Briefly

JAPAN

Economy contracts for first time in 6 quarters

Japan's economy contracted at an annualized rate of 1.8 percent in the July-September period, according to government data released on Monday, as United States tariffs led to a decline in the nation's exports. On a quarter-by-quarter basis, Japan's GDP slipped 0.4 percent, in the first contraction in six quarters, the Cabinet Office said. Shipments from automakers in particular, plummeted following a period of increased exports before the tariffs came into effect. Tariffs are a major blow to Japan's export-reliant economy, which is led by powerful automakers such as Toyota. The US now slaps a 15 percent tariff on nearly all Japanese imports.

BANGLADESH

Ousted PM Hasina sentenced to death

A Bangladesh court sentenced ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina to death on Monday, concluding a monthslong trial that found her guilty of ordering a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising last year. The ruling came ahead of parliamentary elections expected to be held in February. The International Crimes Tribunal, Bangladesh's domestic war crimes court in the capital Dhaka, delivered the verdict in Hasina's absence. She fled to India in August last year at the height of the uprising against her government. Reacting to the verdict, Hasina said in a statement, "They are biased and politically motivated."

UNITED STATES

Trump backs House vote to release Epstein files

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he supported lawmakers' efforts to release more files related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, despite previous opposition to the measure. "House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide," Trump wrote on social media. He has accused Democrats of pushing an "Epstein hoax" after emails emerged in which the disgraced financier suggested Trump "knew about the girls". The issue has divided his Republican party and driven a rift between Trump and some of his closest allies within his "Make America Great Again" movement. On the weekend, Trump withdrew his endorsement for Congresswoman and MAGA stalwart Marjorie Taylor Greene's 2026 reelection bid.

Agencies - Xinhua