Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim concluded a three-day visit to Japan, during which he met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. The two leaders pledged to strengthen cooperation in critical minerals.

Xpeng Chairman and Chief Executive He Xiaopeng said he will personally take charge of the company's robotics division as the Chinese electric-vehicle maker accelerates its push into humanoid robots, a sector it views as a cornerstone of its future growth strategy.

While marketing initiatives promote an ultra-fast transition to wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductors, fully automated smart factories, and an all-electric automotive future, the sentiment across the PCIM Europe 2026 exhibition floor is more pragmatic. The industry has reached a transitional maturity wall where the realities of material physics, fragmented design silos, and macroeconomic supply shocks are clashing with marketing hype cycles.