World | WPN World People News

The results of India’s 18th Lok Sabha elections are out. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), leading the ruling coalition, has retained a majority but fell short of expectations. Out of a total of 543 seats, the BJP won 240 seats, 63 less than the previous term; while the opposition Congress party secured 99 seats, an increase of 47 seats. The ruling coalition’s total seats are far below Modi’s pre-election call of 400 seats, and the BJP itself did not reach a majority, which will necessitate seeking cooperation with other smaller parties in the future.

The Election Commission of India did not specifically tally the total number of seats for the ruling and opposition coalitions due to the involvement of numerous parties and their variable political orientations, resulting in differing statistical data from various media outlets. However, according to data from News18 TV, the BJP-led ruling coalition won a total of 292 seats, the Congress-led opposition coalition obtained 234 seats, and other independent third parties secured 17 seats.

Modi won in his constituency, the holy city of Varanasi, with 612,970 votes, leading his opponent by 150,000 votes. India adopts a parliamentary system, where cabinet members must be members of either the Upper or Lower House, with the prime minister typically coming from the Lower House. It is generally expected that Modi will continue to serve as prime minister.

The CNN reported that Shibuya, one of the busiest tourist spots in Tokyo, has announced that starting from October this year, it will prohibit drinking alcohol on the streets and in public places from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily. This measure aims to reduce incidents related to alcohol consumption.

In a statement last October, the Shibuya district expressed concern about the damage caused by overtourism, including street drinking, disputes with local residents, and the littering of empty cans and bottles, resulting in property damage. The district mayor, Ken Hasebe, revealed that authorities have strengthened patrols since last year. However, some citizens felt that existing regulations did not adequately restrict street drinking. As a result, the district office decided to introduce new legislation, encouraging people to consume alcohol indoors at restaurants.

Local residents are likely not surprised by the nighttime alcohol ban. Last autumn, Shibuya prohibited Halloween events within the district, including drinking outside bars and restaurants due to alcohol-related disturbances. Hasebe disclosed that local businesses supported the ban at that time and actively promoted its implementation.

The alcohol ban will be in effect from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., covering major public places and streets in Shibuya. During this time, anyone carrying or consuming alcoholic beverages within the restricted area will be prohibited. Violators may face fines or other legal penalties.

District officials emphasize that this measure is an important step in addressing alcohol-related disturbances. In recent years, as Shibuya’s reputation as Tokyo’s nightlife hub has grown, issues such as nighttime alcohol-related incidents, violence, and noise disturbances have increased. These problems not only affect the quality of life for local residents but also inconvenience tourists visiting the area.

Additionally, the Shibuya district government plans to install multiple signs reminding the public to comply with the new regulations. They will also establish a 24-hour hotline for citizens and tourists to report relevant issues.

While the alcohol ban has garnered widespread attention and support, it has also sparked some controversy. Some individuals are concerned that it may impact Shibuya’s nighttime economy, particularly businesses such as bars and nightclubs. In response, the district government states that it will evaluate the effectiveness of the ban after implementation and make adjustments based on actual circumstances. The primary intention of this ban is to ensure the safety of both residents and visitors. The government hopes for understanding and cooperation from everyone. Moving forward, they will continue monitoring the implementation of the ban and strive to improve related measures, providing a better living and recreational environment for residents and tourists.

As the Russia-Ukraine war enters its third year, countries supporting Ukraine are showing signs of fatigue, and right-wing self-interest forces in Europe and America are on the rise. In response to Ukraine’s request, Switzerland will host the Ukraine Peace Summit in mid-June. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, seeking continued support from various countries, has called on U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping to both attend the summit.

The Ukraine Peace Summit is scheduled to take place on June 15 in Bürgenstock, Switzerland. The Swiss government has invited over 160 delegations to participate, and as of May 24, more than 70 countries or organizations have confirmed their attendance, including India, the President of the European Union, and Germany, among others. Half of these are from various European countries. Switzerland maintains an open attitude towards inviting Russia to the meeting, although it has not yet done so, and Russia has repeatedly expressed no interest in participating.

The summit will be based on discussions from recent months to debate a viable peace process for the future. This includes three parts: first, providing a platform for dialogue to achieve a comprehensive, fair, and lasting peace for Ukraine based on international law and the United Nations Charter; second, a common understanding of the possible framework to achieve this goal; and lastly, paving the way for both Russian and Ukrainian participation in the future peace process.

