Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

BEIJING, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's State Council has released a plan to boost employment during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025).

With the major goal of achieving fuller employment and creating better quality jobs, efforts should be made to implement the employment-first policy, improve the policy system, strengthen training services, and take solid steps to promote common prosperity for all, says the plan.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — U.N. human rights investigators have asked North Korea to clarify whether it has ordered troops to shoot on sight any trespassers who cross its northern border in violation of the country’s pandemic closure.

They were referring to a report by a news site focused on North Korea, Daily NK, which published a photo of what it said was a poster describing an August 2020 proclamation prohibiting acts that impede the closure of the northern border, shared mostly with China and a smaller section with Russia.

SINGAPORE (AP) — Asian stock markets were mixed Friday as investors awaited more guidance on the U.S. Federal Reserve’s easing plans.

The moves in Asia follow a pullback on Wall Street after the deadly attacks on Afghan civilians and U.S. troops at the Kabul airport on Thursday.

Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 lost 0.3% to 27,651.51 while the Kospi in South Korea added 0.3% to 3,139.00. The Hang Seng in Hong Kong was 0.6% higher at 25,559.56.

26 Aug 2021; MEMO: Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang said his government is keen to support Syria in combating the coronavirus pandemic, improving the livelihood of its people and accelerating reconstruction.

HONG KONG, Aug 26 (Reuters) - The pro-democracy group that organises Hong Kong's annual June 4 rally to commemorate those who died in the bloody Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989 is being investigated by national security police on suspicion of collusion with foreign forces.

Police sent a letter to the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements in China requesting information about its membership, finances and activities by Sept. 7, according to a copy the group sent to reporters.

TOKYO, Aug 26 (Reuters) - Japanese former foreign minister Fumio Kishida challenged Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Thursday for the leadership of the ruling party, as the premier struggles with crumbling approval rates ahead of a general election.

Suga repeated he would seek re-election in the Sept. 29 race for Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) president, while ex-internal affairs minister Sanae Takaichi also threw her hat in the ring.

BEIJING, Aug. 25 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Wednesday urged the United States to stop political manipulation on the issue of coronavirus origins tracing, saying the United States should invite WHO experts to launch a probe into Fort Detrick and the University of North Carolina (UNC) to find the source of the virus if it is bent on insisting the lab-leak theory.

TOKYO (AP) — A brief return visit to Tokyo by International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach to view the Paralympic Games has been widely criticized in Japan but defended by organizers.

Bach, who spent about a month in Japan for the recently-completed Olympics, returned the day before Tuesday’s Paralympic opening ceremony and then departed about 24 hours later after attending some events and handing out medals at the swimming venue.

Organizers said he followed all the pandemic protocols.

HANOI (AP) — U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris turned her attention to issues surrounding worker rights and civil liberties Thursday as she closed out her visit to Southeast Asia, elevating activists in a region of the world known for its challenges and restrictions to human rights.

In Vietnam, Harris participated in what her team billed as a “changemakers” event with activists working on LGBTQ rights and climate change.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korea will convene its rubber-stamp parliament next month to discuss efforts to salvage an economy strained by pandemic border closures after decades of mismanagement and U.S.-led sanctions.

The North’s official Korean Central News Agency said Thursday the Supreme People’s Assembly will meet on Sept. 28 in Pyongyang to discuss economic development, youth education, government organizational matters and other issues. The report didn’t mention any plans for discussions on foreign policy.