Saudi Arabia's budget deficit dropped sharply in the first nine months of 2018 on the back of a surge in oil and other revenues, the finance ministry said on Wednesday.

It was billed as the world's biggest trade deal, a feather in the cap of globalization advocates that promised to re-write the rules for 21st century commerce.  

A massive trans-Pacific trade deal cleared a final hurdle Wednesday allowing it to enter into force this year, a pointed rebuke of President Donald Trump's protectionist policies from some of America's closest allies.

U.S. spending on intelligence has soared under President Donald Trump, figures released on Tuesday showed, as the government stepped up cyber warfare activities and boosted spying on North Korea, China and Russia.

Spending on civilian and military intelligence jumped by 11.6 percent to $81.5 billion in fiscal 2018, which ended on September 30, according to the Department of Defense and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.

The United Arab Emirates announced Tuesday the establishment of a special unit at the economy ministry to help lure foreign investors amid an economic slowdown.

The establishment of the foreign direct investment unit was ordered by President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al-Nahyan in a decree.

Most Asian markets rose Tuesday as investors were cheered by Donald Trump's belief the US and China could reach a "great" trade deal, which helped ease concerns over a report he is preparing to lump tariffs on all Chinese goods.

Investors started the day on a nervous note after Bloomberg News said the White House is lining up fresh levies if talks between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a G20 meeting next month are unsuccessful.

A Saudi oil tanker carrying the first batch of petroleum products worth $60 million arrived at Yemen's Aden port Monday, to help power electricity stations and prop up the war-torn country's sagging economy, officials said.

Britain on Monday ramped up its economic growth outlook for next year, when the country will exit the European Union, in an upbeat budget that vowed to boost spending after a decade of painful austerity.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday opened Istanbul's new international airport, which his government says will eventually become the world's largest.

"The new airport will be the pride of our country and an example to the world," Erdogan said at a lavish opening ceremony featuring several heads of state.

Japan and India agreed Monday to upgrade diplomatic and military ties, with Tokyo also offering low-interest loans as the two countries seek closer ties to balance China's weight in the region.