FT News Briefing Belarus protests intensify, Robinhood raises more funds, drilling in the Arctic
Aug 18, 2020
Protests are escalating in Belarus as citizens demand the president's resignation amidst allegations of electoral fraud. Robinhood, the popular stock-trading app, has secured new funding, propelling its valuation to over $11 billion. Meanwhile, the U.S. government is moving forward with plans for oil drilling in the Arctic, sparking debates about energy policy. The discussion also highlights the severe economic consequences of climate change, illustrated by rising coastal flooding impacting global economies.
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Belarus Protests
- Belarussian state television workers protested outside the station building.
- This added to the growing protests against President Lukashenko after a disputed election.
Robinhood's Rise and Challenges
- Robinhood's success is partly due to increased retail trading during lockdowns.
- The platform suffered outages and a customer lawsuit after stock market volatility.
Arctic Drilling
- Trump's move to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge might be symbolic.
- It's unlikely companies will rush to drill due to low oil prices and industry changes.