The American paper maker IP -INTERNATIONAL PAPER- has raised its bid for CHAMPION to USD 75 per share. This new bid values CHAMPION at USD 7.3 billion, up from the initial bid of 6.2 billion. Finland's UPM-KYMMENE, which is also interested in the takeover, immediately raised its bid to 70 dollars a share, valuing the firm at 7 billion. See EI of 27 April.