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☆ Europe has overpromised on artillery shells to Ukraine and is making even less than it admits: investigation
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-08 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewEuropean claims about its capacity to produce artillery shells are wildly overblown, meaning it won't be able to supply Ukraine anywhere near the quantity it has promised, according to a new investigation. The European Commission claimed that, as of January this year, Europe's annual production capacity for 155 mm shells had reached one million shells a year. Related storiesOne source familiar with the industry said Europe would produce less than half a million shells by the end of the year, and said it was poor policy to pretend otherwise. Advertisement155mm shells have been a crucial staple for both sides of the conflict in Ukraine. As of May, Russia was able to produce artillery shells about three times faster than Ukraine's allies were able to, and for a quarter of the cost, Sky News reported.

Persons: —, Thierry Breton, Johanna Bernsel Organizations: Service, European Commission, Business, Internal, Radio Free, Rheinmetall, European, EU, Bloomberg, Sky News Locations: Ukraine, Estonian, Europe, Russia

☆ French bond markets calm despite country hitting political gridlock
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-08 | by ( Matt Clinch | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Anadolu | Anadolu | Getty ImagesGovernment bond markets in France saw some selling early on Monday, but were fairly muted overall despite political gridlock after a second round of legislative elections. Jitters have spread through France's bond market in recent weeks. The 10-year yield topped 3.3% — a roughly 8-month high — after French President Emmanuel Macron called the snap parliamentary election in the middle of June. Meanwhile, the gap (or spread) between French bond yields and German bond yields had topped 85 basis points in recent weeks, hitting its highest level since 2012. He added that the chances of a confrontation with Brussels remained with the left-wing alliance, but not to the same extent as if the National Rally had won.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Emmanuel Macron's, —, David Roche, Digard, Kepler Cheuvreux Organizations: New, Republique, Anadolu, Getty, Government, European Commission, Sunday, Popular Front, Independent, National Rally, CNBC Locations: Paris, France, France's, London, Brussels

☆ What a hung parliament in France could mean for markets
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-07 | by ( Matt Clinch | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Emmanuel Dunand | Afp | Getty ImagesInitial indications on Sunday evening for the French parliamentary run-off vote threw up some big surprises, leaving political commentators contemplating a "hung parliament" scenario that could prove challenging for both policymaking and financial markets. With none of the groups expected to hit the 289 seats needed for an absolute majority, gridlock could ensue over the coming weeks. The euro slipped about 0.3% against the U.S. dollar in thin trading on Sunday evening after the exit polls were released. "Regardless, uncertainty about the outlook for French policymaking is likely to be long-lasting," the analysts said. France is facing a challenging fiscal position, and the European Commission announced two weeks ago that it intended to place France under an Excessive Deficit Procedure due to its failure to keep its budget deficit within 3 percent of gross domestic product.

Persons: Emmanuel Dunand, France's, Emmanuel Macron's, policymaking, Jack Allen, Reynolds, Macron, David Roche Organizations: la Republique, Afp, Getty, Popular Front, Rassemblement National, U.S, Citi, Daiwa, European Commission, Capital Economics, Independent, National Rally Locations: France, la, Paris, Italy, Germany

☆ The UK used to be a European tourism hot spot. Here’s how it all went wrong
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-06 | by ( Julia Buckley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

Tax-free shopping for tourists has been axed, and EU visitors now need a passport to visit, which most don’t have. Matt Cardy/Getty ImagesAs a result of Brexit, in 2021 the UK government abolished tax-free shopping for non-EU citizens. It means the UK is now the only European country not offering tax-free shopping to visitors from outside the continent. “The impact of losing tax-free shopping is clear to see,” says Dee Corsi, chief executive of the NWEC. “Whilst the likes of Italy and France are actively leveraging tax-free shopping as a driver of growth, British businesses continue to trade at a disadvantage.

