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Trump’s Russia inquiry ‘started by Australian tip-off’
Washington, Dec 31 (IANS) The investigation into possible connections between Russia and Donald Trump’s presidential campaign began after a tip-off from Australia, the media reported.
Trump adviser George Papadopoulos allegedly told Australia’s top UK diplomat that Moscow had incriminating “dirt” on Hillary Clinton.
The New York Times alleges the revelation came “during a night of heavy drinking” in London in May 2016.
Australia later informed the FBI.
According to a BBC report on Saturday, The New York Times report claims that the exchange was the spark for establishing a secret investigation into possible connections between Russia and the Trump campaign in July 2016.
The newspaper’s story cites four anonymous American and Australian foreign officials “with direct knowledge of the Australian’s role” as its source.
Papadopoulos has already pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI about meetings arranged while he was working with the Trump campaign.
The FBI’s original investigation has since been handed off to special counsel Robert Mueller’s probe, with which Papadopoulos is now cooperating.
The White House has attempted to portray him as a “low-level volunteer” with little influence within the campaign.
However, Papadopoulos is known to have attended several meetings with Trump and other senior officials such as Attorney General Jeff Sessions, as well as meeting a British foreign office official and arranging high-level meetings.
Papadopoulos was told by a contact with Russian links that Moscow had “dirt” on Trump’s Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton in the form of “thousands of emails” in April 2016 – something revealed earlier this year.
But the New York Times now reports that weeks later, in May, Mr Papadopoulos was speaking to Alexander Downer, Australia’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, at an “upscale London bar” when he revealed the existence of the Russian information.
It is not clear why Papadopoulos chose to share his knowledge with Downer, but the Times reports that the Australian diplomat passed the information to his government.
Two months later, when copies of Mrs Clinton’s emails began appearing online, the Australian government passed the information to the FBI.
Once that happened, the newspaper said, “the bureau opened an investigation that became one of its most closely guarded secrets”.
“Senior agents did not discuss it at the daily morning briefing, a classified setting where officials normally speak freely about highly sensitive operations.”
The newspaper reports that corroborating intelligence from other friendly governments, including the British and the Dutch, helped drive the investigation.
White House lawyer Ty Cobb declined to comment on the New York Times report.
–IANS
pgh/
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
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.
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