IMF Forecasts Global Inflation Decline as Growth Remains Resilient 
China Home Prices Rise in January as Government Signals Stronger Support for Property Market 
Starmer’s China Visit Highlights Western Balancing Act Amid U.S.-China Rivalry 
India Budget 2026: Modi Government Eyes Reforms Amid Global Uncertainty and Fiscal Pressures 
UK Employers Plan Moderate Pay Rises as Inflation Pressures Ease but Persist 
Gold Prices Stabilize in Asian Trade After Sharp Weekly Losses Amid Fed Uncertainty 
EU Recovery Fund Faces Bottlenecks Despite Driving Digital and Green Projects 
South Korea Exports Surge in January on AI Chip Demand, Marking Fastest Growth in 4.5 Years 
U.S.–Venezuela Relations Show Signs of Thaw as Top Envoy Visits Caracas 
Gold and Silver Prices Plunge as Trump Taps Kevin Warsh for Fed Chair 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
China Manufacturing PMI Slips Into Contraction in January as Weak Demand Pressures Economy 
Philippines Manufacturing PMI Hits Nine-Month High Despite Weak Confidence Outlook 
Wall Street Slides as Warsh Fed Nomination, Hot Inflation, and Precious Metals Rout Shake Markets 
U.S. Government Faces Brief Shutdown as Congress Delays Funding Deal 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
Oil prices inched up on Monday, supported by mounting geopolitical risks in Europe and the Middle East, though expectations of increased supply and concerns over global demand limited gains.
Brent crude futures rose 0.42% to $66.96 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) gained 0.32% to $62.88 by 0118 GMT. Analysts noted that reports of Russia threatening action near the Polish border renewed fears over European energy security. Over the weekend, Poland deployed allied aircraft after Russian airstrikes targeted areas close to its border. NATO also reported that Russian jets violated Estonian airspace, while Germany confirmed a Russian military plane entered neutral Baltic Sea airspace. The United Nations Security Council is set to discuss Estonia’s complaint later Monday.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has intensified drone strikes on Russia’s energy facilities, disrupting terminals and refineries. Adding pressure, U.S. President Donald Trump urged the European Union to halt Russian oil and gas imports.
In the Middle East, four Western nations officially recognized a Palestinian state, sparking sharp criticism from Israel and fueling concerns over stability in the oil-rich region.
Despite the geopolitical uncertainty, oil prices posted weekly declines, with Brent and WTI falling more than 1% on Friday. Market sentiment was weighed down by expectations of higher output from the U.S., OPEC+, and Russia, alongside worries about slowing demand amid trade tariff concerns.
Iraq has already boosted exports, averaging 3.38 million barrels per day (bpd) in August. According to state oil marketer SOMO, September shipments are expected to climb to 3.4–3.45 million bpd as the country unwinds voluntary OPEC+ cuts.
While fears of supply disruptions continue to support prices, the balance between rising production and uncertain demand will likely shape the crude oil market in the coming weeks.
