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Russia moves into the east-central Ukrainian area amid a dispute over dead soldiers
The Russians said that their forces advanced on Sunday to the eastern edge of Dnipropetrovsk, a region in central Ukraine. This was amid a public dispute between Moscow and Kyiv about peace negotiations and the returning of thousands of dead soldiers from the war. While there is talk of peace, war continues to escalate. Russian forces are gaining more territory in Ukraine, and Kyiv has launched high-profile drone attacks and sabotage against Russia's nuclear bomber fleet, and according to Moscow on its railways. According to pro-Ukrainian maps, Russia has seized more than 190 sq km (73 sq miles) of Sumy in eastern Ukraine within a month. According to the Russian Defence Ministry, the 90th Tank Division from the Central Grouping has reached the western border of Ukraine's Donetsk Region and is attacking the adjacent Dnipropetrovsk Region. Kyiv did not comment on the Russian advance. However, the pro-Ukrainian Deep State Map showed Russian forces close to Dnipropetrovsk, a region with a population exceeding 3 million people before the war. Russia accused Ukraine on Saturday of delaying the exchange of prisoners of War and returning the bodies of 12,000 soldiers who died, although Ukraine denied these claims. Russia announced on Sunday that it was bringing bodies to the border. Donald Trump, the U.S. president, has said that he wants to end the deadliest conflict to occur in Europe since World War Two. On Thursday, he compared it to a fight among young children, and suggested that he may have to let the conflict continue. Accusations about the willingness to accept peace Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, said that he didn't think Ukraine leaders wanted peace. He had accused them of ordering an attack in Bryansk in western Russia, which killed seven and injured 115 people a day prior to talks in Turkey. Ukraine has also accused Moscow, who has not responded to the attack on the Bryansk Bridge, of not being serious about peace. They cited Russian resistance to a ceasefire immediately as proof. Russia demands international recognition for Crimea, the peninsula that Russia annexed in 2014 from Ukraine, as well as four other regions within Ukraine which Moscow claims to be its territory. Ukraine would be required to withdraw all its forces. According to Deep State Map, Russia controlled 113.273 square kilometers, or 18.8% of Ukrainian territory, as of June 7. This is larger than the U.S. State of Virginia. Areas under Russian control are Crimea, Luhansk (more than 99%), Donetsk (more than 70%), Zaporizhzhia (more than 70%) and Kherson (more then 70%), all located in the east and southeast. Fragments of Kharkiv, Sumy and Kharkiv in the northeast also fall within this area. Putin said to Trump that he had to react to the Ukrainian drone attacks against Russia's Bomber Fleet and the rail bombings. U.S. officials have said that they believe Putin's threat to retaliate against Ukraine for its attacks is not yet real and will likely be a multi-pronged, significant strike. Local officials reported that Russia also attacked the northeastern Ukrainian town of Kharkiv with drones, guided bombs and missiles on Friday night and overnight, killing four people and wounding over 60 others, including a newborn. Russia said that it also claimed to have shot down 61 Ukrainian drones in the Moscow area over night on Sunday. Two of the major airports that serve Moscow have been temporarily closed. Mark Heinrich, Mark Heinrich (Reporting in Moscow)
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Latam and Caribbean Development Bank doubles oceans financing to $2.5 billion
It announced on Saturday that the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean will double its investment to $2.5 billion in order to protect the oceans and support sustainable marine economic activity. The bank has already exceeded the existing commitment of funding oceans, which was $1.25 billion between 2022-2026. Investments include strengthening marine protected zones and supporting small-scale fishing. The bank stated that the additional $2.5 billion will be spread over a period of 2025-2030 and will focus on areas such as low-carbon marine transport, restoration damaged ocean ecosystems, and sustainable tourism. This is in addition to the $1.3 billion CAF has invested in oceans during the past three years. Gianpiero Leoncini, executive vice-president of CAF, said at a conference in Monaco on oceans finance: "This commitment reflects the transformative agenda that we have, which is to embed the health and vitality of the ocean into our development ambition." The U.N. Oceans Conference in Nice, France next week will try to rally stronger commitments by countries to protect and to invest in oceans. This includes ratifying the global treaty for ocean biodiversity that most of those 116 countries have not yet done. Oceans are vital for trade, food, employment and global climate systems. The funding for these functions is far from adequate. The U.N. said that investments in ocean health from 2015 to 2019 totaled just $10 billion - far less than the $175 billion needed per year. The Oceans Funding of CAF includes the management of illegal fishing and providing loans for wastewater treatment plants, storm drainage systems, and flood mitigation. The oceans are also a crucial buffer against climate changes, as they absorb around 30% of the planet-warming CO2 emissions. As the oceans warm, the hotter water is destroying marine eco-systems and threatening oceans' capacity to absorb CO2. (Reporting and editing by Kate Abnett)
