World

Opinion: What Americans need to know as they watch the conventions

Published

4 years ago

August 19, 2020

Opinion: What Americans need to know as they watch the conventions

With the clock ticking towards Election Day, President Trump has inserted himself squarely into the election safety risk matrix, undermining his personal nationwide safety workforce and US democracy. By tweeting out and amplifying content formally attributed to a Russian affect operation and taking lively measures in opposition to key election infrastructure, like the US Postal Service, and by failing to maintain sure unhealthy actors accountable, Trump himself is the largest risk to a free and honest 2021 vote.

There are lively overseas threats dealing with the US election. Final month, after facing pressure, primarily from Democrats, the US intelligence group (IC) made public data concerning sure foreign election security threats. The IC issued a second statement earlier this month that particular overseas actors are focusing on US elections — they cited China, Russia, and Iran. Whereas their statements are useful when it comes to informing the public, total, about numerous risk streams, they confusingly grouped threats of very totally different scales and scopes — apples and oranges — in the similar basket.

Energetic, covert Russian affect operations are seemingly an even bigger risk to Americans than public criticisms of the Trump administration from the ruling Chinese language Communist Occasion. However the IC indicated that Russia prefers Trump to win the 2021 election, whereas China prefers him to lose. Trump might imagine it is extra politically and personally expedient to give attention to election interference from China and to disregard Russia’s assaults. Plus it is clear he has by no means appreciated acknowledging that he’s Putin’s choice.

Shortly after the IC’s assertion, US Nationwide Safety Adviser Robert O’Brien mentioned on CBS that China and different nations are attacking secretary of state web sites — which feels like an allegation that China is engaged in cyberattacks in opposition to important election infrastructure. That is the first we have heard about this alleged Chinese operation — the IC statements on election safety threats made no point out of any Chinese language cyberattacks. Whereas the intelligence group has indicated that unnamed adversaries “search to compromise US election infrastructure,” and says it’s monitoring “malicious cyber actors,” we now have not seen something to corroborate O’Brien’s particular accusation in opposition to China.

If O’Brien’s allegations are true, it will be a significant escalation by China that ought to warrant some form of response. However we have not heard about any deliberate punitive measures by the administration in opposition to the people and entities concerned in the just lately disclosed election safety threats. (A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson mentioned final week that Beijing has by no means interfered in US elections, however authorities statements must be taken with greater than a grain of salt.)

That is a harmful strategy. With a number of overseas threats now public data, it seems that the President is selecting to do nothing about them. As an alternative of taking motion to counter overseas assaults on US democracy, he’s taking part in dodgeball and failing to maintain the attackers accountable. When just lately requested about overseas meddling, he turned his ire on Democrats, saying it was they who had been “meddling” by insisting on mail-in ballots. POTUS’s failure to punish the precise attackers simply empowers folks like Vladimir Putin to preserve attacking the US. Absent a coverage response to their election interference, unhealthy actors don’t have any purpose to cease whereas they’re at it.

However not solely has Trump failed to punish sure overseas actors, he is serving to them.

The Intelligence Group’s current assertion on election safety threats mentioned — notably — that Russia prefers Trump in 2021 and that Moscow is actively working to denigrate rival Joe Biden. The IC even particularly cited a participant in Russia’s affect operations in opposition to the United States — Andriy Derkach. The assertion mentioned that Derkach, a Ukrainian lawmaker, “is spreading claims about corruption — together with by means of publicizing leaked telephone calls — to undermine former Vice President Biden’s candidacy and the Democratic Occasion.” Democrats have constantly raised concerns about Derkach’s actions and work with sure Republican lawmakers.

Trump's attacks on the Postal Service may have done it a favor

The US intelligence group couldn’t have been clearer: Derkach is a part of Russian assaults on US democracy.

As President, Trump had to have had entry to the underlying, extremely labeled intelligence that led the IC to their conclusions about Derkach, not to point out entry to the underlying, extremely labeled intelligence about Russian election assaults extra broadly. Trump’s not recognized for spending loads of time studying labeled intelligence. However with the data on Derkach now public, there’s zero likelihood that the President is not conscious of the US intelligence group’s conclusions. But he helped Russia intelligence with the click on of a button — on Sunday he retweeted content that Derkach leaked, allegedly of a dialog between Biden and former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko. (Poroshenko reportedly has mentioned the audio is bogus.) Fairly merely, Trump helped unfold Russian disinformation, and the purpose appears apparent — it is all about successful a second time period.

