KIRUNA, Sweden — Arctic states agreed Wednesday to let nations that are located nowhere near the Earth’s north to become observers to their diplomatic council, boosting rising superpowers China, India and South Korea that are seeking to mine the region for its untapped energy and other natural resources.

The European Union also was tentatively granted observer status to the eight-state council but must first address several questions about its bid, including concerns about its ban on Canadian seal exports.

KENAI — Buccaneer Energy has started drilling its first Cosmopolitan Prospect well with the Endeavour-Spirit of Independence jack-up rig, which arrived nine months ago from Singapore.

The company began drilling near Anchor Point on Sunday, the Peninsula Clarion reported. The area off the Kenai Peninsula is known for its shallow gas reserves and deeper oil prospects.

ANCHORAGE — Scientists say small lava flows have been detected on two restless volcanoes in Alaska.

The Alaska Volcano Observatory says satellite images show the lava partly down a flank of Pavlof Volcano Tuesday in a low-level eruption 625 miles southwest of Anchorage. Geophysicist Dave Schneider says minor steam and ash emissions are visible from the community of Cold Bay 37 miles away.

Pavlof is the second Alaska volcano to erupt this month.

Unemployed Alaskans applying for new tiers of federal emergency unemploymenet benefits will receive reduced benefits due to the sweeping federal spending cuts known as sequestration, the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development warned Monday.

Starting May 19, eligible unemployed individuals applying for benefits will see their benefit reduced by 23.9 percent due to the across-the-board cuts, which took effect automatically in March after President Barack Obama and Congress failed to agree on an alternative plan.