The Rupee opened stronger against the dollar due to slight weakness in the dollar index and a drop in crude oil prices. The dollar index was pushed on the backfoot as the yen rallied towards its best week in more than a year today, helped by Tokyo's suspected intervention this week to pull the Japanese currency away from 34-year lows. The Bank of Japan's official data indicated the country may have spent $23.59 bln on Wednesday and $35.06 bln on Monday in supporting the currency. The dollar slipped against most of its peers and was headed for its worst week in nearly two months. Earlier, the dollar index had gained strength following the US Federal Open Market Committee's meeting late on Wednesday. The rate-setting panel kept the federal funds target range unchanged at 5.25-5.50% for the sixth straight meeting, as expected. Crude oil prices settled near a seven-week low on Thursday, after investors assessed weaker global demand and a pile-up of crude inventories. Moreover, pushback on hope of an early rate cut by the US Federal Reserve also led to a fall in oil prices. Oil prices also eased as investors assessed the situation in West Asia, where they hope for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Last week, Israel and Hamas engaged in talks on a ceasefire in the ongoing war in Gaza. June Brent crude oil contract on the Intercontinental Exchange was at $83.79 a barrel. It settled at $83.67 a bbl on Thursday. On Wednesday, it closed at $83.44 a bbl. Gold futures fell on Thursday as investors assessed the prospects of monetary policy easing in the US later this year. Traders also await US jobs data to be released later today. Jun gold futures (ounce): $2,309.60 Thursday vs $2,311 Wednesday......