Timeframe: 20th August – 26th August 2021
Contributors:
Mansib Khan, Musarrat Sarwar Chowdhury, Sabyasachi Karmaker, and Farhan Uddin Ahmed.
1. Economics & Business
Airbnb Offers Temporary Housing to 20,000 Afghan Refugees
Airbnb opened the doors of its properties to 20,000 Afghan refugees globally Tuesday (August 24, 2021) and sought assistance from hosts who rent a property through the home-sharing company for more free housing for those fleeing the crisis. The company’s boss said the move was in response to “one of the biggest humanitarian crises of our time”. Airbnb has a history of providing free shelter to those in need through its Airbnb.org.
Source: BBC
2. Politics
Injured outside Kabul airport bomb attacks cause many casualties
There have been twin bomb attacks at Kabul airport with unconfirmed reports of at least 10 deaths. Explosions took place outside the Abbey Gate – where US and British forces have been stationed – and at a nearby hotel. The Pentagon said there have been a number of US and civilian casualties in what was a “complex” attack. It came after warnings that there could be militant attacks, as nations evacuate people ahead of a 31 August deadline
Source: BBC
3. Significant Corona Update
Pfizer and BioNTech say a third shot boosts antibodies against the virus.
Pfizer and BioNTech said on Wednesday they were now applying to the Food and Drug Administration for supplemental approval of a coronavirus vaccine booster shot for those aged 16 and up, and will submit all their supporting data by the end of this week. The companies conducted a study of 306 volunteers who received a booster shot about five to eight months after their second shot. Researchers found that the level of antibodies that block the coronavirus jumped more than three times higher than the level after the second dose.
Source: NYT
4. Science & Technology
South Korea set to curb Google, Apple commission dominance
South Korea is likely to bar Google and Apple from requiring software developers to use their payment systems, effectively stopping them from charging commissions on in-app purchases, the first such curbs on the tech companies by a major economy. An amendment of the Telecommunications Business Act, dubbed the “Anti-Google law,” that takes aim at app store operators with dominant market positions, is being considered by lawmakers in South Korea, who have pushed the issue of the commission structure since mid-2020.
Source: Reuters
5. RMG/ Agriculture
China headed for record purchases of US agricultural products exports
Exporters sold $15.2 billion worth of American farm products to China in the first six months of 2021, raising the possibility of record sales this year, wrote economist David Widmar on Monday on the Agricultural Economic Insights blog. Sales are on pace to hit $33.7 billion, with some of the most active months for sales — during and after the fall harvest — still to come.
Source: Agriculture.com
6. Social and Education
The hard men removing squatters in Spain
Squatting has a long history in Spain, often fuelled by high rates of homelessness. But there is now a darker phenomenon too – squatters who demand a “ransom” before they will leave a property. And this has led to the rise of private eviction companies, some of which use threats to achieve their goal.
Source: BBC
7. Environment
Tennessee flash floods kill 22 with dozens missing
Following catastrophic floods in the US state of Tennessee, at least 22 people have died and many more have gone missing. Rescue crews are still searching for dozens of people in rural Humphreys County, which is west of Nashville. The record-breaking flooding began on Saturday, submerging entire roads and taking out telephone and power lines.
Source: NYT
8. Expert Opinion
The pandemic-induced global slump is just part of a 20-year financial crisis
A prolonged malaise caused by deep-seated structural problems has prevented a full economic recovery post-2007 writes the Guardian’s economics editor.
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.