Asia markets hit as US jobless claims jump, stimulus talks stall

Asian equities sank Friday, dragged by a worse-than-forecast US jobless claims report that fanned fears about the economic recovery, while the mood was also being darkened by China-US tensions, stalled stimulus talks in Washington and a surge in virus cases. “Why on Earth the passing of this new US stimulus bill has devolved into a case of political gerrymandering when economic calamity is knocking at the door, is beyond comprehension,” Innes…