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☆ In Europe, Xi looks to counter claims it’s aiding Russia in Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | Xiaofei Xu | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“China is neither the creator of the crisis, nor a party to it or a participant. The trip will also see Xi visit Serbia and Hungary, with the leader’s visit to Belgrade coinciding with the 25th anniversary of NATO’s bombing of the Chinese embassy in the city that killed three. Beijing has defended its trade with Russia as part of normal bilateral ties; it also says it does not provide weapons to parties in conflict. It has not been accused of sending lethal weapons to Russia, but rather goods with military use. Beijing supports efforts recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with “equal and just discussions of all possible peace plans at the conference,” he said.

Persons: Xi Jinping, ” Xi, Emmanuel Macron, Ursula von der, “, ramped, Macron, Xi “, he’s, ”, ” Macron, presser, Xi, Vladimir Putin, von der Leyen, Putin Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, French, European, NATO, Biden, Kyiv Locations: Hong Kong, Ukraine, China, Europe, Moscow, “ China, Paris, Washington, Beijing, Russian, Serbia, Hungary, Belgrade, Serbian, Balkans, Russia, France, “, Israel, Switzerland

☆ Alabama Prepares to Carry Out First Execution by Nitrogen Asphyxiation
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-25 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

By Jonathan Allen(Reuters) - Alabama plans to carry out the first known judicial execution of a prisoner using asphyxiation with nitrogen gas on Thursday evening, a closely watched new method the state hopes to advance as a viable, simpler alternative to lethal injections. Kenneth Smith, convicted of a 1988 murder-for-hire, is a rare prisoner who has already survived one execution attempt. In November 2022, Alabama officials aborted his execution by lethal injection after struggling for hours to insert an intravenous line's needle in his body. A canister of pure nitrogen will be attached to the mask, intended to deprive him of inhaling any oxygen. Jeff Hood, spiritual adviser to Smith, who will be at Smith's side, had to sign a form acknowledging the risk that the execution method poses to others.

Persons: Jonathan Allen, Kenneth Smith, Smith, gurney, Jeff Hood, Maya Foa, Foa, Elizabeth Sennett, Charles Sennett, Mama, Diane Craft Organizations: Reuters, United Nations, 11th Circuit U.S, Appeals, U.S, Supreme, Besides Alabama, Holman Correctional Facility Locations: Alabama, U.S, Besides, Oklahoma, Mississippi, New York

☆ Sequoia-backed Upway refurbishes and resells e-bikes. It just raised $30 million with this 17-slide pitch deck.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Tasmin Lockwood | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Upway, a French startup that refurbishes and resells secondhand e-bikes, has just raised $30 million in Series B funding. The Paris-based company, founded in 2021 by former Uber executives Stéphane Ficaja and Toussaint Wattinne, buys up used e-bikes, refurbishes them where necessary, and sells them on for a discounted price. Electric bikes sales hit 5 million in 2021 , out of 22 million overall bike sales, according to European trade organization CONEBI. Micro-mobility rentals, such as Lime and Tier, helped popularise the market and accelerate the adoption of e-bikes in cities, Wattinne said. Check out the 17-slide redacted pitch deck it used to raise the funds:UpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpwayUpway

Persons: Stéphane Ficaja, Toussaint Wattinne, Wattinne, Bolt, David Helgason, Ari Organizations: Uber, Business, Korelya, Sequoia, Exor Ventures, Unity Locations: Paris, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, LA, Grover, Berlin

But some worry the aid could be blocked by Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban who has touted his ties with Moscow and objected to similar support in the past. Asked for comment, Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said that any financial aid to Ukraine should be separate from the EU budget. "The issue of money for Ukraine will be solved one way or another, Kyiv will get EU support," the official said. BILLIONS AT STAKELast year, Hungary vetoed a similar proposal to give 18 billion euros in financial assistance to Ukraine in 2023. EU officials told Reuters last month that they were looking at unlocking at least some of that money as the bloc seeks to win Orban's vote for Ukraine.

