The Weekly Focus Edition 10
Updated: Aug 15, 2020
US Election Race
Earlier this week, Joe Biden selected Kamala Devi Harris as his Vice President for the US elections. She is the first Black woman to be nominated for Vice-President, and this decision comes at a time where racial inequality is a major issue and topic of discussion in the USA. She is the current Senator of California and was a lawyer before. She has Jamaican and Indian roots, as her father was Jamaican and mother Tamilian. Joe Biden had said in March he would choose a female Vice President, and he stuck to his word. As the time to cast votes in the worlds largest economy nears, both candidates have sharpened their campaigns and are gathering votes for the showdown. Donald Trump, the Republican candidate and the current President of America, stated that Kamala Harris was the meanest, horrible and most disrespectful senator in the senate. Although there have been female vice president and president candidates, none of them have ever won an election before.
COVID-19 Vaccine
Russia announced they have successfully created the worlds first COVID-19 Vaccine which produces a safe and effective immune response without major side effects. Vladamir Putin, the Prime Minister of Russia announced this and even stated he had given a dose to one of his daughters. The World Health Organization and several other countries are exercising caution around these claims, as the WHO said it hasn't officially finished all necessary trials. They have sent a team to investigate the reports, and to examine the volunteers who got tested and to verify the safety and effectiveness of this vaccine. Russia had earlier announced it had completed clinical trials and would announce results in early August.
The Clean Plate Campaign
After China has repeatedly been in the news for unpleasant reasons like the coronavirus outbreak, the Indian Galwan Valley clash, and the security concerns over some Chinese apps, this week they launched a campaign for a virtuous cause that could make them an example to follow worldwide. Chinese Leader Xi Jinping launched The Clean Plate campaign, which encourages Chinese citizens not to waste any food and maintain a sense of crisis when it comes to food security. The COVID-19 outbreak had made demands of some animal foods go down. Xi is also trying to modify the culture in China where hosts always make more food than required for the guest, as an empty plate in China signifies the guest hasn't been fed well.
Other News
~ Along with Microsoft, Twitter is also showing interest to purchase the dance app Tik Tok.
~ Dead whale-shark washes onto the Sassoon dock in Mumbai
~ An Oil spill took place off the coast of Mauritius, normally teaming with sea life. The government hasn't responded well.
~ Fossils were found in England of an entirely new species of dinosaurs, claim researchers.
~ 23 companies show interest to operate private trains in India.
~ The Indian Air Force has deployed the worlds lightest combat helicopters in Ladakh. These helicopters were made and designed in India.
~ 3 die and major property damage took place as protesters clashed with the police over a Facebook post in Bengaluru.
Markets this week-
Nifty- 11327.25 +20
Sensex- 38403.73 + 69
Black Death (Special)
Did you know that there may potentially be another disease outbreak? If you enjoy history you've probably heard about the bubonic plague also known as the black death. The bubonic plague is caused by the bacteria Yersinia pestis. It is a rare but serious bacterial infection that's transmitted by fleas. Symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, which can be as large as chicken eggs, in the groin, armpit or neck. They may be tender and warm. Others include fever, chills, headache, fatigue and muscle aches. Bubonic plague requires urgent hospital treatment with strong antibiotics. The Bubonic Plague recently killed a man in western Mongolia. At least one person dies of the plague every year in the landlocked Asian country. More than 70 people in close contact with the 42-year-old, who had bought two dead marmots before he fell ill, will now be tested and undergo quarantine. It comes weeks after a 15-year-old boy also succumbed to the disease in a neighbouring province of Mongolia. Health officials in China have also reported two similar deaths from its side of the border this month — one from bubonic plague, and another caused by the rare pharyngeal plague. The recent cases prompted Russia's nearby Buryatia region to test rodents for the bubonic plague and urge residents not to hunt or eat marmots. Hunting the mammals is illegal in Mongolia, but many people in rural areas believe that their meat is good for health.
By Krishnav Bubna
This Week in History
~ On August 8th 1898, Will Kellog invents Cornflakes for the first time in history.
~ On August 9th, 1945, USA drops the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki.
~ On August 10th 1793, The Louvre opens up for the first time in Paris.
~ On August 11th 1951, the first televised Baseball game in colour is broadcasted.
~ On August 12th 1851 American inventor Isaac Singer patents the sewing machine
~ On August 13th 1961, the construction of the Berlin Wall commences in East Germany.
~ On August 14th 1947 Pakistan gains independence from Great Britain.
Fact of the week
Marvel Comic and movie character the incredible Hulk was originally supposed to be grey.
Joke of the week
What do you call a deer with no eye?
No idea
Leisure
Credits: Dilbert Comics Official
Credits: Garfield Comics Official