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Japan

Japanese New Deal? Tokyo Unveils Massive Stimulus To Boost Economy

DAILY YOMUIRI, KYODO (Japan), DOW JONES NEWSWIRES,AFP

Worldcrunch

TOKYO – The Japanese government has formally approved a massive 20.2 trillion yen ($227 billion) stimulus package during a cabinet meeting on Friday morning, reports the Daily Yomuiri.

The national government will spend 10.3 trillion yen ($116 billion), with nearly the same amount kicked in by local governments and the private sector, according to Kyodo.

"We need to say good-bye to the shrinking economy and aim to achieve a strong economy where innovation and new demand lead to more jobs and income," said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe during a press conference after the cabinet meeting.

According to Dow Jones Newswires, the stimulus package will focus heavily on upgrading ageing infrastructure and making more schools, hospitals, roads, bridges and tunnels earthquake-resistant. It also includes increased investment in reconstruction projects in the coastal region devastated by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

The stimulus plan also includes beefing up Japan’s Self-Defense Forces, with 180.5 billion Yen ($2 billion) going to new missiles, fighter jets and helicopters, reports the AFP.

Japan’s Nikkei stock index jumped 1.5% following Abe’s announcement.

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FOCUS: Israel-Palestine War

Make No Mistake, Israel Is Ready To Restart This War

The Israel-Hamas temporary ceasefire may not end today, but it will end. But when the war in Gaza resumes, the Israeli offensive against Hamas may be different.

photo of ​Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant with IDF troops on Sunday

Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant with IDF troops on Sunday

Gallant/Instagram
Pierre Haski

-Analysis-

PARIS — It's been six days since the war between Israel and Hamas was put on hold. And yet, no conditions have been met for this truce to become a formal ceasefire.

Indeed, there are no serious proposals on the table for a more lasting solution, and the truce has failed to address any issues beyond the release of hostages.

For the latest news & views from every corner of the world, Worldcrunch Today is the only truly international newsletter. Sign up here.

Thus the question we're facing is when the Israeli government will decide to resume its military operations in Gaza: tomorrow, when the two-day truce expires? Or after a new extension to allow the release of hostages, men included this time? The bosses of the CIA and Mossad are busy in Qatar trying to negotiate this point.

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