*) UNSC finally demands Gaza ceasefire in Ramadan after US abstains vote

The UN Security Council for the first time in 5 months since the Israeli war on Gaza started has demanded an immediate ceasefire after the United States, Tel Aviv’s ally which vetoed previous drafts, abstained.

All 14 other members voted in favour of the resolution, which “demands an immediate ceasefire” for the ongoing Islamic holy month of Ramadan.

It also demanded the “immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, as well as ensuring humanitarian access to address their medical and other humanitarian needs.”

*) Blinken tells Gallant alternatives exist to Rafah invasion

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stressed that “alternatives exist to a ground invasion of Rafah” in a meeting with Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant.

Speaking about Rafah, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller earlier highlighted that a “full-scale invasion would be a mistake and that Israel has not presented a coherent evacuation plan for Rafah.”

But on top of that, Miller said, “This type of invasion would weaken Israel’s security and would make Israel less safe, not more safe. It would undermine its standing in the world.”

*) Pakistan foils BLA terror attack on naval air station in BalochistanPakistani security forces have foiled a late-night attack on a naval air station in southwestern Balochistan, according to officials. Four to six heavily armed militants tried to enter PNS Siddiq in Turbat district last night.

However, security forces “neutralised all the attackers” and no loss to any “sensitive equipment or casualties of our own troops” has so far been reported, a senior military official told Anadolu Agency. There was no official statement from the military.

*) Haiti delegates squabble over choosing leader as gang violence escalates

Efforts to form a transitional government and fill a power vacuum in violence-torn Haiti have failed as delegates bickered over the choice of a leader and death threats prompted one member to quit over the weekend.

After Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigned, the body, supported by the United Nations and regional bloc CARICOM, among others, is still struggling to come into shape two weeks after Henry’s March 11 announcement.

Meetings were held over the weekend and on Monday, with a virtual summit between the delegates and CARICOM scheduled, the members of the Council are expected to try to elect a leader.

*) EU launches probe of Apple, Google, Meta compliance with new digital law

The EU has hit Apple, Google parent Alphabet and Meta with the first-ever probes under a mammoth digital law, which could lead to big fines against the US giants.

Among six firms named as market “gatekeepers” under the EU’s landmark Digital Markets Act — along with Amazon, TikTok owner ByteDance and Microsoft — the companies have been obliged to comply with the new law since March 7.

Under the new rules, the commission can impose fines of up to 10 percent of a company’s total global turnover. This can rise to up to 20 percent for repeat offenders. In extreme circumstances, the EU can order the break up of companies.