Stories for October 2020

Wednesday, October 21st 2020 - 09:40 UTC
Venezuelan tanker listing dangerously: fears of a catastrophic spill of 1,3 million barrels of crude

Concerns are growing that an oil tanker carrying millions of gallons of oil could spill its load into the sea between Venezuela and Trinidad and Tobago, causing an ecological catastrophe.
Wednesday, October 21st 2020 - 09:22 UTC
NASA feat: spacecraft grabs a sample of rocks from an asteroid and begins to send back images

NASA spacecraft touched down on the rugged surface of the Bennu asteroid on Tuesday, grabbing a sample of rocks dating back to the birth of our solar system to bring home. The minivan-sized OSIRIS-REx spacecraft, built by Lockheed Martin, extended its 3.35m robotic arm toward a flat patch of gravel near Bennu’s north pole and plucked the sample of rocks, the space agency's first handful of pristine asteroid rocks.
Wednesday, October 21st 2020 - 09:11 UTC
A FIGAS refurbished BN-2 Islander delivered to Air Alderney

Air Alderney has taken delivery of its first BN-2 Islander in the form of G-BLNI (msn 2188), according to the UK civil aircraft register. The 1987-vintage aircraft was previously operated by the Falkland Islands Government Air Service, FIGAS as VP-FBI. It remains parked at London Biggin Hill, according to Flightradar24 ADS-B data, but is already in Air Alderney's livery.
Wednesday, October 21st 2020 - 09:03 UTC
Multi-faiths event sees Pope Francis wear a face mask for the first time at a public function

Pope Francis wore a mask for the first time at a public function on Tuesday when he and other religious leaders attended a prayer service for peace around the world. The pope wore a white mask during the service at the Rome Basilica of Santa Maria in Aracoeli. Previously he wore masks only in a car taking him to his weekly audiences in the Vatican.
Wednesday, October 21st 2020 - 08:58 UTC
Robots will replace 85 million jobs in next five years, but 97 million will be created in tech industries, WEF study

Robots will destroy 85 million jobs at mid-sized to large businesses over the next five years as the COVID-19 pandemic accelerates changes in the workplace likely to exaggerate inequalities, a World Economic Forum (WEF) study has found.
Wednesday, October 21st 2020 - 08:49 UTC
US government and 11 sates sue Google; rare bipartisan Democrat/Republican coincidence

The US sued Google on Tuesday, accusing the US$1 trillion company of illegally using its market muscle to hobble rivals in the biggest challenge to the power and influence of Big Tech in decades.
Wednesday, October 21st 2020 - 08:47 UTC
US deaths historic stats jumps 300,000 during pandemic 2020; Hispanics and blacks most affected

Nearly 300,000 more people have died in the United States in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic than would be expected based on historical trends, with at least two-thirds due to COVID-19, a government report released on Tuesday showed, adding that COVID-19 deaths likely were undercounted.
Wednesday, October 21st 2020 - 08:44 UTC
Brazilian health minister ill with a suspected case of Covid-19

Brazilian Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello has fallen ill with a suspected case of COVID-19, the ministry's press office said on Tuesday, as the country battles with the third-worst coronavirus outbreak globally, with nearly 5.3 million cases.
Wednesday, October 21st 2020 - 08:29 UTC
Mexico brings up the issue of liabilities from unexpected side effects of the Covid-19 vaccines

Mexico's government will pay to cover any liabilities arising from unexpected side effects of COVID-19 vaccines but is not considering creating a fund to do so, a top official said.
Wednesday, October 21st 2020 - 08:28 UTC
EU begins legal action against Cyprus and Malta on “golden passport” schemes for wealthy investors

Brussels on Tuesday launched legal action against Cyprus and Malta over their controversial “golden passport” schemes for wealthy investors, saying they were illegal and undermined EU citizenship.