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Xie Xuguang, from CNOOC Gas and Power Group's research centre, told a conference on Thursday that China's total gas demand may reach 396.4 billion cubic metres (bcm) this year. "We're expecting industrial gas demand to recover in the second half. Gas demand growth this year was seen at between 5.7% and 7.4%, according to estimates this week by ICIS, Energy Aspects and SIA Energy. China's total gas demand was forecast to peak in 2040 at 700 bcm, Xie added, echoing a previous forecast by state major Sinopec. Imports of both piped gas and liquefied natural gas were both expected to increase to meet rising domestic demand.

Persons: Stringer, Xie Xuguang, Xie, CNOOC, Andrew Hayley, Chen Aizhu, Christian Schmollinger, Michael Perry Organizations: Sinopec, Inner, Inner Mongolia Autonomous, REUTERS, CNOOC Gas, Power, ICIS, SIA Energy, Imports, Thomson Locations: Erdos, Inner Mongolia, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China, TIANJIN, Japan, Russia's, Siberia, Russia

Pump jacks operate at sunset in an oil field in Midland, Texas U.S. August 22, 2018. Earlier, it hit a session peak of $95.96 a barrel, their highest since November. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures dropped 28 cents to $91.20 after earlier reaching $93.74 a barrel, also the highest since November. After Brent topped $95 a barrel on Tuesday, investment bank UBS said in a note it started taking profits. Industry data on Tuesday showed U.S. crude oil stockpiles fell last week by about 5.25 million barrels, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday.

Persons: Nick Oxford, Brent, Analysts, Amin Nasser, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Stephanie Kelly, Andrew Hayley, Paul Carsten, Kirsten Donovan, Jason Neely, David Goodman, David Gregorio, Jan Harvey Organizations: Midland , Texas U.S, REUTERS, Brent, . West Texas, UBS, Reuters, U.S . Energy, Administration, American Petroleum Institute, Nasdaq, U.S, Thomson Locations: Midland , Texas, U.S, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Saudi Aramco, Saudi, OPEC, Britain, Japan, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, U.S . Federal, New York, Beijing

☆ Shell opens its largest EV charging station globally in China
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

BEIJING, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Shell (SHEL.L) said it has opened its largest electric vehicle (EV) charging station worldwide in Shenzhen, China. The station, located adjacent to Shenzhen airport, features 258 charging points, as well as solar panels with an annual generation capacity of 300,000 kilowatt-hours, Shell said. The station is operated as a joint venture between Shell and Chinese EV giant BYD (002594.SZ), it added in a statement. Shell said it currently operates around 800 EV charging stations through joint ventures or wholly-owned subsidiaries across China. Reporting by Andrew Hayley; Editing by Alexander SmithOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Shell, Andrew Hayley, Alexander Smith Organizations: Shell, EV, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Shenzhen, China

☆ China's diesel exports surge in August, have nearly tripled so far in 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Total diesel exports for the first eight months of the year are up 197.2% versus the same period in 2022. Gasoline exports were up 23.7% to 1.38 million tons from 1.12 million tons in August last year. Jet fuel exports were 1.55 million tons, up 98.1% from 780,000 tons a year earlier. China's surging fuel exports have coincided with monthly refinery throughput rising to a record 15.23 million bpd in August. (This story has been corrected to say that domestic flight levels are around 17% above pre-pandemic levels, not 17% of pre-pandemic levels, in paragraph 7)Reporting by Andrew Hayley; Editing by Christian SchmollingerOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Stringer, refiners, Andrew Hayley, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Dalian Airlines, REUTERS, Administration, Customs, Total, Domestic, Jet, Citi, Thomson Locations: Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, China, BEIJING

August throughput was also up from July's 14.87 million bpd. Year-to-date throughput gained 11.9% from a year earlier to 491.4 million tons, or 14.76 million bpd. The NBS data on Friday also showed China's domestic crude oil production in August gained 3.1% from a year earlier to 17.47 million metric tons, or 4.11 million bpd. The year-to-date volume rose 2.1% from a year earlier to 139.85 million tons, or 4.2 million bpd. Natural gas production last month rose 6.3% from a year earlier to 18.1 billion cubic metres (bcm), the NBS said.

