Your one-stop show for all the top international stories of the day.
US Push For Temporary Ceasefire In Gaza
The US has proposed a draft UNSC resolution calling for a temporary ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and opposing a major ground offensive by Israel in Rafah, reports Reuters. America has signalled it would block a resolution drafted by Algeria, which demands an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The US says it could jeopardise talks between the US, Egypt, Israel and Qatar to broker a pause in the war and release the hostages held by Hamas. Getting a resolution passed would need at least nine votes and no veto by any of the permanent five members
Thailand Warns Myanmar Migrants Against Illegal Entry
As many Myanmarese flee to evade its regime’s mandatory military service law, neighbouring Thailand has warned that those entering the country illegally would face legal action, reports The Irrawaddy. The Myanmar junta recently activated the People’s military service law as the army struggles to contain an anti-junta insurgency. Military officials have announced that 14 million of the country’s young people are eligible for conscription. That’s about 26 per cent of the country’s population. The Thai prime minister has also allayed concerns that an influx of Myanmar immigrants would take away local jobs, according to The Bangkok Post. Thailand’s unemployment rate is less than 1 per cent now.
Former Malaysia PM Mahathir Mohamed, 98, Recovering
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is in hospital, recovering from an infection, news agency Reuters reported his spokesperson as saying. The 98-year-old has been in hospital for nearly a month now and there have been posts on social media which say his condition is critical. Mahathir, who held Malaysia’s top political job for over 20 years, hasn’t been keeping too well of late and has undergone bypass surgeries. He was prime minister from 1981 to 2003 and then from 2018 to 2020 after leading the opposition coalition to a historic win. His government collapsed due to infighting.
Leaked Albanese Advisor Message Hints At Snap Poll?
A leaked message sent by one of the top advisors of Australian PM Anthony Albanese to all staff in the prime minister’s office says a senior staff member has been appointed “as we enter the election year”, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. Elections are due next year and Albanese said earlier this month that he thinks governments as a general rule should serve the full term. And that means an election in 2025. In the message, Albanese’s chief of staff Tim Gartrell announced veteran Labor staffer David Epstein was joining the office as principal private secretary. The message stated it “is an important role as we enter the election year and David is well-qualified for the role, having worked for Labor in a range of senior roles over five successive governments and opposition”.
China Cuts Rate To Boost Real Estate Sector
China’s central bank has cut a key loan rate linked to mortgages to help the country’s ailing real estate sector. The benchmark five-year loan prime rate or LPR has been cut from 4.2 per cent to 3.95 percent. This 25 basis points cut is the biggest in about five years. The one-year LPR has been left unchanged at 3.45 per cent. The economy hasn’t been doing too well and in January exports dipped for the first time in seven years. And demand for property has been falling.
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