COVID Can’t Beat Cats and Dogs

That’s what Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden told white supremacist groups yesterday after President Donald Trump refused to condemn the Proud Boys, a self-described “western chauvinist” group that has violently attacked protesters, during their debate Tuesday. The current debate format might also cease by their next verbal duel, scheduled for Oct. 15, with the Commission on Presidential Debates promising changes to ensure a more “orderly discussion.” That’s — literally — easier said than done. Will it work? Vote on Twitter.

2. Worst-Hit

Latin America has lost 34 million jobs during the pandemic, reducing the region’s working hours by a fifth — nearly double the global average loss — according to the U.N.’s International Labour Organization. Fresh protests have erupted across Venezuela against broken infrastructure and a lack of basic supplies. Meanwhile, bondholders in southern Africa might block Zambia’s plans to delay debt repayments. It’s the first African country to default amid the crisis. Will it be the last?

3. Searching for Trust

The world’s largest search engine is struggling to find it. Google, already battling an antitrust probe in the U.S., now faces a similar investigation in China. Over at the New York Stock Exchange, data-mining firm Palantir and office management service Asana completed direct listings, with Palantir securing a $21 billion valuation.

4. Vaccine Wait

Moderna, one of the front-runners to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, has said it won’t be in a position to apply for emergency authorization until late November, in a setback for President Trump’s hopes of a shot before the Nov. 3 vote.

New research has shown thatwhile cats and dogs do catch the coronavirus, they do not get sick and don't infect humans. Dogs don't even spread it to other canines. Elon Musk, it’s pets — not you — who have special powers protecting them. Really not rocket science.

South Africa had only just been readmitted to the Olympics in 1992 after the end of apartheid, and Elana Meyer, a white competitor, was running neck and neck with the Ethiopian Tulu in the women's 10,000-meter. Tulu broke away to become the first Black African woman to win an Olympic gold, and the two women held hands in a moving celebration. Watch her win here.

2. Marta

She's popularly known by this single name, and when she's on the field, she's the only player you need to watch. The Brazilian is widely considered the greatest female soccer star of all time, with a record 17 World Cup goals across five appearances. Lightning quick with her feet, she's been compared to Pelé — and the soccer legend himself agrees.

3. Junko Tabei

When the Japanese climber became the first woman to summit Mount Everest in 1975, she couldn't understand “why men make all this fuss about Everest. It's only a mountain." She would repeat that feat with the tallest peaks on all seven continents and has a mountain range on Pluto named after her. As a child, she was considered frail. She made sure she put that notion to rest.

4. Judit Polgár

Iconic chess player Garry Kasparov stopped questioning the fight in female players once Polgár beat him in 42 moves. At 15, she became history’s youngest grandmaster (a record since broken). The Hungarian’s secret? Her psychologist father treated her and her sisters as research projects to show that "geniuses aren't born, they're made."

Today on The Carlos Watson Show, Omar — a lightning rod for liberals and conservatives alike — speaks about the surprising thing she was most nervous about before taking office.Subscribe to know when the episode goes live and get a chance to win an invitation to a Zoom taping with a celebrity guest!

1. Vote Scam

In mid-October 1840, federal prosecutors in President Martin Van Buren’s administration announced charges of mass voter fraud against opposition Whig leaders. But voters just assumed the Democrats were doing the same. Van Buren lost.

2. Black Air Power

President Franklin D. Roosevelt was worried about losing the Black vote in the 1940 election after his Press Secretary Stephen Early knocked over a Black police officer. Days before the election, Roosevelt appointed Benjamin O. Davis Sr. as America’s first Black brigadier general and set up the Tuskegee Airmen, the famed Black World War II fighter pilot program.

3. Waiting on Vietnam

By 1968, outgoing President Lyndon B. Johnson’s promise of an early end to the Vietnam War was attractive to weary Americans. Then, a day before a close election between Democrat Hubert Humphrey and Republican Richard Nixon, South Vietnam pulled out of peace talks. Nixon, it turned out, had leaned on them to do so, offering them a better deal if he came to power. Nixon won.

If you think you had it rough on debate night, spare a thought for the Japanese. National broadcaster NHK had an interpreter each for Biden, Trump and moderator Chris Wallace. So when they started speaking over each other, there were six voices at it at the same time!

We, on the other hand, have all the time for our Whiskey in Your Coffee family. If you’re an undecided voter, we would love to speak with you for an upcoming feature. Write to us at politics@ozy.com. 

A giant underwater cave system, this Mexican wonder consists of two large sinkholes connected by a quarter-mile tunnel. Whether you’re a diver or a geology enthusiast, you’ll need all your senses — not just your dos ojos (“two eyes” in English) — to soak it all in.

2. Waitomo Glowworm Caves

A species of glowworms unique to New Zealand lights up these caves where it feels like you’re looking at a star-studded sky as you quietly float through in a boat.

3. Fingal’s Cave

The Celts call it the “Cave of Melody” and it has inspired a Pink Floyd song. Located on the Scottish island of Staffa, its walls are made of hexagonal basalt columns that also create a pathway for visitors to walk deep into the cave.

Clues:

Down:

(1) A spice mix that sounds like a North African ethnic community. (7 letters)

(3) Famous for its bark, not its bite. Produced mostly in Indonesia and China. (8 letters)

Across:

(2) It shares a name with an iconic character of modern theater. (8 letters)

(4) That cheesy look. (7 letters)

Share your answers.

Yesterday we asked you to match slang words with their language. Jon T., you came closest. “BT” is Indonesian, “Chelou” is French and “Rulya” is Irish.