Oil prices climbed on Monday as Saudi Arabia's decision to raise crude prices for its sales in July increased supply concerns although the OPEC+ group pledged a limited output boost.

International benchmark Brent crude was trading at $120.38 per barrel at 0640 GMT for a 0.55% increase after closing the previous session at $119.72 a barrel.

American benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was at $119.53 per barrel at the same time for a 0.55% gain after the previous session closed at $118.87 a barrel.

Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, increased oil prices for its Asian customers as several economies in the region removed coronavirus restrictions, putting supply pressure on prices amid boosting demand in the region versus limited supply.

Saudi Arabia's decision came after the 23-member OPEC+ group agreed to increase its oil-supply by about 50% from July, pushing the Brent oil price over $120 a barrel.

On Thursday, OPEC+ ministers decided to add 648,000 barrels of oil per day (bpd) to the market in July and August, up from 432,000 bpd in recent months.

Relieving supply concerns, Iraq said on Friday that its oil production would reach 4.58 million bpd in July and August.

The country’s economy is heavily dependent on crude oil exports, which provide more than 90% of the country's revenue.

The lack of supply comes as the market faces strong demand across most major regions, ANZ commodity strategist Daniel Hynes said in an e-mailed note.

He stressed that driving season in the US kicked off strongly with travel on national roads back above 2019 levels.

“Gasoline futures in the US hit a record high of USD4.19/gallon. The market is also facing a rebound in demand in China,” he added./aa

Millions of people around the world are celebrating the annual World Environment Day on Sunday.

Organized by the UN Environment Program, World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 in over 150 countries to encourage global awareness and action for the protection of the environment.

Held annually since 1973, the day has also become a vital platform for promoting progress on the environmental dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), according to the UN.

The theme of this year’s day is "Only One Earth" with a focus on "living sustainably in harmony with nature."

Many environmental NGOs and individuals across the world are holding various campaigns, including the planting of trees and waste collection.


Marking the day, the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said: "We are asking too much of our planet to maintain our unsustainable ways of life."

The UN Environment Program said that tens of millions of people around the world are joining global conversations on social media to demand urgent action regarding conserving and restoring the environment.

Inger Andersen, executive director of the UN Environment Program highlighted the need for increased efforts toward protecting the environment.

"We have to restore nature to its full glory. We have to transform our food systems. We have to make our cities green," she said at the official event held in the Swedish capital Stockholm.


Pledges toward a 'green world'

In addition to celebrations and events, policy-makers have announced new steps toward protecting the environment on the occasion of World Environment Day.

Swedish Environment Minister Annika Strandhall announced that they will ban issuing new licenses for the extraction of coal, oil, and natural gas as of July 1 this year.

"As part of our efforts to implement our climate ambitions, we must take actions against activities that have a negative impact on our health and our environment," she said at the event.

Referring to Türkiye’s new initiatives toward the environment and preventing the effects of climate change, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that they accelerated structural transformations both with legislative changes and concrete projects in line with the "green development revolution."

He announced that in line with the goal to establish 81 million square meters (871 million square meters) of gardens across the nation's 81 provinces, a total of 450 projects have been undertaken.

Meanwhile in India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the global initiative 'Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE) Movement' to raise awareness about sustainable lifestyles.

As part of the day, New Zealand’s Government also announced that the Styx Living Laboratory and partners will receive $4.12 million of Jobs for Nature funding to protect the Styx River.

Additionally, Argentina, Singapore, Canada, and Uganda also announced a series of projects toward reaching a more sustainable environment and the planet, according to the UN Environment./aa

Türkiye continues to act to prevent the destruction of nature, the country's president said on Sunday.

"As Türkiye, we have taken and continue to take steps with the sensitivity that our civilization has taught us to prevent the destruction of nature and to sensitize our relationship with nature," Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a statement on the occasion of World Environment Day.

Erdogan went on to say: "We accelerated our structural transformations both with legislative changes and concrete projects in line with the green development revolution."

Stressing the importance of every step towards protecting nature for the future of humanity, he stated: "We have always supported environmentally friendly approaches, pioneered the construction of more livable cities, and ensured energy diversity by prioritizing renewable energy."

Adding that the largest afforestation campaign in Türkiye's history was being conducted to increase the country's forest cover, Erdogan said that, in line with the goal to establish 81 million square meters of gardens across the nation's 81 provinces, a total of 450 projects have been undertaken.

"We have demonstrated our sincerity in protecting nature by declaring our 2053 Net Zero Emission target to the world," he also noted.

Organized by the UN Environment Program, World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 in over 100 countries to encourage global awareness and action for the protection of the environment./aa

Turkish security forces have "neutralized" at least 16 PKK/YPG terrorists in northern Syria, the country's National Defense Ministry said on Sunday.

The ministry said on Twitter that the terrorists were targeted in a successful operation as they had opened harassing gunfire against the Operation Peace Spring, Operation Olive Branch, and Operation Euphrates Shield anti-terror zones.

