Non-IT News Thread
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China to cut import tariffs on pork and tech parts
China will cut tariffs on hundreds of products ranging from frozen pork to high-tech parts next year, lowering trade barriers to support the economy.
In a statement, Chinese authorities said import tariffs on 859 items would be reduced from 1 January. The world's second largest economy has typically used high tariffs to protect local industries. China is fighting a long-running trade war with the US and faces a series of domestic challenges. The ministry of finance said the tariff changes would be made to "increase imports of products facing a relative domestic shortage, or foreign speciality goods for everyday consumption". That includes tariff rates on frozen pork - due to be lowered to 8% from 12% for some countries - as China struggles to cope with an outbreak of African swine fever. -
Measuring the cost of an invasive tree killer
For the first time, a study has attempted to assess the devastation caused by the emerald ash borer in US forests that shape river systems.
Researchers discovered a range of ways that the ecologically vital habitat is being systematically changed at a landscape level. Since it was discovered in the US in 2002, the invasive insects have wiped out tens of millions of ash trees. The findings will appear in the journal Forest Ecology and Management. Since it was first recorded in Michigan, the tiny wood-boring beetle has spread across the north-eastern reach of the US, killing tens of millions of ash trees. The cost to the nation's economy has been estimated to exceed $10bn. However, a team from Michigan State University saw that little attention had been paid to how the invasion was changing the face of riparian (water/river system) forests. -
Typhoon Phanfone: Philippines counts cost of deadly storm
Typhoon Phanfone has killed at least 13 people in the Philippines, leaving a trail of devastation through the centre of the country.
The storm battered several islands with gusts of 190km/h (118mph), destroying homes and power lines. Many people are missing. Thousands were left stranded as they tried to make their way home for Christmas. Phanfone struck close to regions hit by Typhoon Haiyan - the most powerful storm ever to make landfall - in 2013. More than 6,000 people were killed in November that year, making it the Philippines' deadliest typhoon. -
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Kazakhstan plane crash: Bek Air plane comes down near Almaty airport
A passenger jet has crashed in Kazakhstan, killing at least 12 people but leaving dozens of survivors.
The Bek Air plane was flying from Almaty - Kazakhstan's largest city - to the capital Nur-Sultan when it smashed into a building just after take-off. The Fokker aircraft had 100 passengers and crew on board. Survivors described walking from the wreckage into the dark and snow. Dozens are being treated in hospital. The cause of the crash is unclear. A Reuters news agency reporter close to the scene said there was heavy fog at the time. The interior ministry initially said 15 people had been killed, but it later published a list of victims that mentioned only 12 dead. -
MI6 floor plans lost by building contractor
Floor plans of MI6's central London headquarters were lost by building contractors during a refurbishment.
The documents, most of which were recovered inside the building, held sensitive information on the layout, including entry and exit points
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BBC News - Texas church shooting: Two fatally shot before gunman killed by churchgoer
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-50942664 -
Tesla delivers its first 'Made in China' cars
Tesla has delivered its first cars made in China, marking a major milestone for the electric vehicle maker.
Fifteen Model 3 sedans were handed over at the company's so-called "Gigafactory" near Shanghai. It comes as Elon Musk's company aims to secure a significant slice of the world's biggest car market. Tesla's move into the country comes as the trade war has forced other American companies to shift production out of China. During a ceremony at the company's multi-billion dollar plant in Shanghai, 15 of its employees received cars they had purchased. The event means deliveries of cars have started a little over a year after construction of the factory got underway. -
Some scary stuff happening in Mallacoota
The coastal town of Mallacoota is surrounded by fire. The 4000 residents have evacuated to the beach, and thrown their gas cylinders into the water.
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Alabama police apologise for 'insensitive' homeless quilt photo
A US police chief has apologised for an "insensitive" Facebook post in which two officers held up a "homeless quilt" made up of signs used for begging.
The officers in Mobile, Alabama, said it was a Christmas message. The chief of the police force said it did not condone panhandling - a US term for begging. But he said the Mobile police department did not intend to "make light of those who find themselves in a homeless state". In the photo, two officers held up various cardboard signs taped together that showed messages such as "Homeless. Need help," and "Trying to make it. Anything helps. God bless you." -
Yeah we’re stuffed.
As if the ember attacks weren’t bad enough, now the fires are creating their own weather patterns:
https://www.insider.com/australia-bushfires-generate-pyrocumulonimbus-thunderstorm-clouds-2019-12 -
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Volkswagen in 'dieselgate' talks with motorists
Volkswagen has said it is in talks with a group of German drivers who are suing the car giant over excessive emissions from its diesel cars.
The motorists say they were affected when VW "cheated" emissions rules by installing unlawful "defeat devices" in its diesel cars. The carmaker and the Federal Association of Consumers (VZBV) said the talks were at an early stage. There was "no guarantee" of a settlement, they said. "The common goal of VZBV and Volkswagen is a pragmatic solution for the benefit of the customer," they declared, adding that they had agreed to keep the talks confidential. The class action case is among the first of its kind in Germany. Because of a new draft law in 2018, consumer rights groups became able to represent customers taking companies to court - and to bear their costs. -
BBC News - US politician drives drunk after warning people not to drive drunk
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-50977380 -
BBC News - Man who threw 'lucky' coins into plane engine fined
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50979485 -
@scottalanmiller said in Non-IT News Thread:
BBC News - Man who threw 'lucky' coins into plane engine fined
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50979485wtf are people thinking?
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@Obsolesce said in Non-IT News Thread:
@scottalanmiller said in Non-IT News Thread:
BBC News - Man who threw 'lucky' coins into plane engine fined
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50979485wtf are people thinking?
But... Lucky!
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Paris stabbing: Man 'neutralised' by police in Villejuif
French police have shot dead a man who stabbed a number of people in a park near Paris, local media report.
The knife attack happened in the town of Villejuif, 7km (4 miles) south of the French capital.
Four people are reported to have been stabbed and one person is believed to have been seriously injured. The attacker was chased by police and then shot nearby. Some reports suggest he was wearing an explosive vest. Police have advised people to avoid the area near to the Hautes-Bruyères State Park. -
Soleimani: Huge crowds pack Tehran for commander's funeral
Huge crowds have packed the streets of the Iranian capital Tehran for the funeral of Iranian military commander Qasem Soleimani.
Soleimani was assassinated in a US drone strike in Iraq on Friday on the orders of President Donald Trump. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei led prayers and at one point was seen weeping. Iran has vowed "severe revenge" for the death of Soleimani and on Sunday pulled back from the 2015 nuclear accord. Soleimani, 62, headed Iran's elite Quds Force, and was tasked with protecting and boosting Iran's influence in the Middle East. -
Iran attack: US troops targeted with ballistic missiles
Iran has carried out a ballistic missile attack on air bases housing US forces in Iraq, in retaliation for the US killing of General Qasem Soleimani.
More than a dozen missiles launched from Iran struck two air bases in Irbil and Al Asad, west of Baghdad. It is unclear if there have been any casualties. The initial response from Washington has been muted. President Trump tweeted that all was well and said casualties and damage were being assessed. Two Iraqi bases housing US and coalition troops were targeted, one at Al Asad and one in Irbil, at about 02:00 local time on Wednesday (22:30 GMT on Tuesday). It came just hours after the burial of Soleimani, who controlled Iran's proxy forces across the Middle East.
