Guterres Appeals for $8 Bln to Equitably Vaccinate 40% of World in 2021

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres poses for a photograph during an interview with Reuters at UN headquarters in New York City, New York, US. Reuters
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres poses for a photograph during an interview with Reuters at UN headquarters in New York City, New York, US. Reuters
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Guterres Appeals for $8 Bln to Equitably Vaccinate 40% of World in 2021

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres poses for a photograph during an interview with Reuters at UN headquarters in New York City, New York, US. Reuters
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres poses for a photograph during an interview with Reuters at UN headquarters in New York City, New York, US. Reuters

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres appealed on Thursday for $8 billion to equitably vaccinate 40% of people in all countries by the end of the year as the World Health Organization launched a plan aiming to inoculate 70% of the world by mid-2022.

"Crucially, the success of this plan requires equitable distribution," Guterres told reporters.

"Without a coordinated, equitable approach, a reduction of cases in any one country will not be sustained over time. For everyone's sake, we must urgently bring all countries to a high level of vaccination coverage," Reuters quoted him as saying.

Guterres pushed the Group of 20 rich countries to deliver on their "desire to get the world vaccinated" at a summit in Rome later this month.



China’s Xi Urges Missile Troops to Boost Deterrence, Combat Capabilities

 In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, visits Aojiao Village of Dongshan County in the city of Zhangzhou during an inspection tour in southeastern China's Fujian province on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, visits Aojiao Village of Dongshan County in the city of Zhangzhou during an inspection tour in southeastern China's Fujian province on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via AP)
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China’s Xi Urges Missile Troops to Boost Deterrence, Combat Capabilities

 In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, visits Aojiao Village of Dongshan County in the city of Zhangzhou during an inspection tour in southeastern China's Fujian province on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via AP)
In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, visits Aojiao Village of Dongshan County in the city of Zhangzhou during an inspection tour in southeastern China's Fujian province on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2024. (Xie Huanchi/Xinhua via AP)

Chinese state media reported on Saturday that President Xi Jinping on Thursday inspected a brigade of the People's Liberation Army's Rocket Force, urging the troops to boost their "deterrence and combat capabilities".

During the inspection Xi also urged the strategic missile troops to "resolutely fulfil the tasks entrusted by the Party and the people," state news agency Xinhua said.

The PLA Rocket Force, which oversees the country's conventional and nuclear missiles, has been tasked with modernizing China's nuclear forces in the face of developments such as improved US missile defenses, better surveillance capabilities and strengthened alliances.

During the inspection, Xi stressed the need to "adhere to political guidance, strengthen mission responsibility," and "promote high-quality development of the force construction," according to Chinese media outlet Cailianshe.

Last month China conducted a rare launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile into the Pacific Ocean, underscoring growing international focus on the country's nuclear build-up.

China's military has undergone a sweeping anti-corruption purge since last year, with several generals, including from the Rocket Force, and aerospace defense industry executives removed from the national legislative body.

In June, Xi said there were "deep-seated problems" in the Chinese military's politics, ideology, work style and discipline, adding "there must be no hiding place for corrupt elements in the army."