Asian markets experienced a notable uptick on Tuesday, with Japan’s Nikkei 225 index nearing the symbolic 50,000 mark for the first time. This surge coincided with the historic appointment of Sanae Takaichi as Japan’s first female prime minister, following a parliamentary vote. Takaichi, known for her conservative stance, is anticipated to advocate for market-friendly policies, including sustained low interest rates and increased government expenditure. The U.S. dollar strengthened against the Japanese yen, rising to 151.31 yen from 150.75 yen, as Takaichi’s potential influence on the Bank of Japan’s interest rate decisions could maintain the yen’s relative weakness, complicating inflation control efforts. Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Hang Seng and Shanghai Composite indices rose by 1.2% and 1.3%, respectively, reflecting broader regional optimism. In South Korea, the Kospi edged up 0.2%, while Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 climbed 0.7%. Taiwan’s Taiex also saw a modest 0.2% increase. The positive sentiment was further bolstered by expectations of a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at an upcoming regional summit, which could ease trade tensions between the two economic giants. In the U.S., stocks rallied on Monday, with the S&P 500 nearing its all-time high, driven by strong performances from companies like Apple and Cleveland-Cliffs. Apple’s stock surged 3.9% amid optimism over its latest iPhone design, while Cleveland-Cliffs jumped 21.5% following CEO Lourenco Goncalves’ announcement of potential rare earth discoveries and a major global steel deal. Despite a widespread outage of Amazon’s cloud computing service, its stock rose 1.6%. Corporate earnings reports this week, including those from Coca-Cola, Tesla, and Procter & Gamble, are under scrutiny as investors assess whether profitability can sustain the S&P 500’s 35% rally since April. The Federal Reserve faces challenges in balancing inflation concerns with a slowing job market, with potential rate cuts on the horizon. U.S. benchmark crude oil prices rose slightly, with Brent crude also gaining 4 cents, while the euro dipped slightly against the dollar.
标签： Asia
亚洲
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Hong Kong runway set for reopening after crash but won’t be used regularly for now
Hong Kong authorities are taking steps to reopen the airport runway where a cargo aircraft crashed on Monday, though it will remain on standby until all wreckage is cleared. The Boeing 747, operated by Turkey-based ACT Airlines and leased by Emirates, skidded off the runway during landing, colliding with a patrol car and plunging both into the sea. Tragically, two airport workers in the car lost their lives, while the four crew members on the plane escaped unharmed. Steven Yiu, the executive director for airport operations, confirmed that repairs to the runway and fencing have been completed, and initial evidence has been collected. However, the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder remain unrecovered. The runway will be available for emergency landings but excluded from regular flight schedules until the debris is fully cleared. Authorities are coordinating with barge companies for the removal, though Tropical Storm Fengshen has delayed operations. Investigators are examining weather, mechanical, and human factors to determine the cause of the crash. This incident marks the second fatal crash for ACT Airlines, following a 2017 tragedy in Kyrgyzstan that claimed 39 lives.
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US coalition calls for immediate release of American teenager detained by Israel
A nationwide coalition in the United States is intensifying efforts to secure the release of Mohammed Ibrahim, a 16-year-old American from Tampa, Florida, who has been detained by the Israeli military since February. The coalition, composed of diverse activists, distributed over 2,000 flyers during the ‘No King’ protests across six US states last Saturday, urging citizens to contact their representatives and demand Mohammed’s freedom. The group has been actively raising awareness about his case and lobbying congressional representatives, including sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio in August. Mohammed was forcibly taken from his family home in the occupied West Bank in the middle of the night, accused of throwing rocks at a car—a charge he denies. He is currently held without trial at the notorious Ofer military prison, where he has reportedly lost a quarter of his body weight due to inadequate food and is allowed only ten minutes of outdoor time daily. The coalition highlighted his deteriorating health, including a scabies infection that has prevented visitors, and expressed frustration that he was not included in the recent release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian detainees as part of a Gaza ceasefire deal. Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley recently called for his release on social media, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Mohammed’s family, who has a court date set for October 29, hopes for US government intervention to secure his release. The US State Department has yet to respond to requests for comment, citing potential delays due to the government shutdown.
