Sure, you can get noteworthy reports from the proper news channels you're familiar with, but do you really want to read through a thousand words on the same topic? Why not have it summed up in bite-sized portions so you're up to date on what happened around the world this week in under five minutes? Here are the top five events you should know about. You're welcome .
Trump
Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020
What you need to know
On top of the revelation earlier this week of his tax avoidance (we're sure you're well acquainted with the number 750 now) while spending USD70,000 on hairstyling, POTUS dominated the headlines with the breaking news (announced on twitter, no less) that he and First Lady Melania Trump have tested positive for coronavirus.
Why should you care
You can't say this doesn't make you appreciate the government we have even more.
Presidential Debate
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What you need to know
History was made on Tuesday when a climate change question was posed for the first time in 12 years, but that was but a small spectacle of the eventful night. Moderated by Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, the US Presidential Debate between President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden has been described as chaotic and dismaying amongst many other negative adjectives (a favourite being 'train wreck'). The most prominent takeaway was when asked to denounce white supremacists and racially-charged militia groups, Trump responded, "Proud Boys, stand back and stand by."
Why should you care
World, you are away from the election.
Chrissy Teigen
What you need to know
Mother of two and wife to singer John Legend, Teigen has revealed that she had lost baby Jack on Wednesday due to excessive bleeding. Fans and viewers alike have shared their shock and grief upon the news, as well as support for her openness in the matter.
Why should you care
We mostly only share the highlight reels of our lives, so being candid about such devastating news surely takes a lot.
SIA
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What you need to know
The nation's pride has announced turning its A380 into a restaurant after shelving its 'Flight to Nowhere' plan, alongside other initiatives to save the local industry. Besides a Peranakan menu by chef Shermay Lee and movies on KrisWorld onboard the grounded aircraft, Singapore Airlines is also offering limited slots for pre-lunch tour with private access areas, all only on 24 and 25 October.
Why should you care
If you do, reservations start on 12 October.
Pixel 5
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What you need to know
Google releases the first of its phones with 5G wireless capabilities—Pixel 5 and Pixel 4A 5G. With a six-inch display, 8-megapixel camera on the front and a new ultrawide angle 16-megapixel sensor on top of a standard 12.2-megapixel sensor camera. They carry 128GB storage and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor.
Why should you care
There's been plenty of rumours surrounding Apple's iPhone 12 Pro upcoming launch…
Previously…
Gigi Hadid
What you need to know
It didn't seem too long ago when the model announced her pregnancy with boyfriend Zayn Malik's child, leaving the world shook and speculating about the ungodly good looks the baby would inherit. On 23 September, the singer and now father tweeted, “Our baby girl is here, healthy & beautiful ?❤️ to try put into words how i am feeling right now would be an impossible task. The love i feel for this tiny human is beyond my understanding. Grateful to know her, proud to call her mine, & thankful for the life we will have together x”
Why should you care
Supermodel or not, it's not easy going through pregnancy and delivery amidst the pandemic.
Emmys 2020
What you need to know
Daniel Levy's comedy TV series Schitt's Creek took home nine awards at the 2020 Emmy Awards just as it wrapped up its final season in April, proof that Canadians can do everything Americans can and better. That's the most number of wins in the genre for a single season with Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead and Supporting Actor and Actresses (one for each!), Outstanding Directing, Writing, and Casting for a Comedy Series, and (surprise, surprise) Outstanding Contemporary Costumes.
Another historic win that night saw 24 year old Zendaya become the youngest to win Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series for her role in HBO's Euphoria.
Why should you care
Two words: Moira Rose.
Breonna Taylor
What you need to know
Following the fatal shooting of 26 year old medical worker Breonna Taylor during a raid on her apartment, the two police officers responsible are officially not charged by the grand jury for her death. Besides Louisville, protestors swarmed major cities again upon the upsetting news.
Why should you care
Remember kids, in the age of polarising news, do your research before taking a stand.
Sun Halo
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What you need to know
Earlier this week, a weather phenomenon caused by ice crystals in thin clouds (due to high altitude) refracted light to resemble a sun ring visible from Eastern Singapore, possibly a divine sign that we're entering Phase 3 soon.
Why should you care
The same reason you look at any decent moon sighting and go, "Look at the moon!"
Emojipedia
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What you need to know
117 new emojis have been approved for release next year, most prominently featuring an extensive range of all relationship types. Though what we're more grateful for is the recent addition of the much-needed search bar.
Why should you care
So you're prepared for the day there's an emoji for every. single. thing. in. existence.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson
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What you need to know
Black Adam star Dwayne Johnson has revealed that he and his family had contracted and subsequently recovered from the coronavirus. The world’s highest paid actor believes to have been infected by close family friends three weeks ago even while staying disciplined with health protection.
This is alongside news of other celebrities who tested positive for COVID-19 this week; including Robert Pattinson, halting the filming for Batman; and Paris Saint-Germain footballer Neymar who is currently serving a two-week quarantine after an Ibiza holiday, putting him out of PSG’s first game of the season.
Why should you care
If The Rock can contract the deadly virus and tells you to wear a mask, you wear your damn mask.
Lee Hsien Loong
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What you need to know
PM Lee addressed Parliament on Wednesday, post-evaluating the government’s efforts on the pandemic, the role of the opposition, as well as the touchy subject of national reserves, to which WP Chief Pritam Singh was quick to respond to. Another noteworthy mention was Manpower Minister Josephine Teo’s visibly emotional speech on the topic of jobs, which was ironically followed by news of husband Mr Teo Eng Cheong’s resignation from Surbana Jurong as CEO.
Why should you care
All tax-paying adults are obliged to care about politics.
