Timeframe: 3rd September – 9th September 2021
To read the Bangla version, click here
Contributors:
Mansib Khan, Musarrat Sarwar Chowdhury, Sabyasachi Karmaker, and Farhan Uddin Ahmed.
1. Economics & Business
J.P. Morgan to Take Majority Ownership of Volkswagen Payments Business
U.S. banking giant J.P. Morgan plans to buy a majority stake of close to 75% in Volkswagen’s payments business. Volkswagen’s payment division will come under the control of J.P. Morgan’s wholesale payments business. The deal will help J.P. Morgan to expand its digital payment capabilities and enter into the automotive industry for the first time.
Source: Reuters
2. Politics
Paris attacks 2015: Historic trial of 20 suspects opens in France
A historic trial has started in France over the 2015 Paris attacks which left 130 people dead. The shooting and bombing assault by Islamist State (IS) group extremists was the worst post-World War Two attack in France.
Source: BBC
3. Significant Corona Update
D for Doubt: The Delta variant continues to frustrate efforts to kickstart economies
The delta variant continues to stifle efforts to rev up factories, offices, and schools this summer. As 2021 draws to a close, it’s apparent that booster shots are necessary even though the developing world is yet to get the 1st shot. Meanwhile, offices are re-opening in fits and starts and immigration controls remain stringent shown by the suspended Brazil-Argentina friendly due to a bubble breach. Sydney and Tokyo continue to be under lockdown in a worrying sign that not all countries will open at the same time, and even then with the cloud of lockdowns shadowing the bounce back to normalcy.
Source: Bloomberg
4. Science & Technology
Apple’s iPhone 13 event will take place on September 14th
Apple’s next big fall event will take place on Tuesday, September 14th at 1 PM ET, the company announced. The company typically announces the year’s new iPhones at the fall event, and this year’s entry is expected to be called the iPhone 13. The new series of phones will apparently come in the same sizes as the iPhone 12, but a headline feature for some models could be high refresh rate screens. The new phones are also expected to have smaller display notches and improved cameras.
Source: The Verge
5. RMG/ Agriculture
New World Food Safety Day Report highlights a year-round effort to promote and ensure safe food for all
On 7 September 2021 WHO and FAO jointly released the annual World Food Safety Day report highlighting around 300 different events organized around the world on the occasion of World Food Safety Day (7 June 2021). Celebrations were held in 90 countries by international organizations, governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations, academics, and individuals.
Source: WHO
6. Social and Education
Common Prosperity: Xi attempts to address the east-west wealth gap as the Chinese growth model stumbles
President Xi came to power explicitly promising to address income inequality between the coastline urban metropolis like Shanghai and the hinterland in the west. Rebranding Mao’s slogan about “Common Prosperity” is an effort to tax the rich following the crackdown on corruption and big tech while ensuring low-income communities can survive post-covid. Yet the income gap in the last five years continued to widen as wealth belonged to the technological and financial sectors where people from rural, low-education households are less likely to find a career. “Socialism with Chinese Characteristics” from Deng Xiaoping is evolving to “Xi Jinping Thought” where self-reliance in strategic sectors and a consumption-driven economy has had a stronger state oversight than before.
Source: NYT
7. Environment
Mexico was hit by a powerful 7.0-magnitude earthquake, killing at least one
A severe earthquake struck near the beach resort of Acapulco in southwest Mexico, killing at least one person who was crushed by a collapsing post and inflicting rock falls and structural damage. The 7.0 magnitude quake shook the hillsides around the resort, downing trees and pitching large boulders onto the road.
Source: BBC
8. Expert Opinion
For Afghan refugees, Britain’s warm welcome will soon become cold comfort-Nesrine Malik
There will be photos of grateful families arriving in the UK and earnest promises from politicians that Britain will do its part. But soon these headlines will fade; and as Afghanistan recedes from our consciousness, those we have let in will be left to the cold business of building a life in the UK- writes Guardian columnist Nesrine Malik.
Source: The Guardian
Disclaimer: The information provided here is obtained solely from the third parties mentioned above. Youth Policy Forum (YPF) is not responsible for any misinformation or misrepresentation.