India, Sept. 29 -- Up to 38 million people in the region will be pushed back into poverty, according to the Bank

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic will cause the slowest growth in East Asia, the Pacific and China in more than 50 years, the World Bank has said.

* The region is expected to grow by only 0.9 per cent this year, the lowest since 1967, according to the World Bank. Up to 38 million people are expected to slide into poverty, it added.

* China is expected to grow by two per cent this year while the rest of the East Asia and Pacific region will contract by 3.5 per cent.

* Two of Canada's most populous provinces have been witnessing increases of COVID-19 cases in recent days.

* Quebec will curb social gatherings...