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Eurovision 2026 will feature 35 countries: organisers

Some 35 countries will compete in next year's Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna, organisers said Monday, despite five countries boycotting over Israel's participation in the glitzy annual extravaganza.

German shipyard, rescued by the state, gets mega deal

German shipyard Meyer Werft has received a mega order worth up to 10 billion euros ($11.7 billion), officials said Monday, a boost for the shipbuilder after a state rescue last year.

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Stock markets drift on eve of Fed rate call

Global stock markets traded mixed on Tuesday on uncertainty over the US Federal Reserve's plans for interest rates next year.

Microsoft announces $17.5 bn investment in India, its 'largest ever' in Asia

Global technology giant Microsoft announced on Tuesday plans to invest $17.5 billion to help build India's artificial intelligence infrastructure, with CEO Satya Nadella calling it "our largest investment ever in Asia".

Bleak year for German engineering firms amid US, China turmoil

Production in Germany's key engineering sector plunged for a third straight year in 2025 as firms were squeezed by US tariffs and fierce Chinese competition, an industry group said Tuesday.

France's prime minister faces crunch vote in parliament

France's social security bill was to go to a vote in parliament Tuesday, in a key hurdle for Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu after he pledged to deliver a 2026 budget by year-end.

BMW names new boss to steer car giant in tough times

BMW said Tuesday its head of production Milan Nedeljkovic will take over as chief executive as the German auto giant contends with challenges ranging from the electric shift to Chinese competition.

'Resilient' airlines head for record passenger numbers: IATA

International airlines expect to transport a record 5.2 billion passengers in 2026 despite global headwinds affecting the sector, the industry's trade association said on Tuesday.

Greek govt seeks to tackle farmer protests after Crete clashes

Greece's government was on Tuesday scrambling to keep angry farmers from blocking key infrastructure after airports were occupied on Crete in a growing nationwide protest for agriculture funds.

EU launches antitrust probe into Google's data use for AI

The EU announced Tuesday it had opened a probe to assess whether Google breached antitrust rules by using content put online by media and other publishers to train and provide AI services without appropriate compensation.

German exports tread water as US, China shipments fall

German exports almost stagnated in October, official data showed Tuesday, as heavy declines in shipments to the United States and China eclipsed growing trade with the rest of Europe.

South Korea police raid e-commerce giant Coupang over data leak

South Korean police raided the Seoul headquarters of e-commerce giant Coupang on Tuesday over a recent data leak believed to have affected almost two-thirds of the country's population.

Most markets track Wall St losses as jitters set in ahead of Fed

Most stocks fell in Asia on Tuesday as investors grow nervous about the Federal Reserve's plans for interest rates next year following an expected cut this week.

Techmer PM Joins Formerra's Portfolio in North America

Formerra will distribute Techmer PM color masterbatches, high-performance additives, and pre-colored compounds across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Trump says US will allow sale of Nvidia AI chips to China

President Donald Trump said Monday he had reached an agreement with President Xi Jinping to allow US chip giant Nvidia to export advanced artificial intelligence chips to China.

Mamdani to swap humble apartment for NY mayor's mansion

New York mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani announced Monday that he will be leaving his rent-controlled apartment in the borough of Queens for the luxurious official mayor's residence in Manhattan.

Boeing closes takeover of aviation supplier Spirit

Boeing announced Monday that it completed an acquisition of aerospace supplier Spirit AeroSystems, saying the move will allow for more seamless operations and enhance quality control.

Paramount counters Netflix with hostile bid for Warner Bros

Paramount launched an all-cash tender offer Monday to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery for $30 per share, challenging a previously announced deal between WBD and Netflix.

World stocks tread water with eyes on Fed

Global stock markets were steady on Monday as investors took few risks ahead of this week's Federal Reserve meeting, which may yield clues to the direction of interest rates in coming months.

Tens of thousands celebrate as Syria marks one year since Assad's ouster

Tens of thousands took to the streets across Syria on Monday to celebrate a year since the toppling of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad, with President Ahmed al-Sharaa urging people to unite to rebuild the country.

Syria's Sharaa calls for united efforts to rebuild a year after Assad's ouster

President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Monday urged Syrians to work together to rebuild their country, still marred by insecurity and divisions, as they marked a year since the ousting of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.

Markets mostly up as traders prepare for expected US rate cut

Most markets rose Monday as investors gear up for an expected US interest rate cut this week, with debate centring on the likelihood the Federal Reserve will continue easing monetary policy further into the new year.

Asian stocks drift as traders prepare for expected US rate cut

Asian equities drifted Monday as investors gear up for an expected US interest rate cut this week, with debate centring on the likelihood the Federal Reserve will continue easing monetary policy further into the new year.

China's trade surplus tops $1 trillion despite plunge in US-bound exports

China's towering annual trade surplus surpassed $1 trillion for the first time last month, data showed Monday, as a sharp drop in shipments to the United States was offset by surging exports to other major markets.

'Not black or white': Teens worldwide react to Australia social media ban

Australia's landmark move to ban under-16s from social media will be closely watched by other countries, which could follow suit with similar laws.

EU set to back migrant 'return hubs'

EU countries on Monday are expected to approve a significant tightening of Europe's immigration policy, including endorsing the concept of setting up "return hubs" for migrants outside the 27-nation bloc.

'Five Nights at Freddy's' sequel slashes to top of box office

Horror video-game movie "Five Nights at Freddy's 2" proved jump scares can still rake in the cash with a debut that ruled North American theaters, industry estimates showed Sunday.

UN calls on Taliban to lift ban on Afghan women in its offices

The United Nations called on the Taliban authorities on Sunday to lift its ban on Afghan women working in its offices, saying the restriction puts "life-saving services" at risk.

British photographer Martin Parr dies aged 73: Foundation

British documentary photographer Martin Parr has died at his home in the western English city Bristol at the age of 73, his foundation announced on Sunday.

Sri Lanka issues landslide warnings as cyclone toll hits 627

Sri Lankan authorities issued fresh landslide warnings on Sunday with rains lashing areas already devastated by a powerful cyclone, as the death toll rose to 627.

Macron threatens China with tariffs over trade surplus

French President Emmanuel Macron said he has threatened China with tariffs if Beijing fails to take steps to reduce its massive trade surplus with the EU, in remarks published Sunday.

Star UK chef redesigns menu for dieters on skinny jabs

When Michelin-starred UK chef Heston Blumenthal turned to skinny jabs to lose weight, his appetite evaporated and he realised the popularity of such medications risked biting into restaurant sales.

Number's up: Calculators hold out against AI

The humble pocket calculator may not be able to keep up with the mathematical capabilities of new technology, but it will never hallucinate.

Kidnapping fears strain family bonds in Nigeria

Abubakar Abdullahi has not seen his wife and five children in almost three months because he is too afraid to visit his home town for fear of being kidnapped by criminal gangs roaming Nigeria's countryside.

The Japan Times - Economy (English)