The unimportant news thread

[Todd]

Power at the gas pump: Oregon lets drivers fuel their own cars, lifting decades-old self-serve ban

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

[T. D.]

More GQP fascism. But of course it's to be expected.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66375877

A pro-choice referendum looked poised to win in the conservative state of Ohio this November. Now, Republican state legislators are accused of moving the goalposts.

And if the GQP still loses, it will be BECAUSE OF A RIGGED ELECTION!!! FRAUD!!!

[Todd]

'Halliburton Loophole' Allows Fracking Companies to Avoid Chemical Regulation

New research finds fracking-industry exemption for 28 chemicals otherwise regulated by federal law.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Japan's creative cooling solutions.


https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230807-want-to-cope-with-heatwaves-look-to-japans-creative-cooling-solutions

[Todd]

From The Economist:

Western values are steadily diverging from the rest of the world's

People's principles were expected to align as countries got richer. What happened?

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Japan's creative cooling solutions.


https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20230807-want-to-cope-with-heatwaves-look-to-japans-creative-cooling-solutions

Interesting!  Thanks for posting this.  I'll check out Uniglo's clothing.  I became aware of the company back when they were sponsoring Novak Djokovic; however, I remembered reading that they were supposed to come out with a line which would be available for us regular shoppers to buy, but they were having problems actually getting them made and out so that people could buy them--not sure of the reason.

I've also read articles about Chinese sky wells and also an article about the increasing popularity of underground homes (and businesses too) particularly in Australia.  Both of these articles can also be found on the BBC's website.

PD

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Gen Z will be last generation with white majority in US, study finds.


https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/08/gen-z-americans-white-majority-study

[Todd]

Gen Z will be last generation with white majority in US, study finds.


https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/08/gen-z-americans-white-majority-study

This is old news.  The timeline has changed very little in years.  Note that non-Hispanic whites (that distinction itself is very important) will still be, by far, the largest group.  People alive after 2045 should be prepared for even more divide and conquer politics.

[T. D.]

This is of course in execrable taste, but as an American it's somewhat of a relief to see that other countries also have cretinous mass media.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Some personal news: I am meeting with two editors on Friday to discuss the book proposal I sent in.

How exciting!  May I ask (roughly as I know that you don't want to give too much away) what it is about?  Or the general subject matter? 

PD

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Tampa mayor finds 70lb of cocaine on fishing trip   

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-66455220

PD

[BWV 1080]

Gen Z will be last generation with white majority in US, study finds.


https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/08/gen-z-americans-white-majority-study

Living in a minority Anglo city (Houston), I can say the most noticeable impact is great restaurant options.  Travel to the midwest or southeast and its a cultural wasteland.  Once met a guy from Atlanta proudly stating that they finally had authentic Mexican food because a Chuy's opened

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

The era of cheap streaming is officially over.


https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/10/media/disney-plus-streaming-prices-reliable-sources/index.html

[DavidW]

The era of cheap streaming is officially over.


https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/10/media/disney-plus-streaming-prices-reliable-sources/index.html

I think that is the last of the big ones to raise the price, now all have.  Even smaller ones have done it (like britbox).  It doesn't bother me because I don't constantly subscribe to them all.  I subscribe to a service, watch everything I want, and then unsub and move on.

[BWV 1080]

Ex-London, the UK is poorer than Mississippi

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Ex-London, the UK is poorer than Mississippi

PD

[T. D.]

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-66471990

A well-known Norwegian mountaineer has denied accusations that her team climbed over an injured guide during a bid to break a world record.

The porter, named as Mohammed Hassan, had fallen off a ledge on Pakistan's K2 - the world's second-highest mountain.

Video posted on social media appears to show a group walking by Mr Hassan, who reportedly died a few hours later.

But Kristin Harila said she and her team tried everything to help him in dangerous conditions.

The Norwegian was heading for K2's summit to secure a world record and become the fastest climber to scale all peaks above 8,000m (26,000ft).

But during the ascent on 27 July, Mr Hassan reportedly fell from an extremely narrow path known as a bottleneck.

Austrian climbers Wilhelm Steindl and Philip Flämig have posted pictures appearing to show people climbing over him.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Taylor Swift is a hero to food banks from coast to coast.


https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/13/business/taylor-swift-food-bank-donations/index.html

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Weird news: Vanderbilt University Medical Center under federal investigation for allegedly sharing transgender health records.


https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/14/us/tennessee-vanderbilt-university-medical-center-investigation-transgender-reaj/index.html

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Taylor Swift is a hero to food banks from coast to coast.


https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/13/business/taylor-swift-food-bank-donations/index.html

That's great!  From what I've read, she not only donates huge amounts, but the news/attention of what she's given is creating a bump in donations to the areas.  ❣️

PD