World News Roundup: Ukraine announces 'humanitarian corridor' for ships stuck in Black Sea ports; Montenegro president nominates pro-Western party leader as PM-designate and more

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Ukraine announces 'humanitarian corridor' for ships stuck in Black Sea ports

Ukraine announced a "humanitarian corridor" on Thursday to let dozens of cargo ships trapped in its ports since the outbreak of war last year sail into the Black Sea, where shipping routes are under scrutiny since Russia quit a deal to allow grain exports. At least initially, the corridor appears to apply to vessels such as container ships that have been stuck in Ukrainian ports since the Feb. 2022 invasion, and were not covered by the deal that opened the ports for grain shipments last year.

Montenegro president nominates pro-Western party leader as PM-designate

Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic on Thursday nominated Milojko Spajic, a leader of a pro-Western party that won a parliamentary vote in June, as prime minister-designate tasked to form a government. Spajic and Milatovic lead the Europe Now Movement (PES) which won most votes in the June snap elections after Milo Djukanovic, the long-time ruler of Montenegro, lost the presidential election in April and stepped down after 30 years in power.

Wetland lagoon in southern Spain dries out amid severe drought

The largest permanent lagoon in southern Spain's Donana national park has completely dried out for the second summer in a row due to a prolonged drought and the overexploitation of aquifers, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) said on Thursday. The drying out of the lagoon comes as Spain grapples with the third heatwave of the summer, while emptying reservoirs have forced water restrictions in parts of the country.

Muslims flee Indian business hub after religious clashes, attacks

Over 3,000 poor Muslims have fled a business hub outside New Delhi this month, fearing for their lives after Hindu-Muslim clashes and sporadic attacks targeting them, residents, police and a community group said. Shops and shacks owned or run by Muslims and their houses in two large slum areas were padlocked when Reuters visited them more than a week after seven people were killed in clashes in Nuh and Gurugram districts in Haryana state, adjoining the Indian capital.

At least 17 dead as boat carrying Rohingyas sinks in Bay of Bengal

At least 17 Rohingyas were killed and 30 remain missing after a boat capsized in bad weather in the Bay of Bengal earlier this week, aid workers in Myanmar said. Volunteers said eight people were rescued from the boat, which was headed for Malaysia, a coveted destination for thousands of Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution and poverty in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Schools shut, exams cancelled: War shatters Sudan's education sector

When war in Sudan's capital forced Sarah al-Sharif and her family to flee, the 19-year-old information technology student left her books and computer behind. Now in Sennar, 30km (18 miles) southeast of Khartoum, she lacks a stable internet connection or passport to travel abroad and like many others sees no way of continuing her studies while fighting between rival military factions rages.

Wife of jailed ex-Pakistan PM Imran Khan says he's well

The wife of former Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan said her husband was well after seeing him on Thursday for the first time since his jailing, his lawyer said. Kahn was jailed last week after being convicted of corruption. He was then barred from politics for five years, preventing him from contesting an upcoming election.

West African summit on Niger coup starts with chair prioritising diplomacy

Nigeria's President Bola Tinubu said West African leaders should try all diplomatic routes to ensure a swift return to constitutional rule in Niger, including dialogue with the coup leaders there, as a summit of heads of state began on Thursday. In his role as chair of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Tinubu kicked off the summit in the Nigerian capital Abuja by saying that it was crucial to prioritise diplomacy as the bedrock of the bloc's approach.

Assassination of presidential candidate shocks Ecuador

The assassination of Ecuadorean presidential candidate Fernando Villavicencio shocked the South American country, where rising drug-related violence is a major concern for voters, leading some of his rivals to suspend campaigning. Villavicencio, a vocal critic of corruption and organized crime, was killed on Wednesday during an evening campaign event in northern Quito.

Twelve missing after blast at factory northeast of Moscow

Twelve people were missing on Thursday, a day after a blast at the site of an optical electronics factory 50 km (30 miles) northeast of Moscow killed one person and injured more than 60. Investigators say pyrotechnic equipment was being stored in the rented warehouse on the grounds of the Zagorsk Optical and Mechanical Plant where the blast occurred. At least 30 people were admitted to hospital, including six to intensive care.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)