Japan’s tourism stocks plunge amid spat with China

Japan and Switzerland's economies have contracted, primarily due to the impact of US tariffs on exports. The European Commission has raised its growth forecast for the eurozone, citing better-than-expected economic performance in the first nine months of the year. This growth was driven by a surge in exports and strong investment in equipment and intangible assets, particularly in Ireland. The continued growth in the third quarter indicates resilience in the European economy despite challenges.

Since 2000, China has invested tens of billions of pounds in the UK, as reported by BBC's Panorama. This significant influx of capital has reportedly granted China access to military-grade technology, raising concerns about the implications of such technology transfer on national security and international relations.

China has issued a travel warning to its citizens advising against travel to Japan due to escalating tensions following comments made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding Taiwan. This warning has led to a significant drop in shares of Japanese tourism and retail companies. The diplomatic relationship between China and Japan has worsened, with a senior Japanese diplomat scheduled to visit Beijing amid these tensions.

Paige Greco, an Australian Paralympic gold medallist, has died at the age of 28 after a sudden medical episode at her home in Adelaide. Greco was celebrated for her achievements in cycling, notably winning the women's C1-3 3,000m individual pursuit at the Tokyo Paralympics. Her family has requested privacy during this difficult time as tributes pour in, highlighting her humility and the joy she brought to her teammates.

A recent poll indicates that nearly 50% of Japanese citizens support military intervention to defend Taiwan. Additionally, over 60% of respondents expressed a desire for Tokyo to increase its defense spending. This survey reflects growing concerns regarding regional security and Japan's role in potential conflicts involving Taiwan and China.

A trio of Chinese astronauts returned to Earth on Friday after being stranded on China's Tiangong space station for over a week due to their spacecraft sustaining damage from space debris. This incident has raised concerns about China's ability to manage emergencies in space, as they currently lack an immediate alternative for crew retrieval. In response, Russia's space agency dispatched Soyuz MS-23 to the International Space Station (ISS) to assist in bringing back the crew of the damaged vessel.

A new rare-earths factory in Estonia represents a significant step forward for Europe's production capabilities, addressing the continent's increasing demand for these critical materials. However, experts caution that this facility is merely the beginning of efforts needed to reduce reliance on China's dominance in the rare-earths market.

China has deployed its coast guard to the waters surrounding the Senkaku islands, which are administered by Japan but also claimed by China as the Diaoyu islands. This move follows remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, suggesting that Japan may respond militarily to a potential invasion of Taiwan. The situation has escalated tensions between the two nations, particularly in light of China's recent military activities in the region.