Turkish authorities use the term "neutralized" to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

Since 2016, Ankara has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot./aa

At least 49 people died and more than 300 others were injured as a devastating fire in Bangladesh's southern port city of Chattogram has continued to burn for nearly 24 hours, an official said on Sunday.

"We have a record of 49 deaths till now and more than 300 injuries. Of them, the condition of some is very critical. We have already shifted some patients to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) while some others to capital Dhaka by the military helicopter for better treatment," Brig. Gen. Md. Shamim Ahsan, director of Chattogram Medical College Hospital, told Anadolu Agency about the fire in a container depot at the port.

Among the people killed also included nine firefighters who rushed to the scene and took part in the rescue operations, Brig. Gen. Md Main Uddin, director general of the fire service department, told Anadolu Agency.

Dozens of firefighters and police officers were also reportedly injured during the rescue operation.

Some local media outlets reported that more than 400 people have been injured in the incident.

A total of 25 firefighters and civil defense units worked to douse the blaze since Saturday night while 250 members of the Bangladesh army also joined them in the rescue operation on Sunday.

The fire erupted at around 11.00 p.m. local time (1700GMT) in the city's Sitakunda area.

Eyewitnesses and rescue workers said the flames started in a container and rapidly spread to others in the depot that contains more than 1,000 containers.

Many senior officials, including the city's mayor, have visited the site and vowed to uncover what caused the fire.

The authorities said, however, that the deadly conflagration had caused huge economic losses as it gutted many containers laden with chemicals and other materials in the South Asian nation's main exporting sector of the readymade garments industry.

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, and Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen have expressed their condolences over the loss of lives.

Hasina assured compensation to the families of the dead and asked all concerned authorities to provide due treatment to the injured at the utmost priority.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan government expressed condolences over the loss of lives in the tragic incident in Bangladesh.

"Deeply saddened by the loss of precious lives due to fire at a container facility in Bangladesh. Profound condolences to the families of the victims, the government, and the brotherly people of Bangladesh. We pray for quick recovery of the injured," Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said on Twitter./aa

Protests and strikes against environmental degradation continued across the globe in May, with demonstrators demanding decisive action to tackle climate change.

Activists and netizens continued online campaigns and street protests. The events included Fridays for Future's weekly protests as well as anti-government protests over failing climate policies.

Below is a timeline of protests and demonstrations compiled by Anadolu Agency:

May 1:

Ukrainian environmental activists gather in the capital Kyiv to protest European payment for Russian fossil fuels as part of the "#EndFossilsandWars!" campaign.


May 4:

On the proposed EU ban on Russian fossil fuels, Greenpeace says, this is overdue, but "must be followed by immediate measures to unhook Europe from oil completely."

May 5:

Activists in Spain’s Malaga city protest at the Naturgy thermal power plant against energy companies using Russian fossil fuels.

May 6:

During the first Fridays for Future strike of the month, climate activists and environmental protesters continue to raise awareness of climate change, with nonprofit groups supporting their efforts.

Ahead of the general election in Australia, thousands of climate activists hold a rally in Sydney, demanding more concrete steps against climate change.

May 8:

Referring to media reports on cutting down India’s Hasdeo forest for coal mining, the Fridays for Future movement says it will have “devastating long-term consequences for the natural heritage of Chhattisgarh" as well as the lives and livelihoods of millions.

Climate activists on social media celebrate the 96th birthday of wildlife historian and broadcaster David Attenborough.


May 12:

Volunteers in Caracas, Venezuela, hold a waste collection campaign ahead of World Recycling Day on May 17.

May 13:

On the second Fridays for Future strike of May, climate activists and environmental protesters continue to raise awareness of climate change and environmental issues.

On the 75th week of climate protests, activists in Jaffrey, New Hampshire draw trees and write down "Protect our world" to raise awareness on the protection of the environment.

May 14:

Fridays for Future condemns the Berlin police's decision to ban the Nakba commemoration demonstrations, saying: "Freedom to assemble is a fundamental human right and we are appalled by this act of repression."

May 16:

Greenpeace activists stop a Greek-flagged tanker carrying 33,000 tons of Russian diesel from docking in southern UK.

May 18:

Rise up Movement activist Vanessa Nakate in Uganda highlights the importance of climate finance and says: "There is no climate justice without climate finance."


May 20:

Fridays for Future holds the third strike of the month, with climate activists and environmental protesters raising awareness of climate change and environmental issues.

Along with other climate activists, Jane Mellett marks the 180th week of her climate protest in the Irish capital Dublin.

May 23:

Animal rights activists in the Indonesian capital Jakarta hold a demonstration in front of the Environment Ministry, protesting the hunting and trade of wildlife.

May 25:

Around 250 activists block the entrance to TotalEnergies annual general meeting in Paris and many shareholders were unable to attend the meeting.

