The WTO Chairs Programme (WCP) held an academic conference on 19 and 20 March in Yaoundé, Cameroon, discussing a wide range of issues and challenges in reforming the multilateral trading system from an African perspective. Participants also delved into trade and development issues to explore opportunities and new approaches for the continent and for other developing regions. #WTO #Chairs #Programme #holds #academic #conference #Cameroon
Hong Kong’s anti-corruption watchdog has charged five people over alleged bribes – including casino chips and red packets – offered to flat owners and owner corporation members during large-scale renovation projects, worth about HK$90 million (US$11.5 million), at three housing estates. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) on Wednesday disclosed details of its crackdown on a crime syndicate accused of “manipulating tendering exercises” for building maintenance projects through bribery and bid-rigging. The arrests followed a joint operation with the Competition Commission, codenamed “Shotgun”. The charges followed a separate operation into renovation projects that led to the arrest of 22 people in February. The ICAC raided companies linked to dubious renovation […]
An excavator clears rubble from destroyed residential buildings in northern Tehran, Iran, on Monday, as the U.S. and Israel’s war with Iran raged for its fourth week. AFP via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption AFP via Getty Images Click here to listen to NPR’s State of the World podcast, a human perspective on global stories in just a few minutes, every weekday. TEL AVIV, Israel — The Israeli military estimates it would need several more weeks of fighting to complete its war goals in Iran, two Israeli military officials told NPR on Tuesday. That timeline could be cut short as the U.S. makes efforts to try to end the war. President […]
Israeli officials said missiles launched from Iran had hit Tel Aviv and other parts of the country, and the Kurdish region of Iraq was also struck. In Bahrain, an Iranian missile hit Emirati military forces. #Iran #War #Live #Updates #Tehran #Fires #Barrages #U.S #Claims #Progress #Talks
Recording the resolution of trade concerns The CMA adopted a decision on recording the resolution of trade concerns. The Decision notes that WTO members currently use the CMA as a forum to discuss and seek resolution of trade concerns and that they wish to promote more constructive, solution-oriented discussions by systematically reflecting when and how trade concerns raised by members are resolved or otherwise concluded. Under the Decision, a new standing item entitled “Reports on Resolution of Trade Concerns” will be included on the agenda of future CMA meetings where members will be invited to report on previously raised trade concerns for which a resolution has been reached. The WTO […]
As electric vehicle (EV) use surges globally, scientists have raised concerns about the performance of such batteries in high temperatures, including the possible impact of climate change on their usable lifespan. But a study published this month by researchers in China and the US has found that major advances in EV battery technologies will mitigate the impact of future warming. They studied the impact by creating an advanced model that captures future climate change and EV battery degradation for 300 cities around the world. “Our study demonstrates that technological advancements in battery technology have largely offset future adverse effects of climate warming on battery lifespans,” the team said in a […]
President Trump is ordering the U.S. military to hold off on striking Iranian power plants, citing “productive” talks with Iran, but Iranian officials deny there’s any dialogue with the U.S. #President #Trump #Iranian #officials #conflicting #stories #ongoing #talks
President Trump said he was postponing strikes on Iran’s power plants until at least Friday to allow for negotiations, but Iran cast the claim as a ploy to soothe markets and to buy time for more military action. #Iran #War #Live #Updates #Iran #Disputes #Trumps #Claim #Strong #Talks
The latest “Global Trade Outlook and Statistics” released on 19 March provides a baseline growth scenario excluding energy price shocks, forecasting that global merchandise trade growth would slow to 1.9% in 2026 from 4.6% in 2025 as trade is expected to normalize following a surge in AI-related products and the frontloading of imports to avoid new tariffs. World merchandise trade volume is then projected to grow by 2.6% in 2027. Commercial services trade growth will ease to 4.8% in 2026 after this year’s 5.3% rise, then accelerate again to 5.1% in 2027. Together, goods and services trade will grow 2.7% in 2026 compared with 4.7% in 2025. Global GDP growth is […]
The amount of heat trapped by the Earth reached record levels in 2025, with the consequences of such warming feared to last for thousands of years, the UN warned on Monday. The 11 hottest years ever recorded were all between 2015 and 2025, the United Nations’ WMO weather and climate agency confirmed in its flagship State of the Global Climate annual report. Last year was the second or third hottest year on record, at about 1.43 degrees Celsius above the 1850-1900 average, the World Meteorological Organization said. “The global climate is in a state of emergency. Planet Earth is being pushed beyond its limits. Every key climate indicator is flashing […]
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