Stock markets clamber higher as volatile week draws to close

Asian and European markets headed into the weekend on a cautious note Friday after a volatile week, with eyes now fixed on the release of key US jobs data.The non-farm payrolls (NFP) data is eagerly awaited because it could provide fresh clues for the direction of US interest rates at the Federal Reserve's monetary policy meeting scheduled for later this month.Global equities dived at the start of this week after nuclear-armed North Korea fired a ballistic missile over Japan, sparking fears over