Asian LNG buyers expect Qatar to lift force majeure covering shipments in mid‑July as regional tensions ease and Qatar increases exports. QatarEnergy has not signaled it will extend the clause; it typically notifies customers about a month before any extension, suggesting intent to let it lapse. A similar force majeure covering European buyers is expected to expire in mid‑August and is also expected to be lifted.

The New York Times, citing three people involved in internal discussions, reports OpenAI is leaning toward postponing an IPO until next year; the company had targeted as early as Q3–Q4 this year. CEO Sam Altman pushed advisers to aim for a $1 trillion valuation. Recent developments — most notably Musk’s SpaceX post-IPO share slide, which fell to $153 on Thursday from a $202 peak last week — and recent tech-led market volatility forced OpenAI executives to abandon their aggressive timetable. Two people said advisers warned last week that retail investors may not show strong demand for the stock.

White House official says the US is investigating an attack on a vessel in the Strait of Hormuz.