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world news Diasabra 23 Juli 2022

‘A beacon of hope’: Ukraine, Russia sign grain export deal

(AP) — Russia and champagne because of this
Ukraine signed separate Russian Defense Minister deal,” Kuleba told The Asso-
agreements Friday with Sergei Shoigu and Ukrai- ciated Press. “I will keep my
Turkey and the United nian Infrastructure Minister fingers crossed that this will
Nations clearing the way Oleksandr Kubrakov signed work, that ships will carry
for the export of millions separate, identical deals Fri- grain to world markets and
of tons of desperately day with Guterres and Turk- prices will go down and peo-
needed Ukrainian grain ish Defense Minister Hu- ple will have food to eat. But
— as well as some Rus- lusi Akar at a ceremony in I’m very cautious because I
sian grain and fertilizer — Istanbul that was witnessed have no trust in Russia.”
across the Black Sea. The by Turkish President Recep
long-sought deal ends a Tayyip Erdogan. Russia and The European Union and
wartime standoff that has Ukraine would not sign any the U.K. immediately wel-
threatened food security deal directly with each other. comed the news.
around the globe.
“Today, there is a beacon on “This is a critical step forward
The U.N. plan will enable the Black Sea,” Guterres said. in efforts to overcome the
Ukraine — one of the world’s “A beacon of hope, a beacon global food insecurity caused Ukraine is one of the world’s nificant volumes of commer-
key breadbaskets — to export of possibility, a beacon of re- by Russia’s aggression against largest exporters of wheat, cial food exports from three
22 million tons of grain and lief in a world that needs it Ukraine,” said EU foreign corn and sunflower oil, but key Ukrainian ports: Odesa,
other agricultural goods that more than ever.” policy chief Josep Borrell. Russia’s invasion of the Chernomorsk and Yuzhny.
have been stuck in Black Sea country and naval block-
ports due to Russia’s inva- “You have overcome obsta- British Foreign Secretary Liz ade of its ports have halted The agreement, obtained by
sion. U.N. Secretary General cles and put aside differences Truss applauded Turkey and shipments. Some Ukrainian the AP, says a joint coordina-
Antonio Guterres called it “a to pave the way for an initia- the U.N. for brokering the grain is being transported tion center will be set up in
beacon of hope” for millions tive that will serve the com- agreement. through Europe by rail, road Istanbul staffed by officials
of hungry people who have mon interests of all,” he told and river, but the prices of from Ukraine, Russia, Tur-
faced huge increases in the the envoys. “We will be watching to en- vital commodities like wheat key and the U.N. to run the
price of food. sure Russia’s actions match and barley have soared dur- plan, including scheduling
Guterres described the deal its words,” Truss said. “To ing the war. cargo ships’ arrivals and de-
“A deal that allows grain to as an unprecedented agree- enable a lasting return to partures. The center will be
leave Black Sea ports is noth- ment between two parties global security and economic Although international sanc- headed by a U.N. official.
ing short of lifesaving for engaged in a bloody conflict. stability, (Russian President tions against Russia did not
people across the world who Erdogan hoped it would be Vladimir) Putin must end target food exports, the war Inspection teams with rep-
are struggling to feed their “a new turning point that will the war and withdraw from has disrupted shipments of resentatives from all parties
families,” said Red Cross revive hopes for peace.” Ukraine.” Russian products because in Turkey will search vessels
Director-General Robert shipping and insurance com- entering and leaving Ukrai-
Mardini. He noted that over Yet in Kyiv, Ukrainian For- African leaders also wel- panies did not want to deal nian ports to ensure there are
the past six months, prices eign Minister Dmytro Kule- comed the deal, with South with Russia. no weapons or soldiers on
for food have risen 187% in ba sounded a more somber African President Cyril Ra- board. Inspections will take
Sudan, 86% in Syria and 60% note. maphosa saying “it has taken Guterres said the plan, place at the entry and exit of
in Yemen, just to name a few much too long.” known as the Black Sea Ini- the Bosporus.
countries. “I’m not opening a bottle of tiative, opens a path for sig-

US places former Paraguayan president on corruption list

(AP) — A former president of the designation of former President media and tobacco companies, and
Paraguay who has been investi- Horacio Manuel Cartes “for his in- a supermarket chain. The former “I deny and reject the content of the
gated for his alleged participa- volvement in significant corruption”. president has been investigated about allegations,” Cartes said on Twitter.
tion in money laundering opera- alleged irregularities in his multimil- He added that the is “committed to
tions was included on Friday on a Cartes served as president of Para- lion-dollar assets and for his alleged offering all the support and primary-
U.S. corruption list. guay between August 2013 and Au- links with the leader of a money laun- source information that the authori-
gust 2018. He owns a conglomerate dering network. ties need to clarify” anything.
The Department of State announced of some 25 companies, including
The former president “obstructed a The internal election for the new
major international investigation into president of the official Partido Col-
transnational crime in order to pro- orado is scheduled for December.
tect himself and his criminal associ- Cartes is competing with the current
ate from potential prosecution and president of Paraguay, Mario Abdo
political damage,” Secretary of State Benítez, to be the next president of
Antony Blinken said in a statement. this political party.
He added that his actions “under- In addition to the former president,
mined the stability of Paraguay’s his adult children Juan Pablo Cartes
democratic institutions” and enabled Montaña, Sofía Cartes Montaña and
the involvement of Cartes with “for- María Sol Cartes Montaña were in-
eign terrorist organizations” and cluded on the corruption list.
other U.S.-designated entities. The
statement did not provide details on In a news conference at the U.S. Em-
the investigations or alleged involve- bassy in Asunción on Friday morn-
ment in terrorist activities. ing, Ambassador Marc Ostfield said
more such designations are likely.
The businessman, who is currently
seeking to be the new president of his The ambassador declined to provide
conservative political party Partido any details of ongoing investigations
Colorado, said the allegations are un- into the former president.
founded.