Timeframe: 8th May – 14th May 2021
Contributors:
Sabyasachi Karmaker, Musarrat Sarwar Chowdhury, and Mahin Abrar Rahman.
1. Economics & Business
US inflation sees the biggest leap since 2008
In the 12 months leading up to April, consumer prices in the United States increased by 4.2 percent. The jump marked the biggest increase in consumer prices since June 2009, and the biggest inflation gain since September 2008. The jump also followed a significant 2.6 percent increase in consumer prices in March. The report from the US Labor Department comes amid concerns that rising consumer prices could push up interest rates.
Source: BBC
2. Politics
Deaths mount as Israel-Gaza violence worsens
Violence in Gaza and Israel shows no sign of abating amid continued rocket fire and air strikes, and civil unrest among Jewish and Israeli Arab mobs. Deaths continue to mount, with at least 83 people now killed in Gaza and seven in Israel. A BBC reporter in Gaza said it had been the “longest and most difficult night since the 2014 war”. Israel said it had been targeted with 1,600 rockets.
Source: BBC
3. Significant Corona Update
More than 4,000 Indians die of COVID-19 for second straight day
India has recorded more than 4,000 COVID-19 deaths for a second straight day, while infections stayed below 400,000 for a fourth day, as the virus rampages the rural areas where cases can go unreported due to a lack of testing.
According to the health ministry’s data on Thursday, India reported 362,727 new COVID-19 infections over the last 24 hours, with the total caseload now at 23.7 million. Deaths climbed by 4,120, taking the death toll to 258,317.
Source: Aljazeera
4. Science & Technology
Bitcoin recoups some losses after Musk-triggered tumble
The price of the world’s largest cryptocurrency dropped from around $54,819 to $45,700, its lowest since March 1, in just under two hours following Elon Musk’s tweet that Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) would stop accepting the digital tokens as payment for its cars. After months of being bullish on the cryptocurrency, Musk cited its high environmental cost as the reason for the move.
Source: CNN
5. RMG/ Agriculture
Swiss voters to cast ballots on pesticide-free farming
Switzerland is holding a referendum that could result in a total ban on synthetic pesticides. But environmentalists, farmers, and agrochemical companies are at odds over a potential switch to organic agriculture.
Source: DW
6. Social and Education
Mosques disappear as China strives to ‘build a beautiful Xinjiang’
The Jiaman mosque in the city of Qira, in the far western Chinese region of Xinjiang, is hidden behind high walls and Communist Party propaganda signs, leaving passersby with no indication that it is home to a religious site.
Source: Reuters
7. Environment
Debris from out-of-control Chinese rocket lands in the Indian Ocean
A Chinese Long March 5B rocket’s discarded body plowed through the atmosphere causing an unregulated reentry in the Indian Ocean, west of the Maldives. Although the US Pentagon had been tracking the rocket body, it had been difficult to predict where exactly the huge piece of space junk would fall back to the planet.
Source: CNET
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.