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OPEC+ countries say they will expand monthly oil production

OPEC+ countries say they will expand monthly oil production

Seven OPEC+ members, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, to increase output by 188,000 barrels per day. Published On 6 Jul 20266 Jul 2026 OPEC+ members have announced plans to boost oil production as energy markets show tentative signs of recovery amid the fallout of the US-Israel war on Iran. OPEC+ said on Sunday that seven member countries – Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, and Oman – would raise output by 188,000 barrels per day from August after officials held a virtual meeting to “review global market conditions and outlook”. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list The production boost is the fifth consecutive increase announced by the seven OPEC+ members in as many months, continuing a gradual unwinding of production cuts announced in 2023. OPEC+, which includes the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allied oil producers – including Russia, Bahrain and Oman – cut output in April 2023, and again in November 2023, amid a string of bank collapses that triggered a major sell-off in oil and other commodities. “The countries will continue to closely monitor and assess market conditions,” the intergovernmental organisation said in a statement, adding that officials had “reaffirmed the importance of adopting a cautious approach and retaining full flexibility to increase, pause or reverse the phase out of the voluntary production adjustments”. The seven member countries added that they would meet again on August 2 to review the situation. After briefly topping $126 a barrel in April, Brent crude oil prices have fallen back to pre-war levels in recent days amid growing hopes for a permanent end to the Iran conflict and a return to normal shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Advertisement Traffic in the strait has ticked up since US President Donald Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed their memorandum of understanding on ending the war on June 17, though it remains far below pre-conflict levels. There were 38 confirmed transits in the strait on July 2, down from 48 on July 1, according to the vessel tracking platform MarineTraffic, compared with roughly 130 daily crossings before the war. Brent crude futures for September delivery stood at $72 as of 02:01 GMT on Monday, below Brent’s settlement price of $72.48 on February 27, the day before US and Israel launched strikes on Iran, starting the war. Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which carried about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies before the start of the war, forced OPEC+ members to slash production as a growing backlog of unshipped barrels maxed out the region’s crude storage capacity. Total OPEC+ production dropped to 33.13 million bpd in May, down from 42.77 million bpd in February, according to OPEC figures. Fabien Yip, a market analyst at IG in Sydney, Australia, described OPEC+’s latest production increases as largely being a “paper formality” in light of the real-world conditions affecting supply. “Actual barrels have been constrained for months by the Strait of Hormuz blockade, falling well short of the quota,” Yip told Al Jazeera. “That constraint is now easing, driving prices down. “Saudi Arabia has more than doubled the shipping volume since June 17 than the prior three months combined, and Iran has pushed close to 50 million barrels of its crude to market since the naval blockade lifted,” Yip added, referring to the US naval blockade of Iranian ports. “Add OPEC+’s incremental barrels to that backlog clearing, alongside softer Chinese demand and higher US and Russian exports, and the setup is a near-term oversupply. Oil futures’ retreat to pre-war levels reflects that.” Adblock test (Why?)

