News in English

8. April 2017, 21:58

BJP wins landslide in India

Preliminary results from India’s general election indicate the opposition Hindu nationalist BJP party has won a landslide victory. The BJP appears headed to win enough seats in parliament to govern alone. Its leader and prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, ran a campaign based on job creation and efficient government. His critics have previously characterised him as a controversial figure who ignored sectarian violence. Party spokesman of the BJP Siddharth Nath Singh says Modi promised voters strong leadership: “The anger of the people, particularly related to the governance issue, the corruption issue, the price rise, all these things created an atmosphere where the aspirational Indians were feeling let down.” India’s Congress party which has been in power for the last decade is facing the worst defeat in its history. Voter turnout in the nine-phase election was a record 66%.

Turkish mine owner denies negligence

Turkey’s energy minister Taner Yildiz has said the death toll in the mine disaster at Soma is expected to be around 300. The total number of miners still missing has been revised down to 18. The chairman of the Soma mine company, Alp Gurkan, has dismissed claims of poor maintenance.

Human rights abuses in east Ukraine

United Nations monitors in Ukraine have reported a severe deterioration in human rights in the east, with a wave of abductions and unlawful detentions carried out by anti-government armed groups. They say some members of the Ukrainian army are under suspicion of carrying out forced disappearances, and that minorities in Crimea, annexed by Russia, are facing increasing harassment and intimidation. Russia has rejected the report as a whitewash of the Kiev authorities.

Nigeria leader cancels visit to Chibok

Nigeria's President Goodluck Jonathan has cancelled a visit to the town of Chibok where Boko Haram militants abducted 200 schoolgirls last month, amid apparent security concerns. Jonathan has ruled out exchanging imprisoned militants for the girls’ release.

EU candidates agree on Russia

The debate between candidates from five fractions of the European parliament in Brussels last night focussed on issues such as immigration and austerity. In the first such debate, ahead of EU parliamentary elections on May 25th, there was general agreement that the EU should take a harder line against Russia.

Anti World Cup rallies in Brazil

Riot police in Brazil have dispersed thousands of protesters in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro demonstrating against the cost of hosting the football World Cup. Protestors have demanded higher spending on social projects and housing.

The weather

Overcast and wet, with heavy rain in central areas. Some sun in the west and south, stormy winds easing in the east and south. Top temperatures 4 to 15 degrees.

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