logo
Japan's Akazawa Reportedly Mulls Return to Washington This Week

Japan's Akazawa Reportedly Mulls Return to Washington This Week

Bloomberg2 days ago

Japan's top trade negotiator Ryosei Akazawa is considering returning to the US for another round of trade negotiations this week as expectations mount for a deal as early as this month.
Akazawa may leave Japan on Thursday to hold discussions with his counterparts including US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent the following day, TV Asahi reported, citing an unnamed government official. Public broadcaster NHK also said Akazawa is mulling a visit later this week.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Greek-Indian "Eutopia" Marks a New Chapter in Greek-Indian Manpower Mobility
Greek-Indian "Eutopia" Marks a New Chapter in Greek-Indian Manpower Mobility

Business Wire

time13 minutes ago

  • Business Wire

Greek-Indian "Eutopia" Marks a New Chapter in Greek-Indian Manpower Mobility

ATHENS, Greece--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In a landmark step toward strengthening ethical and structured manpower mobility between Greece and India, the event titled "Eutopia - Greek-Indian Cooperation in Labour: A Comprehensive Program" was successfully held on Friday, May 30, 2025, at the Caravel Hotel, Athens. Organised under the aegis of the Hellenic Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the high-level gathering brought together Greek government officials, institutional stakeholders, legal experts, licensed recruitment professionals, and representatives from India to discuss the operationalisation of bilateral recruitment partnership and the promotion of safe, regulated migration. Key Highlights – Opening Remarks were delivered by the President of the Hellenic Indian Chamber, who underscored the importance of Indo-Greek collaboration in addressing labour market demands through ethical, transparent frameworks. – Addresses by Greek Officials included senior representatives from various ministries. The speakers focused on accelerating visa and recruitment procedures, streamlining documentation, and providing housing and integration support for incoming workers. They emphasised the importance of engaging only Government of India-licensed recruitment agencies to ensure fair and lawful recruitment practices. – Technical Presentations detailed documentation protocols, estimated processing timelines, and employer responsibilities. These were delivered by ministry officials, labour law experts, and licensed overseas recruitment agencies. – Hellenic Chamber and FIMCA shared actionable insights and experiences related to cross-border hiring, highlighting grievance redressal mechanisms and the importance of monitoring worker welfare throughout the employment cycle. FIMCA's Participation A key moment during the evening was the address by Mr. Alijan Rajan, spokesperson for the Federation of Indian Emigration Management Councils and Associations (FIMCA)–India's apex federation of licensed overseas recruitment agencies. "At the heart of our mission lies the dignity of labour," said Mr. Rajan. "We are proud to partner with Greece in ensuring that Indian workers are recruited transparently, deployed responsibly, and supported meaningfully." He further announced a strategic partnership between FIMCA and the Hellenic Indian Chamber, aimed at building robust institutional frameworks, ensuring legal compliance, and enhancing trust between recruiters and employers. FIMCA reaffirmed its full readiness to collaborate with Greek authorities and employers to implement structured manpower pathways in sectors such as hospitality, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. Closing and Future Outlook The event concluded with closing remarks by the President of the Hellenic Indian Chamber of Commerce, who reiterated the chamber's commitment to advancing ethical manpower mobility and strengthening Indo-Greek ties through sustained dialogue, cooperation, and bilateral engagement. "Eutopia" stands as a pivotal milestone in the emerging model of Indo-Greek manpower mobility–founded on legality, ethics, and mutual economic growth.

Council ‘staffing crisis' threatens Rayner's housing target, builders warn
Council ‘staffing crisis' threatens Rayner's housing target, builders warn

Yahoo

time13 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Council ‘staffing crisis' threatens Rayner's housing target, builders warn

