US manufacturing activity grew at a slower rate in June, survey data showed Wednesday, as businesses grappled with fallout from the Middle East war.

The dollar held tight ranges on Thursday as markets awaited key US jobs data for clues on the rates outlook, while the yen’s slide to 40-year lows against the greenback and thin trade ahead of a US holiday kept traders on high alert for intervention.

Oil prices fell for a third consecutive day on Thursday as concerns over supply disruptions eased after Qatar said Iran and the US had made progress in talks over the Strait of Hormuz.

Gold prices rose on Thursday as softer-than-expected US jobs data and lower oil prices eased inflation concerns, while investors awaited the nonfarm payrolls report for cues on the Federal Reserve’s policy path.

The not-so-secret formula to 250 years of US success is immigration. As the country prepares to commemorate the anniversary of its Declaration of Independence, however, Washington powers that be are using every tool available to crack down on this essential component of the American experiment.

Further vulnerability stems from the EU's dependence on the US for technology

The free trade pact will instead be subject to annual reviews, unless a country decides to withdraw entirely

Brent futures lost 77 cents or 1.1 percent to $70.80 a barrel

Oil prices fell more than 1 percent on Wednesday as talks between Iran and the US aimed at reaching a final agreement to end their war continued and the market awaited data from the US regarding stock draws. Brent futures fell $1.14, or 1.6 percent, to $71.81 a barrel at 0859 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude was down $1.11, or 1.6 percent, to $68.39 a barrel.

US President Donald Trump recorded around $1.2 billion in income from his family’s cryptocurrency activities during his first year back in office, according to financial disclosures released on Tuesday.

Overall remittance inflows grew 17.30 percent year-on-year in FY26

World Bank lending to China peaked at $2.42 billion in 2017

The World Bank on Monday extended its climate change policy framework indefinitely, but dropped its targets for the percentage of financing that must have climate-related impacts, according to a statement.

Sri Lanka on Tuesday cut fuel prices by up to six percent, the first such move since the Middle East war triggered a surge in energy prices in the import-dependent nation.

The yen has tumbled past a 40-year low against the US dollar, prompting the Japanese government to vow “appropriate action at any time”.

Brent August crude futures were down 1%, at $72.4 a barrel

Sri Lanka had raised petrol and diesel prices by almost 50 percent after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28

British American Tobacco said on Monday it plans to reduce its workforce by about 20 percent, as it pushes ahead with an AI-driven transformation program to cut costs and bolster profits amid regulatory challenges and delayed launches.

South Korea will invest nearly $1.2 trillion -- equivalent to more than two-thirds of its GDP -- in a new chip-building hub and AI data centres over several years, as it seeks to profit from soaring demand while developing previously neglected regions.

The exchange rate of the US dollar against the taka rose further today as banks faced increased payment pressure and settled letters of credit (LCs) ahead of the June-end closing.