Crude oil prices in much of the world's physical markets have started the year with a rally amid signs of more buying from China after it eased COVID-19 restrictions and concern that sanctions on Russia could tighten supply. China, the world's biggest crude importer, started rolling back its zero-COVID policy in early December in a development the International Energy Agency (IEA) expects will boost global oil demand this year to a record high. At the same time, a European Union ban on Russian crude imports which took effect in December will be broadened to include refined fuels from Feb. 5, and is expected to ... (full story)