World News in Brief: March 12

* Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on Friday {that a} doable assembly between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky just isn’t dominated out.

* Ukraine established 12 humanitarian corridors in 4 areas on Friday to permit civilians to depart the conflict-torn areas, the Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform information company reported, citing Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk.

* The EU will be part of Washington in suspending Moscow’s “most-favoured nation” commerce standing, crack down on its use of crypto-assets and ban exports to Russia of EU luxurious items and imports of iron and metal items, European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen stated on Friday.

* China has supplied 20 billion yuan (about 3.16 billion USD) from the central authorities funds to guard grain planters from rising costs of farming provides, the Ministry of Finance has stated.

* Britain’s financial system rebounded rather more than anticipated in January from its coronavirus-related lull in late 2021, in accordance with information on Friday that, together with hovering inflation, raises the chance of an rate of interest hike subsequent week.

* France will nonetheless present aerial army help to Malian troops battling an Islamist insurgency within the Sahel even after its counter-terrorism mission has withdrawn, however solely the place Russian fighters usually are not current, the drive’s commander stated on Friday.

* Finland’s much-delayed Olkiluoto 3 nuclear reactor began check manufacturing on Saturday, operator TVO stated, delivering energy to the nationwide grid which over time is anticipated to scale back the necessity for electrical energy imports and result in decrease costs.

* A person was shot by police on Saturday after a knife assault that injured one officer within the southern French metropolis of Marseille, native newspaper La Provence stated. The newspaper stated the motives of the person weren’t instantly recognized.

* China’s monetary hub of Shanghai stated on Friday it is going to shut all major, center and excessive faculties from March 12 and that college students might want to shift to on-line courses till additional discover as a part of COVID-19 prevention measures.

* The US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) late on Thursday stated some 98% of the US inhabitants reside in areas the place COVID-19 ranges are low sufficient that folks don’t must put on masks indoors.

* India’s COVID-19 tally rose to 42,987,875 on Saturday, as 3,614 new instances had been registered throughout the previous 24 hours throughout the nation, confirmed the federal well being ministry’s newest information.

* Brazil has had 55,211 new instances of coronavirus reported up to now 24 hours, and 470 deaths from COVID-19, the well being ministry stated on Friday.

* New COVID-19 infections in France rose by greater than 25% on Friday in comparison with per week in the past after rising greater than 24% on Thursday, as a downward development that had began late January reversed.

* The Republic of Korea reported a brand new file each day excessive of 383,665 COVID-19 instances, the Korea Illness Management and Prevention Company stated on Saturday, amid a surge of Omicron infections.

* England’s COVID-19 prevalence rose to 1 in 25 within the week ending March 5, Britain’s Workplace for Nationwide Statistics (ONS) stated on Friday, up from 1 in 30 recorded the earlier week.

* Italy reported 53,127 COVID-19 associated instances on Friday, in opposition to 54,230 the day earlier than, the well being ministry stated, whereas the variety of deaths rose to 156 from 136.

* Switzerland has secured at the least 14 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines for 2023, the federal government stated on Friday.

* Kenya lifted its remaining COVID-19 restrictions on Friday, together with a ban on massive indoor gatherings comparable to spiritual providers and a requirement to current a destructive COVID-19 check for arriving air passengers.