Jan 15, 2021
Since the onset of winter, the rampaging coronavirus has seemed unstoppable. Yet, compared to the Spanish flu of 100 years ago, the number of COVID-19 victims is small. More than 50 million people died from the Spanish flu out of a world population of about 2 billion at that time that’s 2.5% of the total. In contrast, the current world population is about 8 billion. The percentage of deaths is only 0.02%. The gap between the two figures is immense.
Why this gap? The World Health Organization’s legally binding International Health Regulations, revised in 2005, state that in the event of a potential pandemic event, member countries must assess the risk to public health and then notify the WHO within 24 hours. Upon receipt of the information, an emergency committee session at the WHO will deliberate the matter and then provide the necessary information to member countries. COVID-19 was declared a pandemic by the organization on March 11.
Major Japan life insurers shun investing in nuclear weapons-linked firms
14 Dec 20, Four major Japanese life insurers do not invest in or extend loans to producers of nuclear weapons or companies related to them, Kyodo News learned Saturday, as part of their efforts toward socially responsible investing.The revelation comes as various lenders in Japan, Europe and the United States have refrained from investing in companies involved in the nuclear weapons industry.It also precedes the entry into force in January of a United Nations treaty that will ban such weapons.
The four life insurers which managed a combined ¥151 trillion in assets in fiscal 2019 Nippon Life Insurance Co., Dai-ichi Life Insurance Co., Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance Co. and Fukoku Mutual Life Insurance Co. did not disclose lists of targeted companies.
Major Japan life insurers shun investing in nuke weapon-linked firms
Four major Japanese life insurers do not invest in or extend loans to producers of nuclear weapons or companies related to them, Kyodo News learned Saturday, as part of their efforts toward socially responsible investing.
The revelation comes as various lenders in Japan, Europe and the United States have refrained from investing in companies involved in the nuclear weapons industry.
It also precedes the entry into force in January of a U.N. treaty that will ban such weapons.
A U.S. forces B-2 stealth bomber is being refueled in July 2006. (UPI/Kyodo)
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