Persons: Viktor Orban, Zoltan Kovacs, Valdis Dombrovskis, Orban, Jan Strupczewski, Gabriela Baczynska, Andrew Heavens, Toby Chopra Organizations: Moscow, Russia, Kyiv, European, Hungary's, EU, Trade, Ukraine, Hungary, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Hungary, Moscow Ukraine, BRUSSELS, BUDAPEST, Ukraine, Kyiv, Brussels, Moscow, EU, Budapest, Russia

BRUSSELS (AP) — These days, think twice before you lavishly ladle olive oil onto your pasta, salad or crusty bread. Olive oil, a daily staple of Mediterranean cuisine and the life of many a salad throughout Europe, is experiencing a staggering rise in price. In Spain, the world's biggest olive oil producer, prices jumped 53% in August compared to the previous year and a massive 115% since August 2021. Apart from olive oil, “potato prices were also on a staggering rise,” according to EU statistical agency Eurostat. Even if ETUC blames profiteering of big agroindustry in times of crisis, the olive oil sector has faced its own challenges.

Persons: ”, Esther Lynch, ETUC, ___ Ciarán Giles Organizations: European Union ., Eurostat, European Trade Union Confederation, Agriculture Ministry Locations: BRUSSELS, Olive, Europe, European Union . Olive, Spain, U.S, Japan, Ukraine, Madrid

☆ Dutch lawmakers question new US export restrictions on ASML chip machine
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

AMSTERDAM, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Several Dutch lawmakers on Tuesday challenged the Netherlands' Trade Minister over whether the U.S. has acted correctly in unilaterally imposing new rules regulating the export to China of another chipmaking machine made by ASML Holding (ASML.AS). The U.S. last week announced new rules giving Washington the right to restrict the export of Veldhoven-headquartered ASML's Twinscan NXT1930Di machine if it contains any U.S. parts at all. The deep ultraviolet (DUV) lithography machine can be used to help make both relatively advanced computer chips as well as mid-range and older chips. The U.S. has pressured the Dutch government not to export any of its most advanced machines to China since 2019, and in June the Dutch government introduced its own licensing requirement for slightly less advanced machines. ASML dominates the market for lithography equipment, used by chipmakers such as TSMC (2330.TW), Samsung (005930.KS) and Intel (INTC.O) to help create the circuitry of chips.

Persons: Liesje Schreinemacher, ASML, Schreienmacher, I've, Valdis Dombrovskis, Theirry, Toby Sterling, Jamie Freed Organizations: Trade, ASML, . Trade, U.S, Washington, Samsung, Intel, European Trade, Internal, Thomson Locations: AMSTERDAM, Netherlands, U.S, China, Taiwan, South Korea

Michel suggested no deal was imminent when he told reporters the two sides needed to find "mutually beneficial" solutions. U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai met with European Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis on Thursday, a third source told Reuters. Michel told reporters it was a critical time for the United States and the EU to "stick together" on their shared values and commitment to democracy given the Israel-Hamas conflict. It is still to be seen if this will end the U.S. tariffs threat or just see an extended suspension. Given the EU needs such materials itself for its green transition, the positive impact for the bloc may be limited.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Joe Biden, Charles Michel, Michel, von der Leyen, Katherine Tai, Valdis Dombrovskis, Donald Trump, Bernd Lange, Philip Blenkinsop, Alexandra Hudson, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: WASHINGTON, European Union, Trump, Commission, U.S, European, . Trade, EU, Washington, World Trade Organization, United, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, United States, Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, Europe, North America, China, Brussels, U.S, Washington, Friday's

MADRID/BRASILIA, Oct 20 (Reuters) - Argentina and Brazil are requesting 12.5 billion euros ($13.2 billion) in financial aid from the European Union in talks to conclude a trade agreement with South America's Mercosur bloc, according to a document seen by Reuters. Three EU and South American diplomats confirmed the Argentine request, which is backed by Brazil, in the rotating presidency of the four-nation Mercosur. A European diplomat involved in the talks told Reuters the 12.5 billion euros number was "floated" but that any support "would not be anything like that figure." The new aid request was made in a Mercosur counterproposal to an EU addendum proposing environmental safeguards. But the financial aid request and reopening of the public procurement chapter could prevent a final deal this year.

