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☆ Beethoven’s hair reveals evidence of lead poisoning, scientists say
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-09 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Beethoven’s genome was made publicly available, inviting researchers around the world to investigate lingering questions about Beethoven’s health. Meanwhile, scientists continue to figuratively go over the authenticated locks of Beethoven’s hair with a fine-tooth comb, teasing out surprising insights. But at the time the researchers did not test Beethoven’s newly authenticated hair samples for lead. Because the researchers don’t have hair samples from earlier in Beethoven’s life, it’s impossible to understand when the lead poisoning started, Meredith said. But Rifai said he saw comparable lead levels when he conducted research in two villages in Ecuador where the main trade is to glaze tiles with lead from batteries.

Persons: Ludwig van Beethoven’s, Beethoven, ”, Christian Reiter, Hiller, Thayer, Anton Halm, William Meredith, Nader Rifai, Meredith, Rifai, Paul Jannetto, he’d, Johann Adam Schmidt, Beethoven’s, “, ” Meredith, Friedrich Schiller’s, Joy, it’s Organizations: CNN —, Center of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital, Mayo Clinic, Beethoven, Symphony, Ninth, Ninth Symphony Locations: United States, Ecuador, Vienna

The American right’s growing embrace of Orbán builds upon millions of dollars that his government has spent on lobbying in the US, and new connections between Hungarian and American conservative think tanks. “Make America great again, make Europe great again!” Orbán declared in English, before continuing in Hungarian: “Go Donald Trump! Conservatives from around the US, Europe and beyond traveled to Budapest for the two-day event, which was organized by a Hungarian government-funded think tank. Two American nonprofits that are actively planning policies for a second Trump term have shown an interest in Hungary and Orbán’s model. But some of the American conservatives who flew into the country for CPAC seemed more focused on the optics of Budapest than on democratic rights.

Persons: crackdowns, “, Viktor Orbán, Orbán, Donald Trump’s, ” Orbán, Donald Trump !, ” Trump, ”, Trump, Steve Bannon, President Trump, Gladden Pappin, Szilard Koszticsak, White, ” Pappin, “ saviors, Bannon, Kari Lake, Mark Meadows, Andy Harris, Zoltan Mathe, Paul Gosar, Christopher Rufo, István, Ron DeSantis, Trumpists, Kim Lane Scheppele, Orbán’s, Zsuzsanna Szelényi, ” Szelényi, Márton Gulyás, influencers strode, Joey Mannarino, ” Kyung Lah, Anna, Maja Rappard, Casey Tolan, Curt Devine Organizations: Hungary CNN —, Republican, Conservative, Trump, European Union, Hungarian Institute of International Affairs, Conservative Political, “ Conservative, White House, ”, Republican Arizona, CNN, Department of Justice, Southern Poverty Law, Heritage Foundation, America, Policy Institute, Institute, Florida Gov, Princeton Locations: Budapest, Hungary, American, Europe, Lago, Dallas, America, Hungarian, Arizona, United States, Paul Gosar of Arizona, Florida, “ Hungary, marveled, New York, Washington

☆ River Danube cruise ship crashed after it was 'suddenly no longer able to maneuver,' 17 passengers injured
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewA Bulgarian cruise ship carrying over 140 passengers crashed into a concrete wall along the River Danube in Austria. AdvertisementThe second-in-command of the ship, who had been at the helm during the crash, "pressed the emergency switch, whereupon the electronics started up again." An Austrian police statement indicated the collision was linked to a failure of the ship's electronics. It added: "After checking the ship it turned out that the electronics worked again after the emergency switch was reset, which is why the ship could continue its journey." Jim Watson/AFP/Getty ImagesEarlier this week, a container ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, collapsing a section of the 1.6-mile-long structure and killing six construction workers.

