Oil prices were hovering near seven-month highs on Wednesday as the threat of military conflict between the US and Iran that could disrupt supply continued to worry investors as talks between the parties are set for Thursday.

Gold prices rose on Wednesday, lifted by a softer dollar and heightened safe-haven demand amid uncertainty over US tariffs and rising friction between Washington and Tehran.

The World Trade Organization said Tuesday it would establish an expert panel to examine a Chinese complaint over Indian incentive schemes in the automotive and renewable energy sectors.

The firm saw pre-tax profit fall US$2.4 billion to US$29.9 billion last year

Brent futures were up 43 cents, or 0.6 percent, at $71.20 per barrel

China launched its dispute at the WTO in March 2024, accusing Washington of unfair competition over its support for companies in the energy transition sector

The EU executive has again delayed presenting a fiercely contested plan to favour European companies over foreign rivals in key sectors, pushing it back to March 4 to give more time for talks, officials said Monday.

European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde said Monday that a central bank’s independence depends on its leaders, in remarks that come amid heightened concerns over the political pressure faced by her US counterparts.

China imposed export restrictions on 40 Japanese companies on Tuesday, citing national security concerns, as Beijing escalated a months-long row that has seen Chinese tourism to Japan plummet.

US delivery and freight giant FedEX sued the Trump administration Monday seeking to reclaim money it paid for tariffs that have now been ruled illegal.

Gold prices fell more than 1 percent on Tuesday, easing from a three-week high hit earlier in the session, as a stronger dollar and profit taking weighed on prices while investors awaited clarity on US President Donald Trump’s tariff plans.

Barely two weeks into 2026, Nvidia boss Jensen Huang and Microsoft President Brad Smith seemed to have jointly defanged one of the biggest threats to the growth of artificial intelligence: water security.

The United States imposed a new tariff from Tuesday of 10 percent on all goods not covered by exemptions, the US Customs and Border Protection said, the rate first announced by President Donald Trump on Friday rather than the 15 percent he promised a day later.

The new tariffs would be separate from a 15 percent global levy Trump announced on Saturday

The high court struck down Trump's global tariffs last Friday

The European Commission called Sunday for Washington to abide by the terms of the trade deal struck last year with the EU, as President Donald Trump announced new global tariff hikes a day after an adverse Supreme Court ruling.

The US Customs and Border Protection agency said it will halt collections of tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act at 12:01 a.m. EST (0501 GMT) on Tuesday, more than three days after the US Supreme Court declared the duties illegal.

The US Supreme Court’s decision to strike down a large swath of President Donald Trump’s tariffs has weakened his ability to threaten and impose tariffs at a moment’s notice, but it won’t end gnawing uncertainty for trade partners or companies.

China urged the United States on Monday to cancel unilateral tariffs announced by President Donald Trump after the US Supreme Court struck down many of his measures.

US trade deals with the European Union, China and other partners remain in force despite the Supreme Court ruling that struck down many of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, a top official said Sunday.