UK announces fresh Russia sanctions targeting £1.7bn worth of trade

Putin and Erdogan seek common ground as Turkey, Russia remain 'on opposite ends of major conflicts'

US Senate Approves NATO Membership for Finland and Sweden

US Senate Approves NATO Membership , for Finland and Sweden. US Senate Approves NATO Membership , for Finland and Sweden. The Senate overwhelmingly approved the expansion of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) by a vote of 95 to one. . The vote is considered a strong message to Russian President Vladimir Putin and his order to invade Ukraine. President Joe Biden hailed the vote as "historic.". This historic vote sends an important signal of the sustained, bipartisan U.S. commitment to NATO, President Joe Biden, via NPR News. This historic vote sends an important signal of the sustained, bipartisan U.S. commitment to NATO, President Joe Biden, via NPR News. ... and to ensuring our Alliance is prepared to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, President Joe Biden, via NPR News. I look forward to signing the accession protocols and welcoming Sweden and Finland, , President Joe Biden, via NPR News. ... two strong democracies with highly capable militaries, into the greatest defensive alliance in history, President Joe Biden, via NPR News. Senators from both sides of the aisle touted the vote as good for both democracies and for the U.S. It sends a warning shot to tyrants around the world who believe free democracies are just up for grabs, Sen Amy Klobuchar, (D-MN), via NPR News. Russia's unprovoked invasion has changed the way we think about world security, Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), via NPR News. Their accession will make NATO stronger and America more secure. If any senator is looking for a defensible excuse to vote no, I wish them good luck, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Minority Leader, via NPR News. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), an ally of former President Donald Trump, cast the lone "no" vote. In explaining his vote, Hawley described his views on the matter as a "classic nationalist approach.". We can do more in Europe ... devote more resources, more firepower ... or do what we need to do to deter Asia and China. We cannot do both, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO), Senate Minority Leader, via NPR News

'I fear new famine,' Live Aid relief organiser Bob Geldof tells Euronews

In an interview for Euronews at the Sani music festival in Greece, the Irish rock star and activist accused Vladimir Putin of "using food as a weapon".

First Grain Shipment Leaves Ukraine After Months of Being Blocked by Russia

First Grain Shipment Leaves Ukraine , After Months of Being Blocked by Russia. NBC News reports that on Aug. 1, a ship carrying grain was finally able to leave the southern Ukrainian city of Odesa. . The development follows a deal made between Kyiv and Moscow last month. The cargo ship will transport 26,000 tons of Ukrainian corn toward Lebanon's port of Tripoli. . In a Facebook post, Oleksandr Kubrakov, Ukraine's infrastructure minister, assured the vessel would be safe as it travels along a route established by the U.N. and Turkey. As 16 more ships wait to depart Odesa, Kubrakov called the first ship's passage "a colossal success for ensuring global food security.". Bridget A. Brink, U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, took to Twitter to announce the development. . Bridget A. Brink, U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, took to Twitter to announce the development. . NBC News reports that Russian forces continue to strike cities across Ukraine as Vladimir Putin's war rages on. NBC News reports that Russian forces continue to strike cities across Ukraine as Vladimir Putin's war rages on