UPDATE 3-U.S. to issue licences for supply of non-sensitive goods to Huawei-NYT . The United States will soon issue licenses allowing some U.S. companies to supply non-sensitive goods to China's Huawei, the New York Times reported, as high-level officials from the two countries meet this week to resume trade talks.

MOVES-Nomura hires former Telecom Italia CEO Patuano as adviser . Nomura has hired former Telecom Italia Chief Executive Marco Patuano as senior adviser for European investment banking with a focus on Italy, the Japanese banking group said on Thursday.

Houston Rockets Nike merchandise disappears from China stores . Houston Rockets sneakers and other merchandise were pulled from several Nike stores in major Chinese cities amid the furore surrounding a tweet from the team's general manager in support of anti-government protests in Hong Kong.

CORRECTED-Rwanda launches first 'Made in Africa' smartphones . Rwanda's Mara Group launched two smartphones on Monday, describing them as the first "Made in Africa" models and giving a boost to the country's ambitions to become a regional technology hub.

MSCI embraces China's newly-launched STAR tech stocks . MSCI plans to include stocks listed on China's newly-launched, Nasdaq-style STAR market in its indexes from next month, as international investors seek opportunities in the world's second largest economy.

China urges U.S. to halt pressure on Chinese companies, including Huawei . China has urged the United States to stop unreasonable pressure on Chinese companies, including Huawei Technologies, foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang said at a daily press briefing on Thursday.

UPDATE 2-Oil prices dip on wilting hopes for U.S.-China trade deal . U.S. weekly crude stocks rise by 2.9 mln bbls -EIA (Updates prices, adds front-month WTI spread)

UPDATE 1-NBA Shanghai game still scheduled amid Hong Kong free speech backlash . Chinese partners will not air Thursday's game (Updates to note lack of Chinese broadcasts for NBA game Thursday in paragraph 4, attempt to seek comment from NBA in paragraph 7, adds PIX and TV slugs)

UPDATE 2-Singapore to ban sugary drink ads in fight against diabetes . Singapore will ban advertisements of certain fizzy drinks and juices, its health ministry said on Thursday, part of a raft of measures to curb consumption of sugar in the city-state, which has some of the world's highest diabetes rates.

S.Korean stocks, won end weaker; high-level trade talks in focus . Round-up of South Korean financial markets: South Korean shares trimmed early losses on Thursday as fresh reports raised hopes that Washington and Beijing would settle some economic disputes, though investors remained cautious ahead of high-level trade talks set to begin later in the day. The Korean won slid, while the benchmark bond yields strengthened.