HANOI -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has adjusted down its forecast of Vietnam's gross domestic product (GDP) growth in 2021 to 3.8 percent from the previous estimate of 5.8 percent in July.

Vietnam's economic growth picked up in the first half of 2021 largely because of higher trade volumes, but a resurgence of the COVID-19 pandemic that started in late April has tightened the country's labor market, lowered industrial output, and disrupted its agricultural value chains, the bank said in a report released on Wednesday. (Vietnam-ADB-GDP)

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TOKYO -- The four candidates for the presidential election of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) all vowed on Wednesday to double the budget for children if they could win the race, as the country seeks to resolve the persistently low birth rate problem.

The LDP's presidential election is expected to effectively decide the next prime minister succeeding the incumbent Yoshihide Suga, as the LDP controls the powerful lower house of parliament. (Japan-Presidential Election-Children)

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WELLINGTON -- The New Zealand government will invest 45 million NZ dollars (31.5 million U.S. dollars), one of the largest investments in frontline safety, to keep frontline police officers safe.

Police Minister Poto Williams said at the Royal New Zealand Police College on Wednesday that the investment includes new funding for a new tactical response model, the expansion of the frontline skills enhancement course, and an additional 78 constabulary staff and 28 intelligence analysts. (New Zealand-Police-Funding)

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MANILA -- Philippines' capital Manila City Mayor Francisco Domagoso on Wednesday formally announced his plan to run for president in 2022 elections.

"I now humbly ask you, my countrymen, please accept my application to become the president of the Philippines," Domagoso, 46, said during a political rally in one of the poorest areas in his city. (Philippines-Presidential Election-Bid) Enditem

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