Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares rose Tuesday despite continuing worries about the health of the global economy ahead of trade talks between the U.S. and China.

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 gained 1.1% to 21,604.16 in early trading. Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 added nearly 0.6% to 6,599.60, while South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.7% to 2,035.69.

Chinese markets resumed trading after recent holidays. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng gained 0.9% to 26,050.91, while the Shanghai Composite was up 0.6% at 2,921.43.

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam warned Tuesday that the Chinese military could step in if an uprising for democratic reforms that has rocked the city for months “becomes so bad” but reiterated the government still hopes to resolve the crisis itself.

Lam urged foreign critics to accept that the four months of protests marked by escalating violence were no longer “a peaceful movement for democracy.”

She said seeking Chinese intervention was provided for under Hong Kong’s constitution but that she cannot reveal under what circumstances she will do so.

SEOUL, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's chief nuclear envoy will visit Washington this week for talks over the Korean Peninsula affairs, Seoul's foreign ministry said Monday.

Lee Do-hoon, South Korea's special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, will make a four-day visit to Washington from Monday to meet with Stephen Biegun, U.S. special representative for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) affairs.

Kuala Lumpur, Oct 7 (AFP) Malaysian authorities have imposed fines of around USD 100 million on 80 entities, intensifying their pursuit of people allegedly linked to the massive 1MDB corruption scandal, the anti-graft chief said Monday.

The fines are linked to a wide-ranging probe into billions of dollars that were looted from state investment fund 1MDB between 2009 and 2014, and spent on everything from yachts to expensive artwork, in a fraud allegedly involving the former prime minister.

PYONGYANG, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Foreign Ministry of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) said on Sunday that the fate of future DPRK-U.S. dialogue depends on Washington.

In a statement by the spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, the DPRK blamed the United States for the failure of the recent working-level talks in Sweden and said it has no intention for further negotiations unless Washington changes its "hostile policy."

TOKYO (AP) — Japanese authorities said they rescued “dozens” of North Korean fishermen after their boat collided with a Japanese patrol vessel and sank Monday in areas crowded with poachers.

Coast Guard officials earlier said that about 20 North Korean crewmembers were thrown into the sea after their steel boat collided with a Japanese Fisheries Agency inspection boat off Japan’s northern coast.

Officials later said they rescued far more than first thought, but did not give an exact number. They said they were still doing the math and making sure nobody was missing.

HONG KONG, Oct 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The Hong Kong government on Monday said public safety in the island nation has been jeopardised and pushed to dangerous level.

On Sunday, hundreds of protesters were arrested following violent clashes that also saw a warning from the Chinese military for the first time since protests began here over the introduction of the Fugitive Offenders amendment bill proposed by the government.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Oct 6 (NNN-BB NEWS) – Brunei’s International Flower Show (BIFS) 2019, scheduled for Oct 23-27, drew exhibitors from China, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as, from local companies, a senior Brunei official said.

It will feature flower exhibitions, creative landscaping, workshops, activities and competitions.

ULAN BATOR, Oct. 6 (Xinhua) -- Northern Mongolia's Selenge province has allowed citizens to use guns against bears for self-defense, the provincial governor's office said Sunday.

"It's been illegal to hunt bears across Mongolia. But Selenge province has allowed (citizens) to use guns against bears for defending yourself or someone else, if necessary," it said.

The decision came after a 55-year-old man and his 8-year-old son were killed in a bear attack in Yeruu soum of Selenge province on Thursday.

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia, Oct 6 (NNN-MONGOLIA WEB) – Northern Mongolia’s Selenge province, has allowed citizens to use guns against bears for self-defence, the provincial governor’s office said today (Sunday).

“It’s been illegal to hunt bears across Mongolia. But Selenge province has allowed (citizens) to use guns against bears, for defending yourself or someone else, if necessary,” it said.

The decision came after a 55-year-old man and his 8-year-old son were killed, in a bear attack in Yeruu soum of Selenge province, on Thursday.