Latest News
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Russia and Ukraine swap prisoners of war but Moscow receives no war dead.
The Russian Defence Ministry announced that Russia and Ukraine exchanged prisoners of war (POWs), and Russia delivered the bodies 1200 Ukrainian soldiers who died to Kyiv. The exchanges are part and parcel of the agreements that were reached between the warring parties during their talks in Istanbul earlier this year. Ukraine confirmed earlier this Saturday that it had received the remains of its soldiers who were killed in action. The Russian state media, citing unnamed sources, reported that Moscow has not received any of the war dead it sent to Kyiv. This echoes a statement Russia issued on Friday. It had returned 1,200 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers killed and received none of their own. The Russian Defence Ministry did not specify how many prisoners were exchanged with Ukraine in Saturday's swap, but posted a video of its soldiers cheering and holding Russian flags before boarding a vehicle. Defence Ministry: The Russian soldiers are currently receiving medical treatment in Belarus before being transferred back to Russia.
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Two Australians killed in Bali, Indonesia
Local police reported that an Australian man was killed and another Australian injured in a shooting accident on the Indonesian Island of Bali shortly after midnight Saturday. According to the news website Detik.com, Bali police spokesperson Ariasandy stated that they are searching for two individuals believed to have been involved in a shooting at a villa located in Badung Regency, on the southern part of the island. Detik reported that Zivan R., 32, and Sanar G., 35, were identified only by their first name. Zivan died on the spot, while Sanar was severely injured. He has been transferred to intensive care in a hospital. Ariasandy stated that witnesses had described two people who fled the scene on two motorbikes. He claimed that the two men were heard to speak English with an Australian accent. (Reporting and editing by Raju Gopikrishnan; Gayatri Sroyo)
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Kazakh agency reports that Rosatom will lead consortium for first nuclear power plant to be built in Kazakhstan
The atomic energy agency of Kazakhstan announced on Saturday that Rosatom, Russia's nuclear state corporation, has been selected to lead a consortium for the construction of the first nuclear plant in Kazakhstan. The state-owned China National Nuclear Corporation as well as French or South Korean companies also submitted proposals. Kazakh Atomic Energy Agency, which was established in March this year, has said that it has reviewed and evaluated various reactor technologies based on criteria such as nuclear plant safety, training of personnel, and other factors. It said that "the agency determined that the most advantageous and optimal proposals for construction of a Nuclear Power Plant in Kazakhstan came from the Russian Company Rosatom." "According to Rosatom's proposal, the work on attracting state-funded export financing from Russia has started." In November, Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Kazakhstani officials to discuss boosting energy and industrial ties. Kazakhstan exports the majority of its oil via Russia but is looking at alternatives. In an article published in the Kazakhstanskaya Pravda, Putin stated that Rosatom is "ready for new large-scale project". Kazakhstan, with a population of 20,000,000, voted to build its first nuclear plant in October. Some Kazakhs were concerned about the involvement of a neighbor that invaded another country, Ukraine, and criticized the plan. (Reporting and writing by Tamara Vaal, Lucy Papachristou and Guy Faulconbridge).
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Edda Wind Welcomes New CSOV to its Fleet
GONDAN Shipbuilders has delivered a newly built Commissioning Service Operations Vessel (CSOV) Austri Enabler to Norwegian shipowner Edda Wind.The Austri Enabler, designed by Norwegian company Salt Ship Design, is part of a new generation of vessels designed to mark a turning point in the offshore wind energy sector.Austri Enabler is the fourth and last vessel in a series of four sister vessels from Gondan and follows Nordri Enabler, Sudri Enabler and Vestri Enabler. It is also the eight vessel that Gondan has delivered to Edda Wind.The vessel has secured a 12-month contract, with options, and will start operations outside U.K. in the third quarter of 2025, Edda Wind said without revealing any additional details.Together with its sister ships, Austri Enabler has been developed with the aim of optimizing operations in offshore wind farms, acting as the main support vessel during the commissioning and maintenance of wind turbines at sea.With a length of 88 meters and a beam of 19.7 meters, the vessel is equipped with cutting-edge technology in both operational efficiency and sustainability.It can accommodate up to 120 people - 97 technicians and 23 crew members - and features the latest solutions in automation and technical assistance, including a 3D-compensated offshore crane, an active gangway with a reach of 30 meters, an integrated elevator with a capacity for 26 people, and a 21-meter-diameter helipad.The ship’s propulsion uses cycloidal propellers driven by permanent magnet motors, combined with liquid hydrogen carrier (LOHC)-ready technology, positioning it as a platform capable of achieving fully emission-free operations.
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As the Middle East erupts, investors choose oil and safe havens over stocks.
