HDP rules out coalition with AKP
The ruling Justice and Development Party or AKP in Turkey lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in 13 years in national elections on Sunday. The party, led by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, won 258 seats with 41% of the vote, which left it 18 seats short of being able to form a majority government. Meanwhile, the rival People’s Democratic Party or HDP won 10% of the vote. HDP leader Selahattin Demirtas ruled out a coalition with the AKP, saying that the elections had put an end to Erdogan’s objective to turn Turkey into a Presidential Republic.
G7 leaders urged to take stand on Russia
The leaders of the member-nations of the G7 were urged to send a “united signal” to Russia for its alleged support of separatist rebels in Ukraine. German Chancellor Angela Merkel issued the statement saying that sanctions against Russia would only be removed after it agreed to abide by the accords of the Minsk ceasefire agreement signed in February. The Chancellor’s remarks came as the leaders of the G7 began their annual summit at Schloss Elmau in Germany. Russia was removed from the G8 last year after it annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine.
44 killed in Saudi attack in Yemen
At least 44 people were killed and 100 wounded after the Saudi Arabia-led coalition conducted airstrikes against Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen on an army compound in the country’s capital city of Sana'a on Sunday. Residents of the area said that soldiers allied to the Houthis had been gathered at the compound since Saturday evening to collect their pay cheques. The attack came despite efforts by the United Nations to begin peace talks in Geneva later this month.
Gaza rocket launches ignored: Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday accused the international community and the United Nations of ignoring rocket strikes on the country by militant groups from the Gaza Strip. Israel closed its border crossings with Gaza as the country’s air force conducted airstrikes in the region. Netanyahu said that the Israeli military would use its “full strength” to defend the country if the cross-border attacks. Netanyahu’s remarks came after a militant group, the Omar Brigades, launched rockets at Israeli territory on Saturday.
55 bodies recovered in Nepal valley
The bodies of at least 55 people, including four foreigners, were recovered from the Langtang Valley in the Rasuwa district of Nepal on Sunday. A senior police official said that the bodies were recovered by rescue teams of the Nepalese Army, who were conducting their operations in coordination with local villagers from the area. The residents said that over 190 people had been missing after an avalanche triggered by the April 25 earthquake swept away an entire village. The Rasuwa district was one of the worst-hit by the quake, with 597 deaths and 771 injuries reported from the area.
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The ruling Justice and Development Party or AKP in Turkey lost its parliamentary majority for the first time in 13 years in national elections on Sunday. The party, led by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, won 258 seats with 41% of the vote, which left it 18 seats short of being able to form a majority government. Meanwhile, the rival People’s Democratic Party or HDP won 10% of the vote. HDP leader Selahattin Demirtas ruled out a coalition with the AKP, saying that the elections had put an end to Erdogan’s objective to turn Turkey into a Presidential Republic.
G7 leaders urged to take stand on Russia
The leaders of the member-nations of the G7 were urged to send a “united signal” to Russia for its alleged support of separatist rebels in Ukraine. German Chancellor Angela Merkel issued the statement saying that sanctions against Russia would only be removed after it agreed to abide by the accords of the Minsk ceasefire agreement signed in February. The Chancellor’s remarks came as the leaders of the G7 began their annual summit at Schloss Elmau in Germany. Russia was removed from the G8 last year after it annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine.
44 killed in Saudi attack in Yemen
At least 44 people were killed and 100 wounded after the Saudi Arabia-led coalition conducted airstrikes against Shia Houthi rebels in Yemen on an army compound in the country’s capital city of Sana'a on Sunday. Residents of the area said that soldiers allied to the Houthis had been gathered at the compound since Saturday evening to collect their pay cheques. The attack came despite efforts by the United Nations to begin peace talks in Geneva later this month.
Gaza rocket launches ignored: Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday accused the international community and the United Nations of ignoring rocket strikes on the country by militant groups from the Gaza Strip. Israel closed its border crossings with Gaza as the country’s air force conducted airstrikes in the region. Netanyahu said that the Israeli military would use its “full strength” to defend the country if the cross-border attacks. Netanyahu’s remarks came after a militant group, the Omar Brigades, launched rockets at Israeli territory on Saturday.
55 bodies recovered in Nepal valley
The bodies of at least 55 people, including four foreigners, were recovered from the Langtang Valley in the Rasuwa district of Nepal on Sunday. A senior police official said that the bodies were recovered by rescue teams of the Nepalese Army, who were conducting their operations in coordination with local villagers from the area. The residents said that over 190 people had been missing after an avalanche triggered by the April 25 earthquake swept away an entire village. The Rasuwa district was one of the worst-hit by the quake, with 597 deaths and 771 injuries reported from the area.
