- Amnesty says migrant workers exploited at Carrefour Saudi stores
- Fethullah Gulen: ex-Erdogan ally who became public enemy number one
- Rabada takes 300th Test wicket as Bangladesh all out for 106
- Seoul demands 'immediate withdrawal' of North Korean troops in Russia
- WHO to evacuate 1,000 Gazan women, children for urgent medical care
- Israel bombs Hezbollah-linked finance group in Lebanon
- Erdogan's rival Fetullah Gulen dies in exile aged 83
- Gauff-led USA pitted with Canada at season-opening United Cup
- Cuban leader warns against unrest over nationwide blackout
- Asian markets mixed as traders digest China rate cut
- Sanofi pursues sale of painkiller after political controversy
- Trump heads to hurricane-hit N. Carolina, Harris in swing state push
- Rabada takes 300th wicket as Bangladesh stumble to 60-6 at lunch
- Alpacas, hecklers and climate warnings: King Charles visits Australia's capital
- Moldova EU vote too close to call, president blames 'foreign interference'
- Sartorially suave alpaca sneezes on King Charles
- In a first, France welcomes Russian army deserters
- Storm Oscar hits eastern Cuba as island grapples with blackout
- New Zealand basks in 'golden 48 hours' after sporting triumphs
- UN biodiversity summit opens with call for 'significant' funding
- Dodgers beat Mets to set World Series showdown with Yankees
- Liberty rally to top Lynx in overtime for WNBA title
- US, Canada warships pass through Taiwan Strait
- Asian markets fluctuate as traders digest China rate cut
- Naomi Osaka season over because of injury
- Toll from attack in India-controlled Kashmir rises to seven: reports
- Simmering Bellingham set for Dortmund reunion in Champions League
- World Cup winner Kerr thanks 'grandmas' for T20 inspiration
- Dortmund identity crisis ahead of European rematch with Real Madrid
- China's central bank cuts two key rates to boost economy
- BHP goes on trial in London over 2015 toxic Brazil mine disaster
- Pakistan passes constitutional amendments aimed at courts
- Fungi finding: mushroom hunters seek new species and recognition
- Beware: US election disinformation masked as 'breaking news'
- Celtics seek repeat, Lebron and son unite as NBA season opens
- Poston holds off Ghim for PGA Tour triumph in Las Vegas
- Unbeaten Chiefs march past 49ers, Lions hand Vikings first loss
- Moldova president blames interference for potential EU referendum loss
- King Charles to spotlight conflict, climate in Australian capital
- UN chief seeks 'significant' funding at summit to save nature
- Hurricane Oscar makes landfall in Cuba amid huge power outage
- McLaren blast 'inappropriate' penalty as Norris F1 title hopes hit
- La Rochelle bounce back against Bordeaux-Begles
- Lethal Lewandowski helps Barca rout Sevilla, Atletico triumph
- Leclerc wins US Grand Prix as Norris, Verstappen clash
- Moldovans vote 'no' in referendum on joining EU: partial results
- Lewandowski powers five-star Barca to Sevilla rout
- Lions hand Vikings first loss, Packers down Texans
- In escalation, Israel bombs Hezbollah-linked finance group
- Martinez keeps Inter on Napoli's tail with Roma winner
Asian markets mixed as traders digest China rate cut
Asian markets started the week on a mixed note Monday as traders weigh Chinese central bank interest rate cuts aimed at reigniting the world's number two economy, while gold hit a record high on geopolitical concerns.
Another record day on Wall Street on Friday was unable to inspire a similar rally at the start of the week, with traders also gearing up for the latest company earnings season.
The People's Bank of China said it had slashed two key rates to all-time lows as part of a drive by authorities to revive spending and achieve their five percent annual economic growth target.
The move comes after figures last week showed the economy expanded at its slowest quarterly pace since the start of 2023, but still better than forecast.
Zhang Zhiwei, president and chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management, said: "The monetary policy has clearly shifted to a more supportive stance since the press conference on September 24. The real interest rate in China is too high."
Friday's economic growth reading came alongside news that retail sales and industrial output had risen more than expected in September -- providing a ray of light after a string of below-par readings on a range of indicators including inflation, investment, and trade.
Beijing has since last month unveiled a raft of measures to revive the economy -- and particularly the property sector -- including rate cuts, an easing of home-buying rules and pledges to support equity markets.
The announcements inspired a blockbuster rally in mainland and Hong Kong stocks, but some of those gains have been erased after a series of disappointing news conferences that failed to provide any detail or meaningful measures.
"Officials are gradually ramping up support to kick-start the economy -- but the will-they-won't-they of announcements has made the process a rollercoaster for markets," said analysts at Moody's Analytics.
"The latest supports are very welcome. And they’re likely to propel the economy to its 'around 5%' target for the year. But more is required if officials are to address the structural challenges in the economy."
Hong Kong dropped more than one percent after clocking up a more than three percent gain Friday, but Shanghai edged up.
Tokyo, Singapore, Manila, Bangkok and Mumbai also fell, with Sydney, Seoul, Wellington, Taipei and Jakarta rising.
London opened higher, while Paris and Frankfurt were both down.
Investors had been given a positive lead from Wall Street, where the Dow and the S&P 500 pushed to fresh records, helped by strong earnings from Netflix and positive reports on Apple's iPhone sales in China boosted the massive tech sector.
Safe-haven gold prices hit an all-time high of $2,732.82 on news Israel is discussing its retaliation against Iran after Tehran's missile barrage this month, while news that a Hezbollah drone exploded near Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s home stoked tensions.
However, oil prices were flat, having tumbled more than eight percent last week as uncertainty over the economy in China -- the world's top importer of the commodity.
- Key figures around 0710 GMT -
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.1 percent at 38,954.60 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 1.5 percent at 20,497.22
Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.2 percent at 3,268.11 (close)
London - FTSE 100: UP 0.1 percent at 8,367.21
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0853 from $1.0868 on Friday
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3031 from $1.3047
Dollar/yen: UP at 149.60 yen from 149.45 yen
Euro/pound: DOWN at 83.28 pence from 83.30 pence
West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.5 percent at $69.55 per barrel
Brent North Sea Crude: UP 0.3 percent at $73.28 per barrel
New York - Dow: UP 0.1 percent at 43,275.91 (close)
M.Fischer--AMWN