Chinese telecom giant ZTE halted trading of its shares in Hong Kong and Shenzhen Tuesday following a US ban on its purchase of sensitive technology, which drew a pledge by China to "safeguard" its companies if necessary.

China's economy grew more than expected in the first quarter as it withstood headwinds from Beijing's fight against financial risk and pollution, and trade tensions with the United States.

Alitalia moved a step closer to being sold to Lufthansa on Monday after an Italian government minister called the German airline's bid the "most promising."

Omani and Kuwaiti oil ministers on Monday called on OPEC and non-OPEC producers to continue their unprecedented cooperation to maintain stability in the energy market.

Asian and European equities diverged Monday in a muted reaction to US-led strikes on Syria, dealers said.

Bank of America reported a jump in first-quarter earnings Monday on strong performance in key businesses thanks in part to a lift from higher interest rates.

Qatar raised $12 billion (9 billion euros) in its first dollar bond sale in two years and it is the biggest dollar bond from an emerging-market nation this year, according to Bloomberg.

Asian markets mostly rose Friday as Donald Trump soothed concerns about military action in Syria while also sparking hopes the US could rejoin a massive Pacific-wide free-trade pact.

China's trade surplus with the United States surged by a fifth in the first three months of the year with China calling Friday on Washington to be patient as tensions between the economic superpowers simmer.

President Donald Trump said Thursday the US could re-enter the Trans-Pacific Partnership if it could get a "better" deal, potentially marking an abrupt about-face for a president who campaigned against the deal and swiftly withdrew from it after taking office last year.