
Sanae Takaichi Seeks Market Trust as Japan Weighs Spending and Tax Cuts
Feb 19, 2026 04:56 am UTC| Politics Economy
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is preparing to defend her proactive fiscal policies as parliament begins deliberations on her flagship spending and tax cut plans next week. While Takaichi has pledged to boost...

Trump Says U.S. Trade Deficit Shrinking Sharply as 2026 Trade Surplus Looms
Feb 19, 2026 02:47 am UTC| Politics Economy
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Americas trade deficit has narrowed significantly due to his 2025 trade tariffs, adding that the country could post its first trade surplus in decades as early as this year....

Lavrov Warns of Serious Consequences if U.S. Launches New Strike on Iran
Feb 19, 2026 02:29 am UTC| Politics
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned that any new U.S. strike on Iran would trigger serious consequences and further destabilize the Middle East. In an interview aired by Saudi Arabias Al-Arabiya television...

U.S. Military Delegation Visits Venezuela After Maduro’s Arrest in Rare Diplomatic Shift
Feb 19, 2026 02:25 am UTC| Politics
A senior U.S. military delegation led by General Francis Donovan, the top commander overseeing U.S. forces in Latin America, made a surprise visit to Venezuela on Wednesday, marking a significant development in...

South Korean Court to Deliver Landmark Verdict in Yoon Suk Yeol Insurrection Case
Feb 19, 2026 02:20 am UTC| Politics Law
A South Korean court is set to deliver a pivotal ruling on whether former President Yoon Suk Yeol masterminded an insurrection during his controversial attempt to impose martial law in December 2024. The decision by the...

Putin Condemns New U.S. Sanctions on Cuba, Pledges Russian Support
Feb 19, 2026 02:19 am UTC| Politics
Russian President Vladimir Putin met Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez at the Kremlin on Wednesday, strongly criticizing newly imposed U.S. restrictions on Cuba and reaffirming Moscows support for the island nation....

Feb 19, 2026 02:17 am UTC| Politics
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has announced that new military and construction objectives will be unveiled during the upcoming Ninth Congress of the ruling Workers Party, according to state media outlet KCNA. The...