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China may accelerate EU approvals of rare earths applications
China will speed up the approval and examination of rare earth exports for European Union companies and also give a decision on its investigation into EU brandy imports before July 5, said its commerce ministry on Saturday. The price commitment consultations between China, the EU and Chinese electric vehicles exported to Europe have also reached a final phase. However, both sides still need to make efforts. According to a statement, the issues were discussed by EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Paris on February 2. The comments are a step forward in resolving issues that have plagued China's relations with the European Union for the last year. China's decision to suspend the export of rare earths, and magnets related to them, in April, has thrown supply chains into chaos for automakers, aerospace companies, semiconductor firms, and military contractors all over the world. The ministry stated that China was very sensitive to EU concerns and "was ready to establish a green-channel for qualified applications in order to accelerate the approval process." The statement said that during the meeting, Commerce Minister Wang "expressed his hope that the EU would meet us halfway and adopt effective measures to facilitate and safeguard compliant trade of high-tech products with China." Chinese anti-dumping actions that imposed duties up to 39% of European brandy imports - French cognac being the worst affected - also caused tensions between Paris and Beijing. Brandy duties were imposed days after the European Union acted against Chinese-made vehicles imported to protect its local industry. This prompted France's president Emmanuel Macron accuse Beijing "pure retaliation". Chinese duties have affected sales of brands such as LVMH Hennessy and Pernod Ricard Martell, Remy Cointreau and Pernod Ricard Martell. Beijing had originally planned to decide on brandy duty by January but then extended it to April, and again to July 5 China's Commerce Ministry said on Saturday that French firms and associations have submitted proactively applications for price commitments on brandy to China, and that Chinese investigators have reached an agreement on the basic terms. The Chinese authorities are now reviewing the entire text of these commitments, and will make a final announcement by July 5. In April, the European Commission announced that the EU and China also agreed to examine setting minimum prices for Chinese-made electric cars instead of tariffs levied by the EU last summer. China's Commerce Ministry said that the EU also suggested exploring "new technical pathways" relating EVs. The Chinese side is now evaluating this proposal. (Reporting and editing by William Mallard, Tom Hogue and Brenda Goh)
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Indonesia anticipates concluding free trade negotiations with EU by the end of June
Indonesia announced on Saturday that the free trade talks with the European Union which have been ongoing for nine years are expected to be completed by the end June. Airlangga hartarto, chief economic minister of Southeast Asia's largest economy, met EU Commissioner for Trade Maros Séfcovic on Friday in Brussels. Airlangga Hartarto stated in a press release that "Indonesia has agreed to resolve outstanding issues, and we are prepared to announce the conclusion of substantial negotiation by the end June 2025." He didn't disclose any details about the agreements that may have been made. Denis Chaibi said, "Negotiations continue and the substance will determine the timing." When we know the outcome, we will provide more details. In terms of total trade, the EU was Indonesia's fifth largest trading partner in 2013. The two countries exchanged $30.1 billion worth of goods and services last year. Airlangga reported that Indonesia had a trade surplus of $4.5 billion. Indonesia and the EU had previously disagreed over EU trade rules that may have been linked to deforestation, which could impact Indonesian palm oil. Jakarta also banned exports of minerals. Indonesian officials are motivated to speed up talks on free-trade agreements. They want to diversify their country's export destination as they face the challenges of U.S. Tariffs. To end the U.S.'s trade deficits around the world, President Donald Trump of the United States announced "reciprocal tariffs" that were halted since July. Indonesia faces a tariff of 32%. (Reporting and editing by Edwina gibbs and Tom Hogue; Gayatri suroyo)
