1. South Korean media quoted the Korea Meteorological Agency as saying that sandstorms originating in China recently hit South Korea, resulting in a serious decline in air quality in South Korea. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded that environmental and air pollution issues have no national boundaries, and conclusions on their origins need to be based on scientific monitoring and comprehensive analysis. According to the analysis of Chinese monitoring agencies, the sand and dust weather originated outside China, and China is just a passing station. Mongolian officials recently released news about the harm of sandstorms, and Chinese public opinion did not blame Mongolia for being the last stop.

2.According to the announcement of the European Commission, a formal notification letter has been sent to the United Kingdom, pointing out that the United Kingdom has violated the provisions of the protocols of Ireland and Northern Ireland and has not properly fulfilled the relevant obligations of the Anglo-European Trade and Cooperation Agreement. EU Vice President Malos Sevrovich said that Britain’s unilateral decisions and violations of international law in order to safeguard its own interests have undermined the trust of both sides. Therefore, the EU decided to take legal measures.

3. According to the Guardian, the British government released a comprehensive assessment report on defense, security and foreign policy on March 16 local time. Emphasis was placed on the importance of nuclear warhead stockpiles, counter-terrorism and alliances. Prime Minister Boris announced that Britain’s limit on the number of nuclear warheads will be raised to 260 from the current 180, the first increase in the number of nuclear weapons since the end of the Cold War.

4. Us President Joe Biden: anyone earning more than $400000 a year will face tax increases. Earlier, White House economic advisers said President Joe Biden’s tax reform plan would raise taxes on businesses and the rich. If the tax reform is passed, it will be the first major federal tax increase plan since 1993. 

5. Global Times: after the Netherlands and Ireland announced a moratorium on AstraZeneca vaccination, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Slovenia and other countries launched the same measures on March 15 and 16. So far, 20 countries in Europe have announced the suspension of AstraZeneca vaccine. 

6. CNN reports that scientists at the University of Arizona plan to build a “doomsday seed bank” on the moon to preserve 6.7 million Earth species. To help mankind reproduce after the apocalyptic catastrophe of the destruction of the earth. 

7. According to the European Patent Office, 13432 patent applications were received from China in 2020, an increase of 9.9 percent over the same period last year, and the number of Chinese patent applications in the European Patent Office reached an all-time high. Huawei is the second largest patent applicant for the European Patent Office in 2020, applying for 3113 patents, second only to Samsung of South Korea. OPPO, Xiaomi, BOE and ZTE are also among the top 50 patent applicants of the European Patent Office.

8. International Semiconductor Industry Association: the epidemic has led to a surge in demand for electronic equipment, and global fab equipment spending is expected to hit a record high for three years in a row, with an increase of 16% in 2020, 15.5% this year and 12% in 2022. During the three-year forecast period, global fabs will increase equipment spending by about US$10 billion a year, eventually reaching the US$80 billion mark in the third year.

9.The number of people in the global middle class (earning between US$10 and US$50 a day) fell by 90 million to nearly 2.5 billion last year, while the number of people living in poverty (earning less than US$2 a day) increased by 131 million, according to a new survey by the Pew Research Center.

10. After the Netherlands and Ireland announced a moratorium on AstraZeneca vaccination, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Sweden, Slovenia and other countries introduced the same measures on March 15 and 16. So far, 20 countries in Europe have announced the suspension of AstraZeneca vaccine.