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Man killed by tree branch, pedestrian blown into road as storm buffets Wellington, New Zealand
A tragic incident unfolded in Wellington, New Zealand, on Tuesday as a man lost his life after being struck by a falling tree branch amidst severe stormy weather. The victim, who was injured on Mount Victoria—a popular trail in the city—succumbed to his injuries, highlighting the dangers posed by the tempest. The storm, characterized by ferocious winds reaching speeds of up to 120 kph (75 mph) in Kelburn, wreaked havoc across the capital and neighboring regions. Wellington, already renowned for its gusty conditions, experienced winds that were exceptionally strong even by its standards. The adverse weather disrupted air travel, with flights into and out of Wellington canceled for several hours before resuming under turbulent conditions. Passenger ferry services were also suspended. Authorities issued warnings urging residents to avoid parks and reserves due to the risk of falling trees. A dashcam video captured a pedestrian being blown into the road by a powerful gust, narrowly escaping oncoming traffic. The storm’s impact extended beyond the capital, with approximately 10,000 properties in the rural Wairarapa region left without electricity. Schools and businesses in the area were forced to close for the day. The lower North Island, including Wellington, and much of the South Island were under wind or rain warnings throughout Tuesday. In Christchurch, gales disrupted flights in the afternoon. State highways on both islands faced closures due to flooding and landslides, while in Hawkes Bay, a truck was overturned by the wind, injuring one person and shutting down the road. New Zealand’s geographical location in the southern latitudes, coupled with its mountainous terrain, often leads to extreme weather conditions. MetService indicated that the storm would ease by Wednesday, but a more severe weather system was anticipated to hit on Thursday.
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Tornado hits area north of Paris, leaving one person dead
A devastating tornado swept through the Val d’Oise region, located just north of Paris, on Monday, resulting in one fatality and leaving multiple individuals with severe injuries. French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez confirmed the tragic incident, emphasizing that he is closely overseeing the ongoing situation. The sudden and violent weather event has caused significant disruption and damage in the affected area, prompting emergency response teams to mobilize swiftly. The tornado’s impact has raised concerns about the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather phenomena in the region. Authorities are now focused on providing immediate assistance to the injured and assessing the extent of the destruction. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and destructive power of natural disasters, urging communities to remain vigilant and prepared.
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Saudi crown prince to visit US seeking similar defence pact to Qatar: Report
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is set to visit the White House next month for a high-profile meeting with former US President Donald Trump. This marks their second encounter since 2018, with reports suggesting the Crown Prince aims to secure a defense pact similar to the executive order Trump signed with Qatar following Israel’s recent attack on Doha. Qatar, home to the largest US military base in the Middle East, has had a complex relationship with Saudi Arabia, including a Saudi-led blockade from 2017 to 2021, which underscored regional ideological divides. Saudi Arabia itself hosts three US air force bases, primarily near the Red Sea, and seeks enhanced military and intelligence cooperation amid ongoing regional instability. The Financial Times highlights the significance of this meeting, noting Saudi Arabia’s confidence in Trump as a willing partner. Trump’s administration has consistently supported Saudi Arabia, avoiding criticism of its human rights record and fostering deep financial ties through his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, whose investment firm recently collaborated with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. This visit contrasts sharply with the Biden administration’s strained relations with the Crown Prince, who was once viewed as a pariah but later hosted Biden in Riyadh to discuss global oil supply. Despite efforts to include Saudi Arabia in the Abraham Accords, normalization talks with Israel stalled after the October 2023 Hamas-led attacks and subsequent Gaza conflict. While a fragile ceasefire is in place, Israel’s controversial actions in Gaza and its regional bombings make immediate progress on the Accords unlikely. The Crown Prince’s 2018 visit was marked by widespread acclaim and significant investments in US startups and corporations, positioning him as a modernizing force for Saudi Arabia. However, his reputation was tarnished by the widely condemned killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, an incident many believe was ordered by the Crown Prince.
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What’s on this Week: Golf action heats up as countdown to DP World Tour Finals begins
As the 2025 golf season approaches its grand finale, the DP World Tour is set to witness a thrilling conclusion with the Genesis Championship in South Korea marking the last event of the ‘Back 9’ Series. This tournament is pivotal for players aiming to secure their positions in the top 70 of the Race to Dubai, ensuring their advancement to the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. The stakes are high, with the top 50 players from the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship earning their spot in the prestigious Dubai event.
