Oil gains on hopes for U.S., China trade war thaw, lower crude stocks

TOKYO (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Thursday, recouping some of the heavy losses in the previous session, supported by easing trade tensions between Washington and Beijing and a drop in U.S. crude stockpiles to the lowest in nearly a year.Brent crude futures rose 45 cents, or 0.7%, to $61.26 a barrel by 0504 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures gained 50 cents, or 0.9%, to $56.25 a barrel.The rise came after China moved to exempt some U.S. anti-cancer drugs and other goods..