News

Monetary policymakers should be clear-eyed on what they can and cannot do about it

The Beijing-backed Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved a $500 million loan to Russia to help fund road construction, its first after years of high-level talks and as Moscow strengthens ties with China.

The U.S. Supreme Court may have a conservative majority that includes two justices appointed by President Donald Trump, but his efforts to shield his tax returns and other financial records from scrutiny still face an uncertain future.

Read More

* Oil giant Saudi Aramco's IPO: https://tmsnrt.rs/2O9PTcF (Adds details, background)

Commodities trader Vitol has signed a 10-year deal with Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) to buy 500,000 tonnes of LNG per year, ramping up its long-term presence on the market.

* SNB's Jordan says benefits outweigh costs of negative rates

Underscoring U.S. lawmakers' continuing unhappiness with Russia, a Senate committee on Wednesday advanced legislation seeking to hamper Russian energy pipelines and boosting NATO but delayed voting on a measure nicknamed the "sanctions bill from hell" that would punish Moscow for meddling in the 2016 U.S. election.

A strong currency that hurts exports and risks deflation, or a weak one that hobbles banks and annoys the U.S. -- that's the choice Switzerland faces. For now, at least, it seems to have picked the former.

* Exit polls expected after voting closes at 2200 GMT (Adds details, quote; updates prices)

* China investment, calming unrest and falling dollar support HKD