Persons: CNN —, Rishi Sunak, what’s, JC Milhet, Hans Lucas, Tom Jenkins, ”, “, ” Patricia Yates, Kayla Zeigner, Marcy Zyonse, We’ve, –, Yates, ” There’s, Zeigler, Zyonse, ’, Owen Humphreys, VisitBritain, That’s, she’s, Keir Starmer, VisitBritain's Yates, Phil Noble, ” “, Marcus Lee, hasn’t, Matt Cardy, Dee Corsi, Jenkins, “ It’ll, King Charles, John Sibley, London “, Mia, ” She’ll, Britain Organizations: CNN, UK’s Labour Party, Conservative, Labour, Getty, European Tourism Organisation, VisitBritain, Destination, Tourism, New, London, ”, UK, “, China Travel, Visitors, West End Company Locations: Britain, Italy, Luxembourg, London, AFP, Europe, Caribbean, Greece, Lake, Ireland, It’s, Spain, France, New York, ”

☆ China-built EVs hit with EU tariffs; Nio says it may have to raise prices in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-04 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

The EU's decision comes at a time when Chinese automakers have been aggressively expanding into Europe with competitively priced offerings, posing a threat to the region's top automakers, many of which have lagged behind in EVs. It did not comment on whether it would end up raising prices as a result of the levies. When the EU first announced the tariffs last month, Tesla said it will likely increase the Europe prices of its Model 3 vehicle. The EU has yet to say what specific level of tariffs Tesla will face, but noted last month that the U.S. automaker "may receive an individually calculated duty rate." watch nowChinese and EU officials have held several rounds of meetings to discuss the tariffs, with Beijing in June criticizing the EU's imposition of tariffs as a "protectionist act."

Persons: Nio, Xpeng, Tesla, Yadong Organizations: Union, European Commission, European Union, Automakers, EV, CNBC, EU, U.S ., Commerce Ministry Locations: China, Shanghai, Europe, EVs, Beijing

☆ Burgum set to decide on massive pipeline project that’s pitting his rural constituents against GOP megadonors
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-03 | by ( Allison Gordon | Casey Tolan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Hamm also donated $50 million toward Burgum’s effort to build a presidential library honoring Theodore Roosevelt in North Dakota. CNBC first reported on Burgum’s financial ties with Continental, and the Associated Press previously reported on the politics of the Summit pipeline debate. Gaylen Dewing and Marvin Abraham put up a sign opposing the Summit pipeline east of Bismarck, N.D. in August 2023. Supporters say it will be an economic driver for North Dakota and help reduce emissions across the Midwest. North Dakota landowner Kurt Swenson attends a court hearing related to the pipeline project.

Persons: Donald Trump, Doug Burgum, GOP megadonors, –, That’s, ” Troy Coons, “ It’s, Al Drago, Burgum, ingratiated, Biden, Trump, “, ”, Joe Biden’s, Bruce Rastetter, Harold Hamm, Evan Vucci, Hamm, Theodore Roosevelt, ” Burgum, Rob Lockwood, Gary Tharaldson, Tharaldson, Justin Lane, who’s, Scott Skokos, ” Lockwood, ” Virginia Canter, ” Canter, “ Burgum, Drew Wrigley, Doug Goehring, don’t, Forbes, Sen, Jeff Magrum, Gaylen Dewing, Marvin Abraham, Jack Dura, Derrick Braaten, “ You’ll, Kurt Swenson's, Joe Swenson, Mike Bauman, Bauman, ” Bauman, Terry Wanzek, Mike Haupt, ” Haupt, Kurt Swenson, Kurt Swenson Kurt Swenson, ” Swenson, “ You’re, Swenson, CNN’s Alayna Treene Organizations: CNN, North Dakota Gov, GOP, Bloomberg, Getty, North, of Environmental, Trump, Republican, Associated Press, AP . Pipeline, Carbon Solutions, Midwest Carbon Express, Summit Agricultural, Iowa GOP, Continental Resources, Securities, Exchange, Continental, AP Continental, Burgum, CNBC, Forbes, Washington Post, Dakota Resource Council, North Dakota Industrial Commission, Summit, Rastetter, AP, Conservatives, Sierra Club, Farm, North Dakota Monitor Locations: North Dakota, Laconia , New Hampshire, Lago, North Dakota’s, Burgum, Pittsburgh, Hamm, Roosevelt, spokespeople, Trump's New York City, Washington, Iowa, Tharaldson, Bismarck, Kurt Swenson's North Dakota, Mercer County

☆ A growing club led by Xi and Putin to counter the US is adding a staunchly pro-Russia member
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-02 | by ( Nectar Gan | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

