Russia's central bank on Friday cut its main interest rate for the first time since March 2018 amid slowing economic growth and inflation in a widely-anticipated move.

The Bank of Russia lowered its key rate from 7.75 percent to 7.50 percent and said there could be another rate cut soon.

Oil prices soared Thursday after the US Navy reported two tankers had been attacked in the Gulf of Oman, fanning geopolitical concerns in the crude-rich region.

Hong Kong stocks on Thursday morning extended the previous days hefty losses fuelled by nervousness after violent protests hit the city, while investors are also keeping a cautious eye on the China-US trade row.

Falling prices for energy and used cars held down U.S. inflation in May, extending the long run of soft price pressures, according to government data released Wednesday.

Renault chairman Jean-Dominique Senard on Wednesday vowed a "fresh start" in his firm's alliance with Japan's Nissan and Mitsubishi, despite tensions flaring between the automakers in recent weeks.

Wall Street stocks were little changed early Wednesday amid uncertainty over ongoing U.S.-China trade developments, while tepid U.S. inflation data boosted speculation of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut.

Inflation in China rose to its highest level in more than a year in May driven by surges in pork and fruit prices caused by the African swine fever epidemic and bad weather, official data showed Wednesday.

But while prices are increasing, demand remains weak because of the trade war with the United States and economic uncertainty.

A rainforest area the size of Spain will have been destroyed by firms growing consumer staples like palm oil in the decade to 2020 -- industry's self-imposed deadline to end deforestation, Greenpeace said Tuesday.

The EU's powerful anti-trust authority on Tuesday blocked the merger of German industrial conglomerate Thyssenkrupp with Indian steel giant Tata, an expected veto that kills the deal.

Gazing over his wheat field in northeastern Syria, farmer Adel Othman expects a bumper crop this year, but two rival authorities squabbling over his harvest have dashed his enthusiasm.