Stories for August 1st 2023

Tuesday, August 1st 2023 - 20:26 UTC
NASA Chief says Argentine astronaut may soon travel to International Space Station

NASA's Administrator Bill Nelson said Monday while visiting the Teófilo Tabanera Space Center (CETT) of the National Space Activities Commission (Conae), in the town of Falda del Cañete in the Argentine province of Córdoba, that an astronaut from the South American country might soon be traveling to the International Space Station.
Tuesday, August 1st 2023 - 18:54 UTC
Major purge in China's nuclear arsenal command; Xi consolidating power and eliminating corruption?

Continuing with recent changes Beijing has replaced two leaders of an elite unit managing its nuclear arsenal, triggering speculation of a purge. General Li Yuchao who headed the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Rocket Force unit and his deputy had “disappeared” for months.
Tuesday, August 1st 2023 - 18:52 UTC
Liberia becomes the world's largest ship registry; in bulk carriers, China is the flag

For the first time in 30 years Panama is no longer the world’s largest ship registry. Rival Liberia has overhauled the Central American nation in terms of gross tonnage in new data issued by Clarksons Research.
Tuesday, August 1st 2023 - 18:51 UTC
Ukraine and Croatia agree for grain shipments from ports on the Danube and Adriatic Sea

Ukraine and Croatia have reached an agreement for Croatian ports on the Danube and Adriatic Sea to be used for the export of Ukrainian grains, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said after talks with his Croatian counterpart on Monday (July 31).
Tuesday, August 1st 2023 - 18:48 UTC
Euro Zone inflation down to 5,3% in July, helped by lower energy prices

Inflation in the Euro-zone fell to 5.3% in July, down almost a percentage point from May, the EU statistics agency Eurostat said on Monday. in June the rate of inflation was 5,5% as compared with 6.1% in May.
Tuesday, August 1st 2023 - 18:46 UTC
Retail prices outlook in the UK improving, but not out of the woods yet

Outlook for retail prices in the United Kingdom improving. New figures suggest food price inflation in the UK has slowed to its lowest level this year as prices of oils, fish, and breakfast cereals fall. According to the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and NielsenIQ retail analysts, food inflation slowed to 13.4% in July. It was 14.6% in June.
Tuesday, August 1st 2023 - 18:08 UTC
Falklands' budget promotes environmental activities and research

The Falkland Islands, FIG, Environmental Studies Budget provides annual funding to support individuals and organizations in the Falkland Islands to conduct activities and research which benefit and enhance our natural environment.
Tuesday, August 1st 2023 - 14:47 UTC
The Niger military coup, a new version of the Great Game?

By Gwynne Dyer

If you are a democratically elected leader in one of Africa’s Sahel countries — let’s say, Niger — and you suspect that the army is plotting to overthrow you, what’s the best countermeasure? Should you:
Tuesday, August 1st 2023 - 12:19 UTC
Brazil dominates increasing share of China's soybean market

The world’s soybean market is dominated by one major buyer: China, and for years, Mercosur's leading member Brazil has taken an increasingly bigger share of that trade away from the US. So much so that Brazilian shippers are even starting to dominate during the typical season lull.
Tuesday, August 1st 2023 - 12:10 UTC
UK launches ambitious North Sea oil and gas development licensing to ensure energy security

The United Kingdom is to grant hundreds of new licenses to seek and drill for gas and oil in the North Sea as it tries to bolster its energy security, the government said on Monday.