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Israel is cashing in on soaring international demand for combat-proven air defence systems, as analysts say the billions of dollars’ worth of weapon sales will significantly expand the country’s influence beyond the Middle East.The weapon exports to Europe, Asia and Africa are helping Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration overcome its diplomatic isolation over the Gaza war by making the Jewish-majority state a key long-term security partner for its customers.“Exporting air defence systems is the highest level of strategic alignment. This isn’t a mere commercial transaction; it is a 30-year loyalty contract,” said Boyko Nikolov, the founder of Hardpoint, a specialised…

The Pakistani rupee strengthened against the US dollar, appreciating 0.01% in the inter-bank market on Friday. At close, the local currency settled at 280.17, a gain of Re0.03 against the greenback, according to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) data. On Wednesday, the local unit closed at 280.20. Pakistan’s liquid foreign exchange reserves stood at $21.022 billion as of December 19, 2025, with reserves held by the SBP accounting for $15.903 billion, according to data released by the central bank on Friday. Globally, as the new year approaches, investors are focused on when the US Federal Reserve might further cut interest…

We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.1. Pentagon says Chinese aircraft carriers, 6th-gen fighters make US ‘vulnerable’A Pentagon report contends that China’s development of its aircraft carriers, sixth-generation fighters and nuclear arsenal illustrates Beijing’s “historic” growth in military power and has left the US “increasingly vulnerable”.2. Second reusable rocket recovery failure in a month puts China 10 years behind USThe Long March 12A,…

Strong buying momentum was observed at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) during the final session of the week, with the benchmark KSE-100 closing at a new all-time high amid improved investor sentiment on Friday. Positive sentiment prevailed throughout the trading session, pushing the index to an intra-day high of 172,582.95. At close, the benchmark index settled at 172,400.73, an increase of 1,570.51 points or 0.92%. On Wednesday, PSX settled on a subdued note as cautious investor sentiment during the roll-over week led to selective selling in heavyweight stocks, dragging key indices into negative territory despite an improvement in overall trading…

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) kicked off trading on a strong note, with the benchmark KSE-100 Index gaining nearly 600 points during the opening minutes of trading on Friday. At 9:20am, the benchmark index was hovering at 171,414.25, an increase of 584.03 points or 0.34%. Buying interest was observed in key sectors, including automobile assemblers, cement, commercial banks, fertiliser, oil and gas exploration companies, OMCs and refinery. Index-heavy stocks, including ARL, PRL, HUBCO, MARI, OGDC, PPL, PSO, WAFI, HBL, MCB and NBP, traded in the green. On Wednesday, PSX settled on a subdued note as cautious investor sentiment during the…

Strong buying momentum was observed at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) during the final session of the week, with the benchmark KSE-100 settling at a new all-time high amid improved investor sentiment on Friday. Positive sentiment prevailed throughout the trading session, pushing the index to an intra-day high of 172,582.95. At close, the benchmark index settled at 172,400.73, an increase of 1,570.51 points or 0.92%. On Wednesday, PSX settled on a subdued note as cautious investor sentiment during the roll-over week led to selective selling in heavyweight stocks, dragging key indices into negative territory despite an improvement in overall trading…

China’s ruling Communist Party has vowed to keep up efforts to fight corruption next year after a record 63 high-ranking officials – known as “tigers” – were placed under investigation on suspicion of graft in 2025.During a meeting on Thursday, top decision-making body the Politburo also discussed a plan to improve conduct within the party, strengthen integrity and combat graft, official news agency Xinhua reported.It said officials at the meeting had agreed to “resolutely push forward the fight against corruption, not stopping for a moment, not yielding an inch, and [to] deepen the comprehensive approach to addressing both the symptoms…

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump will happen “in the near future,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday, signaling progress in talks to end the nearly four-year war between Russia and Ukraine.“We are not losing a single day. We have agreed on a meeting at the highest level – with President Trump in the near future,” Zelenskyy wrote on X. “A lot can be decided before the New Year,” he added.Zelenskyy’s announcement came after he said Thursday he had a “good conversation” with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. Trump has…

Oil prices rose slightly on Friday after the US put greater economic pressure on Venezuelan oil shipments and carried out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of the government in Abuja. Brent crude futures rose 6 cents, or 0.1%, to $62.30 per barrel at 0456 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was also up 6 cents at $58.41. Both Venezuela and Nigeria are major oil producers. While Nigeria’s oilfields are mainly located in the south of the country, the airstrikes added to geopolitical risks. The White House ordered its military forces to focus on…

LONDON: Oil prices were stable on Friday as investors weighed potential supply risks from developing geopolitical tensions in a thinly attended post-Christmas session, after the U.S. carried out airstrikes against Islamic State militants in Nigeria and added greater economic pressure on Venezuelan oil. Brent crude futures fell 16 cents, or 0.26%, to $62.08 per barrel by 1148 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was down 7 cents, or 0.12%, at $58.28. Oil prices are on course for their steepest annual decline since 2020, with Brent and WTI down 17% and 19% respectively versus the final close of 2024. Rising…