Timeframe: 15th May – 20th May 2021
Contributors:
Sabyasachi Karmaker, Musarrat Sarwar Chowdhury, and Mahin Abrar Rahman.
1. Economics & Business
AT&T announces $43 billion deal to merge WarnerMedia with Discovery
AT&T has agreed to merge its WarnerMedia business with Discovery in a move that will create a new video streaming giant. The tie-up brings one of Hollywood’s biggest studios and Discovery’s channels under the same ownership.
Source: BBC
2. Politics
Israeli-Palestinian ceasefire comes into effect
A ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas has come into effect. The ceasefire began early on Friday, bringing to an end 11 days of bombardment in which more than 240 people have died, most of them in Gaza. Palestinians poured onto the streets of Gaza soon after the truce began, while a Hamas official warned its hands “are on the trigger”. Both Israel and Hamas have claimed victory in the conflict.
Source: BBC
3. Significant Corona Update
India sees 3,874 COVID deaths as data suggests runaway infections
India has reported 276,110 new coronavirus infections over the last 24 hours, while deaths rose by 3,874, as nearly two-thirds of people tested showed exposure to COVID-19, a chain of private laboratories said, indicating a runaway spread of the virus. The South Asian nation’s infection tally stands at 25.77 million, with a death toll of 287,122.
Source: Aljazeera
4. Science & Technology
Google Photos to create animated photos from users’ still images
Google Photos is getting a new AI-driven feature that can take two similar pictures in your phone’s camera and turn them into a single moving shot. Google says the feature achieves this by using machine learning to generate additional frames between the two images, which creates the appearance of movement. The new feature is called “cinematic moments,” and it will work on both Android and iOS.
Source: The Verge
5. RMG/ Agriculture
UK farmers sound alarm over Australia trade talks
UK farmers have sounded the alarm over reports the government plans a trade deal with Australia that would make its food and farming imports cheaper. The move is being considered as part of a free trade pact with Australia and the UK government hopes will be a springboard for similar pacts with other countries. But UK farming unions have warned of “irreversible damage” from a bad deal. There is speculation the Cabinet is split over the move, and Labour has accused the government of a “sell-out”. As with many countries, farming imports from Australia face tariffs – or taxes – making lamb and beef, for example, more expensive. But in a post-Brexit world, the UK government is keen to strike free trade deals and has now indicated that farmers may have to prepare for the lowering of tariffs on agricultural imports.
Source: BBC
6. Social and Education
Amazon.com faces five new racial, gender bias lawsuits
Amazon.com Inc (AMZN.O) was hit on Wednesday with five new lawsuits by women who worked in corporate or warehouse management roles and accused the online retailer of gender bias, racial bias, or both.
Source: Reuters
7. Environment
Global ban on new gas boilers from 2025 proposed
The International Energy Agency (IEA) says that no new fossil fuel boilers should be sold from 2025 if the world is to achieve net-zero emissions by the middle of this century. According to the IEA, there is no longer any room for new coal, oil, or gas discovery or supply.
Source: BBC
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.