Domestic policy
The Israel-Palestine conflict has been a longstanding issue in the Middle East, resulting in over 37,000 Palestinian and 1,200 Israeli lives lost. The international community has finally acknowledged the complexity and urgency of the situation, reviving the two-state solution. However, Israel's Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is
Prime ministers
Protests by the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), known as the Red Shirts, have been ongoing in front of the vacation residence of Privy Councillor Gen Surayud Chulanont in Nakhon Ratchasima. The UDD is demanding that Gen Surayud return a 14-rai block of land, which he acquired from
Prime ministers
Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized the importance of normal flow of water from India to support economic development in her country. Addressing a banquet hosted by Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh in New Delhi, Hasina called for the conclusion of treaties on water sharing of the
Prime ministers
Malaysian and Indonesian leaders are poised to strengthen their relationship through the upcoming visit of Indonesian President Susilo Bambang, scheduled to begin on November 11. The two-day visit aims to discuss matters related to security, energy, food, and labor, in addition to economic cooperation. This visit marks a significant moment
Prime ministers
Australia's Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, and New South Wales (NSW) Premier, Nathan Rees, announced a A$320 million bailout for James Hardie's fund for asbestos victims. This emergency loan will be repaid and does not excuse the company from its obligations to the fund. The loan
Economic conditions
Australian government interest rate payments on federal government debt are forecast to rise to A$2.6 billion (US$1.67 billion) by 2011-12, with the government expecting deficits for at least the next three years. The government is seeking to increase the borrowing limit to A$200 billion, up
Economic conditions
Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva returned from the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, where he met influential leaders and discussed global economic issues. Abhisit, a WEF 100 Global Leader for Tomorrow, spoke in two panels, including one on food security with Kofi Annan and Bill Gates. Upon his
Industry regulations
Malaysian Trades Union Congress (MTUC) secretary-general G. Rajasekaran has called on migrant workers to discard their fear and join any trade union in the country, citing the Labour Act which does not prohibit migrant workers from joining any union. The move aims to protect migrant workers from exploitation by some
Industry regulations
The federal Opposition's plans to invest in national infrastructure, including a proposed link between the M7 and F3 motorways in New South Wales (NSW), have been welcomed by the motoring body NRMA (New South Wales Roads and Motorist's Association). According to NRMA President Alan Evans, Sydney&
Economic conditions
The House of Representatives has approved on second reading a proposal to grant a P125 (US$2.36) across-the-board daily wage hike for workers. The proposal, which was unanimously approved by House members, will be implemented in a staggered basis of three installments until October 1, 2008. The wage hike
Economic conditions
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has expressed her gratitude to the House of Representatives for pushing through with the legislative process, particularly in passing bills that provide tax breaks for low-income wage earners. The passing of these bills is seen as a crucial step in alleviating the burdens of the Filipino
Economic conditions
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki warned Japan that his country may reassess its economic ties, including oil field development projects, if Tokyo supports US-led sanctions against Iran. Speaking to The Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Mottaki emphasized the importance of friendship in facilitating economic relations between the two nations. Japan, which imports
