Taiwan-China tensions
China has been a dominant country in Asia for a long time now and an international superpower more so in this decade. However, its controversial stances over neighbours and territorial issues have been frowned upon by the international community. One such case of conflict is the China-Taiwan tensions. The small nation known as Taiwan is popular for its manufacturing sector and struggle for freedom from China.
Being a strong advocate for democracy and with tension against China, the US has relations with Taiwan and plays a key role in the stability of the region.
Taiwan is not recognized as a country by China and claims the land to be part of their territory, which is not tolerated by Taiwan.
Nancy Pelosi, one of the highest-ranking people in the US government, has plans to visit the nation. Due to a warning by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Joe Biden, Pelosi’s visit remains uncertain. To add more doubt to the decision of the visit. Beijing has announced Military exercises on the coast near Taiwan. Hopefully, the issues can be sorted out in a peaceful way.
Inflation crisis
3 days ago, the federal bank in the USA raised interest rates by another 75 basis points (0.75%) for the second straight month in a row. The Fed also affirmed its commitment to reducing treasury securities, agency mortgage-backed securities and agency debt to reduce the size of its balance sheet.
In June, inflation spiked to 9.1% after supply-demand imbalances related to the food and energy crisis, and broader pressure from global events like the war in Ukraine. The Fed aims to bring down inflation to 2% in the long run.
Meanwhile, all the eyes are on the Reserve Bank of India now. Inflation pressures are hurting the economic growth of India, and it is expected that they too are to raise interest rates further up and match their global counterparts. Inflation has remained above the rate recommended by the RBI for 7 months now, and the RBI aim to bring it back down to the acceptable range which is between 4-6%.
Earlier this year, the RBI increased interest rates by 50 basis points, and the controlled increase will combat inflation while not venturing too far away from its targeted GDP growth for this year.
Sebastian Vettel has announced retirement
The German driver who won 4 world driver’s championships with Red Bull in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013, made his first post on his new official Instagram page about his retirement. The 4-time world champion holds the record for the third most Grand Prix wins, and was the youngest ever driver to win a championship.
Vettel gave some reasons why he believes it is the right time to retire from the sport that he "loves" and has been "central to [my] life since I can remember". He is now 35 years old, but much of the F1 community would not have expected Vettel's retirement announcement. Aston Martin's contract continued until the end of the 2022 season, rumors spread about an imminent transfer to another team. In fact, it was reported last week that a move to McLaren was possible during the 2022 off-season.
Other News
Tensions in the Korean peninsula spike, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says he is ‘ready to use nuclear weapons’
Over 18,000 cases of Monkeypox have been reported worldwide as of now
The state of emergency in Sri Lanka is extended by another month amid continued protests
Bangladesh seeks a loan of 4.5 billion dollars from the IMF, according to reports
4 democracy activists were executed in Myanmar; the act draws large criticism
Earth records its shortest ever day on 29th July, 1.59 milliseconds less than 24 hours
Sports News
George Russell grabs his first ever pole in Formula One at the Hungarian grand Prix
India whitewashed West Indies 3-0 in the ODI series, and lead the T20i series 1-0
Liverpool beat Manchester City 3-1 in the FA Community Shield Finals
Mirabai Chanu clinches India’s first gold medal at the commonwealth games in weightlifting
Fact or Fiction
1) Cats have fewer toes on their back paws.
2) Blue whales eat 400 thousand calories in just one mouthful.
3) Most Disney characters wear gloves to keep their animation simple.
4) The tiny pocket in jeans was originally intended to store money.
5) The American flag was designed by a high school student.
6) Due to 3D printing, NASA can basically email tools to astronauts.
7) Oxen don’t have lower teeth.
8) Only a third of the Sahara desert is sandy.
9) Bananas grow upside down.
10) There were snow peaks on the moon during the dinosaur’s time.
Uncharted
Ruben Fleischer
13+
4.5 stars
Starring Hollywood sensation and Spider-Man actor, Tom Holland, Uncharted is an incredible movie filled with action. The whole movie is based on a seasoned treasure hunter collector, Victor “Sully” Sullivan recruiting a young but street-smart Nathan Drake to recover a treasure collected by Ferdinand Magellan and then lost around 500 years ago by the House of Moncada. A prize of around $5 billion awaits them if they succeed but it isn’t all that easy. They must decode cyphers, travel the world and are against the ruthless Santiago Moncada to find this invaluable treasure. However, the most difficult obstacle they face is getting along with one another.
Written by Vivaan Dharamshi
Edited by Nirvaan Zaveri
Article 1 by Arhaan Zaveri
Article 3 by Krishnav Bubna
Fact or Fiction by Nikunj Gupta
Review by Saveer Solanki
Answers:
1) Fact
2) Fiction (They actually eat a whole half million calories in just one bite!).
3) Fact
4) Fiction (It was actually intended for pocket watches, hence their name).
5) Fact
6) Fact
7) Fiction (The correct animal is a cow, and they don’t have upper teeth).
8) Fiction (It’s only a quarter of the Sahara desert).
9) Fact
10) Fiction (There were peaks but active volcanoes, not snow mountains).