U.S. Investors sought refuge on Friday in safe-haven assets such as the dollar and gold after oil prices soared following Iran's retaliation against Israel's largest-ever military attack against the major producer of crude. Iran launches airstrikes against Israel After unprecedented Israeli strikes, some fear a regional conflagration. On Friday, explosions were heard in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv - the two largest cities of Israel. Israel had earlier destroyed Iran's vast underground nuclear facility at Natanz and killed top military leaders. Investors believe that the markets will likely survive the latest hostilities, unless Iranian oil installations are attacked or if other countries get involved in the conflict. Crude prices soared up to 14% due to fears of possible disruptions in oil shipments. Oil futures closed the day 7% higher. Jim Baird is the chief investment officer of Plante Moran Financial Advisors, Southfield, Michigan. Money manager says he expects "a little more flight to quality trade" if stocks continue to fall. This could be beneficial for gold and Treasuries. How long will it last? How intense will the battle be? Will it attract other parties? "From a large-scale economic perspective, it doesn't seem to make a material difference," he said. Gold prices in safe-havens rose by more than 1 percent, while Wall Street's major equity indices fell more than 1 percent. Oil prices were brought into sharp focus by the outbreak of war. Iran is one of the largest crude exporters in the world. It borders the Strait of Hormuz which is a major choke point for crude tankers and through which a fifth of the global crude consumption passes. Iran has threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz as a retaliation against Western pressure. Oil prices rose and investors looked for safe havens. U.S. government bonds yields increased on the bets higher energy prices would cause inflation. Brent crude oil, the benchmark for global crude oil prices, is still well below $80 per barrel, despite the recent spike. Irene Tunkel is the Chief U.S. Equity Strategy at BCA Research. She said that she doesn't see any long-term implications for U.S. markets unless oil prices rise above $100 per barrel. This would affect consumer spending. She said this was unlikely, unless the oil infrastructure is destroyed. Or "Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz in some way and (the conflict spills) out of Iran. And energy production is shifted to Iraq." The strategist noted that Friday's S&P 500 decline followed a rally from lows in April. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, said that Iran still had time to stop Israel's attacks by negotiating a deal with its nuclear program. Investors were concerned about how central banks might handle interest rates in the event that U.S. consumer costs rise as a result of Trump's tariffs. Jack Janasiewicz is a portfolio manager with Natixis Investment Managers, based in Boston. He said that the possibility of higher inflation due to rising oil prices was "less supportive" of U.S. Government bond prices. He did note that investors usually take geopolitical crisis in stride. "Historically, with these geopolitical issues, the market has a knee-jerk response but the long-term implications tend to fade. Janasiewicz said that history tells us we should look past some of these things. OIL PRICE RALLY Janasiewicz stated that the final gains in oil prices would depend on the length of the war and if U.S. supplies could be increased to cap prices, if there was a disruption in supply. Janasiewicz stated that "from a U.S. standpoint, it's a little more insulated" because domestic producers can certainly increase production. On Friday, the dollar index, the safe-haven asset that has been the focus of risk aversion in recent months, was up 0.5%. Fiona Cincotta, City Index's strategist, said that the dollar was returning to its traditional role as a safe haven. Investors warned that the market may not have been cautious enough despite Wall Street's selling off. James Athey, the manager of Marlborough Fixed Income Fund, said that investors could be tempted to return to riskier assets if tensions don't rise quickly. He said that "in general, the markets tend to pass over these types of events fairly quickly. But of course, therein lies a risk of complacency." He said, "The situation is really tense and fraught. Risk assets are still being priced to perfection."
