The Weekly Focus Edition 85
Iran Nuclear Deal
This Friday the Biden Administration restored its sanction waivers on Iran. These waivers allow international nuclear cooperation. "The lifting of some sanctions can in itself translate into good faith,” Hossein Amirabdollahian said in comments reported by Iranian media. The nuclear deal was first drafted in 2015 and it was time to ratify it. The talks have entered the final stretch in Vienna. These waivers help non-proliferation work by Russian, Chinese and European companies. These talks help progress research and scientific benefits as they allow Iran to explore nuclear energy. The waivers were added again by the United States in 2019 and 2020 under former President Trump after he pulled out of agreements. The agreement was initially introduced by President Obama and it’s no surprise President Biden pledged to bring back the agreement. This also helps safety for the United States which is their main interest to ensure that no more countries get nukes. This deal comes as a peacekeeper and we hope everything flows smoothly.
Union Budget 2022
We’re already one month into the new year, and it's time for the Union Budget. Various sectors received a larger injection of cash, as the government continues its mentality to spend money, but that is only possible via borrowing more cash, which resulted in a major drop in the bond markets. The government solidified its stance against cryptocurrency, levying a tax of 30% on digital asset transfers. The government also announced a digital rupee for the near future. While there were some minor changes for taxes, nothing big was implemented and that was a major surprise for many, considering the fact that the government would like to earn back the money that they had lost over the last 2 years. Duties on various materials were either removed or cut for imports, which is a positive sign. The government will continue to invest in infrastructure as well as expressways to improve travel in India and across India. The government is also planning the spread of 5G in India, working with the telecom sector to do so. Major investments in agriculture as well as a shift to domestic arms produced for the military are other key points in the budget. In conclusion, this budget is in a mindset to grow India’s economy and fit it near the global superpowers, but the means of doing so are by borrowing, which is never a good sign.
IPL Mega Auction
The IPL Mega-Auction is just under a week away, and it will be a good one. Many Indian and foreign superstars are up for grabs, along with some upcoming talents. Just yesterday, India won the U-19 World Cup in some style, and many players from that world cup are up for grabs. It will be interesting to see if they will seize their opportunity at the highest level, or if they crumble under the pressure. They proved otherwise once and they can do it again. There are 17 Indians in the highest 2 CR bracket in the auction, with the big names being Mohammed Shami, Shardul Thakur, Ravi Ashwin, Devdutt Padikkal and Harshal Patel. There are big foreign names like Kagiso Rabada, Trent Boult, Faf Du Plessis, David Warner and Pat Cummins. It will be interesting to see who goes in which team, and we will provide an in depth article next week regarding the mega auction.
Fact or Fiction
1. Glaciers and ice sheets hold about 69 per cent of the world’s
freshwater.
2. The fastest gust of wind ever recorded on Earth was 253 miles
per hour.
3. The best place in the world to see rainbows is in India.
4. More than 70% of America’s emission-free power comes from nuclear
energy sources.
5. There are fossilized plants in Iceland under 1.4 km of ice.
6. New creatures have been found in deep-sea volcanoes.
7. Dolphin songs can be used to map out the ocean floor.
8. Climate change is causing flowers to change colour.
9. Dentistry is the oldest profession in the world.
10. North Korea and Cuba are the only places you can’t buy Coca-Cola.
The Indian U-19 World Cup team won its 5th trophy as India chased down 189 in the finals against england
The Beijing Winter Olympics began, Norway’s Therese Johaug wins the first gold.
Nadal came back from two sets and a break down to beat Danil Medvedev in the Australian Open finals, creating history.
Manchester United crash out of the FA cup in the 4th round
Justin Langer steps down as head coach of Australia, despite winning the recent T20 World Cup as well as Ashes
The Mallorca International Airport is set to be renamed to the Rafael Nadal International Airport
Other News
India boycotted the Beijing games after China announced one of its torch bearers would be a soldier involved in the Galwan clash
Truckers in Canada launch a massive protest over the vaccine mandate between the US and Canada.
The ISS is set to be retired in 2031, by crashing in the Pacific Ocean.
Key ISIS leader blew himself up as the US raided another ISIS base.
Shots were fired during an attempted coup in the capital of Guinea-Bissau
Written by Vivaan Dharamshi
Edited by Nirvaan Zaveri
Article 1 by Arhaan Zaveri
Article 2 by Nikunj Gupta
Answers:
1) Fact
2) Fact
3) Fiction (the best place is Hawaii, not India)
4) Fact
5) Fiction (they are under Greenland, not Iceland)
6) Fact
7) Fiction (they are whale songs, not dolphin).
8) Fact
9) Fact
10) Fact