The other leaders of G7 nations must not be afraid to reach agreements without U.S. President Donald Trump at their upcoming summit, French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday, as a trade war between Washington and its allies looms.

Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed has announced a 50-billion dirham ($13.6 billion, 11.6 billion euro) stimulus package over the next three years, as the emirate seeks to boost its flagging economy. 

He also announced a series of economic initiatives to create 10,000 jobs for nationals over the next five years and to make doing business easier.

While Egypt's economy is displaying the green shoots of recovery, citizens are enduring relentless price rises covering everything from water to metro tickets.

Australia's economy recorded a strong start to the year as exports and business inventories rose, official data showed Wednesday, but analysts warned soft consumer spending would keep a rise in interest rates at bay.

Most Asian markets rose on Tuesday, extending recent gains as analysts said optimism over the improving US economy was helping overcome worries about a possible trade war and geopolitical uncertainty.

Australia's central bank kept interest rates at a record low Tuesday for a 20th consecutive meeting as it waits for signs of wage and price inflation as well as a drop in unemployment.

The inflation rate in Turkey jumped in May, official statistics showed Monday, increasing pressure on the central bank to again raise interest rates as fears persist over the strength of the economy.

State-owned energy giant Qatar Petroleum on Sunday signed an agreement to buy a 30-percent stake in Exxon Mobil hydrocarbon affiliates in Argentina.

US-imposed trade tariffs on its close allies could have a "grave impact" on ties and the world trading system, the Japanese government said Monday, describing the situation as "extremely deplorable".

Qatar has weathered the economic impacts of a stifling Saudi-led blockade, maintaining healthy growth, but some sectors continue to pay the price a year after the crisis erupted.