Persons: —, Dali, Francis Scott Key, Jim Watson Organizations: Service, Business, Getty, Sky News, South Locations: Bulgarian, Austria, Austrian, Aschach, Donau, Passau, Linz, Baltimore, AFP, Hungary, Europe, Central, Southeastern Europe, Black

☆ Scientists use cosmic rays to date earliest evidence of humans in Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-06 | by ( Katie Hunt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Archaeologists have recovered 90,000 stone tools from the site, which lies close to Ukraine’s southwestern border with Hungary and Romania. Some 90,000 stone tools made by early humans have been found at the site but no human fossils. Garba‘s colleagues measured two nuclides, aluminum-26 and beryllium-10, found in quartz grains from seven pebbles discovered in the same layer as the stone tools. The earliest human fossils unearthed in Europe are from the Atapuerca site in Spain and date back 1.1 million years, according to the study. Korolevo would have been appealing to ancient humans because it’s near the Tisza River, which leads to the Danube, and there was a readily available source of hard rock to knap stone tools, Garba said.

Persons: Roman Garba, ”, “, ” Garba, Garba, It’s, Briana Pobiner, wasn’t, hominins Organizations: CNN, Czech Academy of Sciences, Archaeological Institute, NAS, Smithsonian National Museum of Locations: Ukraine, Europe, Prague, Hungary, Romania, Africa, Spain, Georgia, Dmanisi, Washington , DC, hominins

NEW YORK (AP) — David Bouley, the award-winning and frenetic chef whose idiosyncratic haute cuisine and crusty breads pleased critics and the public during a career chasing sleek deliciousness, has died. Bouley died of a heart attack Monday at his home in Kent, Connecticut, according to Lisa Queen, his literary agent. Other restaurants he worked in include Danube, Bouley Bakery, Upstairs at Bouley, Bouley at Home, Secession and Brushstroke, a collaborative effort with the Tsuji Culinary Institute in Osaka, Japan. Danube and Bouley Bakery each earned two Michelin stars. The restaurant Bouley — which famously had a foyer filled with apples — closed in 2017 after 30 years and several location changes, earning a three-star from the New York Times the year previously.

Persons: — David Bouley, Bouley, Lisa Queen, Daniel Boulud, Alain Ducasse, Jean, Georges Vongerichten, “, ” Bouley, Roger Vergé, Paul Bocuse, Joel Robuchon, Gaston Lenôtre, Frédy, Le Périgord, The New York Times —, Brushstroke, Dan Barber, Eric Ripert, Christina Tosi, César Ramirez, Amy Scherber, Alex Ureña, Anita Lo, Galen Zamarra, Kurt Gutenbrunner, Brian Bistrong, Bill Yosses, James Beard, Nicole Bartelme, ___ Mark Kennedy Organizations: Wine Spectator, Beaujolais, New York Times, Sorbonne, Basque, The New York Times, Tsuji Culinary, Michelin, James, James Beard Foundation Locations: Kent , Connecticut, American, Storrs , Connecticut, Cape Cod , Massachusetts, Santa Fe , New Mexico, France, Switzerland, Le, La, Tribeca, Manhattan, Osaka, Japan, America

☆ Moldova Police Find Russian Drone Fragments Near Ukraine Border
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-11 | by ( Feb. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

CHISINAU (Reuters) - Police on Sunday found fragments of a Russian drone alongside the Moldova border with Ukraine, prompting pro-European President Maia Sandu to renew her support for Kyiv in its nearly two-year-old war with Moscow. The war has buffeted Moldova, with periodic reports of weapon fragments found on the territory of the ex-Soviet state lying between Ukraine and Romania. A police statement said the fragments were found near the village of Etulia. The Latest Photos From Ukraine View All 91 Images"Russia’s war on Ukraine hits close to home in Moldova — again," Sandu wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Reuters could not independently verify the incident and Russian authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Maia Sandu, Sandu, Ronald Popeski, Mark Porter Organizations: Police, Kyiv, European Union, Reuters Locations: CHISINAU, Russian, Moldova, Ukraine, Moscow, Soviet, Romania, Russia, Etulia, Ismail, Moldova —

