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International News

Asia accelerates AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine rollouts, even as trust plunges in Europe

The AstraZeneca shot was among the first and cheapest of the Covid-19 vaccines to be developed and launched at volume and is set to be the mainstay of vaccination programmes in much of the developing world.

But its brief suspension raised concerns that a slowdown in vaccination rollouts could hurt the global fight against the pandemic, as coronavirus cases surge in some countries, overwhelming healthcare systems and hurting economies.

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Heavy rains in Australia’s east bring worst floods in 50 years

“Yesterday, we were hoping it will only be a one-in-20-year event, now it looks like a one-in-50-year event,” New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian said at a televised briefing. People in parts of Sydney’s northwest were ordered to flee their houses in the middle of the night as fast-moving waters caused widespread destruction. Late on Sunday, about another 1,000 people were asked to evacuate, after Berejiklian said that some 4,000 people may be asked to leave their houses.

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AM Best is the first rating agency to signs up to UN Principles for sustainable insurance

“AM Best and its major affiliates are pleased to become a signatory to the UN’s Principles for Sustainable Insurance. The principles ‘serve as a global framework for the insurance industry to address environmental, social and governance risk and opportunities,’” said Arthur Snyder III, chairman, president & CEO of AM Best Co.

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Insurer Chubb needs to pay up to bulk up with Hartford

While a potential deal would be the largest in the P&C space since Chubb was created by ACE Ltd’s $28.5 billion purchase of Chubb in January 2016, this part of insurance has seen a steady flow of smaller acquisitions.Transactions such as MetLife Inc selling its car and home insurance business to Farmers Group, part of Zurich Insurance Group AG, reflect how those with smaller operations are exiting the sector in the face of fierce competition.

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Saudi: Drones attack Riyadh oil facility, no supply disruption reported

Details about Friday’s attack remained slim, and authorities did not name the facility. Saudi Arabian Oil Co., the kingdom’s oil giant, operates a refinery just southeast of Riyadh that produces gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other products for consumption around the capital.

Satellite images from Planet Labs Inc., analysed by The Associated Press, showed no immediately visible damage at the Riyadh refinery.

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