Category:

Non-Life

Covid vaccine rush in China raises fears of booming black market

As developers from AstraZeneca Plc to Pfizer Inc. near the finish line for their coronavirus vaccines, nations are preparing for the challenge of rolling them out, with inevitable supply shortages fueling concerns about inequitable distribution and even the emergence of illegal markets. One place where vaccine delivery is already being road-tested is China, which has allowed local developers’ shots for emergency use since mid-year.

read more

Global coronavirus cases surpass 60 million infections 

An analysis of the Reuters data showed the rate of new infections picking up globally. It took just 17 days to go from 50 million cases to 60 million, compared with the 21 days it took to go from 40 million to 50 million. Around 580,000 cases have been reported each day over the past week and around half of all cases since the start of the pandemic were reported over the past 70 days.

In Europe, 1 million new cases were recorded over just five days, for a total of more than 16 million cases, including 365,000 deaths.

read more

Covid passports seen as key to resuming international travel

A test program will begin with British Airways parent IAG SA this year before arriving on Apple Inc. devices in the first quarter of 2021 and Android from April, IATA said. Travelers will be able to share their status with border authorities or present a QR code for scanning.

“We need to have global rules and standards” on measures like rapid testing and vaccination so there can be a “step forward” for the industry, Pieter Elbers, the head of the Dutch arm of Air France-KLM, said in a Bloomberg TV interview Tuesday. The health advances “will definitely help to restore confidence in travel.”

read more

AXA XL appoints Nicola Harris as Head of Energy, UK and Lloyd’s market

Peter Welton, Chief Underwriting Officer for Marine, Energy & Aerospace, UK & Lloyd’s market, commented: “Global economic uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected the global energy market, which was already facing several headwinds. Having the right team in place is an integral part of our commitment to our clients, as they manage the associated risks today and in the future.

read more

Fintechs seen eating into market share of established insurers, EU says

Insurers and reinsurers such as AXA and Munich Re have been investing in so-called insurtech companies, considered a faster way for them to adapt to technology changes.

Stephen Catlin, chairman and chief executive of Convex, a newcomer to the insurance, told the event that fintech firms faced a learning curve to compete with established players.

read more

Serum Institute to focus on supplying COVID-19 vaccine to India first

It’s very important we take care of our country first, then go on to COVAX after that and then other bilateral deals with countries. So I’ve kept it in that priority,” said Poonawalla, referencing the global COVAX facility, which has been set up to provide COVID-19 vaccines to poorer countries.

The company remains in discussion with the Indian government about inking a purchase agreement for the vaccine, Poonawalla said , adding that Serum should have quantities of it ready to sell into India’s private market in the first quarter of 2021.

read more