Asian shares broadly up

Asian markets mostly rose on Thursday in cagey trade following a positive close on Wall Street and before the congressional testimony of US Federal Reserve head Janet Yellen later in the day. Australia's main index was hit by a slump in Qantas shares after the national carrier said it would slash 5,000 jobs under restructuring plans as it announced a half-year net loss of more than US$200 million. Shanghai added 0.30 percent, or 6.10 points, to close at 2,047.35 and Hong Kong rallied 1.74 percent, or 390.74 points, to 22,828.18. Seoul finished 0.39 percent higher, gaining 7.66 points to 1,978.43. But Tokyo slipped 0.32 percent, or 47.86 points, to 14,923.11 and Sydney fell 0.47 percent, or 25.6 points, to 5,411.4. Mumbai was closed for a public holiday, according to AFP.