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Lagarde ‘horrified’ by missing journalist case, but will attend Saudi conference (Lead)
Nusa Dua (Indonesia), Oct 13 (IANS) International Monetary Fund Director-General Christine Lagarde on Saturday said that she was “horrified” by reports about the fate of missing Saudi journalist but still plans to attend a business forum in Riyadh this month as she has “to conduct the business of the IMF in all corners in the world”.
Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared last week from his country’s consulate in Istanbul where he went for paperwork to marry his Turkish fiancée. Turkish intelligence officials say they have audio and visual evidence that shows he was killed inside the consulate.
Saudi Arabia, however, firmly denies any involvement in his disappearance.
Lagarde, who was addressing reporters at the closing press conference of the IMF World Bank annual meeting in Bali, said: “At this point in time, my intention is to not change my plan and to be very attentive to the information that is coming up in the next few days.”
She said despite being “horrified” by the reports she has “to conduct the business of the IMF in all corners in the world”, Efe news reported.
In the last few hours, several sponsors and guests have announced their withdrawal from the Future Investment Initiative, also known as “Davos in the Desert”, scheduled to take place between October 23-25.
Among them was World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, who already informed Saudi authorities that he would skip the conference, without giving a reason, reports said.
US television channel CNBA tweeted that it would not be attending the forum in Riyadh “due to the continuing questions surrounding the disappearance of Khashoggi”.
CNN on Friday said it had “withdrawn its participation” while Andrew Ross Sorkin, a columnist for The New York Times, also announced skipping the conference.
CNBC, the Financial Times and Bloomberg too cancelled their participation.
Hosted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud, the event is designed to showcase his Vision 2030 plan to break the country’s dependence on oil.
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who was also in Bali for the IMF meetings, said he still intended to go the event.
The Turkish government has not officially responded to claims by friends and colleagues, who fear the 59-year-old Saudi national was murdered inside the consulate.
Khashoggi has had long-standing ties to the Saudi royal family, but has written critically of the current government and the Saudi Crown Prince.
Saudi Arabia’s Minister of the Interior, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud Naif bin Abdulaziz, has condemned and dismissed reports that the journalist was murdered as “lies and baseless allegations”, the state-run Saudi Press Agency said on Friday.
–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
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.