Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

N. Korea marks key anniversary but no word on army parade

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea on Friday celebrated the milestone birth anniversary of its late founder with a mass dance, fireworks and calls for stronger loyalty to his grandson and current leader Kim Jong Un, but there was no word on an expected military parade amid heightened tensions over its nuclear program.

China to work with new Pakistani govt to add new impetus to bilateral ties: Zhao Lijian

BEIJING, Apr 14 (APP): China would continue to work with the new Pakistani administration led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to have close communication at different levels and add new impetus to bilateral cooperation between two all-weather friends and strategic cooperative partners, Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Thursday.

China: Beijing to act over pressure on its companies amid sanctions against Russia — authorities

BEIJING, April 14. /TASS/: Chinese authorities will take measures due to increasing pressure on Chinese companies by some foreign partners amid anti-Russian sanctions, an official spokesperson of the Commerce Ministry, Shu Jueteng, said on Thursday.

Malaysia Reports 10,052 New COVID-19 Infections, 22 New Deaths

KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 14 (NNN-BERNAMA) – Malaysia reported 10,052 new COVID-19 infections as of midnight, bringing the national total to 4,352,611, according to the health ministry.

There are 21 new imported cases, with 10,031 being local transmissions, data released on the ministry’s website showed.

A further 22 deaths have been reported, bringing the death toll to 35,363.

The ministry reported 15,893 new recoveries, bringing the total number of the cured and discharged to 4,196,656.

Troops burn villages in Myanmar heartland, seek to crush resistance

April 14 (Reuters) - Rubble and ashes, overlooked by a single golden pagoda, are almost all that remain of the wood and brick houses most people had built for themselves in the quiet riverside village of Bin in the Buddhist heartland of central Myanmar.

Bin is one of more than 100 villages partially or completely burned by Myanmar's military since the start of this year, its homes among more than 5,500 civilian buildings razed as troops try to suppress opposition to last year's coup, according to media reports collated by activist group Data For Myanmar.

Singapore finance minister endorsed as leader of ruling party's "4G" team, paving way to next PM

SINGAPORE, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Singapore's Finance Minister Lawrence Wong has been endorsed to be the leader of the fourth-generation (4G) team of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP), which paves the way for him to be the next prime minister, the Straits Times reported.

Lee Hsien Loong, the current prime minister and secretary-general of the PAP, said in a statement on Thursday evening that cabinet ministers affirmed their choice of Wong as the leader of the 4G team after a consultation process.

Wong won the overwhelming majority of those consulted, he said.

U.S. urged to protect rights of ethnic minorities

BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government should earnestly protect the equal and lawful rights of African Americans and other ethnic minorities, and turn rhetoric about human rights and equality into reality, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Thursday.

Spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks at a regular press briefing when asked to comment on the 2022 State of Black America report.

China: CPC solicits public opinions on upcoming national congress

BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) is asking the public to contribute opinions on its 20th national congress to be held in the second half of 2022.

The CPC will receive public opinions and suggestions on the full and strict Party governance, high-quality development, comprehensive reform and opening-up, whole-process people's democracy, law-based state governance, socialist cultural advancement, people's livelihoods and ecological progress.

Int'l community voices concerns over Japan's planned release of radioactive wastewater

BEIJING, April 14 (Xinhua) -- Japan continued to push forward with its plan to discharge radioactive wastewater from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea despite a host of local and international opposition.

"The contaminated water released into the ocean will spread across the entire Pacific Ocean in 10 years and affect almost all of our sea," said South Korean Rep. Seo Sam-seok at a forum on Monday to seek ways of cooperating with neighboring countries to tackle Japan's plan to dump the nuclear wastewater next spring.

World shares mostly higher as China looks to boost economy

BANGKOK (AP) — World shares were mostly higher Thursday after China indicated its central bank will ease reserve requirements for lenders to counter the blow to its economy from pandemic shutdowns in big cities like Shanghai.

London slipped while Paris, Frankfurt, Tokyo and Shanghai gained. U.S. futures were mixed and oil prices fell.

Trading was relatively quiet with some Asian markets closed for holidays. Markets in the U.S. and Europe face a shortened week and will be closed on Friday for Good Friday holidays.

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