After adding Belarus, it will boast 10 members, representing more than 40% of the world’s population and roughly a quarter of the global economy. Growing ambitionsAs the SCO grows in international visibility and economic weight, it has also broadened in geopolitical ambitions. Putin speaks to Xi at the SCO summit two years ago in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. But the Belarus membership also creates big question marks that will hang over the organization, Gill said. After the summit in Astana, China is due to take up the rotating presidency of the SCO for a year.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, Narendra Modi, Moscow’s, ”, “, Eva Seiwert, Seiwert, Putin, Xi, Sergei Bobylev, Bates Gill, Gill, –, ” Gill, Modi, they’re Organizations: Hong Kong CNN —, Shanghai Cooperation Organization, Indian, SCO, Union, Mercator Institute for China Studies, ”, Putin, AP, National Bureau of Asian Research, “, Central, Modi, Astana –, Kremlin, Central Asia, NATO, European Union, Seven Locations: Hong Kong, China, Russia, Russian, Ukraine, Belarus, Astana, Kazakhstan, Beijing, Moscow, United States, Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Turkey, Berlin, “, Eurasia, Samarkand, Central Asia, New Delhi, Soviet, Xi’an

☆ Russia can’t fight NATO on the battlefield – so it’s waging a hybrid war instead
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Ivana Kottasová | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

And while they might look minor in isolation, taken together these incidents amount to what security experts say is Russia’s hybrid war on the West. Thornton said Russia was resorting to a campaign of sabotage as an alternative to a full-on war with NATO, which would be disastrous for Russia. Article 5 is the cornerstone principle that an attack on one member of NATO is an attack on all members. Danylyuk said the Russian security apparatus doesn’t shy away from using criminals to do its dirty work, tapping into its links with international organized crime. Russia can only be strong if the West and NATO are weak.

Persons: –, Petr Fiala, Jens Stoltenberg, Rod Thornton, there’s, ” Thornton, Vladimir Putin, Thornton, “, ”, It’s, ” Nicole Wolkov, Andrei Averyanov, Averyanov, Sergei, Yulia Skripal, d’etat, Oleksandr Danylyuk, …, Volodymyr Zelensky’s, Danylyuk, Olga Lautman, Fiala, Sergei Skripal, Yulia, Frank Augstein, ” Lautman, Lautman, Alexander Litvinenko, Andrei Lugovoi, Theresa May, Nikolai Glushkov, Salisbury, Putin, ” “, let’s, ’ ”, that’s, Litvinenko, Skripal Organizations: CNN, Occupation, . Police, European Union, NATO, King’s College London, ”, Royal United Services Institute, Czech Police, GRU, London –, German Federal Public, Ukraine, Russian, Russia NATO, Center for, European, of Human, Duma, Metropolitan Police, Command, Soviet, West Locations: Prague, Czech, Moscow, Europe, Riga, London, Warsaw, Germany, Russia, Belarus, Russian, Spain, Lithuania, Canada, Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia –, United States, al Qaeda, France, EU, Salisbury, England, Czech Republic, Vrbetice, Montenegro, Moldova, Macedonia, Ukrainian, Poland, Salisbury , England, Finland, Estonia, Lautman, Soviet Union

Rights groups are furious the Taliban meeting is going ahead without Afghan women, and say it legitimizes Afghanistan’s leaders and fails to hold them to account for grave injustices. Whatever we had, we spent it,” Arzo’s brother Ahamad, a 27-year-old journalist under threat from the Taliban due to his occupation, told CNN in November. Arzo told CNN what drove her suicide attempt. Pakistan’s policy on “illegal foreigners” is no different to that of other nations, Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch told CNN. CNNArzo doesn’t want a life like that for herself, her sister, or the women and girls still in Afghanistan.

Persons: ”, Arzo, Javed Iqbal, ” Richard Bennett, Zabihullah Mujahid, “, Richard Bennett, weren’t, – they’ll, They’re, Mahsa, Ahamad, Doctors, Arzo’s, CNN Arzo hadn’t, ” Mahsa, they’ve, can’t, Moniza Kakar, Rain, Kakar, Abbas, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, Baloch, hadn’t, ” Amanullah, He’s, Amanullah, he’s, CNN Arzo, Heather Barr, ” Barr, “ It’s, Bennett, she’ll, “ I’m Organizations: CNN, Lifeline, International Association for Suicide Prevention, Befrienders Worldwide, Pakistan CNN —, United Nations, Human Rights, UN, Security, “ ACC ”, Afghan, ACC, Pakistani Ministry of Foreign, “, Taliban, Human Rights Watch, International Court of Justice, Criminal Court, ICC Locations: Karachi, Pakistan, Pakistani, Afghanistan, CNN Pakistan, Doha, Qatar, Afghan, Kabul, Islamabad, –, Soviet, ”, Canada, Israel, Gaza

