Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

SEOUL (Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador to South Korea drew criticism from the highest levels of government in Seoul on Friday for suggesting that Seoul consult with Washington about the possibility of reopening tourism with North Korea.

U.S. ambassador Harry Harris has even been criticized by some local media and anti-U.S. activists over his moustache, which they have compared with those of officials in the Japanese colonial government that ruled Korea from 1910 to 1945.

BANGKOK (Reuters) - The World Bank on Friday cut its estimate for Thailand’s economic growth to 2.7% this year, but that is faster than last year’s pace as private consumption recovers and investment increases due to the launch of large infrastructure projects.

The bank had expected the economy to expand 2.9% this year in its economic report on Thailand in October.

It estimated 2019 growth at 2.5%, a five-year low, due to declining exports and weakness in domestic demand, it said in a statement. The economy expanded 4.1% in 2018.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China’s economic growth cooled to its weakest in nearly 30 years in 2019 amid a bruising trade war with the United States, and more stimulus is expected this year as Beijing tries to boost sluggish investment and demand.

But data on Friday also showed the world’s second-largest economy ended the rough year on a somewhat firmer note as a trade truce revived business confidence and earlier growth boosting measures finally appeared to be taking hold.

SUVA, Jan 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Fiji opened evacuation centres and warned of “destructive force winds” Friday as a cyclone bore down on the Pacific island nation for the second time in three weeks.

Two people were missing after attempting to swim across a swollen river late Thursday when heavy rain fell ahead of the advancing Cyclone Tino, police said.

On the outer islands, locals prepared to go to emergency shelters while many tourists fled beach resorts and made their way to the capital Suva before regional flights and inter-island ferry services were suspended.

Beijing (AP) --- Asian stock markets followed Wall Street higher on Friday after China reported 6.1% economic growth in 2019 and Washington and Beijing signed an interim trade agreement.

Benchmarks in Shanghai, Tokyo, Seoul and Sydney advanced after the U.S. benchmark S&P 500 index hit a new high and Google parent Alphabet passed $1 trillion in market value.

BEIJING (AP) — As the Lunar New Year approaches, Chinese travelers flocked to train stations and airports Friday to take part in a nationwide ritual: the world’s biggest annual human migration.

Around 3 billion trips will be made during the Spring Festival travel rush, China’s Transport Ministry has estimated. The period began this year on Jan. 10 and is expected to last through Feb. 18, well after Lunar New Year’s Day on Jan. 25.

TAGAYTAY, Philippines (AP) — An erupting Philippine volcano remains life-threatening despite weaker emissions and fewer tremors, an official said Friday and advised thousands of displaced villagers not to return to the danger zone.

The Taal volcano emitted weaker ash and steam explosions Thursday and Friday, the sixth day of its eruption. But despite the “seeming lull,” its continuing volcanic quakes, the drying of its crater lake and other signs indicate magma is moving beneath the volcano, said Ma. Antonia Bornas, a Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology official.

BEIJING, Jan 16 (APP): China on Thursday said it was pleased to handle the Afghan-bound transit cargo by Gwadar port as China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) was not only beneficial for both the countries but also for the regional connectivity and economic cooperation.

“We have noted the report. And we are pleased over new progress achieved by Gwadar port,” Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Spokesperson Geng Shuang said while responding to a question asked by APP during his regular briefing held here.

Beijing(AP) — Share prices were mixed Thursday in moderate trading in Asia after the U.S. and China signed a preliminary trade agreement that investors hope will bring better relations between the two biggest economies.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 was flat Thursday at 23,925.70, while the Kospi in South Korea added 0.2% to 2,236.01. Shares fell in China, with the Shanghai Composite index giving up 0.3% to 3,081.38. In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng edged 0.1% lower, to 28,752.32.

LEMERY, Philippines (AP) — A Philippine volcano belched smaller plumes of ash Thursday but shuddered continuously with earthquakes and cracked roads in nearby towns, which were blockaded by police due to fears of a bigger eruption.

Taal volcano’s crater lake and a nearby river have dried up in some of the signs of its continuing volcanic restiveness. That has prompted army troops and police to block villagers from sneaking back by boats to the volcanic island and nearby towns to retrieve belongings, poultry and cattle.