Machine Tool Orders Survey Report (actual results for December 2025 and outlook for January-March 2026) February 18, 2025 The Cabinet Office announced today the results of the Machine Tool Orders Survey for December 2025 and the outlook for January-March 2026. Actual results for December 2025 Total machine tool orders: 1,050.0 billion yen, a 15.2% increase … Read more
Cabinet Decisions: GX 2040 Vision, Basic Energy Plan, Global Warming Countermeasures Plan, and Revision of Government Implementation Plan; Visit to Japan by President Mattarella of the Italian Republic; Acting Duties in Absence of Minister Ito February 18, 2025 Cabinet Meeting Summary GX 2040 Vision, Basic Energy Plan, Global Warming Countermeasures Plan, and Revision of Government … Read more
WTO DG Okonjo-Iweala to Members: Use the WTO as a Platform to Engage February 18, 2025 Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged WTO members to fully utilize the organization as a platform for dialogue and engagement. Speaking at a meeting of the General Council, DG Okonjo-Iweala emphasized the importance of members actively participating in WTO activities to … Read more
WTO Chairpersons for 2025 Announced Geneva, 18 February 2025 – The World Trade Organization (WTO) today announced the appointment of its chairpersons for 2025. General Council Chairperson Ambassador María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés of Ecuador has been appointed as the Chairperson of the General Council for 2025. Ambassador Garcés has served as Ecuador’s Minister of Foreign … Read more
Chinese Taipei Formally Accepts Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, Bringing Tally to 90 Geneva, Switzerland – 18 February 2025 Chinese Taipei has formally accepted the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies (the Agreement), bringing the total number of WTO members that have accepted the Agreement to 90. The Agreement will enter into force on 16 June 2025, six … Read more
UN rights office warns of ‘dangerous tipping point’ as abuses surge in Sudan 2025-02-18 12:00 GENEVA (Reuters) – Sudan stands at a “dangerous tipping point” after a spike in rights abuses, including civilian deaths, arbitrary arrests and torture, a UN investigator said on Saturday, urging action to avert further bloodshed. Adama Dieng, a UN expert … Read more
World News in Brief: $53.2 billion needed for Palestinian recovery, UN condemns UNRWA schools raid, Lebanon-Israel tensions continue. The United Nations has called for $53.2 billion in aid to help the Palestinian people recover from the devastating war in Gaza. The funds would be used to rebuild homes, schools, hospitals, and other infrastructure that was … Read more
World News in Brief: $53.2 Billion Needed for Palestinian Recovery, UN Condemns UNRWA Schools Raid, Lebanon-Israel Tensions Continue February 18, 2025 $53.2 Billion Needed for Palestinian Recovery The United Nations (UN) has estimated that $53.2 billion will be required for the recovery and reconstruction of the Palestinian territories. This estimate is based on a joint … Read more
UN rights office warns of ‘dangerous tipping point’ as abuses surge in Sudan 18 February 2025 GENEVA (Reuters) – The United Nations human rights office warned on Friday that Sudan was approaching a “dangerous tipping point” as violence and abuses surge amid a deepening political crisis. “We are deeply concerned about the escalating violence and … Read more
UN Environment Agency Calls for Urgent Action on ‘Triple Planetary Crisis’ February 18, 2025 Nairobi, Kenya – The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has issued a stark warning, calling for urgent action to address the “triple planetary crisis” of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. In a landmark report released today, UNEP highlights the interconnected … Read more