The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News.

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Japan to extend COVID-19 emergency again, set road map to lift curbs

TOKYO - The Japanese government is set to extend the COVID-19 state of emergency again for Tokyo and many other areas Thursday, as hospitals remain under strain despite a falling number of infections, while charting a road map for easing restrictions for when most of the population is vaccinated.

The state of emergency covering 21 of Japan's 47 prefectures had been slated to end Sunday but will remain in place through Sept. 30 for 19 prefectures, including Hokkaido, Aichi, Osaka and Fukuoka.

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N. Korea stages military parade on 73rd founding anniversary

BEIJING - North Korea staged a military parade early Thursday to celebrate the 73rd anniversary of the country's founding, state-run media reported, with leader Kim Jong Un struggling to cope with the nation's worst food crisis in more than a decade.

The military parade, believed to be aimed at generating national unity, was North Korea's first since January this year, when the country held the first congress of the ruling Workers' Party of Korea in nearly five years.

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JAL to raise 300 billion yen later this month amid low travel demand

TOKYO - Japan Airlines Co. said Thursday it plans to raise some 300 billion yen ($2.7 billion) in capital to strengthen its financial standing as air travel demand remains weak amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The airline, known as JAL, said it is raising the capital through subordinated loans and bonds to avoid share dilution, while sources familiar with the matter said the company will use part of the funds to invest in green technology for cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

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Japan, U.S., Europe agree to cooperate over Afghanistan situation

TOKYO - Foreign ministers from Japan, the United States, Europe and elsewhere on Wednesday agreed to work together in dealing with the situation in Afghanistan, as they seek to ensure safe departures for those fleeing the Taliban-controlled country, the Japanese government said.

With concerns growing that uncertainty and insecurity could lead to a humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi pledged during the online meeting to provide $65 million in fresh aid through international organizations to assist locals with shelter, food, water and other needs.

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Olympics: IOC suspends N. Korea through 2022 over Tokyo Games no-show

TOKYO - The International Olympic Committee will exclude North Korea from the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics as punishment for its no-show at the Tokyo Games, IOC President Thomas Bach said Wednesday.

For its decision to skip the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics over COVID-19 safety concerns, the North Korean National Olympic Committee will also permanently forfeit payments that had been withheld by the IOC due to international sanctions on the country, Bach said.

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WHO head calls for suspension of 3rd COVID shots until year-end

GENEVA - World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday urged some advanced countries to suspend their ongoing or planned administration of third shots against the novel coronavirus until at least the end of the year to ensure vaccine supplies for developing countries.

In early August, the WHO director general had called for the suspension of the COVID-19 booster shots until the end of this month. But now he is seeking to extend the timeline for offering third shots, as the disparity in vaccine access for poorer countries has yet to be overcome.

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Japan PM Suga mulls U.S. visit in late Sept. to attend Quad meeting

TOKYO - Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga is considering visiting the United States in late September as Washington seeks to hold a quadrilateral summit also involving Australia and India to strengthen ties amid China's growing clout in the Indo-Pacific region, Japanese government sources said Wednesday.

The move comes as U.S. President Joe Biden has proposed the summit in hopes of facilitating cooperation among the four countries, collectively known as the "Quad," and as Suga seeks to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance before leaving office, according to the sources.

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Japanese lawmaker found guilty of casino bribe claims false charges

TOKYO - A Japanese lawmaker who was found guilty of receiving bribes linked to the government's project to build casino resorts said Thursday he was wrongly convicted and the jail term he received earlier this week was unacceptable.

"The case was a false accusation made up by prosecutors. (The ruling) is totally unacceptable," said Tsukasa Akimoto, former Liberal Democratic Party member who is on bail, having been sentenced to four years in prison by the Tokyo District Court on Tuesday.

==Kyodo

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