
Oil dips further as hawkish Powell spurs flight from risk assets
BNN Bloomberg
Oil held a hefty loss after Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell signaled interest rates could rise higher and faster than previously anticipated, raising concerns about the economy and energy demand.
West Texas Intermediate futures edged lower near US$77 a barrel after posting the biggest one-day decline since early January. The remarks, made during a testimony before Congress, opened the door to the Fed lifting interest rates by half a percentage point at this month's meeting and weighed on equity markets on Wednesday.
Adding to the bearishness, OPEC Secretary-General Haitham Al-Ghais said that slowing oil consumption in Europe and the U.S. poses a concern, even as Asia experiences “phenomenal” growth. Citigroup Inc. said that global supply is ample and demand remains low.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said the U.S. was talking with a “respected” Iranian leader and claimed the Islamic Republic was eager for a deal to end the war. He also extended a deadline for Iran to reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz or face attacks on its power plants, saying it has an additional five days.

Jurors wade through daunting evidence in high-stakes Meta trial about social media risks to children
A stream of testimony and evidence has been presented in a New Mexico case exploring what Meta knew about the effects of its platforms on children.











