Stories for July 6th 2017

Thursday, July 6th 2017 - 19:29 UTC
The plight of Ascension Island residents cut off from the Falklands' Airbridge

Ascension Island, home to around 800 people, is even more cut off than it used to be after weekly flights linking the island to the UK were stopped - due to a dodgy runway and the wrong kind of RAF aircraft, according to a BBC report. The British overseas territory is the tip of an old volcano in the Atlantic Ocean, mid-way between Africa and Brazil. It's so remote, that when the Portuguese discovered it on Ascension Day in 1501, they didn't even bother colonizing it.
Thursday, July 6th 2017 - 19:16 UTC
Chinese company will exploit energy resources in Brazil

Petrobras announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding with the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) to exploit energy resources in Brazil and abroad. In the statement, Petrobras said that the deal will allow the two state oil companies to benefit from each other's capacity and experience in oil and gas production.
Thursday, July 6th 2017 - 10:17 UTC
Soybeans and corn record crops challenge Brazil's storage capacity

Brazilian farmers are discovering a serious obstacle to becoming one of the world’s top producers of soybeans: they’re running out of room to store all the unsold supply. The biggest harvest in the country’s history is poised to leave domestic inventories at a record, data from the processors’ group Abiove show.
Thursday, July 6th 2017 - 07:04 UTC
Morales accuses Chile of violating International Court of Justice rules

Bolivian President Evo Morales accused his Chilean counterpart, Michelle Bachelet, of violating rules of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague by “revealing” the content of the report filed by that country in the dispute over the use of the Silala River, while causing an “unnecessary” conflict in the media.
Thursday, July 6th 2017 - 06:57 UTC
Brazilian plan to review purchase of Bolivian natural gas

Petrobras should cut the maximum amount of natural gas it buys from neighboring Bolivia in half in an effort to encourage domestic importers and distributors to enter the market, according to a Brazilian government study.
Thursday, July 6th 2017 - 06:42 UTC
Petrobras awards pipeline inspection services contract to Fugro and its new vessel

Netherlands Fugro has been awarded a further two-year contract by Petrobras to provide comprehensive inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) and pipeline inspection services in Brazil.
Thursday, July 6th 2017 - 04:53 UTC
Maduro's goons storm Venezuela National Assembly and beat up lawmakers

About a hundred government supporters stormed into Venezuela's opposition-controlled National Assembly, where they beat up several lawmakers. Witnesses said the confrontation came after an assembly session to mark the country's Independence Day, Wednesday July 5th.
Thursday, July 6th 2017 - 04:26 UTC
Scandal in EU: Juncker calls the European parliament “totally ridiculous”

The head of the European Union’s executive called its parliament “totally ridiculous” during a spat over low MEP attendance. After EU Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker thanked the few dozens of the 700-plus MEPs for attending a plenary session, he insisted that “parliament is not serious” for failing to show up in large numbers for the keynote debate of the day.
Thursday, July 6th 2017 - 04:07 UTC
Antarctica Larsen C ice shelf about to spawn huge berg. In pieces it could reach as far as Falklands

Antarctica’s Larsen C ice shelf deep crack continues to cut across the ice, leaving a huge chunk clinging on. When it eventually gives way, one of the largest icebergs on record will be set adrift, and whole or in pieces, ocean currents could drag it north, even as far as the Falkland Islands. And if so it could pose a hazard for ships in Drake Passage.
Thursday, July 6th 2017 - 03:54 UTC
All eyes to be focused on gestures from the first face-to-face Trump-Putin meeting

The first face-to-face meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin will take place on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Hamburg. The Kremlin says terrorism; Syria and Ukraine will top its agenda.