☆ Russian drone strike on Kharkiv, Ukraine's 2nd largest city, kills at least 7
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A Russian drone strike on Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, killed at least seven people overnight, including three children, Kharkiv region governor Oleh Syniehubov reported Saturday. Odesa regional governor Oleh Kiper said four people were injured there by the overnight drone attacks. All nine drones were shot down, but the debris damaged port infrastructure and injured one person. The second and the third waves targeted port infrastructure in the Danube river area, Kiper said. Romania's Ministry of National Defense said on Saturday that Russia carried out overnight drone attacks on Ukraine's river ports of Ismail and Reni, near the border with Romania.

Persons: Oleh Syniehubov, Ihor Klymenko, Oleh Kiper, Kiper, Reni Organizations: Russia, Romania's Ministry of National Defense, Turkish Air Force, NATO Locations: Ukraine, Kharkiv, Russian, Ukraine's, Nemyshlyan, Ukrainian, Iranian, Odesa, Russia, Ismail, Romania, Romanian, Moscow

☆ The most exciting new trains coming in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-04 | by ( Ben Jones | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +13 min

CNN —Around the world, travelers are flocking back to trains, and demand is increasing across the board for high-speed trains, luxury “land cruises” and long-distance day and night trains. Here are some of the best new trains you’ll be able to take in 2024. Laurie Dieffembacq/Belga/AFP/Getty ImagesLinks between two of Europe’s most visited capitals have traditionally been pretty poor, with no direct trains since the 1990s. Ian Clarke/Alamy Stock PhotoFour continents, 13 countries, and seven luxury trains across 80 days – the ultimate experience for rail travel connoisseurs is due to depart in late 2024. BelmondOne of the world’s greatest luxury train journeys is returning to the rails in 2024 after a four-year gap.

Persons: Laurie Dieffembacq, Dimorestudio, Vita ”, Riva Aquarama, itineraries, Jeroen Berends, Gabriel Bouys, it’s, Jesus Hellin, That’s, Trenitalia, Luigi Ferraris, France –, Railbookers, Ian Clarke, we’ve, ”, Frank Marini, Alex Halada, There’s Organizations: CNN, Orient, Getty, ÖBB, Austrian Federal Railways, SNCF, Eurostar, National, Europa Press, French, Renfe, FS, Rocky Mountaineer, Royal, Orient Express, Oriental, ”, Oriental Express, Austrian Railways, Swiss Locations: Swiss, Venice, Paris, Berlin, AFP, Strasbourg, Frankfurt, Italy, Rome, Matera, Palermo, Sicily, Messina, Europe’s, Istanbul, Split, Brussels, Prague, Europe, Dutch, Dresden, Belgian, Roman, Naples, Madrid, Spain, France, Spanish, Barcelona, Lyon, Marseille, Canada, Central Europe, India, South Africa, Eastern, Vancouver, Malaysia, Singapore, Malaysia’s, Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Penang, Bangkok, Vienna, Innsbruck, Hamburg, Switzerland, Germany, Zürich, Gornergrat Bahn, Zermatt, Gornergrat, Riffelalp

Agriculture has suffered losses of over $25 billion since the war began, Ukrainian grain trader association UGA estimates. Ukraine's grain exports so far in the 2023/24 season that started in July are running 28% below the year-earlier volume, according to agriculture ministry data. A new Black Sea shipping channel may offer a lifeline, like for Ukraine's depleted steel industry. An additional 943,000 tons should leave from Black Sea ports and 464,000 tons from the Danube by the month-end. A Russian missile strike on port infrastructure in Odesa on Nov. 21 added to a series of attacks on Ukraine's Black Sea and Danube grain ports.

