Asian Markets End Year on AI Optimism as Precious Metals and Currencies Shine 
Asia Manufacturing PMI Rebounds as Exports and Tech Demand Drive Growth into 2026 
Forex Markets Hold Steady as Traders Await Fed Minutes Amid Thin Year-End Volumes 
Oil Prices Slip Slightly as Markets Weigh Geopolitical Risks and Supply Glut Concerns 
TikTok Expands AI Age-Detection Technology Across Europe Amid Rising Regulatory Pressure 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Year-End Trading Turns Cautious 
Baidu Shares Rise in Hong Kong After Apollo Go Robotaxi Launch in Abu Dhabi 
Trump Criticizes NYSE Texas Expansion, Calls Dallas Exchange a Blow to New York 
China Imposes 55% Tariff on Beef Imports Above Quota to Protect Domestic Industry 
Wall Street Ends Mixed as Tech and Financial Stocks Weigh on Markets Amid Thin Holiday Trading 
BHP Posts Record Iron Ore Output as China Pricing Pressures Loom 
Trump Signs Executive Order to Limit Wall Street Investment in Single-Family Homes 
Renault Group Global Sales Rise 3.2% in 2025 on Strong International and EV Demand 
Court Allows Expert Testimony Linking Johnson & Johnson Talc Products to Ovarian Cancer 
South Korea Factory Activity Returns to Growth in December on Export Rebound 
McDonald's Japan recently ran out of french fries that it was forced to sell just small fries in its restaurant outlets. There was a potato shortage that caused the fast-food chain to suspend sales of the popular side.
There were no medium or large-size french fries at McDonald's Japan for days and today, it was reported that the bigger sizes of fries are finally back after a week. According to Kyodo News, the fast-food will bein selling the fries starting 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 31.
Last Friday, McDonald's Japan's 2,900 stores were only able to sell small fries with their orders. At that time, the company cited disruptions with the potato import from North America because of floodings near the Vancouver port as the cause of the fries shortage. In addition, there was also the logistics disruption worldwide due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
"The suspension caused a great deal of trouble to our customers," McDonald's Japan said in a statement. "We will continue to cooperate with importers and suppliers to ensure stable procurement."
Meanwhile, potatoes were transported to Japan through air to help solve the french fries shortage in the Japanese unit of McDonald's. Bloomberg reported that at least three Boeing 747's brought loads of potatoes to the country and these planes were contracted.
It was Flexport Inc., an American freight forwarder, that helped fly the potatoes through the three planes. "Flexport just contracted to fly three 747 loads of potatoes to Japan to help with the French fry shortage," Ryan Petersen, the freight company's chief executive officer, stated via social media.
With the deliveries, McDonald's Japan said it is expecting the fries shortage to be solved by New Year's Eve. The spokesperson of McDonald's unit in Japan also confirmed to Bloomberg via phone that it will be resuming the sale of medium and large size fries on Dec. 31st.
Meanwhile, the supply shortage in fast-food chains is not just experienced in Japan but in other parts of the world as well. There were cream cheese shortages, chicken shortages, and more. All of these were caused by the global supply chain disruptions due to the pandemic and natural calamities.
