Brazil’s Economy Grows 4.6 Percent In 2021, Fastest Rate Since 2010

RIO DE JANEIRO, Mar 5 (NNN-CMA) – Brazil’s economy grew 4.6 percent in 2021, marking the fastest rate since 2010, and a clear recovery from the sharp 3.9 percent contraction in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020, the state-run Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), said yesterday. According to…

UN Launches Low-Emission Transport Project In Lebanon

BEIRUT, Mar 5 (NNN-NNA) – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), yesterday launched a project, aimed at promoting low-emission and environmentally sound transport systems in Lebanon. Dubbed “Lebanon Sustainable Low-emission transport systems,” the project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), in cooperation with Lebanon’s ministries. The UNDP inaugurated…

Over 130 Palestinians Injured In Clashes With Israeli Soldiers In West Bank: Medics

RAMALLAH, Mar 5 (NNN-WAFA) – More than 130 Palestinian protesters were injured yesterday, during clashes with Israeli soldiers, in the West Bank, said medics and eyewitnesses. Palestinian eyewitnesses said, fierce clashes broke out near the villages of Beita and Beit Dajan, located to the south and east of Nablus city…

U.S. Oil Logs Highest Finish Since 2008 On Supply Fears

NEW YORK, Mar 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Oil prices spiked yesterday, as the ongoing military conflict between Russia and Ukraine kindled fears about energy supply disruptions. The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for Apr delivery, added 8.01 U.S. dollars, or 7.4 percent, to settle at 115.68 dollars a barrel, on the New…

Zambia Targets To Put Over Five Million Vulnerable People On Social Support This Year

LUSAKA, Mar 5 (NNN-ZANIS) – Zambia is targeting to put about 5,061,280 of its vulnerable population this year, on a welfare programme, a government official said yesterday. Brenda Tambatamba, the Minister of Community Development and Social Services, said, the government plans to scale the Social Cash Programme this year, by…

Uganda’s PMI Rises To 55.7 In Feb: Report

KAMPALA, Mar 5 (NNN-IRIN) – Uganda’s Purchasing Managers’ Index rose to 55.7 in Feb, up from 54.9 in Jan, an indication of economic expansion, according to a new monthly report, yesterday. The Stanbic Bank report attributed the increase to a return to normality of the country’s economy, after it was…

Germany’s 7-Day COVID-19 Incidence Continues To Rise Again

BERLIN, Mar 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Germany’s seven-day COVID-19 incidence rate, has risen for the second day in a row, reaching 1,196 infections per 100,000 inhabitants, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases, said yesterday. Daily infections also rose, with the RKI registering 217,593 new COVID-19 infections, within 24 hours…

World Food Prices Reach All-Time High Over Supply Issues, Ukraine Crisis

ROME, Mar 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) – World food prices reached their highest point, in the 61-year history of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation’s Food Price Index, pushed higher by supply chain issues and the Ukraine crisis. The monthly index, released yesterday by the organisation, best known as FAO, averaged…

All Restrictions To Be Lifted In Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley Over Falling Infections

KATHMANDU, Mar 5 (NNN-XINHUA) – Local authorities in Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley yesterday decided to lift all COVID-19-related restrictions starting from today, as new infections have fallen sharply in recent days. “All the restrictive orders issued in the past have been removed, to enable normal political, economic, social, educational and commercial…

Singapore’s Total COVID-19 Cases Surpass 800,000

SINGAPORE, Mar 5 (NNN-CNA) – Singapore reported 17,564 new confirmed COVID-19 cases yesterday, bringing the total tally to 803,389. Of the new cases, 2,425 cases were detected through PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, and 15,139 through ARTs (antigen rapid tests), according to statistics released by the Ministry of Health. Among…