Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (August 16) hailed the departure of the first cargo ship to Ukraine's southern port of Odesa. Zelensky said on social media: "Ukraine has just made an important step toward restoring the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea."&nbsp;

Spain's Tenerife island is currently battling a forest fire which started on Wednesday. Officials said that 250 firefighters are battling the wildfire which forced road closures and the evacuation of five villages.&nbsp;

In other news, the US State Department has expressed concerns over attacks on the Christian community in Pakistan. This comes after a charged mob of around 7,000 people stormed a Christian colony in the Jaranwala Tehsil of Faisalabad district on Wednesday.

Click on the headlines to read more:&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/zelensky-hails-first-cargo-ship-in-black-sea-since-end-of-grain-deal-626253">Zelensky hails first cargo ship in Black Sea since end of grain deal</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/08/17/373683-odesa.png?imwidth=1920" />

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (August 16) hailed the departure of the first cargo ship to Ukraine's southern port of Odesa, which happened despite Russian warnings that its navy could target ships utilising the Black Sea export hubs.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spains-tenerife-battles-out-of-control-wildfire-as-it-spreads-across-islands-626236">Spain's Tenerife battles 'out of control' wildfire as it spreads across island's</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/08/17/373674-island-of-tenerife.png?imwidth=1920" />

On Tenerife, one of the Spanish Canary Islands, a forest fire started on Wednesday (August 16). As quoted by news agencies, the officials said that around 250 firefighters are battling the wildfire raging "out of control" that forced road closures and the evacuation of five villages.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-state-department-expresses-concern-over-attacks-on-christian-community-in-pakistan-626235">US State Department expresses concern over attacks on Christian community in Pakistan</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/08/17/373675-succession-2023-08-17t082042494.jpg?imwidth=1920" />

US State Department called on the authorities in Pakistan seeking efforts to restore calm after a charged mob of around 7,000 people stormed a Christian colony in the Jaranwala Tehsil of Faisalabad district on Wednesday morning.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/maui-wildfire-official-defend-decision-to-not-sound-emergency-sirens-626237">Maui wildfire: Officials defend decision to not sound emergency sirens</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2023/08/10/372325-the-battle-for-kyiv-2023-08-10t131024912.png?imwidth=1920" />

Herman Andaya, Maui's emergency management chief on Wednesday (August 17) defended the agency's decision to not sound sirens during last week's deadly wildfire. Questions are now being raised whether sounding sirens might have saved lives.

Watch | Singapore: Police seizes $736 million in assets anti-laundering raids

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (August 16) hailed the departure of the first cargo ship to Ukraine's southern port of Odesa. Zelensky said on social media: "Ukraine has just made an important step toward restoring the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (August 16) hailed the departure of the first cargo ship to Ukraine's southern port of Odesa. Zelensky said on social media: "Ukraine has just made an important step toward restoring the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea." Spain's Tenerife island is currently battling a forest fire which started on Wednesday. Officials said that 250 firefighters are battling the wildfire which forced road closures and the evacuation of five villages. In other news, the US State Department has expressed concerns over attacks on the Christian community in Pakistan. This comes after a charged mob of around 7,000 people stormed a Christian colony in the Jaranwala Tehsil of Faisalabad district on Wednesday. Click on the headlines to read more: Zelensky hails first cargo ship in Black Sea since end of grain deal Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday (August 16) hailed the departure of the first cargo ship to Ukraine's southern port of Odesa, which happened despite Russian warnings that its navy could target ships utilising the Black Sea export hubs. Spain's Tenerife battles 'out of control' wildfire as it spreads across island's On Tenerife, one of the Spanish Canary Islands, a forest fire started on Wednesday (August 16). As quoted by news agencies, the officials said that around 250 firefighters are battling the wildfire raging "out of control" that forced road closures and the evacuation of five villages. US State Department expresses concern over attacks on Christian community in Pakistan US State Department called on the authorities in Pakistan seeking efforts to restore calm after a charged mob of around 7,000 people stormed a Christian colony in the Jaranwala Tehsil of Faisalabad district on Wednesday morning. Maui wildfire: Officials defend decision to not sound emergency sirens Herman Andaya, Maui's emergency management chief on Wednesday (August 17) defended the agency's decision to not sound sirens during last week's deadly wildfire. Questions are now being raised whether sounding sirens might have saved lives. Watch | Singapore: Police seizes $736 million in assets anti-laundering raids ×

Morning brief: Zelensky hails first cargo ship in Black Sea since end of grain deal, and more

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Morning brief: Zelensky hails first cargo ship in Black Sea since end of grain deal, and more