The Weekly Focus Edition 87
Russia-Ukraine tensions
US intelligence claims Russia is planning to invade Ukraine, but Russia simply called it a military drill. This war is not only worsening safety but global markets have been spiralling downwards as well. We have seen that according to the US reports more than 190,000 troops have been stationed on the border by Russia. The nuclear-armed nation is yet denying claims of an attack. According to Joe Biden, President of the USA, Putin wants Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and has decided to invade. Economic sanctions on Russian goods by western nations are already being prepared in case of an attack. This war has the capability to start a world war. Russia, a major part of this conflict, is nuclear-armed and with the USA's aggressive stance who have the largest nuclear arsenal, a small incident can lead to one of the largest wars ever seen. An interview with Biden when asked about the situation clearly showed that he expected the worst. We hope everyone stays safe and we have a peaceful and flourishing international community soon.
The first quadruple system asteroid in the solar system
Researchers and fanatics of technical know-how are constantly on the lookout for asteroids that fall into completely unique elements in our solar devices. The first device made up of four asteroids was discovered in a paper published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters. The identity of equality was the catalyst for the Spectro Polarimetric High Assessment exoplanet research tool. Mounted on ESO's very large telescope in Paranal, Chile, SPHERE discovered that the asteroid Elektra 130 has three moons. It's also important to note that this new discovery made the Elektra the first-ever discovered quad system in history. Until now, the Electra 130 was thought to have only two satellites, the first took nearly 130 years and the second was recently discovered in 2014. Elektra's three moons were designated as S/2003(130) 1, S/2014. (130) 1 and S/2014 (130) 2.
Rahane, Pujara dropped from test squad
Yesterday, The BCCI announced the squad for the 2 test series against neighbouring Sri Lanka, and Veterans Pujara and Rahane, who had been receiving a lot of criticism have been dropped. Along with them, 100 test match player Ishant Sharma and Wicket keeper Wriddhiman Saha have also been dropped. India have opted for a new side, with players like Priyank Panchal, KS Bharat and Saurabh Kumar making to the side. Chetan Sharma, India’s chief selector said he spoke with all 4 senior players, and asked them to play the Ranji Trophy, and their doors back to the Indian team would be open. Rohit Sharma has also been made the full time all format Indian captain, with BCCI announcing him as the test captain. The first test is to be played on March 4th, and it will also be former captain Kohli’s 100th test match.
James Faulkner leaves the Pakistan Super League midway due to a payment disagreement, calls his treatment a disgrace
India lead the 3 match T20I series against the West Indies 2-0 after wins in the first two games.
Mario Andretti’s son, Michael Andretti, is attempting to join Formula 1 in 2023 which might see 22 drivers and 11 teams on the grid.
Arif Mohammed Khan, India’s only athlete at the Winter Games, finishes 45th place.
Manchester United’s interim manager Raif Rangnick rubbishes any claims of a rift in the club’s captaincy.
Other News
India to host the International Olympic Committee meeting in 2023, to take place in Mumbai.
Tropical storm Eunice kills 9 in Europe, 400,000 households without power in the UK.
Bill Gates received the second highest civilian award in Pakistan for his efforts against Polio, meets PM Imran Khan.
Twitter CEO Parag Agarwal takes a paternity leave as he expects a child, the move is received with applause as well as debate across the globe.
The Canadian police begins to arrest protestors of the ‘freedom convoy’ after weeks of expressing his discontent with the protestors
Fact or Fiction
1) The longest place name on the planet is 85 letters long (Taumatawhakatangihanga-koauauotamateaturipukakapikimaung-ahoronukupokaiwhenuakitanatahu, New Zealand).
2) Four babies are born every second.
3) The coldest temperature ever recorded was -120 degrees Fahrenheit.
4) The Earth's ozone layer will make a full recovery in 50 years.
5) The USA is the world's most earthquake-prone country.
6) There are around 4 quadrillion quadrillion individual bacteria on Earth.
7) People who are currently alive represent about 4% of the total number of people who have ever lived.
8) Muhammad is thought to be the most popular name in the world.
9) Only two countries use purple in their national flags (Nicaragua and Dominica).
10) Africa and Asia are home to nearly 90 per cent of the world's rural population.
The Song of Achilles
Madeline Miller ★★★★
Historical Fiction/Romance
Set during the war between Sparta and Troy, The Song of Achilles is a must-read for all young adults interested in romance and fictional novels. Achilles, ‘the best of all Greeks’, was one of the most famous Greek warriors at that time, and he and Patroclus (his best friend) were both trained by the legendary centaur, Chiron, in the arts of war. Both of them formed an unbreakable bond and were the best of friends. When Helen of Sparta was kidnapped, all the warriors were called upon to siege the city of Troy in her name. Achilles joined the cause and Patroclus, torn between love and terror for his friend, followed. Little did they know about the adventures they would face along the way.
Written by Vivaan Dharamshi
Edited by Nirvaan Zaveri
Article 1 by Arhaan Zaveri
Article 2 by Krishnav Bubna
Fact or Fiction by Nikunj Gupta
Review by Saveer Solanki
Fact or Fiction Answers
1) Fact
2) Fact
3) Fiction (it was -144 degrees Fahrenheit!!)
4) Fact
5) Fiction (it isn’t the USA, it’s Japan (the USA is very tornado-prone))
6) Fact
7) Fiction (We represent 7% of the total number of people who have ever lived!!)
8) Fact
9) Fact
10)Fact