Futures exchange operator CME Group Inc reported a near 24% rise in first-quarter profit on Wednesday, helped by market volatility spurred by the Russia-Ukraine war and as investors hedged against rising interest rates.

BERLIN (Reuters) -Prosecutors in Germany, Italy and Hungary have conducted searches related to the use of illegal defeat devices that provide rigged emissions readings to comply with European Union regulations in Suzuki diesel vehicles.

SOFIA/WARSAW (Reuters) -Russia's Gazprom halted gas supplies to Poland and Bulgaria on Wednesday over their failure to pay in roubles, cranking up an economic war with Europe in response to Western sanctions imposed for Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

Elevator-maker Kone posted weaker-than-expected first-quarter core earnings on Wednesday and trimmed its full-year outlook, hit by supply chain constraints and a decline in its China business even as overall order intake increased.

Oil was broadly steady on Wednesday after Russia cut gas supplies to Bulgaria and Poland, while lingering concerns about Asian coronavirus lockdowns weighing on economic growth and oil demand kept a lid on prices.

Singapore's Sembcorp Marine (Sembmarine) has agreed to a multi-billion dollar merger with Keppel Corp's larger offshore and marine unit, a year after the Temasek-backed firms began deal talks to cope with an industry downturn.