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International News

White House considering intellectual property waiver for COVID-19 vaccines

Critics say waiving the WTO’s agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property could reduce the safety of vaccines, and that setting up production in new places would sap resources needed to boost production in existing locations.
The United States and several other countries have thus far blocked negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO) about a proposal led by India and South Africa that would waive the IP rights of pharmaceutical companies to allow developing countries to produce COVID-19 vaccines.

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India’s LIC emerges as the 3rd strongest and 10th most valuable global insurance brand in 2021

According to the latest report released by Brand Finance the total value of the world’s top 100 most valuable insurance brands has declined by 6 per cent, decreasing from $462.4 billion in 2020 to $433.0 billion in 2021

12 Chinese brands in ranking account for 30% of total brand value as brands leverage significant volume premium of Chinese market
US brands buck negative sector trends – 26 brands featured record 14% cumulative brand value growth year-on-year

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Supply lines at risk as shipping containers topple over at alarming rate

The shipping industry is seeing the biggest spike in lost containers in seven years. More than 3,000 boxes dropped into the sea last year, and more than 1,000 have fallen overboard so far in 2021. The accidents are disrupting supply chains for hundreds of U.S. retailers and manufacturers such as Amazon and Tesla.

There are a host of reasons for the sudden rise in accidents. Weather is getting more unpredictable, while ships are growing bigger, allowing for containers to be stacked higher than ever before. But greatly exacerbating the situation is a surge in e-commerce after consumer demand exploded during the pandemic, increasing the urgency for shipping lines to deliver products as quickly as possible.

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EU asks if Aon rival Gallagher, others are right buyers for assets -sources

Earlier this month, Aon offered to sell assets in five European Union countries, Willis’ reinsurance arm and its German retirement benefits and consulting business, people with direct knowledge of the matter had told Reuters.

The package of concessions to the European Commission also included Willis’ insurance broking activities in France, including French unit Gras Savoye, as well as in Germany, Spain and the Netherlands.

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Bankers call for more bang to Britain’s big finance fightback

Much is at stake given that Britain’s financial services sector employs 1.1 million people and raises about 75.5 billion pounds a year in tax, a figure which consultants PwC expect to ease in 2021 due to the City of London being effectively cut off from the EU, hitherto its biggest export market.

But many rule changes will need legislation, meaning they may not come into effect until 2022 or beyond.

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India to be top spender on security solutions in APAC in 2021: IDC

“In Asia/Pacific, investments on security-related products and solutions (endpoint security, VPN, and firewalls) will experience double-digit growth in 2021 due to the increased spending by both governments and enterprises (particularly in the banking, telecom, and professional services industry),” explained Sharad Kotagi, Associate Market Analyst at IDC IT Spending Guides, Customer Insights and Analysis.

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Europe embraces digital health pass,to face security, fraud, political challenges

The EU Commission plans to award a contract this month for a central system for verifying the digital passes, which will use QR codes that can be scanned into a smartphone app. It will also provide a template to help member countries develop their own apps – though some have already readied their own versions.

There is still no consensus on whether antibody tests provide sufficient proof that a person who has recovered from COVID-19 is immune, sources involved in the efforts say.
Member states also worry about the security of personal information, though the Commission has promised the online certificates will contain minimal data: name, date of birth, the specific health information, its date of issue and a unique identifier code.

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California Governor seeks ban on new fracking by 2024

Fracking — short for hydraulic fracturing, the process of extracting oil and gas embedded in rock deep underground — accounts for a small portion of the state’s oil and gas production each year. But environmental advocates have long sought its banishment because of its harmful effects on the environment and public health.

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