Oil prices headed for rebound this week as US-China trade talks resume

Oil prices

LONDON: Oil prices steadied on Friday and were on track for their first weekly gain in three weeks after U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping resumed trade talks, raising hopes for growth and stronger demand in the world’s two largest economies. Brent crude futures fell 9 cents, or 0.1%, to $65.25 a barrel by 1210 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude lost 12 cents, or 0.2%, to $63.25. On a weekly basis, both benchmarks were on track to settle higher after declining for two straight weeks. Brent…

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India’s GAIL sells LNG cargo as early monsoons cause weak power demand, say sources

lng

SINGAPORE: GAIL (India) Ltd has re-sold one liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo this week, said three market sources on Friday, as the state-run firm’s storage tanks for the fuel are full amid weak power demand in India. Fewer LNG imports by GAIL, the country’s largest gas distributor, could reduce India’s overall appetite for the super-chilled fuel. India is the world’s fourth largest LNG buyer, importing about 26 million metric tons last year as it goes through rapid urbanisation and industrialisation and to meet growing power demand. However, GAIL’s LNG tanks…

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Russian Urals oil to India sells at narrowest discounts since 2022, traders say

opec

MOSCOW/NEW DELHI: Discounts for Russian flagship Urals crude oil for delivery to Indian ports in July hit their narrowest levels since 2022 as spot supplies have tightened, four traders involved in the market said on Friday. Narrowing discounts and tight spot supplies are nudging Indian refiners to scout for alternatives through buying tenders. Spot discounts for Urals crude narrowed to $2.25 per barrel on average for cargoes arriving in India in July, from $2.70 to $3.10 per barrel to dated Brent on delivery ex-ship (DES) basis in the previous month,…

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Trump says ‘very disappointed’ by Musk criticism

Musk Criticism

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump said Thursday he was “very disappointed” by Elon Musk’s criticism of his policy mega-bill, adding he didn’t know if his friendship with his billionaire former advisor would survive. In an extraordinary rant in the Oval Office as visiting German Chancellor Friedrich Merz sat mutely beside him, Trump unloaded on SpaceX and Tesla boss Musk in his first comments on the issue. “Look, Elon and I had a great relationship. I don’t know if we will anymore. I was surprised,” Trump told reporters in the Oval…

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Rs415 billion in losses raise alarms over tobacco enforcement

tobacco

While regulators tighten the noose around Pakistan’s formal tobacco sector, the real threat is expanding in plain sight. Illicit cigarette brands—untaxed, unregulated, and widely available—have captured more than half the market. They pay nothing, follow no rules, and yet continue to grow. The law is chasing what is visible, not what is dangerous. The formal industry, despite contributing nearly Rs270 billion in taxes each year, now controls only 46 percent of the market. The remaining share belongs to illegal operators selling cigarettes at a fraction of legal prices. This thriving…

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