Timeframe: February 19th to February 26th, 2022
Contributors: Adiba Tahsin, Mansib Khan, and Farhan Uddin Ahmed.
To read the Bangla version, click here.
1. Politics
Boris Johnson promises massive sanctions to ‘hobble’ Russian economy
Boris Johnson has warned that “a vast invasion is underway, by land, by sea and by air” in Ukraine, as he promised “massive” sanctions that would “hobble” the Russian economy.
Speaking as world leaders scrambled to respond to the incursions that began in the early hours of the morning, the prime minister said Vladimir Putin had, “attacked a friendly country without any provocation and without any credible excuse”, and must not be allowed to succeed.
Source: The Guardian
China halts Lithuania beef, dairy, and beef imports amid Taiwan row
China has stopped buying beef, dairy products, and beer from Lithuania, authorities say, as a row deepens over the Baltic state’s ties with Taiwan.
Source: BBC
2. Economics & Business
Oil surges above $100 for the first time since 2014, before paring gains
Oil prices on Thursday jumped following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with international benchmark Brent crude surpassing $100 a barrel for the first time since 2014. Prices retreated during afternoon trading on Wall Street after President Joe Biden said there are no current plans to target Russia’s energy complex with sanctions.
Source: CNBC
UK wage growth lags rising cost of living
The rising cost of food, energy, and household goods has pushed inflation up by 5.4% in the 12 months to December. The ONS said real wages in the October to December period fell by 0.8% from a year earlier.
Source: BBC
3. Science & Technology
Researchers develop self-healing materials from salt and gelatine
As part of the SHERO project, University of Cambridge researchers have produced low-cost salt and gelatine materials that can sense strain, temperature, and humidity through soft sensors and repair themselves at room temperature, according to a statement released by the institution last Friday. The breakthrough is set to revolutionize the field of robotics and perhaps a few other industries.
Source: Interesting Engineering
Activision Delays Its Blockbuster Series after Microsoft Acquisition
Activision, soon to be a part of Microsoft, will delay a Call of Duty game that had been planned for next year — the first time the franchise will be without an annual mainline release in nearly two decades, according to people familiar with the plan.
The company is pushing off the release after a recent entry in the series failed to meet expectations. The delay will have a big effect on the video game industry. Call of Duty games regularly top yearly sales charts and have sold more than 400 million units since the series began in 2003.
Source: Bloomberg
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.