☆ EU leaders pick von der Leyen for second term as Commission chief
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-28 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

European Union leaders agreed to nominate Ursula von der Leyen of Germany for a second five-year term as president of the European Commission, the EU's powerful executive body. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, another right-winger, voted against von der Leyen and did not vote for Kallas, diplomats said. Von der Leyen's nomination still needs approval from the European Parliament in a secret ballot - widely seen as a trickier proposition than her endorsement by EU leaders. "It is a matter of convincing - if possible - a broad majority for a strong Europe," von der Leyen said. Von der Leyen hails from the centre-right, Costa from the centre-left and Kallas from Europe's liberal group.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa, Kaja Kallas, Charles Michel, Giorgia Meloni, von der Leyen, Costa, Meloni, Viktor Orban, Von der, Von der Leyen, there's, Kallas Organizations: Union, European Commission, Estonian, European, Italian, Kallas, EU, Kyiv, U.S Locations: Germany, Brussels, Portuguese, Hungarian, Europe, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Thailand is now the Myanmar junta’s favored banking destination as military attacks ramp up, UN expert says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Helen Regan | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Hong Kong/Bangkok CNN —International banks are playing a significant role in the Myanmar military junta’s ability to carry out its systematic and deadly assault on its people, a new United Nations-backed report has found. Athit Perawongmetha/ReutersThe Thai connectionSingapore-based entities were Myanmar’s third largest source of weapons and military materials. In 2022, Singapore-based banks facilitated more than 70% of the junta’s purchases passing through the banking system. Looking for other financial institutions, the junta found neighboring Thailand. “Our banking and financial institutions follow banking protocols as any major financial hub.

Persons: Tom Andrews, ” Andrews, Banks, ”, Athit Perawongmetha, “ Organizations: Bangkok CNN — International, United Nations, UN, Administration Council, SAC, “ Banking, Military Junta, States, Karen National Liberation Army, Siam Commercial Bank, CNN, Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Economic Bank Locations: Hong Kong, Bangkok, Myanmar, Singapore, Myawaddy, Thailand, Thai, Siam

☆ 4 NATO countries are calling for a defense line along Europe's 700-mile border with Russia and Belarus
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

The Baltic states and Poland have called for a defense line along Europe's border with Russia, per Reuters. They said it would protect the EU from Russia's "military" and "hybrid" threats. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementNATO member states Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, and Poland have urged the EU to build defensive infrastructure along its 700-mile-long border with Russia and Belarus, according to Reuters. The leaders of the four countries, which all share a land border with either Russia or Belarus, called for "extraordinary" measures to protect them and their allies.

Persons: — Organizations: Reuters, NATO, Service, EU, Business Locations: Baltic, Poland, Russia, Russia's, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Belarus

☆ Ukraine, Moldova and the EU begin formal negotiations. But neither country will join the bloc soon
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on X: “Congratulations to Moldova and Ukraine on opening accession negotiations. This is very good news for the people of Ukraine, Moldova, and the entire European Union. There are 35 chapters in total, all of which must be agreed by all negotiating parties, including the 27 EU member states. Expanding the bloc to the east of Europe will have consequences for the rest of the EU member states. Perhaps more importantly, accepting Ukraine and Moldova to the bloc would mean adding around 40 million new EU citizens from Eastern Europe.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, Viktor Orban, Orban Organizations: CNN, European Union, Soviet, EU, Ukraine Locations: Ukraine, Moldova, Russia, Hungary, Hungarian, Moldovan, Transnistria, Europe, Poland, Eastern Europe, Western

☆ Hezbollah Has Threatened Cyprus. Here’s Why.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-22 | by ( Ephrat Livni | More About Ephrat Livni | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +3 min

Cyprus found itself at the center of the world’s attention this week when the leader of Hezbollah threatened to target the small island nation if it supported Israel in potential war efforts. Here’s a closer look at how Cyprus has been pulled into the situation. Their militaries have conducted joint exercises and exchanged visits, and the two countries have a defense cooperation program, according to the Cyprus Ministry of Defense. Cyprus also has a “defense attaché” in Israel — and in about two dozen other nations — as part of what it calls “active defense diplomacy.”There is an additional cooperation agreement between Cyprus, Greece and Israel, which Cyprus says is aimed at “strengthening peace, stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean.”How did Cyprus respond to Hezbollah’s threat? Other allies of Cyprus also condemned Hezbollah’s threat.

