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☆ Russian 'blackmail' over grain export deal failed - Ukrainian presidential aide
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Pavel Polityuk | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KYIV, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Russia is resuming participation in a deal to free up grain exports from Ukraine because it realised the initiative would still work without Kremlin involvement, a senior Ukrainian official said on Wednesday. Presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said in a written statement to Reuters that Moscow's decision showed that Russian "blackmail" and "escalation and threats" fail when they meet a resolute response. "One way or another, Russia, embarrassed, returned to the 'grain initiative' because it suddenly turned out that the grain corridor would work even without the Kremlin's participation," Podolyak said. "When you want to play blackmail, it is important not to outplay yourself," Podolyak said. Another senior Ukrainian official, who declined to be identified, told Reuters that Moscow's decision was mainly a result of Turkish pressure on Russia.

☆ Ethiopia, Tigray: Warring parties agree on 'permanent cessation of hostilities'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Bethlehem Feleke | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Ethiopia’s Tigray rebels will eventually be disarmed and demobilized, according to the statement. “This is not the end of the peace process but the beginning of it,” Obasanjo said. ‘Horrific’ tollThe peace process has been fitful until now. Renewed peace talks began on October 24, marking the first time the two warring parties had met publicly since the conflict erupted. In a separate statement, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed also celebrated the conclusion of the talks saying, “our commitment to peace remains steadfast.

☆ Russia's statement on resuming participation in Black Sea grain deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LONDON, Nov 2 (Reuters) - Russia will resume its participation in the Black Sea grain deal, its defence ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. "The Russian Federation suspended the implementation of the agreement on the export of agricultural products from Ukrainian ports (the "Black Sea Initiative") after Ukraine committed a terrorist act on October 29 this year against ships of the Black Sea Fleet and civilian vessels involved in ensuring the security of the "grain corridor." "Russia's position was brought to the attention of U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the U.N. Security Council. "In particular, the Ukrainian side officially pledged that 'the Maritime Humanitarian Corridor will be used only in accordance with the provisions of the Black Sea Initiative and the related JCC regulation.' "The Russian Federation believes that the guarantees received at the moment appear sufficient, and resumes implementation of the agreement – the Initiative for the Safe Transportation of Grain and Food from Ukrainian ports (the 'Black Sea Initiative') - which was suspended after the terrorist attack in Sevastopol."

☆ Oil CEOs say this winter is not the season to worry about when it comes to the energy crisis
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-01 | by ( Natasha Turak | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The global economy is facing an onslaught from multiple sides — a war in Europe, and shortages of oil, gas and food, and high inflation, each of which has worsened the next. But as much concern as there is ahead of this winter, it's really the winter of 2023 that people should be worried about, major oil and gas executives have warned. "It's the next winter I think many of us worry, in Europe, could be even more challenging." watch nowThe CEO of Italian oil and gas giant Eni expressed the same worry. For this winter, Europe's gas storage is around 90% full, according to the International Energy Agency, providing some assurance against a major shortage.

SAO PAULO, Nov 1 (Reuters) - Brazilian President-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will participate in this month's COP27 United Nations climate summit in Egypt, the head of his political party said on Tuesday. He defeated President Jair Bolsonaro, a right-wing nationalist who has overseen rising deforestation and appointed climate change skeptics as ministers. Gleisi Hoffman, the head of Lula's Workers Party, on Tuesday confirmed he would attend COP27. Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi also invited Lula to attend the summit in a message congratulating him on his election victory. "I have absolute certainty that...various national representatives will request to meet with President Lula," Teixeira said, adding that she was being directly consulted on the matter.

☆ Grain deal: Wheat and corn prices rise as Russia withdraws
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Hanna Ziady | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Ukraine and Russia together account for nearly a third of global wheat exports, according to Gro Intelligence, an agricultural data firm. Russia suspended its participation in the grain deal indefinitely on Saturday, after what it claimed was a drone attack by Ukrainian armed forces on its Black Sea fleet in the Crimean city of Sevastopol. After reaching a record high in March, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s global food price index has declined for seven months in a row. Russia’s decision to suspend its participation “is adding immense volatility to global grain prices,” said Tracey Allen, an agricultural commodities strategist at JPMorgan Chase. Twelve vessels left Ukraine’s Black Sea ports on Monday, Ukraine’s Minister of Infrastructure Oleksandr Kubrakov said on Twitter.

