AP - Asian stock markets plunged Friday after more bad news on the U.S. economy, a vital export market, triggered a broad sell-off on Wall Street overnight.

AFP - The three top separatist leaders in Muslim-majority Indian Kashmir were put under house arrest Friday ahead of planned protests against Indian-rule during weekly prayers, police said.

AFP - The embattled premier of Australia's most populous state, New South Wales, was forced to resign Friday after his party withdrew support for him over a dramatic reshuffle of his cabinet.

AFP - North Korea will delay a long-awaited probe into abductions of Japanese citizens, officials said Friday, as dovish Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda's sudden resignation set back moves to ease tension.