Japan`s Nikkei stock index plunged four percent in early trade Thursday after Wall Street fell on dismal US economic data.

The benchmark index tumbled 333.55 points, or 4.03 percent, to 7,939.67 in early trade.

US stocks plunged to five-and-a-half-year lows Wednesday after data revealed a sharp deterioration in the world`s largest economy.

Japan`s Nikkei stock index opened 1.49 percent lower Thursday after Wall Street plunged on dismal US economic data.

The benchmark index lost 123.45 points to 8,149.77 in the first minute of trading.

US stocks plunged to five-and-a-half-year lows Wednesday after data revealed a sharp deterioration in the world`s largest economy.

US stocks sank Wednesday after gloomy official data underlined the deepening troubles in the world`s largest economy, with automakers desperately seeking a government bailout.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 203.82 points (2.42 percent) to 8,220.93 around 1637 GMT and the tech-heavy Nasdaq fell 44.54 points (3.00 percent) to 1,438.73.

US stocks opened in negative territory Wednesday after the government reported consumer prices in a record plunge in October, highlighting slowing demand in the world`s largest economy.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 20.15 points (0.24 percent) to 8,404.60 in opening trade and the tech-heavy Nasdaq fell 3.66 points (0.25 percent) to 1,479.61.

Japan`s Nikkei stock index fell 2.67 percent in early trade on Monday after official data showed Japan fell into recession for the first time in seven years, brokers said.

The benchmark index lost 225.81 points to 8,236.58 in the first 30 minutes of trading.

The Topix index of all first-section shares dropped 17.76 points, or 2.10 percent, to 829.15.

PRISTINA, Serbia, Nov 17, 2007 (AFP) - Polling stations opened in Kosovo Saturday in a vote to elect a government that would lead the Serbian province to independence as sought by majority Albanians but resisted by Serbs.

The first voters began casting ballots in the provincial capital Pristina shortly after up to 2,350 polling booths opened around the province at 7:00 am (0600 GMT) for 12 hours of voting, Radio Kosova reported.

SHANGHAI, Oct 22, 2007 (AFP) - Chinese share prices fell 1.52 percent in early Monday trade, following Wall Street's plunge in the previous session, dealers said.

They said that although China's capital markets had a relatively small portion of foreign investment, the sharp decline on US markets was likely to hurt Chinese shares dual-listed in Kong, which also opened down sharply.

HONG KONG, Oct 22, 2007 (AFP) - Hong Kong share prices opened sharply down on Monday, with the Hang Seng Index shedding 3.8 percent in the opening minutes of trade, dealers said.

They said shares were down as investors locked in recent gains after the major decline on Wall Street on Friday, blamed on lacklustre corporate earnings and rising crude prices.

'The market will fall today, nothing will rise,' said Francis Lun, general manager at Fulbright Securities. 'There will be profit-taking, plus the market is ready for a correction.'

SEOUL, Oct 22, 2007 (AFP) - South Korean shares were sharply lower in early trading Monday, with the key KOSPI index down nearly five percent at one stage, as investors took their cue from Wall Street's slump on Friday.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank more than 360 points or 2.6 percent, the third-biggest point and percentage drop this year, amid rising oil prices, weak corporate earnings and renewed credit fears.

TOKYO, Oct 22, 2007 (AFP) - Japanese share prices tumbled by more than three percent in early trade on Monday, hit by heavy losses on Wall Street and a stronger yen which is bad for exporters, dealers said.

The slump came after US share prices fell sharply on Friday as fresh worries emerged about the outlook for the world's largest economy on the 20th anniversary of the 'Black Monday' New York market crash.

Lacklustre corporate earnings and rising oil prices also spooked US investors.

TOKYO, Oct 22, 2007 (AFP) - Japanese share prices opened sharply lower Monday, with the benchmark Nikkei-225 index losing more than three percent in the first minutes of trading.

The index on the Tokyo Stock Exchange dropped 549.67 points or 3.27 percent to 16,264.70 following a slump on Wall Street on Friday and the yen's strength against the dollar.

