The Pakistan government’s coalition partners on Tuesday decided that the current setup would complete its term that ends in August 2023 and supported tough decisions to revive the crippling economy.

Pak PM Sharif chairs allies meeting, coalition govt to stay in power till August 2023

Ra’am party failed to produce a definitive answer on whether the faction plans to resume cooperating with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s coalition, leaving the survival of Israel’s Bennett government hanging in the balance.

Ra’am yet to decide on rejoining Bennett, as potential coalition-killing vote looms

A military operation has been started by the Saudi-led coalition, who is fighting in Yemen against Houthis, on Saturday. &nbsp;

The action has been taken to stop attacks on its oil facilities and "protect global energy sources," reported Saudi state media. &nbsp;

This comes as oil giant Aramco's petroleum products distribution station in Jeddah was targetted by Houthis on Friday. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yemens-houthi-rebels-claim-oil-plant-attack-as-huge-fire-erupts-in-jeddah-465548">Yemen's Houthi rebels claim responsibility for oil plant attack in Jeddah</a>

The Saudi-led coalition said the attack led to fire in two storage tanks, but there were no casualties. &nbsp;

The operation is in its initial stages and Houthis should bear the consequences of their "hostile behaviour", the coalition added. &nbsp;

The goal for the operation is to "protect global energy sources and ensure supply chains," it added. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-to-host-us-uea-bharain-and-morocco-diplomats-for-three-day-historic-summit-465487" hreflang="en">Israel to host US, UEA, Bharain and Morocco diplomats for three-day ‘historic' summit</a>

According to the coalition, it will "directly deal with sources of threat". It has also asked civilians to avoid being near any oil site or facility in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, reported Saudi state media. &nbsp;

The warning of the coalition came after it said it intercepted and destroyed two drones over Yemeni skies. The drones were launched towards kingdom from oil facilities in Hodeidah. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The coalition's warplanes launched raids on Hodeidah, Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV said. Flights are still going on, it said. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Rebels strike fuel depot in Jeddah: Formula Grand Prix to go ahead despite attack

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The coalition attacked the electricity corporation and oil facilities in Hodeidah, Al Masirah TV added. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A military operation has been started by the Saudi-led coalition, who is fighting in Yemen against Houthis, on Saturday. The action has been taken to stop attacks on its oil facilities and "protect global energy sources," reported Saudi state media.

A military operation has been started by the Saudi-led coalition, who is fighting in Yemen against Houthis, on Saturday. The action has been taken to stop attacks on its oil facilities and "protect global energy sources," reported Saudi state media. This comes as oil giant Aramco's petroleum products distribution station in Jeddah was targetted by Houthis on Friday. Also Read: Yemen's Houthi rebels claim responsibility for oil plant attack in Jeddah The Saudi-led coalition said the attack led to fire in two storage tanks, but there were no casualties. The operation is in its initial stages and Houthis should bear the consequences of their "hostile behaviour", the coalition added. The goal for the operation is to "protect global energy sources and ensure supply chains," it added. Also Read: Israel to host US, UEA, Bharain and Morocco diplomats for three-day ‘historic' summit According to the coalition, it will "directly deal with sources of threat". It has also asked civilians to avoid being near any oil site or facility in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, reported Saudi state media. The warning of the coalition came after it said it intercepted and destroyed two drones over Yemeni skies. The drones were launched towards kingdom from oil facilities in Hodeidah. The coalition's warplanes launched raids on Hodeidah, Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV said. Flights are still going on, it said. Watch: Rebels strike fuel depot in Jeddah: Formula Grand Prix to go ahead despite attack × The coalition attacked the electricity corporation and oil facilities in Hodeidah, Al Masirah TV added. (With inputs from agencies)

In retaliation to Aramco attack, Saudi-led coalition launches op to fight off Yemen's Houthis

At least 14&nbsp;people were killed in an airstrike on Tuesday carried out by Saudi Arabia-led coalition against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The airstrike was carried out in Sanaa, Yemen's rebel-held capital. The airstrike by the alliance came a day after an attack in UAE which was claimed by Houthi rebels. UAE is Saudi Arabia's partner in the coalition.

Three people were killed in the drone attack in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Monday.

The coalition also said it intercepted eight drones launched toward Saudi Arabia on Monday.

Early on Tuesday, the coalition said it had begun air strikes against strongholds and camps in Sanaa belonging to the Houthi group, Saudi state media said.

The strikes appeared to be the deadliest since 2019 on Sanaa.

The strike that killed&nbsp;14 people, according to initial estimates, was on the home of a former military official.

It killed him, his wife, his 25-year-old son, other family members and some unidentified people, a medical source and residents told Reuters.

Coalition strikes around the city had killed a total of about 20 people, the deputy foreign minister for the Houthi administration, which holds much of northern Yemen, said on Twitter.

Houthi-run Al Masirah TV said strikes had damaged houses, killed at least a dozen people and wounded about a dozen.

The UAE has armed and trained Yemeni forces that recently joined fighting against the Houthis in Yemen's energy-producing regions of Shabwa and Marib.

Monday's Houthi-claimed attack on two sites in the UAE set off explosions in fuel trucks, killed three people and ignited a blaze near Abu Dhabi airport.

In response, the UAE said it reserved the right to respond to "terrorist attacks and criminal escalation".

(With inputs from agencies)

At least 14 people were killed in an airstrike on Tuesday carried out by Saudi Arabia-led coalition against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The airstrike was carried out in Sanaa, Yemen's rebel-held capital.

At least 14 people were killed in an airstrike on Tuesday carried out by Saudi Arabia-led coalition against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. The airstrike was carried out in Sanaa, Yemen's rebel-held capital. The airstrike by the alliance came a day after an attack in UAE which was claimed by Houthi rebels. UAE is Saudi Arabia's partner in the coalition. Three people were killed in the drone attack in Abu Dhabi, UAE on Monday. The coalition also said it intercepted eight drones launched toward Saudi Arabia on Monday. Early on Tuesday, the coalition said it had begun air strikes against strongholds and camps in Sanaa belonging to the Houthi group, Saudi state media said. The strikes appeared to be the deadliest since 2019 on Sanaa. The strike that killed 14 people, according to initial estimates, was on the home of a former military official. It killed him, his wife, his 25-year-old son, other family members and some unidentified people, a medical source and residents told Reuters. Coalition strikes around the city had killed a total of about 20 people, the deputy foreign minister for the Houthi administration, which holds much of northern Yemen, said on Twitter. Houthi-run Al Masirah TV said strikes had damaged houses, killed at least a dozen people and wounded about a dozen. The UAE has armed and trained Yemeni forces that recently joined fighting against the Houthis in Yemen's energy-producing regions of Shabwa and Marib. Monday's Houthi-claimed attack on two sites in the UAE set off explosions in fuel trucks, killed three people and ignited a blaze near Abu Dhabi airport. In response, the UAE said it reserved the right to respond to "terrorist attacks and criminal escalation". (With inputs from agencies)

At least 14 dead in coalition airstrike against Houthi rebels in Yemen

Germany is all set to pave way for a new government. A total of three German parties have now signed a coalition deal to accelerate the green transition and also modernize Europe's largest economy.

Germany: New government signs coalition treaty

Germany's pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) on Sunday voted on Sunday to back coalition agreement with the Social Democrats and the Greens. This has paved way for three-way alliance. The government formation is expected to take place next week.

The coalition forged this time is first of a kind at the federal level. Free Democrat, environmentalist Green Party and Olaf Scholz's centre-left Social Democratic Party are forming the government.

Urging his FDP to back the deal, party leader Christian Lindner said the coalition agreement would bring about a "new departure in Germany".

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"Germany is waiting for this new departure," stressed Lindner, who is poised to become finance minister.

The SPD has already approved the agreement on Saturday. The Greens are due to announce the outcome of a member survey on the deal on Monday. The three parties are hoping that Germany's lower house of the parliament, the Bundestag will vote Olaf Scholz as next chancellor of the country.

The "traffic light" alliance, named after the parties'respective colours, will usher in a new era of relations with Europe, and plans to speed up digitalisation of the continents biggest economy and put a focus on fighting climate change.

Under their roadmap for Germany, the three parties want to bring forward an end to coal to 2030 from 2038. They also plan to put 15 million electric cars on the road by 2030, and ramp up the building of new homes to keep housing costs affordable.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Germany's pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) on Sunday voted on Sunday to back coalition agreement with the Social Democrats and the Greens. This has paved way for three-way alliance.

Germany's pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) on Sunday voted on Sunday to back coalition agreement with the Social Democrats and the Greens. This has paved way for three-way alliance. The government formation is expected to take place next week. The coalition forged this time is first of a kind at the federal level. Free Democrat, environmentalist Green Party and Olaf Scholz's centre-left Social Democratic Party are forming the government. Urging his FDP to back the deal, party leader Christian Lindner said the coalition agreement would bring about a "new departure in Germany". Also Read | Omicron scare: Germany gets tough on unvaccinated, imposes restrictions "Germany is waiting for this new departure," stressed Lindner, who is poised to become finance minister. The SPD has already approved the agreement on Saturday. The Greens are due to announce the outcome of a member survey on the deal on Monday. The three parties are hoping that Germany's lower house of the parliament, the Bundestag will vote Olaf Scholz as next chancellor of the country. The "traffic light" alliance, named after the parties'respective colours, will usher in a new era of relations with Europe, and plans to speed up digitalisation of the continents biggest economy and put a focus on fighting climate change. Under their roadmap for Germany, the three parties want to bring forward an end to coal to 2030 from 2038. They also plan to put 15 million electric cars on the road by 2030, and ramp up the building of new homes to keep housing costs affordable. (With inputs from agencies)

Germany: Free Democrats back coalition agreement

It is the end of an era for Germany, the beginning of another. After being in power for 16 years German chancellor is retiring from politics paving way for a new coalition government.

Germany to have a centre-left government for the first time ever

Germany: Coalition pledges to modernize Europe's largest economy

The Saudi-led coalition is launching airstrikes on legitimate military targets in Yemen's capital. Sana'a has warned civilians not to gather around or approach the targeted areas.