Persons: Stringer, Jean, Francois Lepy, Dmitry Skornyakov, Denys Marchuk, Skornyakov, Yuriy Stelmakh, Roman Gorobets, Soliman, Scott Wellcome, Pavel Polityuk, Gus Trompiz, Nigel Hunt, David Evans Organizations: REUTERS, Agriculture, UGA, Spike, Agrarian Council, FE ASTRA, Kremlin, Mediterranean, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Zaporizhzhia region, PARIS, Russia, UN, Geneva, Black, Russian, Odesa, Romania's Constanta, Brazil, Egypt, GoodMills, Kyiv, Paris, London

☆ Ukraine seizes initiative from Russia in the Black Sea - Zelenskiy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"For the first time in the world, it was in the Black Sea that a fleet of naval drones began to operate - a Ukrainian fleet," Zelenskiy wrote on the Telegram messaging app. "We managed to seize the initiative from Russia in the Black Sea..." he said. "We were able to show that cooperation between the countries of the Black Sea region, with partners' support, can return stability to the world food market," Zelenskiy said at a meeting of representatives of the Black Sea countries. After Moscow quit the U.N. brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative which allowed for the safe passage of grains out of Ukraine, a leading global grain exporter and grower, Kyiv set up an alternative corridor in August. Russia has intensified its drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian sea ports and grain infrastructure but Ukraine launched sea-drone attacks on Russian ships.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Moscow, Olena, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Ukrainian, Moscow, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Kyiv

☆ Ukraine says agreed with Britain discounts on insurance for Black Sea exports
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Pavel Polityuk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Cayman Islands-flagged bulk carrier Puma leaves the sea port of Odesa, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Ukraine September 15, 2023. This will make the Black Sea corridor more accessible to a wider range of exporters," Shmyhal said during the government meeting, video of which was posted on the Telegram messaging platform. Ukraine's government expects a harvest of 79 million tons of grain and oilseeds in 2023, with its 2023/24 exportable surplus totalling about 50 million tons. Ukrainian grain exports have fallen to 9.8 million metric tons as of Nov. 6 in the 2023/24 July-June marketing season from 14.3 million tons a season earlier. Ukraine has traditionally shipped most of its exports through its deep water Black Sea ports.

Persons: Stringer, Denys Shmyhal, Shmyhal, Mykola Solsky, Solsky, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Pavel Polityuk, Sharon Singleton, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: Puma, REUTERS, Rights, Kyiv, United Nations, Ukrainian, Thomson Locations: Cayman, Odesa, Ukraine, Britain, Russia, Liberia, Ukrainian

☆ Ukraine Grain Exports Via New Black Sea Corridor Hit 4 Million T - Zelenskiy
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-14 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Pavel PolityukKYIV (Reuters) - Ukraine's exports through an alternative Black Sea shipping corridor have reached almost four million metric tons since the route started operating in August, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday. We are now overcoming the four million tons mark and maintaining positive dynamics," Zelenskiy said on the Telegram messaging app. Ukraine's government expects a harvest of 79 million tons of grain and oilseeds in 2023, with its 2023/24 exportable surplus totalling about 50 million tons. Ukrainian grain exports have fallen to 9.8 million metric tons as of Nov. 6 in the 2023/24 July-June marketing season from 14.3 million tons a season earlier. Ukraine has traditionally shipped most of its exports through its deep water Black Sea ports.

Persons: Pavel Polityuk KYIV, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Mykola Solsky, Solsky, Pavel Polityuk, Sharon Singleton Organizations: United Nations, Officials Locations: Ukraine, Russia, Black, Turkey, Russian

☆ Russia has tried to break Ukraine’s energy grid. This winter, Ukrainians are prepared for the worst
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( Victoria Butenko | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

When Russia pounded Ukraine’s power grid with widespread and repeated waves of airstrikes last year, causing massive rolling blackouts, his wife had just given birth to their second daughter. As families like Gindyuk’s gird themselves for the possibility of another dark winter, Ukraine has been rushing to rebuild and protect its fragile energy infrastructure. The summer provided a respite for Ukraine’s power grid. “Ukraine’s power system continues to operate in an emergency mode, which affects both power grids and generation,” a news release accompanying the report said. Physical barriers have been erected around Ukraine’s high-voltage electricity transmission network, which is operated by the national energy company Ukrenergo .