Persons: videoconferences, Xiana Mendez, Belen Carreño, Anthony Boadle, Brad Haynes, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: European Union, South America's Mercosur, Reuters, EU, South, Argentine, Mercosur, Thomson Locations: MADRID, BRASILIA, Argentina, Brazil, Mercosur, Uruguay, Paraguay, European, Brussels, Brasilia, Valencia

[1/2] A 0.25 mg injection pen of Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drug Wegovy is shown in this photo illustration in Oslo, Norway, September 1, 2023. REUTERS/Victoria Klesty/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsOct 12 (Reuters) - Novo Nordisk (NOVOb.CO) warned on Thursday of a surge in counterfeit versions of its weight-loss drug Wegovy and diabetes drug Ozempic offered online, as German authorities gave more details of complex European trades in a fake drug case. "Novo Nordisk has seen a significant increase in illegal online sales," the company said in a statement, referring to products that contain the active ingredient semaglutide. The warning came after Germany's federal drug regulator on Wednesday urged pharmacies and drug distributors to be vigilant following the discovery of wholesale batches of fake Ozempic. The FDA has warned patients to refrain from using a compounded drug if an approved drug is available.

Persons: Victoria Klesty, Ozempic, Novo, Danish drugmaker, Eli Lilly, Lilly, Maggie Fick, Ludwig Burger, Jan Harvey, Susan Fenton Organizations: REUTERS, Novo Nordisk, Nordisk, Prosecutors, U.S . Food, Drug Administration, U.S, FDA, Thomson Locations: Oslo, Norway, Victoria, Loerrach, Swiss, Basel, British, Austria, Germany, Europe, Danish, U.S, United States, Britain

By doing so, if they get capital relief, they would reduce the capital they need to keep against them for regulatory capital purposes, according to banking industry sources. “There has certainly been growing interest in these transactions as banks seek regulatory capital relief," said Missy Dolski, global head of capital markets at alternative investment firm Varde Partners, an active investor in such products. "This guidance makes it more clear what structures would need affirmative approval for capital relief and what is required to comply," she added. Directly issued credit-linked notes could also qualify but would need to be approved by the Fed, said the Q&A. These clarifications come after growing calls for clarity on which of these bespoke trades issued by U.S. banks would qualify for capital relief, the banking industry sources said.

Persons: Missy Dolski, Michael Bright, ”, Shankar Ramakrishnan, Megan Davies, Daniel Wallis Organizations: Federal Reserve, Varde Partners, Fed, SPV, Structured Finance Association, European Central Bank, Reuters, Thomson Locations: U.S, Major U.S

☆ Climate target walk-backs highlight 'overzealous' policy pledges, OPEC chief says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-02 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Haitham al-Ghais, secretary-general of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), speaking at the Energy Asia Summit on June 26, 2023. Asked about the impact of high oil prices on consumers, al-Ghais said this "depends on the state of the global economy" and noted increases in oil demand. We're seeing historically high, phenomenally high growth figures for oil demand," he said. An OPEC+ technical committee convenes digitally on Wednesday to review market fundamentals and the individual production compliance of member countries. Three OPEC+ delegates, speaking anonymously because of the sensitivity of the discussions, told CNBC it is unlikely this week's JMMC meeting will lead to policy adjustments.

Persons: Haitham, CNBC's Dan Murphy, Ghais Organizations: Organization of Petroleum Exporting, Energy Asia Summit, Bloomberg, Getty, OPEC, Organization of, Petroleum, Abu Dhabi International Progressive Energy Congress, European Union, Brent, International Energy Agency, CNBC, COP28 Locations: OPEC, Europe, Ukraine, Paris

☆ Iran’s president defends uranium enrichment after Europeans ‘trampled on their commitments’
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-24 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

They (European states) trampled upon their commitments,” Raisi told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly this week. Nuclear power, which Iran says is the purpose of its nuclear program, requires uranium to be enriched to 3% to 5%. There is also concern that if Iran’s nuclear program is not kept in check, it could lead to further nuclear proliferation in the Middle East. The agreement capped Iranian uranium enrichment at 3.67% in exchange for sanctions relief. “Now, you see that the Iranians and the Americans have reached an understanding that has toned down Iran’s nuclear program, in which Europe played no role,” Vaez said.

