Your SandeshBox for the week

India

• Karnataka Bandh Over Cauvery issue

  1. A bangalore bandh was called in the state by the 'Kannada Okkuta' – a group of pro-Kannada groups to protest releasing of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

  2. This caused massive traffic jams across the city. Groups have now called for a state-wide karnataka bandh already leading to cancellation of 44 flights.

  3. Context: The dispute dating back to the late 1800s concerning water allocation during scarcity and dam construction. The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) was formed in 1990 and it issued a final method on water allocations in 2007, but both states expressed discontent. ET offers a great explainer.

• AIADMK bye bye BJP

  1. AIADMK parted ways with BJP due to insults to top leaders and “ideological differences on Hindutva and caste politics conflicting with AIADMK's base”.

  2. They have been an on-off thing since 1998

• India-Canada tussle update

  1. NYT reported that U.S. intelligence provided context to Canadian counterparts, aiding Canada in attributing the plot to India.

  2. However, the key evidence, intercepted communications of Indian diplomats in Canada implicating their involvement, was gathered by Canadian officials.

  3. Also, the NIA confiscated properties owned by Gurpatwant Pannu, founder of the banned group Sikhs for Justice

  4. Pannu, a Khalistan separatist, was labeled an "terrorist" in 2020. He recently made threats against Canadian Hindus.

  5. An FIR has also been registered against him for issuing threats ahead of the India vs Pakistan 2023 World Cup match.

  6. Trudeau mentioned “Canada is committed to closer ties with India”, seemingly trying to calm the situation but India is still unwilling to back down.

  7. In growing khalistani tensions, Indian Ambassador to the UK was prevented from entering a gurdwara in Scotland reportedly by a pro-Khalistani activist.

  8. Context: Canada had accused India of involvement in the Nijjar killing, leading to a ‘diplomatic war’ with India even suspending issuing visas to Canadians.

Business

• PhonePe launches Indian App-store

  1. PhonePe introduced the Indus Appstore Developer Platform

  2. Platform has no commissions on in-app purchases + no listing fees in 1st year.

  3. This contrasts with Google and Apple’s 15-30% commission.

• Third wave gets $35M wave

  1. Beloved Bengaluru coffee chain, Third wave coffee, has secured it’s series C funding with westbridge capital leading the round.

  2. The startup said it will use the funds to compete with Starbucks and global expansion while also adding its 5X growth in last year.

  3. Funding - $35 Million, Valuation (reported) - $150 Million

• SaReGaMa acquires Pocket Aces

  1. Saregama(music label), part of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, has acquired a 51.8% in digital co. Pocket Aces for ₹174 crore in an all-cash deal.

  2. Pocket Aces is the parent company for dice media, filtercopy etc. and owns several IPs like the netflix show ‘Little things’

Sports, Culture & Everything else

• Asian Games medal tally

  1. This is lining up to be India’s best showing at the Asian games with 39 medals including 11 golds.

  2. India is currently ranked 5th. Follow tracker by the mint here.

• Indian MotoGP makes a mark!

  1. The debut Indian MotoGP was a hit with with several riders praising the technical nature of the track with its significant elevation changes.

  2. Ducatis dominated the qualification race with the win being clinched by Marco Bezzecchi of Mooney VR46

• Interesting tidbits

  1. Actual Godfather, Sicilian mafia boss Matteo Denaro, dies of cancer.

  2. ChatGPT can now see, hear, speak and listen! (only on paid version)

  3. Afghani currency is the best performing currency in this quarter. Ok then.

  4. Comedian Trevor Noah’s Bangalore show was cancelled due to sound issues

Global

• France pulls troops out of Niger

  1. France president Macron stated that France will end its military presence in Niger by 2023 end.

  2. Context: Niger’s leadership asked the French ambassador to leave after military coup in Niger deposing the democratically elected president in July.

• Hollywood writer’s strike ends!

  1. Context: Hollywood writers guild went on strike in may citing poor pay and instability in online-streaming era while also demanding safeguards against AI.

  2. This led to several movies being delayed and US talk shows cancelling.

  3. Now, the writers have reached a consensus with the producers guild leading to the end of 150-day strike.

  4. The new deal gets writers pay increases with strong protections against AI and bonuses based on streaming data.

• The US almost shut down!

  1. The US government has narrowly avoided shutdown from October 1, basically due to the infighting amongst republicans. See details here.

  2. These things are much more common than you think with 2 in the previous decade. Essential services continue, but anything requiring approval stops.

• New countries added to the world

  1. The US is formally establishing diplomatic relations with a pair of Pacific Island nations, recognizing the Cook Islands and Niue for the first time.

  2. The recognition comes as President Biden seeks to strengthen relationships in the Indo-Pacific region as a counter to China’s rising influence.

• Old countries (kind-of) cease to exist

  1. The separatist state of Nagorno-Karabakh has announced it will dissolve itself with half the population fleeing to neighboring Armenia for refuge.

  2. Context: Azeri forces had taken back the region through a military operation this month after years of conflict.