Persons: Ukraine CNN — Oleksandr Gindyuk, Gindyuk, ” Gindyuk, Gindyuk’s, Vadym, “, ” DTEK, ”, Maxim Timchenko, ” Timchenko, Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, Ukrenergo, ” Kudrytskyi, Oleksandr Prokhorenko, Kateryna, Varvara, ” Prokhorenko, Serzhan Organizations: Ukraine CNN —, CNN, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence, United Nations, Programme, European Union, Management Locations: Kyiv, Ukraine, Russia, Russian, Spanish, Valencia

Kyiv CNN —A Russian missile struck a cargo ship as it docked in the Ukrainian Black Sea port of Odesa, killing the pilot and injuring four others, Ukrainian officials said. Ukraine’s southern military command said a Russian tactical aircraft in the Black Sea launched an anti-radar missile at the ship on Wednesday afternoon. Russia has repeatedly attacked Ukrainian ports since withdrawing from a UN-brokered deal that guaranteed the safe passage of grain though the Black Sea earlier this year. “This is the 21st attack on Black Sea ports in the Odesa region since Russia left the grain deal in July. After Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country, its navy blockaded Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, preventing Ukraine from exporting its crops.

Persons: Oleksandr Kubrakov, ” Kubrakov, –, “, Klymenko Organizations: CNN —, Sea, Operational Command, UN, Ukraine, Facebook, Office, Russia, Initiative, United, United Nations, Black Sea Institute of Strategic Studies Locations: Russian, Ukrainian, Odesa, Liberia, Russia, China, Ukraine, Office Ukraine, Europe, Africa, United Nations, Turkey, Poland, Lithuania, Lithuanian, Klaipeda

☆ Ukraine imposes new rules for food exports - government
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A view shows a grain terminal in the sea port in Odesa after restarting grain export, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, Ukraine August 19, 2022. An additional problem is the illegal concealment or delay of foreign currency proceeds on accounts outside of Ukraine. The government data showed that Ukraine's grain exports in October had almost halved year-on-year to 2.15 million metric tons from 4.22 million. Traders and farmers' unions have said blocked Ukrainian Black Sea ports and Russian attacks on Ukrainian ports on the Danube River are the main reasons for lower exports. Ukraine has traditionally shipped most of its exports through its Black Sea ports.

Persons: Valentyn, Pavel Polityuk, Michael Perry Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Agrarian Register, Russia, Traders, Thomson Locations: Odesa, Ukraine, Ukrainian

☆ Lonely Planet’s top places to go in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-31 | by ( Maureen Ohare | Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Get your wishlist fired up, Lonely Planet just revealed its 50 top travel destinations for the year ahead. The travel publishing empire turns 50 this year, and its bumper Best in Travel 2024 list is expanded across five categories: top countries, regions, cities, sustainable travel destinations and best-value locations. The “wild beauty” of South Africa also gets a nod, with Lonely Planet recommending visitors check out the country’s “impressive crop of ecolodges” committed to protecting Earth’s biodiversity. The underrated American Midwest is the top tip here: in cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee and Detroit, “you’ll find old warehouses transformed into art studios, new eco design hotels and many Michelin-starred restaurants,” says Lonely Planet. Says Lonely Planet, “Here you’ll find the highest sea cliffs in Europe and miles of unspoilt coastal hiking trails.”Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2024India: A big country with a whole lot to love, including Gadisar lake in Rajasthan.

