IN BRIEF (Page 17)

Stock markets slide

World stock markets fell yesterday, with Japan's benchmark tumbling nearly 3 percent, after weak US manufacturing figures knocked confidence in a quick recovery from global recession.

US stock index futures pointed to slight losses on Wall Street. Dow futures were down 19 points, or 0.2 percent, to 8,600 while S&P 500 futures slipped 1.7, or 0.2 percent, to 917.70.