Tokyo  Nikkei  8741.16  +0.23%
Seoul   KOSPI  1854.28  +0.89%
Shanghai SSEC  2512.96  +2.66%
Hong Kong HSI 18824.17  -1.00%
Singapore STI  2791.79  +0.39%
Mumbai    BSE 17065.15  -0.20%
Sydney   AORD  4153.60  +0.70% 

1. Japan Exports Gain 2.8% in Aug
The annual increase was much worse than expected. Imports gained 19.2% from a year earlier, leading to a trade deficit of US$10.1 billion, the biggest on record for the month of Aug. 
 
2. Asia Stocks Rise on China Optimism
The MSCI Asia Pacific Index jumped 0.4%, after the Conference Board said its leading indicator index for China climbed 0.6% in July. Shanghai Composite Index gained 2.66%. Seoul's KOSPI climbed 0.89%. 
 
3. S Korea Jobless Rate Drops to 3.0% on Year
The lower-than-expected unemployment rate in Aug was compared to 3.3% in the previous month. The numbers of employed people increased by 490,000 from a year earlier.
 
4. Tesco Plans US$460M Thailand Property Fund IPO
The initial public offer included 15 shopping malls anchored by Tesco Lotus stores. The world's 3rd largest retailer has raised US$8.6 biliion in the past 7 years from selling its UK stores.
 
5. Indonesia Awards Nine Exploration Licenses
Government officials said the rights for the oil and gas blocks were assigned to companies including Inpex, Niko and Evita Legowo.
 
6. Tokyo Electric Said to Cut 5,000 Jobs
The operator of Japan's nuclear plant admitted the job cut and a reshuffling of some positions, after local media reported the news citing an unidentified source.
 
7. Malaysia's Marine Bids for US$1.92B Project
The construction firm is bidding for projects in the country and overseas. Its order book currently stands at US$992.6 million.
 
8. Singapore GIC Concerned with UBS Trading Loss
The state-owned fund was disappointed about the US$2.3 billion loss and it urged the firm to take action to restore confidence. GIC owns about 6.4% stake of UBS.
 
9. 17 Dead in Landslides at Plant Hit by India Quake
Soldiers in northeastern India cleared a path Wednesday to a hydroelectric project where 17 people were confirmed killed by landslides in a powerful Himalayan earthquake, bringing the overall death toll to 91. 
 
10. Korean Envoys Hold Nuclear Talks in Beijing
Representatives of North and South Korea met for crucial talks, renewing optimism that Pyongyang could be persuaded to resume discussions on ending its nuclear program after it walked out 2 years ago.