Tourists missing after NZ volcano eruption
A volcano in New Zealand has erupted injuring at least 20 people. The NZ prime minister Jacinda Ardern said about 100 people were in the vicinity of the island at the time and some remain unaccounted for. Whakaari (White Island)--located in the Bay of Plenty, 48km off the North Island’s east coast--is a nature reserve accessible to tourists. Sources: BBC, The Guardian, New Zealand Herald, Radio New Zealand and TVNZ.
Hong Kong rally marks movement’s 6 month anniversary
Thousands (200,000 say police, 800,000 say organisers) marched on Sunday in the largest pro-democracy demonstrations in Hong Kong held in several weeks. Sources: CNBC, The Guardian, Hong Kong Free Press and South China Morning Post.
US trade war hitting Chinese exports
China’s exports in November fell 1.1% compared to the previous year, the fourth straight month of declines. Sources: BBC, Reuters, Seeking Alpha and South China Morning Post.
Beijing banning American tech products
China’s central government has ordered all public institutions to remove imported computers and software within three years. First reported by: Financial Times. Additional sources: The Guardian and ZDnet.
Fiat files Luxembourg tax ruling appeal
The carmaker Fiat Chrysler has appealed, to the European Court of Justice, an EU commission order to pay €30m in back taxes to Luxembourg. First reported by: Reuters. Additional source: Seeking Alpha.
Bezos says Amazon will pursue more military contracts
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos warned against current tech worker backlash facing the Pentagon. Bezos stated at a conference: “If big tech is going to turn their backs on the Department of Defense, this country is in trouble…. We’re the good guys.” Sources: CNBC, Financial Times, Reuters and The Telegraph.
Ukraine negotiations resume at Élysée Palace
The Russian and Ukrainian presidents, Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, will hold face-to-face peace talks today in Paris, facilitated by the French president Emmanuel Macron and German chancellor Angela Merkel. Sources: BBC, Deutsche Welle and France 24.
New Finnish PM
Sanna Marin, currently Finland’s transport minister, has been nominated by her party to be the country’s next prime minister. The 34 year old would be Finland’s youngest PM if she replaces Antti Rinne (who resigned) this week. Sources: Deutsche Welle, The Guardian and YLE.
Agenda
Wednesday 11 December, 2pm-5:30pm: ABBL and Alrim risk management summit. Wednesday 11 December, 6:30pm: Irish chamber members Christmas event. Saturday 14 December, 7:30pm: Voices International Christmas concert in Esch-Alzette. Sunday 15 December, 5pm: Voices International Christmas concert in Senningen.
Here are 3 science & technology stories you may have missed
Passive cooling: the BBC looked at the ecologically and economically efficient techniques used to keep buildings cool without air conditioning. Space: Remains of India’s lunar lander, which crashed on the moon in September, were located through a crowdsourced project, per Nature. Astronomy: Researchers think they’ve found a black hole that is so big, it shouldn’t exist, per Sky & Telescope.
Drake, ‘Shape of you’ top streaming charts
Spotify released its list of most streamed artists, songs and albums of the 2010s, per the BBC.
Today’s breakfast briefing was written by Aaron Grunwald