Asia continues plunge in shares

US shares plunge to five-year low
Wall Street plunges more than 5% on Wednesday to its lowest level in over five years on rising economic worries.

Bush warns over 'protectionism'
The US president says he is pleased with progress in leaders' talks on the financial crisis, but warns against "protectionism".

US retail sales in record plunge
US retail sales fell sharply last month, recording the biggest monthly decline since 1992, as hard-up consumers avoided the shops.

Munich Re profit almost wiped out
German reinsurance giant Munich Re sees its quarterly profits almost wiped out by the financial crisis and hurricane claims.

EU holds financial reform summit
EU leaders gather in Brussels to co-ordinate their approach to the financial crisis ahead of a global summit in Washington.