Yemen: Saudi-led coalition launches airstrikes, Yemen locked in downward spiral

The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said Sunday its air strikes had killed more than 260 Huthi rebels in the past three days, but a rebel spokesman said the bombing campaign will not stop them.

The deaths are the latest among roughly 1,600 rebels the coalition claims it has killed in strikes over the past two weeks around Marib, the internationally recognised government's last bastion in oil-rich northern Yemen.

The Iran-backed Huthis rarely comment on losses, and AFP could not independently verify the toll.

The strikes are the most recent in a nearly seven-year coalition military campaign to support Yemen's internationally recognised government against the Huthis.

"Thirty-six military vehicles were destroyed and more than 264" rebel fighters were killed in the past 72 hours, the coalition said, quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency.

The strikes were carried out in Al-Jawba, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) south of Marib, and Al-Kassara, 30 kilometres to the northwest.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/northern-ireland-brexit-issues-as-talks-resume-uk-warns-of-gaps-with-eu-423398">Also read |&nbsp;Northern Ireland Brexit issues: As talks resume, UK warns of 'gaps' with EU</a>

"If the enemy thought that their warplanes could limit the progress of our forces or break the determination of our soldiers they are mistaken," Huthi spokesman Yahya Saree said on the rebel's Al-Masirah TV channel.

He claimed that during an operation the rebels had killed 550 pro-government fighters, wounded 1,200, and taken 90 prisoners, without specifying a time frame.

AFP could not independently verify the figures given by the rebels.

The coalition has for the past two weeks reported almost daily air strikes around Marib.

Ceasefire call

The Huthis began a major push to seize Marib in February, and have renewed their offensive since September after a lull.

The Yemeni civil war began in 2014 when the Huthis seized the capital Sanaa, 120 kilometres west of Marib, prompting Saudi-led forces to intervene to prop up the government the following year.

Tens of thousands of people have died and millions have been displaced in the war, which the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The UN Security Council called on Wednesday for "de-escalation" in Yemen, in a unanimously adopted statement to counter the risk of "large-scale famine" in the country.

The 15 council members demanded an immediate nationwide ceasefire, and sought an end to the Marib escalation.

"The members of the Security Council expressed grave concern for the dire humanitarian situation, including prolonged starvation and the growing risk of large-scale famine," according to a statement.

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They also "condemned the recruitment and use of children, and sexual violence, in conflict".

The UN children's agency &nbsp;UNICEF last week said that seven years of conflict in Yemen had killed or wounded at least 10,000 children.

The figure only included child victims whose fates were known to the organisation, and there were countless others, UNICEF spokesman James Elder said in Geneva.

"The war must come to an end," he said.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said Sunday its air strikes had killed more than 260 Huthi rebels in the past three days, but a rebel spokesman said the bombing campaign will not stop them.

The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said Sunday its air strikes had killed more than 260 Huthi rebels in the past three days, but a rebel spokesman said the bombing campaign will not stop them. The deaths are the latest among roughly 1,600 rebels the coalition claims it has killed in strikes over the past two weeks around Marib, the internationally recognised government's last bastion in oil-rich northern Yemen. The Iran-backed Huthis rarely comment on losses, and AFP could not independently verify the toll. The strikes are the most recent in a nearly seven-year coalition military campaign to support Yemen's internationally recognised government against the Huthis. "Thirty-six military vehicles were destroyed and more than 264" rebel fighters were killed in the past 72 hours, the coalition said, quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency. The strikes were carried out in Al-Jawba, about 50 kilometres (30 miles) south of Marib, and Al-Kassara, 30 kilometres to the northwest. Also read | Northern Ireland Brexit issues: As talks resume, UK warns of 'gaps' with EU "If the enemy thought that their warplanes could limit the progress of our forces or break the determination of our soldiers they are mistaken," Huthi spokesman Yahya Saree said on the rebel's Al-Masirah TV channel. He claimed that during an operation the rebels had killed 550 pro-government fighters, wounded 1,200, and taken 90 prisoners, without specifying a time frame. AFP could not independently verify the figures given by the rebels. The coalition has for the past two weeks reported almost daily air strikes around Marib. Ceasefire call The Huthis began a major push to seize Marib in February, and have renewed their offensive since September after a lull. The Yemeni civil war began in 2014 when the Huthis seized the capital Sanaa, 120 kilometres west of Marib, prompting Saudi-led forces to intervene to prop up the government the following year. Tens of thousands of people have died and millions have been displaced in the war, which the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The UN Security Council called on Wednesday for "de-escalation" in Yemen, in a unanimously adopted statement to counter the risk of "large-scale famine" in the country. The 15 council members demanded an immediate nationwide ceasefire, and sought an end to the Marib escalation. "The members of the Security Council expressed grave concern for the dire humanitarian situation, including prolonged starvation and the growing risk of large-scale famine," according to a statement. Also read | Watch: Thousands of Swiss locals protest against Covid vaccine certificates They also "condemned the recruitment and use of children, and sexual violence, in conflict". The UN children's agency UNICEF last week said that seven years of conflict in Yemen had killed or wounded at least 10,000 children. The figure only included child victims whose fates were known to the organisation, and there were countless others, UNICEF spokesman James Elder said in Geneva. "The war must come to an end," he said.

Saudi-led coalition says killed over 260 Yemen rebels

The three parties on track to form Germany’s next coalition government are in favour of lowering the voting age to 16.

The Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) have signed up to reduce the age at which Germans can vote. This comes in as an acknowledgement that an increasingly politicised generation of young people must have a future say in running the country.

A poll ahead of the German elections last month showed that the young people were frustrated at not being able to vote in an election that was dominated by people over 50s. They also made up the majority, which is &nbsp;60 per cent, of voters.&nbsp;

Only 14 per cent of voters were under 30, compared with 19 per cent in 1961.

The Greens and FDP, who secured the most votes among younger people, have been highlighting the importance of capturing their political enthusiasm.

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A poll carried out by the environmental NGO Nabu revealed that 59 per cent of voters over 65 said before the September 26 vote they would not be considering younger voters’ climate protection interests when they cast their ballots.

Also, in a mock election of more than 200,000 young people across Germany, which was held just over a week before the real election, 21 per cent of participants voted for the Greens.&nbsp;

This was seen as an indication the party might have received considerably more than the 15 per cent it secured in the official election had the voting age been lower.

Thorsten Frei, the deputy leader of the CDU parliamentary group, said that he was “very sceptical” about lowering the age.&nbsp;

“Without a doubt, there are many young people with a strong political interest,” he told the newspaper Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung. “But rights and obligations have to be in alignment, and the question is whether it makes sense, on the one hand, to be able to partake in decision-making about the future of our country, but on the other, to not be able to sign a mobile phone contract or watch certain films at the cinema without parental consent? I have my doubts.”

The three parties on track to form Germany’s next coalition government are in favour of lowering the voting age to 16. The Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) have signed up to reduce the age at which Germans can vote.

The three parties on track to form Germany’s next coalition government are in favour of lowering the voting age to 16. The Social Democrats (SPD), Greens and pro-business Free Democrats (FDP) have signed up to reduce the age at which Germans can vote. This comes in as an acknowledgement that an increasingly politicised generation of young people must have a future say in running the country. A poll ahead of the German elections last month showed that the young people were frustrated at not being able to vote in an election that was dominated by people over 50s. They also made up the majority, which is 60 per cent, of voters. Only 14 per cent of voters were under 30, compared with 19 per cent in 1961. The Greens and FDP, who secured the most votes among younger people, have been highlighting the importance of capturing their political enthusiasm. Also read | US hypersonic weapons test suffers setback due to rocket failure A poll carried out by the environmental NGO Nabu revealed that 59 per cent of voters over 65 said before the September 26 vote they would not be considering younger voters’ climate protection interests when they cast their ballots. Also, in a mock election of more than 200,000 young people across Germany, which was held just over a week before the real election, 21 per cent of participants voted for the Greens. This was seen as an indication the party might have received considerably more than the 15 per cent it secured in the official election had the voting age been lower. Thorsten Frei, the deputy leader of the CDU parliamentary group, said that he was “very sceptical” about lowering the age. “Without a doubt, there are many young people with a strong political interest,” he told the newspaper Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung. “But rights and obligations have to be in alignment, and the question is whether it makes sense, on the one hand, to be able to partake in decision-making about the future of our country, but on the other, to not be able to sign a mobile phone contract or watch certain films at the cinema without parental consent? I have my doubts.”

German coalition in favour of lowering voting age to 16

At least 28 Houthis were killed in airstrikes launched by the Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen`s Marib province, a government source said.

 
"Twenty-eight rebels were killed and 10 weapon-mounted vehicles were destroyed in the coalition airstrikes on the rebel positions at the adjacent frontlines of Lam`aa and Om Reesh in Harib district," the source told Xinhua news agency on Sunday.

"The airstrikes were a response to the rebels` ground attack on the positions of the government forces at the frontlines," the source added.

Meanwhile, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported 20 Saudi-led airstrikes in the Harib and three in Sirwah on Sunday, without providing the details of the militia casualties.

The report claimed that the Houthi forces were advancing in Marib province despite the heavy airstrikes.

The frontlines of Lam`aa and Om Reesh are about 60 km south of the government-controlled Marib city.

The Iran-backed Houthi militia launched in February a major offensive on Marib in an attempt to seize control of the oil-rich province, the last northern stronghold of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. 
&nbsp;

At least 28 Houthis were killed in airstrikes launched by the Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen`s Marib province, a government source said. "Twenty-eight rebels were killed and 10 weapon-mounted vehicles were destroyed in the coalition airstrikes on the rebel positions at the adjacent frontlines of Lam`aa and Om Reesh in Harib district," the source told Xinhua news agency on Sunday.

