Top News
Trump warns Syria, Russia of impending missile strike (Lead)
By Arul Louis
New York, April 11 (IANS) US President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned Syria and Russia that he was readying missile strikes on the Middle Eastern nation in retaliation for allegedly using chemical weapons in rebel-held territories.
“Russia vows to shoot down any and all missiles fired at Syria,” he tweeted. “Get ready Russia, because they will be coming, nice and new and ‘smart’! You shouldn’t be partners with a Gas Killing Animal who kills his people and enjoys it!”
The threat of missile strike follows the failure of the United Nations Security Council to pass a resolution on Tuesday condemning the gas attacks and setting up an inquiry into it. A US-sponsored resolution was vetoed by Russia and two proposed by Moscow failed to get a majority.
Meanwhile, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is sending a fact-finding mission to Syria to investigate the chemical attacks.
A chemical attack is reported to have taken place last Saturday in Douma, where the rebel group Jaish al-Islam controls territory. The US says 89 people were killed and several hundred injured by chemical weapons used there.
The missile attacks would come as Trump is himself under an unprecedented stress at home.
On Monday, the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided his personal lawyer’s office and hotel room and seized documents.
According to media reports, they were looking for documents relating to payoff by the lawyer, Michael Cohen, to a porno actor known as Stormy Daniels and, possibly, other women to keep quiet about the affairs they claim to have had with Trump before he was elected.
Such payoffs could be violations of election or other laws.
Trump has canceled a trip to the Summit of the Americas in Lima, Peru, citing the Syrian developments and spent Tuesday conferring with National Security Adviser John Bolton, military officials and British Prime Minister Theresa May in preparation for attacks on Syrian government facilities.
On Sunday he blamed President Vladimir Putin personally, and Russia and Iran for “backing Animal Assad” and warned they would have a “big price to pay.”
There is a general consensus in the US for an attack on Syria, and by implication on Russia – something that most Democrats would back – with only random pushbacks.
Trump, who ran his election campaign on a vow to reduced military entanglements abroad, had called earlier this month for pulling back the limited US military presence in Syria.
But after the Saturday chemical attack, he called for a tough line against Syria and Russia.
His newly robust stance is bolstered by the addition of two hawks to his foreign policy team: National Security Adviser Bolton and Secretary of State-designate Mike Pompeo.
In a later tweet on Wednesday, a bit of Trump’s ambiguity towards Russia was back: “Our relationship with Russia is worse now than it has ever been, and that includes the Cold War. There is no reason for this.”
Next, he blamed the Democrats for it, tweeting, “Much of the bad blood with Russia is caused by the Fake & Corrupt Russia Investigation, headed up by the all Democrat loyalists, or people that worked for Obama. … No Collusion, so they go crazy!”
Trump’s taunt to Russia to “get ready” may have been prompted by an NBC network report quoting US officials that Russians have began jamming some smaller US drones.
(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.