Persons: Andrew Hayley, Chen Aizhu, Christian Schmollinger Organizations: Air, National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, Thomson

"We've certainly seen Australia's reputation being affected as some existing buyers expressed interest in diversifying their suppliers for long-term supply," said Ryhana Rasidi, LNG analyst at analytics firm Kpler. "Australia is the closest gas supplier we can get. By far, Australia, U.S. and Qatar are the three pillars in LNG supply chain. As well as its political stability, its proximity to Asia might be Australia's saving grace, industry analysts say. "Ties are very strong between North Asia and Australia as a legacy supplier, so many participants are keen to continue the relationship," said Kaushal Ramesh, LNG analyst at Rystad Energy.

Persons: Inpex, Resources Madeleine King, We've, Ryhana, Jane Liao, Kaushal Ramesh, Emily Chow, Yuka Obayashi, Muyu Xu, Andrew Hayley, Joyce Lee, Lewis Jackson, Florence Tan Organizations: Reuters, Chevron, Handout, REUTERS, Rights, Workers, Japan's Kyushu Electric Power, Chevron's, Woodside Energy, West Shelf, South, Resources, Taiwan, Tohoku Electric Power, Kyushu Electric Power, Osaka Gas, Rystad Energy, Thomson Locations: Chevron, Barrow Island, Australia, Rights SINGAPORE, TOKYO, Qatar, United States, Western Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Ukraine, Oman, U.S, Asia, Singapore, Tokyo, Beijing, Seoul, Sydney

[1/2] Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gestures during a meeting with Chile's Ambassador to Venezuela Jaime Gazmuri, at Miraflores Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela August 16, 2023. Energy trade, debt repayment and new financing likely are the main focus of the Sept. 8-14 visit, officials and sources said. Beijing's decision to host Maduro coincides with a G20 summit in New Delhi this weekend, which Chinese President Xi Jinping will not attend. In 2020, the Maduro administration and Chinese banks again agreed to a grace period on some $19 billion of Chinese debt, according to Reuters reporting. Despite sanctions on Venezuela, China imported around 390,000 barrels per day of crude from the country between January and August this year, totalling roughly 12.9 million metric tons, data from commodities consultancy Vortexa showed.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela Jaime Gazmuri, Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Han Zheng, Wang Yi, hegemonism, Han, Pedro Tellechea, Tellechea, Xi Jinping, Maduro, Hugo Chavez's, Joe Biden's, PDVSA, CNPC, Donald Trump, Andrew Hayley, Liz Lee, Joe Cash, Vivian Seuqera, Mayela, Marianna Parraga, Christopher Cushing, Frances Kerry, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, West, Energy, China National Petroleum Corp, Venezuelan, Venezuelan Oil, Shanghai International Energy Exchange, Shanghai Petroleum, Natural Gas Exchange, South, Shanghai, Mayela Armas, Thomson Locations: Venezuela, Miraflores, Caracas, Rights BEIJING, CARACAS, China, OPEC, Beijing, Shanghai, Asia, New Delhi, Malaysia, South American, Houston

[1/2] Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro gestures during a meeting with Chile's Ambassador to Venezuela Jaime Gazmuri, at Miraflores Palace, in Caracas, Venezuela August 16, 2023. REUTERS/Leonardo Fernandez Viloria/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Sept 8 (Reuters) - Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro will visit China over Sept. 8-14, China's foreign ministry said on Friday, marking renewed engagement between the two countries amid deepening tensions between Beijing and Western capitals. The visit coincides with the G20 summit in New Delhi this weekend, which China's president Xi Jinping will not attend. China is the world's largest importers of crude oil, while Venezuela has the largest proven reserves. The company stopped carrying Venezuelan oil in August 2019 after the Trump administration tightened sanctions against the South American exporter.

Persons: Nicolas Maduro, Venezuela Jaime Gazmuri, Leonardo Fernandez Viloria, Wang Yi, Delcy Rodriguez, Xi Jinping, Maduro, Xi, Trump, Hugo Chavez, Andrew Hayley, Liz Lee, Christopher Cushing Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Venezuelan, UN, Energy, South, Thomson Locations: Venezuela, Miraflores, Caracas, Rights BEIJING, China, Beijing, Shanghai, New Delhi, Kpler, Malaysia, South American

REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Files Acquire Licensing RightsSummary Crude imports jump 30.9% from last year to 12.43 million bpdNatural gas imports up 22.7% from last yearRefined fuel exports rise month-on-monthBEIJING, Sept 7 (Reuters) - China's crude oil imports surged in August, customs data showed on Thursday, as refiners built inventories and increased processing to benefit from higher profits from exporting fuel. China's imports have increased from last year since domestic fuel demand is no longer being suppressed by widespread curbs to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the broader outlook for China's economy remains gloomy, with a weaker property sector and sluggish domestic consumption weighing on fuel demand. read moreAt the same time, oil product exports are rising as refiners cash in on rising profit margins from selling fuel overseas. Refined fuel exports last month rose to 5.89 million tons, customs said, up from 5.31 million tons in July and 23.3% than a year earlier.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Xu Peng, Xu, Andrew Hayley, Tom Hogue Organizations: REUTERS, Administration, Customs, Citi, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, Beijing

☆ The rich are competing with private equity to buy sports teams. Here is how they are getting creative in a crowded field.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-06 | by ( Hayley Cuccinello | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Valuations show no signs of cooling off with billionaires and private equity firms in bidding wars. Bankers to the rich told Insider which sports are drawing moneyed clients. Now rich individuals have to compete with institutional investors like private equity firms and sovereign wealth funds for a limited number of teams. As a result, aspiring team owners have gotten more creative to seal the deal. "It's never going to be a private equity type of model where these assets will be exited every five years," he told Insider.

Persons: Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, LeBron James, Milwaukee Bucks Marc Lasry, Brian Kantarian, Josh Harris, Kantarian, Ivo Voynov, It's, Gerry Cardinale, Voynov Organizations: Bankers, Sports, NBA, Wrexham AFC, Milwaukee Bucks, NFL, Citi Private Bank, Europe's Big Five, XFL, JPMorgan Locations: Washington, Europe, Plenty, Wall

Investors had expected Saudi Arabia and Russia to extend voluntary cuts into October, but the three-month extension was unexpected. "This is a clear indication that oil prices trump volume (for Saudi Arabia)," said Jorge Leon, senior vice president at Rystad Energy. "These bullish moves significantly tighten the global oil market and can only result in one thing: higher oil prices worldwide," Leon added. Both Saudi Arabia and Russia said they would review the supply cuts monthly, and could modify them depending on market conditions. Along with the Saudi supply cuts, which began in July, prospects of the U.S. economy avoiding a hard recession have helped lift oil demand and prices in recent months.

Persons: Nick Oxford, Brent, Goldman Sachs, Jorge Leon, Leon, Giovanni Staunovo, Shariq Khan, Natalie Grover, Katya Golubkova, Andrew Hayley, Andrea Ricci, Nick Macfie, Timothy Gardner Organizations: Midland , Texas U.S, REUTERS, Brent, . West Texas, Investors, Rystad Energy, UBS, Thomson Locations: Midland , Texas, Saudi Arabia, Russia, BENGALURU, 4Q23, U.S, Saudi

☆ Oil jumps as Saudi Arabia and Russia extend supply cuts to end-2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-05 | by ( Natalie Grover | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Riyadh's decision to extend its 1 million bpd voluntary cut will be reviewed monthly to consider whether to deepen the cut or increase production, state news agency SPA said on Tuesday. It has been cutting output and exports in tandem with Saudi Arabia on top of existing OPEC+ supply reductions. Russia had said it would cut oil exports voluntarily by 500,000 bpd, about 5% of its output, in August and by 300,000 bpd in September. Although Saudi Arabia was widely expected to extend its voluntary cuts into October, and Russia had indicated that it too planned on expanding its cut through next month, the three month extension was unexpected. Brent, which is used to price over three-quarters of the world's traded oil, has been rising since late June, after Riyadh first announced its voluntary cuts.

Persons: Nick Oxford, Alexander Novak, Craig Erlam, Brent, Natalie Grover, Katya Golubkova, Andrew Hayley, Sharon Singleton, Jason Neely, Jan Harvey, David Goodman, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: Midland , Texas U.S, REUTERS, Brent, West Texas, OPEC, Reuters, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Midland , Texas, Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S, Brent, Riyadh, London, Tokyo, Beijing

Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) October futures rose $2.42, or about 2.8%, to $87.97 a barrel, also a 10-month high. Investors had expected Saudi Arabia and Russia to extend voluntary cuts into October, but the three-month extension was unexpected"It would appear they're trying to double down and capitalize on the recent price moves. Both countries said they would review the supply cuts monthly, and could modify them depending on market conditions. Prospects of the U.S. economy avoiding a hard recession have helped lift oil demand and prices in recent months. Brent futures, which are used to price over three-quarters of the world's traded oil, have gained by about 26% since late June, after Riyadh first announced its voluntary cuts.

