STEVE INSKEEP, Host: NPR's business news starts with the slide in world markets today.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, Host: Major Asian stock indexes were down much more sharply. In Hong Kong and South Korea, they were off nearly 5 percent. European stocks took a big hit before appearing to stabilize. Investors are concerned that banks may not be repaid for big loans they made to Dubai.
International stock markets are down Friday. Asian stock markets plummeted nearly 5 percent as fears mount over the fallout from Dubai's massive debt problems. Investors have cut back their riskier bets on equities and commodities.