Persons: Ebrahim Raisi, ” Raisi, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Donald Trump, Ali Vaez, ” Vaez, Iran hasn’t, “, ” Organizations: CNN, “, UN, Assembly, International Atomic Energy Agency, IAEA, Reuters, Saudi Arabia’s Crown, European Union, US, Group, Tehran, ”, Iran’s, Agency, Crisis Locations: New York, Islamic Republic of Iran, Iran, Natanz, Tehran, Israel, East, United States, Washington, …, “, Islamic Republic, ” Tehran, France, Germany, United Kingdom, Europe, Qatar

☆ EU trade chief seeks more balanced economic ties on China visit
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis will take part in a joint economic and trade dialogue, meet Chinese officials and European companies active in China and deliver two speeches during his Sept. 23-26 trip to Shanghai and Beijing. For the European Union, the visit is designed to renew dialogue with China after its COVID-19 closure and as EU wariness grows over Beijing's closer ties with Moscow following Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The EU blames its 400 billion euro ($426.32 billion) trade deficit partly on Chinese restrictions on European companies and says the EU market is largely open. The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China said in a report on Wednesday that Chinese authorities were sending contradictory messages to foreign businesses. The EU is also expected to be asked during the visit to clarify what it means by "de-risk" in the context of China.

Persons: Valdis, Francisco Seco, Valdis Dombrovskis, Dombrovskis, Philip Blenkinsop, Barbara Lewis Organizations: European Commission, Rights, Beijing, Trade, European Union, EU, European Union Chamber of Commerce, Thomson Locations: Brussels, Belgium, Rights BRUSSELS, China, Shanghai, Beijing, Moscow, Ukraine, EU

Passersby are reflected on an electric stock quotation board outside a brokerage in Tokyo, Japan April 18, 2023. "They almost certainly have to hike again this year because today's inflation data shows there's still more work to do." INFLATION WATCHGovernment bond yields in the euro zone rose broadly after inflation data suggested the ECB may still have to hike rates again. Germany's two-year bond yields rose 7 bps to 3.09% . Spanish inflation rose 2.6% in August, as economists polled by Reuters had expected.

Persons: Issei Kato, Patrick Armstrong, there's, SEB, Elisabet Kopelman, Jerome Powell's, Naomi Rovnick, Shashwat Chauhan, Mark Potter, Chizu Organizations: REUTERS, European Central Bank, ECB, Nasdaq, Wall, SEB Group, Fed, Reuters, Bank's, U.S, Treasury, Brent, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Asia, Spain, North Rhine Westphalia, Germany's, United States, Gulf, Mexico, Bengaluru

U.S. bond investors nonetheless dialled back their bets of a rate hike in November and December following Powell's remarks, though Treasury yields traded near break-even by late morning. The yield on 10-year Treasury notes was steady at 4.2314% and the two-year yield, which reflects interest rate expectations, rose to 5.0735%. "We've seen a back-off in ECB rate hike expectations. Boston Fed President Susan Collins said on Yahoo Finance's video channel that rates may be near or at a peak, "but certainly additional increments are possible." Tokyo consumer price data on Friday, which front-runs nationwide figures, showed inflation remained well above the Bank of Japan's target.