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, Here’s, ”, Israel —, Nikos Christodoulides, “, Christodoulides, Peter Stano, ” Matthew Miller, Nasrallah’s Organizations: Lebanese, Cyprus Ministry of Defense, American, Cypriot, European Union, State Department Locations: Cyprus, Israel, Iran, Lebanon, Britain, Egypt, France, Greece, Gaza

☆ Israel-Hamas war: Why Hezbollah is threatening Cyprus
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Nadeen Ebrahim | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

While experts say war between Israel and Hezbollah remains unlikely, the very mention of Cyprus adds a new dimension to the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. Stavros Ioannides/PIO/ReutersWhat has Cyprus’ role been in the Gaza war? Cyprus has been keen to dispel any suggestions that it is implicated in the Gaza war, noting its humanitarian efforts that helped bring some aid into Gaza. It would mean that an EU country is, for the first time, directly involved in an expanded Gaza war. “The US also does not want to find itself in another Middle East quagmire, especially with presidential elections looming.”

Persons: Hassan Nasrallah, ”, Nikos Christodoulides, ” Peter Stano, Abdallah Bou Habib, Constantinos Kombos, Lebanon’s, Israel, “, Eli Cohen, Stavros Ioannides, PIO, Christodoulides, Yiannis Kourtoglou, ” Mohammad Ali Shabani, Amwaj.media, ” Lina Khatib, ” Khatib, Biden Organizations: CNN, Lebanese, European Union, EU, United Nations, Lebanon’s, Cypriot, Israel, The, NATO, Israel Defense Forces, IDF, Reuters, Spanish, North Africa, Chatham House Locations: Cyprus, Israel, “ Cyprus, Iran, Lebanon, EU, Greece, Gaza, East, Europe, European, Delaware, Republic of Cyprus, Turkish, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Turkey, The Republic of Cyprus, Nicosia, Tel Aviv, Larnaca, ”, UAE, Russian, Syria, London, Haifa, “

☆ Putin may need arms from North Korea’s Kim for Ukraine war, but what is he willing to give in return?
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-18 | by ( Simone Mccarthy | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

North Korea launched its first spy satellite, the Malligyong-1, in November. The arrangement may also enable North Korea to gain real-world intel on the functioning of its weaponry and help it ramp up exports more broadly. Such satellites can help North Korea improve its ground-based military capabilities, for example enabling it to more accurately target opponents’ forces with its own missiles. Both countries in recent years have blocked movement in the council related to North Korea as they grew skeptical of US-backed sanctions. He pointed to his experiences during the former US President Barack Obama administration working on nonproliferation efforts related to North Korea and Iran.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin ramped, Kim Jong, Putin, ”, Edward Howell, Xi Jinping, Kim, ” Putin, “ Kim Jong, he’ll, Ankit, Sofiia Gatilova, Putin –, “ Putin, –, John Erath, Erath, Xi, it’s, Michael McFaul, Barack Obama, ” McFaul, … we’re Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, University of Oxford, KCNA, intel, South, United Nations, North, Carnegie Endowment, International Peace, Kremlin, UN Security Council, Center for Arms Control, Observers, UN, National Security, Center for Strategic, International Studies Locations: Hong Kong, North Korea, Ukraine, Russia, Pyongyang, Moscow, Eurasia, United Kingdom, United States, Italy, South Korea, Japan, Seoul, Washington, North Korean, Korea, Russian, Kharkiv, Kyiv, China, Iran

☆ EU countries approve landmark nature law after delays
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The nature restoration law is among the EU's biggest environmental policies, requiring member states to introduce measures restoring nature on a fifth of their land and sea by 2030. EU countries' environment ministers backed the policy at a meeting in Luxembourg, meaning it can now pass into law. "I know I will face opposition in Austria on this, but I am convinced that this is the time to adopt this law," Gewessler told reporters. Belgium, which holds the EU's rotating presidency and chairs meetings of ministers, said the Austrian government dispute would not affect the legality of the EU ministers' vote. EU countries and the European Parliament negotiated a deal on the law last year but it has come under fire from some governments in recent months amid protests by farmers angry at costly EU regulations.

