Briefly

AUSTRIA

OPEC+ to suspend oil output increase

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, known as OPEC+, have decided to pause oil output increases in January, February and March 2026 due to seasonality, OPEC said in a statement on Sunday. The decision followed a virtual meeting of member countries, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman, to review global market conditions and the economic outlook. The eight OPEC+ countries have been raising oil output month by month since April this year. The statement said the countries will adopt a cautious approach and maintain full flexibility to adjust their outputs as needed. The countries are scheduled to meet again on Jan 4, 2026, to make further decisions, according to the organization.

FRANCE

Long-lost Rubens painting sells for $2.7m

A long-lost painting by Baroque master Peter Paul Rubens, hidden for more than four centuries, sold for 2.3 million euros ($2.7 million) at an auction on Sunday in Versailles. The painting was recently found in a private townhouse in Paris. It depicts the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It was part of a French collection and was initially thought to be from one of the many Rubens workshops that existed at the time. The artwork was rarely valued at more than 10,000 euros ($11,500). Although Rubens produced many works for the Church, the painting, measuring 105.5 by 72.5 centimeters, was likely to have been created for a private collector.

Xinhua - Agencies