Oil prices gain on US trade optimism, drop in crude inventories

oil price

LONDON: Oil prices rose on Thursday, buoyed by optimism over U.S. trade negotiations that would ease pressure on the global economy and a sharper-than-expected decline in U.S. crude inventories. Brent crude futures had gained 52 cents, or 0.76%, to $69.03 a barrel by 1040 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures climbed 60 cents, or 0.9% to $65.85 per barrel. “The U.S. crude inventory draw and the trade efforts are adding some support to prices,” said Janiv Shah, an analyst at Rystad. Two European diplomats said on Wednesday that the…

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Pakistan’s bread maker shifts to renewable energy, targets 1MW solar capacity to cut costs

solar power

Following the footsteps of various companies, Bunny’s Limited, a Pakistani manufacturer of bakery goods, has embarked on a phased transition toward renewable energy, with plans to expand solar power production to 1MW. In its first phase, the company successfully purchased and installed solar panels with 200KVA capacity. The installation of these solar panels will reduce the electricity bill by approximately 15%, read the company’s notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Thursday. “In its second phase, the company’s management is working to enhance the solar power production to 1MW.…

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TotalEnergies posts 23% drop in quarterly income as oil, gas prices sag

totalenergies

PARIS: TotalEnergies reported a 23% fall in second-quarter earnings on Thursday, as expected, the French oil major’s worst performance in four years, as higher upstream production failed to offset lower earnings caused by the recent plunge in oil and gas prices. Adjusted net income fell to $3.6 billion for the three months to June 30 from $4.7 billion a year earlier, matching analyst expectations in an LSEG consensus, and down from $4.2 billion in the first quarter. Brent crude prices have fallen 20% from a year ago, as OPEC+ producers – including…

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World Bank Seeks Amendments as NTDC Splits Into Three New EntitiesProject agreements must be updated; IWS contract extended to 2026

world-bank

ISLAMABAD, July 24, 2025: The World Bank has requested formal amendments to existing project agreements following the restructuring of the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) into three new successor entities. The Bank’s Operations Manager for Pakistan, Gailius J. Draugelis, communicated this request in a letter to the Secretary of the Economic Affairs Division (EAD). Under the restructuring, NTDC has been divided into: Since legal agreements for the ongoing National Transmission Modernization I Project are still in NTDC’s name, the World Bank has asked the government to formally notify the…

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Iesco, Fesco, and Gepco Set for Privatisation by December-EndCommittee voices concern over targeting efficient Discos and warns of long-term operational risks

Power

ISLAMABAD, July 24, 2025: Three electricity distribution companies—Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco), Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco), and Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco)—are set to be privatised by the end of December 2025, officials from the Power Division confirmed during a meeting of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Economic Affairs. Chaired by MNA Muhammad Atif Khan, the committee was informed that the privatisation of these three Discos is in its final stages. Additional Secretary Power Division Mehfooz Bhatti stated that due diligence is nearly complete, a financial advisor has…

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