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☆ 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 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 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'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
▼ + 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

☆ 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

☆ 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

☆ Turkish cargo ship hits mine in Black Sea, sustains minor damage
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LONDON, Oct 5 (Reuters) - A Turkish-flagged general cargo ship hit a mine on Thursday in the Black Sea off the coast of Romania and sustained minor damage but the crew was safe, maritime and security sources said. The vessel dropped anchor for a short period to assess the damage," Ambrey said in a note. The Black Sea area has been listed as a high risk zone by insurers and floating mines remain a peril. Since then, Ukraine has set up a temporary "humanitarian corridor" for cargo vessels, and several ships have left Ukrainian Black Sea ports since August. Russia may use sea mines to target civilian shipping in the Black Sea, including by laying them on the approach to Ukrainian ports, the British government said on Wednesday citing intelligence.

Persons: Ambrey, Yoruk Isik, Kafkametler, Jonathan Saul, Pavel Poltityuk, Sandra Maler Organizations: Bosphorus Observer, Reuters, Kafkametler, Thomson Locations: Romania, British, Sulina, Istanbul, Vylkove, Russia, Ukraine, Ukrainian, Russian, London, Kyiv

☆ 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

☆ Putin marks anniversary of annexation of Ukrainian regions as drones attack overnight
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday insisted that the residents of four Ukrainian regions that Moscow illegally annexed a year ago "made their choice — to be with their Fatherland." A concert was held in Red Square on Friday to mark the anniversary, but Putin did not participate. Serhii Borzov said that air defenses shot down 20 drones over his central Ukrainian region, but that a "powerful fire" broke out in the town of Kalynivka when a drone struck an unspecified infrastructure facility. Russia's Defense Ministry said Saturday that it had shot down nine Ukrainian rockets fired at its southern Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine. Drone strikes and shelling in the Russian border regions are a regular occurrence.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Putin, Josep Borrell, Borrell, Malashko, Serhii Borzov, Vyacheslav Gladkov Organizations: Senezh, Russia's, Commission, Russia's Defense, Ukraine, EU Foreign Affairs, Security, Gov, Romania's Ministry of National Defense, Romanian Army, NATO, Belgorod Gov, Local Locations: Russia, Solnechnogorsk, Moscow region, Moscow, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Red Square, Ukraine, EU, Odesa, Russian, Ukraine's, Matviivka, Mykolaiv, Vinnytsia, Ukrainian, Kalynivka, Romania, Galati, Tulcea, Belgorod, Russia's Bryansk, Pogar

☆ Ukraine shoots down 30 drones over south, centre, officials say
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A Russian drone is seen during a Russian drone strike, which local authorities consider to be Iranian made unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) Shahed-136, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine October 17, 2022. REUTERS/Roman Petushkov/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 30 (Reuters) - Ukraine's air force shot down 30 out of 40 Iranian-made "Shahed" drones launched by Russia in an overnight attack on central and southern regions, regional and military officials said on Saturday. The South Military command said that 20 drones were shot down in the central Vinnytsia region and another 10 over the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions in the south. Serhiy Borzov, the Vinnytsia regional governor, said that an infrastructure facility was hit in the region, causing a powerful fire. Regional authorities also said that three people were injured in the southern Kherson region which is close to the frontlines and frequently comes under artillery shelling.

Persons: Natalia Humeniuk, Moscow, Serhiy Borzov, Olena Harmash, William Maclean Organizations: REUTERS, Military, Thomson Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, Vinnytsia, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Kherson

☆ Romania detects possible airspace breach during Ukraine drone attack
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-30 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BUCHAREST, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Romanian army radars detected a possible breach of national airspace during an overnight Russian drone attack against neighbouring Ukraine's civilian infrastructure, the defence ministry said on Saturday. Fragments of possible Russian drones were found on Romanian territory three separate times this month, underlying the security risks for NATO whose members have a mutual defence commitment. "Up until now there have been no fallen objects identified on national territory. Phone alerts were sent to residents in Tulcea and Galati counties once swarms of drones were detected heading to Ukraine near the Romanian border. NATO and Romanian officials have said there was no evidence that Russian strikes near the border were a deliberate attack on Romania, but called the strikes reckless and destabilising.

