In a high-security Shenzhen laboratory, Chinese scientists have built what Washington has spent years trying to prevent: a prototype of a machine capable of producing the cutting-edge semiconductor chips that power artificial intelligence, smartphones and weapons central to Western military dominance.

President Donald Trump's administration warned on Tuesday the United States could impose fees or restrictions on European service providers in response to what it called “discriminatory” actions against US firms.

In a light-filled workshop in eastern China, a robotic arm moved a partially assembled autonomous vehicle as workers calibrated its cameras, typical of the incremental automation being adopted even across smaller factories in the world's manufacturing powerhouse.

The $120-million effort will link northern and southern Papua New Guinea and the Bougainville autonomous region with high-capacity cables, Peter Tsiamalili, PNG's acting minister for information and communications technology, said on Friday.

The Japanese government approved a record budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Friday, to pay for everything from bigger defense spending to ballooning social security costs as inflation persists.

GSM, officially known as Green and Smart Mobility JSC, is targeting a valuation of US$2 billion to $3 billion in the initial public offering that could take place in late 2026 to early 2027, two sources said.

China's foreign ministry announced sanctions on Friday targeting 10 individuals and 20 US defense firms, including Boeing's St. Louis branch, over arms sales to Taiwan.

As part of broader efforts to strengthen child protection in the digital space, the Indonesian government is preparing to impose restrictions on children’s and adolescents' access to social media starting in 2026.

Asian stocks were at six-week highs on Monday, while the dollar hovered near its lowest in almost three months on expectations of the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates next year, which have also sparked a fierce rally in precious metals.

Major US stock indices finished at fresh records Wednesday following a shortened pre-holiday session while gold and silver prices also struck fresh highs.

Asian markets went into the Christmas break Wednesday on a mixed note as investors struggled to track a record day on Wall Street fueled by forecast-topping US economic data.

The US dollar was headed for its worst annual performance in more than two decades on Wednesday as investors wagered the Federal Reserve would have room to cut rates further next year even as some of its peers looked set to hike.