Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

TASHKENT, Oct 20 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Uzbekistan is planning to allocate 1.9 billion U.S. dollars, to the healthcare system in 2021, amid the raging COVID-19 pandemic, president’s press service said today.

During a government meeting, to discuss the parameters of the state budget for 2021, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, stressed the need to take into account the ongoing pandemic and the decline of global economic activity, said the press service.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Hong Kong and Singapore have reached an in-principle agreement to establish a bilateral Air Travel Bubble, reviving cross-border air travel in a safe and progressive way.

In conjunction with the announcement and to inspire visitors to explore Hong Kong from all angles, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has launched 360 Hong Kong Moments.

It is the city’s opening up virtually by way of wholesome and immersive content, designed to remind the world what a wonderful and all-encompassing destination Hong Kong is.

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia rejected this year a proposal by the United States to allow its P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance planes to land and refuel there, according to four senior Indonesian officials familiar with the matter.

U.S. officials made multiple “high-level” approaches in July and August to Indonesia’s defence and foreign ministers before Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo, rebuffed the request, the officials said.

Beijing, Oct 20 (PTI) The Chinese military has expressed hope that its missing soldier apprehended by the Indian Army in Eastern Ladakh will be released soon.

A Chinese soldier was apprehended by the Indian Army in the Demchok sector of Eastern Ladakh on Monday after he had "strayed" across the Line of Actual Control (LAC), an incident that comes amid a massive deployment of troops by the two militaries in the region following the border standoff since May.

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares were mixed Tuesday, after Wall Street’s overnight decline as hopes faded Washington will come through with badly needed aid for the U.S. economy before the U.S. presidential election.

Investors have been focusing on U.S. economic stimulus amid global uncertainty about the continuing economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, which has slammed growth with social distancing restrictions, unemployment, crimped trade, as well as tourism and business closures.

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine president has said he has no problem with being held responsible for the many killings under his anti-drugs crackdown, adding that he was ready to face charges that could land him in jail, though not charges of crimes against humanity.

BEIJING, Oct 19 (APP): India may return a detained Chinese soldier because the soldier very likely got lost at the border.

China and India are currently communicating on the matter, to which India is holding a relatively positive attitude. China and India previously reached an agreement on the matter and the two sides are moving toward solving the issue, sources close to the matter told the Global Times on Monday.

YEREVAN, October 19. /TASS/: Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan considers the issue of acknowledging Nagorno-Karabakh’s right to self-determination by Azerbaijan crucial in the process of settling the conflict around the disputed region.

BAKU, October 19. /TASS/: Baku is willing to stop all military action in a short timeframe if Yerevan acts constructively in negotiations, Azeri President Ilham Aliyev said in an interview with TASS.

PUTRAJAYA, Oct 19 (NNN-BERNAMA) — Transparency in the management of COVID-19 funds will be among the agenda of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Anti-Corruption and Transparency Experts’ Working Group (ACTWG) virtual meetings beginning today until Oct 23.

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) in a statement today said the meeting, attended by representatives from 21 APEC economies, would also discuss anti-corruption efforts and initiatives in the Asia Pacific region.