Persons: Luiza Ilie, William Maclean Organizations: NATO, Thomson Locations: BUCHAREST, Romanian, Russian, Russia, Ukrainian, Romania, Galati, Tulcea, Ukraine

☆ Romania bolsters defences to stop Ukraine war crossing NATO threshold
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-29 | by ( Luiza Ilie | Thomson Reuters | Bucharest-Based General News Reporter Covering A Wide Range Of Romanian Topics Elections | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] A view shows a building of Ukraine's Black Sea Danube shipping company destroyed during a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Izmail, Odesa region, Ukraine August 2, 2023. In November last year, a missile hit southern Poland killing two people and prompting a brief security scare, although it was later determined that Ukrainian air defences were to blame. Among the targets were the Ukrainian ports of Izmail and Reni, both of which lie across the Danube from Romanian soil. "They (Russian drones) fly at very low altitudes, sometimes less than 200 metres (above ground) ... they are built in such a way that least reflects radar waves," he said. In July, when the Danube bombing campaign began in earnest, Russians had more targeted success because Ukraine had not set up extensive air defence systems in the area.

Persons: Nina Liashenko, Reni, Tudor Cernega, Jens Stoltenberg, Constantin Spinu, Cernega, Andrew Gray, Mike Collett, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: REUTERS, NATO, Local, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Izmail, Odesa, Romania, Moscow, BUCHAREST, Poland, Ukrainian, Russia, Romanian, Plauru, Ceatalchioi, U.S, ROMANIA, Kyiv, Brussels

☆ As Russia's war in Ukraine drags on, Kyiv's neighbors are loading up on new high-tech military gear
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-27 | by ( Constantine Atlamazoglou | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

AdvertisementAdvertisementRussia's invasion of Ukraine has upended European security, driving countries there to plan once again for the possibility of a major land war. Those European countries have transferred billions of dollars' worth of military hardware to Ukraine, and now they are seeking to rebuild their own stocks. Poland and Romania both border Ukraine and have been affected by the war. US Army/Markus RauchenbergerBased on disclosed weapon transfers, Poland is Europe's second biggest contributor of military aid to Ukraine, sending Kyiv large quantities of Soviet-era arms. AdvertisementAdvertisementPoland also announced in September a $2 billion purchase of several hundred Naval Strike Missiles from Norway.

Persons: —, Markus Rauchenberger, HIMARS, Mariusz Blaszczak, Attila Husejnow, Abrams, DANIEL MIHAILESCU, spender, Constantine Atlamazoglou Organizations: Service, US Army, Baltic Fleet, Polish, Getty, Patriot, Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensors, US, US State Department, Apaches, NATO, Polish Air Force, Washington, Getty Images, Naval, Missiles, Reuters, Fletcher School of Law, LinkedIn, Twitter Locations: Ukraine, Europe, Eastern Europe, Poland, Romania, Warsaw, Bucharest, Norway, NSMs, Kaliningrad, Poland's, Belarus, South Korea, Seoul, Romanian, AFP, Getty Images Romania, Eastern, Slovakia, Czech Republic

☆ Ukrainian Captain Says 'Deeply Sorry' About Budapest Boat Accident That Killed 27
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: 1 min

BUDAPEST (Reuters) - The Ukrainian captain of a Swiss cruise liner told a Hungarian court on Tuesday that he was "deeply sorry" about a 2019 accident in which his boat hit and sank a much smaller boat on the Danube, killing 25 South Korean tourists and its two crew.

Organizations: South Locations: BUDAPEST, Ukrainian, Swiss

☆ Russia hits Ukrainian port and grain facilities in air strikes
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Firefighters work near damaged trucks following a Russian strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, at a location given as Odesa region, Ukraine, in this handout picture released September 26, 2023. Odesa Regional Military Administration/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsSummary Russia carries out new air strikes in UkraineUkraine says grain and port facilities struckSuch attacks have increased since Moscow quit grain dealKYIV, Sept 26 (Reuters) - Russia hit Ukrainian port infrastructure and grain storage facilities in an overnight drone strike on the grain exporting district of Izmail, Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday. The two-hour attack was the latest strike on Ukrainian grain and port facilities since July, when Russia quit a grain deal that had ensured safe Ukrainian shipments via the Black Sea to help combat a global food crisis. The military said 26 of the 38 Iranian-made attack drones launched by Russia at Ukraine overnight had been shot down. OTHERS REGIONS ATTACKEDIt said that in addition to the Odesa region, the Mykolaiv region, Kherson and Kirovohrad regions had also come under fire.

