US continuing jobless claims for the week ended Aug. 15 were 1.778 mln, versus 1.79 mln expected; prior week revised to 1.796 mln from 1.799 mln.

China will further deepen defense ties with East Timor and Indonesia, the Defense Ministry said at a press briefing on Aug. 27. Defense Minister Dong Jun visited East Timor and attended the second China‑Indonesia foreign‑and‑defense ministers’ 2+2 meeting in Indonesia. Dong held talks with East Timor’s president and prime minister; Beijing described bilateral ties with East Timor as at their strongest in history and noted this was Dong’s first visit there. China said it and Indonesia will deepen cooperation on equipment and technology, joint exercises and training, personnel exchanges and maritime security and will institutionalize practical mechanisms — steps the ministry said aim to play a central role in regional stability.

A G20 ministerial meeting is scheduled next week in North Carolina, US.