Tokyo - The Bank of Japan injected a record 4 trillion yen (39.8 billion dollars) into the money markets Thursday amid escalating concerns over the global financial crisis.

The nation's central bank carried out the emergency measure for the 17th consecutive business day to free up credit and stabilize the markets.

Prime Minister Taro Aso called for new measures to be implemented and said he instructed the ruling coalition of his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the New Komeito party to draw up additional pump-priming measures.

Taipei - Taiwan's centr

Hong Kong - Hong Kong shares rebounded by 2.65 per cent Thursday morning as officials tracked the US Federal Reserve by cutting interest rates by a further 0.5 per cent.

The interest rate cut, which brings base rates down to 2 per cent, follows a 1 percentage point cut by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority Wednesday.

Announcing the cut, the authority's chief executive Joseph Yam said the impact of the reduction might take some time to filter through to the markets.

After opening with a loss of 379 points at 11,316.24, the 30-share index BSE Sensex continued its losing streak on Wednesday (Oct 08) due to global financial crisis. 

Moreover, the BSE Sensex touched an all time low of 10,740.76. All segments suffered a severe hammering. 

Finally, the BSE Sensex closed the day after making a loss of 366.88 points at 11,328.36. It also hit a high of 11,405.73 and a low of 10,740.76. Meanwhile, NSE Nifty lost 92.95 points at 3,513.65 after touching a high of 3,604.40 and a low of 3,329.45.

Jakarta - Trading on the Indonesia Stock Exchange was suspended for a second day Thursday although it might resume Friday if conditions allow, a cabinet minister said.

The Indonesian Stock Exchange halted trading Wednesday after the benchmark composite index fell by more than 10-per-cent to 1,451.669, its lowest level since September 2006.

Acting Finance Minister Sofyan Djalil told reporters after a cabinet meeting late Wednesday that Thursday's session also was cancelled and the suspension could be extended through Friday unless market conditions improved.

Singapore - The Singapore Exchange said it will soon explain to investors its decisions to allow listed companies certain exemptions under listing regulations, media reports said Thursday.

SGX will publish the exemptions or waivers given to listed companies every quarter, according to a report in The Straits Times today.

Though the companies must adhere to the listing rules, there are times when a waiver request is allowed to facilitate a transaction to the benefit of all shareholders.