International

• Friday, August 11th 2023 - 09:28 UTC

  Largest cruise vessel ever, five times the Titanic, will see its maiden voyage next January

  

  As the cruise industry is again picking up with clients returning, a Finnish shipyard is putting the final touches on what will be the world’s largest cruise ship. According to Travel and Tour World, Royal Caribbean’s luxurious new vessel 'Icon of the Seas' is nearing completion in the Turku shipyard on Finland’s southwestern coast, its maiden voyage scheduled for January 2024.

• Thursday, August 10th 2023 - 10:24 UTC

  Falklands Airbridge rerouted to East Midlands Airport, from August 12 to 26

  

  Due to essential repair work to the runway at RAF Brize Norton, the South Atlantic Airbridge connecting with the Falkland Islands will temporarily fly into, and out of East Midlands Airport (EMA). The final SAA flight into RAF Brize Norton prior to work commencing is scheduled to be the northbound service TOW 2233 due to depart MPC on Saturday 12 Aug. The following TOW 2230 service on Monday 14 Aug will depart from East Midlands Airport.

• Thursday, August 10th 2023 - 09:28 UTC

  New Covid-19 strain classified by WHO as EG5 and “variant of interest”

  

  The World Health Organization, WHO, on Wednesday classified a new strain of Covid 19 as a “variant of interest.” The EG.5 variant has been spreading rapidly in the United States, encompassing over 17% of cases. Although also detected in China, South Korea, Japan and Canada.

• Thursday, August 10th 2023 - 09:06 UTC

  King Charles III 50p coins begin circulating , “a piece of British history”

  

  A batch of millions of 50p coins celebrating the coronation of King Charles III will begin circulation in UK. Featuring a design by Royal Mint coin designer Natasha Jenkins, the coins are the second 50ps to enter circulation bearing the monarch's official coin portrait.

• Wednesday, August 9th 2023 - 10:51 UTC

  UK warned EU of “Argentina's misinterpretation” on any Falklands reference

  

  The British press is revealing some of the facts surrounding the European Union/Community of Latin American and Caribbean States summit, held in the third week of July in Brussels when Argentina celebrated that in the controversial final communiqué, a reference to the Falklands was changed to Malvinas Islands.

• Wednesday, August 9th 2023 - 09:43 UTC

  German economy in recession: industrial output down 1,5% in June

  

  Germany's industrial output fell for a second consecutive month in June, figures published this week show, with a drop of 1.5% far wider than the previous month's slip of 0.1%.

• Wednesday, August 9th 2023 - 07:44 UTC

  UK fuel prices climbing: petrol average 146.2p per liter, 148.2p per liter or diesel

  

  UK drivers have been hit with the largest weekly rise in fuel prices in more than a year as the Energy Secretary claimed households are being overcharged. Prices at the pump have risen for three straight weeks as oil production cuts by Russia and Saudi Arabia drive up wholesale prices.

• Wednesday, August 9th 2023 - 03:15 UTC

  UK food prices are slowing; 'cautious optimism' from British Retail Consortium

  

  New figures suggest food United Kingdom price inflation 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. But overall, shop prices are still 7.6% higher this July than a year ago.

• Tuesday, August 8th 2023 - 19:36 UTC

  Canada's Alberta follows Australia and drops out as host for 2030 Commonwealth Games

  

  The government of the Canadian province of Alberta has pulled its support for a bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, due to rising costs. A joint bid was being considered by the Canadian province, centered around the cities of Edmonton and Calgary.

• Tuesday, August 8th 2023 - 14:14 UTC

  Home Office confirms Ascension Island plan for asylum seekers has been revived, “times change”

  

  London media is reporting a Home Office minister confirmed the UK Government is looking at “additional measures” following reports that plans to send asylum seekers to Ascension Island could be revived.