News

A nationwide survey by the Japan Chamber of Commerce and Industry revealed that most small businesses, especially those in rural areas, are concerned about the potential negative impact of the government's proposed rapid increase in the minimum wage. The survey found that many small businesses believe meeting the target would be difficult or impossible, and some fear they might have to close down or suspend operations due to declining profits...

Japan's economy grew at a slower pace than initially reported in the October-December quarter, with revised data showing an annualized growth rate of 2.2% instead of the initial 2.8%. This slower growth was primarily attributed to weaker consumption, raising concerns about the impact of U.S. tariffs and soft consumer spending on the Japanese economy.

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed a potential 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, with Trump pushing for an immediate halt to hostilities and aiming to mediate a resolution. However, Putin has been noncommittal, seeking security guarantees before agreeing to a pause, while Ukrainian President Zelenskyy accuses him of prolonging the conflict.

Israeli Ambassador Reuven Azar strongly supports the US airstrikes against Houthi rebels in Yemen, emphasizing their importance in deterring terrorism and safeguarding maritime trade. He stresses the need to hold Iran, the main sponsor of the Houthis, accountable for their actions and to defeat radical forces like Hamas and the Houthis to achieve lasting peace in the region.

The Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee has reaffirmed its commitment to increasing reservation to 42% and called on the Central government to lift the existing 50% ceiling on quotas. This comes after the Telangana government passed a bill to increase reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) to 42%, a move hailed as a "revolutionary step towards social justice" by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.