Russian grain and fertiliser train departs Azerbaijan for Armenia
A freight train carrying Russian grain and fertiliser has departed Azerbaijan for Armenia, continuing transit flows across the South Caucasus....
OPEC+ has agreed to raise oil production by 548,000 barrels per day in August, accelerating output increases amid geopolitical tensions and pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump to help ease fuel prices.
At its latest meeting on Saturday, OPEC+ announced it will raise oil production by 548,000 barrels per day (bpd) starting in August. This marks a significant acceleration in monthly output hikes, following increases of 411,000 bpd approved for May through July.
The decision comes after a period of volatile oil prices triggered by Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran. OPEC+, which includes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies led by Russia, had been cutting production since 2022 to support global oil prices. But in 2025, the group shifted strategy to reclaim market share amid rising output from rival producers such as the United States.
The upcoming increase will come from eight members: Saudi Arabia, Russia, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Iraq, Kazakhstan, and Algeria — the same group that began unwinding 2.2 million bpd in voluntary cuts starting in April.
OPEC+ cited a stable global economic outlook and tight oil inventories as justification for the production boost. The group has now restored 1.918 million bpd of its initial 2.2 million bpd reduction, with just 280,000 bpd remaining. Additionally, the UAE has been allowed to increase production by 300,000 bpd separately.
Tensions have emerged within the group after some members, including Kazakhstan and Iraq, exceeded production targets, raising concerns among those maintaining cuts. Kazakhstan, in particular, returned to record-level output last month.
Despite this increase, OPEC+ still maintains a separate set of cuts amounting to 3.66 million bpd. The coalition will reconvene on August 3 to assess further action.
A report published by Minval Politika has raised new questions over alleged efforts by Luis Moreno Ocampo to shape international pressure against Azerbaijan and influence political dynamics around Armenia.
A Pentagon official provided the first official estimate of the cost of the U.S. war in Iran on Wednesday (29 April), telling lawmakers that $25 billion had so far been spent on the conflict, most of it on munitions. Earlier, Donald Trump said that the U.S. had "militarily defeated" Tehran.
Shares in Meta Platforms fell sharply in extended trading on Wednesday after the tech giant raised its annual capital spending forecast by billions of dollars.
Tensions between the United States and Iran remain high after a U.S. official said President Donald Trump was unhappy with a proposal from Tehran that does not deal with its nuclear programme. Washington is insisting that any talks must address Iran’s nuclear activities.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei warned “foreigners who commit evil” have no place in the Gulf, outlining a “new phase” for the Strait of Hormuz, while a senior adviser said U.S. blockade efforts would fail and could trigger confrontation.
China has passed a new law aimed at ensuring its most vulnerable citizens are not left without support.
China has warned the U.S. that Taiwan will dominate next month’s summit in Beijing, raising pressure on Washington and concern in Taipei over any shift in long-standing American policy.
Shares in Meta Platforms fell sharply in extended trading on Wednesday after the tech giant raised its annual capital spending forecast by billions of dollars.
From Thursday, 1 May, goods from every African country with diplomatic ties to China will be able to enter the Chinese market without paying import duties.
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