Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN) – Oil prices fell below US$ 78 a barrel on Wednesday as the dollar strengthened and Wall Street slipped on worries about bank lending curbs in China.

Gold steadied above US$ 1,100 per ounce after falling more than 2 percent the previous day, according to reports.

BBN/SS/SI/AD-21January10-11:25 am (BST)