Feb 24, on Saturday halted its role in the Black Sea deal for an "indefinite term", cutting shipments from one of the world's top grain exporters, because it said it could not "guarantee safety of civilian ships" travelling under the pact after an attack on its Black Sea fleet. During Sunday's session among the grain deal delegations, Russian officials said Moscow will continue the dialogue with the United Nations and the Turkish delegation on pressing issues, the U.N. said in its statement. FALSE PRETEXT'The Russian defence ministry said Ukraine attacked the Black Sea Fleet near Sevastopol with 16 drones early and that British navy "specialists" had helped coordinate what it called a terrorist attack. Russia said it repelled the attack but that the ships targeted were involved in ensuring the grain corridor out of Ukraine's Black Sea ports. SHIPS BLOCKEDThe grain deal had restarted shipments from Ukraine, allowing sales on world markets, targeting the pre-war level of 5 million metric tonnes exported from Ukraine each month.

☆ World needs to accept the urgent need for fossil fuel investment now, BP CEO says
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Anmar Frangoul | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

In this article BP.-GB Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNTBP CEO Bernard Looney photographed in Texas on March 8, 2022. During a panel discussion on Oct. 31, 2022, Looney said his firm's strategy was to "to invest in hydrocarbons today, because today's energy system is a hydrocarbon system." F. Carter Smith | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesBP's strategy is centered around investing in hydrocarbons whilst simultaneously putting money into the planned energy transition, the oil and gas supermajor's CEO said Monday. A major producer of oil and gas, BP says it's aiming to become a net-zero company by the year 2050 or before. He described it as "delusional" and called for an abandonment of fossil fuel finance.

☆ U.N., Turkey Race to Save Ukraine Grain Deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( Jared Malsin | Alistair Macdonald | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Cargo ships carrying grain from Ukraine waited for inspection off the coast of Turkey last week. ISTANBUL—The United Nations and Turkey on Sunday scrambled to rescue an agreement that allowed Ukraine to ship grain via the Black Sea, a day after Russia suspended the deal in a move that threatens global food prices and puts pressure on Ukraine’s allies. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres was working Sunday to end the Russian suspension, a U.N. spokesman said, and the Turkish defense ministry said it was in talks with Russia to rescue the agreement. No ships will leave Ukraine while the Russian suspension is in effect, the ministry said.

☆ Zelenskyy accuses Russia of creating 'artificial famine' after Moscow suspends crucial grain deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-30 | by ( Hyder Abbasi | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +5 min

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of creating “conditions of artificial famine” and suggested it should be expelled from the G-20 group of nations on Saturday after Moscow withdrew from a crucial grain export deal. “How can Russia be among the G-20 if it is deliberately working for starvation on several continents?” Zelenskyy said during an address on Ukrainian television. President Joe Biden warned that global hunger could increase because of Russia’s decision to suspend the deal. The U.N. negotiated that deal and that should be the end of it.”Secretary of State Antony Blinken also accused Russia of weaponizing food. The grain deal had restarted shipments from Ukraine, allowing sales on world markets, targeting the prewar level of 5 million metric tons exported from Ukraine each month.

☆ Russia says it will suspend UN-brokered Ukraine export deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +1 min

KYIV, Ukraine — The Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday that Moscow has moved to suspend its implementation of a U.N.-brokered grain export deal which has seen more than 9 million tons of grain exported from Ukraine and brought down global food prices. Ukraine has denied the attack. The Russian declaration came one day after U.N. chief Antonio Guterres urged Russia and Ukraine to renew the deal. Guterres also urged other countries, mainly in the West, to expedite the removal of obstacles blocking Russian grain and fertilizer exports. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said before Moscow discusses a renewal “Russia needs to see the export of its grain and fertilizers in the world market, which has never happened since the beginning of the deal.”This is a developing story.

☆ Russia halts Ukraine Black Sea grain exports, citing attack on Crimea
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-29 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

in the sea port in Odesa after restarting grain export, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, Ukraine August 19, 2022. Russia said the step, which will cut Ukrainian grain exports from its crucial Black Sea ports, was taken due to the drone attack and the participation of British specialists. 'HUNGER GAMES'Since Russia and Ukraine signed the U.N.-backed Black Sea Grain Initiative in Turkey on July 22, more than 9 million tonnes of corn, wheat, sunflower products, barley, rapeseed and soya have been exported from Ukraine. But ahead of the Nov. 19 expiry of the grain deal, which allows Ukrainian Black Sea grain exports, Russia has repeatedly said that there are serious problems with it. Russia will officially notify U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shortly of its suspension of the Ukraine Black Sea grain deal, Russia's Deputy U.N.

