Most Asian stock markets slumped today amid persistent investor fears that Europe will not be able to come up with a plan to prevent Greece from defaulting on its debts.

World stock markets lost steam today after Germany’s economic growth came to a near-standstill in the second quarter, adding to fears that the global economy is slowing down.

AIB Bank and Bank of Ireland may become takeover targets for National Australia Bank when a former Barclays’ Bank deputy chief executive takes over NAB’s European operations in August.

SETBACKS on the battlefield for Anglo-American forces in Iraq were mirrored on world stock exchanges yesterday when stock prices fell after a week of almost unimpaired upward movement.