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Jameson Taillon and Cubs shoot to tie series with Tigers
Jameson Taillon's strikeout numbers aren't high, but he consistently puts in strong starts. On Saturday, Taillon will be looking for his fourth straight victory in the middle match of a three game road series against the Detroit Tigers. Taillon (5-3; 3.76 ERA), has had a good outing in each of his last seven starts. He has only allowed four runs over the past three appearances. In a 7-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, Taillon held them to just two runs and three hit in 6 1/3 innings. It was the sixth time in a row that he has struck out four batters or less. It was the eighth time in this season that he allowed four or fewer hits. Craig Counsell, the manager of the team, said that his biggest strength was being an elite striker. "He's always at the top of the league in terms of walk rates." Taillon made four career starts for Detroit. He has a 1-2 record with a 7.45 ERA. Keider Montero will likely be the Tigers' bulk reliever on Saturday, after Tyler Holton (2-2 ERA 4.13) is the opener. Montero's (2-1, 4.02 ERA) early in the season was used to fill in for a spot starter or as a six-man starting rotation. Due to injuries, he is the current No. Reese Olson, Jackson Jobe and other players are injured. Montero has not allowed a single run over his last two starts. His latest outing, however, was an adventure. He allowed seven hits and one walk in four 2/3 innings against Kansas City, but made crucial pitches when runners were on base. Montero, through Carlos Guillen as interpreter, said: "I am proud of what we achieved (Sunday)." He was much more clean in his last home appearance on May 26, as he only allowed the San Francisco Giants one hit over five innings. Montero did not face the Cubs in his two seasons of major league baseball. Holton has a 1-0 career record (one start) in three games against the Cubs. He's thrown four innings of scoreless and hitless baseball. The Tigers won the first game of the series in a thrilling thriller on Friday night. Tarik Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Young Award recipient, pitched 7 2/3 inning despite eight hits and a 3-1 win. Detroit's Kerry Carpenter, who is not known for his defensive skills, stole Seiya Suzuki's extra-base hit by leaping at the fence in right field after Will Vest replaced Skubal. Jahmai Jones' solo homer in the bottom of inning gave Detroit a boost. Jones, who was promoted from Triple-A Toledo the previous day, was making his Tigers debut as well as his first appearance in the majors of the year. A.J. Hinch, Detroit's manager, said: "He is a great hitter and makes excellent decisions." Hinch said. "He has a good deal of thump and athleticism. He also has some speed. And he's perfect for the role we want to play him." He can be a great player off the bench, and he may even get a few starts. Counsell does not want to emphasize the fact that the Cubs will be facing the team in the AL with the best record. He said, "It is a series that will be held in June." There will be many people in attendance this weekend. It's a lot of fun for the players. It's fun for them. It's an interesting challenge to face a strong team. It's a challenge against a good team. "But other than that it's only three games." Field Level Media
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AFR reports that Rio Tinto is in talks to bailout an Australian aluminium smelter.
The Australian Financial Review reported that Rio Tinto, a global miner, is in discussions with the Australian federal and state government about a multi-billion dollar bailout of its struggling Tomago aluminum smelter located in New South Wales. Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper reported late Friday that discussions centered on a smelter’s electricity contract from 2026-2029, and federal production tax credit. Rio, the New South Wales Premier Chris Minns' office and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's office did not respond immediately to requests for comments on the report. According to the report, the future of the facility owned by Rio has been uncertain in recent months, due to rising energy costs. Rio, the largest iron ore producer in the world, announced that it would make a decision on the future of the smelter by the middle of the year. This facility, located about 125 km north of the state capital Sydney, uses approximately 10% of New South Wales power to produce 590 000 tonnes of aluminum per year. It is also owned by CSR, Hydro Aluminium and Rio. The centre-left Australian government pledged A$2billion in production credits in January to support the country's aluminium smelters including the Tomago plant to switch to renewable energy before 2036.