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US Court extends the pause in Nippon Steel Case, seeking updates by June 20,
The U.S. Appeals Court on Friday extended a pause between Nippon Steel, the Trump Administration and other parties in the litigation over the Japanese steelmaker’s $14.9 billion offer for U.S. Steel. Nippon Steel & U.S. Steel are putting the final touches on an agreement to be signed with the Trump Administration. This is in order to alleviate national security concerns raised by the proposed tie-up announced in December 2023, but blocked by Joe Biden. This agreement would allow for the transaction to proceed. The D.C. Circuit stated that the litigation will be paused pending further orders from the court. The judges of the panel -- Patricia Millett (chair), Cornelia Pillard (co-chair) and J. Michelle Childs (member) -- have also instructed the parties to update the court by June 20, about any further legal proceedings. This filing may ask the court to put the case on hold or to ask the judges to create a new timetable. (Reporting and editing by Diane Craft, Alistair Bell and Alexandra Alper)
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Holiday schedule for US economic and other data
The release of major economic, energy, and commodity reports from Washington will be affected by the Juneteenth federal holiday, which falls on Thursday, 19th June. The schedule is below. The times are in EDT/GMT. Some Treasury announcements may be subject to change. Monday, June 16 The U.S. Department of Agriculture releases weekly U.S. Export Inspections for Grains, Oilseeds and 1100/1500 Treasury Department's Weekly Sale of 3- and 6-Month Bills, 1130/1530 National Oilseed Processors Association releases monthly U.S. Soybean Crush, 1200/1600 Treasury Department offers 20-year Bonds, 1300/1700 USDA releases weekly Crop Progress 1600/2000 Tuesday, June 17 Commerce Department releases Retail Sales for the month of May, 830/1230 Labor Department releases Import and export prices for May, 830/1230 Redbook releases weekly retail sales index 0855/1255 Federal Open Market Committee starts two-day meeting to discuss interest rate policy. Start time TBA Federal Reserve releases Industrial Production for May 0915/1315 Commerce Department releases Business Inventories April 1000/1400 Treasury Department announces weekly sale of 4-, 8, and 17-week Bills, 1100/1500 Treasury Department sells 6-week bills every week, 1130/1530 Treasury Department sells 5-year Treasury Inflation Protected Securities, 1300/1700 American Petroleum Institute releases weekly national petroleum reports, 1630/2030 Wednesday, June 18, Mortgage Bankers Association releases weekly Mortgage Application Survey, 0700/1100 Commerce Department Issues Housing Starts For May, 830/1230 Labor Department releases weekly jobless claims, 0830/1230. Note: Issued one day before due to holiday Energy Information Administration (EIA), Weekly Petroleum Stocks and Output Data, 1030/1430 Treasury Department announces weekly 3-, 6-, and 6-week bills; sales of 2-year floating-rate notes; 2- and 5-year notes; and 2-, 7-, and 10-year notes. Note: Due to the holiday, Treasury Department announces 3- and 6-month bills and 6-week bill sales one day before. Treasury Department will hold weekly sales for 4- and 8 week bills, 17-week bill, 1130/1530. Note: Due to the holiday, 4- and 8 week bills are sold one day before. Freddie Mac issues weekly U.S. mortgage rates, 1200/1600. Note: Rates are published one day before the holiday. EIA releases weekly U.S. Underground Natural Gas Stocks, 1200/1600. Note: Issued one day ahead due to time change. Federal Open Market Committee Issues Statement on Interest Rate Policy, 1400/1800 Treasury Department Issues Treasury International Capital for April 1600/2000 Thursday, June 19 Juneteenth holiday. Closed federal government offices, Federal Reserve and International Monetary Fund. Stock and bond markets. Friday, June 20 USDA releases weekly export sales, 0830/1230. Due to the holiday, this week's export sales are delayed. Conference Board releases Leading Indicators for the month of May, 1000/1400 USDA Cattle on Feed Monthly, 1500/1900 Federal Reserve releases Weekly Balance Sheet, 1630/2030. Note: this is a delayed release from Thursday because of the holiday.
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Diplomats claim that the UN's nuclear watchdog board will meet to discuss Israel's Iran strike.
Diplomats confirmed that the Board of Governors of the U.N. Nuclear Watchdog will hold an extraordinary meeting on Monday in order to discuss Israel's attacks on Iran. At least one country requested it at the regular quarterly session of this body held on Friday. A meeting can be called by any country that is a member of the International Atomic Energy Agency's (IAEA) board. Diplomats reported that Iran, a member of the board but not a member, had requested a meeting. It was backed by Russia, China, and Venezuela. Diplomats differed on which board member made the initial request. Before any announcement was made about the emergency meeting, diplomats held a closed-door discussion on Friday. The IAEA Israel had targeted Iran's Natanz nucleus site earlier in the day, including an underground uranium-enrichment plant as well as a smaller pilot plant above ground. The IAEA's highest policy-making body said that there was no indication of any effort to push for a decision or other action by the 35 nation board on Monday. (Reporting and editing by Joe Bavier, Gareth Jones and Francois Murphy)
Staffing crunch in national parks: From restrooms to research, Trump's cuts have affected everything from summer staffing to research.
According to two sources familiar with the situation, Yosemite National Park, in California, is one of the most popular and oldest natural preserves in the United States. The staff there has been stretched so thin that this season, nearly all employees, including scientists, have to clean campground toilets.
One source said that the staff hydrologist, as well as an expert in invasive species, have been posted to entry gates, where they will be processing visitors. This is a task normally performed by seasonal workers or junior staff who are paid less.
The shortage of workers in national parks is a result of the understaffing and budget cuts made by the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, the tech billionaire, and President Donald Trump.
In an email, the NPS stated that staff members may be asked to perform additional duties to ensure parks remain open and safe.
The NPS stated that "at times, team members can step in to a variety of responsibilities beyond their normal scope to ensure continued access, security, and stewardship throughout the park system."
The park encouraged visitors to plan ahead by checking park alerts, understanding site guidelines and planning in advance.
Kevin Heatley, the former park superintendent who quit in May due to staff shortages, explained that workers in Crater Lake, Oregon, 800 km (500 miles) north of Portland, are so overworked they would be unable to clear snow and ice from the roads in time for the return of tourists in large numbers in the next few weeks.
