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Rouhani slams Trump as Iran blacks out social media (Second Lead)

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Tehran, Jan 1 (IANS) Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has bashed his US counterpart Donald Trump for “sympathising” with anti-government protesters even as Tehran curbed the social media amid intensifying demonstrations over corruption.

In his first public comments since the wave of anti-government protests began on Thursday, The Irnanian leader said people were free to criticise the government but their protests should not lead to violence, the state-run IRNA reported.

The authorties in Iran have now blocked access to Instagram and the popular Telegram messaging app used by activists to organise and publicise the protests.

President Trump has regularly been tweeting his support for protesters in Iran, most recently saying: “The people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism.”

Trump tweeted on Sunday that it looks like the Iranians “will not take it any longer”.

But Rouhani hit back saying: “This man in America who is sympathising with our people has forgotten that he called the Iranian nation terrorists a few months ago. This man who is against the Iranian nation to his core has no right to sympathise with Iranians.

President Rouhani’s comments came as a security deputy for Tehran’s governor said that 200 people had been arrested after protests on Saturday night including 40 “leaders”.

A fourth day of demonstrations saw crowds take to the streets to light fires on the streets and shout “death to the dictator” with water cannon used on a crowd in Tehran.

The Iranian President said: “People are absolutely free to criticise the government and protest but their protests should be in such a way as to improve the situation in the country and their life.

“Criticism is different from violence and damaging public properties. Resolving the problems is not easy and would take time. The government and people should help each other to resolve the issues.”

The demonstrations were fanned in part by messages sent on the Telegram messaging app, which authorities blocked Sunday along with the photo-sharing app Instagram, which is owned by tech giant Facebook.

Telegram in particular is very popular in Iran, with more than 50 per cent of the country’s 80 million population said to be active on the app.

Iran state TV website reported the decision citing an anonymous source who said it was “in line with maintaining peace and security of the citizens.”

Also weighing in on the unfolding crisis was Nikki Haley, America’s envoy at the UN, who said the country is “being tested by its own citizens”.

“We pray that freedom and human rights will carry the day,” she said in a statement.

Haley’s comments echoed those of US President Donald Trump, who earlier on Sunday said the US was watching closely for human rights violations.

“Big protests in Iran. The people are finally getting wise as to how their money and wealth is being stolen and squandered on terrorism. Looks like they will not take it any longer,” Trump tweeted.

Iran has promised to use an “iron fist” to crush dissent, raising fears of widespread bloodshed after two activists were shot dead in the city of Dorud overnight.

The government has confirmed the deaths, but said the men were killed by “foreign agents” and not the security forces.

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

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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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