ISTANBUL, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Russia said on Saturday it was pulling out of a deal aimed at unlocking Ukrainian grain and fertiliser exports from Black Sea ports and easing global food shortages. TIME FRAMEThe deal signed on July 22 was valid for 120 days and the United Nations expected it to be renewed unless the war had ended by then. Under the deal, Ukrainian pilots guide the ships along safe channels in its territorial waters, with a minesweeper vessel on hand but no military escorts. Monitored by the JCC, the ships then transit the Black Sea to Turkey's Bosphorus strait and off to world markets. He added the deal had been successful in bringing food prices down and boosting export quantities.

☆ Exclusive: United States to put United Nations focus on Iran protests
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Michelle Nichols | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Soodabeh Saeidnia/via REUTERSUNITED NATIONS, Oct 28 (Reuters) - The United States will next week put the United Nations spotlight on protests in Iran sparked by the death of a young woman in police custody and look for ways to promote credible, independent investigations into Iranian human rights abuses. The United States and Albania will hold an informal U.N. Security Council gathering on Wednesday, according to a note outlining the event, seen by Reuters. "It will identify opportunities to promote credible, independent investigations into the Iranian government's human rights violations and abuses." Independent U.N. investigator on human rights in Iran, Javaid Rehman, is also due to address the meeting, which can be attended by other U.N. member states and rights groups. Iran has been gripped by protests since the death of 22-year-old Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in police custody last month.

These "conditional" pledges, if implemented fully, could reduce expected warming to a 2.4C rise, while unconditional pledges could lead to a 2.6C rise, the report said. "We still aren't anywhere near enough to cut greenhouse gas emissions (to the levels required)," UNEP executive director Inger Andersen told reporters at a briefing. The gap between pledges and limiting warming to 2C is 15 GtCO2e a year and for 1.5C it is 23 GtCO2e a year. According to a separate U.N. report earlier this week analysing the latest pledges submitted by countries, 2.5C of warming is likely by the end of the century. read moreOn Wednesday, the World Meteorological Organization said greenhouse gas concentrations climbed at above-average rates to records last year.

☆ The world is heading toward a climate catastrophe and countries want the US and other top offenders to pay up — but the GOP likely won't let that happen
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-27 | by ( Ayelet Sheffey | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Recent reports from the United Nations found the world is failing to meet climate goals, and it could be catastrophic. Some developing countries are calling on the top offenders, like the US and China, to pay reparations. GOP Sen. Ron Johnson recently called climate change "bullshit," and even centrist Democrats, like Sen. Joe Manchin, expressed hesitancy with the scale of climate funding President Joe Biden proposed in his Inflation Reduction Act, which ended up including $400 billion in climate investments. As Politico reported, other countries like Scotland and Denmark have already made small pledges to fight climate change, as well. "The climate crisis is killing us," Guterres said in a statement.

☆ World 'nowhere near' hitting climate targets, U.N. warns
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Chantal Da Silva | Chantal Da Silva Is A Breaking News Editor For Nbc News Digital Based In London. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

The world is "nowhere near" hitting its targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions, putting it on track to soar past the limit for global warming countries committed to in the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement, the United Nations has warned. But the impact of countries' pledges to ramp up their climate fight is falling short, scientists behind the report warned. “We are still nowhere near the scale and pace of emission reductions required to put us on track toward a 1.5 degrees Celsius world,” Simon Stiell, head of the U.N. climate office, said in a statement. But it found that just 24 new or updated climate plans were submitted by countries since COP 26. “The fact that only 24 new or updated climate plans were submitted since COP 26 is disappointing," said Stiell.

