1. Trump threatened to reassert U.S. control over the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of charging excessive rates to use the Central American passage.

2. Trump vows to launch anti-drug ad campaign, designate Mexican cartels as terrorists.

3. Starbucks workers are striking in 10 US cities, also including Columbus, Ohio; Denver and Pittsburgh, New York during the holiday season, which might impact Christmas sales.

4. Japan's competition watchdog is expected to find Google guilty of violating the country's antitrust law.

5. Asian shares rallied after a benign reading on U.S. inflation restored some hope for further policy easing next year, while there was relief that Washington had averted a government shutdown.