The launch of Chandrayaan-3. AP
India or Russia - Who Will Be First to the South Moon?
Russia and India both want to reach the moon's south pole first - and it will be a battle to the finish line. The Indian unmanned spacecraft Chandrayaan-3 is in the final phase of its journey towards the southern part of the moon which is barely explored. The plan is to land on August 23.
But Russia's Luna-25 craft, also unmanned, can put a damper on India's ambitions. Namely, the goal is to land on the moon on August 21 or 22.
The two expeditions aim to investigate whether there is water in the area around the South Pole. Scientists believe that there is such a possibility because that part of the moon is in permanent shadow. If water were to be discovered, it could facilitate human presence on the moon.
Illustration image. Francisco Seco / AP
The Russian invasion The shipping
Hong Kong-flagged ship tests Russia's policy
A Hong Kong-flagged ship that left Ukraine for Turkey is believed to reach Istanbul on Thursday - a journey that will test Russia and the blockade that the Kremlin claims to have imposed in the Black Sea, writes AFP.
However, the ship is following a route that is mostly in Romanian and Bulgarian waters, not international. According to Ukraine, it is a temporary "security corridor", but according to TT there are no guarantees that it will be respected by Russia. The route is mainly intended to be used for ships that have been in Ukrainian ports since the large-scale invasion began.
Russia has previously decided not to extend the so-called grain agreement which meant unimpeded grain exports via the Black Sea. As recently as this weekend, warning shots were fired at a ship on its way to Ukraine
Ghana's capital Accra Heiko Junge / NTB
The military coup in Niger
Ecowa army chiefs gather - considering entry into Niger
West African army chiefs belonging to the Ecowas cooperation organization are to meet in Ghana's capital Accra to discuss a possible intervention in Niger, Reuters reports. On Thursday, the leaders will "consider their options" if diplomatic solutions fail.
Ecowas has previously threatened military intervention unless the junta returns power to the president who was ousted in a coup in late July.
Niger's junta has said it is open to talks, but continues to detain ousted president Mohamed Bazoum and has said it will charge him with high treason.
Fires in Hawaii. Matthew Thayer/AP
The forest fires in Hawaii
Analysis: The paradise of Hawaii the most dangerous state in the USA
Hawaii is increasingly affected by natural disasters, according to an analysis by AP. These are, for example, landslides and floods, but what is increasing the most are forest fires - which we have now witnessed.
The development runs counter to the image of Hawaii as a paradise. Rather, it is the most risky state in the United States, the news agency's reporters write.
David R Baker and Mark Chediak write in The Washington Post that Hawaii's power lines are a suspected culprit in the ongoing fire drama. So far, no one knows for sure how the fire started, but the power company Hawaiian Electric has received criticism for not turning off the power despite warnings of a fire risk due to strong winds and dry weather.
Nature's reporter Emma Marris writes that Hawaii is in a vicious circle. The island has large grassy areas that catch fire easily, and the fires can then spread to forested areas. When the forest areas burn down, new grass areas appear, which means that the risk of new fires increases.
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