Persons: Oleh Kiper, Reni, Anna Pruchnicka, Lidia Kelly, Michael Perry, Timothy Heriatge Organizations: Firefighters, Odesa, Administration, Handout, REUTERS Acquire, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Ukraine Ukraine, Moscow, KYIV, Russia, Izmail, Ukraine's, Romania, Mykolaiv, Kherson, Kirovohrad, Kryvyi, Cherkasy, Kyiv, Crimea, Russia's Kursk, Kursk, Melbourne

☆ Ukrainian captain sentenced to 5 years over deadly Budapest boat accident
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] The Mermaid, a Hungarian boat which sank in the Danube river near Margaret bridge, is moved away during a salvage operation in Budapest, Hungary, June 11, 2019. REUTERS/Tamas Kaszas/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBUDAPEST, Sept 25 (Reuters) - A Ukrainian captain of a cruise liner was sentenced to five years in prison in Hungary on Tuesday for his role in a 2019 accident in which his boat hit and sank a smaller boat on the River Danube, killing 25 South Korean tourists and two crew. The Mermaid's captain and its crew member also died and one Korean is still unaccounted for. The Ukrainian man, who has been in custody since 2019, told the court that he was "deeply sorry" about the tragedy. The captain was acquitted by the court on the charge of failing to provide help.

Persons: Tamas Kaszas, Yuriy, Leona Nemeth, Boldizsar Gyori, Christina Fincher Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, South, Thomson Locations: Hungarian, Margaret, Budapest, Hungary, Ukrainian

☆ Ukrainian captain says 'deeply sorry' about Budapest boat accident that killed 27
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/2] The Mermaid, a Hungarian boat which sank in the Danube river near Margaret bridge, is moved away during a salvage operation in Budapest, Hungary, June 11, 2019. REUTERS/Tamas Kaszas/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBUDAPEST, Sept 26 (Reuters) - The Ukrainian captain of a Swiss cruise liner told a Hungarian court on Tuesday that he was "deeply sorry" about a 2019 accident in which his boat hit and sank a much smaller boat on the Danube, killing 25 South Korean tourists and its two crew. The court is expected to deliver a sentence later on Tuesday. The smaller tourist boat Mermaid, with 35 people on board, sank under a bridge during heavy rain. Reporting by Boldizsar Gyori; Editing by Kim CoghillOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Tamas Kaszas, Boldizsar Gyori, Kim Coghill Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, South, Thomson Locations: Hungarian, Margaret, Budapest, Hungary, Ukrainian, Swiss

☆ First big grain ship leaves Ukraine's Black Sea port
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

It was the second of two bulk carriers to leave the port this week using what Kyiv calls a new temporary humanitarian corridor. From July 2022 the ports were reopened under the UN-backed grain deal, allowing Russia to inspect ships for arms. Kyiv has also kept up exports from river ports on the Danube while its Black Sea ports were shut. Russia has launched frequent drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian grain export infrastructure in what Ukraine and its allies call attacks with no military justification. Odesa's three seaports, including Chornomorsk, shipped tens of millions of tons of grain during Russia's invasion under the U.N.-brokered deal before Russia abandoned it.

Persons: Oleksandr Kubrakov, Moscow, Pavel Polityuk, Tom Hogue, Miral Fahmy, Peter Graff Organizations: REUTERS Acquire, Rights, Kyiv, UN, Thomson Locations: Palau, Ukrainian, Moscow, Egypt, Africa, Ukraine, Kyiv, Russia, Bulgarian

☆ Black Sea Fleet: Ukraine has Russian targets in Crimea in its sights. Here's why
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-22 | by ( Tim Lister | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

The seizure earlier this month of oil platforms in the Black Sea by Ukrainian commandos has given them another jumping-off point and affected the Russian Black Sea fleet’s freedom of navigation. The Russian Black Sea Fleet has been involved in hundreds of cruise missile attacks against Ukraine and threatens merchant shipping using Ukrainian ports. This image taken from UGC video, uploaded to Telegram with a watermark, shows smoke rising from the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet. The Black Sea Fleet is still a powerful element of Russia’s offensive capability, but becoming less so by the week. “The Black Sea Fleet is more than its naval assets, and the Ukrainian attacks on the Black Sea Fleet will likely achieve effects beyond the degradation of Russian naval capabilities,” concludes the ISW.

