Israel’s parliament gave initial approval to the 2026 state budget on Thursday, providing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a temporary political reprieve and averting the immediate threat of a snap election. Lawmakers voted 62-55 in favour of the spending plan, allowing the government to move forward cautiously. The approved draft sets total spending at 662 billion […]
military conscription
Thais pray at famed shrine to avoid military conscription
A slim young recruit wearing make-up, new fathers, nervous lovers holding hands — diverse groups of Thais flocked to a famed Bangkok shrine this week offering prayers to avoid military conscription. Every male citizen aged 21 in Thailand must participate in the country’s massive annual draft, which starts in April and sees an estimated 100,000 […]