Linux overlord Linus Torvalds has revealed that inclement weather in the USA meant he recently endured six electricity-free days in his Portland, Oregon, home during which he was unable to tend to the kernel. As a result he therefore pondered adding an extra week to the merge window for version 5.12 of the Linux kernel. The Register reports: “As you can…
Tag: Portland
Avalanche Warnings Are Issued in Northwest
Two avalanche warnings have been issued for parts of Washington and Oregon as heavier-than-usual rainfall and snowfall is expected to hit part of the West Coast through Monday. From a report: One of the warnings, a Level 4 on a scale of 5, said there was a high avalanche danger for parts of North Cascades National Park by the Canadian border,…
Biofuel-Powered Rocket Makes Historic Launch in Maine
Despite bad weather and early technical difficulties, employee-owned bluShift Aerospace “made history Sunday afternoon when it launched its prototype rocket, Stardust 1.0,” reports Maine’s Portland Press Herald:
The company became the first in Maine to launch a commercial rocket and the first in the world to launch a rocket using bio-derived fuel… It carried three payloads, two commercial and one, free of…
Due to Covid-19, Apple Closes Nearly a Fifth of Its Retail Stores
“New COVID-19 restrictions and worsening outbreaks have compelled Apple to temporarily close nearly one fifth of its retail stores during one of the busiest shopping weeks of the holiday season,” reports 9to5Mac. 401 of Apple’s 509 locations worldwide remain open as of publication. Most open locations in the US are limited to Express storefront pickup of online orders and Genius Support….
Portland, Maine Votes in Favor of Facial Recognition Ban
Portland, Maine is the latest in the growing list of cities in the US to ban facial recognition technologies. From a report: According to Bangor Daily News, people voted in favor of of passing a new measure that strengthens Portland’s existing ban on the use of facial recognition tech by law enforcement agencies and public officials. City councilors originally agreed on…
Fault near Portland could unleash a major earthquake
The Gales Creek Fault in northwest Oregon has set off some temblors before recorded history. Source: https://www.livescience.com/earthquake-fault-near-portland.html
Burger King Plans To Test Reusable Containers Starting Next Year
Burger King is planning to test reusable containers starting next year as part of its efforts to reduce waste. From a report: The trial is part of a partnership with TerraCycle’s zero-waste delivery platform, Loop. Customers can opt in for reusable packaging for menu items such as sandwiches, soft drinks and coffee. They can then return the reusable sandwich container or…
Activists Turn Facial Recognition Tools Against the Police
An anonymous reader quotes a report from The New York Times: In early September, the City Council in Portland, Ore., met virtually to consider sweeping legislation outlawing the use of facial recognition technology. The bills would not only bar the police from using it to unmask protesters and individuals captured in surveillance imagery; they would also prevent companies and a variety…
Portland Passes Groundbreaking Ban on Facial Recognition in Stores, Banks, Restaurants and More
Amid sometimes violent protests and counter-protests around racial justice, this week Portland, Oregon legislators unanimously passed groundbreaking new legislation to ban the use of facial recognition technology, which some see as a victory for civil rights and digital justice. The ban covers use of the technology in both privately owned places as well as by city agencies. From a report: “I…
‘We Must Take a Stand’: Portland’s Iconic Powell’s Books Says It Won’t Sell Books On Amazon Anymore
Portland-based Powell’s Books, the world’s largest new and used bookstore, says it won’t sell on Amazon anymore, “declaring that the online retail giant undermines communities by siphoning business from the real world and replacing it with internet commerce,” reports Oregon Live. From the report: “For too long, we have watched the detrimental impact of Amazon’s business on our communities and the…