Campaigns end the last phase to decide 57 seats .
The seventh and last phase of voting will be held in eight states and Union territories on Saturday . 57 seats in eight states will go for polls in this phase . This includes Varanasi , from where PM Narendra Modi is seeking re-election.
BJP has won 25 seats last time .
The turnout in the first six phases was 66. 14 % , 66.71% , 65.68% , 69.16 % , 62.2% and 63.36% respectively .
PM addressed 206 public events during campaign
After 82 days stretched across seven phases , campaigning wrapped up on Thursday .
According to sources from the Prime Minister’s Office ( PMO ) , PM Modi also gave 80 interviews to different media channels .
Senior minister Rijnath Singh addressed 101 rallies . Home Minister Amit Shah took part in 188 rallies.
PM Modi is headed to Vivekananda Rock Memorial in Kanyakumari. He will meditate there till June 1 .
I didn’t single out any community for special treatment : Manmohan
Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a three page appeal to Punjab people ahead of Lok Sabha polls has accused PM Modi of “ lowering the dignity of PMO with hate speeches.”
He also said that he never singled out a single community for special treatment .
PM Modi in his poll speeches has been mentioning that Manmohan Singh had said that Muslim had the first right on nations’ wealth .
The statement was given by Manmohan Singh when he was Prime Minister .
Monsoon sets in over Kerala and Northeast simultaneously
The South West Monsoon. Is to set in Kerala on Thursday , a day before the forecasted date of 31 may .
Monsoon also set in in Northeastern India .
This is an unusual turn when the monsoon in both sides of India set in simultaneously. .
The monsoon system has two branches – The Arabian sea branch and the Bay of Bengal Branch .
The onset of monsoon is defined with the Arabian sea branch reaching Kerala which usually occurs by June 1 .
Northeastern branch is defined as the Bay of Bengal branch of Monsoon arriving in Nagaland , Mizoram ,Nagaland , Manipur and parts of Assam . This happens usually by June 5 . This year, influenced by Cyclone Remal, it arrived earlier on May 30 .
Startup Agnikool launches world’s first rocket with fully 3D printed engine
The Chennai headquartered space start up Agni Kool Cosmos Private Ltd launched the world’s first rocket – Agniban Sub Orbit Technology Demonstrator ( SOrTeD ) – with a single piece 3 D printed engine from Sriharokota .
Agniban SOrTeD is India’s first launch from a private launchpad , called “ Dhanush “ established by Agnikul .
Hasan MP Prajwal lands in Bengaluru
Hasan MP Prajwal Revanna , who is facing charges of sexually abusing several woman from Benglaururu .
He will now face ia probe by Special Investigation Team ( SIT ) , set up in connection with sexual abuse case .
22 passengers killed as the bus slid into a gorge in Jammu
At least 22 passengers were killed and 57 injured after a Akhnoor area of Jammu on Thursday afternoon .
Loss of civilians life in Rafah ‘ heartbreaking ‘ , a matter of serious concern , says MEA
The loss of civilian life in the recent bombing in Rafah is “ heartbreaking “ .
MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said , “ The heartbreaking loss of civilian lives in the displacement camp in Rafah is a matter of deep concern . We are consistently called for the protection of the civilian population. And respect for international humanitarian law in the outgoing conflict “ .
This comes after an Israeli attack on civilian tents had killed 45 people, mostly women and children .
He further highlighted India’s position over the solution of the Israel Palestine problem .
“ We have long supported a two state solution. “
India in 1980 had recognised Palestinian state .
Indian Peacekeeper gets UN award for gender advocacy
Major Radhika Sen , an Indian Peacekeeper deployed in Congo , was awarded UN military Gender Advocate for the Year Award for 2023 .
The award was presented by UN secretary general Antonio Guterrus on Thursday May 30 . Her work mainly focussed on interacting with civilians , addressing security concerns of internally displaced persons , and advocating for women , girls and children .
Mr Gueterrus described her services as “ a true credit to the UN as a whole “ .
May 30 , is observed as UN peacekeepers day .
World
14 democracy activists convicted in Hong Kong’s national security case
14 Pro democracy activists were convicted in Hong Kong’s biggest national security case on Thursday .
The activists were detained during a protest against the government in 2019 and 2021 .
The Court convicted them of committing subversion . The Court said that their acts was aimed to undermine the government’s authority and create a constitutional crisis .
Those convicted include former campaigners and lawmakers .
2020 Hong Kong National Security law is law of the People’s Republic of China in safeguarding Hong Kong’s National security . The law criminalised secession, subversion , terrorism , collision .
Xi calls for conference to discuss crisis in West Asia
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a peace conference to end the Israel war in Gaza .
The Chinese President was addressing the Arab Countries forum .
Mr Xi this week hosted Egyptian President Abdul Fateh Al Sisi , UAE’s President Abdul Fateh Al Sisi and many others .
China has for long been in favour of two state solution to the Israel Palestine issue . China had expressed concern over the Israeli attack in Rafah .
West Asia is a key node under China’s Belt and Road Initiative .
Iran using Swedish gang to target Israel , alleges Stockholm
Sweden’s Intelligence agency said on Thursday that Iran was recruiting Swedish Criminal Gangs , some of them as proxies of Israel to commit “ acts of violence “ against Israel and others in Sweden rehta Tehran considers a threat .
The announcement came two weeks after a night time gunfire outside the Israeli embassy in Sweden .
“ Iran has previously used violence in other European countries in bid to silence critical voices and perceived threats against its regime “ it said .
Two Russian military boats destroyed Crimea attack : Kyiv
Ukraine’s GUR military intelligence service said on Thursday that it’s forces had used Naval drones to destroy two Russian Petrol boats off Moscow annexed Crimea .
The destroyed ships are KS 701 high speed amphibious vessels .
Editorial
Reign of fire
New Delhi Experience of High hear cannot be experienced be pinned on climate change
On May 29, the Mungeshpur automatic weather station in New Delhi recorded 52.9 degree celsius . IMD has suggested that the station’s thermistor could be faulty; the country’s north has been suffering from extreme heat.
In such a situation to prevent a water crisis , Delhi’s water minister has formed 200 teams to monitor wastage . The team would also fine on water wastage .
The editorial says that the current heat wave cannot be solely blamed on climatic conditions , but also on the density of the city. The concrete structure , lack of public ventilation etc .
Government must be proactive in its planning as the frequency of high temperatures is expected to increase .
