Asia stocks 16-month low on report of Ukraine nuclear plant fire

Asian equity markets and the euro suffered heavy losses on Friday while oil prices jumped as investors took fright from reports of a nuclear power plant on fire amid fierce fighting between Ukraine and Russian troops.

The risk-off appetite battered markets across the region, sending US stock futures also sharply lower, suggesting more pain for European and US markets when they open later in the day.

RIA news agency cited the Ukrainian atomic energy ministry...