May 27:

Fridays for Future holds the last strike of the month, with climate activists and environmental protesters raising awareness of climate change and environmental issues.

Parents For Future Global initiative writes a letter on ending fossil fuel use, calling everyone to take part by signing it as "we are calling on governments to negotiate, adopt and implement a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, for the sake of the children we love."

May 29:

A group of British climate activists hold a protest outside the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in London, against the approval of new oil and gas projects.

May 31:

To raise awareness of the environmental impacts of tobacco use, Indian sand artist Sundarsan Pattnaik makes a large skeleton that rests on many large cigarette butts on a beach in Odisha./aa

A week after the mass shooting in an elementary school in Texas, another shooting case was reported in United States' Philadelphia city. Three people were killed and at least 11 others wounded in a popular downtown Philadelphia entertainment district late Saturday night, authorities said.

Police officers were patrolling the area on South Street in downtown Philadelphia when they heard multiple gunshots and witnessed several suspects firing into a large crowd just before midnight, Police Inspector D. F. Pace said during a news conference.

An officer shot at one of the suspects from about 30 feet (9 meters) away, but it is unclear if the suspect was hit, Pace said.

"You can imagine there were hundreds of individuals just enjoying South Street, as they do every single weekend when this shooting broke out," Pace said.

Two men and a woman were among those killed in the shooting, he said. Their names were not made public by authorities. Thomas Jefferson University Hospital spokesperson Damien Woods said, of the 10 patients who came to the hospital, three were dead, six were in stable condition and one had been discharged.

Two handguns were recovered, including one with an extended magazine, police said. No arrests have been made.

South Street is known for its entertainment venues and nightlife with multiple bars, restaurants and businesses.

Surveillance video from a local business posted by WTXF-TV showed scores of people milling about on the sidewalks and in the street who then suddenly began to flee en masse as the gunfire began.

Pace said police expect to be able to gather "a lot of video surveillance footage" from the many businesses along the street later in the day to try to identify suspects.

Mayor Jim Kenney called the shooting "beyond devastating."

"Once again, we see lives senselessly lost and those injured in yet another horrendous, brazen and despicable act of gun violence," he said in a statement Sunday morning. "My heart is with the family, friends and loved ones of those lost or injured, and with everyone impacted by this terrible tragedy. "

Kenney said the surge in gun violence in the city and across the nation "makes me not just heartbroken, but angry." He said, however, that fighting it would be "an uphill battle" without measures to address the "availability and ease of access to firearms."

Eric Walsh, closing up the outdoor seating area of a bar along the block, told The Philadelphia Inquirer that the scene was "chaos." He said he saw a young woman collapse to the ground on the corner.

"People were coming off the street with blood splatters on white sneakers and skinned knees and skinned elbows," Walsh said. "We literally just were balling up napkins and wetting them and handing them to people."/AP

As many as 59 Rohingyas were found stranded on a Thai island, claiming they were abandoned by smugglers during their journey to Malaysia, a senior police officer said Sunday.

The group – among them five children – were found on Koh Dong island in the southern Satun province on Saturday, said Lt. Gen. Surachet Hakpan.

Each year, thousands of the mostly Muslim minority Rohingya people, heavily persecuted in Buddhist-majority Myanmar, risk their lives in monthslong expensive journeys to reach Malaysia over Thailand's seas.

Police said they had been charged with illegal entry and could face deportation to Myanmar following a court case.

"We are providing humanitarian assistance and will investigate whether they are victims of human trafficking or if they entered illegally," Surachet said.

The group appeared "starving and was likely to have had no food for three to five days", a police statement said.

Group members told officers their boat was among three vessels carrying 178 people that had left Myanmar and Bangladesh, having paid an agent around 5,000 ringgit ($1,300) for the journey.

The first two boats carrying 119 people were stopped and arrested by Malaysian authorities, according to the Thai police statement.

The boat's crew then decided to abandon those onboard on Koh Dong island – telling them that they had reached Malaysia, the group told officers.

The incident comes after the bodies of 14 Rohingya people, including children, were discovered washed up on a beach last month after they attempted to flee Myanmar.

Hundreds of thousands of Rohingya people fled a military crackdown in the nation in 2017, bringing with them harrowing stories of murder, rape and arson.

Those still in Myanmar are widely seen as interlopers from Bangladesh and are largely denied citizenship, many rights and access to healthcare and education.

Muslim-majority Malaysia is a key destination for Rohingya fleeing persecution in Myanmar or refugee camps in Bangladesh.

In 2019, a Thai boat captain was charged with smuggling 65 Rohingya people from Myanmar after their vessel was shipwrecked on an island off the coast of Satun province.

The same area was the hub of a multimillion-dollar trafficking route, which unraveled in 2015 after the discovery of mass graves of Rohingya and Bangladeshi migrants along the border with Malaysia./AFP