Persons: Nick Oxford, Goldman Sachs, Craig Erlam, Brent, Giovanni Staunovo, Natalie Grover, Katya Golubkova, Andrew Hayley, Andrea Ricci Organizations: Midland , Texas U.S, REUTERS, Brent, West Texas, Investors, Reuters, bbl, UBS, Thomson Locations: Midland , Texas, Saudi Arabia, Russia, BENGALURU, U.S, 4Q23, Riyadh, London, Tokyo, Beijing

Saudi Arabia has spearheaded efforts to support prices, making large voluntary output cuts as part of a production deal agreed by the OPEC+ producer group comprising the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies including Russia. Saudi Arabia's previous announcements have come ahead of its official selling prices, which typically emerge in the first week of the month. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, meanwhile, has said that Moscow had agreed with OPEC+ partners on the parameters for continued export cuts in October. Saudi Arabia and Russia could withdraw the cuts at any point, said OANDA analyst Craig Erlam, "but I can't imagine they'll be in any rush and risk sending the price tumbling again." The oil market is vulnerable to price spikes due to low inventories and underinvestment in new oilfields, a senior official at global commodities trading firm Trafigura (TRAFGF.UL) said on Monday.

Persons: Alexander Novak, Craig Erlam, Brent, Russell Hardy, Xi, John Evans, Stephanie Kelly, Paul Carsten, Natalie Grover, Mohi Narayan, Yousef Saba, Andrew Hayley, Jason Neely, David Goodman, Mike Harrison Organizations: Companies, U.S . Federal, of, Petroleum, Saudi, . West Texas, . U.S, Federal, Thomson Locations: Companies Saudi Arabia, Russia, Saudi Arabia, OPEC, Moscow, India, Kuwait, Jizan, Oman, China, ., New York, London, New Delhi, Dubai, Beijing

LONDON, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Oil prices were stable on Monday amid expectations that major producers would keep supplies tight, as hopes grew for the Federal Reserve to leave interest rates unchanged to avoid dampening the U.S. economy. Both contracts ended last week at their highest in more than half a year, after two previous weeks of losses. "Crude oil prices have been primarily driven by the anticipation of additional supply cuts from major oil-producing nations, Russia and Saudi Arabia," said Sugandha Sachdeva, executive vice president and chief strategist at Acme Investment Advisors. Saudi Arabia is expected to roll over a voluntary 1-million-barrel per day (bpd) cut into October. Saudi Arabia's previous announcements on its voluntary cut extension came ahead of its official selling prices, which typically come out in the first week of the month.

Persons: Sugandha Sachdeva, Sachdeva, Alexander Novak, Russell Hardy, Paul Carsten, Mohi Narayan, Yousef Saba, Andrew Hayley, Simon Clarence Fernandez, Jason Neely Organizations: Federal Reserve, Brent, . West Texas, Acme Investment Advisors, Saudi, Russia, Organization of, Petroleum, Reserve, PMI, Investors, Thomson Locations: U.S, Russia, Saudi Arabia, India, Kuwait, Jizan, Oman, China, London, New Delhi, Dubai, Beijing

☆ Oil steady amid OPEC+ supply cut expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( Mohi Narayan | Thomson Reuters | Reports On Everything How Asia S Fuel Use Recovers The Fallout Of To Tracking How The Global Energy Transition Impacts Refinery Expansion Plans | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

NEW DELHI, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Oil prices were stable on Monday, amid expectations that major producers would keep supplies tight, as hopes grew for the Federal Reserve to leave interest rates unchanged to avoid dampening the U.S. economy. "Crude oil prices have been primarily driven by the anticipation of additional supply cuts from major oil-producing nations, Russia and Saudi Arabia," said Sugandha Sachdeva, executive vice president and chief strategist at Acme Investment Advisors. Sachdeva added, however, that the steady increase in U.S. oil production could limit further significant gains in price. Russia has already said it will cut exports by 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) in September, following a 500,000-bpd cut in August. "Because of the OPEC+ cuts, there's not sufficient supply (of sour crude) for all these complex refineries in India, Kuwait, Jizan, Oman and China," Hardy said.

