Top News
Lacking consensus, UN Security Council emergency meet puts off action on N Korea
By Arul Louis
United Nations, Sep 4 (IANS) The Security Council’s emergency meeting on Monday put off taking action against North Korea for its defiant hydrogen bomb test, unable to get China and Russia on board.
At the end of the hurriedly convened meeting on an official UN holiday, United States Permanent Representative Nikki Haley said that negotiations would be held on a draft resolution that is being circulated to try to reach a consensus on action against Pyongyang.
“Enough is enough,” she said, urging stringent international action against the “rogue regime”. “The time for half measures is over,” she added.
“North Korea is begging for a war,” she said, but added that the US did not want one but “will defend its territory.”
China’s Permanent Representative Liu Jieyi again brought up the joint proposal with Russia for the US and South Korea to stop military exercises in return for North Korea suspending its nuclear programme.
Haley described the proposal as “freeze for freeze” and called it insulting. “North Korea has slapped everyone in the face,” she added.
“Time for diplomacy is over,” she said.
She said that Washington will look at every country that does business with Pyongyang as aiding its enemy.
But in reality it it would be difficult for the US to take this approach to the logical end because China is its largest trading partner with a total trade of $578.6 billion last year.
Although everyone of the members of the Security Council, who spoke on Monday urged strict action against North Korea, which tested hydrogen bomb on Sunday and sent a missile over Japan last week, any action would depend on China and, to a lesser extent, on Russia.
Russia’s Permanent Representative Vassily Nebenzia called for an immediate return to dialogue. Only political and diplomatic means could led to a solution, he said and suggested mediation by Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
The Security Council earlier last month imposed its strongest sanctions yet seeking to block North Korea’s exports of coal, iron, iron ore, seafood and lead, and prohibit countries from hiring any more of that country’s citizens.
(Arul Louis can be reached at [email protected])
–IANS
al/vd
Top News
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.