Non-IT News Thread
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@scottalanmiller said in Non-IT News Thread:
@hobbit666 said in Non-IT News Thread:
Prince Philip has died aged 99, Buckingham Palace announces
Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth II's husband, has died aged 99, Buckingham Palace has announced.
In a statement shortly after midday, the palace said: "His Royal Highness passed away peacefully this morning at Windsor Castle."
The duke, who was the longest-serving consort in British history, had returned to Windsor Castle on 16 March after spending a month in hospital.
Wow. Not surprising, we had felt pretty sure that that was coming in the next few weeks.
He looked like he was on deaths doorstep for a long time. At least it sounds as thought he passed without suffering.
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Saint Vincent volcano: 'Explosive' Soufrière eruption sparks mass evacuation
An "explosive" volcano eruption has blanketed the Caribbean island of St Vincent in ash and smoke and forced thousands of people out of their homes.
La Soufrière, which has been dormant for decades, first started showing volcanic activity in December which picked up this week. On Thursday, Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves urged more than 16,000 residents in "red zones" to evacuate. The volcano has since spewed dark ash plumes 6 km (3.7 miles) into the air. Ash fall has been recorded as far from the volcano as Argyle International Airport, St Vincent's National Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) said. -
Daunte Wright shooting by police 'accidental'
The fatal shooting of a black man by a police officer in the US city of Brooklyn Center in Minnesota was an accident, the police chief has said.
Daunte Wright, 20, was shot after the officer meant to use a Taser, but mistakenly drew her gun instead, Chief Tim Gannon told reporters. Mr Wright's death has sparked protests and a curfew has been declared. Tensions in nearby Minneapolis are high as the trial of an ex-officer accused of killing George Floyd continues. Daunte Wright was pulled over on Sunday for a traffic violation, but there was a struggle when he tried to get back into his car. -
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@scottalanmiller said in Non-IT News Thread:
This doesn't shock me, when their online platform is as awful as their in person stores.
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@scottalanmiller said in Non-IT News Thread:
That doesn't surprise me at all. We went into a store to get a new phone for my mother-in-law, asked specifically for a pre-paid plan, and they came back with a standard plan (which is more expensive for a single line than what we pay for 3 lines on a pre-paid plan.) If I hadn't been with her, she would have been overcharged by $80/month.
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Canada sounds the alarm as cases overtake US
The rate of coronavirus infections in Canada's biggest province has reached an all-time high as hospitals warn they are close to being overwhelmed.
A panel of experts say infections in Ontario could increase by 600% by June if public health measures are weak and vaccination rates do not pick up. Last week, for the first time since the pandemic began, Canada registered more cases per million than the US. About 22% of Canadians have now received a first vaccine dose. -
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George Floyd: US city on edge as jury deliberates Chauvin verdict
The jury in the trial of Derek Chauvin, the ex-police officer accused of killing George Floyd last year, has retired to weigh up its verdict.
Security has been ramped up around the court building in the US city of Minneapolis, which is protected by barbed wire, high barriers and armed soldiers from the National Guard. "This was murder," the prosecutor said in closing arguments on Monday. The defence argued that Mr Chauvin had correctly followed police training. He behaved as any "reasonable police officer" would, lead lawyer Eric Nelson said, adding the circumstances surrounding Mr Floyd's death gave rise to reasonable doubt. -
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Middle East states dominate list of top executioners in 2020 - Amnesty
Four of the world's five top executioners in 2020 were Middle East states, Amnesty International says.
Iran, Egypt, Iraq and Saudi Arabia accounted for 88% of the 483 reported executions worldwide, according to a report by the human rights group. It accuses them of displaying "a ruthless and chilling persistence" in putting people to death despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic. The global total was the lowest in a decade, but it did not include China. China is believed to execute thousands of people each year, but the true extent of its use of the death penalty is unknown as the data is a state secret. -
LeBron James accused of inciting violence with 'YOU'RE NEXT' tweet targeting Columbus police officer
James, other celebrities and media outlets have downplayed Bryant's attack on fellow teen with knife
Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James is facing intense backlash over a now-deleted tweet targeting a Columbus police officer involved in the shooting of 16-year-old Ma'Khia Bryant, who was Black. Bodycam footage released late Tuesday showed Bryant being shot as she was attacking another teen with a knife. However, like many other public figures, James suggested that the Columbus shooting was unjustified coming on the heels of the conviction of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin on murder and manslaughter charges in the death of George Floyd. -
Indonesian military officials have confirmed they have found a missing submarine, which lies deep in the Bali Sea and has broken into three parts.
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Google owner sees record profits as lockdown boom continues
Google owner Alphabet saw its earnings soar in the first quarter as people stuck at home in the pandemic used more of its services.
Net profit jumped by 162% to a record $17.9bn in the three months to March as advertising revenue swelled by a third. It comes as the tech giant faces increased scrutiny over its power and the pandemic has people turning to the internet more than ever. The firm credited "elevated consumer activity online" for its results. "Over the last year, people have turned to Google Search and many online services to stay informed, connected and entertained," said Alphabet and Google chief executive Sundar Pichai. Analysts had expected a good performance as economies around the world have continued to reopen, prompting more spending on online advertising. -
Game of Thrones actress sues Marilyn Manson alleging abuse
Game of Thrones actress Esmé Bianco has sued singer Marilyn Manson, alleging sexual assault and battery.
The lawsuit claims Mr Manson coerced the British actress with "drugs, force, and threats of force". The plaintiff also alleges the singer and his manager broke trafficking laws by luring her from London to the US with empty promises of work. The artist has rejected multiple allegations of abuse against him as "horrible distortions of reality". He has been dropped by his record label and booking agent since the claims surfaced. -
Jerusalem violence: Rockets fired from Gaza after major clashes
Rockets have been fired towards Jerusalem from Gaza, amid spiralling tensions between Israel and the Palestinians.
No injuries were reported, though Israel's parliament was evacuated as sirens sounded. Gaza's Hamas rulers had threatened to strike after hundreds of Palestinians were injured in clashes with Israeli police on Monday. The past few days have seen the worst violence in the city for years. More than 300 Palestinians were wounded in the confrontations with Israeli police outside the Al-Aqsa mosque in East Jerusalem. -
Israel intensifies attacks in Gaza as conflict enters fifth day
Israel has intensified its assault on Gaza, as Palestinian militants continue to fire rockets into Israel on the fifth day of hostilities.
Israel's military said air and ground forces were involved in attacks on Friday but had not entered Gaza. Meanwhile, clashes between Palestinians and the Israeli security forces spread across much of the occupied West Bank. At least 122 people have been killed in Gaza and eight have died in Israel since the fighting began on Monday.Jewish and Israeli-Arab mobs have also been fighting within Israel, prompting its president to warn of civil war. Defence Minister Benny Gantz ordered a "massive reinforcement" of security forces to suppress the internal unrest that has seen more than 400 people arrested.
