Nikkei 225 ended at a record high after a holiday break, with semiconductor-linked stocks leading gains across Tokyo equities on Thursday.

Pakistan cleared donkey meat and hide exports from Gwadar to China after a Chinese firm warned it would shut operations over delays there.

Hantavirus, a rare rodent-borne disease, drove a multinational health response after three reported deaths aboard MV Hondius off Cape Verde.

GCC countries scored 66.9 in the 2026 Economic Freedom Index, beating the global 59.9 average as the UAE, Qatar and Oman led the bloc overall.

UAE and French foreign ministers met in Abu Dhabi to review bilateral ties and regional developments as Gulf security concerns stay elevated.

CBUAE kept the UAE base rate at 3.65% after the Federal Reserve held rates steady, leaving the overnight liquidity framework unchanged.

South Korea major retailers posted a 5.6% March sales gain, with online channels taking a bigger share of consumer spending in the country.

UAE and Mauritania held Abu Dhabi talks on bilateral cooperation, renewable energy, maritime security and broader regional developments.

UAE and India stepped up high-level engagement as Ajit Doval met Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed in Abu Dhabi to discuss security and energy.

UAE mediation helped Russia and Ukraine exchange 386 captives, with 193 returned by each side in a confirmed humanitarian swap on April 24.

Syria will receive US$225 million in World Bank grants to rebuild water and health services after years of conflict damage nationwide.