Stories for June 12th 2021

Saturday, June 12th 2021 - 23:40 UTC
Robot nurse launched in Hong Kong to assist covid-19 patients

A Hong Kong-based robotics company, which has 2016 already created Sophia, has now introduced Grace, the first robot nurse designed to assist the elderly and people isolated by the covid-19 pandemic as well as to relieve overburdened health caregivers.
Saturday, June 12th 2021 - 09:55 UTC
Argentina still resists drive to make Mercosur more flexible

A top official from the Argentine Government spoke yet again against a bid from Brazil and Uruguay to make Mercosur more flexible and allow members to broker one-on-one deals with other countries or blocs.
Saturday, June 12th 2021 - 09:23 UTC
Ecuador changes policy for air travelers

The Government of Ecuador Friday announced new measures regarding the covid-19 status of air travellers irrespective of whether they are arriving from abroad or from within the country.
Saturday, June 12th 2021 - 09:20 UTC
G-7 leaders gather in England, hope for a greener, more prosperous future

Leaders from of the seven wealthiest democracies – the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom – Friday started three days of talks at the tiny village of Carbis Bay, near St. Ives in Cornwall, England, in pursuit of a greener, more prosperous and equitable future under the “build back better” motto.
Saturday, June 12th 2021 - 09:19 UTC
Five cases of covid-19 among Venezuela's team leads Conmebol to change rules for Copa America

Five players from Venezuela's national team due to face hosts Brazil in the opening game of the Copa America tournament this coming Sunday tested positive for covid-19, posing new troubles to the South American Football Confederation (Conmebol).
Saturday, June 12th 2021 - 09:10 UTC
Argentine President extends current covid-19 restrictions but stands out for Freudian slip announcing it

“Go out and spread it,” said Argentine President Alberto Fernández in what seemed to be a Freudian slip as he announced yet another emergency decree (DNU) stating the new restrictions to be observed until 25, which basically extends those in force until Friday.
Saturday, June 12th 2021 - 09:06 UTC
Pulitzer “special citation” for a teenager who caught on video the murder of George Floyd by police

A teenager whose video of the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer sparked worldwide protests against racial injustice was awarded a “special citation” on Friday by the Pulitzer Prize Board.
Saturday, June 12th 2021 - 09:00 UTC
Some 60 million doses of US produced J&J Covid-19 “can't be used because of possible contamination”

Johnson & Johnson was informed by the US Food and Drug Administration that millions of doses of the Covid-19 vaccine produced at a troubled plant can't be used because of possible contamination issues.
Saturday, June 12th 2021 - 08:00 UTC
Taxing corporate profits: Is change coming to the world’s economic weather?

By Gwynne Dyer – It’s not Bretton Woods, but it’s a start. The decision by finance ministers from G7 countries to create a global minimum tax rate on corporate profits, and reaffirmed by world leaders meeting in Cornwall, is a step in the right direction if only a baby step. The tide was due to turn about now, according to one theory, and maybe it’s finally happening.
Saturday, June 12th 2021 - 07:52 UTC
Queen Elizabeth and royal family host a reception for G7 leaders

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth hosted on Friday reception for leaders of the Group of Seven (G-7) richest nations, who are holding a three-day summit. The reception was held at Cornwall’s Eden Project, an attraction that features the world’s largest indoor rainforest within giant domes.