Bellingham inspires 10-man England in 3-2 last-16 thriller to beat Mexico

Bellingham inspires 10-man England in 3-2 last-16 thriller to beat Mexico

England hands Mexico their first World Cup loss at Estadio Azteca, winning 3-2 to reach the 2026 quarterfinals. Published On 6 Jul 20266 Jul 2026 Jude Bellingham’s double inflicted a rare defeat on Mexico at their Estadio Azteca as 10-man England won a nerve-racking World Cup classic 3-2 to reach the quarterfinals. Harry Kane also scored from the penalty spot as the Three Lions overcame Jarell Quansah’s red card, high altitude, and a fervent home support on Sunday to keep their quest for a first major tournament win in 60 years alive. Recommended Stories list of 4 itemsend of list England have relied on Bellingham and Kane throughout the tournament, and the duo has carried them into a last-eight showdown with Erling Haaland’s Norway. Bellingham struck twice in 98 seconds in the first half to condemn Mexico to just a third defeat in 90 matches at the Azteca. Julian Quinones and Raul Jimenez reduced the Mexican arrears, but they fell short of a place in the quarterfinals. Victory also helped to erase some of England’s nightmarish memories at the Azteca in the quarterfinals of the 1986 World Cup, when Diego Maradona scored a double for Argentina, including the infamous “Hand of God” goal. Sunday’s match was delayed by an hour after a thunderstorm and heavy rain lashed the Mexican capital for hours before the planned 6pm (00:00 GMT) kickoff time. Despite the sodden conditions, more than 80,000 fans crammed into the stadium to create a deafening noise. England coach Thomas Tuchel was wary of a fast start from Mexico as his side adjusted to the altitude of 2,240 metres (7,350 feet) above sea level. Mexico had flown out of the traps when they won a World Cup knockout game for the first time in 40 years against Ecuador 2-0 on Tuesday. Advertisement This time, England managed to keep Javier Aguirre’s side at bay, but they did need a crucial intervention from Jordan Pickford to deny Jimenez opening the scoring with a diving header that was headed for the bottom corner. Tuchel made three changes to the side that needed a heroic performance from Kane to prevent an embarrassing early exit to DR Congo. Quansah was forced to deputise at right-back with Reece James not fit to start for a third consecutive game, opening up Tuchel to criticism over his decision not to select more specialist cover in the position. Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka also started out wide, and both made telling contributions. Saka’s cross picked out Bellingham to power in a header for the first goal Mexico conceded in five World Cup games. The hosts failed to compose themselves, as within two minutes, the Real Madrid midfielder had doubled England’s lead. Kane’s ball across fell perfectly for Bellingham to power in his fourth goal of the tournament. Yet what should have been a comfortable lead was nearly wiped out by half-time. Quinones blasted in his fourth goal of the tournament to spark the Mexico rally after England failed to clear a free kick. Jimenez drilled wide and saw another header saved by Pickford before Bellingham made a last-ditch intervention to deny Cesar Montes a certain equaliser. Nico O’Reilly nearly restored England’s two-goal cushion as his deflected shot cannoned off the post. Quansah was shown a straight red card on 54 minutes after a VAR review for a mistimed lunge on Jesus Gallardo. But just six minutes later, the 10 men had added to their lead when Gordon was wiped out by Mexico goalkeeper Raul Rangel and Kane emphatically dispatched the penalty. The England captain’s sixth goal of the tournament puts him just one behind Haaland, Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot. The game took another huge momentum swing when, this time, Kane was penalised for a foul inside his own box and Jimenez slotted home the penalty to set up a frantic final 20 minutes. England, though, stood tall, defending at times frantically to resist the Mexican wave during 11 minutes of additional time, and have reached a third consecutive FIFA World Cup quarterfinal. Adblock test (Why?)

Sports stadium becomes home for victims of the Venezuela earthquakes

Sports stadium becomes home for victims of the Venezuela earthquakes

NewsFeed A sports stadium in La Guaira state has been turned into a makeshift home and logistics centre for thousands of victims of the Venezuela earthquakes. As Al Jazeera’s Zein Basravi reports aid organizations are planning to make this a model for other shelters. Published On 6 Jul 20266 Jul 2026 Click here to share on social media share-nodes Share googleAdd Al Jazeera on Googleinfo Adblock test (Why?)

