Asian markets lifted by stimulus optimism, vaccine hopes

HONG KONG (AFP): Asian markets rose Wednesday (Oct 21) on signs US lawmakers are edging towards agreeing a new stimulus for the struggling economy, while hopes for a vaccine helped temper worries about surging virus infections around the world.

After months of stuttering talks, and with a deadline approaching, Democrats and the White House said they were closing the gap on their proposals, with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi saying legislation was being drawn up.