At least 28 Houthis were killed in airstrikes launched by the Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen`s Marib province, a government source said. "Twenty-eight rebels were killed and 10 weapon-mounted vehicles were destroyed in the coalition airstrikes on the rebel positions at the adjacent frontlines of Lam`aa and Om Reesh in Harib district," the source told Xinhua news agency on Sunday. "The airstrikes were a response to the rebels` ground attack on the positions of the government forces at the frontlines," the source added. Meanwhile, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported 20 Saudi-led airstrikes in the Harib and three in Sirwah on Sunday, without providing the details of the militia casualties. The report claimed that the Houthi forces were advancing in Marib province despite the heavy airstrikes. The frontlines of Lam`aa and Om Reesh are about 60 km south of the government-controlled Marib city. The Iran-backed Houthi militia launched in February a major offensive on Marib in an attempt to seize control of the oil-rich province, the last northern stronghold of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.

Coalition airstrikes kill 28 Houthis in Yemen's Marib

German political parties will hold exploratory talks from Sunday as they jostle to form the next government after a close election, with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) battling Angela Merkel's conservatives for the chancellery.

The SPD and its candidate Olaf Scholz narrowly won last week's vote on 25.7 percent, with Merkel's CDU-CSU alliance plunging to an all-time low of 24.1 percent as she prepares to leave the stage after 16 years in power.

The result leaves the SPD in pole position to form a government, but conservative leader Armin Laschet has also vowed to begin coalition talks in a last-ditch effort to keep the ailing CDU-CSU in power.

In the complex calculations for a coalition, the makeup of the next German government essentially hinges on which of the two parties can persuade the Greens and the liberal FDP to sign up for a partnership.

First up in what Der Spiegel magazine has described as the "poker game for power" is the SPD, which will huddle with the FDP on Sunday afternoon and the Greens in the evening.

Their rivals, the CDU-CSU, will meet with the FDP on Sunday evening and the Greens on Tuesday.

'Historic defeat'

In a poll for the ZDF broadcaster on Friday, 59 percent of respondents said they were in favour of an SPD-Greens-FDP coalition, also known as the "traffic-light" combination after the parties' colours.

Only 24 percent said they would prefer the combination led by the CDU, a coalition known as "Jamaica" after the colours of that country's flag.

Some 76 percent said they thought Scholz should be the next German chancellor, with just 13 percent backing Laschet.

In an interview with Der Spiegel magazine Friday, Scholz said it was "clear from every poll that people don't want the (CDU-CSU) to be part of the next government".

"The election result is clear. The CDU and CSU have suffered a historic defeat and have been voted out," he said.

But the conservatives are not giving up, with Markus Blume, general secretary of the CSU, insisting on Friday that "Jamaica has a chance".

The CSU, the smaller Bavarian partner in the conservative alliance, had provoked consternation earlier in the week by conceding that Scholz had won the election and should be first in the queue to form a government.

- Secret selfie -

The stance broke ranks with Laschet, who at that point had not publicly congratulated Scholz and had claimed "no party" -- not even the SPD -- could claim a mandate to govern from the vote outcome.

Laschet has faced a barrage of criticism over his election performance and his refusal to admit defeat, including calls to resign from within his own party -- but has so far given no indication that he plans to do so.

With the SPD and the conservatives scrambling for the affections of the Greens and the FDP, the smaller parties find themselves in an outsize position of power as potential kingmakers.

"For now, Greens and FDP are in the driver's seat," said Holger Schmieding, an analyst for the Berenberg bank.

The two parties have aready held two sounding-out sessions, with their leaders posting a much-shared selfie on social media in a show of unity after a secret gathering on Tuesday.

But it remains to be seen "whether they can really choose between traffic light and Jamaica, and the extent to which they can shape the agenda", Schmieding said.

The two smaller parties are not natural bedfellows, diverging on issues like tax hikes and public investment in climate protection.

After Germany's last election in 2017, the FDP dramatically walked out of negotiations with the CDU-CSU and the Greens, with leader Christian Lindner declaring it was "better not to govern at all than to govern badly".

German political parties will hold exploratory talks from Sunday as they jostle to form the next government after a close election, with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) battling Angela Merkel's conservatives for the chancellery.

German political parties will hold exploratory talks from Sunday as they jostle to form the next government after a close election, with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) battling Angela Merkel's conservatives for the chancellery. The SPD and its candidate Olaf Scholz narrowly won last week's vote on 25.7 percent, with Merkel's CDU-CSU alliance plunging to an all-time low of 24.1 percent as she prepares to leave the stage after 16 years in power. The result leaves the SPD in pole position to form a government, but conservative leader Armin Laschet has also vowed to begin coalition talks in a last-ditch effort to keep the ailing CDU-CSU in power. In the complex calculations for a coalition, the makeup of the next German government essentially hinges on which of the two parties can persuade the Greens and the liberal FDP to sign up for a partnership. First up in what Der Spiegel magazine has described as the "poker game for power" is the SPD, which will huddle with the FDP on Sunday afternoon and the Greens in the evening. Their rivals, the CDU-CSU, will meet with the FDP on Sunday evening and the Greens on Tuesday. 'Historic defeat' In a poll for the ZDF broadcaster on Friday, 59 percent of respondents said they were in favour of an SPD-Greens-FDP coalition, also known as the "traffic-light" combination after the parties' colours. Only 24 percent said they would prefer the combination led by the CDU, a coalition known as "Jamaica" after the colours of that country's flag. Some 76 percent said they thought Scholz should be the next German chancellor, with just 13 percent backing Laschet. In an interview with Der Spiegel magazine Friday, Scholz said it was "clear from every poll that people don't want the (CDU-CSU) to be part of the next government". "The election result is clear. The CDU and CSU have suffered a historic defeat and have been voted out," he said. But the conservatives are not giving up, with Markus Blume, general secretary of the CSU, insisting on Friday that "Jamaica has a chance". The CSU, the smaller Bavarian partner in the conservative alliance, had provoked consternation earlier in the week by conceding that Scholz had won the election and should be first in the queue to form a government. - Secret selfie - The stance broke ranks with Laschet, who at that point had not publicly congratulated Scholz and had claimed "no party" -- not even the SPD -- could claim a mandate to govern from the vote outcome. Laschet has faced a barrage of criticism over his election performance and his refusal to admit defeat, including calls to resign from within his own party -- but has so far given no indication that he plans to do so. With the SPD and the conservatives scrambling for the affections of the Greens and the FDP, the smaller parties find themselves in an outsize position of power as potential kingmakers. "For now, Greens and FDP are in the driver's seat," said Holger Schmieding, an analyst for the Berenberg bank. The two parties have aready held two sounding-out sessions, with their leaders posting a much-shared selfie on social media in a show of unity after a secret gathering on Tuesday. But it remains to be seen "whether they can really choose between traffic light and Jamaica, and the extent to which they can shape the agenda", Schmieding said. The two smaller parties are not natural bedfellows, diverging on issues like tax hikes and public investment in climate protection. After Germany's last election in 2017, the FDP dramatically walked out of negotiations with the CDU-CSU and the Greens, with leader Christian Lindner declaring it was "better not to govern at all than to govern badly".

German parties meet as coalition haggling begins

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said early on Sunday, it destroyed an explosives-laden drone headed towards Khamis Mushait launched by Houthi militia in Yemen, Saudi state TV al-Ekhbariya reported.&nbsp;

Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a tweet early on Sunday that an operation targeted Saudi Arabia's King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait with explosives-laden drones, and the hit was accurate.&nbsp;

Earlier, the Saudi-led coalition engaged in Yemen dismissed as 'fabricated' video footage issued by the Houthi movement on Saturday purportedly showing an incursion by its fighters into a Saudi Arabian border area on the frontlines.&nbsp;

Houthi-run Al Masirah television cited a military source as saying more than 80 Saudi soldiers and Sudanese 'mercenaries' were killed or injured, while tens were captured in the operation near Al Khoubah in the southern Saudi region of Jazan.&nbsp;

"Claims by the Houthi militia about executing a military operation on the Jazan border are media fabrications," Saudi state television cited coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki as saying.&nbsp;

Malki said the Houthis' 'imaginary victories' aimed to cover up big military losses suffered by the group in Yemen's Marib and al-Jawf regions.&nbsp;

The war, which in March entered its seventh year, has been in a military stalemate for years with the Iran-aligned Houthis holding most of northern Yemen.&nbsp;

The United Nations and the United States are pressing for a ceasefire needed to end the conflict, widely seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran.&nbsp;

Some of the video footage on Al Masirah's Telegram account, the authenticity of which could not be independently verified, showed men in military uniform coming under fire as they fled down a rocky mountain slope.&nbsp;

Sudanese troops have been deployed as part of the Saudi-led military alliance that intervened in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis ousted the internationally recognised government from the capital Sanaa. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said early on Sunday, it destroyed an explosives-laden drone headed towards Khamis Mushait launched by Houthi militia in Yemen, Saudi state TV al-Ekhbariya reported.

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen said early on Sunday, it destroyed an explosives-laden drone headed towards Khamis Mushait launched by Houthi militia in Yemen, Saudi state TV al-Ekhbariya reported. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a tweet early on Sunday that an operation targeted Saudi Arabia's King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait with explosives-laden drones, and the hit was accurate. Earlier, the Saudi-led coalition engaged in Yemen dismissed as 'fabricated' video footage issued by the Houthi movement on Saturday purportedly showing an incursion by its fighters into a Saudi Arabian border area on the frontlines. Houthi-run Al Masirah television cited a military source as saying more than 80 Saudi soldiers and Sudanese 'mercenaries' were killed or injured, while tens were captured in the operation near Al Khoubah in the southern Saudi region of Jazan. "Claims by the Houthi militia about executing a military operation on the Jazan border are media fabrications," Saudi state television cited coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki as saying. Malki said the Houthis' 'imaginary victories' aimed to cover up big military losses suffered by the group in Yemen's Marib and al-Jawf regions. The war, which in March entered its seventh year, has been in a military stalemate for years with the Iran-aligned Houthis holding most of northern Yemen. The United Nations and the United States are pressing for a ceasefire needed to end the conflict, widely seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Some of the video footage on Al Masirah's Telegram account, the authenticity of which could not be independently verified, showed men in military uniform coming under fire as they fled down a rocky mountain slope. Sudanese troops have been deployed as part of the Saudi-led military alliance that intervened in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis ousted the internationally recognised government from the capital Sanaa. (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi-led coalition destroys explosives-laden drone headed for Khamis Mushait: State TV 

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s prospects of forming a new government waned on Saturday as a coalition partner seen as vital for securing a parliamentary majority ruled out joining a new administration led by him.

