UAE leaves OPEC in a blow to oil cartel

The United Arab Emirates has announced it will leave OPEC and OPEC+ on May 1, in a significant blow to the oil cartels.  In a statement, the Gulf country said it was doing so to focus on its national interest.  The country had often expressed frustration at production quotas set by the group, and its relationship with Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s de facto leader, had become increasingly tense.