Seoul - South Korea's benchmark Kospi index on Friday lost 10.57 per cent, dropping below the 1,000-point level, the lowest since May 2005, as foreign investors continued to sell stocks.

The Kospi fell 110.96 points, or 10.57 per cent to close at 938.75.

Kospi heavyweight Samsung Electronics Co dropped 5.2 per cent after quarterly profit reports were down to the lowest in three years.

On the currency markets, the won fell to 1,422 against the dollar, down from Thursday's close of 1.408, the lowest finish since June 17,
1998.

New Delhi - Indian equities extended losses Friday as the benchmark Sensex tumbled 8 per cent to a two-year low as investors sold heavily after the central bank disappointed them by keeping key rates unchanged in its policy review.

The 30-share-sensitive index, which had shed 912 points over two sessions since Wednesday, lost another 782.62 points by mid-session Friday.

The Sensex fell sharply to 8,989.08, a loss of 8.01 per cent, by noon (06 30 GMT), after a credit and monetary review was announced by the Reserve Bank of India.

Banking, metal and realty stocks shed between 6 to 8 per cent to lead the Sensex to below 9,000, a level last seen in 2006.

A recent study has suggested that warm hands lead to warm thoughts about the person.

The study headed by Lawrence Williams of the University of Colorado studied a group of college students in a controlled experiment.

The volunteers were tested at the psychology building of Yale University of Colarado.

During an elevator ride a woman handed over cups of coffee to the volunteers. Half the volunteers were given hot cup of coffee whereas the other half were given iced coffee. They held the cups while riding an elevator which means just for a few seconds.

Thereafter the students were asked to fill up a questionnaire.

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved carotid stent for the treatment of patients with carotid artery disease. The stent will be manufactured by Boston Scientific Cardiovascular Business.

Hank Kucheman, Senior Vice President and Group President of Boston Scientific's Cardiovascular business said,"We are pleased to bring this proven technology to physicians in the United States.Excellent patient outcomes and ease of use in complex anatomy have already made this system the number-one stenting option for treating carotid artery disease in Europe and other countries outside the U.S. It offers a less-invasive alternative to surgery for treating carotid artery disease, and can help reduce the risk of stroke, which can have devastating effects."

Washington, Oct 24 : Just 12 days before the US presidential election, Republican White House nominee John McCain continues to keep “Joe the Plumber,” as well as his concerns about how rival Barack Obama’s tax policies would affect him, at the center of the campaign.

The economy is hands-down the top issue for voters, and the candidates are escalating their battle over whose tax plans would do the most for cash-strapped Americans.

Joe Wurzelbacher, the Ohio plumber who caused waves on the campaign trail after Obama told him he wants to “spread the wealth around,” is more than a talking point.

McCain is making “Joe the Plumber” his battering ram, FOX News reported.

To promote their upcoming movie ‘Golmaal Returns’, Bollywood actor Tusshar Kapoor together with hot and spicy Celina Jaitley will appear on Star Plus’s musical reality show Amul Star Voice of India on Saturday, October 25 at 10 pm.

After the shocking elimination episode on Friday, the show’s host Shaan as well as jury members decided to tweak the format to make it more judicious in the process of selecting the best voice as the ‘Voice of India.’