News of the World

[kyonides]

French hate pets!?
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53677571

The French have the unfortunate distinction of being the European "champions" for abandoning pets that have become too cumbersome for their summer trips.
Animal shelters up and down the country are proof of this unique and sad tradition.

I do think Silly would hate to know there are people that don't care about pets but love trips, especially those that don't involve animals.

Owners rarely have the courage to turn up with their unwanted companions. Instead they call up to say where they can be found, or drop them off in boxes outside the shelter under the cover of darkness.

Probably Ralph should bite them really hard.

Trump signs relief order after talks at Congress collapse
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-53712328

The directives include measures to support the unemployed, suspend payroll tax and extend student loans.
Some of them are likely to face legal challenges given that Congress controls federal spending, not the president.
Democratic rival Joe Biden said they were "a series of half-baked measures".
Mr Trump said the measures would provide up to $400 (£306) per week in supplemental unemployment benefits to tens of millions of jobless Americans. This is less than the $600 people had been receiving until 31 July, when the benefit expired.
The president also said states would cover 25% of the new payments - the previous benefit was fully funded by the federal government. He is seeking to divert money from a previously approved disaster aid to states.

I guess Wulfo might say here that we couldn't expect more from a bunch of Dems blocking actual efforts to stay clean and don't include additions that aren't -related at all.

Afghan government approved the release of Talibans
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-53706638
I wonder why something's telling me they'll regret it sooner or later.

Hong Kong elections: UK and allies condemn moves to undermine democracy
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-53716538

They condemned a year-long postponement of September's elections as disproportionate.

They are Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the US. Yes, they really made such a request for respecting democracy in Hong Kong. In vain I might add here.  

The chief executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, announced the delay at the end of July, blaming a rise in coronavirus infections in the territory.

Sounds terribly familiar. Here in Costa Rica we get a rise in cases whenever journalists have criticized the government for the mishandling of the pandemic or because the gov is involved in some scandal.

Anyway, keep in mind Hong Kong has barred 12 opposition candidates from election already.

5.1-magnitude quake hits North Carolina, causes minor damage
https://apnews.com/e9c431febbeb3e4fb4f7685abc315f51
It's been years since I last heard about a quake that strong in the US. Previously there was one near Virginia that took New Yorkers by surprise. But it's been about a decade since that incident.

There were no reports of injuries, but some minor structural damage was reported in Sparta, as well as cracks in roads. Images on social media also showed items knocked off of grocery store shelves.

Interesting, Melana wouldn't love to hear this.

World donors demand change before money to rebuild Beirut
https://apnews.com/24a50c0f2ee1c1995374ae66aeacf946
Basically they don't mind sending $300 millions to Lebanon to assist people living on the streets and the like, still, they won't let the local sociopolitical system remain the same. They're pressing Beirut to make important reforms. Will this be good enough to make them ever take place?

Israeli jeweler makes $1.5m gold coronavirus mask
https://apnews.com/a88a0768f236d947dc4b356c3411106b
It's highly unlikely you'd need to buy a new by now but here's an alternative if you don't mind burning a lot of money in a single purchase. Keep in mind it's a 18-karat white gold, diamond-encrusted face covering with a price tag of $1.5 million!