The unimportant news thread

[Lisztianwagner]

And, in other non-surprising news: Domino's leaves Italy, where — surprise — diners prefer local pizza

Yes, who would ever have imagined such a thing?   

Can't believe that they would have even considered the prospect of trying to open up shop there!

PD

Indeed, that's the question.  Honestly, I didn't even know there was Domino in Italy too.

[Todd]

Polio Has Been Detected in New York City Wastewater, Officials Say

[LKB]

Salman Rushdie was just attacked in Western New York, apparently as he was beginning a lecture. Breaking story, but apparently someone rushed the stage and punched or stabbed Rushdie.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Argentina hikes interest rates to 69.5% as the inflation rate reaches 71%.  Roller coaster.


https://edition.cnn.com/2022/08/12/economy/argentina-inflation-interest-rates/index.html

[Todd]

A disastrous megaflood is coming to California, experts say, and it could be the most expensive natural disaster in history

Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with UCLA and a researcher involved in the study, describes a megaflood as, "a very severe flood event across a broad region that has the potential to bring catastrophic impacts to society in the areas affected." He said a megaflood is similar to the 1,000-year flash flood events seen this summer in the St. Louis area and Kentucky, but across a much wider area, such as the entire state of California.

Bold type added.  This story made it to the ABC World News Tonight broadcast last night, with super-hunky weatherman Rob Marciano (formerly a weatherman in PDX!) delivering the grim prognostication.  So this is official propaganda now.  Just think if the entire state of California gets inundated.  That seems, strictly speaking, impossible.  Maybe some more grant money can help sort the whole thing out.

[Jo498]

el capitan will stay dry, I'd guess.

[ritter]

Or at least Mount Whitney, I hope...

[Todd]

China Shocks With Rate Cut as Data Show 'Alarming' Slowdown

[Spotted Horses]

I was saddened to read of the senseless death of Anne Heche in a car crash, a talented and charismatic actor who long battled mental health issues probably related to a traumatic family history. I also feel for the woman who lived in the home that burned in the ensuing fire and lost her home and most of her possessions.

[Florestan]

I witnessed (half visually and half auditively) the gruesome murder of a puppy. The problem is threefold compounded: (1) it was a puppy that my son found in the streets and wanted to keep, (2) I could have prevented it but when I realized what was really going on it was too late, and (3) the one who murdered it is a member of my family (husband of my wife's late aunt --- thank God he's not blood-related). Ever since, I can't get it out of my head and I told my wife, my mother-in-law and the husband of one of that man's daughters that I don't want to be with him (the murderer, that is) in the same place at the same time anymore (they all agreed that I am right). He's not a human being, he's a despicable brute.

No, really, I am shocked and I'm afraid it will take a long time to forget the whole thing.

[Todd]

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Interesting story on NPR regarding the Rhine, water levels and commercial transportation.  One of the facts that came out:  It takes 40 trucks to carry one bargeful of grain.  There is actually more boat traffic on the Rhine than normal because they can't carry as much cargo as usual; they are having to carry less cargo (weight) as they don't want to run aground.

https://www.npr.org/2022/08/16/1117658727/shallow-rhine-river-has-a-devastating-effect-on-commercial-traffic

PD

[Karl Henning]

Interesting story on NPR regarding the Rhine, water levels and commercial transportation.  One of the facts that came out:  It takes 40 trucks to carry one bargeful of grain.  There is actually more boat traffic on the Rhine than normal because they can't carry as much cargo as usual; they are having to carry less cargo (weight) as they don't want to run aground.

https://www.npr.org/2022/08/16/1117658727/shallow-rhine-river-has-a-devastating-effect-on-commercial-traffic

PD

Gosh!

[Spotted Horses]

Interesting story on NPR regarding the Rhine, water levels and commercial transportation.  One of the facts that came out:  It takes 40 trucks to carry one bargeful of grain.  There is actually more boat traffic on the Rhine than normal because they can't carry as much cargo as usual; they are having to carry less cargo (weight) as they don't want to run aground.

https://www.npr.org/2022/08/16/1117658727/shallow-rhine-river-has-a-devastating-effect-on-commercial-traffic

PD

And it was just a few years ago that there was catastrophic flooding on the Rhine river. The most unique characteristic of our fossil fuel juiced climate is greater fluctuations in weather.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

And it was just a few years ago that there was catastrophic flooding on the Rhine river. The most unique characteristic of our fossil fuel juiced climate is greater fluctuations in weather.

Hard to fathom it (Sorry--unintentional pun!).

PD

[MusicTurner]

Interesting story on NPR regarding the Rhine, water levels and commercial transportation.  One of the facts that came out:  It takes 40 trucks to carry one bargeful of grain.  There is actually more boat traffic on the Rhine than normal because they can't carry as much cargo as usual; they are having to carry less cargo (weight) as they don't want to run aground.

https://www.npr.org/2022/08/16/1117658727/shallow-rhine-river-has-a-devastating-effect-on-commercial-traffic

PD

I think that most Mid- and South-European major rivers and lakes are now experiencing the drought, that is maybe becoming 'the worst in 500 years'.

We had a little, modest rain during the night, but as usual, without any real effect. It's often above 20 C during the night.

[Karl Henning]

Hard to fathom it (Sorry--unintentional pun!).

PD

I smiled, in spite of myself

[Pohjolas Daughter]

I think that most Mid- and South-European major rivers and lakes are now experiencing the drought, that is maybe becoming 'the worst in 500 years'.

We had a little, modest rain during the night, but as usual, without any real effect. It's often above 20 C during the night.

Eek!

Apparently at Koblenz, the deepest part of the river is only 5 feet!  Depending upon your height, you could literally walk out to the middle of the river! 

PD

[MusicTurner]

Eek!

Apparently at Koblenz, the deepest part of the river is only 5 feet!  Depending upon your height, you could literally walk out to the middle of the river! 

PD

Ouch!

[Karl Henning]

And, in Amusing Mis-readings: My brain switched one noun with the result, a young, American composer hoping to achieve sobriety