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Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 0630 GMT, Aug. 21

Xinhua, August 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) forward-deployed more fire units to the frontline areas with South Korea after exchanging fires near the west border, local media reported Friday citing the South Korean military.

DPRK forces deployed more fire units south to the frontlines, which had been already packed with major DPRK artilleries such as 240-mm multiple rocket launchers and 170-mm self-propelled howitzers. (S.Korea-DPRK)

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SEOUL -- South Korea and the United States raised their joint alert level toward the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) after the exchange of fires between the two Koreas in border areas, local media reported Friday citing the South Korean military.

The WATCHCON, or Watch Condition to measure reconnaissance posture against the DPRK, was upgraded after South Korea and the DPRK traded fires across border Thursday over the propaganda broadcasts. (S.Korea-DPRK)

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SEOUL -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has been poised to fire short-range missiles on either side of its territory, Yonhap News Agency reported Friday citing a government official.

The official was quoted as saying that joint reconnaissance military assets of South Korea and the United States detected the moves of the DPRK's mobile rocket launchers, mounted with Scud and Rodong missiles. (S.Korea-DPRK)

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BANGKOK -- Two persons of interest in Monday' s deadly bombing attack have been questioned by Thai police and then cleared of involvement, local media reported Friday.

Earlier, police saw in security camera footage two males, dressed in red and white respectively, were standing close to a main suspect, against whom an arrest warrant has been issued, prior to the explosion that killed at least 20 people and injured more than 100 others. (Thailand-Bombing)

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ISLAMABAD -- Pakistani troops, backed by air power, on Thursday launched ground operation against militants hiding in the mountains in North Waziristan tribal region, local media reported Friday.

Taliban militants, who had fled urban areas in North Waziristan, moved to the inaccessible mountains to avoid air strikes. ( Pakistan-Operation)

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YANGON -- A total of 6,189 people have registered to run the upcoming general election in Myanmar set for Nov. 8, according to a preliminary candidate list announced by the Union Election Commission (UEC) on Friday.

Of the total, 5,866 were nominated from 93 political parties while 323 will run as independents, the commission said. (Myanmar- Election)

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COLOMBO -- Sri Lanka's United National Front (UNF) leader Ranil Wickremesinghe on Friday took oath as the nation's new prime minister before President Maithripala Sirisena at a special ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat.

Wickremesinghe was sworn in as the country's prime minister for the fourth time after he last ruled from 2001 to 2004. (Sri Lanka- PM) Endi