BBC: European and Asian markets have fallen sharply on fears that the world economy will enter a protracted downturn.
London's FTSE 100 index was down 1.7% around midday, with mining shares hardest hit. French and German markets also lost ground.
In Asia, Japan's Nikkei index ended 6.8% lower and Hong Kong's main index fell more than 4%.
The slide comes after the Dow Jones share index in New York fell to its lowest level in five years. >>> | November 20, 2008
TIMESONLINE:
Shares Dive as US Jobless Adds Another 542,000 >>> Suzy Jagger, New York | November 20, 2008
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