Hungary
Referendum invalidated
Low voter turnout invalidated Hungary’s referendum on European Union refugee quotas, even though citizens voted overwhelmingly in support of the government’s opposition to any future, mandatory EU plans to relocate asylum-seekers. The government claimed a “sweeping victory,” but analysts said that the result was an “embarrassing but not totally catastrophic defeat” for Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Orban, who did not mention at all that the referendum was officially invalid, said he would present a proposal to amend the Constitution reflecting the people’s intentions.
Syria
Militants told to exit city
Syrian rebels and pro-government forces clashed Sunday on several fronts around Aleppo as the country’s military command called on militants to lay down their weapons and evacuate the contested city. A day after pro-government forces captured the strategic al-Shuqeef hill north of the city, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group reported fierce fighting in areas near the hill and in the Bustan al-Basha neighborhood. The two sides also clashed in Aleppo’s southern Sheikh Saeed neighborhood.
Spain
Blast at cafe injures 90
An explosion at a cafe in southern Spain injured 90 people at a local festival, five of them seriously, authorities said Sunday. The Saturday night explosion occurred at around 7 p.m. in downtown Velez-Malaga, a small town neighboring Malaga, a popular tourist destination in Spain’s southern Andalusia region. A spokeswoman for the Andalusian emergency service told the Associated Press that preliminary reports indicate a gas leak caused the blast. She spoke on condition of anonymity due to her agency’s requirements.
Philippines
President offers apology
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte apologized to Jews worldwide Sunday after his remarks drawing comparisons between his bloody anti-drug war and Hitler and the Holocaust sparked shock and outrage. The tough-talking Duterte said his apology was intended only for the Jewish community. He lashed out again at Western critics and human rights advocates who have raised concerns over his brutal crackdown, which is estimated to have left more than 3,000 suspected drug dealers and users dead in just three months.
Compiled from wire reports