This threw already stalled talks about forming a new government further into disarray, setting them back by weeks if not months and making it virtually impossible to predict the outcome.

Rutte, 54, had narrowly survived a no-confidence vote on Friday after parliament passed a motion disapproving of his behaviour during government formation talks following last month’s election.

But ChristenUnie leader Gert Jan Segers, in an interview with newspaper Nederlands Dagblad, said: "We don’t want to return to ‘business as usual’. We cannot be part of a fourth Rutte government".

ChristenUnie has been one of four parties in the government led by Rutte’s conservative VVD party since 2017.

Parliament will next week appoint an independent official tasked with mapping out ways to get the government formation process moving again.

But the two parties seen as indispensable for the VVD, the Christian Democrats and pro-European Union D66, filed the motion of disapproval on Friday and made it clear it would be very hard for Rutte to return to the negotiating table.

Rutte, who has been in office since 2010 and is often an influential figure in the European Union, was the decisive winner in the national elections two weeks ago.

But he only narrowly survived the no-confidence vote, which accused him of having not spoken the truth about suggestions he made over the possible future of a critical lawmaker from another party.&nbsp;

All the parties outside his coalition voted to have him removed immediately.&nbsp;That seemed to have left the current coalition as the only viable option for Rutte to form his fourth consecutive government, until Segers’ move on Saturday blocked that path.

"Without support of the ChristenUnie a fourth Rutte Cabinet seems unthinkable", political scientist Tom Louwerse said on Twitter.

"The best scenario might be for Rutte to not be involved in the formation of a new government, but stay on as caretaker Prime Minister until there is a new administration."

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s prospects of forming a new government waned on Saturday as a coalition partner seen as vital for securing a parliamentary majority ruled out joining a new administration led by him.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte’s prospects of forming a new government waned on Saturday as a coalition partner seen as vital for securing a parliamentary majority ruled out joining a new administration led by him. This threw already stalled talks about forming a new government further into disarray, setting them back by weeks if not months and making it virtually impossible to predict the outcome. Rutte, 54, had narrowly survived a no-confidence vote on Friday after parliament passed a motion disapproving of his behaviour during government formation talks following last month’s election. But ChristenUnie leader Gert Jan Segers, in an interview with newspaper Nederlands Dagblad, said: "We don’t want to return to ‘business as usual’. We cannot be part of a fourth Rutte government". ChristenUnie has been one of four parties in the government led by Rutte’s conservative VVD party since 2017. Parliament will next week appoint an independent official tasked with mapping out ways to get the government formation process moving again. But the two parties seen as indispensable for the VVD, the Christian Democrats and pro-European Union D66, filed the motion of disapproval on Friday and made it clear it would be very hard for Rutte to return to the negotiating table. Rutte, who has been in office since 2010 and is often an influential figure in the European Union, was the decisive winner in the national elections two weeks ago. But he only narrowly survived the no-confidence vote, which accused him of having not spoken the truth about suggestions he made over the possible future of a critical lawmaker from another party. All the parties outside his coalition voted to have him removed immediately. That seemed to have left the current coalition as the only viable option for Rutte to form his fourth consecutive government, until Segers’ move on Saturday blocked that path. "Without support of the ChristenUnie a fourth Rutte Cabinet seems unthinkable", political scientist Tom Louwerse said on Twitter. "The best scenario might be for Rutte to not be involved in the formation of a new government, but stay on as caretaker Prime Minister until there is a new administration." (With inputs from agencies)

Dutch PM's prospects of forming new government wane as coalition partner quits

The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Houthi forces has destroyed two explosive-laden boats that the Iran-aligned group planned to use in an 'imminent' attack launched from the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Saudi state media reported on Sunday.&nbsp;

The coalition in separate statements also said it intercepted and destroyed three armed drones launched towards southern Saudi Arabia, including the city of Khamis Mushait.&nbsp;

The Houthis, who ousted Yemen's internationally recognised government from the capital, Sanaa, and now hold most of north Yemen, have kept up missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia after Riyadh last week presented a new peace initiative.&nbsp;

US Special Envoy Tim Lenderking on Thursday returned to the region to push for the initiative, which includes a nationwide ceasefire.&nbsp;

The Houthis want the coalition to fully lift its sea and air blockade on areas the group controls.&nbsp;

The conflict, seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has caused what the United Nations says is the world's largest humanitarian crisis.&nbsp;

The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system and foreign aggression.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Houthi forces has destroyed two explosive-laden boats that the Iran-aligned group planned to use in an 'imminent' attack launched from the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Saudi state media reported on Sunday.

The Saudi-led coalition battling Yemen's Houthi forces has destroyed two explosive-laden boats that the Iran-aligned group planned to use in an 'imminent' attack launched from the Red Sea port of Hodeidah, Saudi state media reported on Sunday. The coalition in separate statements also said it intercepted and destroyed three armed drones launched towards southern Saudi Arabia, including the city of Khamis Mushait. The Houthis, who ousted Yemen's internationally recognised government from the capital, Sanaa, and now hold most of north Yemen, have kept up missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia after Riyadh last week presented a new peace initiative. US Special Envoy Tim Lenderking on Thursday returned to the region to push for the initiative, which includes a nationwide ceasefire. The Houthis want the coalition to fully lift its sea and air blockade on areas the group controls. The conflict, seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has caused what the United Nations says is the world's largest humanitarian crisis. The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system and foreign aggression. (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi-led coalition destroys Houthi rigged boats, drones: Report 

A&nbsp;Saudi-led&nbsp;military&nbsp;coalition&nbsp;said Tuesday it will release&nbsp;200&nbsp;Yemeni&nbsp;rebels&nbsp;and permit some flights from the insurgent-held capital Sanaa, as efforts to end the nearly five-year conflict gain momentum.

The initiatives coincide with a lull in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-led-coalition-says-yemens-houthis-seize-ship-in-red-sea-263056">Huthi attacks</a> on Saudi Arabia and come after a senior official in Riyadh this month said it had an "open channel" with the Iran-aligned&nbsp;rebels.

Patients needing medical care will be allowed to be flown out of Sanaa airport, which has been closed to commercial flights since 2016,&nbsp;coalition&nbsp;spokesman Turki al-Maliki said in a statement released by the official Saudi Press Agency.

The&nbsp;coalition&nbsp;has decided "to release&nbsp;200&nbsp;prisoners of the Huthi militia" and will facilitate flights from Sanaa for "people in need of medical care" in cooperation with the World Health Organisation, the statement added.

The decision was hailed by the Huthis, with senior leader Mohammed Ali al-Huthi calling for a "mass reception" to welcome the released&nbsp;rebels. &nbsp;

"We welcome the&nbsp;coalition&nbsp;decision... (and) call for them to end torture and abuse until all detainees and prisoners are freed," al-Huthi, a senior figure in the&nbsp;rebels' political leadership, said on Twitter.

The&nbsp;Saudi-led&nbsp;coalition&nbsp;launched a military intervention in&nbsp;Yemen&nbsp;in 2015 in support of the country's internationally recognised government.&nbsp;

It reportedly hoped for a quick win against the&nbsp;Huthis, but instead waded into a quagmire that has cost it billions of dollars and sparked a humanitarian catastrophe that has claimed tens of thousands of lives.

Riyadh now appears buoyed by a power-sharing agreement it brokered earlier this month in a separate conflict between&nbsp;Yemen's internationally recognised government and southern separatists, which observers said could pave the way for a wider&nbsp;peace&nbsp;deal in the multi-faceted war.

Further raising hopes, a senior official in Riyadh subsequently said the Saudis have established an <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/houthis-deceptive-over-najran-attack-claims-saudi-led-coalition-252901">"open channel" with the Huthi&nbsp;rebels</a>.

"We don't close our doors with the Huthis," the official, who declined to be named, told reporters.

'Something is changing'

Yemen, in the grip of what the UN has termed the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/attacked-saudi-border-frontline-captured-troops-houthis-252644">world's worst humanitarian crisis</a>, is widely seen as a proxy battlefront between Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia and its Shiite rival Iran.

Tuesday's development "is positive proof that the Saudi-Huthi talks are real and having at least a limited tangible impact," Hussein Ibish, a scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, told AFP.

"This is more bad news for the&nbsp;rebels' Iranian backers."

The development follows a lull in recent weeks after a spike in rebel missile and drone attacks over the summer launched from Yemeni territory on Saudi cities.

Last Friday, UN envoy Martin Griffiths said the rate of&nbsp;coalition&nbsp;airstrikes had sharply fallen over the past two weeks, in an apparent sign that "something is changing in&nbsp;Yemen".

In a sign of the limits to the new mood, however, air raids on Monday by the&nbsp;Saudi-led&nbsp;coalition&nbsp;killed eight Huthi&nbsp;rebels&nbsp;near the key western port of Hodeidah, according to local officials.

Yemen's warring parties agreed under a deal brokered in Sweden last December to exchange 15,000 prisoners, but the accord has not been fully implemented.

The&nbsp;coalition&nbsp;freed seven Huthi prisoners in January, and the&nbsp;rebels&nbsp;released 290&nbsp;coalition&nbsp;fighters in September.

The Huthis hold Sanaa while the&nbsp;Saudi led-military&nbsp;coalition&nbsp;controls&nbsp;Yemen's maritime borders and airspace.

Last year, wounded&nbsp;rebels&nbsp;were flown out of Sanaa for treatment, in what was seen as a key step ahead of the December&nbsp;peace&nbsp;talks.

A Saudi-led military coalition said Tuesday it will release 200 Yemeni rebels and permit some flights from the insurgent-held capital Sanaa, as efforts to end the nearly five-year conflict gain momentum.

