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Democrat lawmakers slams Trump’s stance toward Cuba

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Havana, Feb 22 (IANS) Democrat lawmakers have slammed US President Donald Trump’s stance towards Cuba saying that his administration’s decision to reverse the thawing of relations with Havana was a mistake.

Since taking office, Trump has tightened the US embargo against Cuba and withdrawn most staff from the American embassy in Havana in reaction to alleged “health attacks”, reports Efe news

“The embargo makes no sense and the reversal of the policies that Presidents Barack Obama and Raul Castro negotiated doesn’t help the United States or Cuba,” Vermont Senator Patrick Leahy said during a press conference Wednesday at the US Embassy here.

The US delegation, also comprising Sensators Ron Wyden, Gary Peters and Representatives Jim McGovern, Susan Davis and Kathy Castor, arrived in the island last weekend.

The purpose of their visit was to evaluate the impact of Trump’s new policies toward Cuba as well as to follow-up on the investigation into the mysterious illnesses afflicting US diplomats stationed in Havana.

Though a joint investigation – including the participation of the FBI on the ground in Havana – found no evidence the illnesses resulted from any hostile acts, the US pulled out most of its embassy personnel in October and expelled 17 Cuban diplomats from Washington.

The Trump administration also imposed new limits on travel to Cuba and warned potential visitors to the island of health risks.

“I have the impression the Cubans have offered whatever cooperation we want, in discovering what if anything happened,” Leahy said.

“I don’t see that they have any advantage to doing something to harm our personnel, the certain result of it is to harm relations between both countries.”

McGovern said that Cuban citizens were suffering from the staff cutbacks at the US Embassy.

“Making it virtually impossible for the average Cuban to go the United States, whether it’s for a funeral, wedding, or to be able to be with their families, betrays our values. It’s not the way we should be approaching this. And that’s why we all want our staffing issues addressed here,” he said.

The Massachusetts lawmaker went on to describe US policy toward Cuba as “guided by paranoia and suspicion” and said that it was a mistake for Washington to turn away as Cuban President Raul Castro prepares to step down in favour of a successor to be chosen in April.

“Cuba is changing,” McGovern said. “Regrettably at this historic moment in Cuban history, US engagement is limited.”

The US delegation with Raul Castro on Tuesday to discuss Cuba’s coming political transition.

Leahy said that the 86-year-old President agreed with the US lawmakers regarding the need for the next Cuban administration to maintain the thaw in relations with Washington.

–IANS
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Foodman Vishal Singh Honored for Hunger Free World Mission in Bangkok

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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.

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