IN BRIEF (Page 12)

Dprk

More humanitarian aid now expected

The Ministry of Unification of the Republic of Korea said it expected an increase in humanitarian aid for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea under new UN guidelines. An official said the guidelines were being seen as an opportunity to resolve difficulties for humanitarian aid to the DPRK and facilitate international assistance to the country. The comment came after the UN Security Council adopted a US proposal to facilitate humanitarian assistance to the DPRK on Monday.

United States

California wildfire still growing

Northern California is grappling with the largest wildfire in California history, breaking a record set only months earlier. Experts said this may become the new normal as climate change coupled with the expansion of homes into undeveloped areas creates more intense and devastating blazes. On Monday, twin fires north of San Francisco, burning just kilometers apart, became the largest collective wildfire in state history after destroying forest and rural areas nearly the size of Los Angeles.

Farmer launches' horse-hailing Uber'

A farmer has launched a ride-sharing business by transporting people around his village in a horse-drawn buggy. Timothy Hochstedler, who lives in a Michigan county that houses the state's largest settlement of Amish people, has unofficially termed his service "Amish Uber". "Uber is hot right now, so we have the Amish Uber," he said. Unlike a traditional Uber service which entails a phone and the installation of an app, "horse-hailing Uber" riders must flag down Hochstedler for a four-legged pickup. A single ride is priced at $5.

Germany

Elderly pair found at heavy metal festival

Two elderly Germans escaped from their nursing home to attend a heavy metal festival, media reported. The nursing home called the police after they found two of their residents had disappeared on Friday. The pair were found by police at the Wacken Open Air festival, which is 40 kilometers away, at 3 am in a "disoriented and dazed" condition, police officer Merle Neufeld said. "They obviously liked the metal festival," said Neufeld.

Xinhua - Ap

(China Daily 08/08/2018 page12)