A Saudi-led military coalition said Tuesday it will release 200 Yemeni rebels and permit some flights from the insurgent-held capital Sanaa, as efforts to end the nearly five-year conflict gain momentum. The initiatives coincide with a lull in Huthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and come after a senior official in Riyadh this month said it had an "open channel" with the Iran-aligned rebels. Patients needing medical care will be allowed to be flown out of Sanaa airport, which has been closed to commercial flights since 2016, coalition spokesman Turki al-Maliki said in a statement released by the official Saudi Press Agency. The coalition has decided "to release 200 prisoners of the Huthi militia" and will facilitate flights from Sanaa for "people in need of medical care" in cooperation with the World Health Organisation, the statement added. The decision was hailed by the Huthis, with senior leader Mohammed Ali al-Huthi calling for a "mass reception" to welcome the released rebels. "We welcome the coalition decision... (and) call for them to end torture and abuse until all detainees and prisoners are freed," al-Huthi, a senior figure in the rebels' political leadership, said on Twitter. The Saudi-led coalition launched a military intervention in Yemen in 2015 in support of the country's internationally recognised government. It reportedly hoped for a quick win against the Huthis, but instead waded into a quagmire that has cost it billions of dollars and sparked a humanitarian catastrophe that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. Riyadh now appears buoyed by a power-sharing agreement it brokered earlier this month in a separate conflict between Yemen's internationally recognised government and southern separatists, which observers said could pave the way for a wider peace deal in the multi-faceted war. Further raising hopes, a senior official in Riyadh subsequently said the Saudis have established an "open channel" with the Huthi rebels. "We don't close our doors with the Huthis," the official, who declined to be named, told reporters. 'Something is changing' Yemen, in the grip of what the UN has termed the world's worst humanitarian crisis, is widely seen as a proxy battlefront between Sunni powerhouse Saudi Arabia and its Shiite rival Iran. Tuesday's development "is positive proof that the Saudi-Huthi talks are real and having at least a limited tangible impact," Hussein Ibish, a scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, told AFP. "This is more bad news for the rebels' Iranian backers." The development follows a lull in recent weeks after a spike in rebel missile and drone attacks over the summer launched from Yemeni territory on Saudi cities. Last Friday, UN envoy Martin Griffiths said the rate of coalition airstrikes had sharply fallen over the past two weeks, in an apparent sign that "something is changing in Yemen". In a sign of the limits to the new mood, however, air raids on Monday by the Saudi-led coalition killed eight Huthi rebels near the key western port of Hodeidah, according to local officials. Yemen's warring parties agreed under a deal brokered in Sweden last December to exchange 15,000 prisoners, but the accord has not been fully implemented. The coalition freed seven Huthi prisoners in January, and the rebels released 290 coalition fighters in September. The Huthis hold Sanaa while the Saudi led-military coalition controls Yemen's maritime borders and airspace. Last year, wounded rebels were flown out of Sanaa for treatment, in what was seen as a key step ahead of the December peace talks.

200 Yemen rebels to be freed amid peace push: Saudi-led coalition

U.S. Top Pentagon General has said that they are working to put together an international military coalition to protect all tankers that travel on the coast of Iran and Yemen.

U.S. moots coalition to patrol Iran coast

Israeli lawmakers have voted to dissolve parliament after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu failed to form a coalition government.

Gravitas: Netanyahu fails to form Coalition

Israel Heads back to Elections and parliament votes 74 against 45 to dissolve itself. Netanyahu fails to build coalition

Israel Heads back to Elections

Amidst sniping of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/weve-come-to-power-only-with-blessing-of-rahul-gandhi-kumaraswamy-141024">coalition partners JD(S) by Congress </a>leaders in Karnataka, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday told the state unit that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

This was conveyed by Gandhi to a delegation of party leaders who met him in Delhi&nbsp;according to working president of the Karnataka Congress unit, Dinesh Gundu Rao.

"The meeting with Rahul Gandhi is a bid to work in a more cohesive, strong and united manner. Some statements have been made against the coalition government by a few of our party members, which are not acceptable at all. Because of Lok Sabha election, we did not take any strict action but in the future, the party high command has said such things will be not tolerated and firm action will be taken. We need to have more discipline in Congress party," said Rao.

The delegation included former chief minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka minister DK Shivakumar.

The state unit president also said that very soon a co-ordination committee meeting will be convened.

"We are expecting very good results on May 23, there will be a new government in Delhi. There has been misrule in the country because of five years of Narendra Modi government and people are going to send him out," Rao added.

Lately there were statements from Siddaramaiah`s supporters against chief minister H D Kumaraswamy with the statements suggesting that there could be trouble for him after the results are out.

Kumaraswamy himself took a dig at Siddaramaiah, a former JD(S) leader, saying Congress veteran Mallikarjun Kharge missed the bus for chief ministership in the party.

Siddaramaiah hit back saying even Kumaraswamy`s brother H D Revanna would be a better candidate for the top post.Polling began on Sunday in 59 seats spread across seven states and one Union Territory in the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will begin on May 23. (ANI)&nbsp;

Amidst sniping of coalition partners JD(S) by Congress leaders in Karnataka, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday told the state unit that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

Amidst sniping of coalition partners JD(S) by Congress leaders in Karnataka, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday told the state unit that such behaviour will not be tolerated. This was conveyed by Gandhi to a delegation of party leaders who met him in Delhi according to working president of the Karnataka Congress unit, Dinesh Gundu Rao. "The meeting with Rahul Gandhi is a bid to work in a more cohesive, strong and united manner. Some statements have been made against the coalition government by a few of our party members, which are not acceptable at all. Because of Lok Sabha election, we did not take any strict action but in the future, the party high command has said such things will be not tolerated and firm action will be taken. We need to have more discipline in Congress party," said Rao. The delegation included former chief minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka minister DK Shivakumar. The state unit president also said that very soon a co-ordination committee meeting will be convened. "We are expecting very good results on May 23, there will be a new government in Delhi. There has been misrule in the country because of five years of Narendra Modi government and people are going to send him out," Rao added. Lately there were statements from Siddaramaiah`s supporters against chief minister H D Kumaraswamy with the statements suggesting that there could be trouble for him after the results are out. Kumaraswamy himself took a dig at Siddaramaiah, a former JD(S) leader, saying Congress veteran Mallikarjun Kharge missed the bus for chief ministership in the party. Siddaramaiah hit back saying even Kumaraswamy`s brother H D Revanna would be a better candidate for the top post.Polling began on Sunday in 59 seats spread across seven states and one Union Territory in the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha elections. The counting of votes will begin on May 23. (ANI)

Rahul Gandhi tells Karnataka leaders to behave, avoid coalition troubles

Salvadorans will vote in the first round of a presidential election on Sunday, with an energetic former mayor campaigning as an anti-corruption outsider set to win the top job and end decades of a two-party system.

Nayib Bukele, 37, has capitalized on the anti-establishment feeling sweeping elections across the region and further afield, as voters seek an alternative to traditional parties.

Since the end of its bloody civil war in 1992, El Salvador has been governed by just two parties: ruling leftists the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), and its rival, the conservative Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA).

Though he describes himself as from the left and was expelled from the FMLN, Bukele has formed a coalition with parties including a right-wing one who together has just 11 seats in the legislature.

Pollster Mitofsky said in a January poll that Bukele had 57 per cent of voter support, while a poll by Gallup showed him with 42 per cent. Both polls show ARENA's Carlos Calleja in second place.

If no candidate wins more than 50 per cent of Sunday's vote, two candidates will pass into a runoff to be held in March.

El Salvador's next president will face US President Donald Trump's verbal attacks against Central American governments for not doing enough to prevent migration and have to manage American backlash to recently-established diplomatic relations with China.

The new government will also have to try to kickstart a sluggish economy, combat corruption and tackle one of the highest rates of homicide in the world.

"Nayib is an excellent person and the proposals he has are pretty excellent," said Maria Amaya, a 42-year-old housewife who said she previously voted for the FMLN.

"We're fed up of so much corruption, the Front (FMLN) and ARENA had their time to do something and they didn't."

ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE

Bukele, who was mayor of San Salvador between 2015 to 2018, has said he wants to create an international anti-corruption commission with the support of the United Nations, following similar schemes in Guatemala and Honduras.

"We'll create a (commission) ... so that the corrupt can't hide where they always hide, instead they'll have to give back what they stole," Bukele said in January.

The country of 6 million people ranked 105 in Transparency International's 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index, alongside Brazil, which elected far-right Jair Bolsonaro last year on a similar anti-corruption platform.

Bukele, who slicks back his hair and often sports a backward baseball cap, has a large social media following, uses Facebook Live for official announcements, and challenges opponents on Twitter.

Growing up, Bukele's relatively wealthy family were sympathetic to the FMLN, the former leftist guerrilla army that became a political party at the end of El Salvador's civil war in 1992.

But Bukele has turned away from Latin America's traditional left, branding Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega as well as conservative Honduran Juan Orlando Hernandez dictators.

"A dictator is a dictator, on the "right" or the "left"," Bukele wrote in a tweet last week.

Salvadorans will vote in the first round of a presidential election on Sunday, with an energetic former mayor campaigning as an anti-corruption outsider set to win the top job and end decades of a two-party system.

