UN Ship to Carry Ukrainian Grain to Hardest-Hit Countries |
The United Nations–chartered vessel will join others (NYT) carrying food shipments out of Ukraine’s seaports permitted under a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey last month. The UN ship, which is using World Food Program funds, is the first since the deal to head to the hunger-stricken Horn of Africa. Last month, a UN report said over fifty million people in East Africa will face acute food insecurity this year.
So far, most shipments have carried grain (Reuters) for animal feed or fuel, and have gone to countries with previously made commercial contracts. Global wheat prices fell after the announcement of the deal, and UN officials said freeing up commercial shipments helps stabilize the market. Before the start of the war, Ukraine provided some forty-five million metric tons of grain to the world annually.
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“The grain deal can’t solve problems of food transport and access in regions of starvation risk such as Afghanistan, Yemen, Ethiopia and Syria. But it could reduce grain prices—and provide Ukraine with vital revenues—if shipments could be accelerated,” writes the U.S. Institute of Peace’s James Rupert.
“Moscow may decide at any moment to withdraw unilaterally from the agreement, despite all the benefits for Russian farmers and the economy. During the past five months, President Vladimir Putin has made it clear time and time again that economic logic is of little use in trying to predict his actions,” writes Alexandra Prokopenko of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.
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Taiwan Reportedly Plans Missile Tests Amid China Tensions |
Taiwan’s top weapons maker plans to stage (SCMP) four days of missile tests later this month in areas off the island’s east coast, a former official told local media. Yesterday, a Taiwanese foreign ministry spokesperson protested China’s new defense white paper, saying it violates “international law and Taiwan’s sovereignty.” This Backgrounder looks at why China-Taiwan relations are so tense.
South Korea: Seoul announced a presidential pardon (Nikkei) for the vice chair of Samsung electronics, saying it will help with the country’s economic recovery. |
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Taliban Cleric Killed in Kabul Attack |
The self-declared Islamic State claimed responsibility (Reuters) for the explosion at a seminary in the Afghan capital.
For Foreign Affairs, Graeme Smith and Ibraheem Bahiss discuss how the West can prevent more instability in Afghanistan.
India: A new poll found that India’s ruling party could lose around twenty seats (Bloomberg) in the 2024 congressional elections after a rift with an allied party, but that it is expected to stay in power. |
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Middle East and North Africa |
Heavy Floods in Yemen Kill Dozens of People |
At least thirty-eight people were killed over a two-day period (AP) of heavy rains and flooding across the country’s southwest and capital, officials said.
Iran: Tehran said the latest European Union proposal to revive the nuclear deal “can be acceptable” (Reuters) if Iran receives guarantees on principal demands such as sanctions, an unnamed diplomat told state media.
This Backgrounder explains the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. |
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Death Toll in Sierra Leone Protests Reportedly Rises |
At least twenty-one civilians were killed in anti-government protests across the country over the high cost of living, CNN and Reuters reported. Eight police officers were killed, according to the country’s youth minister. Rwanda: The country’s central bank made its biggest interest rate hike (East African) in recent years in an effort to control inflation, which stood at 15.6 percent in July. |
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Estonia, Latvia Depart From China-Backed Forum |
The countries said they have left (AP) the cooperation framework of Central and Eastern European Countries and China but that they will continue relations with Beijing through the European Union’s framework. |
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Colombia’s New Government Proposes Tax Reform |
President Gustavo Petro proposed a new annual wealth tax (FT) and new taxes on oil, coal, and gold exports when prices go above certain international reference points.
Argentina: At the United States’ request, Argentina ordered the seizure (EFE) of a Venezuelan plane that was grounded in Buenos Aires on suspicion of possible terrorism links with Iran.
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Attorney General Moves to Release Mar-a-Lago Search Warrant |
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said he aims to make public (NYT) the authorization for a search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida residence. Trump said he would not oppose the motion to release the warrant. |
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For the Atlantic, Caitlin Dickerson investigates the U.S. government’s family-separation policy. |
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Council on Foreign Relations |
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