A major development to address a growing global food crisis.

For the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine, a ship carrying grain is leaving that war-torn country.

Back here at home, do Democrats have a reconciliation deal or not?

Arizona Senator Kirsten Cinema is now in the spotlight, as leadership needs her vote to

pass a significant spending bill. And President Biden goes back into isolation following another

positive COVID test. We'll have the latest on his recovery from the virus. This morning and welcome to way too early on this Monday, August 1st.

I'm Jonathan Lemire.

Thanks for being with us.

We begin with the situation in Ukraine.

In a significant breakthrough this morning, a ship carrying

Ukrainian grain set off from the port of Odessa for the first time since the war started back in

February. Ukraine's Minister of Infrastructure tweeted this video of the vessel, which is carrying

more than 26,000 tons of corn, and it's on its way to Lebanon. The ship is expected to reach

Istanbul on Tuesday, where it will be inspected before being allowed to proceed. The move is part

of an internationally brokered deal between Kiev and Moscow to release millions of tons of grain

to foreign markets and ease a growing food crisis.

Ukrainian officials say 16 more ships are waiting to depart Odessa's port as part of that deal.

Meanwhile, Russian advances have slowed almost to a standstill as newly delivered Western

weapons or helping Ukrainian forces reclaim much of the advantage they

had lost in recent months. The Washington Post reports that Russian troops have made no significant

territorial gains since the Ukrainians began to retreat from the East on July 2nd.

According to the Post, analysts suspect Russian forces are close to exhausting their capacity

...