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. 

Outdoor Sports Books: “Remarkable Bicycle Rides”

The latest title in the bestselling Remarkable series, this is a fully illustrated collection of some of the most spectacular and life-affirming cycling trips from around the world.

There are the classic mountain climbs beloved of followers of the Tour de France and the Giro d’Italia, such as the climb to Alpe D’Huez in France and the Stelvio Pass in Italy. Gentler touring routes include the Hadrian’s Cycleway, which crosses from Britain’s Solway Firth to the North Sea following the line of Hadrian’s Wall.

For those wishing to push themselves to the very edge, there is the North Yungas Road, also known as El Camino de la Muerte (Death Road), in Bolivia; bike trails round some of the world’s most spectacular national parks, such as the Canyonlands National Park, and a journey through the forests and mountains of Transylvania.

About The Author

When author Colin Salter isn’t penning his incredibly successful “100” series (100 Books that Changed the World100 Speeches100 Letters, and 100 Children’s Books), he likes nothing better than taking his mountain bike out to the highlands and islands of his native Scotland. The author of Remarkable Road Trips, Colin has swapped four wheels for two in this global treat for all levels of cyclists.

Read and see more

Views: Naples, Italy (4K)

Naples, a city in southern Italy, sits on the Bay of Naples. Nearby is Mount Vesuvius, the still-active volcano that destroyed nearby Roman town Pompeii. Dating to the 2nd millennium B.C., Naples has centuries of important art and architecture. The city’s cathedral, the Duomo di San Gennaro, is filled with frescoes. Other major landmarks include the lavish Royal Palace and Castel Nuovo, a 13th-century castle. 

Morning News: Taliban Surge In Afghanistan, Singapore & Chewing Gum

Sweeping rural gains made as American forces have slipped out are now giving way to bids for urban areas; an enormous, symbolic victory for the insurgents looms. 

Singapore has enjoyed relative racial harmony for decades, but shocking recent events have revealed persistent inequalities. And why chewing gum has lost its cool.

Walking Tour: Chania – Island Of Crete, Greece

Chania is a city on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete. It’s known for its 14th-century Venetian harbor, narrow streets and waterfront restaurants. At the harbor entrance is a 16th-century lighthouse with Venetian, Egyptian and Ottoman influences. Opposite, the Nautical Museum has model ships, naval objects and photographs. The former monastery of St. Francis houses the Archaeological Museum of Chania. 

World Affairs: Emerging Markets Growth, Tunisia Turmoil, Ireland Dry Bars

A selection of three essential articles read aloud from the latest issue of The Economist. This week: growth in emerging markets, Tunisia faces a constitutional crisis (9:53) and dry bars of Ireland (16:03)

Documentary: Building A Porsche 911 (HD Video)

Porsche 911 – the world’s most successful sports car. Its rear-mounted boxer engine and classic styling are unmistakable. It combines sportiness and everyday functionality like no other vehicle. A street-legal race car. For almost 70 years the 911 has stood for sportiness, elegance and quality. The latest version, the Porsche 992, is equipped with almost 400 hp in the basic version and costs almost a quarter of a million euros. In this documentary, racing legend Hans-Joachim Stuck takes you through the world of what is perhaps the most famous sports car.

Walking Tour: Milan – Duomo & Gallery (4K)

Milan, a metropolis in Italy’s northern Lombardy region, is a global capital of fashion and design. Home to the national stock exchange, it’s a financial hub also known for its high-end restaurants and shops. The Gothic Duomo di Milano cathedral and the Santa Maria delle Grazie convent, housing Leonardo da Vinci’s mural “The Last Supper,” testify to centuries of art and culture. 

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