ISRAEL: FACTBOX-The humanitarian impact of Israel’s blockade on Gaza

Source: AlertNet

Date: 01 Jun 2010

01 Jun 2010 14:11:00 GMT

Written by: Katherine Baldwin

LONDON (AlertNet) – A six-ship flotilla bound for Gaza that was intercepted on Monday by Israeli marines was carrying 10,000 tonnes of aid. The flotilla, led by a Turkish vessel, attempted to break Israel’s three-year blockade of the coastal territory that aid agencies say has had a devastating effect on the livelihoods and lives of Gaza’s 1.5 million Palestinians. Clashes led to the deaths of nine people.

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TURKEY: Istanbul Bombs Kill 16 in Crowded Neighborhood

By The New York Times

ISTANBUL — Two bombs exploded within minutes of each other late Sunday in a crowded pedestrian area of Istanbul, killing at least 16 people and wounding more than 150 in what the city’s governor called a terrorist attack.

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TURKEY: European Parliament Calls on Turkey to Speed Up Reforms

European Parliament Calls on Turkey to Speed Up Reforms
Turkish Daily News

A new draft report prepared by Ria Oomen-Ruijten, European Parliament’s rapporteur on Turkey, has called on the government to accelerate and resolutely pursue reforms.

Regarding the process under way to prepare a new, civilian constitution, the report, published Thursday, underlinedthe need for a broad involvement of civil society in this process. “The new constitution should guarantee theprotection of human rights and freedoms, democracy, rule of law, social cohesion and the separation of religion fromstate affairs,” it said.

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