Tommy Fleetwood, fresh off his victory at the DP World India Championship, has surged 69 places to 25th in the Race to Dubai, making him a key contender in the upcoming tournaments. The competition is fierce, with players vying not only for tour cards but also for dual PGA Tour and DP World Tour status, a coveted achievement for the top ten players.
In South Korea, the Genesis Championship will feature 90 DP World Tour players alongside 36 KPGA participants, promising a showcase of top-tier golf. Meanwhile, the Asian Tour is set to host the $2 million International Series Philippines, attracting a star-studded lineup including Kevin Na, Richard Bland, and Dustin Johnson, among others.
The global golf calendar is packed with action, including the Bank of Utah Championship on the PGA Tour, the Hanwha LIFEPLUS International Crown on the LPGA, and the Wistrom Ladies Open on the Ladies European Tour. Each event offers substantial purses, reflecting the high stakes and intense competition as the season draws to a close.
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Woman trying to burn cockroach sets South Korea apartment ablaze
A tragic incident in Osan, South Korea, has left one person dead and several injured after a woman accidentally set her apartment building ablaze while attempting to kill a cockroach with a makeshift flamethrower. The woman, in her 20s, reportedly used a lighter and flammable spray to torch the insect, a method she claimed to have employed before. However, the fire quickly spread, igniting items in her home and engulfing the building in flames. One of her neighbors, a Chinese national in her 30s, died after falling from a window while trying to escape the thick smoke that blocked the stairway. The victim, who lived on the fifth floor with her husband and two-month-old baby, was pronounced dead hours after being rushed to the hospital. Her husband managed to escape by climbing to an adjacent building, and their baby was safely handed to a neighbor. Eight other residents suffered from smoke inhalation. Police are seeking an arrest warrant for the woman, who could face charges of accidental arson and negligence causing death. This incident highlights the dangers of using homemade flamethrowers, a method popularized by social media videos, to eliminate household pests. A similar incident occurred in Australia in 2018, where a man set his kitchen on fire while attempting to kill cockroaches with a DIY flamethrower.
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Gaza’s civil defence says four killed by Israeli fire on October 20
Four individuals were killed by Israeli forces in Gaza City on October 20, according to Gaza’s civil defence agency. The incident occurred as the victims were returning to inspect their homes in the Al-Shaaf area, east of the Al-Tuffah neighborhood. Mahmud Bassal, a spokesman for the rescue service, confirmed the deaths, attributing them to Israeli gunfire. The rescue service operates under the authority of Hamas. Israel’s military stated that it had targeted militants who crossed the so-called ‘Yellow Line’ and approached troops in the Shujaiya neighborhood, adjacent to Al-Tuffah. The Yellow Line marks the boundary behind which Israeli troops remain stationed under the ceasefire agreement with Hamas. This incident is one of several since a fragile US-brokered ceasefire began on October 10, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting a total of 80 fatalities. On Sunday, the Israeli military struck dozens of Hamas positions across Gaza following the deaths of two soldiers in combat, accusing Hamas of violating the truce. Hamas denied any involvement in the attack, with one official accusing Israel of fabricating reasons to resume hostilities. Since the ceasefire began, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have returned to northern Gaza, often finding their homes reduced to rubble.
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Dubai’s Dominic Foos clinches SJM Macao Open in thrilling sudden-death playoff
German golfer Dominic Foos emerged victorious in a nail-biting sudden-death playoff at the SJM Macao Open, securing the $1 million title on the Asian Tour. Foos, who has spent much of his career in Dubai, defeated Chinese-Taipei’s Wang Wei-hsuan on the second playoff hole with a clutch 10-foot birdie putt. This marked the sixth playoff in the tournament’s history and showcased Foos’ resilience after a challenging period in his career. Foos finished with a 72-hole total of 263, 17 under par, earning a $180,000 prize. The win propels him to 15th place on the Asian Tour Order of Merit, securing his Tour card for the next two years. Foos expressed gratitude to his family, friends, and mentor Dr. Bernd Kramski for their unwavering support during tough times. The victory comes as a significant milestone for Foos, who had struggled to maintain his position on the Tour. Attention now shifts to the inaugural International Series Philippines, featuring a star-studded field including Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, and Louis Oosthuizen.