Maniolas

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Japan’s Nikkei 225 stock average dived more than 4 percent Tuesday as weakness in U.S. and Chinese manufacturing sent world markets sharply lower. Early European trading mirrored the slide in Asian stock markets, showing investor sentiment remained fragile as weak data from the world’s two biggest economies sparked concerns that growth could wane. Germany’s DAX drooped 1.1 percent to 9,088.62. Britain’s FTSE 100 fell 0.6 percent to 6,429.07 and France’s CAC 40 lost 0.5 percent to 4,085.76. Earlier, Japan led the slide in Asian stocks. The Nikkei tumbled 4.2 percent to 14,008.47 and is down 14 percent over the past month. Toyota Motor Corp. sank 5.7 percent before reporting a fivefold surge in its quarterly profit and Sharp Corp. plunged 8.4 percent. There were signs U.S. markets might regain their footing, with Dow futures up 0.3 percent and S&P 500 futures up 0.5 percent. But market strategists warned against plowing back into stocks. “Investors should steer clear of risk assets over the short term as the turmoil does not look like it will be over anytime soon,” Credit Agricole CIB said in a report. Investment sentiment was already fragile because of signs of stress in the financial markets of nations such as Turkey and Argentina. The Federal Reserve is incrementally withdrawing massive stimulus as the U.S. economy recovers from 2008 financial crisis, sending shockwaves through markets that were driven higher by the tide of cheap money created by the Fed’s policy. Sentiment took a further Read More …

By Frances MangosingINQUIRER.net 4:09 pm | Tuesday, February 4th, 2014 Canadian Ambassador Neil Reeder visits Navy chief Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano on Tuesday at the Philippine Navy Headquarters. PHOTO/ NAVY PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE MANILA, Philippines — A Canadian frigate is in Manila on a goodwill visit, the Philippine Navy said Tuesday. Her Majesty Canadian Ship (HMCS) “Regina” arrived last Saturday at Pier 15 in South Harbor, Manila and will stay there until Wednesday, said Gregory Gerald Fabic, Navy spokesperson said. The Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines, Neil Reeder, visited the Navy Headquarters on Tuesday and paid a courtesy call to Navy chief Vice Admiral Jose Luis Alano. Reeder was joined by Colonel Michel Latouche, Canadian Defense Attaché to the Philippines, and Commander Daniel Charlebois, the commanding officer of “Regina.” In February last year, “Regina” also visited Manila where they conducted several activities such as professional exchanges and goodwill games with their Philippine Navy counterparts. The visit aims “to promote stronger military ties and cooperation” between the Philippine Navy and Royal Canadian Navy and strengthen the diplomatic relation between the two countries, Fabic said. Reeder assured Alano that they would continue to seek ways on how they can assist and help the Navy in its capability and capacity upgrade, adding that they are looking into the possibilities of forging a training collaboration to promote interoperability between the two navies. RELATED STORY Canada-Philippine bilateral ties Follow Us Recent Stories: Complete stories on our Digital Edition newsstand for tablets, netbooks and Read More …