The Weekly Focus Edition 7
US-China Tensions
This week, tensions escalated between the two giants USA and China when the US claimed two Chinese hackers allegedly targeted American virus research companies and stole information from those companies along with others across the world. It has been said that these hackers worked on the behalf of the Chinese government, and for their own profit. Later, the US ordered a shutdown on the China Houston Consulate, causing the tensions to worsen further. Beijing responded by threatening the US to take back its order or Beijing will retaliate. Local Media in Houston reported that Chinese Officials were burning papers at 3417 Montrose Boulevard, where the Chinese Consulate is located. Another local news station in Houston reported there was a fire at the scene, and firetrucks were seen at around 8:00 PM. No further information is known yet about the documents burned at the scene.
Chinese stock markets have boomed over the past few weeks and have gained more than it had lost in the pandemic. Schools have opened to full capacity, masks aren't being worn and even Disneyland in Shanghai has opened. China is the only country to have such an astounding recovery, and questions have been raised about China's honesty in the Pandemic. Several reports and pieces of evidence have come up, saying SARS-COV-2 could have been made in a lab, and intentionally spread. Although these are just theories, they may be worth a study. China has been in the headlines throughout the year and has had tensions with many other countries as well, including India and Australia, and provinces like Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Tibet.
Mars Mission
Yesterday, China declared it had successfully launched the Tianwen-1 spaceship, which contains an orbiter, rover, and lander all heading towards the Red Planet. Scientists from China hope to map the structure, geology, characteristics of the soil, and more. Meanwhile, NASA is gearing up to launch the MARS Perseverance Rover on July 30th, its sixth mission to Mars. Its mission is to study evidence of life on the Red Planet. China's Mars mission comes after UAE's successful launch of its Mars Probe named Hope. It had been postponed but is now finally in the air. But, why the sudden flurry of launches? It's because every 26 months, Mars and Earths Orbit closer to each other allowing a window for launch. Until now, there are only four space agencies to launch satellites into the red planet's orbit, the USA, the USSR, the European Space Agency, and India.
ICC Postpones T20 World Cup
As expected, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the International Cricket Council (ICC) to postpone this year’s T20 World Cup, which was supposed to be held in Australia during October-November. The decision, taken after four months of monitoring, was arrived at an ICC board meeting held virtually. It also paves the way for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to host this year’s Indian Premier League in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The decision to postpone the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup was taken after careful consideration of all of the options available to us and gives us the best possible opportunity of delivering two safe and successful T20 World Cups for fans around the world. The ICC also shifted the dates of the 2023 ODI World Cup in India from February-March to October-November with the final on November 26. This means there could be three consecutive ICC World Cup years, the T20 versions in 2021 and 2022, and the 50-over version in 2023. A decision on whether India continues to host the 2021 T20 World Cup or whether that will go to Australia, will be taken later.
Other News
~Lamborghini has launched a special edition car called Aventador SVJ Xago
~ Google users have requested to update the browser over security concerns.
~ A 4-year-old Uk boy who signed a deal to publish his poetry becomes the youngest author ever.
~ In an emotional send-off, Qantas Airline's last Boeing 747 flight draws the airline's kangaroo logo before departing for the US.
~ For the first time in history, India had more rural internet users than urban.
~ A rhino was spotted outside Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve during the ongoing Assam floods.
~ Microsoft plans to remove 1 million metric tonnes of carbon from the environment by 2030 using natural and technological solutions.
Markets this week
Nifty: 11,215 +409.5
Sensex: 38,140 +1488.8
This Week in History
On July 21st, 1969, Neil Armstrong said the famous words “One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind,” as he became the first astronaut to step foot on the moon. A few hours later, Buzz Aldrin became the second man to set foot onto the moon. They came in the famous Apollo 11 rocket.
On the same day in 2007, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is published and 11 million+ copies are sold on the first day itself.
On 18th July 1968, computer chip company Intel is founded in Santa Clara, California.
Fact of the week
Disney Is the Second-Largest Buyer of
Explosives in the World!
Joke of the week
What did the mayonnaise say when the refrigerator door was opened?
Close the door, I'm dressing!
Leisure
Credits: Dilbert Comics Official
Credits: Garfield Comics Official