The Weekly Focus Edition 11
Belarus Protests
For the past 11 days, protesters in Belarus have clashed with policemen and other security forces after the election of President Lukashenko. The protesters demand a change in their leader after claims of a rigged election. The EU has rejected the Belarusian Parliamentary elections and vows sanctions. Protests are gaining ground, with a large amount turning up in many places in the capital Minsk, and all over the country. Recently, the opposition candidate, Svetlana Tikhanovskaya fled to Lithuania. She later posted a video stating she is with the protesters of Belarus, and change will arrive. Amid the protests, police are retaliating back with tear gas and rubber bullets, and over 7,000 protesters have been detained. Some were sent to the Minsk Detention centre, where they were beaten up and tortured and came out with huge bruises and swollen joints. The government has tightened curfews and fired up its response against the protests, while the protesters gain support every day.
COVID-19 Origin
For months the Trump Administration had claimed that there was some mystery or uncertainty behind the COVID-19 outbreak in China, but recent evidence suggests a whole new plot twist. US intelligence in China reported that Beijing may not have been late informing the world about the outbreak but it was the local officials in Wuhan who were trying to cover up the outbreak over the fear of reprisal or retaliation. An informal adviser to President Trump and a Chinese scholar at the Hudson Institute, Mike Pilsbury commented, "It makes a huge difference if it was Wuhan or Beijing, It could give American officials a push to try to engage in good-faith negotiations with Beijing.” The report formed by the C.I.A and other agencies could possibly change the U.S policy on China and how we talk about the virus timeline.
Dream11 to be IPL title sponsor for 2020
On Wednesday, fantasy gaming platform Dream11 was announced as this year's IPL title sponsor. It will not be the sponsor for the next 2 years due to the low bid. Dream11 outbid educational technology companies BYJUs and Unacademy with a bid of 222 crores, winning them rights for four months and 13 days. They replaced the Chinese mobile company Vivo. Dream11 is a Mumbai, Maharashtra based company. It offered to pay Rs 240 crore for two years and three in case Vivo does not come back. Vivo was forced to pull out of its Rs 440 crore per year deal this season since the IPL counselling government rejected their bid. "Dream11 bid the highest but why will BCCI give them the rights for Rs 240 crore when we can expect the COVID-19 situation will become better in the next 2 years. We still have our deal with Vivo on. We haven't closed it as it's a pause. If we are getting Rs 440 crore, why will we settle for Rs 240 crore?" an official questioned. Dream11 is currently partnering with 19 leagues and 6 IPL Franchises.
By Krishnav Bubna
Other News
~ Apple becomes the first US company to cross 2 trillion dollars in valuation.
~ Legendary cricketer MS Dhoni announces retirement from international cricket.
~ Australia signs vaccine deal with Pharma Giant Astra Zeneca. The company announced it had signed a deal to provide 25 million Australians with a vaccine if trials turn out successful.
~ Short Term home rental giant Airbnb files for an Initial Public offering, confident with a valuation of $18 Billion. The valuation has plummeted since 2017 when it was $31 billion.
~ Some Google servers and apps have been down globally due to a technical issue.
~ The Final of the UEFA Champions League will be played on 23rd August, 12:30 AM IST between Paris Saint-German and Bayern Munich.
Markets This Week
Nifty- 11,412.65 +196.3
Sensex- 38,551.81 +66.7
This Week in History
~ On August 15th, 1947 India gained Independence from the British empire.
~ On August 16th 1989, a geomagnetic storm caused by a solar flare makes all computer chips in Toronto malfunction.
~ On August 17th, 1945 Korea is split into two (North and South).
~ On August 18th, 1868 French Astronomer Pierre Janssen discovers helium in the solar spectrum during the eclipse.
~ On August 19th, 1900, the first and only cricket match is played in the Olympics
~ On August 20th, 1888 the longest US men's single tennis tournament match is played.
~ On August 21st, 2019 Nigeria completes three years without a single case of polio.
Fact of the Week
LEGO has an underground vault which stores every set ever made!
Joke of the week
What did the left eye say to the right eye? Between you and me, something smells!
Leisure
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