Singapore - Investors shed their shares Friday from the opening bell at the Singapore Exchange for fears of the global downturn's impact on corporate performances and the fate of developing economies.

The Straits Times Index crashed to 1591.48 points towards the closing bell but made a slight flip to close at 1600.28, down by a huge 145.39, or 8.33 per cent.

The STI has lost 278 points this week, having settled at 1878.51 at last Friday's close. The Singapore Exchange ended the day with 513 counters suffering losses and just 90 gainers. Trading volume totaled 1,208.5 million shares.

Chennai, Oct 24 : The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) on Friday staged a walkout from the Rajya Sabha demanding arrest of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi over his alleged support to the separatist LTTE in Sri Lanka.

As soon the proceedings began, AIADMK members raised slogans demanding dismissal of the Tamil Nadu Government and arrest of Karunanidhi.

Chairman Hamid Ansari, however, disallowed their move and said that the Question Hour should be taken up.

With Ansari disallowing their move, AIADMK members staged a walkout from the House.

Sydney, Oct 24 : The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have reportedly passed the obligation of charging Dr Mohamed Haneef with terrorism on to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP).

In a submission to the Clarke inquiry into the case, the AFP said that while the decision to charge Dr Haneef ultimately rested with it, the CDPP’s legal advice was “a fundamental factor” in the decision-making process to charge Dr Haneef.

Bangkok - Thai share values plunged 6.96 per cent in value on Friday as panic selling seized the region, analysts said.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) index ended at 432.87, down 32.37 points or 6.96 per cent.

"There was panic selling in tune with the trend in other Asian markets," said Phuwadol Larpudomsuk, an analyst at Asia Plus Securities.

Thailand's uncertain political scene also played a role. Another confrontation between anti-government protestors and anti-anti-government protestors is expected over the weekend.

London, Oct 24 : Malaysia’s National Fatwa Council has decided to ban men’s clothes for women and also lesbian relationship amongst women.

According to the Telegraph, Abdul Shukor Husin, chairman of the National Fatwa Council, said women wearing men’s clothes and behaving like men was unacceptable. He also said that lesbianism amongst women (sex between two woman) was highly unacceptable.

Dr Abdul explained, "In view of this, the National Fatwa Council have decided and taken the stand that such acts are forbidden and banned."

Male homosexuality - specifically sodomy - is illegal in Malaysia and punishable with up to 20 years in jail.

London, Oct 24 : A British war hero who fought in Afghanistan is living in his car, while a migrant family of Afghans has been handed over a 1.2million pounds mansion.

According to the Sun, Corporal Marcus Kilpatrick, 31, who spends his nights in a sleeping bag in the back of a 12-year-old Land Rover, was told no council housing was available for him.

Marcus, who had served in Afghanistan and Northern Ireland, said: "I feel completely let down and unloved by my own country."

Unemployed Marcus, originally from Norwich, sought help a week ago from Ealing Council in West London.

"I kept getting pushed from one person to another, or got told to come back the next day or the next, the paper quoted him, as saying.