Persons: Sugandha Sachdeva, Sachdeva, Alexander Novak, Russell Hardy, there's, Hardy, Mohi Narayan, Andrew Hayley, Simon Cameron, Moore, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: Federal Reserve, Brent, . West Texas, Acme Investment Advisors, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: DELHI, U.S, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, India, Kuwait, Jizan, Oman, China, New Delhi, Beijing

☆ Oil rises on China, US economic data and OPEC+ cut expectations
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Sept 4 (Reuters) - Oil prices ticked up in Asian morning trade on Monday, as market sentiment was buoyed by positive China and U.S. economic data, as well as expectations of ongoing crude supply cuts from major producers. In the U.S., employment data was higher than expected on Friday, with nonfarm payrolls increasing by 187,000 jobs last month. An official announcement with details of the planned cuts is expected this week. Russia has already said it will cut exports by 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) in September, following a 500,000 bpd cut in August. Saudi Arabia is also expected to roll over a voluntary 1 million bpd cut into October.

Persons: Brent, nonfarm, Alexander Novak's, Andrew Hayley, Jamie Freed Organizations: . West Texas, Beijing, Federal Reserve, Organization of, Petroleum, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, China, U.S, Russia, Saudi Arabia

☆ Remote work flexibility allows travelers to tap into lower prices, says Hopper's Hayley Berg
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-31 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailRemote work flexibility allows travelers to tap into lower prices, says Hopper's Hayley BergHayley Berg, Hooper lead economist, joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the latest travel trends, labor day travel demand, impact of remote work, and more.

Persons: Hopper's Hayley Berg Hayley Berg, Hooper

☆ How Best Buy is winning the war against retail theft
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Hayley Peterson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

But Best Buy said Tuesday that theft at its stores has remained relatively stable. On Tuesday's call, Barry rattled off a list of strategies that she said has helped Best Buy combat theft. Best Buy employs security workers at store entrancesBarry said Best Buy employs asset-protection employees at its front doors. Best Buy stores have one entrance and few self-checkout registersBarry highlighted other features of Best Buy's stores as theft deterrents. Best Buy is locking away some merchandiseBarry said Best Buy has started removing some items from the sales floor that could be prime targets for thieves.

Persons: —, Corie Barry, Dick's, Barry, Matt Kelley, Richard Galanti, we've Organizations: Walmart, Service, Dick's Sporting Goods, Costco, LiveView Technologies Locations: Wall, Silicon

☆ Best Buy declares the 'low point' in tech sales after years of declines
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Hayley Peterson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Best Buy's CEO said we're in "the low point in tech demand after two years of sales declines." "We continue to expect that this year will be the low point in tech demand after two years of sales declines," Best Buy CEO Corie Barry said Tuesday on a call with analysts after the company reported its second-quarter earnings. Best Buy is already seeing glimmers of stabilization in categories like home theater, executives said on the call. AdvertisementAdvertisementBut first, Best Buy has to get through the rest of this year. "Best Buy faces a tough environment in which few consumers are looking to splurge on big-ticket items such as home theaters, TVs, and appliances," Stambor wrote.

Persons: we're, Macy's, Corie Barry, Barry, Zak Stambor, Stambor Organizations: Shoppers, Service, Chase, Walmart, Amazon, Costco, Intelligence Locations: Wall, Silicon

REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Taiwan will spend an extra T$94.3 billion ($2.97 billion) to buy weapons next year including fighter jets to bolster its defences against China, the government said on Thursday, and will get a further boost from new F-16 fighter jet tracking systems. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen already announced on Monday that overall proposed defence spending for 2024 would be set at T$606.8 billion, a 3.5% increase from the previous year. The United States on Wednesday approved a possible $500 million sale to Taiwan of infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets, as well as other equipment. China, which routinely denounces any foreign arms sales to Taiwan, urged the United States to immediately cancel the planned sale, its foreign ministry said. Tsai has overseen a military modernisation programme to make the armed forces better able to face China, including upgrading a fleet of F-16 fighter jets and developing submarines.

Persons: Ann Wang, Tsai Ing, Po, huei, Tsai, Ben Blanchard, Faith Hung, Andrew Hayley, Christopher Cushing, Miral Organizations: Taiwan's Defence Ministry, REUTERS, Rights, United States, Democratic Progressive Party, Thomson Locations: Taichung, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Taipei, United States, United, Beijing

Markets await hints on the outlook for interest rates when Federal Reserve officials and policy makers from the European Central Bank, the Bank of England and the Bank of Japan head to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, for an annual meeting later this week. Earlier on Wednesday, Japan posted shrinking factory activity for a third straight month in August, and the euro zone, France, Germany, Britain and the United States are set to release their own purchasing managers' index (PMI) data later in the day. Crucial to shoring up oil demand over the rest of the year is China, the world's second-largest economy. Crude stocks in the United States continued to fall, dropping by about 2.4 million barrels in the week ended Aug. 18, according to market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. That was a slightly smaller draw than a drop of 2.9 million barrels analysts expected in a Reuters poll.