Persons: Toby Melville, Jerome Powell, Powell, David Sadkin, Dow Jones, Christine, Lagarde, Ben Laidler, Patrick Harker, Susan Collins, Shaun Osborne, Joseph Capurso, Kazuo Ueda, Jackson, Brent, Samuel Indyk, Kevin Buckland, Jacqueline Wong, Mark Potter, Chizu Nomiyama, Susan Fenton, Diane Craft, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: London Stock Exchange Group, City of, REUTERS, Federal Reserve, Bel Air Investment Advisors, Nasdaq, European Central Bank, ECB, Reuters, Philadelphia Fed, CNBC, Boston, Yahoo, U.S, Scotiabank, Bank of, Bank of Japan, CBA, West Texas, Thomson Locations: City, City of London, Britain, Jackson Hole , Wyoming, U.S, Asia, Tokyo

☆ Shares whipsaw as Fed weighs inflation risks, yields steady
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Samuel Indyk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

If you're a bear, you heard him say we're going to be restrictive, and we might hike rates," said David Sadkin, president at Bel Air Investment Advisors. U.S. rates investors nonetheless dialled back their bets of a rate hike in November and December following Powell's remarks, though Treasury yields traded near break-even by late morning. "We've seen a back off in ECB rate hike expectations. Boston Fed President Susan Collins said on Yahoo Finance's video channel that rates may be near or at a peak, "but certainly additional increments are possible." Tokyo consumer price data on Friday, which front-runs nationwide figures, showed inflation remained well above the Bank of Japan's target.

Persons: Toby Melville, Jerome Powell, Powell, David Sadkin, Dow Jones, Christine, Lagarde, Ben Laidler, Patrick Harker, Susan Collins, Shaun Osborne, Joseph Capurso, Kazuo Ueda, Jackson, Brent, Samuel Indyk, Kevin Buckland, Jacqueline Wong, Mark Potter, Chizu Nomiyama, Susan Fenton Organizations: London Stock Exchange Group, City of, REUTERS, Federal Reserve, Bel Air Investment Advisors, Nasdaq, European Central Bank, Reuters, ECB, Philadelphia Fed, CNBC, Boston, Yahoo, U.S, Scotiabank, Bank of, Bank of Japan, CBA, West Texas, Thomson Locations: City, City of London, Britain, Jackson Hole , Wyoming, U.S, Asia, Tokyo

Oleg Panteleev, head of the AviaPort aviation think-tank in Moscow, said Russian airlines have "solved the problem" of operating under Western sanctions. When those firms stopped providing services – Lufthansa Technik said it suspended sales to Russia from Feb. 28, 2022 – Russian airlines turned to a pool of far smaller suppliers. Ivan Melnicov, chief executive of Air Rock and another aircraft parts distributor in Moldova called Aerostage Services, denied selling products to Russia. Most of the shipments listed in Russian customs records as having been made by Air Rock and Aerostage took circuitous routes, transiting through the UAE or Kyrgyzstan. He said Skyparts had procured one of the Northrop Grumman parts from a U.S. supplier but denied ever sending it to Russia.

Persons: Paul Hanna, Northrop, Oleg Panteleev, Kirill Skuratov, Northrop Grumman, Ivan Melnicov, Melnicov, Aerostage, Kafolati Komil, Mahmadbashir Yakubov, Kafolati, Skyparts FZCO, Lisa Barrington, Saeed Abdulloev, Skyparts, Karine Bukrey, Ramses Turizm, Bukrey's, Ramazan, Bukrey, Akpinar, Nordwind, Valery Pashaev, Pashaev, Maurice Tamman, David Clarke, Daniel Flynn Organizations: Ural Airlines Airbus, Palma de Mallorca, REUTERS, Rights, U.S ., Northrop Grumman, Central Asia, Airbus, Boeing, Ural Airlines, Northrop, United Arab Emirates, Western, Reuters, of Commerce, European Union, Russian, S7 Airlines, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Aeroflot, Lufthansa Technik, Engineering, Rock Solutions, Air Rock, Aerostage Services, Airlines, UAE, Istikloliyat, Skyparts, Nordwind Airlines, Thomson Locations: Palma de, Spain, Russian, Yekaterinburg, U.S, Moscow, Russia, Central, Ukraine, Tajikistan, UAE, Turkey, China, Kyrgyzstan, Swiss, Germany, Moldova, Air, Moldovan, Saudi Arabia, Komilchon, Ural, Dubai, United Arab, Turkish, Antalya, Nusret, Technic, New York