Persons: CNN —, Lucia, Torres del, ecolodges ”, Babanango, “, ”, you’ll, Ilan Shacham, Ireland País Vasco, Português, daniel Organizations: CNN, Lonely, Lonely Planet, Kenyan, Michelin, Getty, Mongolia India Morocco Chile Benin Mexico Uzbekistan Pakistan Croatia St, Regions, CNN Cities Nairobia, Chile Greenland, Lithuania Eco, France Egypt Ikaria, Greece Algeria Southern Lakes, Central Otago , New Zealand Locations: Mongolia, Mexico, Croatia, St, Benin, Uzbekistan, City, Nairobi, Paris, Prague, Czech, “, Patagonia, Torres del Paine, Spain, Valencia, Barcelona, South Africa, South, KwaZulu Natal, Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Algeria, Northern Africa, Europe, Balkans, Slovenia, Bosnia, Hercegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia, Adriatic, Donegal, Ireland’s, India, Rajasthan, Mongolia India Morocco Chile Benin Mexico Uzbekistan Pakistan Croatia, Lucia Macedonia, South Australia Donegal, Ireland, Spain Southern Thailand Swahili, Tanzania Montana, USA, Austria, Kenya Paris, France Montreal, Canada Mostar, Herzegovina Philadelphia , Pennsylvania Manaus, Brazil Jakarta, Indonesia Prague, Czech Republic Izmir, Turkey Kansas City , Missouri, Spain Patagonia, Argentina, Chile, Chile Greenland Wales, Santiago Palau Hokkaido, Japan Ecuador Baltic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, South Africa Poland, USA Poland Nicaragua Danube Limes, Bulgaria Normandy, France Egypt, Greece Algeria Southern, Central Otago , New

☆ An 87-year-old deal is keeping a lid on the naval war in Ukraine — for now
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-18 | by ( Constantine Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Fighting between Russia and Ukraine in the Black Sea has picked up in recent months. The fighting is taking a toll on Russia's Black Sea Fleet, which Moscow can't reinforce. Russia's Black Sea Fleet hasn't been defeated, but its losses, including the sinking of its flagship, the Moskva, weigh more heavily on Russia's war effort because of a deal signed nearly a century ago that is preventing Moscow from bringing more ships into the Black Sea. The convention distinguishes between Black Sea powers — those with a Black Sea coastline — and non-Black Sea powers. "Initially it was thought that it was a big deal that some of the Russian warships were prevented from entering the Black Sea.

Persons: —, Russia —, hasn't, Sergey Ponomarev, US Navy Arleigh Burke, OZAN KOSE, Ben Wallace, Stringer, Turkey's, Volodymyr Dubovyk, Dubovyk, Sabina Joja, Joja, Constantine Atlamazoglou Organizations: Montreux Convention, NATO, Service, Fleet, Sea Fleet, AP, US Navy, Getty, Russian, REUTERS, Mechnikov National University, Middle East Institute, Washington DC, Fletcher School of Law, LinkedIn, Twitter Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Montreux, Crimea, Moskva, Sevastopol, Rostov, AFP, Turkey, Baltic, Northern, Odessa's, Ukrainian, Turkish, Romanian, Iulia, Washington, Izmail, Ankara, NATO

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy and Dutch PM Visit Odesa, Agree to Boost Air Defence
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Oct. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

ODESA, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, visiting the Black Sea port of Odesa, vowed on Friday to improve Ukraine's air defences and to increase the security of a "humanitarian corridor" for grain exports. In August, Ukraine announced a new humanitarian corridor in the Black Sea following Moscow's withdrawal from a deal allowing the safe export of grain from Ukraine's Black Sea ports. It has sought safe shipping routes as air strikes inflicted damage on its port and grain export infrastructure near the Black sea and on the Danube River. Zelenskiy described the air strikes as "vile tactics" and thanked Rutte for a new air defence package which would include missiles for Patriot air defence systems. Zelenskiy also said Ukraine was nearing an agreement with some partners on insurance for ships using the corridor but gave no details.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Mark Rutte, Zelenskiy, Rutte, Iryna Nazarchuk, Olena Harmash, Timothy Heritage Organizations: Reuters, Dutch, Kyiv, Rutte, Patriot Locations: ODESA, Ukraine, Black, Odesa, Netherlands

