The ambitious free trade agreement between the European Union and India underscores the EU's efforts to ink new global partnerships at a time when the Trump administration has rattled a continent deeply tied to Washington on trade, defense and diplomacy.

The agreement announced Tuesday reflects a new priority for the 27-nation EU, the world's largest trading bloc, after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs because of opposition to American control of Greenland, only to back off days later. It follows trade deals struck or pending over the past year with India, Japan, Indonesia, Mexico and the five Mercosur nations of South America.

British Ambassador to Lebanon Hamish Cowell on Tuesday launched the British Lebanese Chamber of Commerce (BLCC) during a reception held at his residence. 

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives in Beijing on Wednesday for a four-day visit to China aimed at repairing ties and expanding opportunities for British businesses in the world's second-largest economy.

He is the first British leader to come to Beijing since Theresa May in 2018. The relationship has deteriorated in recent years over growing concern about Chinese spying and surveillance, China's support for Russia in the Ukraine war and Beijing's crackdown on civil liberties in Hong Kong, the former British colony.

The dollar struggled to bounce back Wednesday following another selloff fuelled by Donald Trump's suggestion he was happy with the currency's recent decline, while tech firms helped most Asian equity markets extend their rally.

Traders are also keeping an eye on the Federal Reserve's latest meeting, hoping for some guidance on its plans for interest rates amid uncertainty over the US president's policies following his latest tariff threats.

Refusing to let a tumultuous football game strain diplomatic and economic ties, Morocco and Senegal pledged Monday to give fresh momentum to their relationship and boost trade and investment between the two African nations.

The prime ministers of Morocco and Senegal signed 17 agreements in the Moroccan capital Rabat on increasing investments in sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, fisheries and mining.

Iran's currency, the rial, fell on Tuesday to a record low of 1.5 million to $1 after nationwide protests sparked by the country's economic woes.

Exchange shops offered the rate as Iran still reels under international sanctions, particularly over its nuclear program, and mismanagement by government officials.

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is heading to China, seeking a thaw in relations with Beijing at a time of strained ties with the United States.

He's hoping for an economic boost to Britain, but risks the wrath of China hawks at home — and of U.S. President Donald Trump, who's already heaping tariffs and criticism on America's closest allies.

After nearly two decades of negotiations, India and the European Union announced Tuesday they have reached a free trade agreement to deepen economic and strategic ties. The accord — dubbed the "mother of all deals" — could impact as many as 2 billion people.

The deal is also one of the biggest bilateral engagements on commerce and comes as Washington targets both India and the EU with steep import tariffs.

The price of gold hit fresh records Monday after reaching $5,000 an ounce for the first time on rising global uncertainty and turmoil set off by US President Donald Trump's policies.

Gold reached $5,111.07 an ounce having topped the key landmark in Asian trading hours.

Global shares mostly declined Monday, as in Asia Japan's benchmark took a tumble after the yen surged against the U.S. dollar.

France's CAC 40 dipped nearly 0.2% in early trading to 8,127.93, while the German DAX added less than 0.1% to 24,881.34. Britain's FTSE 100 edged down less than 0.1% to 10,138.76.