Athens - Unknown attackers fired multiple shots at a police watch post in Athens early Monday morning, leaving one police officer wounded with life threatening injuries, local radio reported.

Tokyo  - Tokyo's stock market ended the first trading of the New Year in a positive mood on Monday.

The Nikkei index of 225 leading stocks rose over 9,000 for the first time in nearly two months after Wall Street gained on Friday. The index gained 183.56 points, or 2.02 per cent, to 9,043.12.

Japan's benchmark index lost a record 42 per cent last year as the financial crisis pummeled world markets.

The broader Topix index of all First Section issues was also up 16.67 points, or 1.94 per cent, to 875.91.

Taipei  - Taiwan stocks opened the New Year on Monday by surging nearly 5 per cent, on the government's economics stimulus plan, improved Taiwan-China ties and US and European stocks' surge.

The TAIEX benchmark index rose 134.04 points, or 2.92 per cent when the stock market opened at 9 am after being closed for four trading days since Wednesday for the New Year holidays.

By 10 am, the TAIEX had climbed 157.99, or 3.44 per cent, to 4,749.21.

Tokyo - Tokyo's stock market started trading for the New Year in a positive mood on Monday.

The Nikkei Index of 225 leading stocks rose over 9,000 for the first time in nearly two months as the market opened. After Wall Street gained on Friday, the Nikkei rose
212.76 points, or 2.4 per cent, to 9,072.32.

The index lost a record 42 per cent last year as the financial crisis pummeled world markets.

Washington  - Barack Obama may not become president until January 20, but starting Sunday the president-elect and his family are at home in Washington.

Obama on Sunday joined his wife, Michelle, and daughters, Malia and Sasha, at the luxurious Hay-Adams Hotel just steps from the White House. He arrived Sunday evening from Chicago at Andrews Air Force Base just outside the capital aboard a government jet, like those used by presidents.

Taipei  - A Taiwan island is seeking investment to build itself into an international casino resort, a newspaper said on Monday.

The Penghu county government is seeking 30 billion Taiwan dollars (909 million US dollars) in private investment to help develop massive casino resorts, the Taipei Times quoted the cabinet's Public Construction Commission (PCC) as saying.