
Russian Oil Discount Lowest Since Start of War Despite EU Push
The grade shipped from Russia's western ports has traded at an average discount of $11.45 a barrel to the North Sea Dated marker in recent days, according to Argus Media data compiled by Bloomberg. That's the narrowest gap since February 2022, when Russia started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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Business Insider
17 minutes ago
- Business Insider
Breakaway African region courts U.S. with military base, minerals in push for recognition
Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, is offering the United States a military base near the mouth of the Red Sea and access to critical minerals as part of its bid for international recognition. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and seeks U.S. recognition offering strategic cooperation. Somaliland's president is negotiating with U.S. officials for military and economic partnerships amid African geopolitics. Somaliland claims to provide security benefits, highlighting its peaceful status compared to Somalia's instability. Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991, is offering the United States a military base near the mouth of the Red Sea and access to critical minerals as part of its bid for international recognition. Although Washington continues to recognise Somalia's sovereignty over the territory, Somaliland's President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi is actively courting US support, positioning the semi-autonomous region in the broader contest for strategic influence and resources in Africa, as both China and the US seek to deepen their footprint on the continent, according to a Bloomberg report. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi, who took office as president of Somaliland in 2024, said his administration is in talks with the U.S. Embassy in Somalia and the Department of Defence to forge new partnerships focused on security, counter-terrorism, and economic cooperation. Somaliland has sought international recognition since declaring independence from Somalia in 1991. While Somalia has endured decades of civil war and Islamist insurgency, Somaliland has remained largely peaceful, making it an appealing partner for foreign powers looking to bolster regional security. ' If the US is interested to land in Somaliland they are most welcome,' Abdullahi said, adding he would be prepared to offer the US a critical-minerals deal for products such as lithium. Strategic stakes at the Red Sea gateway Recognising Somaliland could bolster America's strategic positioning at the Red Sea's gateway, where Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have targeted ships linked to the U.S., Israel, and other nations supporting the war in Gaza. However, recognition poses diplomatic risks. Washington would have to weigh its support for Somaliland against its broader security ties with Somalia, where the U.S. has played a leading role in countering Islamic State and Al-Qaeda affiliates. Though Ambassador Richard Riley and other American officials have met with Somaliland's leadership to explore mutual interests in the Horn of Africa, the U.S. State Department said it is not in active talks about recognising Somaliland as an independent state. 'The United States recognises the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Somalia, which includes Somaliland,' the department said in a statement. President Abdullahi said he plans to visit the United States soon and emphasised that Somaliland's offer of economic and security cooperation, including potential deals on critical minerals, is not contingent on formal recognition from Washington or Donald Trump. When asked about the possibility of hosting a U.S. military base, he said discussions are still ongoing. 'We are now still discussing issues. We are looking forward to that discussion bearing fruit in the future,' he said. Somaliland's presence in Africa remains unanchored. Though it broke away from Somalia over 30 years ago, it has yet to gain formal recognition as an independent state from either the African Union (AU) or the United Nations (UN).


Bloomberg
17 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
Trump's Tour of Fed Was a ‘Good Visit,' Powell Says
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says President Donald Trump's visit to see the Fed's renovations in person was a 'good visit.' Powell says he is 'quite pleased' that the president said multiple times that what he wants is to see the construction completed as soon as possible. (Source: Bloomberg)
Yahoo
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MINISO Group Holding (MNSO) Gains 11% in a Week Amid Stable Market Conditions
MINISO Group Holding experienced a notable share price movement of 11%, widely attributed to the attention surrounding its recent operational developments. Last week, the company's positive trajectory might have been influenced by broader market dynamics, which included rising optimism tied to corporate earnings and stable economic indicators. While major indices, such as the S&P 500, showed marginal gains with investors eyeing Federal Reserve announcements and tech earnings, MINISO's distinctive price move suggests additional underlying factors specific to the company may have resonated with investors. This uptrend is especially significant amid a generally stable market backdrop. We've discovered 1 risk for MINISO Group Holding that you should be aware of before investing here. Trump has pledged to "unleash" American oil and gas and these 22 US stocks have developments that are poised to benefit. MINISO Group Holding's recent operational advancements have drawn significant investor attention, evidenced by the 11% share price increase. Over the last three years, MINISO's total return, including share price and dividends, surged 258.92%, reflecting robust long-term performance. In comparison, over the past year, MINISO exceeded the US market's return of 17.5% and underperformed the US Multiline Retail industry's 26.9% return. The company's expansion into US and European markets, combined with partnerships, could amplify revenue and earnings growth projections. Analysts forecast annual revenue growth of 19.1% over the next three years, with earnings anticipated to reach CN¥4.6 billion by mid-2028. The recent positive price movement, however, still leaves the current share price of US$19.60 at a discount to the consensus price target of US$22.37. This indicates ongoing investor optimism but also room for further growth to align with forecasts. Evaluate MINISO Group Holding's prospects by accessing our earnings growth report. This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Companies discussed in this article include MNSO. This article was originally published by Simply Wall St. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team@ Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data