Persons: Jackson, Brent, Hiroyuki Kikukawa, John Evans, Paul Carsten, Yuka Obayashi, Andrew Hayley, Clarence Fernandez, Mark Potter Organizations: Danang Petroleum Machinery Technology JSC, U.S, West Texas, Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of England, Bank of Japan, U.S . Federal, NS, Nissan Securities, PVM, Organization of, Petroleum, American Petroleum Institute, Energy Information Administration, Thomson Locations: Danang, United States, Jackson Hole , Wyoming, Japan, France, Germany, Britain, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, U.S, London, Tokyo, Beijing

REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBEIJING, Aug 23 (Reuters) - Oil prices ticked up in Asian trade on Wednesday, as markets weighed weak demand indicators from top importer China and the prospect of further U.S. rate hikes against potential supply tightness. "Concerns over higher interest rates and sluggish demand in China are expected to outweigh tightening supply from OPEC+ in the short term." China, the world's second-largest economy, is considered crucial to shoring up oil demand over the rest of the year. That was a slightly smaller draw than a drop of 2.9 million barrels analysts expected in a Reuters poll. "Following the massive draw of 6.2 million barrels a week earlier, overall supplies conditions still lean on the tighter end," said Jun Rong Yeap, a market strategist at IG in Singapore.

Persons: Lucy Nicholson, Brent, Jackson, Hiroyuki Kikukawa, Rong Yeap, Yuka Obayashi, Andrew Hayley, Sonali Paul, Clarence Fernandez Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, China, West Texas, Federal Reserve, European Central Bank, Bank of England, Bank of Japan, U.S . Federal, NS, Nissan Securities, Organization of, Petroleum, American Petroleum Institute, IG, Energy Information Administration, Thomson Locations: Bakersfield , California, Rights BEIJING, Jackson Hole , Wyoming, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, OPEC, United States, Singapore, U.S, Tokyo, Beijing

☆ Australia’s fairytale home Women’s World Cup ends in defeat to Sweden in third-place playoff
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( Issy Ronald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —It has been a history-making, game-changing Women’s World Cup for Australia, but the Matildas’ participation in the tournament ended in a 2-0 defeat to Sweden in the third-place playoff on Saturday. Still, this match marked new frontiers for women’s soccer in Australia following a World Cup which has seen soccer mania grip the nation as the Matildas achieved its best ever result in the tournament. For Sweden, finishing third is a familiar way to end the World Cup, having done so in 1991, 1995 and 2019, and it marks a brighter end to the tournament after a heartbreaking loss to Spain in their semifinal’s dying moments. Sweden dominatesSweden had the better of the early exchanges, forcing the Matildas off the ball and dominating possession. Justin Setterfield/Getty ImagesRolfö stepped up and coolly prodded the ball into the side netting, inches beyond Arnold’s outstretched fingertips, and gave Sweden a 1-0 lead.

Persons: Fridolina, Kosovare Asllani, Blackstenius, Mackenzie Arnold, Fridolina Rolfö, Justin Setterfield, Rolfö, Filippa Angeldal, Arnold, Zećira, Sweden's Amanda Ilestedt, Australia's Hayley Raso, Amanda Perobelli, halve, Claire Polkinghorne’s, Sam Kerr – Organizations: CNN, Australia, Sweden Locations: Sweden, Australia, Brisbane, Spain, Asllani

☆ Clinical Sweden beat Australia to clinch third place at World Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"We wanted to bring home a medal for this team, for the fans, for family and friends, for this country," Australia coach Tony Gustavsson said. Both teams were unchanged from the sides that started the semi-finals, where Australia were beaten 3-1 by England and Sweden lost 2-1 to Spain. We deserve this medal," Rolfo said. "I hope that this tournament can raise the standard for players in Australia and also that clubs get better and more professional. I think this tournament has been great for Australia in general."

Persons: Kosovare Asllani, Amanda Perobelli, Fridolina, Clare Hunt, Rolfo, Asllani, Mackenzie Arnold, Tony Gustavsson, Blackstenius, Arnold, Ellie Carpenter, Hayley Raso, Raso, Zecira Musovic, Gustavsson, Kerr, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Soccer Football, FIFA, Brisbane, Rights, Sweden, Thomson Locations: New Zealand, Sweden, Brisbane, Australia, Lang, England, Spain, Sydney, Hyderabad

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