Asian Markets Mixed after Global Rate Cuts

SHANGHAI — Asian markets were mixed Thursday as investor enthusiasm over rate cuts around the world gave way to persisting fears over the severe strains in credit markets, and the prospect of a global recession.

South Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan lowered interest rates, joining a series of cuts Wednesday in the US, Europe and China aimed at stabilizing global markets that plunged sharply this week.But lower interest rates alone are unlikely to cure the crisis in confidence, analysts said.

Asean Must Do More on Burma: Rice

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday said the Association of South East Asian Nations (Asean) should do more to help move Burma’s military dictatorship toward democracy.

Film Reveals Murder of Burmese Fishermen

A film capturing eyewitness accounts of the appalling maltreatment of Burmese fishermen in Thailand was released on Thursday at the Fishers’ Conference of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) in Pusan, South Korea.

Appeal against Suu Kyi’s Detention Handed in at Naypyidaw

A legal representative of Burma’s detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi handed in to the military government in Naypyidaw on Wednesday a formal appeal against the latest extension of her house arrest.