Philippines To Grow By 4.5 Percent In 2021

MANILA, Sept 22 (NNN-PNA) – The Philippine economy is recovering but remains “fragile” because of periodically tighter COVID-19 mobility restrictions, particularly in Metro Manila, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said today. An update to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO), the ADB’s widely followed economic publication, maintained the growth forecasts for…

COVID-19 Changes New Zealanders’ Shopping Habits: Survey

WELLINGTON, Sept 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) – New Zealanders’ grocery shopping over the past few years focused on the latest “superfood” or diet and lifestyle craze, but this year, a research, commissioned by United Fresh, showed today the significant impact of COVID-19 in supermarket aisles around New Zealand. Empty shelves, food shortages,…

India’s COVID-19 Recovery Rate Improves To 97.75 Percent

NEW DELHI, Sept 22 (NNN-PTI) – The recovery rate of COVID-19 patients in India increased to 97.75 percent yesterday, the country’s federal health ministry said, as 32,749,574 patients have been cured. According to the federal health ministry, the constant increase in recoveries ensured the reduction in actual caseload, with total…

Taliban Downplays Daesh Presence As Armed Group Claims Responsibility For Blasts In Afghanistan

KABUL, Sept 22 (NNN-ANA) – Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, yesterday, downplayed the presence of hardliner Daesh group in Afghanistan, saying that, the Taliban security forces are capable enough to smash any terrorist group in the country. “We have no Daesh here, Daesh does not enjoy support of people in Afghanistan,…

5.8-Magnitude Quake Hits Australia’s Victoria

SYDNEY, Sept 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) – An earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.8, jolted 38 km south of Mount Buller, in Australia’s state of Victoria, at 23:15:53 GMT yesterday, the U.S. Geological Survey said. Geoscience Australia reported, the earthquake occurred at 9:15 am today, and was 10-kilometres deep. The epicentre, around…

New Study On Kava Drink-Driving Shows Impact On Brain Function

WELLINGTON, Sept 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) – A new research into the effect of drinking kava on driving, revealed yesterday, it has a significant impact on temporal order judgement — or how well the brain is able to keep track of the order of events. Kava is a culturally significant plant and…

Houthi Rebels Advance Towards Oil Fields In Southern Yemen

ADEN, Sept 22 (NNN-YPA) – Houthi rebel fighters achieved on-ground military progress and captured key areas in southern Yemen’s oil-rich province of Shabwa yesterday, a military official said. The local military source said that, the Houthis carried out an all-out offensive and captured Bayhan district in the province, where key…

Lebanon Busts Daesh Cell

BEIRUT, Sept 22 (NNN-NNA) – The Lebanese Army Directorate of Intelligence, arrested a number of people who formed a cell supporting the Daesh group, in the northern city of Tripoli, a statement by the Lebanese army reported yesterday. The statement said that, members of the cell purchased weapons and ammunition,…

China Reports Zero Major Accidents, Natural Disasters During Mid-Autumn Festival Holiday

BEIJING, Sept 22 (NNN-XINHUA) – China reported zero major accidents and natural disasters as of 8:00 p.m. yesterday, the last day of the three-day Mid-Autumn Festival holiday, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management. During the holiday, nationwide firefighting and rescue teams sent 19,000 fire trucks and 105,000 firefighters in…

Indonesia Reports 3,263 Newly-Confirmed COVID-19 Cases, 171 More Deaths

JAKARTA, Sept 22 (NNN-ANTARA) – The number of COVID-19 cases in Indonesia rose by 3,263 within one day to 4,195,958, with the death toll adding by 171 to 140,805, the country’s Health Ministry said. According to the ministry, 6,581 more people were discharged from hospitals, bringing the total number of…