European stocks closed higher on Monday, driven by investor optimism about easing US-China trade tensions.

Russian Energy Minister Sergey Tsvilov announced that Russia and Iran have signed a free trade agreement following intensive efforts by the joint governmental committee.

The office of the Iraqi Prime Minister announced that Iraq is currently preparing to launch a global investment forum in early June, aiming to present all investment opportunities to international companies.

European Union countries are considering reducing their purchases of American weapons and imposing economic restrictions on the United States in response to the policies of the administration of US President Donald Trump.

Gold prices rose more than 1 percent on Thursday, driven by buying driven by lower prices, a day after the metal hit a one-week low amid optimism about a US-China trade deal.

IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva stated that the Fund is observing the increasing risks of an economic recession in the United States.

Reuters has revealed, citing a high-level source, that the European Union aims to prevent European companies from signing new contracts to purchase Russian energy products.

Gold prices fell about three percent on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump backed down from his threat to fire Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, expressing optimism about the possibility of reaching a trade agreement with China. This negatively impacted the yellow metal's safe-haven appeal.

The Muscat Stock Exchange "30" index closed on Tuesday at 4,290.91 points, down by 2.1 points or 0.05%, compared to the last trading session, which stood at 4,293 points.

The Kuwait Stock Exchange concluded its trading session on Tuesday with its general index registering a decline of 23.32 points, equivalent to a 0.30 percent decrease, settling at 7,850.45 points.

Heating costs for gas consumers in Germany have surged by nearly a quarter this season compared to the previous heating season, according to an analysis by the comparison website "Verivox."

A meeting between the leadership of the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Investment and the Chairman , members of the Administrative Reform, Insurance and Human Development Committee of the Shura Council discussed aspects related to the development of a work matrix to reduce unemployment.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al-Sudani emphasized the importance of improving the work environment for oil companies operating in Iraq on Sunday, directing a reassessment of the licensing rounds' experience.

A meeting at the Ministry of Economy, Industry, and Investment discussed a coordination mechanism among government entities to exempt small and micro-enterprises, entrepreneurs, and innovators from fees.

Yemen International Bank (YIB) stated the decision by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to impose sanctions on the bank and three of its executives.

The United States has imposed port duties on ships manufactured in China, to be implemented in October and gradually increase over the next three years.

Many Chinese investors have withdrawn their investments in US Treasury bonds in favor of investing in European debt instruments.

A Chinese delegation visited Brazil to promote Asian trade relations and discuss major infrastructure projects, including a railway project linking the South American country to a huge port in Chancay, Peru, according to the South China Morning Post.

"Nigeria and South Africa have signed an agreement to enhance cooperation in mining, highlighting Abuja's efforts to diversify its economy away from oil," Nigeria's Mining Minister Dele Alake said on Thursday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, during his meeting with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen in Phnom Penh, emphasized that trade wars undermine the multilateral trading system and destroy the global economic system.