Ukraine on Monday said it had agreed to export grain via Croatia's Adriatic coast after Russia blocked Black Sea routes.
The two governments "agreed on the possibility" of transporting Ukrainian produce via the Danube to EU member Croatia, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.
From Croatia, the food could be exported via the Adriatic Sea to the Mediterranean and the world market.
"We will now work on laying the most efficient routes to these ports and making the most of this opportunity," Mr Kuleba said.
"Every contribution to unlocking exports, every door opened is a real, effective contribution to world food security. Thank you to Croatia for the constructive help."
Moscow quit the Black Sea grain deal this month, saying the side of the bargain providing for Russian food and fertiliser exports had not been upheld.
It led to fears of a renewed global food crisis because Ukraine usually exports the largest share of its grain via Black Sea ports such as Odesa.
Alternatives exist including Romania's Danube ports and a railway route to Poland but none can handle the same volume as cargo ships.
"In the context of a possible global food crisis, Croatia has made its ports available for the export of Ukrainian grain and will continue to do so," Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic-Radman said.
Croatia also plans to host a conference in October on demining in Ukraine. Naval charges in the Black Sea are one of the reasons the route is dangerous for cargo ships.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres last week said food prices had already risen after Russia quit the grain deal.
The pact was brokered last year by the UN and Turkey and provided for safe passage for cargo ships on condition that both sides in the war could inspect them. Since withdrawing, Russia has attacked Odesa's harbour and withdrawn security guarantees to Black Sea shipping.
New Zealand 57-0 South Africa
Tries: Rieko Ioane, Nehe Milner-Skudder (2), Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Ofa Tu'ungfasi, Lima Sopoaga, Codie Taylor. Conversions: Beauden Barrett (7). Penalty: Beauden Barrett
The specs: 2018 Renault Koleos
Price, base: From Dh77,900
Engine: 2.5L, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 170hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque: 233Nm @ 4,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.3L / 100km
Origin
Dan Brown
Doubleday
The Written World: How Literature Shaped History
Martin Puchner
Granta
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
Tax authority targets shisha levy evasion
The Federal Tax Authority will track shisha imports with electronic markers to protect customers and ensure levies have been paid.
Khalid Ali Al Bustani, director of the tax authority, on Sunday said the move is to "prevent tax evasion and support the authority’s tax collection efforts".
The scheme’s first phase, which came into effect on 1st January, 2019, covers all types of imported and domestically produced and distributed cigarettes. As of May 1, importing any type of cigarettes without the digital marks will be prohibited.
He said the latest phase will see imported and locally produced shisha tobacco tracked by the final quarter of this year.
"The FTA also maintains ongoing communication with concerned companies, to help them adapt their systems to meet our requirements and coordinate between all parties involved," he said.
As with cigarettes, shisha was hit with a 100 per cent tax in October 2017, though manufacturers and cafes absorbed some of the costs to prevent prices doubling.
The years Ramadan fell in May
Match info
Manchester City 3 (Jesus 22', 50', Sterling 69')
Everton 1 (Calvert-Lewin 65')
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
