Asian shares extend losses as US banking worries persist

Asian shares have fallen as investors around the world watch to see what's next following the second- and third-largest bank failures in U.S. history. Benchmarks declined across the region. Oil prices also fell. U.S. futures turned higher. In Asia, direct exposure to the risks from the U.S. failures appeared slim, at least so far. Still, share prices for Japanese banks were sharply lower. MUFG fell 8.6%, Mizuho sank 7.1% and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group's shares dropped 7.6%. On Wall Street, bank issues fell but some stocks rose on hopes the Federal Reserve will take it easier on raising interest rates.