Financial Markets Plunge as Capitalist Illusions Shattered

<strong>United States</strong>: Fearing market collapse, exchanges from NYSE to Pacific Stock Exchange were shut down for at least two days. Federal Reserve moves to add liquidity.
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<strong>In Japan</strong>: Nikkei average -682.85 points, lowest close since December 1983. TOPIX index lost 67.32 points. Bank of Japan moves to add liquidity.
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<strong>In London</strong>: 15 minutes into the trading day, FTSE 100 index had fallen by 62 points to a new 35-month low. European Central Bank and Swiss National Bank move to add liquidity.
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<strong>In Frankfurt</strong>: Dax index fell more than 50 points in the first minute of trade.
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<strong>In Paris</strong>: CAC 40 index plummeted to a 30-month low
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<strong>Hong Kong</strong>: "Screen paralysis" reported as businesses shut down, halting the Asian dollar bond trade.