Persons: Leonore Gewessler, Gewessler, Chancellor Karl Nehammer's, Karoline Edtstadler Organizations: Climate, Energy, Mobility, Innovation, European Union, European, Union, Greens, People's Party, EU Locations: European, Brussels, Luxembourg, Austria, Belgium, Austrian

☆ The Greens Are Dead. Long Live the Greens!
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Matina Stevis-Gridneff | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

There is no sugarcoating it: losing one-third of their seats in the European Parliament elections last week, the Greens tanked. The European Union has in recent years emerged as the world’s most ambitious frontier in fighting climate change. European voters are anxious about the war in Ukraine and its effect on defense and the economy. A cost-of-living crisis fueled by the coronavirus pandemic is still gripping core European Union members. In this new set of priorities, the Greens’ appeal seems to have faded — or worse, made them appear out of touch.

Organizations: Greens, European, Union Locations: Ukraine

☆ 'We're not backing down:' How the West plans to use Russia's frozen funds, and why some say it's still not enough to help Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-16 | by ( Filip De Mott | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The Group of Seven has agreed in principal to provide Ukraine with a $50 billion loan. Profits from Russian frozen funds are to be used as collateral to back the loan. AdvertisementThe Group of Seven has finally moved the dial on a contentious idea to provide funding to Ukraine by using Russian funds. AdvertisementRoughly $322 billion in funds were frozen after Moscow invaded Ukraine and have sat untouched for over two years. That could mean Moscow taps Western funds in the country and punishes any Western companies that have remained in Russia.

Persons: —, Putin, we're, Joe Biden, Biden, Michael Froman, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Charles Lichfield, Chatham House's Timothy Ash Organizations: Seven, Service, Kyiv, European Commission, of Foreign, CNBC, Moscow, The, CEPA, Financial Times Locations: Ukraine, headbutting, Moscow, Europe, Kyiv, Russia, France, Germany

☆ Russian ally ditching Putin's rival to NATO damages the image Putin wants to project of himself, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-14 | by ( Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewArmenia's announcement that it's going to leave a Russia-led alliance that was set up to rival NATO is a blow to the image Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to project, experts told Business Insider. In fact, experts say it's the opposite of what Putin hoped to achieve with the alliance. But leading it is still important to Putin as, in Putin's mind, "great powers lead alliances and organizations." Armenia snubbing RussiaPashinyan's announcement came after months of snubs against Putin, and criticism of the CSTO in general.

Persons: —, Vladimir Putin, Nikol Pashinyan, Putin, Davis Ellison, Alexander Cooley, Thomas Graham, snubs, Pashinyan, Graham, Armenia doesn't Organizations: Service, NATO, Collective Security, Organization, Business, The Hague, Strategic Studies, Columbia University, Yale, Armenia's, Reuters, Getty Locations: Russia, Armenia, Kremlin, Soviet Union, Moscow, Soviet, East, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Washington, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan

☆ One of Russia's allies says it is quitting Putin's rival to NATO, in the latest snub to the Kremlin
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | Sinéad Baker | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

download the appSign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. Read previewA key Russian ally said it's quitting the Collective Security Treaty Organization, a group widely considered to be President Vladimir Putin's answer to NATO. The prime minister told lawmakers: "We will leave. Related storiesTensions have heightened between Russia and Armenia since Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which Pashinyan has refused to endorse on multiple occasions. Frankopan said the latest development may not end with Armenia leaving the CSTO if negotiations take place.

Persons: —, it's, Vladimir Putin's, Nikol Pashinyan, he'd, Pashinyan, Putin, Pashinyan's, Dmitry Peskov, Peter Frankopan, Frankopan Organizations: Service, Security, Organization, NATO, Armenian, Associated Press, Business, AP, Kremlin, Oxford University, West . Relations, Ukraine —, Azerbaijan, International Criminal Locations: Russian, Russia, Moscow, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Balkans, Azerbaijan

☆ EU tariffs on EVs sting China but won’t halt BYD’s advance
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-13 | by ( Laura He | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

