Turkey and Russia extend grain deal, easing food shortage fears.

Turkey's President Erdogan announced that the Black Sea grain deal, which allows Ukraine to export to world markets, will continue for two more months. Erdogan thanked Russian President Putin, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, and UN Secretary General Guterres for the extension, describing the deal as "critical" for global food supply chains. The extension comes 11 days before the runoff vote against Erdogan's top rival, Kemal Kilicdaroglu. Erdogan's personal ties with Putin have been raised by the opposition during the campaign period, but Erdogan defended Putin and said Turkey's ties with Russia were no less important than its ties with the United States.