Taiwan shares up sharply Monday on easing political tensions

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) - After sliding 10 percent last week, Taiwan's benchmark stock index Monday notched up its biggest single-day point gain in more than three and a half years as a political crisis, sparked by the island's disputed presidential election, abated. 

The weighted index of the Taiwan Stock Exchange rose 341.49 points, or 5.6 percent, to 6,474.11 - its highest closing level since the March 20 election.