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International News

Philippines hunts for missing after its deadliest typhoon this year

Vamco, the 21st and most deadly cyclone to hit the country this year, tore through the main island of Luzon late on Wednesday and early Thursday, just as the country was reeling from Goni, the world’s strongest typhoon of 2020, which killed 25 people and flattened thousands of homes.

Tens of thousands of homes were engulfed by the floods and as the water receded in areas such as Marikina, a suburb east of Manila, homes covered in debris and caked in mud emerged.

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Asia-Pacific closes in on world’s biggest trade deal

RCEP includes China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and the 10 members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) – Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Philippines.
One of the deal’s biggest draws is that its members already have various bilateral or multilateral agreements in place, so RCEP builds on those foundations.

It will allow for one set of rules of origin to qualify for tariffs reduction with other RCEP members. A common set of regulations mean less procedures and easier movement of goods.

This encourages multinational firms to invest more in the region, including building supply chains and distribution hubs.

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Job creation,IT Relief and Rs 900 cr grant for COVID-19 vaccine research In Stimulus 3.0

Employees contribution (12 per cent of wages) and employer’s contribution (12 per cent of wages) totalling 24 per cent of wages would be given to establishments for two years, she said.

Under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojana, every Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) registered establishment taking new employees would get this subsidy.

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Japan suicides rise as economic impact of coronavirus hits home

According to preliminary police data, the total number of suicides for October was 2,153, an increase of more than 300 from the previous month and the highest monthly tally since May 2015.

Of October’s cases, 851 were women, a rise of 82.6% over the same month in 2019. The number of suicides by men rose 21.3%.

Cases of suicide had been falling steadily until July but then the economic impact of the novel coronavirus outbreak hit home and the numbers started rising, activists say.

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Climate finance neglects small-scale farmers – new report

Small-scale farmers currently produce 50 percent of the world’s food calories. However, higher temperatures – together with increased incidences of drought and flooding – destroy crops and livestock and make it difficult for them to continue to feed their communities and earn a living.
“It is unacceptable that the people who produce much of the world’s food, and who are at the greatest mercy of increasingly unpredictable weather, receive the least support. Small-scale farmers living on marginal lands are on the frontline of climate change and should have access to the climate finance they need to adapt their production,”said Gilbert F. Houngbo, President of IFAD.. 

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Global insurance markets set to rebound with China leading recovery, says Swiss Re

Global insurance premiums expected to grow by 3.4% in real terms in 2021, after contracting an estimated 1.4% in 2020
China will lead recovery with premiums up by an estimated 10% in non-life next year, and by 8.5% in life
Insurance recovery supported by heightened risk awareness driving demand and continued strong rate hardening
Amid uncertainty of how the COVID-19 crisis will evolve, and the risk of trade war and a credit crisis, public policy should focus on sustainable infrastructure development and inclusive growth
Global insurance markets set to rebound with China leading recovery, says Swiss Re Institute

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