Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
U.S. Dollar Starts 2026 Weak as Yen, Euro and Sterling Hold Firm Amid Rate Cut Expectations 
Singapore GDP Growth Surges in 2025 but Outlook Remains Cautious Amid Global Trade Risks 
Oil Prices Slide in 2025 as Oversupply and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
China Manufacturing PMI Rebounds in December, Offering Boost to Economic Growth Outlook 
Asian Markets Slip as Precious Metals Cool, Geopolitical Tensions Weigh on Sentiment 
Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
U.S. Dollar Slides Toward Biggest Annual Loss Since 2017 as 2026 Risks Loom 
Japanese Business Leaders Urge Government Action as Weak Yen Strains Economy 
South Korea Factory Output Misses Forecasts in November Amid Ongoing Economic Uncertainty 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
U.S. Stock Index Futures Steady as Markets Await Fed Policy Clues in Holiday-Thinned Trade 
Oil Prices Stabilize at Start of 2026 as OPEC+ Policy and Geopolitical Risks Shape Market Outlook 
USDA $12 Billion Farm Aid Program Draws Mixed Reactions from Row Crop Farmers 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
Federal Reserve Begins Treasury Bill Purchases to Stabilize Reserves and Money Markets 
Citi Forecasts a Volatile but Ongoing Bull Market for S&P 500 in 2026 
South Korea will pursue ‘travel bubble’ agreements for people to travel internationally without restrictions to revitalize the aviation industry, said Finance Minister Hong Nam-ki.
Travel bubbles are agreements between two or more cities or countries that allow for two-way, quarantine-free travel for those who have negative coronavirus test results.
South Korea will also lift other virus-related restrictions.
The Transport Ministry declined to reveal which countries they are negotiating.
South Korea is exploring ways to boost tourism without ruining its virus containment efforts.
According to Kim Sang-do, deputy minister for civil aviation at the Transport Ministry, the aviation industry desperately needs support to maintain its competitiveness.
He added that it is where as many as 200,000 people work for including related industries such as tourism and is a core sector in charge of export logistics.
Among the solutions would be to flights to nowhere” to international travelers, allowing them to tour the country without entering. So far, only Korean airlines have been permitted to offer sightseeing services to residents only.
The country will also extend a reduction in fees airports charge airlines until the end of June this year while considering injecting additional liquidity into low-cost carriers if they experience a temporary cash crunch.
