Foreign News
UN Chief Welcomes Departure of First Grain Ship from Ukraine
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday welcomed the departure of the first ship from the Ukrainian port of Odesa, carrying grain under the landmark deal signed by Ukraine, Russia and Türkiye, overseen by the UN.
The Razoni, carrying a cargo of 26,527 tonnes of corn, is the first cargo ship to leave a Ukrainian Black Sea port since February 26, just a few days after the Russian invasion began.
It is bound for the Mediterranean port of Tripoli, in Lebanon.
In a statement issued by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, Guterres said that ensuring “existing grain and foodstuffs can move to global markets is a humanitarian imperative.
”The deal dubbed a “beacon of hope” by Guterres when it was signed in the Turkish city of Istanbul on July 22, is a “collective achievement” of the newly-established Joint Coordination Centre (JCC) set up in Istanbul.
It was set up under the auspices of the UN, by representatives from the three governments who inked the deal, known officially as the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
In a statement, the JCC said it had agreed the specific coordinates and restrictions for what it termed the Safe Humanitarian Maritime Corridor, and has communicated those details in accordance with international navigation procedures.
“The JCC has requested all its participants to inform their respective military and other relevant authorities of this decision to ensure the safe passage of the vessel.”
The plan also paves the way for Russian food and fertiliser to reach global markets, all of which it is hoped will help reduce soaring food prices worldwide, and avert the possibility of famine afflicting millions in the months ahead.
Since the deal was signed, the parties involved “have been working tirelessly” to begin the process of shipping grain and cereals out from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.
“The Secretary-General salutes their efforts, and he is grateful to Türkiye for its leadership,” the statement said, just after the vessel left port.
“Guterres hopes that this will be the first of many commercial ships moving in accordance with the Initiative signed, and that this will bring much-needed stability and relief to global food security especially in the most fragile humanitarian contexts.”
The UN emergency food agency, WFP, which is a major customer of Ukraine’s grain and cereals, was planning to buy, load and ship an initial 30,000 tonnes of wheat from Ukraine, on a UN-chartered vessel.
Addressing correspondents at UN Headquarters in New York on the shipment, Guterres said the ship was loaded with two commodities in short supply, “corn, and hope.”
“People on the verge of famine need these agreements to work, in order to survive. Countries on the verge of bankruptcy need these agreements to work, in order to keep their economies alive.”
While the “tragic war continues to rage”, the UN chief said, the UN would continue working every day to bring relief to the people of Ukraine, and to those suffering the effects of the conflict around the world.
He said that the war must end, and peace must be established, in line with the Charter of the United Nations and international law.
“I hope today’s news can be a step towards that goal, for the people of Ukraine and the Russian Federation, and for the world.” (NAN)
The United States says it will begin revoking visas of Chinese students and tighten screening for future applicants from China and Hong Kong, the US State Department said on Thursday.
“The U.S. will begin revoking visas of Chinese students, including those with connections to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical fields,” US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on social media platform X.
In a press release, the State Department stated that it would also revise visa criteria to enhance scrutiny of all future visa applications from the People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong.
It was not immediately clear how many students currently in the United States would be affected or whether any exemptions would apply.
According to the Institute of International Education (IIE), about 277,000 Chinese students were enrolled at U.S. universities during the 2023-2024 academic years, making them the second-largest group of international students after those from India.
The U.S. already applies strict visa rules for Chinese nationals in certain academic disciplines, particularly in science and technology.
China’s Foreign Office said it filed a complaint against the unjustified step.
Washington’s discriminatory actions expose the lie of freedom and openness that the U.S. has always boasted about, said spokeswoman Mao Ning in Beijing.
The new measures come amid reports that the State Department has halted new visa interviews for international students and exchange visitors while it reviews screening procedures, including expanded checks on social media activity.
The pause reportedly affects F, M and J visa categories, including those for students, interns and au pairs, with further instructions expected in the coming days.
However, relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated further since U.S President Donald Trump took office in January.
The two economic powers are engaged in a deepening trade dispute and competing for global influence across multiple fronts.(dpa/NAN)
A South Korean Navy patrol plane with four people on board crashed on a mountain in Pohang, a city in the south-eastern part of the country.
The Yonhap news agency reported on Thursday, citing authorities.
The crash happened at 1:50 pm (0450 GMT).
According to the report, witnesses said smoke was seen rising from the mountain.
The bodies of all four people aboard the plane have since been recovered, Yonhap reported.
The navy, in a short statement to reporters, said the crash occurred after the aircraft took off for a training exercise, but crashed due to unidentified reasons.
The navy said that it is investigating further details.
Fire workers were dispatched to the scene to extinguish the blaze.(dpa/NAN)
The Israeli Government has rejected the latest proposal for a ceasefire and release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, local media reported on Monday.
“The proposal received by Israel cannot be accepted by any responsible government,’’ the Times of Israel quoted an unnamed senior official as saying, who didn’t give any further details.
According to the ynet news website, the proposal was made by a Palestinian-American businessman who has reportedly been involved in direct negotiations with Palestinian extremist group Hamas for some time.
According to Hezbollah-affiliated Arab broadcaster Al-Mayadeen, the proposal involves a 70-day ceasefire to allow both sides to conduct negotiations on an end to the war.
With Hamas is to release five living hostages and the bodies of a further five from Gaza.
The draft is far removed from the proposal drawn up by U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, ynet quoted an Israeli official as saying.
Witkoff’s recently submitted draft provides for the release of 10 living hostages in exchange for 45 to 60 days of ceasefire.
According to Israeli sources, at least 20 hostages are still being held alive in the Gaza Strip, with the fate of three further abductees unclear.
In addition, the Islamists are still holding the bodies of 35 hostages abducted from Israel during the attacks it launched on Oct. 7, 2023. (dpa/NAN)
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