Briefly

UNITED NATIONS

Two-thirds of pupils have no home internet

Two-thirds of the world's school-age children－or 1.3 billion children aged 3 to 17 years old－do not have internet connections in their homes, according to a new report of the UN Children's Fund and the International Telecommunication Union published on Tuesday. The report notes a similar lack of access among young people aged 15 to 24 years old, with 759 million or 63 percent unconnected at home. Nearly a quarter of a billion students worldwide are still affected by COVID-19 school closures, forcing them to rely on virtual learning.

AUSTRALIA

First recession in 3 decades seen off

Australia has exited its first recession in almost 30 years, after official figures on Wednesday showed the economy grew 3.3 percent in July-September compared with the coronavirus-hit previous quarter. With local transmission of COVID-19 largely under control, official data showed businesses have begun to rebound and consumer spending has surged. The Australian Bureau of Statistics said household spending largely drove the economic bounce, rising 7.9 percent compared with the previous quarter. However, Australia's central bank has predicted the economy will not return to pre-pandemic levels until the end of 2021.

GREECE

32 migrants rescued after boat goes down

A search and rescue operation has been launched in the eastern Aegean Sea after a small boat carrying migrants either sank or overturned off the Greek island of Lesbos, the Greek Coast Guard said on Wednesday. It said 32 people－15 men, 14 women and three children－had been rescued from the sea, while two women were missing. The migrants were located during a routine patrol early on Wednesday. Greece remains one of the most popular routes into the European Union for people fleeing poverty and conflicts in the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

INDIA

Unique bridge helps reptiles cross road

Forest officials in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand have built a unique bridge for reptiles and other small animals to help them cross a busy highway deep inside a jungle area. The 27-meter-long bridge made of bamboo sticks, jute and grass was installed inside the Ramnagar forest in Nainital district. According to officials, the forest area is home to snakes, including pythons, monitor lizards, rodent squirrels and monkeys, and the reptiles frequently get crushed under the passing vehicles.

Agencies - Xinhua