☆ U.S. confident of U.N. resolution, multinational task force on Haiti in early November
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

WASHINGTON, Oct 26 (Reuters) - Washington is confident of securing a U.N. Security Council resolution and finding nations to lead a task force in early November to address the humanitarian crisis in Haiti, Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols said on Wednesday. Briefing reporters on a visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Canada beginning on Thursday, Nichols, the top State Department official for Western Hemisphere affairs, told reporters the composition of a multinational task force proposed by Haiti would be discussed during the visit. "I strongly disagree with the idea that a resolution authorizing a multinational force is in peril," Nichols said, adding that he expected the leadership of the force to become clear as talks move forward in the coming days. "I'm confident that we will have something early in November, both a resolution and leadership for the force. Reporting by Simon Lewis and Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Chris Reese and Jonathan OatisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ U.S. confident of U.N. resolution, multinational task force on Haiti in early November -official
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

☆ U.N. lawyer pushes back on Russian row over Iran drone inquiry
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Michelle Nichols | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Russia has argued that there is no mandate for Guterres to send U.N. experts to Ukraine to inspect the downed drones. Tehran denies supplying the drones to Moscow and Russia has denied its forces used Iranian drones to attack Ukraine. Guterres reports twice a year to the council - traditionally in June and December - on the implementation of a 2015 council resolution that enshrines the Iran nuclear deal. "Absent further guidance by the Security Council, the Secretary-General will continue to prepare these reports in the manner that they have been prepared to date," U.N. legal affairs chief Miguel de Serpa Soares told the Security Council. "The Secretariat serves solely as a contact point," told the Security Council.

☆ Russia raises accusation at U.N. of Ukraine 'dirty bomb' plans
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( Michelle Nichols | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Russia on Tuesday took its accusation that Ukraine was preparing to use a dirty bomb - an explosive device laced with radioactive material - to the United Nations Security Council, voicing its concerns during a closed-door meeting of the 15-member body. Russia has alleged that Kyiv has ordered two organizations to create a dirty bomb, without giving any evidence. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has responded by accusing Russia of planning such an attack itself to blame on Ukraine. 'WASTING OUR TIME'The Security Council discussion on Tuesday was the first of three likely meetings requested by Russia this week. The move comes after Ukraine and Western allies accused Russia of using Iranian-made drones in Ukraine in violation of the resolution and asked Guterres to investigate.

☆ Ukraine accuses Russia of blocking full implementation of grain deal
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Oct 23 (Reuters) - Ukraine said seven vessels sailed off from its ports on Sunday carrying grain bound for Asia and Europe, but accused Russia of blocking the full implementation of Black Sea grain deal. "Russia is deliberately blocking the full realisation of the Grain Initiative. The agreement, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in July, paved the way for Ukraine to resume grain exports from Black Sea ports that had been shut since Russia invaded. Ethiopia, Yemen and Afghanistan -- these three countries have already received foodstuffs thanks to our exports and the U.N.'s food programme." The deal eased a world food crisis, but as more shippers have joined, the handful of inspection teams has fallen behind.

☆ Russia to raise Ukraine 'dirty bomb' accusation at U.N., diplomats say
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-24 | by ( Michelle Nichols | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 24 (Reuters) - Russia intends to raise at the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday its accusation that Ukraine is planning a "dirty bomb" attack and has urged U.N. chief Antonio Guterres to do all he can to "prevent this heinous crime from happening." Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has responded by accusing Russia of planning such an attack itself to blame on Ukraine. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia wrote in a letter - seen by Reuters - to Guterres and the Security Council on Monday. "We call on the Secretary-General of the United Nations to do everything in his power to prevent this heinous crime from happening." Britain's mission to the United Nations posted on Twitter late on Monday: "Reminder: Ukraine has no nuclear weapons."

"We are seeing that now with the provision of (drones) to Russia." Ukraine says Russia has used Iranian-made Shahed-136 attack drones that cruise toward their target and explode on impact. Tehran denies supplying the drones to Moscow - an assertion Washington says is untrue - and Russia has denied its forces used Iranian drones to attack Ukraine. If such a resolution is not adopted by the deadline, all U.N. sanctions in place before the nuclear deal would be automatically reimposed. "Snapback" would also likely kill off efforts to revive the 2015 deal, which then-U.S. President Donald Trump abandoned and which his successor Joe Biden has sought to resurrect.

☆ Ukraine curbs power usage after Russian attacks destroy some energy plants
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

Three energy facilities were destroyed by the enemy today," President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in his Wednesday night video address. Ukraine had so far shot down a total of 233 Iranian-made drones used by Russia, including 21 on Wednesday, Zelenskiy said. Ukraine accuses Russia of using Iran-made Shahed-136 "kamikaze drones", which fly to their target and detonate. KHERSON BATTLE LOOMSIn Kherson, the only regional capital Russian forces have captured since their invasion eight months ago, the Russian-appointed administration prepared an evacuation. Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded an all-Russia war effort and declared martial law on Wednesday in areas of Ukraine occupied by his forces.

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