The impact on China’s EV makers will vary depending on the level of tariff and each company’s cost structure. “One critical issue for China is that the EU accounted for 38% of China’s EV exports in 2023,” Sebastian said. In February, nine government agencies, including the Commerce Ministry and the central bank, vowed to provide support to accelerate Chinese EV makers’ global push. Tesla prices to riseIn contrast to BYD, state-owned carmaker SAIC is in a “disastrous” situation facing 38.1% in additional tariffs, according to Sebastian. Soula said China could retaliate by imposing tariffs on some European goods such as luxury cars, premium brandies or airplane parts.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN —, BYD, Tesla, Gregor Sebastian, ”, ” Sebastian, Etienne Soula, It’s, Sebastian, Geely, Andrew Bergbaum, don’t, Soula Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, European Union, EV, China’s, Alliance, Democracy, German Marshall Fund of, Commerce Ministry, SAIC, Volvo, European Commission, UBS, EU Locations: China, Hong Kong, European, Europe, Beijing, Asia, Brazil, Turkey, United States, EU, America, Shanghai, Hungary, Italy, Spain

☆ Europe risks trade war with China by hiking tariffs on its electric cars
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, launched the probe in October to establish whether Chinese EV prices are artificially low because of subsidies and so hurt European carmakers. Europe is the main destination for Chinese EV exports. The new EV tariffs are likely to kick off intense negotiations between Beijing and Brussels aimed at averting a damaging trade war. Many of them manufacture cars in China and then sell them in Europe, a set-up that will be more costly as a result of the higher tariffs. Alternatively, Beijing could pledge investment into EU countries and promise better market access in China for EU firms, the Rhodium analysts wrote.

Persons: ” Will Roberts, BYD, Roberts, …, Olaf Scholz, ”, Joe Biden, Olesya Dmitracova, Mark Thompson, Shawn Deng, Alex Stambaugh Organizations: London CNN, European Union, European Commission, Commission, Volvo, SAIC, EV, EU, Rho Motion, China’s Ministry of Commerce, Rho, Renault’s, CNN, “, France EU, Group Locations: China, Beijing, European, Brussels, Washington, EU, Europe, Renault’s Dacia, “ Beijing, Germany, France, Spain, United States, Hungary, London, Hong Kong

☆ OPEC’s sway over global oil prices may soon loosen, IEA says
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-12 | by ( Anna Cooban | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

The Paris-based IEA said Wednesday that it expects growth in global oil production — led by the United States and other countries in the Americas — to “inflate the world’s spare (oil) capacity cushion” to levels seen only once before, during the coronavirus pandemic when oil prices crashed. By 2030, global oil supply will outstrip demand by a “staggering” 8 million barrels per day, according to forecasts published by the agency in its medium-term oil market report. “(That’s) a major, major surplus and… might be one of the highest in the history,” Fatih Birol, the IEA’s executive director, told reporters. The IEA also forecast growth in global oil demand to “slow progressively” over the rest of the decade, with demand peaking by 2029 before contracting slightly the year after. Despite the cuts, oil prices have trended downward in recent months.

Persons: London CNN —, upend, ” Fatih Birol Organizations: London CNN, Organization of, Petroleum, International Energy Agency, The, ”, OPEC, CNN, IEA, Brent, West Texas Locations: OPEC, The Paris, United States, Americas, Russia, Syria, China

☆ Oil slips on dollar's strength from U.S. jobs data
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Oil wells are seen at an oil facility by the Highway 5 near Bakersfield in California, U.S. on Nov. 27, 2022. Oil prices nudged lower for a second straight session on Monday, weighed down by a firmer dollar as expectations of interest rate cuts were pushed out further following strong U.S. jobs data on Friday. On Friday, data showed the U.S. added more jobs than expected last month, leading investors to trim expectations for rate cuts and causing the dollar to rally. In the U.S., Washington stepped up purchasing of crude oil to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve after prices fell. Last week, U.S. energy firms cut the number of oil and natural gas rigs operating to the lowest since January 2022, energy services firm Baker Hughes said on Friday.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Le, Tony Sycamore, Sycamore, Brent, WTI, FGE, Washington, Baker Hughes, Hayan Abdel, Ghani Organizations: Brent, . West Texas, greenback, European Union, IG, U.S . Federal Reserve, Bank of Japan, Organization of, Petroleum, bbl, Strategic Petroleum Reserve, Iraq's Oil Locations: Bakersfield, California, U.S, European, Sydney, OPEC, Kurdistan, Iraq, Turkey

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