IN BRIEF (Page 7)

Report adds steam to Abe's ambitions

Japanese soldiers may need to brace themselves for the prospect of death or injury abroad, as Japan's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, is pushing hard for changes to the country's pacifist Constitution that would allow collective self-defense through renewed military forces.

Furious labor unions resort to strike in Turkey

Four Turkish labor unions called for a national one-day strike on Thursday to protest the country's worst industrial disaster, which killed at least 282 people in a coal mine in western Turkey.

Hotel Special: New cocktails cause a stir at Beijing's highest bar

"Imagine the scene: seven o'clock, Wednesday night, a business lady with a short, neat hair cut walks into the bar. What drink would you offer her?" mixologist Luca Cinalli asked.

Thai army warns of 'use of force'

Military chief says measures may be taken if violence continues

Crewmen of S. Korea sunk ferry charged in drownings

The captain and three other crew members of the ferry that sank off South Korea last month were indicted on charges of manslaughter through gross negligence on Thursday, a prosecutor said.

Death toll from Middle East virus rises

Saudi Arabia said that 10 more people infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome had died over the last two days and identified 20 new cases of the virus, pushing the total number of infections in the country to 511.

Two US hospital workers cleared of MERS

Two workers at a Florida hospital who fell ill after caring for the second person in the US diagnosed with the deadly Middle East Respiratory Syndrome virus have been cleared of infection, a hospital spokesman said on Wednesday.

IN BRIEF (Page 11)

APEC seeks market cooperation

Senior officials from 21 economies of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation called on Wednesday for establishing a more open, integrated and productive market to create new growth opportunities.

Bloc to reduce burdens for smaller businesses

APEC member economies called for policy support to ensure that small and medium-sized enterprises contribute more to global value chains, which are becoming increasingly important in international trade.

Russia to take on active regional role

Moscow will play an active part in Asia-Pacific affairs to advance the establishment of a regional free trade agreement, a senior Russian diplomat said on Wednesday.