Apr292017

Wokingham’s Marks and Spencers

John Redwood MP
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Yesterday I visited Marks and Spencer to talk to the Manager, members of staff and some of the shoppers.

I was told of the Company’s consultation about possible closure. I understand employees have not yet been offered jobs in nearby Marks stores, as the closure is still under consideration.

The shoppers I met were pleased with the store and keen to see it stay open. There were plenty of people in it on a Friday morning. The Company will not share its trading figures for the store. It is possible in the weeks during the demolition of the central area of Wokingham between Peach Street and Rose Street and the construction of new shops there will be some adverse short term impact on town centre  footfall. It is highly likely that as soon as the new shops are available more people will come to the town centre to shop, have a coffee or have a meal.

I will let you know the Company’s response and my follow up. I will stress the support for the shop from many Wokingham town centre regulars.

Apr292017

South Sudan: Following recent government offensive, UN urges all sides to cease hostilities

United Nations
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29 April 2017 – Disturbed by the escalation of violence and subsequent suffering of civilians in South Sudan as a result of the recent government offensive, the United Nations today urged the Government and other warring parties to cease hostilities, uphold their responsibility to protect civilians.

&#8220The renewed upsurge in fighting represents a callous and blatant disregard of the pledges made during the 25 March 2017 IGAD [Intergovernmental Authority on Development] summit to implement a ceasefire and to facilitate humanitarian access,&#8221 said a statement issued overnight by Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General.

The statement also urged all sides to cooperate with the UN and other humanitarian actors to ensure safe access to all civilians in imminent danger along the West Bank of the River Nile.

&#8220There can be no military solution to the crisis in South Sudan,&#8221 the statement emphasized, expressing hope that regional and international partners will join in encouraging the parties to return urgently to the negotiating table.

The United Nations remains committed to working with the African Union and IGAD to secure a peaceful resolution of the conflict, the statement added.

Despite the August 2015 peace agreement, South Sudan slipped back into conflict due to renewed clashes between rival forces &#8211 the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) loyal to President Salva Kiir and the SPLA in Opposition backing former First Vice-President Riek Machar.

At a Security Council meeting earlier this week, David Shearer, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and the head of UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), noted that the opposition has since splintered, making it necessary for UN peacebuilding efforts to be more widely cast than previously. He reiterated the need for a political solution.

Apr292017

ACC Appointment

India
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The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet has approved the appointment of Shri Anant Narayan Nanda, IPoS (1982) as Secretary, Department of Posts, vice Shri Boyapati Venkat Sudhakar, IPoS (1981).