U.S. Open to Special Trade Terms for South Africa Under Possible AGOA Extension 
Asian Stocks Slip Ahead of Fed Decision as China Deflation Concerns Deepen 
Asian Stocks Rally as Tech Rebounds, China Lags on Nvidia Competition Concerns 
Ireland Limits Planned Trade Ban on Israeli Settlements to Goods Only 
BOJ Expected to Deliver December Rate Hike as Economists See Borrowing Costs Rising Through 2025 
Wall Street Futures Dip as Broadcom Slides, Tech Weighed Down Despite Dovish Fed Signals 
Japan Weighs New Tax Breaks to Boost Corporate Investment Amid Spending Debate 
U.S. Dollar Slides for Third Straight Week as Rate Cut Expectations Boost Euro and Pound 
Modi and Trump Hold Phone Call as India Seeks Relief From U.S. Tariffs Over Russian Oil Trade 
Brazil Holds Selic Rate at 15% as Inflation Expectations Stay Elevated 
Fed’s Dovish Tone Sends Dollar Lower as Markets Price In More Rate Cuts 
Asian Currencies Steady as Fed Delivers Hawkish Rate Cut; Aussie and Rupee Under Pressure 
Asian Stocks Slip as Oracle Earnings Miss Sparks AI Profitability Concerns 
Mexico Moves to Increase Tariffs on Asian Imports to Protect Domestic Industries 
Australia’s Labour Market Weakens as November Employment Drops Sharply 
Gold Prices Slip Slightly in Asia as Silver Nears Record Highs on Dovish Fed Outlook 
Oil prices edged up in early Monday trade, supported by short-covering despite lingering uncertainty over U.S.-China trade talks and potential increases in OPEC+ supply. Brent crude rose 9 cents to $66.96 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude gained 9 cents to $63.11 by 0025 GMT.
Michael McCarthy, CEO of Moomoo Australia, noted that "the absence of fresh news is pushing oil prices modestly higher" as traders brace for possible OPEC+ output hikes at the May 5 meeting and rising U.S. production. Some OPEC+ members are expected to propose accelerating production increases for a second straight month, adding to fears of oversupply.
Last week, Brent and WTI fell over 1% due to concerns that tariffs and a sluggish global economy could weaken fuel demand. Market sentiment remains shaky amid conflicting signals between U.S. President Donald Trump and Beijing regarding the progress of trade negotiations. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sunday declined to confirm Trump’s claims of ongoing talks, while China also denied any discussions.
Adding to geopolitical tensions, nuclear negotiations between Iran and the U.S. continue this week in Oman. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi expressed caution over the talks' prospects. Meanwhile, a massive explosion at Iran’s key port, Bandar Abbas, killed at least 40 and injured more than 1,200, intensifying regional instability.
In a separate development, U.S. officials urged Russia and Ukraine to advance peace talks following President Trump's meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the Vatican.
