LONDON (AP) — Financial markets around the world were roiled Thursday after Japanese stocks suffered their biggest slide since the country was hit by a devastating tsunami more than two years ago.

Several reasons have been blamed for the 7.3 percent fall in the Nikkei index to 14,483.98, including a spike in Japanese government bond yields and unexpectedly weak Chinese manufacturing figures.

Mixed messages from the U.S. Federal Reserve about when it may start withdrawing some of its monetary stimulus have also contributed to Thursday's retreat.

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The new owners of Venezuela's only television channel to take critical stands against the government say they will, in their words, "contribute to a climate of peace and not of conflict."

That comment came after a meeting with socialist President Nicolas Maduro, and it was seen by some people as a sign Globovision will tone down its anti-government line.

A group of Venezuelan businessmen bought the station earlier this month, raising questions about its future direction.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Prosecutors in Malaysia are pursuing rape charges against a 40-year-old man who allegedly had sex with a 13-year-old girl and then married her.

Restaurant manager Riduan Masmud was charged with committing statutory rape in a parked car in Borneo in February, but the man has defended his actions by saying he since married the girl.

Rights activists have long criticized Malaysian laws that allow very young Muslims to be wedded with the permission of Islamic courts.

MONTREAL (AP) — More than one million Montreal residents are being told to boil their drinking water after a malfunction at Canada's second-biggest filtration plant.

The malfunction resulted in brownish water gushing from fire hydrants and an unpleasant aroma wafting over parts of the city on Wednesday.

The advisory applied to most of Montreal. City spokeswoman Valerie De Gagne and others describe it as unprecedented.