Connect with us

Top News

Trump overturns Obama’s order to limit military equipment to police

Published

on

Washington, Aug 29 (IANS) President Donald Trump on Monday rescinded an executive order issued by his predecessor, Barack Obama, limiting the amount and type of military equipment that can be provided to the police, a measure the former president took after incidents of police violence against African American citizens in 2015.

The order restores access to “lifesaving” resources and equipment to state, local and tribal security forces, Efe news reported.

Trump signed the order reversing Obama’s own 2015 executive order at the White House.

A few hours earlier, Attorney General Jeff Sessions had made the announcement of the President’s decision at the national convention of the Fraternal Order of Police in Nashville, Tennessee, saying that the Trump administration had decided to resume the program whereby local police departments may receive surplus military equipment, including high-caliber weapons and grenade launchers.

Trump’s move is intended to “ensure that you can get the lifesaving gear that you need to do your job and send a strong message that we will not allow criminal activity, violence and lawlessness to become a new normal,” Sessions told the audience at the ceremony, who cheered him.

“(Obama’s) restrictions went too far, we will not put superficial concerns above public safety, we will do our best to get you what you need,” said Sessions.

He said that some of these programs have recycled more than $5.4 billion in new and used equipment – including helicopters and armoured vehicles – and allowed it to be used in the fight against terrorism and crime and for providing aid in natural disasters.

In 1990, Congress authorised the Pentagon to provide surplus military equipment to the police to help them fight the drug trade, and – later – terrorism.

Groups from all across the political spectrum have expressed concern about the militarization of the police, arguing that the equipment fosters and intensifies criminals’ confrontations with officers.

Obama in 2015 issued an executive order severely limiting the program, in part after public outrage over the use of military equipment during the protests in Ferguson, Missouri, after the police shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown, an African American.

In that situation, police responded with anti-riot equipment and used tear gas, dogs and armored vehicles, even issuing assault rifles to officers, which they then pointed at the demonstrators.

–IANS
ahm/

Continue Reading

Top News

Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

Published

on

By

World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

Continue Reading

Trending