- All Blacks coach Robertson demands better finishing
- Argentina edge South Africa to keep title hopes alive
- Biden says China 'testing us,' in hot mic remarks to Quad allies
- Dubois destroys Joshua to retain IBF world heavyweight crown
- Guardiola says critics want Man City wiped 'from face of the Earth'
- Biden says 'Quad' is 'here to stay' despite challenges
- Dubois knocks out Joshua to retain IBF world heavyweight crown
- Vinicius helps 'faster' Madrid overturn stubborn Espanyol
- Zelensky to press US on long-range missile strikes inside Russia
- PSG drop first points in draw at Reims
- Vinicius, Mbappe on target as Madrid crush plucky Espanyol
- Jeeno leads Ko by two at LPGA Queen City Championship
- Bottega Veneta goes for 'E.T.' chic as Madonna pops into D&G
- Messi, Miami frustrated by New York late leveler
- Musk's X platform takes first step toward lifting Brazil ban
- 'Business as usual' for Australia match-winner Carey amid boos
- Israeli jets pound Lebanon after deadly Beirut strike
- Ten Hag bemoans Man Utd's lack of killer instinct in Palace stalemate
- France's Macron appoints new government in shift to right
- Cheika proud of Leicester grit after winning start as boss
- Profligate Man Utd pay price in 0-0 draw at Palace
- Kane, Olise run riot as Bayern thump Bremen
- Diaz fires Liverpool top of Premier League, Man Utd held at Palace
- LIV champion Rahm out of LIV Team semis with severe flu
- Slot surprised by tearful Nunez's moment of magic
- Title rivals Norris, Verstappen on 'cool' front row for Singapore GP
- Biden talks China with 'Quad' leaders in hometown summit
- Juve and Napoli play out goalless draw in early Serie A title tussle
- Alcaraz fears tennis tour grind will 'kill us'
- Carey sparks recovery as Australia thrash England in 2nd ODI
- Leclerc, Sainz lament 'disappointing' Saturday in Singapore
- Bottega Veneta holds investors' aces as Madonna pops into D&G
- Beirut digs for victims at building flattened in Israeli strike
- Verstappen stages protest over 'ridiculous' swearing punishment
- Bayern boss Kompany lauds 'special talent' Olise
- Diaz fires Liverpool top of Premier League, Spurs bounce back
- Heavy fire over Israel-Lebanon border after deadly Beirut strike
- Ramos guides unbeaten Toulouse to Montpellier win despite Hogg scuffle
- Myanmar flood death toll jumps to 384
- Chelsea owners 'happy' with win at West Ham amid rift report
- Kane and Olise run riot as Bayern thump Bremen
- Ramos guides unbeaten Toulouse to Montpellier win
- Norris pips Verstappen to dramatic Singapore pole after Sainz crash
- Carey takes Australia to 270 in 2nd ODI against England after collapse
- Two Hezbollah leaders killed in Israel's Beirut strike
- Hungary Danube waters reach decade high after Storm Boris
- Bagnaia cuts Martin's MotoGP lead with Emilia-Romagna sprint win
- Jackson double fires Chelsea to victory at woeful West Ham
- Fiji beat Japan to lift Pacific Nations Cup
- Kasatkina to face Haddad Maia in Korea Open final
Asian markets slide on inflation, Covid fears
Asian stocks closed lower on Monday in cautious trade, as figures showed China's economic growth accelerated in the first quarter of the year, but the government warned of "significant challenges" ahead.
Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei 225 ended down more than one percent and Shanghai posted small losses, while Hong Kong and Sydney were closed for holidays.
Shanghai reported its first Covid-19 deaths since the start of its weeks-long lockdown.
China's largest city and economic powerhouse has stewed under a patchwork of restrictions this year amid the country's worst Covid-19 outbreak since the start of the pandemic.
The country reported first-quarter economic growth of 4.8 percent, the National Bureau of Statistics said, as the pandemic threatens Beijing's ambitious annual growth target.
That figure was up from 4.0 percent in the final months of 2021.
The world's second-biggest economy was already losing steam in the latter half of last year as it endured a property slump and regulatory crackdowns.
"We must be aware that with the domestic and international environment becoming increasingly complicated and uncertain, economic development is facing significant difficulties and challenges," said NBS spokesman Fu Linghui.
"Overall, the data suggest that China started the year well, but as the quarter has moved on, the headwinds have gotten stronger," said Jeffrey Halley, senior market analyst with OANDA.
"A slowing property market, sweeping Covid restrictions, the Ukraine invasion pushing up base commodity and energy prices, and a central bank still intent on deleveraging sectors of the economy, have all combined to weigh on China's growth.
"About the only thing missing is a meaningful rise in inflation, which is some small sliver of comfort."
Oil prices, which have been elevated since Russia's February invasion of Ukraine, were up again, with Brent Crude topping $111 a barrel.
Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said the rise was "likely to fuel inflation fears and rate hike jitters around the meaningful Fed action required to snuff those fears out".
Russia is a major global oil and gas supplier, and -- along with Ukraine -- is also a key player in the grain sector.
The conflict has shaken markets for these commodities, and the impact has been felt from the Middle East to South America.
The war has sent oil prices soaring, with reports swirling about further energy sanctions on Russia.
Central banks in several major economies including the United States, Canada and Britain have already started raising interest rates to contain prices, but the European Central Bank on Thursday kept its stimulus plans and rates unchanged.
- Key figures around 0730 GMT -
Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 1.08 percent at 26,799.71 (close)
Shanghai - Composite: DOWN 0.49 percent at 3,195.52 (close)
Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: Closed for a holiday
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0802 from $1.0798
Pound/dollar: DOWN at $1.3023 from $1.3037
Euro/pound: UP at 82.95 pence from 82.83 pence
Dollar/yen: UP at 126.54 yen from 126.53 yen
Brent North Sea crude: UP 0.04 percent at $111.75 per barrel
West Texas Intermediate: UP 0.05 percent at $106.90 per barrel
New York - Dow: DOWN 0.3 percent at 34,451.23 (close)
London - FTSE 100: UP 0.5 percent at 7,616.38 (close)
C.Meier--BTB