Morning news brief: China's new premier, Covid pandemic three year anniversary, and more

As the COVID-19 pandemic completes three years, around 200 dignitaries have released an open letter, calling for pledges against 'vaccine inequity' which as per a study from last year was responsible for"one preventable death every 24 seconds." Also marking the pandemic anniversary, in the US, a bill that seeks to declassify Covid origins has cleared the House, and will now be presented to President Joe Biden.In other news, China's three-time president Xi Jinping has appointed his longtime ally Li Qiang as his number two. Meanwhile, in what marksthe most significant retail bank failure since the 2008 financial crisis,Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) was shut downamidst a liquidity crisis.

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On COVID-19 pandemic's 3-year anniversary, leaders say 'never again' to vaccine inequity

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Three years since the dreaded COVID-19 pandemic started, around 200 world leaders in an open lettercalled for 'vaccine equity' to be made a thing of the past. As per the leaders, with the pandemic's end in sight, "the world is at a critical juncture."

Xi Jinping appoints longtime ally Li Qiang as China's new premier

China's third-term President Xi Jinping has appointed ally Li Qiang to the post of premier during the ongoing annual meeting of China's parliament.

Silicon Valley Bank shuts down amidst liquidity crisis, regulator seizes assets; global markets collapse

US regulators have taken control over the Silicon Valley Bank (SVB) after it was shut down, marking the largest retail bank failure since the 2008 financial crisis.

Saudi Arabia demands US security pledges, nuclear help for peace deal with Israel: report

Saudi Arabia is demanding security guarantees and help in the development of its civilian nuclear programme from the United States, as the latter is trying to broker its peace deal with Israel, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.

Watch |A bill to declassify COVID-19's origins clears the House and heads to Biden