Salvadorans will vote in the first round of a presidential election on Sunday, with an energetic former mayor campaigning as an anti-corruption outsider set to win the top job and end decades of a two-party system. Nayib Bukele, 37, has capitalized on the anti-establishment feeling sweeping elections across the region and further afield, as voters seek an alternative to traditional parties. Since the end of its bloody civil war in 1992, El Salvador has been governed by just two parties: ruling leftists the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN), and its rival, the conservative Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA). Though he describes himself as from the left and was expelled from the FMLN, Bukele has formed a coalition with parties including a right-wing one who together has just 11 seats in the legislature. Pollster Mitofsky said in a January poll that Bukele had 57 per cent of voter support, while a poll by Gallup showed him with 42 per cent. Both polls show ARENA's Carlos Calleja in second place. If no candidate wins more than 50 per cent of Sunday's vote, two candidates will pass into a runoff to be held in March. El Salvador's next president will face US President Donald Trump's verbal attacks against Central American governments for not doing enough to prevent migration and have to manage American backlash to recently-established diplomatic relations with China. The new government will also have to try to kickstart a sluggish economy, combat corruption and tackle one of the highest rates of homicide in the world. "Nayib is an excellent person and the proposals he has are pretty excellent," said Maria Amaya, a 42-year-old housewife who said she previously voted for the FMLN. "We're fed up of so much corruption, the Front (FMLN) and ARENA had their time to do something and they didn't." ANTI-CORRUPTION DRIVE Bukele, who was mayor of San Salvador between 2015 to 2018, has said he wants to create an international anti-corruption commission with the support of the United Nations, following similar schemes in Guatemala and Honduras. "We'll create a (commission) ... so that the corrupt can't hide where they always hide, instead they'll have to give back what they stole," Bukele said in January. The country of 6 million people ranked 105 in Transparency International's 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index, alongside Brazil, which elected far-right Jair Bolsonaro last year on a similar anti-corruption platform. Bukele, who slicks back his hair and often sports a backward baseball cap, has a large social media following, uses Facebook Live for official announcements, and challenges opponents on Twitter. Growing up, Bukele's relatively wealthy family were sympathetic to the FMLN, the former leftist guerrilla army that became a political party at the end of El Salvador's civil war in 1992. But Bukele has turned away from Latin America's traditional left, branding Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro and Nicaragua's Daniel Ortega as well as conservative Honduran Juan Orlando Hernandez dictators. "A dictator is a dictator, on the "right" or the "left"," Bukele wrote in a tweet last week.

El Salvador votes for new president, with anti-corruption outsider in lead

Algeria's ruling coalition on Saturday named President Abdelaziz Bouteflika as its candidate for April polls, although the ailing incumbent has yet to officially confirm he will run.

"The parties of the presidential coalition nominate Abdelaziz Bouteflika for the upcoming presidential elections," the four coalition partners said in a statement.&nbsp;

The meeting was attended by Mouad Bouchareb, speaker of the lower house of parliament and coordinator of Bouteflika's National Liberation Front, as well as by Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia, head of the National Rally for Democracy.

The leader of the Rally for Hope in Algeria party Amar Ghoul and Amara Benyounes, who heads the Popular Algerian Movement, also attended.&nbsp;

In power since 1999, 81-year-old Bouteflika uses a wheelchair and has rarely been seen in public since a stroke in 2013.&nbsp;

For the last presidential election in 2014, Bouteflika only declared his intention to run a few days ahead of the deadline.

Prime Minister Ouyahia has said "there is no doubt" the president will seek a fifth term on April 18.&nbsp;

Ouyahia said earlier this week that Bouteflika's health was not "an obstacle" to performing his duties as president. &nbsp;

Presidential candidates have until March 3 at midnight (2300 GMT) to submit their applications.&nbsp;

Retired general Ali Ghediri, 64, was the first to announce his candidacy after the presidency set the election date.

Algeria's main Islamist party, the Movement for the Society of Peace, will also take part in the poll, backing its candidate Dr Abderrazak Makri.

The country's oldest opposition party, the Front of Socialist Forces, announced on January 25 that it would not field a candidate and called for an "active, intensive and peaceful boycott" of the ballot.

On Friday, the secular Rally for Culture and Democracy party said it would also boycott due to its objection to a fifth term for the ailing Bouteflika.

Algeria's ruling coalition on Saturday named President Abdelaziz Bouteflika as its candidate for April polls, although the ailing incumbent has yet to officially confirm he will run.

Algeria's ruling coalition on Saturday named President Abdelaziz Bouteflika as its candidate for April polls, although the ailing incumbent has yet to officially confirm he will run. "The parties of the presidential coalition nominate Abdelaziz Bouteflika for the upcoming presidential elections," the four coalition partners said in a statement. The meeting was attended by Mouad Bouchareb, speaker of the lower house of parliament and coordinator of Bouteflika's National Liberation Front, as well as by Prime Minister Ahmed Ouyahia, head of the National Rally for Democracy. The leader of the Rally for Hope in Algeria party Amar Ghoul and Amara Benyounes, who heads the Popular Algerian Movement, also attended. In power since 1999, 81-year-old Bouteflika uses a wheelchair and has rarely been seen in public since a stroke in 2013. For the last presidential election in 2014, Bouteflika only declared his intention to run a few days ahead of the deadline. Prime Minister Ouyahia has said "there is no doubt" the president will seek a fifth term on April 18. Ouyahia said earlier this week that Bouteflika's health was not "an obstacle" to performing his duties as president. Presidential candidates have until March 3 at midnight (2300 GMT) to submit their applications. Retired general Ali Ghediri, 64, was the first to announce his candidacy after the presidency set the election date. Algeria's main Islamist party, the Movement for the Society of Peace, will also take part in the poll, backing its candidate Dr Abderrazak Makri. The country's oldest opposition party, the Front of Socialist Forces, announced on January 25 that it would not field a candidate and called for an "active, intensive and peaceful boycott" of the ballot. On Friday, the secular Rally for Culture and Democracy party said it would also boycott due to its objection to a fifth term for the ailing Bouteflika.

Algeria ruling coalition backs Bouteflika for April poll

Amid allegations of the BJP trying to poach the MLAs of the ruling coalition in Karnataka, former<a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/india-news/congress-obstructing-justice-in-ayodhya-case-pm-modi-189898&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiKuqTr1-_fAhVMro8KHY5CBvcQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw3pTRffKL1LYNhw0EIJG6Lj"> prime minister</a> and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda on Tuesday asserted that there was no threat to the government headed by his son H D Kumaraswamy.

"It is not in anybody's hands, including the media. However much you cry hoarse, nothing will happen because it is in the hands of God. When a party (JDS) of 38 MLAs gets the blessings of a national party (Congress), it is all the wish of God," Gowda said.

His comments came just before two MLAs - H Nagesh (Independent) and R Shankar of the Karnataka Pragnyavantha Janatha Party - withdrew support to the Congress-JD(S) coalition.

Both the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.wionews.com/india-news/jds-congress-trying-to-lure-bjp-mlas-will-camp-in-delhi-yeddyurappa-190284&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=0ahUKEwiHisCv1-_fAhVYWX0KHY65B-MQFggFMAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;usg=AOvVaw20VwXgZAaJzv-j99QZZecv">Congress</a> and the BJP have been accusing each other of trying to lure away each other's legislators.

The BJP has shifted its MLAs to a resort in Haryana's Nuh district near the national capital, a source said on Tuesday.

On Sunday, state Water Resource Minister D K Shivakumar had alleged that three Congress MLAs were camping in a hotel in Mumbai.

Gowda said it was an "illusion" to think that the Congress-JD(S) government was in trouble.

He said the media, as well as state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa, were in "confusion".

"You are under some confusion (about the stability of the government) as also is Yeddyurappa, but I have no such confusion. Nobody can destabilise the government because it is the wish of God," the JD(S) supremo said.

Gowda also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over allegations that Rs 60 crore and ministerial positions were offered to the MLAs of the ruling coalition by the BJP.

"Does it look good that a national party (BJP) is hoarding its 104 MLAs? I am not talking about Amit Shah but Modi, who talks a lot throughout the day," he said.

"All our MLAs are together at home. We are not worried about them," he added.

Gowda said the Congress was unnecessarily worried.

"(KC) Venugopal (AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka affairs) has arrived here because he must have been shaken after listening to some news, but there is no need for any confusion," he said.&nbsp;

Amid allegations of the BJP trying to poach the MLAs of the ruling coalition in Karnataka, former prime minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda on Tuesday asserted that there was no threat to the government headed by his son H D Kumaraswamy.

Amid allegations of the BJP trying to poach the MLAs of the ruling coalition in Karnataka, former prime minister and JD(S) supremo H D Deve Gowda on Tuesday asserted that there was no threat to the government headed by his son H D Kumaraswamy. "It is not in anybody's hands, including the media. However much you cry hoarse, nothing will happen because it is in the hands of God. When a party (JDS) of 38 MLAs gets the blessings of a national party (Congress), it is all the wish of God," Gowda said. His comments came just before two MLAs - H Nagesh (Independent) and R Shankar of the Karnataka Pragnyavantha Janatha Party - withdrew support to the Congress-JD(S) coalition. Both the Congress and the BJP have been accusing each other of trying to lure away each other's legislators. The BJP has shifted its MLAs to a resort in Haryana's Nuh district near the national capital, a source said on Tuesday. On Sunday, state Water Resource Minister D K Shivakumar had alleged that three Congress MLAs were camping in a hotel in Mumbai. Gowda said it was an "illusion" to think that the Congress-JD(S) government was in trouble. He said the media, as well as state BJP president B S Yeddyurappa, were in "confusion". "You are under some confusion (about the stability of the government) as also is Yeddyurappa, but I have no such confusion. Nobody can destabilise the government because it is the wish of God," the JD(S) supremo said. Gowda also criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over allegations that Rs 60 crore and ministerial positions were offered to the MLAs of the ruling coalition by the BJP. "Does it look good that a national party (BJP) is hoarding its 104 MLAs? I am not talking about Amit Shah but Modi, who talks a lot throughout the day," he said. "All our MLAs are together at home. We are not worried about them," he added. Gowda said the Congress was unnecessarily worried. "(KC) Venugopal (AICC general secretary in-charge of Karnataka affairs) has arrived here because he must have been shaken after listening to some news, but there is no need for any confusion," he said.

No threat to Congress-JD(S) government: Deve Gowda

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said citizens should bring the BJP government back to power in 2019, as coalition governments do not last for long due to a conflict in ideologies.

"Whether it is Congress 'shehzada', West Bengal's 'Didi', Andhra Pradesh's 'Babu' or Uttar Pradesh's 'Behenji', they all wish from their heart the Prime Minister but after elections, all of them will stand against each other. None of them has the guts to stand in front of our leader on the topic of leadership," Jaitley said at the BJP National Council Meet.

