``2023 witnessed significant progress across all three pillars –...
Category:
International News
Latest
Indian Navy rescues Panama-flagged crude oil tanker after missile assault
''A mission deployed Indian Naval destroyer INS Kochi responded to...
Focus on preventing occupational accidents, diseases: WHO
A safe and healthy working environment supports mental health, and...
WHO says coronavirus unlikely to have leaked from China lab
The WHO team’s mission is intended to be an initial step delving into the origins of the virus, which is believed to have originated in bats before being passed to humans through another species of wild animal, such as a pangolin or bamboo rat, which is considered an exotic delicacy by some in China.
Transmission through the trade in frozen products was also a possibility, WHO food safety and animal diseases expert Peter Ben Embarek said.
South Africa suspends AstraZeneca vaccine drive
“The AstraZeneca vaccine appeared effective against the original strain, but not against the variant,” Mkhize said. “We have decided to put a temporary hold on the rollout of the vaccine … more work needs to be done.”
Musk’s Tesla electrifies bitcoin with $1.5 billion bet, car payments pledge
Analysts said it could help accelerate a move for bitcoin move towards the mainstream that has seen both Paypal, also co-founded by Musk, and huge global money manager BlackRock move to accept the currency.
Central banks remain skeptical of digital currencies, but analysts say the more real world uses appear for bitcoin, the more attractive it will prove as a long-term store of value.
Exxon unveils carbon-removal tech venture in green image push
The move comes as Exxon looks to burnish its environmental credentials as it engages in a proxy fight with hedge fund Engine No. 1, which is attempting to appoint candidates on the oil company’s board and push toward a more renewables-focused future.
The oil major said it would invest $3 billion on lower-emission solutions through 2025, by which time it plans to reduce the intensity of its oilfield greenhouse gas emissions by 15%-20% from 2016 levels.
South Korea unveils $43 billion plan for world’s largest offshore wind farm
The project is a major component of President Moon Jae-in’s Green New Deal, initiated last year to curb reliance on fossil fuels in Asia’s fourth-largest economy and make it carbon neutral by 2050.
“With this project, we are accelerating the eco-friendly energy transition and moving more vigorously toward carbon neutrality,” Moon said at the event.
The envisaged 8.2 GW amounts to the energy produced by six nuclear reactors, or the effects of planting 71 million pine trees, officials said.
22 countries have requested India for supply of Covid-19 vaccines: Health minister
“We have received requests for vaccine supply from 22 nations so far. Out of these, supply has already been made to 15 nations as grant assistance as well as contract doses. As of February 2, a total of 56 lakh doses has been given as grant assistance and 105 lakh as contracts doses,” the minister said.
80 countries including India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan on Thursday criticised the European Union for its recent decision of introducing export controls on Covid-19 vaccines.
China to launch public platform to track, crack down on polluters
Polluting enterprises are obliged to install monitoring equipment and keep at least five years of data, with fines of 200,000 yuan ($31,000) for those that fail to do so. Fines of 1 million yuan can be imposed on firms that pollute without permission.
According to the environment ministry, the new information platform will allow authorities and members of the public to monitor real-time emission levels and check historical data in order to determine whether rules are being breached. It is set to come into effect on March 1.
Allianz to acquire full ownership of China life insurance venture
“Allianz has been pursuing the 100% ownership of our life entity since the opening up measures were announced by the government in 2019,” Sergio Balbinot, chairman of Allianz (China) Insurance Holding Co, was quoted saying in the company statement.
Allianz will leverage its global management experience, advanced digital technology and brand value, to provide professional and comprehensive life insurance for a growing number of customers in China, it said.
U.N. chief names Michael Bloomberg climate envoy to rally action
The media mogul will support Guterres in “growing and strengthening” a coalition of governments, companies, cities and businesses committing to net-zero emissions by 2050 in line with the goals of the 2015 global climate deal struck in Paris, the United Nations said.
Asian commercial insurance pricing up 11% in 4th Quarter:Marsh
Asian clients with large CAT exposures and those requiring international capacity continued to experience double-digit pricing increases.. Casualty pricing remained generally flat, as it has for three years.
•