- Angry French cognac makers see red over Chinese tariffs threat
- Protect the prosciutto: Italy battles swine fever
- UN holds 'Summit of the Future' to tackle global crises
- Marxist leader set to become Sri Lanka's next president
- From blades to pull-up bars: UK charity tackles knife crime
- Swiss vote on pensions and environment protections
- No pain, no gain: Chinese pro wrestlers fight for recognition
- UAE leader seeks to deepen 'strategic' ties in US visit during Mideast crisis
- Hezbollah takes heavy hits but still fighting Israel
- Floods, landslides hit central Japan months after major quake
- All Blacks coach Robertson demands better finishing
- Argentina edge South Africa to keep title hopes alive
- Biden says China 'testing us,' in hot mic remarks to Quad allies
- Dubois destroys Joshua to retain IBF world heavyweight crown
- Guardiola says critics want Man City wiped 'from face of the Earth'
- Biden says 'Quad' is 'here to stay' despite challenges
- Dubois knocks out Joshua to retain IBF world heavyweight crown
- Vinicius helps 'faster' Madrid overturn stubborn Espanyol
- Zelensky to press US on long-range missile strikes inside Russia
- PSG drop first points in draw at Reims
- Vinicius, Mbappe on target as Madrid crush plucky Espanyol
- Jeeno leads Ko by two at LPGA Queen City Championship
- Bottega Veneta goes for 'E.T.' chic as Madonna pops into D&G
- Messi, Miami frustrated by New York late leveler
- Musk's X platform takes first step toward lifting Brazil ban
- 'Business as usual' for Australia match-winner Carey amid boos
- Israeli jets pound Lebanon after deadly Beirut strike
- Ten Hag bemoans Man Utd's lack of killer instinct in Palace stalemate
- France's Macron appoints new government in shift to right
- Cheika proud of Leicester grit after winning start as boss
- Profligate Man Utd pay price in 0-0 draw at Palace
- Kane, Olise run riot as Bayern thump Bremen
- Diaz fires Liverpool top of Premier League, Man Utd held at Palace
- LIV champion Rahm out of LIV Team semis with severe flu
- Slot surprised by tearful Nunez's moment of magic
- Title rivals Norris, Verstappen on 'cool' front row for Singapore GP
- Biden talks China with 'Quad' leaders in hometown summit
- Juve and Napoli play out goalless draw in early Serie A title tussle
- Alcaraz fears tennis tour grind will 'kill us'
- Carey sparks recovery as Australia thrash England in 2nd ODI
- Leclerc, Sainz lament 'disappointing' Saturday in Singapore
- Bottega Veneta holds investors' aces as Madonna pops into D&G
- Beirut digs for victims at building flattened in Israeli strike
- Verstappen stages protest over 'ridiculous' swearing punishment
- Bayern boss Kompany lauds 'special talent' Olise
- Diaz fires Liverpool top of Premier League, Spurs bounce back
- Heavy fire over Israel-Lebanon border after deadly Beirut strike
- Ramos guides unbeaten Toulouse to Montpellier win despite Hogg scuffle
- Myanmar flood death toll jumps to 384
- Chelsea owners 'happy' with win at West Ham amid rift report
Markets plunge on China lockdowns, rate hike fears
Stock markets and oil prices sank Monday on growing concern that lockdowns in China aimed at fighting a worsening Covid outbreak could further harm a world economy battling decades-high inflation.
The losses extended last week's sell-off triggered by Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell indicating that the US central bank would hike interest rates by half a percentage point next month and possibly several times more this year.
Among the world's major stock markets, Shanghai led the losses, closing down more than five percent.
In Europe, Paris shed 2.3 percent approaching the half-way stage.
French President Emmanuel Macron is set to begin efforts to unite a deeply divided nation after winning re-election Sunday in a battle against rival Marine Le Pen that saw the far right come its closest to taking power.
In foreign exchange Monday, the euro slid against the dollar, while oil prices at one point tumbled more than five percent.
The dollar was up sharply also against the pound, but down versus the yen, seen as a haven investment in times of economic turbulence.
"The markets have fallen out of bed... in a big way," noted AJ Bell investment director Russ Mould.
"The prospect of further restrictions in China could lead to a poisonous mix of further inflationary pressure, as supply chains in the so-called 'factory of the world' get disrupted, and weaker economic growth."
Officials in finance hub Shanghai reported 51 deaths Monday, its highest daily toll despite weeks of strict containment measures, while Beijing warned of a "grim" situation as infections rise.
Investors were already fleeing risk assets as they become worried that the Fed tightening will knock the pandemic economic recovery off course and dent companies' bottom line.
"The surge in energy, as well as food prices, has started to see consumers prioritise where they spend their money," noted Michael Hewson, chief market analyst at CMC Markets UK.
Oil prices sank Monday on fears that China's worsening Covid outbreak could slam demand from the major energy consumer.
"As China is the second largest economy in the world, the situation... has a big impact on commodity markets," said XTB analyst Walid Koudmani.
Metals prices also slumped on Monday, as did share prices of energy and mining companies.
Elsewhere in Asia, Sri Lanka's stock market halted trading after a nearly 13 percent plunge as the island nation's beleaguered government is under pressure to resign over a crippling economic crisis.
- Key figures at 1000 GMT -
London - FTSE 100: DOWN 2.2 percent at 7,354.14 points
Paris - CAC 40: DOWN 2.3 percent at 6,430.86
Frankfurt - DAX: DOWN 1.6 percent at 13,910.25
EURO STOXX 50: DOWN 2.3 percent at 3,753.50
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.9 percent at 26,590.78 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: DOWN 3.7 percent at 19,869.34 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 5.1 percent at 2,928.51 (close)
New York - Dow: DOWN 2.8 percent at 33,811.40 (close)
Brent North Sea crude: DOWN 4.3 percent at $102.02 per barrel
West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 4.4 percent at $97.57 per barrel
Euro/dollar: DOWN at $1.0738 from $1.0801 late on Friday
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.2733 from $1.2834
Euro/pound: UP at 84.32 pence from 84.14 pence
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 128.18 yen from 128.51 yen
T.Bondarenko--BTB