The Weekly Focus Edition 107

UK PM Race results

The past few days have been eventful for the United Kingdom with the longest reigning Monarch, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, passing away and the announcement of the results of the Prime Ministerial Elections. Rishi Sunak and Liz Truss fought each other in a fairly matched out contest for the post, but the previous foreign secretary Liz Truss emerged victorious, winning the elections by about 21,000 votes. Let’s analyze some of the claims or promises she has made for her term. Firstly, the Prime Minister intends on announcing a new plan to help resolve or substitute the soaring energy prices in the UK which was one of the concerns we wrote about in the previous edition. Additionally, the announcement of an emergency budget to help fund public services while keeping track on economic growth, seems to be a major part of the current agenda of the government. Additionally, there will be a smoother plan for taxes that focuses on helping the elderly and inconvenienced citizens. With more focus in the energy and environmental sector, there seems to be a new outlook coming from Europe to now look to the future. This could have been the result of Russian oil supply in the time of crisis and Europe’s dependency on the stern foreign policy. It is seen that this government will be heavily focused on diversifying energy supply and the economy with new tax reforms and varied schemes/policies targeting key issues such as healthcare, environmental damage and more. We hope everything goes according to plan in this twisted rebuilding stage.

Passing of The Queen of England

As mentioned above, Queen Elizabeth II passed away earlier this week after over 70 years of being the queen of the United Kingdom. Her death was truly tragic and The Weekly Focus pays respect to her. Before officially being queen, she was a trained mechanic and helped the UK during World War 2, as the first female person in the royal family to do so. The Queen rose to the throne in 1952, at a time when the UK was losing its vast empire and was suffering from various post-war problems. She played an important role in keeping the UK relevant despite it losing its control over many countries in the world, and ensured the smooth transition from the Imperial UK to the Modern UK, which is still a great power in today's world. She was progressive and embraced modernity, including changing the way heirs to the British throne were chosen. The son was no longer given preference over the daughter, and age was the only factor. She was also the first British monarch to address the US parliament, a symbolically important move. She devoted her life to many welfare causes, and has helped many people along her journey. As Prince and now King Charles continues her legacy, her contributions to the post-war world will never be forgotten.

India's Asia Cup

India came home unhappily in an event hosted within the United Arab Emirates for the second consecutive year. In the last T20 World Cup India had crashed out of the group stage, after defeats to Pakistan and New Zealand. They have now missed out on triumphing at the Asia Cup, after losing to Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The T20 World Cup was going to be Virat Kohli`s closing as captain of the group. Head coach Ravi Shastri to step down after the marquee event last year, with a disappointing last outing for him. Rahul Dravid aims to do better than his predecessor. He showed good performances in various bilateral series since his appointment as coach, even taking India to the No.1 T20I ranking in the world, but the Asia cup showed that he too is vulnerable.

"When we lost here last year, many said it was because of Virat Kohli and that they should change the captain. Even Rohit Sharma couldn't win here. So that shows that the team selection is the problem and not the captain," Aakash Chopra mentioned on his YouTube Channel.

Sports News

• Virat Kohli ends the 1021 day drought of centuries by smashing an unbeaten 122 against Afghanistan, also scoring his first T20I century

• Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud enter the US Open Finals, a new ATP No.1 will be born after this

• Australian captain Aaron Finch announces his retirement from ODI cricket

• Pakistan and Sri Lanka enter the Asia Cup final as India bow out

• Charles Leclerc takes pole at Monza

• All Premier League matches this weekend have been postponed after the demise of the Queen of England

Other News

• Ukraine push back Russian troops in Northeastern Ukraine, recapture key towns

• The US impose sanctions on the Iranian Intelligence Ministry after they launch cuber attacks on Albanian government websites.

• The World Health Organization launches a 1.5 billion dollar campaign against Meningitis in Africa

• Apple announce the new iPhone 14, which is bigger, has newer features and a better camera

Fact or Fiction

1. The Mongol Empire was the largest empire in history.

2. South American river turtles talk in their shells.

3. Penicillin was first called apple juice.

4. The first stroller was designed to be pulled by a horse.

5. 170 year old wine bottles were found at the bottom of the Baltic Sea.

6. The MGM lion roar is trademarked.

7. Neil Armstrong’s hair was sold for 3000$.

8. Nikola Tesla hated diamonds.

9. Irish bars used to be closed on Saint Patrick’s Day.

10. Alexander Graham Bell indirectly created cat videos.

Review

Show name: Manifest

Director: Michael Smith

Age Rating: 14+

Watch on: Amazon Prime Video

Rating: ★★★. 5

Review: A drama most certainly, Manifest forces the viewer to sit upright and truly submerse themselves in the aftermath of Flight 828, which disappeared for 5 years straight- only to return with its passengers unaware of the skip in time, and unharmed- or so we believe. However, the passengers (also considered aliens- stick with me), have a sixth sense that allows them to predict the future: but who is this voice in their head? How is it here? Although already stuffed with scientific terms and foreign theories, Manifest doesn’t miss out on the usuals of television- sick son, separated twins, confused couples, and of course, the bad influence. Highly recommended, except for the fact that after continuous watching, it may get repetitive.

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 Dia Makhecha

Answers:

1. Fiction (The correct empire was The British Empire, who’s Queen recently passed away).

2. Fact

3. Fiction (It was actually called mould juice).

4. Fiction (It was designed to be pulled by an animal, but of a smaller size (around the size of a goat or zebra).

5. Fact

6. Fact

7. Fact

8. Fiction (He hated pearls, not diamonds).

9. Fact

10. Fiction (The scientist behind this is none other than Thomas Alva Edison, most known for his invention of the light bulb).