1. Asian markets apper headed for another slide Tuesday(updated)

KUALA LUMPUR: Asian stock markets appear to be headed for another downward trend Tuesday folowing sharp drops in New York, London, and elsewhere overnight. In Kuala Lumpur the benchmark Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) opened at 988.25 points down 8.59 or 0.86%. Volume was 56,821 lots and losers led gainers by 26 to 18. Stock markets in Australia and New Zealand fell for a second day Tuesday and their currencies continued to drop against the U.S. dollar after a plunge in U.S. and European markets showed no let-up in the global financial crisis. The Australian benchmark S&P/ASX-200 index lost 3.27 percent shortly after opening. A day earlier, it hit a three-year low, losing 155 points to close down 3.3 percent. In New Zealand on Tuesday, the benchmark NZX-50 index was down 2.84 percent or 84.15 points at 2,964.23 shortly... [read full story]