☆ Dollar retreats from 2-month high, yuan turns higher
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Samuel Indyk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The dollar index , which measures the currency against six other majors, was last down 0.2% at 103.18, but still close to Friday's two-month high of 103.68. Ten-year yields rose 14 basis points last week and touched a 10-month high of 4.328%, within a whisker of a 15-year high. The offshore yuan had fallen to the weak side of 7.3 per dollar before firming after Reuters reported that state-owned Chinese banks were seen actively mopping up offshore yuan liquidity, a move that raised the cost of shorting the currency. China's currency reversed course in the offshore market and was last up 0.2% to 7.2909 per dollar. Sterling rose slightly to $1.2756 and the Swiss franc was just above a six-week low hit last week at 0.8793 per dollar.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Jackson, Michael Brown, I'm, Brown, Jerome Powell, Vishnu Varathan, Adam Cole, Sterling, Samuel Indyk, Tom Westbrook, Kirsten Donovan, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, Federal, Trader, Wall, Treasury, Mizuho Bank, New Zealand, Authorities, RBC Capital Markets, Reuters, Swiss, Thomson Locations: Europe, Wyoming, Singapore, China, London

Containers of the Hapag-Lloyd shipping company are pictured at the Valparaiso port, Chile November 24, 2022. Chief Executive Rolf Habben Jansen said there were signs of recovery in spot freight rates and loadings. Shares in Hapag-Lloyd, the world's fifth-largest shipping line, were 2.9% down at 187.5 euros in early trade. Its first half revenues were 41% lower at 10.0 billion euros. EBITDA is expected to be between 4 billion and 6 billion euros.

Persons: Rodrigo Garrido, EBIT, Lloyd, Rolf Habben Jansen, Vera Eckert, Friederike Heine, Kim Coghill, Barbara Lewis Organizations: Lloyd, REUTERS, Companies, Maersk, CMA CGM, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Valparaiso, Chile, FRANKFURT, Hapag, North America, Ukraine

Pressure gauges, pipes and valves are pictured at an "Dashava" underground gas storage facility near Striy, Ukraine May 28, 2015. The bloc is expected to reach a target of filling its storage facilities to 90% full by Nov. 1. "EP Commodities transports natural gas to Ukraine and uses Ukrainian gas storage facilities," Miroslav Hasko, chairman at EPH's EP Commodities, said. EU countries' gas storage facilities were 87% full on Aug. 7, according to transparency platform GIE. "We consider gas storage in Ukraine as one of the interesting business opportunities that we are currently considering," SPP told Reuters.

Persons: Gleb Garanich, Miroslav Hasko, Naftotgaz, Martin Pich, Bruegel, Jan Lopatka, Marek Strzelelcki, Pavel Polityuk, Barbara Lewis Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, Traders, Gas, Reuters, Commodities, Naftogaz, Thomson Locations: Striy, Ukraine, PRAGUE, WARSAW, Czech, Slovakia, Russia, Hungary, Poland, Kyiv

Port infrastructure on the Danube river is the target this time," regional governor Oleh Kiper wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Global wheat and corn futures rose sharply on concern that Russia's attacks and more fighting, including a drone strike on Moscow, could threaten grain exports and shipping. "Russia has in the past months not attacked Ukraine's overland and inland waterways grain infrastructure," one European trader said. Another European grain trader said: "It’s clearly an attack on additional Ukrainian grain export infrastructure. "Russia hit another Ukrainian grain storage overnight," Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote on Twitter.

