NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report join Judy Woodruff to discuss the latest political news, including progress on the infrastructure negotiations in the Senate and former President Donald Trump’s fundraising efforts.
Daily Archives: August 2, 2021
Seabirds: Scientists Save Black-Footed Albatross From Rising Sea Levels
Most black-footed albatross nest on sandy beaches in Hawaii—but rising sea levels threaten their eggs and chicks. Researchers in Mexico and the United States came up with a way to save these birds: having young albatross hatch and imprint on an island 6000 kilometers away with higher ground. Watch to see the journey of these black-footed albatross. Read the story: https://www.sciencemag.org/news/2021/…
Two-Minute Views: The History Of Bread (Video)
Have you noticed how many favorite foods involve bread? Like pizza, tortillas, steamed buns, and croissants. But where did bread come from and when did humans start making it? Take a 2-minute ride in our time machine and jump back thousands of years to find out.
Walking Tour: Siena in Tuscany, Northern Italy
Siena, a city in central Italy’s Tuscany region, is distinguished by its medieval brick buildings. The fan-shaped central square, Piazza del Campo, is the site of the Palazzo Pubblico, the Gothic town hall, and Torre del Mangia, a slender 14th-century tower with sweeping views from its distinctive white crown. The city’s 17 historic “contrade” (districts) extend outward from the piazza.
WWII Aviation: The ‘P-51 Mustang’ Fighter Plane
The P-51 was the darling of the Army Air Forces. Aerodynamically agile and acrobatic, the Mustang was fast and furious in its effectiveness in downing enemy aircraft. A latecomer to World War II, it first saw combat over Europe near the end of 1943. The long-range fighter proved to be just what the Allies needed to escort bombers to and from Germany as they hammered enemy targets.
“In terms of the air war over Europe with the strategic bombing campaign, the P-51 was a war-winning weapon,” says Jeremy Kinney, associate director of research and curatorial affairs at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. “As a fighter escort, it enabled the successful bombing of targets deep in Nazi Germany from bases in England and Italy. That was a crucial component in the destruction of strategic sites such as factories and munition plants.”
Front Cover Views: The New Yorker – Aug 9, 2021
Cover Views: ‘Romeing’ Magazine – August 2021
Views: Walking The ‘Calli’ Of Venice, Italy (4K Video)
About 3.000 calli (narrow and long streets). Among them there are: 367 rami (smaller streets connecting bigger streets), 53 rio terà (buried canals), 42 salizade (the first paved streets), 10 rughe (lined with shops), 1 strada (street, it is the Strada Nuova in Cannaregio). Then there are the liste. There, some white stones in the pavement marked the limit of the diplomatic immunity in front of an ambassador palace.
The width of the Venetian calli varies from about 60 cm to 6 meters. The narrowest calle in town is Calletta Varisco (53 centimetres).
News: Top 5 Stories For August 2, 2021 (Reuters)
August 2, 2021: Eviction ban, Moratorium extension, Delta variant, Turkey wildfires, Tanker attack
1. A pandemic-related U.S. government ban on residential evictions expired at midnight, putting millions of American renters at risk of being forced from their homes.
2. Democratic leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives called on the Biden administration to immediately extend a moratorium on housing evictions through Oct. 18.
3. The United States will not lock down again to curb COVID-19 but “things are going to get worse” as the Delta variant fuels a surge in cases, mostly among the unvaccinated, Dr. Anthony Fauci said.
4. The death toll from wildfires on Turkey’s southern coast rose to eight on Sunday as firefighters battled for a fifth day to contain blazes still raging in coastal resort towns.
5. The United States and Britain said they believed Iran carried out an attack on an Israeli-managed petroleum product tanker off the coast of Oman on Thursday that killed a Briton and a Romanian, both pledging to work with partners to respond.
Skyline Views: Frankfurt – Western Germany (4K)
Frankfurt, a central German city on the river Main, is a major financial hub that’s home to the European Central Bank. It’s the birthplace of famed writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, whose former home is now the Goethe House Museum. Like much of the city, it was damaged during World War II and later rebuilt. The reconstructed Altstadt (Old Town) is the site of Römerberg, a square that hosts an annual Christmas market.
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