Citing examples of governments ruled by Chaudhary Charan Singh, Chandra Shekhar, VP Singh, HD Deve Gowda, and IK&nbsp;Gujral, Jaitley said, "'Gathbandhan' is a coalition of rivals. They don't follow similar ideologies. Chaudhary Charan Singh experienced it for the first time. Later Chandra Shekhar, VP Singh, HD Deve Gowda and IK&nbsp;Gujral experienced it. Every time it proved to be a failure and it didn't last longer than a&nbsp;few months. Ambitions of the politicians started to clash it other."

Jaitley went on to add that the governments formed under an alliance are "so constrained, that when a single person takes back his support, then you never know the future of the government."

Also present at the BJP National Council Meet were Prime Minister Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and BJP President Amit Shah, among others.

Speaking at the event, Sitharaman said the BJP government has ensured that terrorism is not allowed to breed. "We have not had one major terrorist attack in this country after 2014. This government under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi has ensured one thing that there shall not be an opportunity for terrorists to disturb peace," she said at the gathering.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said citizens should bring the BJP government back to power in 2019, as coalition governments do not last for long due to a conflict in ideologies.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Saturday said citizens should bring the BJP government back to power in 2019, as coalition governments do not last for long due to a conflict in ideologies. "Whether it is Congress 'shehzada', West Bengal's 'Didi', Andhra Pradesh's 'Babu' or Uttar Pradesh's 'Behenji', they all wish from their heart the Prime Minister but after elections, all of them will stand against each other. None of them has the guts to stand in front of our leader on the topic of leadership," Jaitley said at the BJP National Council Meet. Citing examples of governments ruled by Chaudhary Charan Singh, Chandra Shekhar, VP Singh, HD Deve Gowda, and IK Gujral, Jaitley said, "'Gathbandhan' is a coalition of rivals. They don't follow similar ideologies. Chaudhary Charan Singh experienced it for the first time. Later Chandra Shekhar, VP Singh, HD Deve Gowda and IK Gujral experienced it. Every time it proved to be a failure and it didn't last longer than a few months. Ambitions of the politicians started to clash it other." Jaitley went on to add that the governments formed under an alliance are "so constrained, that when a single person takes back his support, then you never know the future of the government." Also present at the BJP National Council Meet were Prime Minister Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and BJP President Amit Shah, among others. Speaking at the event, Sitharaman said the BJP government has ensured that terrorism is not allowed to breed. "We have not had one major terrorist attack in this country after 2014. This government under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi has ensured one thing that there shall not be an opportunity for terrorists to disturb peace," she said at the gathering.

Coalition governments don't last long: Arun Jaitley

Germany&#39;s veteran chancellor Angela Merkel, often called the world&#39;s most powerful woman, will embark on a fourth term with diminished influence and little vision for shaping Europe&#39;s future, analysts say.&nbsp;

After wrapping up more than 24 hours of talks Friday between her conservatives and the Social Democrats on forming a new &quot;grand coalition&quot; government, Merkel insisted the preliminary deal would break the deadlock in Germany and pave the way to a &quot;fresh start&quot; for Europe.

But before the ink was even dry on the roadmap for her new administration, observers branded Merkel and the team she&#39;s likely to lead a &quot;losers&#39;&quot; coalition with little ambition or power to tackle the major challenges facing the country and the continent.

&quot;In fact this &#39;grand coalition&#39; is only a mini-coalition with just 53 percent&quot; of seats in parliament following the September election that saw both parties cede millions of voters to the far-right, anti-immigration AfD party, political scientist Karl-Rudolf Korte of Duisburg-Essen University said.

This compares with the lavish, nearly 80-percent majority the parties enjoyed during Merkel&#39;s previous term, he told public broadcaster ZDF.

Merkel insisted the accord with the Social Democrats, which must still be approved by the party&#39;s rank and file, would ensure Germany&#39;s enduring stability and prosperity.

&quot;We will work earnestly, today and during the next term, to create the conditions so that we can also live well in Germany in the next 10 years and 15 years,&quot; she told reporters, flanked by SPD leader Martin Schulz and the head of Bavaria&#39;s Christian Social Union, Horst Seehofer. 
However influential news magazine Der Spiegel branded the alliance led by Merkel, who has been in power since 2005, a &quot;paleo-coalition&quot; of political dinosaurs bereft of fresh blood to propel renewal.

While France&#39;s young president Emmanuel Macron said he was &quot;happy&quot; about progress in ending Germany&#39;s four-month-long political limbo, critics at home savaged the tired-looking troupe.

&quot;The losers of the September election have come together again and you have to say that this programme blueprint doesn&#39;t even begin to address the problems in our society,&quot; charged Dietmar Bartsch, a leading figure with the far-left Linke opposition party. &nbsp;

Nicola Beer of the pro-business Free Democrats said the deal showed little imagination or &quot;future-oriented pragmatism&quot; and would thus feed disillusionment and support &quot;for the extreme right and left&quot; of the political spectrum.

The 28-page joint policy outlines included pledges to join France in a push to &quot;strengthen and reform&quot; the eurozone, to limit the influx of asylum seekers to Germany to around 200,000 a year, and to refrain from tax hikes given the healthy state coffers.

But the absence of grand new initiatives led political scientist Werner Patzelt of Dresden&#39;s Technical Institute to conclude that more-of-the-same from Berlin could boost the AfD in particular.

&quot;It will hand them success in upcoming state elections and they&#39;ll step up calls for Merkel to resign,&quot; he said, attributing her relative weakness to the record refugee influx in 2015 that undermined her standing with many voters.

Although Merkel stunned many observers abroad by winning re-election despite her controversial open-border stance, her struggle to form a viable coalition has revived speculation about the twilight of her reign. &nbsp;&nbsp;

&quot;Angela Merkel is past her zenith,&quot; Oskar Niedermayer of Berlin&#39;s Free University told business daily Handelsblatt.

&quot;In the interest of her party&#39;s electoral strength, she should not stay in office for the entire legislative term&quot; running until 2021.

A majority of Germans now share this view according to a poll published this week, with 56 percent calling for her to leave the stage before the next scheduled elections.

Germany's veteran chancellor Angela Merkel, often called the world's most powerful woman, will embark on a fourth term with diminished influence and little vision for shaping Europe's future, analysts say

Germany's veteran chancellor Angela Merkel, often called the world's most powerful woman, will embark on a fourth term with diminished influence and little vision for shaping Europe's future, analysts say. After wrapping up more than 24 hours of talks Friday between her conservatives and the Social Democrats on forming a new "grand coalition" government, Merkel insisted the preliminary deal would break the deadlock in Germany and pave the way to a "fresh start" for Europe. But before the ink was even dry on the roadmap for her new administration, observers branded Merkel and the team she's likely to lead a "losers'" coalition with little ambition or power to tackle the major challenges facing the country and the continent. "In fact this 'grand coalition' is only a mini-coalition with just 53 percent" of seats in parliament following the September election that saw both parties cede millions of voters to the far-right, anti-immigration AfD party, political scientist Karl-Rudolf Korte of Duisburg-Essen University said. This compares with the lavish, nearly 80-percent majority the parties enjoyed during Merkel's previous term, he told public broadcaster ZDF. Merkel insisted the accord with the Social Democrats, which must still be approved by the party's rank and file, would ensure Germany's enduring stability and prosperity. "We will work earnestly, today and during the next term, to create the conditions so that we can also live well in Germany in the next 10 years and 15 years," she told reporters, flanked by SPD leader Martin Schulz and the head of Bavaria's Christian Social Union, Horst Seehofer. However influential news magazine Der Spiegel branded the alliance led by Merkel, who has been in power since 2005, a "paleo-coalition" of political dinosaurs bereft of fresh blood to propel renewal. While France's young president Emmanuel Macron said he was "happy" about progress in ending Germany's four-month-long political limbo, critics at home savaged the tired-looking troupe. "The losers of the September election have come together again and you have to say that this programme blueprint doesn't even begin to address the problems in our society," charged Dietmar Bartsch, a leading figure with the far-left Linke opposition party. Nicola Beer of the pro-business Free Democrats said the deal showed little imagination or "future-oriented pragmatism" and would thus feed disillusionment and support "for the extreme right and left" of the political spectrum. The 28-page joint policy outlines included pledges to join France in a push to "strengthen and reform" the eurozone, to limit the influx of asylum seekers to Germany to around 200,000 a year, and to refrain from tax hikes given the healthy state coffers. But the absence of grand new initiatives led political scientist Werner Patzelt of Dresden's Technical Institute to conclude that more-of-the-same from Berlin could boost the AfD in particular. "It will hand them success in upcoming state elections and they'll step up calls for Merkel to resign," he said, attributing her relative weakness to the record refugee influx in 2015 that undermined her standing with many voters. Although Merkel stunned many observers abroad by winning re-election despite her controversial open-border stance, her struggle to form a viable coalition has revived speculation about the twilight of her reign. "Angela Merkel is past her zenith," Oskar Niedermayer of Berlin's Free University told business daily Handelsblatt. "In the interest of her party's electoral strength, she should not stay in office for the entire legislative term" running until 2021. A majority of Germans now share this view according to a poll published this week, with 56 percent calling for her to leave the stage before the next scheduled elections.

Merkel risks leading weak 'losers' coalition for Germany

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday she aimed to get a government in place as quickly as possible after she was left scrambling to find a way to govern when three-way coalition talks collapsed last Sunday.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/merkels-fourth-term-in-doubt-as-talks-on-forming-coalition-government-fail-24606">Merkel&#39;s fourth term in doubt as&nbsp;talks on forming coalition government fail</a>

&quot;Europe needs a strong Germany, it is desirable to get a government in place quickly,&quot; Merkel told a party meeting, adding, however, that her acting government was able to carry on day to day business in Europe`s biggest economy.

She added she was prepared to talk to the Social Democrats (SPD) after the centre-left party reversed an earlier decision and said it was prepared to talk to Merkel`s conservatives, but she stressed any talks should be based on mutual respect.&nbsp;

She added she was prepared to talk to the Social Democrats (SPD) after the centre-left party reversed an earlier decision and said it was prepared to talk to Merkel`s conservatives, but she stressed any talks should be based on mutual respect

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday she aimed to get a government in place as quickly as possible after she was left scrambling to find a way to govern when three-way coalition talks collapsed last Sunday. Also read: Merkel's fourth term in doubt as talks on forming coalition government fail "Europe needs a strong Germany, it is desirable to get a government in place quickly," Merkel told a party meeting, adding, however, that her acting government was able to carry on day to day business in Europe`s biggest economy. She added she was prepared to talk to the Social Democrats (SPD) after the centre-left party reversed an earlier decision and said it was prepared to talk to Merkel`s conservatives, but she stressed any talks should be based on mutual respect.

