Japan
France has postponed the G7 summit by one day to avoid coinciding with Donald Trump's 80th birthday and a UFC tournament at the White House. The event will take place on June 15-17, 2026, in Évian-les-Bains.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highly praised the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Paris on January 6, where 27 heads of state, the EU, NATO, and other representatives were present. He emphasized the importance of joint declarations and the readiness to deploy coalition forces for real security.
G7 foreign ministers will hold a conference call tonight. The discussion will focus on Venezuela and Ukraine.
On January 6, dangerous meteorological phenomena are expected in Ukraine, including ice, fog, and black ice on roads in a number of regions. Level I danger - yellow - has been declared, which may complicate the operation of enterprises and traffic.
Western Japan was shaken by a 6. 2 magnitude earthquake, with its epicenter in Shimane Prefecture. Four people were hospitalized with minor injuries, and there was no tsunami threat.
Japan's Ministry of Defense recorded a group of Chinese military aircraft, including H-6 bombers and J-16 fighters, flying between the islands of Okinawa and Miyako. In response, the Japan Self-Defense Forces scrambled fighter jets for observation.
The leaders of China and South Korea have agreed to intensify trade cooperation and protect regional stability. The visit of South Korean leader Lee Jae-myung took place against the backdrop of North Korea's ballistic missile tests.
At the first auction of 2026 in Tokyo, a 243 kg tuna was sold for $3. 2 million to Kiyomura Corp. The owner of the Sushi Zanmai sushi bar chain set a new record, surpassing his 2019 figure.
On January 4, the DPRK launched several ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan. The launches were recorded from the Pyongyang area at about 07:50 a.m. local time.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi will meet with President Donald Trump this spring. The meeting will take place amid escalating regional tensions due to Chinese military exercises around Taiwan.
The US dollar started 2026 with a strengthening after last year's difficulties, while the yen approached a 10-month low. Traders are awaiting US economic data to forecast changes in interest rates this year.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te has vowed to defend the island's sovereignty, citing China's expansionist ambitions. This came after Beijing concluded live-fire military exercises off Taiwan's coast.
Bloomberg presented a review of the 11 most anticipated hotel properties scheduled to open in 2026. The list includes private island resorts and renovated historic palaces in major metropolises.
The first to welcome 2026 were Oceania and Asia, where celebrations are accompanied by pyrotechnic shows and traditional rituals. New Zealand greeted the year with a five-minute fireworks display over Sky Tower, while Sydney honored the victims of the terrorist attack with a minute of silence and projections on the Harbour Bridge.
Japan, South and North Korea officially entered the New Year. Traditional ceremonies were held in Seoul and Japan, and a large-scale fireworks display in Pyongyang.
Japan has transferred approximately 47. 7 million euros for the reconstruction of Ukraine. The funds will be directed to support humanitarian demining, maintenance of energy infrastructure, and restoration of water supply systems.
In 2025, Ukraine attracted over $52. 4 billion in external aid, of which more than 70% came from frozen Russian assets. These funds allowed for the full provision of social and humanitarian expenditures, while domestic resources were directed to security and defense.
New Year on the planet lasts almost a day, starting from the Line Islands in the Pacific Ocean and ending in Samoa. Find out the exact time of the 2026 New Year celebration in different countries of the world according to Kyiv time.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced agreements with Donald Trump regarding security guarantees, economic support, and progress on the 20-point plan. An economic support package involving American businesses and a free trade agreement were discussed.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed decrees on synchronizing sanctions with Great Britain against 8 individuals and 40 legal entities involved in the deportation of children and the supply of components for Russian weapons. Ukraine also imposed sanctions against 8 military leaders of South Sudan in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions.
At the Yokohama Rubber Company tire plant in Japan, a 38-year-old man injured 8 employees with a knife and 7 people with an unknown chemical liquid. In total, 15 victims were hospitalized, five with stab wounds are in serious condition.
The Japanese government has planned a record defense budget of over 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) to strengthen its defense capabilities amid tensions with China. The country is also developing long-range missiles and the SHIELD drone system to protect its coast.
The United States and South Korea have agreed to conclude a separate agreement on cooperation in the field of nuclear submarines. Working-level negotiations will begin early next year.
Santa Claus and his reindeer have embarked on a round-the-world journey to deliver gifts, having already made stops in New Zealand and Australia. The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is tracking his route.
The US dollar weakened on Wednesday, poised for its biggest annual drop since 2017, as investors anticipate further Fed rate cuts. The euro and pound sterling strengthened, reaching new three-month highs.
In the first 9 months of 2025, global vehicle production exceeded 68. 7 million units, which is 4% more than last year. China remains the largest producer, having manufactured over 24.3 million units.
The Ukrainian national football team remained in 28th place in the FIFA ranking with 1557. 47 points, occupying 14th position among European teams. This comes ahead of the March play-off matches for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, where Ukraine will play Sweden, and then the winner of the Poland-Albania pair.
The Japanese H3 rocket failed during the launch of the Michibiki 5 satellite due to a malfunction in the second stage, leading to the loss of the strategic spacecraft. This is the second failure for the H3 rocket since its debut, interrupting a series of successful missions.
The Japanese government will provide 1 trillion yen ($6. 34 billion) in support over five years for the development of its own artificial intelligence. A new company will be founded by about 10 firms, including SoftBank Group Corp., to create the country's largest AI foundational model.
Over the week, Russia launched about 1,300 attack drones, almost 1,200 guided aerial bombs, and nine missiles of various types at Ukraine, with the Odesa region being particularly affected. Ukraine is countering this Russian terror by receiving financial and security assistance from international partners.