Xinhua Asia-Pacific news summary at 1600 GMT, March 26

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar said on Thursday that the U.S.-Iran "indirect talks" are taking place through messages being relayed by Pakistan.

"In this context, the United States has shared 15 points, being deliberated upon by Iran ... Brotherly countries of Türkiye and Egypt, among others, are also extending their support to this initiative," the minister said in a post on the social media platform X. (Pakistan-U.S.-Iran)

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DHAKA -- The death toll from a bus that plunged into the Padma River, Bangladesh, on Wednesday has risen to 26, a senior official said Thursday.

The incident occurred at a ferry terminal in Bangladesh's Rajbari district, about 125 kilometers south of Dhaka. (Bangladesh-Bus Accident-Death Toll)

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SEOUL -- South Korea planned to expand fuel tax cuts amid the continued Middle East conflict, the finance ministry said Thursday.

Starting from Friday, the current tax reduction rates of 7 percent for gasoline and 10 percent for diesel will be raised to 15 percent and 25 percent, respectively, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance. (South Korea-Fuel Tax)

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TOKYO -- More than 600 students and staff members at multiple schools in Kumatori Town, Osaka have reported symptoms of food poisoning, public broadcaster NHK reported Thursday.

Students and staff members at eight elementary and junior high schools in the town have successively developed symptoms, including diarrhea and vomiting, since last Thursday. As of Tuesday, the total number of those affected reached 633, according to the report. (Japan-Food Poisoning)

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TOKYO -- Japan began releasing oil from state reserves on Thursday to cushion the impact of the Middle East conflict on its economy, as concerns over supply mount and oil prices soar, local media reported.

The release of oil equivalent to 30 days of domestic demand came after the country started drawing down 15 days' worth of oil from private-sector stockpiles last Monday. (Japan-Oil Reserve) Enditem