Sovereign Oil Syndicate

 

What is OPEC

OPEC—the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries—was founded in Iraq in 1960 to coordinate oil policy among major exporters. Initially a reaction to Western dominance of global oil markets, it evolved into a powerful bloc capable of reshaping global energy prices, geopolitics, and development.

OPEC works by setting production quotas for each member country. By coordinating supply cuts or increases, the group can tighten or loosen global oil supply, pushing prices up or down.

Today, OPEC has 12 member countries spanning the Middle East, Africa, and South America—Algeria, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela—and works closely with nonmember oil-producing allies in the wider OPEC+ group.

... Read our full explainer on the group here.

Also, check out ...
> How OPEC first used oil as a geopolitical weapon in 1967. (More)
> Trace the rise of oil from early drilling to global power. (More)
> How does the broader OPEC+ group work? (More)



'Defence of Fort M'Henry'
What is the national anthem of the US?
“The Star-Spangled Banner” is the national anthem of the United States. The song is based on a poem written by Francis Scott Key 211 years ago, on Sept. 14, 1814, during the War of 1812, while watching American troops hold off British forces at the Battle of Baltimore. Written in the battle’s immediate aftermath, the original poem borrowed a melody from a popular British song of the time.

“The Star-Spangled Banner” grew popular with Americans. In 1931, President Herbert Hoover approved a bill that finally designated it the national anthem. Soon after, other sports leagues made its performance a regular feature before games.

It’s become an American tradition for artists to put their spin on the anthem when performing it (see Whitney Houston's iconic 1991 Super Bowl rendition).

The song is still popular some 200 years later, with Americans overwhelmingly saying they would not prefer a change.

... Read our full overview on the anthem here.

Also, check out ...
> How printers eventually changed the name of the national anthem. (More)
> The 1918 origins of performing the anthem at sporting events in the US. (More)
> Roughly 60% of Americans prefer to keep the existing national anthem. (More)

SOURCE:  1440 NEWS