Breaking News Alert The New York Times Friday, October 24, 2008 -- 3:42 AM ET ----- Nikkei Closes Down 9.6% Japan and South Korea led Asian stock markets in steep declines Friday as dismal corporate earnings and economic data underscored the depth of the challenges facing the export-dependent economies in the Asia-Pacific region. In Japan, the Nikkei 225 index plunged 9.6 percent, hitting its lowest level since May 2003. The Kospi in South Korea plummeted 10.6 percent, falling 1,000 points and heading for a total decline this year of more than 50 percent. Read More: http://www.nytimes.com/?emc=na ----- Now get the New York Times Breaking News to your mobile phone. Sign up for the alerts by texting NEWSALERTS to 698698 (NYTNYT). ----- About This E-Mail You received this message because you are signed up to receive Breaking News Alerts from NYTimes.com. To unsubscribe, change your e-mail address or to sign up for daily headlines or other newsletters, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/email NYTimes.com 620 Eighth Ave. New York, NY 10018 Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company
-- Posted By Breaking News to Break News at 10/24/2008 10:45:00 AM
