Japan
Japan has approved iPS cell therapy for the treatment of Parkinson's and heart disease. New drugs will be available to patients in the summer of 2026.
Minister Ryosei Akazawa urged Washington not to raise tariffs on Japanese goods. Tokyo promises investments of $550 billion and energy cooperation.
German Uniper is negotiating with Canada to increase LNG purchases to diversify energy supplies. This will help Germany reduce its dependence on energy resources from the United States.
Qatar has declared force majeure on gas exports due to the US-Israeli war against Iran. Restoring normal production volumes could take at least a month, leading to shortages in global markets.
A case of Dengue fever was recorded in a 24-year-old woman in Lviv region who was vacationing in the Maldives. She was hospitalized on February 19 and discharged in satisfactory condition on February 26.
In February, President Zelenskyy held 31 international meetings and 11 phone calls, visited Munich, and hosted leaders of partner countries in Kyiv.
The navies of the Philippines, the US, and Japan concluded four-day joint exercises in the South China Sea from February 20 to 26, 2026. The drills strengthened the trilateral defense partnership and interoperability of the fleets.
Japan is allocating $41 million for the recovery of Ukrainian communities, marking the fifth phase of the Emergency Recovery Program. The funds will be directed towards municipal infrastructure, healthcare, the agricultural sector, and public broadcasting.
G7 leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and Trump's peace efforts. They also welcomed assistance to Ukraine for getting through the winter.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on the anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, addressed Ukrainians from a bunker on Bankova Street, where his first conversations with world leaders took place at the beginning of the war. He emphasized the resilience of the Ukrainian people and expressed a desire to one day come there with the US President.
Greece will purchase 10 V-BAT unmanned systems from Shield-AI, which have proven effective in Ukraine. These drones have been tested in island conditions and have also been ordered by the Netherlands, Japan, and India.
Ukraine and Japan can begin defense cooperation, which will be a historic event. Zelenskyy announced his readiness to exchange technologies and experience in modern warfare.
President Zelenskyy stated that the US had promised to provide licenses for the production of air defense missiles for Patriots, but ultimately refused. Ukraine proposed joint production in Europe, specifically with Romania and Poland.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russian missiles and drones contain thousands of components that Russia does not produce. These include parts from China, Europe, the USA, and Japan, which highlights the aggressor's dependence on foreign supplies.
ByteDance will restrict its video generation model Seedance 2. 0 after threats of lawsuits from Disney. Hollywood studios accused the developers of using "pirated libraries" to train the neural network.
Ukraine received a grant of $690 million from Japan and Canada under the G7's ERA mechanism. The funds will be used to finance priority expenditures, including pensions and social programs.
The US and Japan are strengthening their strategic partnership, modernizing their economic security relationship. This comes amid a diplomatic standoff with Beijing, which has blocked the supply of components to Japan.
European Commissioner for Defence and Space, Andrius Kubilius, will embark on a tour of EU countries. The goal is to persuade governments and the defence industry to ramp up missile production for Ukraine and European stockpiles.
Japan plans to join NATO's PURL mechanism to purchase American weapons for Ukraine. Tokyo will finance non-lethal equipment such as radar systems and body armor.
Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal announced complex electricity supply schedules for Tuesday and Wednesday due to low temperatures. He also mentioned a review of the list of critical infrastructure facilities and increased control over electricity distribution.
WADA is investigating the possible injection of hyaluronic acid into the genitals of Olympic ski jumpers for aerodynamic advantage. Experts warn of the risks of infection, disfigurement, and gangrene from such injections.
The logistics major was served with a notice of suspicion for corruption, fraud, and evasion of duty. He received bribes for substituting food products, embezzled part of the supplies, and systematically traveled abroad.
Japan has restarted the world's largest nuclear power plant, Kashiwazaki-Kariwa, after a January shutdown due to a minor malfunction in its monitoring system. Commercial operation is expected to begin on or after March 18, following a comprehensive inspection.
Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, led by Sanae Takaichi, won 316 out of 465 seats in the snap elections, setting a record. US President Donald Trump congratulated Takaichi.
Japan's Liberal Democratic Party, led by Sanae Takaichi, will secure a majority in the lower house, allowing her to retain the position of head of government. According to polls, the LDP and its coalition will win at least 233 out of 465 seats.
Northern and western regions of Japan are suffering from anomalous snowfalls, which have led to the death of 35 people. The snow cover exceeded 2 meters, and in some places reached 4.5 meters.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force detected and escorted the Russian missile corvette "Gremyashchiy" in the La Perouse Strait. This marked another stage in monitoring Russia's military activity in the region.
In January, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held 20 meetings and 14 telephone conversations, visiting France, Cyprus, Switzerland, and Lithuania. Following these contacts, Ukraine received NASAMS air defense missiles from Norway, the 31st package of military aid from Finland, and significant energy support from other partners.
The IAEA Board of Governors held an emergency meeting regarding nuclear risks from Russia's systematic attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. IAEA head Rafael Grossi confirmed that these attacks fall under the organization's mandate and pose direct nuclear risks.
Chinese President Xi Jinping praised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to China. The UK promises broader access to Chinese markets for the British service sector, including visa-free travel.