David Blaine
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What you need to know
Magician David Blaine’s latest stunt Ascension has hit a new high (ha) as the most-watched YouTube Original Live Event. Flying over the Arizona desert in helium balloons, the American illusionist rose close to 25 thousand feet in the air before parachuting down.
Why should you care
Blaine cites his daughter as the motivation behind the stunt, but we’re pretty sure it’s because he saw ‘Up’ once.
Bella Thorne
…I am a mainstream face and when you have a voice, a platform, you try to use you in helping others and advocate for something bigger than yourself. Again in this process I hurt you and for that I’m truly sorry.
— BITCHIMBELLATHORNE (@bellathorne) August 29, 2020
What you need to know
After raising hell amongst the community for joining adult PPV site OnlyFans, the ex-Disney star has apologised for her actions. Allegedly part of her “research” for a movie about the platform, Thorne’s deep dive included scamming 50,000 subscribers with “nudes” that weren’t really, thus causing a massive demand for refund and tiresome processing that resulted in payment policy changes disadvantageous to actual sex workers.
Why should you care
If you ever needed a reason to dislike the actress more…
Ed Sheeran
What you need to know
The English singer-songwriter announced the birth of his first child with wife Cherry Seaborn just this Tuesday. Named Lyra Antarctica Seaborn Sheeran, possibly after his favourite drag queen fantasy series His Dark Materials’ protagonist Lyra Belacqua. Vulture was also quick to point out the name’s association with the stringed instrument, befitting for the musician.
Why should you care
If ‘Perfect’ was written about his wife, who knows what hit baby Lyra will inspire next?
Tenet
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What you need to know
Christopher Nolan's latest blockbuster that tackles the spy drama genre with sci-fi elements, starring John David Washington, Robert Pattinson and Elizabeth Debicki, has received generally positive reviews thus far. The thrills and visuals have been praised, though at the expense of some heart, critics say. It's apparently also still confusing as ever, à la Nolan.
Why should you care
You gotta know if it's good enough to risk watching it in an enclosed theatre, don't you?
Jacob Blake and Kyle Rittenhouse
What you need to know
In recent riots in Kenosha, 17 year old Kyle Rittenhouse has been charged with homicide for shooting three protestors. Footage of the scene showed the teen going past officer vehicles while strapped with an assault weapon without being stopped. This follows the civic unrest of the police shooting of 29 year old Jacob Blake, who has been previously arrested twice and was under the warrant for a rape charge. The shooting has left him paralysed from the waist down.
Why should you care
Shot seven times in the back, are we living in remake of How To Kill A Mockingbird?
Lionel Messi
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What you need to know
The Argentinian soccer player has reportedly chosen to leave Barcelona, but there's just the issue of the €700 million release clause for his early termination of contract. And that it will cost the next club minimum €210 million for the 33 year old player, according to Forbes. Heavy speculation leans towards a reunion with manager Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, but nothing has been confirmed at this point.
Why should you care
The move—which could entail Manchester City players like Gabriel Jesus in a potential trade deal—would definitely change the game, and how well you can pretend to know football.
Melania Trump
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What you need to know
The US First Lady gave a speech from the White House Rose Garden at the second night of the Republican National Convention (RNC), offering sympathy for victims and families affected by the pandemic and reflecting on the country's racial situation. It was mostly met with mixed responses from Democrats, but most of the attention went to her outfit.
Why should you care
She. didn't. plagiarise.
Apple store Singapore
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What you need to know
The third Apple store in Singapore has confirmed its location at Marina Bay Sands as the first "on water". Occupying where defunct nightclub Avalon used to be, there has been no announcement on the exact date of the Bayfront opening. This amidst the global pandemic-induced retail recession.
Why should you care
So you can emphatically nod and go, "Exactly!" to whatever people have to say about it.
Russia's Covid-19 Vaccine
What you need to know
President Vladimir Putin has given the green light on the country's first Coronavirus vaccine, developed by Moscow's Gameleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology (the long name doesn't make it any less iffy). Named 'Sputnik V' after the Soviet era thriller USSR's first artificial satellite, it has claimed to pass phase I and II trials (basically, the sample size of tested folk get bigger each phase) just this month. Understandably, it has sparked worldwide skepticism on its effectiveness and concerns on its "hasty" release without it completing the third Phase that's standard to new vaccine testing.
Why should you care
Apart from the fact that we're living in a post-pandemic world, Putin has approved mass vaccinations for October. It's totally safe guys, he tried it on his daughter… Anyway. World Health Organization has announced that many of the over 100 vaccines are currently showing success, but only six are in phase III trials.
Kamala Harris
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What you need to know
Ah, American politics. Not as far left as Elizabeth Warren, but not as bad as Joe Biden, right? In what is a seemingly strategic move, the US Democratic nominee has recently appointed the first Asian American and Black woman in the country's history as his vice presidential pick for the 2020 election. Did we also mention that she's a woman? Harris, previously a district attorney, has been criticised for her stance on criminal justice, especially within the issues of race. However, the Californian senator is born to an Indian mother and Jamaican father, and many regard her the lesser of the two evils.
Why should you care
Child, have you learnt nothing from the previous presidential campaign where celebrities said they'd migrate if Trump was elected before quietly fading into the shadows when he was?
Selena Gomez
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What you need to know
Another big music news sees the singer collaborating with K-pop girl group Blackpink on a single that's set to arrive on 28 August. After 'Sour Candy' with Gaga and 'Kiss and Make Up' with Dua Lipa, fans are beyond excited for #SELPINK. Gomez is also set to debut her executive-produced film, 'The Broken Hearts Gallery' (starring Stranger Things' Dacre Montgomery), and the launch of her vegan brand Rare Beauty in Sephora come September. The girl is busy.
Why should you care
So you don't look out of touch in your next conversation with a Gen Z-er.