Conservationists point out that extremes like these could be signs of a busy, but uncertain, summer season for the National Park Service. Already stretched by the growing number of visitors, and years of low funding, it may face a busy, but uncertain, summer.
According to the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA), a watchdog and advocacy group, the NPS has lost 13 percent of its 20,000 strong workforce since Trump's inauguration in January. The group attributes much of this drop to staff accepting buyouts from DOGE.
The Trump administration did not provide its own numbers.
It is possible that Trump could face a backlash from the public if the conditions in national parks are not pleasant for tourists this summer. While Americans are increasingly divided over a number of key issues the majority view the parks as beloved and affordable vacation destinations.
They are also visiting in record numbers. In 2018, national parks welcomed 331 million visitors. This is a record high and an increase of 6 million since 2023.
Anna Kelly, Trump’s deputy White House Press Secretary, said that the parks would be in perfect condition for visitors. Kelly stated that President Trump ensures agencies in the United States run more efficiently, while maintaining great services for Americans.
"A REALLY TOUGH Summer"
Kristen Brengel is a senior executive at the NPCA. She said that some parks are having difficulty hiring and retaining enough park rangers, search and rescue personnel, and other staff. This could pose a risk to the safety of visitors.
It could take longer for emergency personnel to reach hikers who are suffering from heat exhaustion and injuries. Brengel stated that a smaller ranger force means more visitors will venture into the backcountry, near geysers, steep ledges and wild bison.
Brengel stated that this summer will be tough for many parks.
The NPS didn't respond to a question about the NPCA’s concerns regarding potential safety issues.
Yellowstone's superintendent Cam Sholly insists that staffing in the geothermal wonderland - the oldest national park of the United States and one of its most popular - "is higher than at any time over the past five years, going into summer."
He said, "Our critical posts are filled" last month, at a season-opening event in Cody Wyoming, the gateway city on the eastern edge of Yellowstone National Park.
PARK LEADER QUITS
Some park managers had to deal with tough times even before the summer. Heatley left his position just five months after he became Crater Lake Superintendent.
He said the park had been understaffed for many years. However, recent DOGE demands, including telling federal employees to send an email every week justifying their job, has caused low morale.
He said that he had resigned as he no longer felt able to protect the safety and health of his employees or visitors.
It is essential to clear the roads before the tourist season in order to avoid the park's cobalt lake, which has the largest depth in the United States. This year, it received over 36 feet (11 metres) of snow.
He said, "Crater Lake has reached a point in which we cannot afford to lose one staff member."
The park has 45 permanent staff, but 18 positions are vacant due to Trump's hiring ban.
"Crater Lake lies on a precipice." You are like a man who is starving and taking another half of his food.
Low Staffing Before Trump
Some are more optimistic. Jonathan Farrington, CEO, Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau said that he was told only 13 NPS jobs had been cut in Yosemite and that none of them involved law enforcement positions or positions with the public.
He said that the visitor experience at Yosemite this year will be outstanding.
The National Park Service is a federal agency under the U.S. Interior Department. It manages 85 million acres of land set aside for conservation and recreation within America's scenic natural wonders and historic landmarks. Interior Department manages 85,000,000 acres of land set aside for conservation, recreation and historical landmarks.
Yellowstone National Park was created by Congress in 1872. The park system continued to expand, and President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Act in 1916.
Today, its portfolio includes 433 park units. These range from smaller sites, such as Independence Hall in Philadelphia, and Ford's Theatre, in Washington, to 63 national parks of varying sizes, including Yosemite National Park, Yellowstone National Park, Grand Canyon, and Great Smoky Mountains.
The NPCA reported that even before Trump's second tenure began, staffing in parks had decreased by 20% between 2010 and 2015, despite an increase of 16% for admissions during the same time period. This put more pressure on the infrastructure.
In February, Trump's administration ordered the firing of 1,000 newly hired workers from the NPS. Although the decision was reversed later, parks are now racing against time to rehire these workers even though summer has already started.
In April, perhaps aware of the potential political fallout that could result from this order, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued an order requiring "all national parks remain open and accessible", and "to provide the best customer service for all visitors."
Brengel noted that despite Burgum's public promise to hire 7,700 seasonal park rangers this summer, NPCA data shows only 3,300 were hired by May 13.
Former Yellowstone Superintendent Dan Wenk said park managers could make due with short-term research, wildlife and habitat projects and nature tours to keep the roads open and clean.
Wenk stated that "if the expectation is that the parks will provide the same service level this year as last year, then that cannot be met." Reporting by Ruffin Prvost in Cody and Steve Gorman in Los Angeles, and Tim Reid, in Washington. Editing by Ross Colvin, Aurora Ellis, and Ross Colvin.
(source: Reuters)