World
VW scandal: The chief executive refuses to quit
Berlin: The chief executive of Volkswagen (VW) has refused to resign despite an escalation of the emissions scandal following the VW’s admission that 11 million of its vehicles have been fitted with a device designed to cheat emission tests.
Martin Winterkorn, chairman of board of director of the world’s second largest car marker, said he was “endlessly sorry we betrayed the trust of customers”.
“We are going to clarify the background unsparingly, and everything is being put on the table as quickly, thoroughly and transparently as possible,” the Guardian quoted Winterkorn as saying.
VW on Tuesday denied that Winterkorn will leave as chief executive this Friday, to be replaced by Matthias Müller, the chairman of its sister company Porsche.
He spoke after the German company revealed the potential financial liabilities for the first time. VW is putting aside 4.7 billion euros to deal with the potential costs of the crisis, prompting a further 20 percent fall in its share price.
Shares of other car manufacturers have also fallen heavily, with Peugeot down seven percent, BMW down five percent and Daimler, the owner of Mercedes-Benz, also down five percent.
The VW financial update was issued on Tuesday after its US chief said the company had “totally screwed up” over the emissions scandal. Michael Horn admitted on Monday in New York that VW had been dishonest with regulators and the public.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said, “This is about showing complete transparency, clearing up the entire case.”
“The transport minister is in close contact with the company, and I hope that the facts will be put on the table as quickly as possible,” Markel said.
VW could face a fine of up to $18 billion, as well as criminal charges for its executives and legal action from customers and shareholders amid claims in the US that it used a device to falsify emissions data.
The device recognises when the car is being tested and immediately cuts emissions to a level much lower than normal and which would be unsustainable under normal driving conditions.
Britain and France called for a Europe-wide investigation into diesel cars to reassure the public.
National
Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok
Lucknow: Vishal Singh, a renowned social worker from Lucknow, also known as Foodman, has once again made India proud. He was honored by the Happy Hands Gloves Cooperative Limited Company in Korathai, Thailand, for his work with the Hunger Free World Mission.
The Hunger Free World Mission’s meeting was held in Korathai, Thailand, under Vishal Singh’s leadership. Representatives from several countries, including Mr. Raja Dwivedi (Managing Director of Happy Hands Gloves Limited), Thailand Coordinator Mr. Raja Mishra, and member Mr. Varun Singh, attended the event.
Under Vishal Singh’s leadership, the attendees took a pledge to work together toward creating a hunger-free world.
Speaking on the occasion, Vishal Singh explained that the main goal of the Hunger Free World Mission is social participation. He said the mission is not just about feeding people but also about meeting other basic needs of those who are struggling. The mission focuses on helping families of terminally ill patients in hospitals by providing food and shelter. It also works to fulfill essential needs like education, jobs, and care for the elderly.
For the last 16 years, the Vijay Sri Foundation has been providing free services, benefiting thousands of people. Vishal Singh highlighted that the mission aims to gain global recognition like other organizations such as WHO, WWF, and Red Cross, which work for social causes.
During this meeting, Vishal Singh was appointed as the Chairman of the Hunger Free World Mission by representatives from various countries. They also discussed holding regular meetings in different countries to push the mission forward.
Business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has also supported this humanitarian mission, vowing to promote the idea of “Seva Parmo Dharma” (Service is the highest duty) worldwide. Vishal Singh praised him, stating that people like Dr .Abhishek Verma inspire others to work for the betterment of society.
Recently, Romania’s Ambassador, Mr . Daniela Sezonov Ţane, invited Vishal Singh to the Romanian Embassy in Delhi, where they discussed the mission in detail. Impressed by his humanitarian work, she honored Vishal Singh and invited him to Romania to take the mission forward .
Food man Vishal Singh has been serving the people of India for the past 16 years. Through the Vijay Sri Foundation, he provides free meals to cancer patients & their families ,shelter, and education for women & children along with running free old-age homes in Lucknow.
In addition to his humanitarian work, Vishal Singh also addresses issues like crime and corruption through his role as Chairman of Seva Path Media and Managing Director of Vijay Sri Foundation.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Vishal Singh and his team worked tirelessly to provide food and help to the needy, including starving children, elderly citizens, and pregnant women. Despite contracting the virus himself, he continued to assist others after his recovery. He even created a life-saving oxygen regulator using household items, which was praised by doctors both in India and abroad.
In his address at the meeting, Vishal Singh spoke about his mission to create a hunger-free world. He pointed out that India’s large population, along with issues like unemployment and poverty, has caused the country to fall on the Hunger Index. He urged people to contribute just one handful of grains daily to help create a hunger-free world.
He concluded by saying that through social participation, we can empower the people around us, meet their basic needs, and work together to build a stronger, more prosperous, and developed society.