☆ Russia destroyed 300,000 tons of grain since July in port, ship attacks, Kyiv says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Barbados-flagged bulk carrier Super Martinelli arrives at the sea port of Odesa after restarting grain export, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Ukraine May 21, 2023. In summer, Moscow quit a U.N.-brokered deal that had allowed exports of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea safely. Russia has attacked port facilities on both the Black Sea and Danube River. Kubrakov said 21 grain-loaded vessels have already used a new "humanitarian" grain corridor in the Black Sea that Kyiv established in August. He said that under the previous U.N. Black Sea Grain Initiative, Ukraine had exported 33 million tonnes of grain, with 60% of that shipped to African and Asian countries.

Persons: Super Martinelli, Serhii, Moscow, Oleksandr Kubrakov, Kubrakov, Olena, Ron Popeski, Rod Nickel Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Russian Defence Ministry, Initiative, Thomson Locations: Barbados, Ukraine, Russia

☆ Ukraine hit two Russian vessels in drone attacks, intelligence source says
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KYIV, Oct 13 (Reuters) - Ukraine struck a Russian missile carrier and a patrol ship in separate attacks this week involving sea-borne drones carrying experimental weapons, a Ukrainian intelligence source said on Friday. "The Buyan missile carrier... was struck today on the Sevastopol route by experimental weapons on 'Sea Babies' (naval drones)." Russian drones and missiles have repeatedly struck Ukrainian port facilities and grain silos on or near the Black Sea and on the Danube River since then. Kyiv has launched several successful missile and naval drone attacks on Russia's Black Sea fleet in and around Crimea peninsula, which was annexed by Russia in 2014. Ukrainian officials have said such attacks are intended to deny Russia control of the Black Sea and regain control of vital shipping routes.

Persons: Pavel Derzhavin, Tom Balmforth, Yuliia, Olena Harmash, Timothy Organizations: Ukrainian Security Service, Reuters, Forces, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Russian, Ukrainian, Sevastopol, Russia, Crimea, Melitopol, Kyiv, Azov

☆ Russia Destroyed 300,000 Tons of Grain Since July in Port, Ship Attacks - Kyiv
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

KYIV (Reuters) - Russia has destroyed almost 300,000 metric tons of grain since July in attacks on Ukraine's port facilities and on ships, the Ukrainian government said on Friday, underscoring the war's threat to global food security. In summer, Moscow quit a U.N.-brokered deal that had allowed exports of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea safely. Russia has attacked port facilities on both the Black Sea and Danube River. Kubrakov said 21 grain-loaded vessels have already used a new "humanitarian" grain corridor in the Black Sea that Kyiv established in August. He said that under the previous U.N. Black Sea Grain Initiative, Ukraine had exported 33 million tonnes of grain, with 60% of that shipped to African and Asian countries.

Persons: Moscow, Oleksandr Kubrakov, Kubrakov, Olena, Ron Popeski, Rod Nickel Organizations: Russian Defence Ministry, Initiative Locations: Russia, Ukraine

☆ Fierce fighting rages around Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-12 | by ( Anna Pruchnicka | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/3] A view shows grain warehouses heavily damaged by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at a compound of a port in Odesa region, Ukraine October 12, 2023. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukrainian forces were holding their ground on the third day of battle, but municipal officials said the Russian attacks were relentless. It is Ukrainian courage and unity that will determine how this war will end," Zelenskiy wrote on the Telegram messaging app alongside photos of Ukrainian troops and of Avdiivka's entrance sign. Russia's Defence Ministry said its forces had inflicted damage on Ukrainian forces in areas including Avdiivka but gave few details. In other fighting, Ukraine said it had thwarted an attempt overnight by a Russian eight-member saboteur group to cross its northeastern border in the Sumy region.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Vitaliy Barabash, Barabash, Oleksandr Shtupun, Andriy Yermak, Olena Harmahs, Alex Richardson, Timothy Organizations: Press, REUTERS Acquire, Moscow, Special Operations Forces, Russian, Russia's Defence Ministry, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Odesa region, Handout, Russia, Ukraine Ukraine, Ukrainian, Avdiivka, Kyiv, Moscow, Donetsk, Crimea, American, Odesa, Sumy

