Originally posted by the Voice of America.
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                  China's Stock Markets Close After Sharp Fall

   by VOA News

   Chinese stocks plummeted nearly 7 percent Monday - on the first day of
   trading for the new year in China - prompting a halt to trading for the
   day on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges.

   European markets followed Asia's lead, opening lower, with Germany's
   DAX down more than four percent and the FTSE in London more than two
   percent lower.

   Poor manufacturing data in China, the world's second-largest economy is
   mainly being blamed for the sharp sell-off, along with rising tensions
   in the Middle East.

   Japan's Nikkei index closed down 3 percent and Hong Kong's Hang Seng
   fell more than 2.5 percent.

   The price of oil rose Monday, mainly over concerns in the Middle East
   with Saudi Arabia in a tense political dispute with Iran.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/financial-markets/3130131.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/financial-markets/3130131.html