Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

31 July 2019; AFP: Chinese and US trade negotiators will bid to bring an end a year-long trade war that has seen both tariffs and insults flung between the world's two largest economies when they meet for official talks in Shanghai Wednesday.

US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin arrived in China's financial capital on Tuesday, and were believed to have joined Chinese officials for dinner and informal discussions.

31 July 2019; DW: A Japanese researcher is set to become the first scientist to develop live animals that contain human organs. Hiromitsu Nakauchi plans to insert human stem cells into rats and then transfer the cells into other animals.

Japan has become the first country to allow the birthing of human-animal embryos to create human organs.

31 July 2019; DW: Authorities have levied the most serious charges — with a 10-year sentence — against protesters since demonstrations began last month. Pro-democracy activists say reclaiming Hong Kong is the "revolution of our times."

More than 20 people appeared before a Hong Kong court on Wednesday on charges stemming from clashes with police.

BANGKOK (AP) — U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday he’s very hopeful for a quick resumption in nuclear talks with North Korea despite the North’s recent weapons tests that have clouded already uncertain prospects for a return to the table.

SHANGHAI (AP) — U.S. and Chinese envoys met Wednesday for talks aimed at ending a tariff war after President Donald Trump rattled financial markets by accusing Beijing of trying to stall in hopes he will fail to win re-election in 2020.

The meeting ended about 40 minutes ahead of schedule. Neither delegation spoke to reporters before U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin left for the airport.

TOKYO (AP) — Global shares were mostly lower Wednesday as investors looked cautiously ahead to a key policy update from the U.S. Federal Reserve later in the day.

France’s CAC 40 was little changed but inched down less than 0.1% to 5,510.52. Germany’s DAX edged up 0.1% to 12,163.90, while Britain’s FTSE 100 slipped 0.3% to 7,621.38.

U.S. shares were set to drift higher with Dow futures up 0.2% to 27,226. S&P 500 futures were up nearly 0.2% to 3,017.20.

BANGKOK (AP) — Southeast Asian foreign ministers opened their annual meeting Wednesday with a call from host Thailand for deeper integration amid rising global challenges and a pledge from China that differences will be “properly” resolved amid growing tensions in the South China Sea.

The meeting is taking place in the shadows of rising security tensions on the Korean Peninsula, China’s aggressive territorial claims in the South China Sea and the U.S.-China trade war.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s military said North Korea conducted its second weapons test in less than a week Wednesday, firing two short-range ballistic missiles off its east coast in a move observers say could be aimed at boosting pressure on the United States as the rivals struggle to set up fresh nuclear talks.

South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said in a statement that the missiles were launched from Wonsan, a city the North pushes as a vacation destination but that it also uses as a regular launch site.

HONG KONG, July 30 (Xinhua) -- Police force of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region said on Tuesday that 45 people were charged with rioting, assaulting police officer and possession of offensive weapons respectively after a recent illegal assembly.

BANGKOK (AP) — Top diplomats from the Asia-Pacific region started gathering Tuesday in the Thai capital to discuss issues of concern to the area, including security on the Korean peninsula and China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea.

The meetings in Bangkok are hosted by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, chaired this year by Thailand. Thai officials say there will be 27 meetings in all through Saturday, and 31 countries and alliances will participate.