Persons: “, Joseph Richter, Andrii Yusov, It’s, it’s, ” Organizations: CNN, Crimea –, Ukraine’s Security, The, 744th Communications Center, Command, Black, Russia’s Ministry of Defense, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence, Ukrainian, Initiative, Ukrainian Neptune, UGC, Fleet, 810th Naval Infantry Brigade, Fleet’s, Army Corps Locations: Ukrainian, Russian, Ukraine, Crimea, Saky, Sevastopol, Verkhniosadove, “, Russia, Ukrainian Crimea, ”, Crimean, Moscow, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Luhansk, –, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, Kherson Oblast

☆ Cargo ship crew evacuated after explosion near Romanian Danube port
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BUCHAREST, Sept 20 (Reuters) - The crew of a Togo-flagged general cargo ship bound for one of Ukraine's Danube river ports were evacuated early on Wednesday after an explosion on board near the Romanian port of Sulina, Romanian officials said. The Seama ship reported an explosion early on Wednesday and requested the evacuation of the 12-person crew near Sulina, where the Danube flows into the Black Sea. "At the moment the causes ... are unclear, whether it was a mine or merely an explosion in the engine room," Romanian Transport Minister Sorin Grindeanu told reporters. The crew were evacuated by the Romanian Agency for Saving Life at Sea (ARSVOM), which is coordinated by the transport ministry. Moscow has also been intensifying attacks on Ukraine's Danube river ports across from Romania since it abandoned a deal to lift a de facto Russian blockade of Ukraine's Black Sea ports.

Persons: Sorin Grindeanu, Luiza Ilie, Alex Richardson Organizations: Romanian Agency for, European Union, NATO, Thomson Locations: BUCHAREST, Togo, Romanian, Sulina, Russia, Ukraine, Bulgarian, Moscow, Romania, Ukraine's, Bulgaria, Georgia, Turkey, U.S

The Romanian government has said it aims to double the monthly transit capacity for Ukrainian grain through its Constanta port to four million metric tons in the coming months from virtually zero before the Russian war started. In August, roughly 2.7 million tons of Ukrainian grain passed through Constanta, Comvex manager Viorel Panait said in an interview with Reuters. Port operator SOCEP S.A. (SOCP.BX) said it had paid 10 million euros for new equipment at its grain terminal silo and ship loader. "I would say more than half of the port's 13 grain operators are already authorized or in the process of being so." A government source told Reuters Constanta now had a logistics capacity of 40 million tons of grains per year, sharply higher than its annual record high 25 million tons set in 2021.

Persons: George Calin, Viorel Panait, Panait, Gabriel Techera, Luiza Ilie, Sharon Singleton Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Union, NATO, Moldovan, Decirom S.A, SOCEP S.A, Constanta Port Business Association, Thomson Locations: Constanta, Romania, Rights BUCHAREST, Romanian, Black, Ukraine, Moscow, Ukraine's, Russia, Ukrainian, Vadul Siret, Dornesti, Reuters Constanta

Hungary imposed a national import ban on 24 Ukrainian agricultural products, including grains, vegetables, several meat products and honey, according to a government decree published on Friday. Slovakia's agriculture minister followed suit announcing its own grain ban. EU PLEAEU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis said on Friday countries should refrain from unilateral measures against imports of Ukrainian grain. Poland, Hungary and Slovakia previously said they may extend the restrictions unilaterally while Bulgaria on Thursday voted to scrap the curbs. In August, about 4 million tonnes of Ukraine grains passed through the Solidarity Lanes of which close to 2.7 million tonnes were through the Danube.

Persons: Cernat, Mateusz Morawiecki, Waldemar Buda, Valdis Dombrovskis, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Julia Payne, Alan Charlish, Jan Lopatka, Karol Badohal, Boldizsar, Luiza Ilie, Nina Chestney, David Evans, Alistair Bell, Grant McCool Organizations: REUTERS, European Commission, European Union, EU, EU Commission, Ukraine, Farmers, Solidarity, Thomson Locations: Black, Constanta, Romania, Ukraine, BRUSSELS, WARSAW, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, Elk, Russia, EU, Russian, Romanian, Prague, Warsaw, Budapest, Bucharest

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