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Rex’s Akrake Set for July Drilling Ops off West Africa
Akrake Petroleum, Rex International's indirect subsidiary, has completed the development plan for the Seme field offshore Benin, with the drilling operations scheduled to begin in early July 2025 using Borr Drilling’s jack-up rig.Akrake holds a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) with the government of Benin for the offshore Block 1 exploration license, which also includes the Sèmè Field.As art of the work-program for Block 1 under the PSA, Akrake is working on the redevelopment of the Sèmè Field.This is a phased development, the first of which will be to bring the field into production, while gathering more data on the subsurface, in order to optimize further development of the field, including heretofore untapped deeper reservoir sections.To this end, the reprocessing of 2007 3D seismic data has been completed, and a detailed field development plan has been finalised.Offshore operations have started, with an ongoing site-survey over the intended drilling and production location.In April 2025, Rex's Lime Petroleum, which owns Akrake Petroleum, signed a contract for Borr Drilling’s Gerd jack-up rig, to be used for an anticipated 120-day drilling campaign in Benin.The rig is scheduled to arrive in Benin later in June 2025, with drilling to begin in early July 2025.Borr Drilling’s Rig Up for 120-Day Drilling Campaign off West AfricaOver the ensuing 100 days, three well-bores will be drilled. The first will be an appraisal well designed to gather new data on deeper reservoir units.Following this, two horizontal production wells will be drilled and completed in the H6 reservoir, in which subsurface analysis has suggested significant remaining reserves, even though there has been previous production.Drilling is expected to be completed in early October 2025, at which time a Mobile Offshore Production Unit (MOPU) will arrive, along with a Floating Storage and Offloading unit (FSO).The MOPU will be hooked to the newly-drilled wells, and production is expected to start in October 2025 at production rates of approximately 16,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd).Contracts have been signed for both the MOPU and FSO, and the MOPU is currently in a yard in Dubai for refurbishment, before heading to Benin in the middle of September 2025.Rex’s Akrake Signs Deal for Production Vessels at Seme Field off BeninAkrake is the operator of the Sèmè Field in Benin, and holds approximately 76% working interest, with the remainder of the working interest held by the government of Benin (15%) and Octogone Trading (9%).
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Indonesia anticipates concluding free trade negotiations with EU by the end of June
Indonesia announced on Saturday that the free trade talks with the European Union which have lasted for nine years are expected to be completed by the end June. Airlangga hartarto, chief economic minister of Southeast Asia's largest economy, met EU Commissioner for Trade Maros Séfcovic on Friday in Brussels. Airlangga Hartarto stated in a press release that "Indonesia has agreed to resolve outstanding issues, and we are prepared to announce the conclusion of substantial negotiation by the end June 2025." He didn't disclose any details about the agreements that may have been made. A request for comment from the EU representatives in Jakarta was not responded to. In terms of total trade, the EU was Indonesia's fifth largest trading partner in 2013. The two countries exchanged $30.1 billion worth of goods and services last year. Airlangga reported that Indonesia had a trade surplus of $4.5 billion. Indonesia and the EU had previously disagreed over the EU's rules on trade for products that could be linked to deforestation, which would affect Indonesian palm oils, as well Jakarta's bans on exports raw minerals. Indonesian officials are motivated to speed up talks on free-trade agreements. They want to diversify their country's export destination as they face the challenges of U.S. Tariffs. In an effort to reduce the U.S.'s trade deficits around the world, President Donald Trump of the United States announced "reciprocal tariffs" that were halted until July. Indonesia faces a tariff rate of 32%. (Reporting and editing by Edwina G. Gibbs; Gayatri S. Suroyo)
Copec warns that the China pulp market may be challenged by US tariffs
Empresas Copec, a Chilean conglomerate of industrial companies, said that the Chinese market could be more difficult for its forestry product if paper manufacturers struggle to increase sales due to uncertainty about U.S. Tariff policies.
In a recent presentation, Cristian Infante, the head of Copec’s forestry division Arauco, said that most of the customers who export to the U.S. don’t really know the price at which their goods will be sold. "They're trying as hard as they can to buy as little."
Arauco sells wood panels and pulp worldwide and contributes to the majority of Copec’s earnings. However, its core earnings fell by over 22% during the first quarter of 2025 due to lower pulp prices and smaller volume shipped.
Infante warns that prices may continue to fall in May.
When Chinese customers start to feel that prices are near the bottom of the market, they'll start talking. "When that will happen, is a good question," he said, noting recent news about
Talks between the U.S.
had made futures markets jump.
Infante, Copec's U.S. Market Director, said that he viewed the market as stable at the moment, despite the fact that costs for resins used to make wood panels had increased due to the volatility of new import tax policies.
He said, "I wouldn’t say that it’s booming." "This volatility we've experienced due to the tariff problem has affected the market."
Copec, however, said that in Europe, uncertainty and concern are increasing due to the potential implementation of new U.S. Tariffs and possible trade conflicts with other nations. (Reporting and editing by Kyra Madry; Sarah Morland is the reporter)
(source: Reuters)