Wall Street shares took a dive Friday as fresh worries about the outlook for the economy and earnings heightened skittishness on the 20th anniversary of the New York market crash.

GENEVA, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Switzerland on Sunday held the final day of a legislative election in which the far-right Swiss People's Party could strengthen its place as the leading party.

The party's focus on immigration and crime led to a bitter campaign marked by a riot and accusations of racism against the party.

The last opinion poll on October 10 indicated that the Swiss People's Party (SVP) was set to win 27.3 percent, 0.6 percent more than its score in the 2003 election.

ANKARA, Turkey, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Voters went to polls across Turkey on Sunday for a referendum on constitutional reforms that provide for the election of the president by popular vote.

Polling stations opened at 7:00 am (0400 GMT) in the east of the country and an hour later in the west. All voting will end at 5:00 pm (1400 GMT).

Some 42.6 million voters are registered to cast votes in the referendum, but observers say, with no public debate on the reform package, turnout will likely be low.

Initial results are not expected until late Sunday.

WARSAW, Oct 21, 2007 (AFP) - Voting began in Poland's snap parliamentary elections Sunday, after polling stations opened at 6:00 am (0400 GMT).

Voting was due to end at 8:00 pm (1800 GMT), and exit poll results were expected shortly afterwards, although an official tally was not likely to be released until Monday or Tuesday, the national electoral commission said.

NEW YORK, Oct 19, 2007 (AFP) - Wall Street shares tumbled Friday as the sharp downward momentum of the past few trading sessions pulled the market down despite solid earnings reports from Google and other major companies.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average sank 176.48 points (1.27 percent) to 13,712.48 and the tech-dominated Nasdaq dropped 33.70 points (1.20 percent) to 2,765.61 at 1448 GMT.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index declined 16.65 points (1.08 percent) to 1,523.43.

NEW YORK, Oct 19, 2007 (AFP) - US share prices swung lower at the opening Friday after solid earnings reports from Google and other major companies failed to stem the downward trend of the past few sessions.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average shed 70.80 points (0.51 percent) to 13,818.16 and the tech-dominated Nasdaq dropped 5.41 points (0.19 percent) to 2,793.90 in the first trades.

The Standard & Poor's 500 index declined 5.80 points (0.38 percent) to 1,534.28.

GENEVA, Oct 19, 2007 (AFP) - Swiss began voting on Friday in a general election marked by an unusually tense campaign marked by a riot and charges of racism or xenophobia levelled against the country's biggest party.

Polling booths were open in several municipalities, including the capital Bern, and were due to close on Sunday, officials said. About one-third of the electorate had already cast their postal ballots, according to a survey by the Swiss news agency ATS.

MUMBAI, Oct 19, 2007 (AFP) - Indian share prices fell 1.51 percent after recovering slightly from further steep falls in volatile trade early Friday on concerns over capital flow controls, dealers said.

They said investors appeared unwilling to take fresh positions until clarity emerged on a derivatives regulatory proposal on participatory notes.

The benchmark Sensex index fell 271.89 points to 17,726.5, off the day's low of 17,513.22.

LISBON, Oct 18, 2007 (AFP) - EU leaders opened a two-day summit Thursday to approve a new reform treaty, aimed at streamlining the functioning of the 27 nation bloc.

Hopes were high that lingering demands from Poland and to a lesser extent Italy could be overcome to enable an agreement on the treaty at the Lisbon summit.

Most European Union leaders want the treaty to end the political impasse that has engulfed the 27-nation bloc since French and Dutch voters rejected a proposed EU constitution in 2005.

LISBON, Oct 18, 2007 (AFP) - EU leaders opened a two-day summit Thursday to approve a new reform treaty, aimed at streamlining the functioning of the 27 nation bloc.

Hopes were high that lingering demands from Poland and to a lesser extent Italy could be overcome to enable an agreement on the treaty at the Lisbon summit.

By endorsing the new treaty, the European Union would cast into the annals of history a political impasse that has dogged the 27-nation bloc ever since French and Dutch voters rejected a proposed EU constitution in 2005.