Persons: Oleh Kiper, Reni, Odesa, Dmytro Kuleba, Valentyn Ogirenko, Michael Hogan, Tom Balmforth, Timothy Organizations: Press Service, Operational Command, Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russia, Ukraine KYIV, European Union, Romania, Police, Maersk Group, Twitter, Ukraine's National Security, Defence Council, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Odesa Region, Russia, Kyiv, Port, Moscow, Reni, NATO, Romanian, Africa, Asia, Hamburg

☆ Europe heat wave: Struggling outdoor workers threaten strikes and walkouts
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-21 | by ( Caolán Magee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —As swaths of southern Europe continue to swelter under a deadly heat wave, for many outdoor workers, it’s turning into a brutal endurance test. “When it comes to protecting the health of outdoor workers during extreme heat events, there are really just three fundamental pieces — water, shade and rest,” Dahl told CNN last week. Yet some experts say many countries are far from prepared for dealing with extreme heat. Extreme heat also reveals a deep divide in the labor market, between those forced to be outside and those able to retreat to air-conditioned offices, the report added. Many workers in the global supply chain will be highly vulnerable to climate change impacts like heat, Parsons said.

Persons: Marina Calderone, Simona Granati, “, Stelios Misinas, ”, Laurie Parsons, Kristina Dahl, ” Dahl, Parsons Organizations: CNN, Acropolis, Reuters, Royal Holloway, University of London, “, Union of Concerned, European Trade Union Institute, European Union, Nature Medicine Locations: Europe, Rome, Naples, Italy, Greece, Athens, Saronida, Italian, Lodi, Royal

☆ India triggers inflation fears after imposing major rice export ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-20 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

The government said it was imposing a ban on non-basmati white rice after retail rice prices climbed 3% in a month after late but heavy monsoon rains caused significant damage to crops. The category impacted, non-basmati white and broken rice, accounted for around 10 million tons of a total of 22 million tons of Indian rice exports last year. His administration has extended a ban on wheat exports after curbing rice shipments in September 2022. Vietnam’s 5% broken rice was offered at $515 to $525 per metric ton, its highest since 2011. Buyers may move to Thailand and Vietnam, but their 5% broken rice could cost $600 per metric ton, said one European trader.

Persons: Narendra Modi, B.V, Krishna Rao, Rice, ” Rao, Rao, El Organizations: Delhi Reuters, Rice, Association, Reuters, El Nino Locations: Delhi, India, Ukraine, Asia, Thailand, Vietnam, New Delhi, Benin, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Togo, Guinea, Bangladesh, Nepal, Punjab, Haryana, Rice, China, Philippines

The government said it was imposing the ban after retail rice prices climbed 3% in a month as late monsoon rains damaged crops. While a late monsoon caused a major shortfall of rain up to mid-June, heavy rains since have caused significant damage. India accounts for more than 40% of world rice exports but low inventories mean any cut in shipments will fuel food prices driven up by Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year and erratic weather. His administration has extended a ban on wheat exports after curbing rice shipments in September 2022. "India would disrupt the global rice market with far greater velocity than Ukraine did in the wheat market with Russia's invasion," B.V. Krishna Rao, president of the Rice Exporters Association told Reuters.

Persons: Rice, Narendra Modi, Krishna Rao, Rao, El, Michael Hogan, Jan Harvey, David Evans, Conor Humphries Organizations: Rice, Association, Reuters, El, Farmers, El Nino, Thomson Locations: India, Ukraine, DELHI, Asia, Thailand, Vietnam, New Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rice, West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, China, Philippines, Hamburg

☆ Britain signs deal to join £12 trillion Indo-Pacific trade bloc
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-16 | by ( Matt Clinch | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade, Minister for Women and Equalities Kemi Badenoch leaves 10 Downing Street. LONDON — Britain's Kemi Badenoch, the business and trade secretary, formally signed a treaty confirming accession to the vast Indo-Pacific CPTPP bloc, the country's largest post-Brexit trade deal to date. The U.K. would be the first European nation to join the bloc, which the government says would unlock trade to a region with a total GDP of £12 trillion ($15.7 trillion). Badenoch said Sunday that Britain was using its status as an independent trading nation to join an "exciting, growing, forward-looking trade bloc." One in every 100 workers in Britain was employed by a business headquartered in a CPTPP nation, according to the government citing 2019 data.

Persons: Badenoch, Kemi Organizations: State for International Trade, of Trade, Women, Equalities, CPTPP, Trans, Pacific Partnership Locations: Kemi Badenoch, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Britain

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