☆ Ukraine's Zelenskiy hails 'good news' on air defence after talks in Romania
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy meets with Romania's President Klaus Werner Iohannis in Bucharest, Romania, October 10, 2023. Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. Acquire Licensing RightsOct 10 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Tuesday he had "good news" on artillery and air defence supplies after talks with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis in Bucharest, but gave no details. "We believe that Russia is one of those who helped and is behind these respective steps," Zelenskiy said. Reporting by Yuliia Dysa and Pavel Polityuk, Writing by Olena Harmash, Editing by Timothy HeritageOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Klaus Werner Iohannis, Klaus Iohannis, Zelenskiy, Dmitry Peskov, Yuliia Dysa, Pavel Polityuk, Olena Harmash, Timothy Organizations: Presidential Press Service, Ukraine, stoke, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: Bucharest, Romania, Ukraine, Romanian, Russia, Israel

☆ Zelenskiy hails Ukraine-Romania ties on first visit since Russian invasion
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Oct 10 (Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy hailed ties with Romania as a "factor of stability for Europe and beyond" on Tuesday as he visited the NATO member state for the first time since Russia's invasion last year. The Romanian port of Constanța has become Ukraine's main export route for grain via Ukrainian ports on the Danube River since Russia quit a deal in mid-July that had guaranteed safe shipments via three Ukrainian Black Sea ports. "(The) Ukraine-Romania partnership is a factor of stability for Europe and beyond," Zelenskiy wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, after starting talks with Iohannis. Zelenskiy, who was dressed in military khaki, said the agenda of his visit included "defense cooperation, Black Sea security, and economic cooperation .... with a focus on developing infrastructure and creating jobs in both nations." He also said he would discuss further security cooperation including "developing aviation and other coalitions, strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, the Black Sea security architecture, and our relations with partners."

Persons: Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Zelenskiy, Klaus Iohannis, Dan Peleschuk, Pavel Polityuk, Timothy Organizations: NATO, European Union, Iohannis, Twitter, Defence, Reuters, Romanian, Timothy Heritage, Thomson Locations: Romania, Europe, Romanian, Constanța, Russia, Ukraine, U.S, Ukrainian, Bucharest

☆ Russia wields ‘silent weapon’ of grain exports to weaken Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Clare Sebastian | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

This will amount to 22.5% of global wheat exports, a market-leading share. In the same period, Ukraine’s share of global wheat exports has shrunk from 9% to an expected level of a little over 6% for this season. “Ukraine’s [grain] exports are vital to its economy and to feed the world,” Bridget A. S&P Global expects its wheat exports to fall by 3.7 million tons to 13.4 million in 2023-24, the lowest in nine years. And a significant reduction in the global wheat supply could yet lift prices, suggests Welsh.

Persons: Dmitry Medvedev, Vladimir Putin, ” Caitlin Welsh, Bridget A, Putin, Andrey Sizov, Stringer, ” Welsh, Sizov, Vladimir Nikolayev, Paul Hughes, ”, Olesya, Svitlana Vlasova Organizations: London CNN —, Russia’s Security, Global, CNN, Initiative, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Moscow, Twitter, Getty, Union, European Commission, EU, US Department of Agriculture, Reuters, Romania, P Global, “ Locations: Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Nedvigovka, AFP, Ukraine’s, Poland, mudslinging, Egypt, Siberian Novosibirsk, “ Ukraine

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