Asian markets rose Monday on lingering hopes for a new US stimulus package, though Shanghai and Hong Kong pared their initial rallies after data showed China's economy grew at a slower pace than forecast.

China has passed a new law restricting sensitive exports to protect national security, a move that adds to policy tools it could wield against the U.S. as tensions -- especially in technology -- continue to rise.

The British government said on Sunday it still wanted to reach a post-Brexit trade deal with the European Union, despite deadlocked talks.

Moody's on Friday cut the rating on Britain's debt a notch to Aa3, citing a weakening economy "exacerbated" by Brexit.

Britain's chief Brexit negotiator David Frost on Thursday said London was "disappointed" at European leaders' insistence that it should keep its word and implement the Brexit treaty in full.

Chief EU Brexit negotiator Michel Barnier said Thursday he had invited his British counterpart to resume trade talks next week, despite Prime Minister Boris Johnson's threat to walk away.

European leaders insisted Thursday that Britain must implement the terms of its existing Brexit withdrawal treaty, European Council president Charles Michel said after the first stage of an EU summit.

Wall Street dove in early trading on Thursday amid pessimism over chances for a new U.S. economic stimulus measure and a surprise rise in jobless benefit claims.

New applications for U.S. jobless benefits rose unexpectedly last week to 898,000, the Labor Department said on Thursday.

European Union leaders on Thursday placed the onus on Britain to unblock stalled post-Brexit trade talks, urging London to "make the necessary moves" to answer their concerns.

In a written conclusion adopted at their summit, the 27 leaders also urged the EU and its member states to step up preparations to protect their interests in the event Britain leaves the single market without a deal.