2LT Local News

SYDNEY — As severe rain lashes Australia’s east coast, the government of the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW) has set up new temporary accommodation sites for flood-affected communities.

The NSW government has opened up nine sites for modular “pod” homes in the Northern Rivers region north of Sydney, which will provide 800 temporary units.

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Paul Toole said the immediate measures were a short-term solution to help those who had no way of safely getting back to their own homes. (Australia-Flooding Relief)

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SEOUL — South Korea’s economy was facing worry about slower export growth, investment slump and high inflation despite recovery in consumption and employment, a government report said Friday.

The Ministry of Economy and Finance said in its monthly economic report, called Green Book, that the South Korean economy saw a continued recovery in employment and the moderated risk for private consumption, caused by the lifting of anti-COVID-19 measures. (South Korea-Green Book)

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SYDNEY — With borders opening, Australia’s reeling tourism industry has begun to see its first influx of international tourists in over two years.

Managing director of the Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC), Australia’s peak tourism body, Peter Shelley said on Friday that a long period of uncertainty was beginning to come to an end. (Australia-Tourism)

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NEW DELHI — Two pilots were killed Thursday night in a helicopter crash in the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, officials said.

The helicopter belonging to the local government crashed at an airport in Raipur, the capital city of Chhattisgarh.

“In this tragic accident, both our pilots Captain Panda and Captain Srivastava have sadly passed away,” Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said in a brief statement posted on social media. (India-Helicopter Crash)