Japan plans to dissolve parliament with possible snap election in February: NHK

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks to the media after a telephone call with U.S. President Donald Trump, at her residence in Tokyo, Japan, Jan. 2, 2026. Kyodo | Via Reuters Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is planning to dissolve the country’s Lower House later this month and opt for a snap election likely in … Read more

Confronting protests, Iran vows to strike back if the U.S. attacks

Iranian supporters gather in front of a large Iranian flag in St Peter’s Square. Protests have erupted globally after the news of people being killed by the Islamic Republic regime while taking part in protests across Iran. Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images Tehran threatened on Sunday to retaliate against Israel and U.S. military … Read more

Iran’s leader accuses protesters of acting for Trump

Iranians gather while blocking a street during a protest in Kermanshah, Iran on January 8, 2026. Kamran | Afp | Getty Images Iran’s supreme leader on Friday lashed out at anti-government protesters, saying they were “vandals” acting on behalf of U.S. President Donald Trump by destroying public properties. In a broadcast on national television, reported … Read more

Trump’s Greenland gambit puts China on edge after Venezuela operation

SHANGHAI, CHINA – MAY 06: China’s research icebreaker Xuelong 2, or Snow Dragon 2, arrives at Waigaoqiao port after over 5-month Antarctic expedition on May 6, 2021 in Shanghai, China. Vcg | Visual China Group | Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed threat to take control of Greenland has raised alarm in Beijing, following … Read more

Asia-Pacific markets trade mixed as investors parse Australia inflation data

Sydney Opera House, designed by Danish architect Mr Jorn Oberg Utzon, at first light as the sun rises over Sydney harbor and city center skyscrapers. Ucg | Universal Images Group | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed Wednesday as investors parsed Australia’s inflation data. The country’s benchmark ASX/S&P 200 rose 0.38% after domestic inflation data … Read more

‘Might makes right’? Why the U.S. strike on Venezuela won’t push China into a Taiwan gamble

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro (L) and China’s President Xi Jinping wave during a meeting in Miraflores Presidential Palace, in Caracas on July 20, 2014. Leo Ramirez | Afp | Getty Images The ancient Greek historian Thucydides once wrote that “the strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must.” On Jan. 3, … Read more

Asian markets rise, defense stocks lead after after U.S. captures Venezuela’s Maduro

The skyline of Tokyo city, Japan. Tomohiro Ohsumi | Bloomberg | Getty Images Asia-Pacific markets began the first full trading week of 2026 on a stronger note after the U.S. said it had attacked Venezuela and captured President Nicolas Maduro over the weekend. Oil prices edged lower as markets weighed the potential impact of geopolitical … Read more

South Korea’s Lee begins China state visit after North fires missiles

South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung (R) and his wife Kim Hea Kyung (L) board their plane to depart for China at Seoul Air Base in Seongnam on Jan. 4, 2026. Jung Yeon-je | Afp | Getty Images South Korean President Lee Jae Myung began a state visit to China on Sunday, hoping to promote peace on … Read more

Singapore economy jumps 5.7% in fourth quarter, highest since 2021, on manufacturing growth

Singapore tops the list in the 2025 Global Talent Competitiveness Index by INSEAD and Portulans Institute. Calvin Chan Wai Meng | E+ | Getty Images Singapore’s economy expanded 5.7% year on year for the fourth quarter, the highest since 2021, driven mainly by a sharp increase in manufacturing output during the three months through December. … Read more

South Korea’s Kospi hits record high as region trades mixed at the start of 2026

People celebrate the New Year at the Bank of China building in Central in Hong Kong, China, January 1, 2026. Lam Yik | Reuters South Korea’s Kospi hit a new record Friday as Asia-Pacific markets kicked off the new year trading mixed. The Kospi was up 0.65%, and hit a record high. Heavyweight Samsung Electronics … Read more