Myanmar, Israel-Palestine, Malawi.

Today's three stories you should know.

Nov 16, 2023

Myanmar

Myanmar’s civil war appears to be heating up with the government admitting it has faced “heavy assaults” and rebel groups saying they have taken control of several towns and military outposts. The country was plunged into chaos when the army toppled a democratically-elected government and threw its leaders in prison in February 2021. Millions took to the streets to protest and, after a brutal crackdown, an armed uprising began. Zaw Min Tun, a spokesman for the military rulers, said troops were being attacked in Shan State in the north, Kayah State in the east and Rakhine State in the west. He added rebels were using “hundreds” of drones to drop bombs.

Israel-Palestine

Today, I thought it would be useful to share an exhaustive piece of reporting from Airwars that seeks to estimate how many people were killed in Israel’s bombing of the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza on October 31. It was huge news when it happened but, with the fast developing nature of this story, these things can quickly fade from the public and media consciousness so it’s good to see Airwars devote resources to it. They conclude that 126 - 136 civilians were killed, including at least 69 children, 22 women, and 28 men. And how many Hamas members? They estimate 12 - 24.

Malawi

I can’t recall ever seeing a budget cut quite like this one. Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera has banned himself from international travel until March 2024 as the country’s economy sputters and a cost-of-living crisis bites. Neither Chakwera nor any of his officials will be permitted to travel and all ministers currently abroad have been ordered to return home. The move was among a raft of measures aimed at tackling the crisis. Chakwera has previously faced criticism over his foreign trips.