Trump news at a glance: Iran war pushing millions into hunger, UN says, as president struggles to reach peace deal
“Pessimistic” predictions that the Middle East war could push tens of millions more people into acute hunger if drawn out are being proven right, the
“Pessimistic” predictions that the Middle East war could push tens of millions more people into acute hunger if drawn out are being proven right, the UN says, as the US and Iran again exchanged fire, threatening the already fragile ceasefire. The UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) warned weeks ago that soaring oil prices were devastating global food security, but now, nearly three months into the conflict, “the negative scenario is unfortunately materialising”, said Jean-Martin Bauer, the director of WFP’s food and nutrition analysis service.
The WFP said that if oil prices were to remain about $100 per barrel until the end of June, an estimated 45 million more people worldwide would face acute hunger, in addition to the nearly 320 million people considered acutely food insecure at the start of the year. Weeks of complicated talks marked by sharp rhetoric and flare-ups of violence have not managed to reach a deal to end the war and reopen the strait of Hormuz, which is critical to oil supplies.
Donald Trump is under pressure to find a way out of the war, which has shocked markets and proved unpopular at home as midterm elections loom. US and Iranian negotiators have for weeks been working to extend the ceasefire by 60 days and start a new round of talks on Iran’s nuclear programme. But both sides have continued to call for changes in the deal, with neither appearing ready to compromise.
Catching up? Here’s what happened Friday 5 June.
The BriefWire