Germany's Merkel vows to get government in place quickly

United Nations aid chief in Yemen warned on Wednesday, 8th of November, that if a Saudi-led military coalition did not allow humanitarian aid access to Yemen, it would have &quot;grave implications&quot; on seven million people whose lives depend on aid relief.

The Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthi movement in neighbouring Yemen said on Monday, on the 6th of November that it had closed all air, land and sea ports to the Arabian Peninsula country to stem the flow of arms to the Houthis from Iran.

The move, which follows the interception of a missile fired towards the Saudi capital Riyadh on Saturday on the 4thy of November, is likely to worsen a humanitarian crisis in Yemen that according to the United Nations has pushed some seven million people to the brink of famine and left nearly 900,000 infected with cholera.

George Khoury, the head of U.N. Office for the coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Yemen urged the Saudi-led coalition to re-open an aid lifeline to bring imported food and medicine into Yemen. He said the aid workers and humanitarian aid could not reach the country due to the current blockade.

The Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthi movement in neighbouring Yemen said on Monday, on the 6th of November that it had closed all air, land and sea ports to the Arabian Peninsula country to stem the flow of arms to the Houthis from Iran.

United Nations aid chief in Yemen warned on Wednesday, 8th of November, that if a Saudi-led military coalition did not allow humanitarian aid access to Yemen, it would have "grave implications" on seven million people whose lives depend on aid relief. The Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Houthi movement in neighbouring Yemen said on Monday, on the 6th of November that it had closed all air, land and sea ports to the Arabian Peninsula country to stem the flow of arms to the Houthis from Iran. The move, which follows the interception of a missile fired towards the Saudi capital Riyadh on Saturday on the 4thy of November, is likely to worsen a humanitarian crisis in Yemen that according to the United Nations has pushed some seven million people to the brink of famine and left nearly 900,000 infected with cholera. George Khoury, the head of U.N. Office for the coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Yemen urged the Saudi-led coalition to re-open an aid lifeline to bring imported food and medicine into Yemen. He said the aid workers and humanitarian aid could not reach the country due to the current blockade.

Blockade by Saudi-led coalition affects lives of seven million Yemenis: UN

Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi held talks in Baghdad with America&#39;s top military officer today, discussing plans to oust the Islamic State group from second city Mosul, his office said. 
 
Washington is leading an international coalition that is carrying out air strikes against IS as well as providing training, advice and other support to Iraqi forces.&nbsp;Abadi and general Joseph Dunford, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, discussed boosting &quot;cooperation between the two countries in the fields of training and arming, ongoing international coalition support for Iraq... and plans to liberate Mosul,&quot; a statement said. 
 
Iraqi forces are conducting operations to set the stage for an assault on Mosul, which has been held by IS since June 2014, but the final push to retake it is likely still months away.&nbsp;Defence minister Khalid al-Obeidi has said that IS leaders and their families have sold their belongings and fled the city as Iraqi forces close in. 
 
Mosul is the last city held by IS in Iraq, but retaking it poses a major challenge, and the operation could unleash a humanitarian crisis unless plans are made for people who would likely flee the fighting. 
 
The Red Cross has said it believes that up to a million Iraqis could be displaced in the coming months by fighting against IS, including the operation to recapture Mosul.&nbsp;IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but has since lost significant ground to Iraqi forces. 
 
(AFP)

Iraqi forces along with international coalition group are conducting operations to liberate Mosul, which has been held by IS since June 2014

Iraqi prime minister Haider al-Abadi held talks in Baghdad with America's top military officer today, discussing plans to oust the Islamic State group from second city Mosul, his office said. Washington is leading an international coalition that is carrying out air strikes against IS as well as providing training, advice and other support to Iraqi forces. Abadi and general Joseph Dunford, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, discussed boosting "cooperation between the two countries in the fields of training and arming, ongoing international coalition support for Iraq... and plans to liberate Mosul," a statement said. Iraqi forces are conducting operations to set the stage for an assault on Mosul, which has been held by IS since June 2014, but the final push to retake it is likely still months away. Defence minister Khalid al-Obeidi has said that IS leaders and their families have sold their belongings and fled the city as Iraqi forces close in. Mosul is the last city held by IS in Iraq, but retaking it poses a major challenge, and the operation could unleash a humanitarian crisis unless plans are made for people who would likely flee the fighting. The Red Cross has said it believes that up to a million Iraqis could be displaced in the coming months by fighting against IS, including the operation to recapture Mosul. IS overran large areas north and west of Baghdad in 2014, but has since lost significant ground to Iraqi forces. (AFP)

Iraq PM talks about defeating IS with top US officer

Spain votes again on Sunday, six months after an inconclusive election which saw parties unable to agree on a coalition government.

Here are the key numbers of the election:

4 -- the main candidates standing in the election. Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, 61, of the conservative Popular Party (PP) faces three younger challengers, the same ones as in the December election: Socialist Pedro Sanchez, 44, 37-year-old Pablo Iglesias of far-left coalition Unidos Podemos and Albert Rivera, 36, of market-friendly Ciudadanos.

176 -- the number of seats needed to form an absolute majority in Spain&#39;s 350-seat lower house of parliament. Polls indicate no party will win an absolute majority on its own.

Most suggest the PP and its natural ally centre-right Ciudadanos will not win an absolute majority even if they form a coalition, nor will the two leftist parties -- the Socialists and Unidos Podemos.

131 -- the number of lawmakers who voted on March 4 in favour of Sanchez&#39;s attempt to form a centre-left coalition government following the December polls. The remaining 219 lawmakers voted against.

189 -- the number of days between the two elections. During this time Rajoy&#39;s government remained in power in a caretaker capacity with limited powers and could not approve projects that involve new spending. Spain is far from the example set by Belgium which went 541 days without a fully functioning government following the 2010 election -- a European record.

11 -- the number of groupings that make up far-left coalition Unidos Podemos. The main parties are anti-austerity Podemos, an ally of Greece&#39;s ruling Syriza, and Izquierda Unida, the heirs of Spain&#39;s Communist party. The two parties stood separately in the last election.

47 -- the number of seats up for grabs in Spain&#39;s wealthy northeastern region of Catalonia, where a pro-independence movement has gathered pace.

After December polls, 17 elected separatist lawmakers from this region contributed to Spain&#39;s political stalemate by demanding an independence referendum in exchange for their support for a new government -- a demand rejected by three of the four main parties.

5 -- the number of times Spaniards have been called to the polls since 2014. They voted in European Parliament elections in May 2014, regional elections in 15 of Spain&#39;s 17 semi-autonomous regions in 2015, municipal elections in May 2015 and general elections in December -- to be repeated on Sunday.

22.7 -- the percentage of votes lost by the PP and Socialists between polls in 2011 and 2015, as upstarts Podemos and Ciudadanos leapt onto the scene and gnawed away at their support base, putting an end to the country&#39;s two-party dominance.

73.2 -- the voter turnout in the December election. Polls indicate the turnout could drop to between 64.6 per cent and 72 per cent this time round.

36,518,100 -- the number of eligible voters in Sunday&#39;s election -- 7,148 more than in December. 
 
(AFP)

Voters go back to the polls six months after parties were unable to agree on a coalition goverment

Spain votes again on Sunday, six months after an inconclusive election which saw parties unable to agree on a coalition government. Here are the key numbers of the election: 4 -- the main candidates standing in the election. Acting Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy, 61, of the conservative Popular Party (PP) faces three younger challengers, the same ones as in the December election: Socialist Pedro Sanchez, 44, 37-year-old Pablo Iglesias of far-left coalition Unidos Podemos and Albert Rivera, 36, of market-friendly Ciudadanos. 176 -- the number of seats needed to form an absolute majority in Spain's 350-seat lower house of parliament. Polls indicate no party will win an absolute majority on its own. Most suggest the PP and its natural ally centre-right Ciudadanos will not win an absolute majority even if they form a coalition, nor will the two leftist parties -- the Socialists and Unidos Podemos. 131 -- the number of lawmakers who voted on March 4 in favour of Sanchez's attempt to form a centre-left coalition government following the December polls. The remaining 219 lawmakers voted against. 189 -- the number of days between the two elections. During this time Rajoy's government remained in power in a caretaker capacity with limited powers and could not approve projects that involve new spending. Spain is far from the example set by Belgium which went 541 days without a fully functioning government following the 2010 election -- a European record. 11 -- the number of groupings that make up far-left coalition Unidos Podemos. The main parties are anti-austerity Podemos, an ally of Greece's ruling Syriza, and Izquierda Unida, the heirs of Spain's Communist party. The two parties stood separately in the last election. 47 -- the number of seats up for grabs in Spain's wealthy northeastern region of Catalonia, where a pro-independence movement has gathered pace. After December polls, 17 elected separatist lawmakers from this region contributed to Spain's political stalemate by demanding an independence referendum in exchange for their support for a new government -- a demand rejected by three of the four main parties. 5 -- the number of times Spaniards have been called to the polls since 2014. They voted in European Parliament elections in May 2014, regional elections in 15 of Spain's 17 semi-autonomous regions in 2015, municipal elections in May 2015 and general elections in December -- to be repeated on Sunday. 22.7 -- the percentage of votes lost by the PP and Socialists between polls in 2011 and 2015, as upstarts Podemos and Ciudadanos leapt onto the scene and gnawed away at their support base, putting an end to the country's two-party dominance. 73.2 -- the voter turnout in the December election. Polls indicate the turnout could drop to between 64.6 per cent and 72 per cent this time round. 36,518,100 -- the number of eligible voters in Sunday's election -- 7,148 more than in December. (AFP)

Key facts about Spain's Sunday election

coalition

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