Council staff shortages are causing 'serious' delays and putting Angela Rayner's housebuilding target in jeopardy, builders have warned. The Home Builders Federation (HBF) said a 'staffing crisis' at local authorities had led to mounting delays that are holding up projects across the country. As part of the housebuilding process, developers and local authorities must negotiate agreements on funding for public infrastructure such as schools, roads or affordable homes. However, the time it takes to strike these deals has surged and agreements are now taking well over a year on average to finalise, according to the HBF. Builders have been waiting for an average of 515 days – nearly a year and a half – for these so-called Section 106 agreements to be finalised. That waiting time has increased by a fifth over the past two years. Researchers found 35pc of all Section 106 agreements took longer than a year to complete. In one case, a developer was left waiting for seven years. The Housing Secretary has pledged to build 1.5m homes by the end of the current parliament, although she has conceded in recent weeks that this was a 'stretching' target. The Government has proposed recruiting 300 extra planning officers to tackle the issue. However, the HBF said that this would be nowhere near enough extra staff to address backlogs and delays. The organisation has identified a national shortage of 2,200 planning officers across England and Wales. Neil Jefferson, the chief executive of the HBF, said ministers had taken 'welcomed steps' to address planning delays, but needed to take 'meaningful action' by increasing funding for councils. He said: 'Meeting the Government's ambitious housing targets will require ministers to remove the barriers that are currently causing housing supply to flatline. 'The Government needs to ensure that local authorities have the capacity to process planning applications within a reasonable timeframe such that construction can get under way. 'If ministers can speed up the planning process, alongside providing mortgage support for first-time home buyers, and funding for housing associations to purchase affordable homes, house builders can start to actually increase supply.' The HBF warned that delays were particularly costly for smaller developers that lack the financial reserves to absorb rising costs. It came as affordable housebuilder MJ Gleeson issued a profit warning citing planning delays, rising costs and a weak housing market. Its stocks plummeted by more than 20pc on Tuesday. Delays stem from its business in the North, where developments have been largely held up by biodiversity rules rather than infrastructure agreements. However, the situation underlines the planning hurdles that housebuilders face. Council planning offices are under-staffed as local authorities come under intense financial pressure. Research by the Local Government Association (LGA) in March found that councils face a funding shortfall of more than £8bn by 2028-29 without enough additional income. A quarter of councils in England have warned that they will need emergency bailouts from the Government. An LGA spokesman said: 'There is a significant ongoing and historic challenge with resourcing planning teams and retaining staff with necessary specific skills across the country, with nearly two thirds of councils relying on agency staff to address capacity and skills gaps. 'Planning is a vital part of ensuring safe, well designed and appropriate house building takes place, and despite the challenges faced by local planning departments, nine in 10 planning applications are approved. 'Councils want to work with the Government to better help recruit and retain the planners and built environment professionals required to support an efficient locally-led planning system in order to build the homes we need.' The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has been contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.

National Black Farmers Association Condemn Proposal to Repeal Duty Drawback
National Black Farmers Association Condemn Proposal to Repeal Duty Drawback

Yahoo

time13 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

National Black Farmers Association Condemn Proposal to Repeal Duty Drawback

"The Big, Beautiful Bill" Must Protect American Farmers, Protect Duty Drawback WASHINGTON, June 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Representing 130,000 members, the National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) is calling on the U.S. Senate to protect all farmers, especially those who grow American tobacco, by removing the provision to repeal the duty drawback incentive for U.S. tobacco manufacturers from the budget reconciliation bill. "What logic suggests that 'making America great again' is achieved on the backs of American farmers? Growers in North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and across our nation will be jeopardized if the duty drawback incentive does not remain in place," said 4th-generation black farmer John Boyd, Jr., founder and president of the NBFA. "To some, the incentive may seem minor. However, to my members and growers across America, protecting the duty drawback is of great significance. On behalf of the National Black Farmers Association, I humbly plead that legislators do not jeopardize the current American agricultural economy nor the future generations of American farmers." Without the support of duty drawback, the outlook for U.S. tobacco exports becomes increasingly grim. Additionally, domestic tobacco consumption has steadily declined over the past decade, adversely affecting American tobacco farmers. Kimberly Foley, Executive Director of Tobacco Associates, recently wrote to Members of Congress: "Export growth is not just our future, it's our present. Duty drawback plays a quiet but essential role in keeping U.S. leaf attractive on the international stage." Duty drawbacks are not loopholes—they are essential safeguards. Removing them would reverse over 200 years of trade policy designed to support American exports and bolster domestic manufacturing. Drawbacks stimulate domestic manufacturing in the states and ensure that U.S. leaf tobacco remains competitive in the international marketplace. If legislators remove the drawback incentive, this would lead to a decrease in US-grown tobacco crops. "The announcement of this proposed repeal was yet another blow to our industry. American farmers are already in a state of emergency due to tariffs and cuts from USAID. Tobacco has historically been a vital "cash crop," providing the financial means for farmers to cultivate other crops, such as sweet potatoes and peanuts, and helping farm families sustain their livelihoods. Keeping the duty drawback incentive in place protects American tobacco growers and fulfills the Administration's promise to support, rather than punish, farmers," President Boyd emphasized. The current House version of the legislation removes the Duty Drawback provision specifically for tobacco companies while preserving it for all other industries. Eliminating this incentive for American tobacco manufacturers would severely impact the farming of American tobacco crops. About The National Black Farmers Association (NBFA) is a nonprofit organization representing African American farmers and their families in the United States. As an association, it serves tens of thousands of members across the nation. The NBFA's education and advocacy efforts have been focused on civil rights, land retention, access to public and private loans, education, and agricultural training, as well as rural economic development for Black and other small farmers. For additional information, visit MEDIA CONTACT: Ayona Anderson 469-834-9500 396161@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE National Black Farmers Association Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store