Non-IT News Thread
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Venice floods: Italy to declare state of emergency over damage
Italy is set to declare a state of emergency in Venice after the Italian city was engulfed by 1.87m (6ft) high water levels, flooding its historic basilica and cutting power to homes.
More than 80% of the city, a Unesco world heritage site, was under water when tides were at their highest. Italy's Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte described the flooding as "a blow to the heart of our country". He said the government would now act quickly to provide funds and resources. He said the government would "accelerate" the building of structural defences for the lagoon city, referring specifically to the so-called Mose project - a hydraulic barrier system to shut off the lagoon in the event of rising sea levels and winter storms.The prime minister is expected to announce the emergency measures later on Thursday. -
@mlnews and that's their sewage, too!
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'Alarm' over winter flood prospects in England
The Environment Agency's director of flood risk management says he is "alarmed" by the prospect of further flooding across England this winter.
John Curtin said there had been so much rain this Autumn, the land is saturated in many places. He is concerned that floods are going to "get worse, more frequently, more often." The three months from September have seen near-record levels of rain with 900 properties flooded across England. Mr Curtin said 21,000 homes in the current flooding period had been protected due to existing defences and operational activities. "I do sound alarmed because we are in the middle of November and everywhere is saturated," he told reporters. "All the flood storage areas are full. We have to be really vigilant because what I don't want is that horrendous 900 number to become a 10, 15, 20,000 number." -
BBC News - Bolivia crisis: Death toll mounts amid pro-Evo Morales protests
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-50441867 -
Bloodhound land speed racer blasts to 628mph
Bloodhound has now joined the exclusive club of land speed racers that have gone faster than 600mph (965km/h).
Running across its dry lakebed track on Saturday, the British car's GPS sensors clocked 628mph (1,010km/h). Only seven vehicles in the history of the land speed record have previously driven beyond 600mph. Bloodhound's achievement is notable because it's been running with only the thrust of a jet engine. The car's design allows for a rocket motor, too.When this is fitted next year, as planned, the arrow-shaped machine should be in a very strong position to smash the current world record of 763mph (1,228km/h). This was set 22 years ago by another British car, Thrust SSC. The driver back then was the same as in Bloodhound today - RAF pilot Andy Green. -
@mlnews said in Non-IT News Thread:
Bloodhound land speed racer blasts to 628mph
Bloodhound has now joined the exclusive club of land speed racers that have gone faster than 600mph (965km/h).
Running across its dry lakebed track on Saturday, the British car's GPS sensors clocked 628mph (1,010km/h). Only seven vehicles in the history of the land speed record have previously driven beyond 600mph. Bloodhound's achievement is notable because it's been running with only the thrust of a jet engine. The car's design allows for a rocket motor, too.When this is fitted next year, as planned, the arrow-shaped machine should be in a very strong position to smash the current world record of 763mph (1,228km/h). This was set 22 years ago by another British car, Thrust SSC. The driver back then was the same as in Bloodhound today - RAF pilot Andy Green.I think it's more amazing it's the same driver after 22 years.
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@Dashrender that is really cool.
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Bolivia crisis: Food and fuel shortages as death toll mounts
Bolivian officials have flown basic provisions into the capital, La Paz, amid reports of food and fuel shortages.
The system, which officials want to roll out elsewhere, is a move to bypass road blockades erected by supporters of former President Evo Morales. Mr Morales resigned on 10 November and later sought asylum in Mexico after facing claims of electoral fraud. At least 23 people have been confirmed dead in ongoing political unrest. Interim President Jeanine Áñez, who is herself facing calls to resign, said on Sunday that she would call new "transparent" elections soon to help re-establish the country's "democratic credibility". -
Australia fires: 'Catastrophic' alerts in South Australia and Victoria
Heat and winds are threatening to widen Australia's bushfire crisis, with three states warned to expect their worst conditions of the season so far.
Soaring temperatures in South Australia prompted "catastrophic" alerts - the highest danger rating - on Wednesday. Parts of Victoria have been issued the same warning for Thursday, while the threat in Tasmania is also increasing. Six people have died since last month in massive bushfires which are burning elsewhere in the country. Those blazes - in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland - have destroyed more than 500 houses and prompted debates on the impacts of drought and climate change. -
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Man dead in apartment for 3 years before anyone notices:
https://www.thelocal.se/20191119/man-found-dead-in-stockholm-apartment-after-three-years
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@Obsolesce said in Non-IT News Thread:
Man dead in apartment for 3 years before anyone notices:
https://www.thelocal.se/20191119/man-found-dead-in-stockholm-apartment-after-three-years
Was the mans rent paid automatically out of a pension or something?
Seems insane that for 3 years the tenant never spoke with the landlord about anything. . .
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@DustinB3403 said in Non-IT News Thread:
Seems insane that for 3 years the tenant never spoke with the landlord about anything. . .
Well he was dead, would be more insane if he did speak to him!
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@DustinB3403 said in Non-IT News Thread:
Was the mans rent paid automatically out of a pension or something?
Elderly. Very likely pulling a pension or retirement into a bank account. And an auto-payment for the rent and power wouldn't be uncommon. Easy to automate that stuff, especially if retired. Since no system knew he was dead, he'd keep getting paid, and keep paying his bills.
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@scottalanmiller said in Non-IT News Thread:
@DustinB3403 said in Non-IT News Thread:
Was the mans rent paid automatically out of a pension or something?
Elderly. Very likely pulling a pension or retirement into a bank account. And an auto-payment for the rent and power wouldn't be uncommon. Easy to automate that stuff, especially if retired. Since no system knew he was dead, he'd keep getting paid, and keep paying his bills.
What about renewing the lease?
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@black3dynamite said in Non-IT News Thread:
@scottalanmiller said in Non-IT News Thread:
@DustinB3403 said in Non-IT News Thread:
Was the mans rent paid automatically out of a pension or something?
Elderly. Very likely pulling a pension or retirement into a bank account. And an auto-payment for the rent and power wouldn't be uncommon. Easy to automate that stuff, especially if retired. Since no system knew he was dead, he'd keep getting paid, and keep paying his bills.
What about renewing the lease?
Lots of places here are automatic. Almost every apartment building does an automatic renewal unless you tell them otherwise. I assume the same there.
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@scottalanmiller said in Non-IT News Thread:
Lots of places here are automatic. Almost every apartment building does an automatic renewal unless you tell them otherwise. I assume the same there.
Yeah we only speak to ours when we need something sorting or they need to send someone in like electrician to do safety check or servicing. Otherwise just keep paying the rent and we can stay there
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BBC News - Ryanair baggage fee policy ruled as 'abusive' in Spain
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-50497629 -
