Asia (except ME & Indian SC)

TOKYO, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese finance ministry on Monday reported a surplus of 3.48 trillion yen (about 24.5 billion U.S. dollars) in the country's special account for forex funds in the fiscal year of 2022.

Intended for specific purposes such as currency interventions, the amount registered during the fiscal period from April 2022 to March 2023 was about 641 billion yen more than the government's initial estimate.

Analysts here believe this would prompt calls for the government's plans to increase taxes to be delayed, local media reported.

MANILA, July 31 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from flooding and landslides triggered by typhoon Doksuri climbed to 25, with at least 20 more missing, the Philippines' national disaster agency said on Monday.

Many parts of the country remain underwater as heavy rain continues to pour even after Doksuri blew away from the Philippines last week.

Typhoon Khanun, the sixth cyclone to batter the Philippines this year, continues to intensify on Monday, enhancing the southwest monsoon rains across the country, including Metro Manila.

BEIJING (AP) — China imposed restrictions Monday on exports of long-range civilian drones, citing Russia’s war in Ukraine and concern that drones might be converted to military use.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s government is friendly with Moscow but says it is neutral in the 17-month-old war. It has been stung by reports that both sides might be using Chinese-made drones for reconnaissance and possibly attacks.

BANGKOK (AP) — Myanmar’s military-controlled government has extended the state of emergency it imposed when the army seized power from an elected government 2 1/2 years ago, state-run media said Monday, forcing a further delay in elections it promised when it took over.

BEIJING, Jul 30 (APP): The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a model of the two nations’ adherence to joint construction and sharing of high-quality resources, which has promoted the socioeconomic progress of Pakistan, Li Yong, a senior research fellow at the China Association of International Trade said on Sunday.

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, acting as the special envoy of Chinese President Xi Jinping, kicked off an official visit to Pakistan on Sunday to attend the Decade of China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) celebrations.

DHAKA, Jul 30 (NNN-BSS) – The World Bank has approved 300 million U.S. dollars, to help Bangladesh improve the efficiency of gas distribution and end-use, through prepaid metering systems for residential and industrial consumers and reduce methane emissions along the natural gas value chain.

DHAKA, July 29 (Xinhua) -- The World Bank has approved 300 million U.S. dollars to help Bangladesh improve the efficiency of gas distribution and end-use through prepaid metering systems for residential and industrial consumers and reduce methane emissions along the natural gas value chain.

YANGON, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar saw a sharp decline in dengue fever cases and fatalities this year, with 6,685 cases and 30 deaths reported as of July 15, according to the Ministry of Health.

While the country was previously among those with the highest dengue fever infections in Southeast Asia, this year's numbers are notably lower compared to the infections reported last year, said the ministry on Friday.

"The number of infections till this time (July) of last year was relatively high," Than Naing Soe, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, told Xinhua on Friday.

BEIJING (AP) — The Chinese government defended its dealings with Russia as “normal economic and trade cooperation” Friday after a United States intelligence report said Beijing possibly provided equipment used in Ukraine that might have military applications.

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was joined by senior Russian and Chinese delegates as he displayed his most powerful nuclear-capable missiles in a military parade marking a major war anniversary with a show of defiance against the United States and deepening ties with Moscow as tensions on the peninsula are at their highest point in years.