Pooja Kumra at TD Securities said a sharp fall in oil could lower investor expectations for Bank of England rate hikes in the coming months. London Stock Exchange Group data show markets currently price a cumulative 26bp of Bank of England tightening in 2026. Brent crude has slid to about $79.5 per barrel from roughly $95 a week ago after a US‑Iran peace deal.

China has provided emergency humanitarian aid to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the African Union and has dispatched a medical expert team to DR Congo, the Foreign Ministry said. Nearly 1,000 Chinese medical personnel have been deployed to assist African communities in fighting the outbreak. Beijing said it will implement the China‑Africa health partnership under the Forum on China‑Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and provide epidemic-response support within its capacity.

UK May CPI and Retail Prices Index m/m due in 10 minutes.