NEW YORK, Oct 18, 2007 (AFP) - US stock markets posted declines Thursday morning after Bank of America disclosed its latest quarterly profits fell a sharp 32 percent, largely due to investment losses.

Stocks retreated after Bank of America, the nation's second largest banking firm, said its third quarter net profit slowed to 3.7 billion dollars, due in part to investment losses tied to mortgage-backed securities.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 11.95 points (0.09 percent) at 13,880.59 at 1508 GMT.

NEW YORK, Oct 18, 2007 (AFP) - US stock markets opened lower Thursday after Bank of America disclosed its latest quarterly profits moderated a sharp 32 percent, largely due to investment losses.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 35.53 points (0.26 percent) to 13,857.01 shortly after the markets opened for trading.

The tech-rich Nasdaq composite dropped 10.76 points (0.39 percent) to 2,781.91 while the broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index declined 5.33 points (0.35 percent) to 1,535.91.

LONDON, Oct 18, 2007 (AFP) - Europe's main stock markets rose in opening trade on Thursday, with London's FTSE 100 index of top shares gaining 0.10 percent to 6,684.50 points.

Frankfurt's DAX 30 climbed 0.15 percent to 7,997.73 points and in Paris the CAC 40 won 0.17 percent in value to reach 5,828.46.

burs-rfj/National League

SHANGHAI, Oct 18, 2007 (AFP) - Chinese share prices fell 1.61 percent in Thursday morning trade, extending the previous day's weakness after the securities regulator urged more risk education for investors, dealers said.

Tu Guangshao, vice chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, said in remarks carried on the front pages of major business newspapers that educating investors about risk was a key task for market participants.

HONG KONG, Oct 18, 2007 (AFP) - Hong Kong's benchmark index crossed the 30,000-point mark for the first time Thursday, following a spectacular run since August, dealers said.

The Hang Seng Index opened at 30,013.48, up 2.4 percent from Wednesday's close, on a report Chinese citizens will be able to buy stocks on the city's bourse by the end of the year.

Dealers said the market is also betting the US Federal Reserve will cut its key interest rates for a second time this year on October 31 after weak housing data and stable inflation numbers.

NEW YORK, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - Wall Street rebounded Wednesday from two days of heavy selling as the market was lifted by upbeat earnings reports, especially from the technology sector.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average traded up 26.09 points (0.19 percent) to 13,939.03 while the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite jumped 26.27 points (0.95 percent) to 2,790.18 at 1450 MT.

The broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index advanced 5.96 points (0.39 percent) to 1,544.49.

NEW YORK, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - Wall Street rebounded from two days of declines with a strong opening Wednesday as investors cheered upbeat earnings reports, especially from the technology sector.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average leapt 88.52 points (0.64 percent) to 14,001.46 in the first exchanges while the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite surged 38.11 points (1.38 percent) to 2,802.02.

The broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index advanced 11.19 points (0.73 percent) to 1,549.72.

MUMBAI, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - Indian shares resumed trading Wednesday after a one-hour halt following a 9.15 percent plunge triggered by a regulatory proposal to restrict buying by overseas investors, dealers said.

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) announced the proposal saying it would introduce curbs on the use of participatory notes, a type of derivative, that allow overseas investors to buy shares anonymously.

MUMBAI, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - Indian share prices plunged more than nine percent Wednesday, forcing a trading halt, after the market watchdog proposed restrictions on purchases by overseas investors, dealers said.

They said the plunge followed a notice by the Securities and Exchange Board of India saying it would consider curbs on the use of participatory notes that allow overseas investors to buy shares through a bank anonymously.

Trading lasted just minutes before the halt.

MUMBAI, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - Indian share prices plunged more than nine percent Wednesday and trading was halted after the market regulator restricted stock purchases by individual overseas investors, dealers said.

They said trading was halted minutes after the market opened and plunged in response to reports the Securities and Exchange Board of India will curb the use of so-called participatory notes that allow overseas invetors to buy shares through a bank anonymously.

SHANGHAI, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - Chinese share prices fell 0.23 percent in Wednesday morning trade as investors chose to lock in profits from previous day's rally, dealers said.

