**Top Stories**
* **Russia-Ukraine war: Ukraine’s grain exports resume as first ship leaves Odesa**
* The first grain ship to leave Ukraine since the start of the war has set sail from the port of Odesa, carrying 26,000 tons of corn.
* The shipment is part of a deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey to allow Ukraine to resume grain exports, which have been blocked by Russia.
* The resumption of grain exports is a major breakthrough in the war and could help to alleviate the global food crisis.
* **US economy grows at 0.9% in second quarter, beating expectations**
* The US economy grew at an annualized rate of 0.9% in the second quarter, beating expectations.
* The growth was driven by consumer spending and business investment.
* The economy has now grown for two consecutive quarters, following a contraction in the first quarter.
* **UK inflation hits 40-year high of 9.4%**
* UK inflation hit a 40-year high of 9.4% in June, driven by rising energy and food prices.
* The Bank of England has raised interest rates to try to curb inflation, but it is expected to remain high for the rest of the year.
* The high inflation is putting a strain on household budgets and could lead to a recession.
**Other News**
* **US approves sale of $1.1 billion worth of weapons to Taiwan**
* The US has approved the sale of $1.1 billion worth of weapons to Taiwan, including missiles and radar systems.
* The sale is part of a long-standing US commitment to Taiwan’s self-defense.
* China has condemned the sale, saying it violates its .
