Japan set fiscal 2026 defense spending near 2% of GDP as the Ministry of Defense expanded funding for missiles, drones and air defense.

ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates entered 2026 with a strong run of official economic data showing broad-based expansion across non-oil activity, trade, banking and investment, reinforcing its position as one of the region’s fastest-growing economies. Releases published in the first quarter and early second quarter pointed to solid momentum carried over from…

Malaysia recorded RM68.52 billion in halal exports in 2025, as food and beverage products remained the sector’s largest contributor.

South Korea approved its first paid self-driving freight service, clearing RideFlux to launch autonomous parcel deliveries in June.

SEJONG: South Korea’s automobile exports rose in March as strong global demand for hybrid vehicles lifted overseas shipments despite weaker sales in parts of Asia and the Middle East. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said auto exports totaled $6.37 billion last month, up 2.2% from a year earlier and marking the second-highest…

BEIJING: Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, arrived in Beijing to begin an official visit to China that runs from April 12 to April 14, with both sides framing the trip as a step to deepen bilateral relations and expand cooperation across priority sectors. China’s foreign ministry said…