7 basis points to 3.982%, from 4.009% late on Friday.The dollar edged higher against the yen and other currencies. Markets were reducing the odds of a Bank of Japan rate hike this month to just over 20%, while in France, political tensions eased. In Japan, a coalition deal set the stage for pro-stimulus Sanae Takaichi to become prime minister. The Federal Reserve still is widely expected to cut interest rates by a quarter-point next month and again in December.The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, rose 0.07% to 98.61, with the euro down 0.08% at $1.1642. Against the Japanese yen , the dollar strengthened 0.06% to 150.71.Spot gold rose 2.5% to $4,354.79 an ounce, while oil prices settled at their lowest since early May amid worries about a potential supply glut.Brent crude futures fell 28 cents, or 0.46%, to settle at $61.01 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures eased 2 cents, or 0.03%, to $57.52.

Recent international graduates sponsored for H-1B status while in the United States will not have to pay the new $100,000 visa petition fee, according to updated guidance issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Monday. The clarification comes after President Donald Trump’s September 19 proclamation that introduced the fee — a move described as one of his administration’s most disruptive steps affecting foreign workers in the US. The fee was meant to curb perceived abuses of the H-1B program, which is widely used by technology companies. However, businesses and legal experts warned that the policy could significantly disrupt industries dependent on skilled foreign workers. Under the new USCIS guidance, foreign workers applying for amendments, extensions, or changes of status within the US are exempt from the charge. Current H-1B holders are also allowed to continue traveling in and out of the country without restriction. An online payment system for the $100,000 fee has been launched for employers required to pay it. The fee will apply only to new petitions filed for workers outside the US or for those who must leave the country before their petition is processed. The USCIS statement clarified: petitions “that are requesting an amendment, change of status, or extension of stay for an alien inside the United States where the alien is granted such amendment, change, or extension” are exempt. No broad exemptions were announced for specific sectors or roles, but employers may request an exception if the job qualifies as being in the national interest and no American worker is available for the position. A coalition of healthcare providers, labor unions, educational institutions, and religious organizations that recently filed a lawsuit against the administration said the latest guidance shows recognition of the harm the fee would have caused to workers already in the US.Also Read| US Chamber of Commerce sues Trump administration over $100,000 H-1B visa fee “Our communities cannot plan around uncertainty, nor can we allow life-saving care, student learning, and scientific research to be held hostage to shifting, arbitrary rules,” the plaintiffs said. “Our lawsuit will continue until the proclamation is blocked and the rule of law restored.” The guidance marks the administration’s first detailed response since announcing the fee and is seen as an attempt to address confusion about its scope and implementation.

Delhi’s air quality took a sharp hit following Diwali celebrations, slipping deep into the “very poor” category on Tuesday morning. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed the city’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) at 346 at 5.30 am, placing most neighbourhoods firmly in the red zone. Despite the Supreme Court’s relaxation allowing “green” firecrackers this year, pollution levels surged late Monday night, with 36 of the 38 monitoring stations reporting “very poor” to “severe” air quality.Four areas — Dwarka (417), Ashok Vihar (404), Wazirpur (423), and Anand Vihar (404) — recorded severe pollution levels. On Diwali morning, the city had already witnessed an AQI of 333, indicating a steady deterioration since the weekend. According to CPCB standards, an AQI between 301 and 400 falls in the “very poor” range, while readings above 400 are deemed “severe.”— ANI (@ANI) Delhi AQI: GRAP-II curbs reimposedIn response to the escalating pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated Stage II of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) across Delhi-NCR on Sunday evening. The commission reported that Delhi’s AQI climbed from 296 at 4 pm to 302 by 7 pm, prompting tighter restrictions. Authorities have been instructed to intensify dust control efforts, enforce construction norms, and ensure full adherence to anti-pollution measures across the region.As the city continues to battle post-Diwali smog, experts warn that calm weather and stagnant wind conditions may worsen air quality further in the coming days.