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China’s 2024 GDP growth set to hit target of around 5%, says Xi Jinping
China is expected to set a 2025 growth target roughly similar to...
Wayanad landslide declared as ‘disaster of severe nature’
``Keeping in view the intensity and magnitude of the Meppadi...
J&J seeks nod for COVID-19 vaccine trial in Indian adolescents
Conducting vaccine clinical trials among adolescents is imperative to achieve herd immunity against the coronavirus, J&J said in an emailed statement.
The U.S. pharma giant had received emergency use approval for its single-dose vaccine in India earlier this month, making it the fifth authorised vaccine in the country. read more
China’s planned anti-sanctions law for Hong Kong unsettles financial sector
Under the planned law, if financial institutions in Hong Kong implement U.S. sanctions, they may be exposed to legal risk in Hong Kong for doing so, financial sector executives and lawyers said.
“Many foreign multinational companies are asking about the impact of the anti-foreign sanctions law, especially international banks and financial institutions,” said Shaun Wu, a Hong Kong-based partner at law firm Paul Hastings.
For bank regulators, tech giants are now too big to fail
This time it’s the tech giants including Google, Amazon and Microsoft that host a growing mass of bank, insurance and market operations on their vast cloud internet platforms that are keeping watchdogs awake at night.
FDI proposal for bank-promoted insurance firm to be vetted by RBI, Irdai: Govt notification
”Applications for foreign direct investment in private banks having joint venture or subsidiary in insurance sector may be addressed to the Reserve Bank for consideration in consultation with the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), in order to ensure that the limit of foreign investment applicable for the insurance sector as specified in serial number F. 8.1 and F. 8.2 is not breached,” the notification said.
India approves Zydus Cadila’s ZyCoV-D vaccine for emergency use for adults and children above 12 yrs
Chairperson of the Zydus Group, Pankaj R Patel said, “We are extremely happy that our efforts to put out a safe, well-tolerated and efficacious vaccine to fight COVID-19 has become a reality with ZyCoV-D. To create the world’s first DNA vaccine at such a crucial juncture and despite all the challenges, is a tribute to the Indian research scientists and their spirit of innovation. I’d like to thank the Department of Biotechnology under the Government of India for their support in this mission of Atma Nirbhar Bharat and Indian Vaccine Mission COVID Suraksha.”
WHO seeks ‘best minds’ to probe new pathogens that jump from animals to humans
“In the last 20 years we’ve had many of these pathogens emerge or re-emerge: SARS, MERS, different avian influenzas, Zika, yellow fever and of course SARS-CoV-2,” van Kerkhove said.
India smartphone mkt to reach record 173 mn units in 2021: report
In 2020, the Indian market outperformed the North America, Latin America and Africa markets.
”Our outlook for India for the next five years remains positive, keeping in mind its 1.39-billion (and growing) population, upgrade of users from feature phone to smartphone, and future emergence of new use cases. The market is set to cross the 200-million mark in the next couple of years,” Counterpoint said.
China passes sweeping data privacy law, toughens regulation on tech companies
Xinhua also reported that the law will create stronger regulation of China’s public surveillance system, requiring the disclosure and labelling of hardware used in identifying people in public places. Collected data can only be used for maintaining public safety, the news agency said. China operates a vast network of cameras, backed by advanced facial recognition and AI-driven technology, to control crime but also to check identities in subways, schools and office buildings.
The law also stipulates that companies cannot use personal data to target individuals for marketing, according to state broadcaster CCTV. And firms must provide easy ways for users to opt-out of targeted marketing, reported CNN. CCTV also reported that sensitive personal information — such as biometrics, health care and financial accounts — should only be processed with the individual’s consent.
RBI Guv pitches for continued policy support to revive growth, monitoring inflation
”The need of the hour is twofold: first, continue the monetary policy support to the economy; and second, remain watchful of any durable inflationary pressures and sustained price momentum in key components so as to bring back the CPI inflation to 4 per cent over a period of time in a non-disruptive manner,” he said.
Nearly 1Bln children at ‘extremely high risk’ globally because of climate change: UNICEF
“Approximately one billion children, nearly half the world’s 2.2 billion children – live in one of the 33 countries classified as ‘extremely high-risk’,” UNICEF said. The risk factors considered in the study included flooding, cyclones, heatwaves, water scarcity, air pollution, lead pollution, and infectious diseases.
“Climate and environmental shocks are undermining the complete spectrum of children’s rights, from access to clean air, food, and safe water; to education, housing, freedom from exploitation, and even their right to survive. Virtually no child’s life will be unaffected,” UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said.