On May 27, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning responded to journalists’ questions, stating, “On the issue of the Ukraine crisis, China has always maintained an objective and fair position, insisting on promoting peace and encouraging talks. We encourage and support all efforts conducive to the peaceful resolution of the crisis, support the timely convening of an international peace conference that is recognized by both Russia and Ukraine, with equal participation from all parties, and fair discussion of all peace proposals. China is willing to continue communicating with the international community to promote a political solution to the Ukraine crisis.”

The Israeli military carried out an airstrike on a Gaza refugee camp in Rafah on Sunday, May 26th, resulting in 45 fatalities and 246 injuries, with a majority of the victims being women and children. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu admitted on May 27th that this was a “tragic mistake.”

According to reports from international news agencies, the city of Rafah in southern Gaza has been targeted by Israeli airstrikes over the past two weeks, leading to a significant loss of life. Many of the bodies found have been severely burned.

Initially, the Israeli military claimed that the Sunday airstrike was based on “precise intelligence using precise weapons” and successfully eliminated two senior Hamas members. However, Netanyahu later acknowledged that the civilian casualties were an unfortunate accident. He stated that the military did not intentionally target the refugee camp, and this incident was a “tragic mistake,” despite the evacuation of approximately one million civilians from Rafah.

Survivors described the intense fire during the nighttime attack, with young men attempting to extinguish the flames using only one firetruck in the vicinity. One survivor reported hearing a massive explosion while preparing for bed, with projectiles falling directly above their room. Another survivor mentioned that the children pulled out from the wreckage were only in fragments, and those rescued were mostly elderly and children.

The renewed airstrikes have once again caused significant harm to civilians, prompting condemnation from the international community. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed concern, emphasizing that there is no safe place left in Gaza. Josep Borrell, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, also criticized Israel’s actions, highlighting that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had already ordered Israel to cease attacks on Rafah on May 24th. Despite these warnings, Israel continues its large-scale offensive in the area, disregarding international calls for restraint.

The landslide occurred at 3 a.m. local time, burying at least 1,100 houses and over 300 people across 3 to 4 football field-sized affected areas in six villages. Most villagers were asleep when the landslide hit, leaving them no time to escape. Due to the remote and treacherous terrain, helicopter rescue teams are the only means of reaching the disaster zone. Prime Minister James Marape of Papua New Guinea has mobilized rescue personnel, defense forces, and engineering teams to aid in recovery efforts.

While the cause of the landslide remains unclear, there were no signs of an earthquake.

The region is known for its gold mines, and ongoing mining activities may have contributed. With heavy rainfall being common in this equatorial area south of the equator, the Red Cross speculates that excessive rain could be a likely factor. Authorities from Papua New Guinea and neighboring Australia have urgently deployed military and medical personnel to assist affected communities.

However, ongoing landslides continue to pose risks to other villages in the vicinity.

In an unprecedented move, Norway, Ireland, and Spain have broken the deadlock surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. On the heels of last year’s Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in thousands of deaths and the abduction of hundreds of hostages, Israel’s retaliatory actions in Gaza have led to over 35,000 fatalities, predominantly among women and children. The indiscriminate violence has sparked global outrage.

On the 22nd, these European and Western nations announced their intention to formally recognize Palestine as a sovereign state. The recognition process is set to be initiated, with official statements expected by the 28th. Middle Eastern countries have expressed approval of this decision. However, Israel strongly opposes it and has recalled its ambassadors from the three countries. Meanwhile, the United States, France, Germany, and others argue that the timing is not conducive to such recognition.

Leaders including Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store, Irish Foreign Minister Micheál Martin, Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris, and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez have all issued statements in support of a two-state solution—one for Israel and one for Palestine. They emphasize that this approach is essential for peace in the Middle East, ensuring security, dignity, and equal self-determination rights for both parties. Notably, they underscore that recognizing Palestine does not imply opposition to Israel or its Jewish population.

While at least 143 countries worldwide officially recognize Palestine—representing over 70% of UN member states—the majority of them do not maintain embassies or engage in formal diplomatic relations due to the ongoing Israeli military occupation of Palestinian territories. In contrast, European and American countries have been hesitant to recognize Palestine.