Global equities are sharply lower. Asian...>

EQUITIES: Global equities are sharply lower. Asian stocks closed weaker, with

Japan's NIKKEI down 652.04 pts or -2.82% at 22472.91 and the TOPIX down 35.79

pts or -2.2% at 1588.92. China's SHANGHAI closed down 22.855 pts or -0.78% at

2920.897 and the HANG SENG ended 569.58 pts lower or -2.27% at 24480.15.

- European equities are lower too, with the German Dax down 327.86 pts or -2.62%

at 12201.11, FTSE 100 down 168.92 pts or -2.67% at 6160.39, CAC 40 down 156.59

pts or -3.1% at 4897.45 and Euro Stoxx 50 down 87.83 pts or -2.67% at 3206.11.

- U.S. futures are following suit, with the Dow Jones mini down 591 pts or

-2.19% at 26371, S&P 500 mini down 58.75 pts or -1.84% at 3127.75, NASDAQ mini

down 150.25 pts or -1.49% at 9938.75.