They said the market needed to take a breath after a record-breaking performance that saw the benchmark Shanghai index break through the key 6,000 points level for the first time on Monday.

At 10:36 am (0236 GMT) the Shanghai Composite Index, which covers both A and B shares, was down 13.93 points or 0.23 percent at 6,078.13.

HONG KONG, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - Hong Kong share prices opened lower Wednesday, down 0.97 percent, as investors continued to lock in profit amid a tumble in US stocks and high oil prices, dealers said.

The US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke's statement that the slumping housing market would be a 'significant drag' on the economy raised concerns that the credit crunch may persist, pulling down Wall Street stocks.

TOKYO, Oct 17, 2007 (AFP) - Japanese share prices opened lower Wednesday, briefly falling below the key 17,000-point mark after a second straight losing session on Wall Street, dealers said.

The benchmark Nikkei-225 index was down 87.44 points or 0.51 percent at 17,050.48 in volatile mid-morning trade. It briefly slipped below 17,000 points for the first time in intraday trade since October 2.

The broader Topix index of all first-section shares was down 10.88 points or 0.67 percent at 1,614.37.

NEW YORK, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - US shares swung lower in late morning trade Monday, reversing early gains, as oil prices leapt to record highs and investors braced for a wave of quarterly earnings reports.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 67.47 points (0.48 percent) to 14,025.61 and the Nasdaq composite slipped 9.54 points (0.34 percent) to 2,796.14 at 1455 GMT.

The broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index fell 6.44 points (0.41 percent) to 1,555.36.

NEW YORK, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - US shares opened slightly higher Monday as the stock market braced for a wave of earnings reports and major banks announced a plan to ease the global liquidity squeeze.

In opening trade, the Dow Jones Industrial Average advanced 13.73 points (0.10 percent) to 14,106.81 and the Nasdaq composite rose 2.09 points (0.07 percent) to 2,807.77.

The broad-market Standard & Poor's 500 index increased 1.76 points (0.11 percent) to 1,563.56.

LONDON, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - Europe's main stock markets steadied in initial deals on Monday, with the Paris CAC 40 index of top shares adding 0.07 percent to reach 5,847.95 points.

The French stock market opened later than normal owing to a technical problem.

Elsewhere in opening trade, London's FTSE 100 slid 0.11 percent to 6,723.30 points, and Frankfurt's Germany's DAX 30 lost 0.02 percent to stand at 8,039.80 points.

LONDON, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - Europe's main stock markets dipped in initial deals on Monday, with London's FTSE 100 index of top shares down 0.11 percent at 6,723.30 points.

Frankfurt's Germany's DAX 30 index lost 0.02 percent to stand at 8,039.80.

In Paris, meanwhile, the French stock market will open at 0730 GMT, or half an hour later than normal, owing to a technical problem.

SHANGHAI, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - Chinese share prices rose 0.28 percent in early trade Monday, shrugging off the government's decision to raise the required reserve ratio for the eighth time this year, dealers said.

They said that that banking stocks fell but then quickly recovered as investors had already factored in the central bank's tightening move.

On Saturday the central bank said it would raise from October 25 the reserve requirement by 0.5 percentage to 13 percent, in a move aimed at restricting the pace of banking loans.

HONG KONG, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - Hong Kong share prices opened higher Monday, up 1.07 percent in line with gains in the region following Wall Street's moderate advance on Friday, dealers said.

The Hang Seng index opened up 309.47 points at 29,147.84.

But dealers warned the gains appeared tentative as caution may prevail as the 17th China Communist Party Congress proceeds.

They added that the mainland central bank's latest hike in bank reserve requirement did not have any apparent impact on Hong Kong-listed China bank stocks.

BEIJING, Oct 15, 2007 (AFP) - The elite of China's Communist Party opened their five-yearly Congress here on Monday, an event widely expected to see President Hu Jintao endorsed as the nation's leader for another five years.

Amid heavy security, more than 2,200 delegates gathered at the Great Hall of the People from 9:00 am (0100 GMT) for a week of meetings during which they will discuss and approve the party's agenda for the coming five years.