Production of Paris 2024 mascot toys in full swing

Ministers from the OPEC+ group of oil-producing countries are meeting on Wednesday to discuss supply levels, as prices have soared to their highest since 2014. The 23 states are responsible for more than 40 percent of global oil production. Prices have jumped in recent months, as supply has failed to keep pace with demand. OPEC+ has been gradually increasing production since July, but the group is coming under pressure from countries including the US to go further. We take a closer look.

An oil production and storage vessel exploded off the coast of Nigeria early on Wednesday (February 2) with 10 crew members on board though it was unclear if there were any casualties or how much crude might have spilled into the sea.

Oil prices have plunged after the United Arab Emirates said it supported increasing production. Brent crude, an international benchmark, fell more than 17% at one point after the statement by the UAE, a member of the powerful oil cartel Opec.

Concern over global food supplies has been rising since Russia invaded Ukraine. Known as "the breadbasket of Europe", Ukraine is a major exporter of wheat and other cereals. But with fierce fighting threatening crops and harvests, authorities say wheat production this year could drop by 30 percent. We take a closer look. Plus, the US Federal Reserve has signalled that it will start selling off its massive haul of bonds to the tune of $95 billion a month, rattling markets.

A year ago, South Africa celebrated the opening of the continent's first COVID vaccine production line. Now it's at risk of being shut down due to low demand.

The move is the latest attempt by the Saudi government to censor what it sees as LGBTQ references in the conservative country. State-run Al-Ekhbariya television said rainbow-colored materials send a "poisoned message."

We take a look at how the press is covering the French, German and Italian leaders' visit to Kyiv. Meanwhile, French papers are largely divided over the country's upcoming legislative elections on Sunday. Also, Thailand gets closer to same-sex marriage legislation, while Saudi Arabia confiscates rainbow-coloured toys. Finally, the Washington Post debates whether QR code menus in restaurants should stay or go.

Tribal groups have agreed to end a blockade of Libya's oil production facilities after Tripoli installed a new leader at the National Oil Company (NOC). The move comes amid high global demand for oil.

The African Union has called on farmers in Africa to boost agricultural production amid a worsening drought in the Horn of Africa, rising food insecurity and supply chain disruptions.

The decision by the OPEC+ oil cartel to lower global production to 2 million barrels per day starting in November has prompted the US to dip into its Strategic Petroleum Reserve to dampen prices. An upcoming price cap on Russian oil could also add more inflationary pressure if Moscow decides to respond by cutting supply to participating countries.

OPEC+ is cutting global oil production to drive up prices. The move shows that Russia can still count on the cartel led by Saudi Arabia to help it bolster its war chest.

Indian health officials have ordered a maker of cough syrups to halt production after they were linked to the deaths of children in The Gambia. Maiden Pharmaceuticals broke rules "across its manufacturing and testing activities," Indian regulators found.