India snubs new UN chief
India has again reiterated that only a bilateral solution to the Kashmir issue is possible, amid indications that the new United Nations (UN) secretary general Antonio Gutterres was looking at ways to break the deadlock between the two nations.
Responding to reports that Guterres was considering to open a conversation with senior Indian and Pakistani officials on Kashmir, Government sources said in New Delhi that our position on addressing all issues between India and Pakistan bilaterally has not changed.
Guterres’ spokesperson Farhan Haq was quoted as saying that the secretary general “will talk to different officials if it helps to move the process along. Haq was answering journalists’ questions about the situation in Kashmir.
Czech PM Sobotka holds on to party leadership
Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka, facing an uphill battle to win a parliamentary election this year, stepped up attacks on his ruling coalition rival on Friday. Sobotka’s Social Democrats have lost ground to the ANO movement led by billionaire Finance Minister Andrej Babis. To regain voters, the leftist prime minister is focusing his party back to defense of social policies and the working class while raising taxes on big businesses and the rich. “We are a pillar for normal working people in this country,” Sobotka told a national party convention before going on to regain its chairmanship with 67 percent of delegates’ votes. “Babis is not a socially sensitive billionaire. He is a man who does not like democracy,” he added. Babis reacted to Sobotka’s comments by asking how the two could have sat together in government.
Poland’s PM urges deep changes in EU
Poland’s prime minister has used a spat between her country and other EU member states over the re-election of Donald Tusk to an EU top job to illustrate the need that she sees for deep changes in the club. Beata Szydlo spoke Friday following a summit that re-elected Tusk as head of the European Council against opposition from his native country, Poland. Szydlo, who heads a nationalist government, said the vote ignored Poland’s opinion and thus exposed EU’s imperfections. She said those problems should be mended, or the union will face new divisions. She said a declaration to be signed at a special summit in Rome later this month should guarantee equal rights to all members and clearly indicate the direction of EU reforms.
Toyoda and Suzuki Chairman called PM
Toyota President Akio Toyoda and Suzuki Chairman O Suzuki called on the Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday.The Toyota-Suzuki business partnership, and future technological developments came up for discussion.
The partnership is expected to bring together Toyota’s global leadership in technology and manufacturing, with Suzuki’s strength in manufacture of small cars, especially in India.
It is expected to enable India to use new technological developments. Further, high volumes will enable local manufacture of components required for these technologies.
Hence, the partnership will promote Make in India, and contribute to employment generation. It also opens up scope for export of new technology cars from India.
BJP landslinde victory in UP & UK
BJP heads for landslide victory in UP and Uttarakhand, SP, BSP and Congress set for worst ever poll debacle in UP, BJP likely to secure two third majority in both the States.With the massive win of BJP in UP, the governance of Modi is put on firm footing with RS strength shall increase thus give saffron easy route to get to the bills and other structural requirements.Bills such as Women reservation bills,GST,defunct bills laws could be decimated further the election to the coveted Post of President, the Palace at Raisina hills and Vice President shall be virtual at the stroke of PM and BJP consensus. People has been building the probable list of for the two highest post with the front runner the Veteran and founder of the BJP party Mr LK Advani along with some other names in the list.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has said he accepts the verdict of people in the Assembly Election in the state. Addressing Media at his residence in Lucknow, he said voters have voted for change and hoped that the new government will do more development in the State.
On BSP Chief Mayawati allegation of EVM tampering, Mr. Yadav said that the government should probe it. BSP Chief Mayawati, has said that the results are surprising and seems that Electronic Voting Machines did not accept any vote other than that of BJP’s. She said she is writing to the Election Commission demanding immediate stoppage of counting and declaration of results in UP and holding of fresh polls using paper ballots.
Chief Minister Harish Rawat loses both seats from Haridwar rural and Kichha.
SAD’s Parkash Singh Badal beats Congress’ Capt. Amarinder Singh in Punjab’s Lambi constituency whereas Amarinder Singh won Patiala constituency.
Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will submit his resignation to Governor tomorrow.
Hung Assembly in Goa
Goa, no party has secured majority in the 40-member State Assembly. Congress has emerged as the largest single party with 15 seats closely followed by ruling BJP with 12. BJP is leading in two seats and Congress in one. Independents and others have won 10 seats.
Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar has lost Mandrem seat. Former Chief Minister Pratap Singh Rane of the Congress has been elected from Poriem constituency.
He defeated BJP’s Vishwajit Krishnarao Rane. Former Chief Minister and present State President of Congress Party Luizinho Faleiro has won from Navelim constituency. Another former Chief Minister and Congress leader Digambar Kamat has retained Margao seat. From Mapusa, Deputy Chief Minister, Francis D’souza of BJP has won.
Madagascar cyclone
At least 38 people in Madagascar have been killed in cyclone Enawo, Thierry Venty, executive secretary of the National Bureau of Risk and Disaster Management said, as cited by Reuters. “The damage is enormous wherever the cyclone has gone,” he said. Among the victims is a family who died in a landslide, he said, adding that some 153,000 people have been displaced by the storm. The cyclone struck Madagascar’s northeastern coast on Tuesday, flooding roads and ripping off roofs.
