Global stock markets and Wall Street futures fell Wednesday as the U.S. government crept closer to a potentially disruptive default on its debt. London and Paris both opened down 1.5%. Shanghai, Tokyo and Hong Kong also declined. Wall Street’s benchmark S&P 500 index fell 1.1% on Tuesday after Speaker Kevin McCarthy of the House of Representatives said, “We’re not there yet” on a deal. That followed a meeting Monday with President Joe Biden that ended with no agreement. “McCarthy’s comments have thrown cold water” on sentiment, Vishnu Varathan of Mizuho Bank said in a report. He said the slide in prices is ... (full story)