OPEC stuck to its prediction of a strong world oil demand recovery in 2021 led by the United States and China, although it cited uncertainties around the path of the pandemic. In a monthly report on Thursday, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said demand would rise by 5.95 million barrels per day (bpd) this year, or 6.6%. The forecast was unchanged for a second consecutive month. The report’s forecast comes even after a slower-than-expected recovery in the first half of this year, and as it warns of “significant uncertainties,” around the pandemic, such as the potential emergence of new variants. (full story)