BANGKOK (AP) - Asian stock markets fell today as talks dragged on to resolve a massive debt mess in Greece before it explodes into a wider financial crisis.
Greek political leaders have been haggling over the details of a cost-cutting package required for the country to get more urgently needed loans from international lenders. Some $170 billion in bailout money is on the line.
Without an injection of emergency money, Greece will likely default on its bond repayments on March 20 - an event that could shake European banks and other private lenders with Greek debt on their books.
Benchmark crude oil hovered below $97 per barrel while the dollar rose against the euro and the yen.
First Coast News