Asian stocks markets fell today, with trading thinned by year-end holidays and mixed economic news out of the US and Japan.

A passer-by annoyed by a man holding up traffic by threatening to jump off a bridge in southern China pushed him over the edge, calling the suicide attempt a “selfish activity”.

Taiwan’s incoming premier says a former ally of the outgoing government will take on the key post of implementing policy towards China.

Taiwan’s ruling party today criticised a history-making trip to Beijing by opposition Nationalist Party leaders, saying the visit plays into the hands of the communist mainland in its efforts to divide the Taiwanese people.

Kieren Fallon did not enjoy the best of luck as crack Japanese rider Yutake Take and Belgian-born ace Christophe Soumillon tied in the International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley, Hong Kong, today.

A Hong Kong businessman convicted of smuggling Bibles into China has returned home after being released from prison on health grounds.