Michigan Democrat Mallory McMorrow drops out of Senate race weeks before primary

Michigan Democrat Mallory McMorrow drops out of Senate race weeks before primary

Mallory McMorrow announced Sunday that she is suspending her campaign for the U.S. Senate in battleground Michigan. The Michigan state senator’s decision leaves her party’s primary as a two-way race between moderate Rep. Haley Stevens, who is backed by longtime Senate Democratic leader Sen. Chuck Schumer and the establishment, and former Wayne County Health Department Director Abdul El-Sayed, a left-wing candidate endorsed by progressive champions Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York McMorrow’s name will remain on the ballot for the Aug. 4 primary as ballots have already been printed and distributed to absentee voters, according to Bridge Michigan. The eventual Democratic nominee will face off in the midterm elections with former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers, who is on a glide path to the GOP nomination, in a crucial race to succeed retiring Sen. Gary Peters, a Democrat.  MICHIGAN SENATE CANDIDATE ABDUL EL-SAYED TAKES HEAT FOR KHAMENEI COMMENTS, HASAN PIKER EVENT The seat is a top Republican target and is a must-hold for the Democrats as they aim to win back the Senate majority from the GOP, which currently controls the chamber 53-47. The leading nonpartisan political handicappers rate the Senate race in Michigan as a toss-up. In a video posted on X announcing her decision, McMorrow did not provide a specific reason for ending her campaign. She instead thanked her staff and supporters for helping build what she described as a campaign powered by small-dollar donations and no corporate PAC money. But McMorrow, who has seen her national profile expand in recent years and was running as a progressive in an ideological space between El-Sayed and Stevens, suspended her campaign amid faltering poll numbers and fundraising that weren’t keeping pace with her two main rivals. McMorrow also pledged to fully support whichever Democrat wins the primary and faces off with Rogers, who is running for the Senate for a second straight cycle and lost in 2024 to now-Sen. Elissa Slotkin by a razor-thin margin. “So here’s what we do next. Every day through November 3rd. We win this Senate seat and send Mike Rogers back to Florida for good,” she said. “Whoever wins this primary on August 4th will have my full support.” MICHIGAN DEMOCRATIC SENATE CANDIDATE CLAIMS ISRAEL ‘JUST AS EVIL’ AS HAMAS Following McMorrow’s announcement, Stevens praised her fellow Democrat by calling her an “important voice” for policies that benefit Michigan families.  Stevens then argued that she is the strongest Democratic candidate to win the primary and defeat Rogers in November.  “As we enter the final month of the primary election, I’m excited to continue to make my case to Michiganders why I’m the strongest Democrat to defeat Mike Rogers this November, lower costs, protect manufacturing jobs, and stand up to Trump’s abuses of power,” she added. As she runs for the nomination, Stevens has been backed by millions in super PAC spending, including big bucks from Israel-aligned groups. MAMDANI-BACKED SOCIALISTS LOOK TO TAKE NEW YORK PLAYBOOK NATIONWIDE AFTER PRIMARY VICTORIES In his statement, El-Sayed praised McMorrow for having the “courage” to challenge what he described as a rigged political system, accusing Democratic Party insiders of spending millions to influence the primary. While he did not name specific groups, the remarks appeared to reference corporate PACs and party leaders such as Schumer. He then invited McMorrow’s supporters to join his progressive movement to combat big money in politics and defeat the political establishment.  “Throughout this campaign, Senator McMorrow showed what it looks like to fight back against politics that rigs the system against too many of us. While we have policy disagreements, I never questioned whether Senator McMorrow would fight for a better America for my daughters and hers,” he said.  “The same party insiders she had the courage to challenge have been bullying anyone who opposes their chosen candidate. After spending $30 million to drown Senator McMorrow and me out, they’re now spending even more to attack me. It’s everything we are standing up against.” “I welcome her supporters to our movement to stand up against money in politics, to put money back in pockets, and pass Medicare for All. We cannot allow the establishment to decide our nominee for us.”  El-Sayed, who, if elected would make history as the nation’s first Muslim senator, is an epidemiologist who unsuccessfully ran for governor as an insurgent candidate in 2018. He has made support for “Medicare-for-all” a major component of his campaign. El-Sayed also calls for abolishing ICE, and he’s a vocal critic of Israel in its war with Hamas. He has characterized Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” against Palestinians. And El-Sayed, who served as a top surrogate on Sanders’ 2020 presidential campaign, has also vowed not to accept PAC donations. Schumer and the party establishment view Stevens as more electable than El-Sayed, who has sparked controversy with his past comments. They worry that El-Sayed as the party’s nominee would jeopardize the Democrat-controlled Senate seat by pushing the party too far to the left in a state that President Donald Trump carried two years ago by just over one percentage point. AOC JOINS BERNIE SANDERS IN BACKING SENATE CANDIDATE OPPOSED BY SCHUMER The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), in a statement reacting to McMorrow’s move, pointed to the burgeoning battle between the far left and the establishment for the future of the Democratic Party. “Bernie Sanders’ radical socialist flank is completely taking over the Democrat Party. It is now up to Chuck Schumer to combat Abdul El-Sayed’s clear momentum and get Haley Stevens over the finish line in their messy primary,” NRSC Regional Press Secretary Samantha Cantrell argued in a statement. Greg Manz, the Michigan GOP senior communications adviser, said in a statement that “Michigan’s Senate Democrat primary has shifted from a three-car pileup to a head-on collision.”