International Paralympic Committee President Andrew Parsons (R) and Toshiro Muto (2nd from R), CEO of the organizing committee of the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, attend a press conference at the main press center for the games in Tokyo on Aug. 30, 2021. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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

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IPC chief says Tokyo Paralympics exceeding expectations amid pandemic

TOKYO - The president of the International Paralympic Committee said Monday the ongoing sporting event for athletes with disabilities in Tokyo has exceeded his expectations since starting about a week ago despite being held amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"It's been really fantastic so far; we are providing a safe environment to the athletes; we are also protecting the Japanese population at the same time," Andrew Parsons said at a press conference to mark the halfway point of the 13-day Paralympics.

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LDP exec Shimomura not to run in party leadership race against Suga

TOKYO - Liberal Democratic Party policy chief Hakubun Shimomura said Monday he will not run in the ruling party's September leadership election, after being urged by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to prioritize coronavirus response measures, according to party sources.

The chairman of the LDP Policy Research Council had earlier expressed his desire to run in the race, saying he was confident of securing the 20 party lawmakers' signatures expressing endorsement that are necessary to run in the Sept. 29 election, with campaigning set to start on Sept. 17.

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Int'l body calls on Japan for stronger anti-money laundering actions

TOKYO - An intergovernmental body tasked with combating money laundering and terrorist funding on Monday urged Japan to take stronger countermeasures, pointing out that some small financial institutions have a limited understanding of the risks.

The Financial Action Task Force also urged Japanese police and prosecutors to prioritize the investigation of serious money laundering cases and improve the rate of prosecution, prompting the government to draw up an action plan to improve countermeasures.

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North Korea seems to restart operations of main nuclear reactor: IAEA

BEIJING - North Korea seems to have resumed operations of its main nuclear reactor in Yongbyon, the U.N. atomic agency has said, as the country's denuclearization talks with the United States have been stalled for about two years.

The latest report by the International Atomic Energy Agency, dated Friday, indicates that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been trying to boost his nation's military capacity, while refraining from nuclear and intercontinental ballistic missile tests.

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China calls on U.S. to support new Afghan "political structure"

BEIJING - Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken that Washington should help the new "political structure" in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan maintain the normal operation of government institutions, state-run media reported Monday.

During his phone conversation with Blinken on Sunday, Wang also said the situation in Afghanistan has undergone fundamental changes and it is necessary for all parties to make contact with the Taliban and guide it actively, according to the official Xinhua News Agency.

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Afghan man calls for Japan gov't help to leave Kabul with family

OSAKA - An Afghan man working for a Japanese company in Kabul has called on the government in Tokyo to help evacuate him and his family from Kabul, which has now come under Taliban control.

"I just want to protect the life of my family and children. Nothing more," the man in his 30s, who declined to be named, told Kyodo News on Saturday in an online interview. He has been involved in Japan's official development assistance projects since 2004.

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Local gov'ts in central Japan rap music event organizer for lax COVID steps

NAGOYA - Chiefs of local governments in central Japan on Monday condemned an organizer of a hip hop music event held the previous day in Aichi Prefecture for its lax COVID-19 measures despite pledging to follow the anti-infection guidelines set by the live concert industry.

According to the Aichi prefectural government, about 8,000 tickets had been sold for the event, Namimonogatari2021, held at a convention center in Tokoname, which its organizer says is one of the largest outdoor music events in Japan, bringing together hip hop and rhythm and blues artists.

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"3-D" crosswalk debuts near Kyoto school to prompt cars to slow down

KYOTO - A specially-painted crosswalk made to appear as if it is three-dimensional to catch the attention of drivers and get them to slow down was declared open near an elementary school in Kyoto Prefecture on Monday as the school restarted after the summer vacation.

The stripes of the crosswalk, at which there are no traffic lights, are painted not just in white but also dark red and appear to the eye to be floating in the air. It was the brainchild of Kyoto Sangyo University students.