When it comes down to it, Trump prioritizes his perceived private wants over all of us — the security of our elections, our bodily security, and extra. That is in all probability why Putin prefers him — he is the antithesis of what a democratic chief seems to be like.

As well as to giving sure attackers a free go and apparently aiding and abetting Russian affect operations in opposition to us, Trump and his appointees additionally seem to be engaged in lively measures focusing on key election infrastructure — the USPS. Trump’s Postmaster Common appointee Louis DeJoy will testify earlier than Congress subsequent week about allegations that his current operational adjustments will hamper the Postal Service’s ability to help voting by mail in November. And Trump’s spreading of disinformation about mail-in voting quantities to affect operations in opposition to the USPS as he tries to denigrate the service’s perceived capabilities to deal with mailed ballots.

Actions communicate louder than phrases. It is apparent that the USPS goes to face an unprecedented burden this election cycle. A patriotic president would do the whole lot potential to shore it up in order that Americans can vote safely from their properties. Trump, nonetheless, is doing simply the reverse. Actually, Trump mentioned he opposes additional funding for the Postal Service as a result of he does not need to see it used for mail in voting. As an alternative of giving the USPS the assets it wants to help a free and honest election, Trump is making an attempt to undercut it.

It goes with out saying {that a} candidate assured of successful would not attempt to cease Americans from voting. And a President who cares about his nation’s democracy would not assist the overseas actors attacking it. So as Americans tune in to the conventions and check out to make sense of the election threats we’re dealing with, they must be conscious that President Trump himself is our major supply of election insecurity.

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World

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Heading To Alaska Canceled After Guests Onboard, Here’s How To Get Your Refund or Reimbursement

Published

11 hours ago

May 1, 2024

Subhashree Panda

Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship Heading To Alaska Canceled After Guests Onboard, Here's How To Get Your Refund or Reimbursement

A popular cruise line, Royal Caribbean Cruise, has announced the cancelation of the trip to Alaska. The announcement was made at the last minute, reported USA Today.

Until then, the guests had already onboard ‘Radiance of the Seas.’

The reason behind the cancellation of the trip from the pre-planned route to Vancouver, British Colombia is the repair work on the ship.

Meanwhile, it was announced that the guests will receive their 100 percent money back. Moreover, guests who had other prior flight bookings, the luxury cruise will send them reimbursements.

The letter was delivered to the guests, a part of which reads,

“Despite our best efforts, circumstances beyond our control have delayed our sailing further. Your patience throughout this time [has] not gone unnoticed, and we are immensely grateful for your understanding.”

Initially, the voyage was expected to begin on April 26. However, it was later postponed due to a revised plan until April 28.

According to the latest plan, by traveling through the Ketchikan and Icy Strait along with the scenic cruise, the plan was to return back on May 3.

How to Get Refunds or Reimbursements

Since the sailing has been canceled, Guests have been asked to return home.

Meanwhile, eligible individuals can get their reimbursements or refunds. Here’s how.

According to Times Now, customers will receive a 100% refund of their cruise ticket along with a 100% FCC or future cruise credit. FCC can be used on any future Royal Caribbean voyage.

People first need to notify the company to get reimbursement.

Passengers are provided with internet on the ship free of charge. This makes it easier for them for their upcoming travels.

According to Cruisehive.com, the ship has extended open bar services to passengers until they disembark.

Royal Caribbean is also covering change fees and lodging costs for any affected airline reservations.

Also Check: Charlotte Shooting: Four Officers Killed and Others Wounded While Serving Warrant

World

Pakistani Opposition Leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman Criticizes Government, Cites India’s Ascent and Pakistan’s Economic Struggles

Published

11 hours ago

May 1, 2024

Priyadarshi Shastri

India aiming to be superpower while we beg for funds, says Pakistan leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman

A recent comment from Pakistani opposition leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman is grabbing global attention. During a speech in the National Assembly, he discussed the neighboring country, India, aiming to become a superpower while his home country, Pakistan, is heading towards bankruptcy.

He is from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) party.

Fazlur Rehman is from the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) party.

Pakistan leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman Talks About India

The Chief of Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Pakistan stated,

“In August 1947, India and Pakistan got Independence together. Today, India is dreaming of becoming a global superpower, while we are begging to avoid bankruptcy. Who is responsible for this?”

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has given Pakistan a $3 billion bailout funding package. The agency has now agreed to disburse its final tranche, while Islamabad is looking to seek more funds from the IMF.

Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Pakistan’s leading right-wing Islamic leader, also targeted the recently held general elections, stating, “The establishment and bureaucracy had no role” in the elections and in running the country.

While India🇮🇳 is inching closer to become a Global Superpower, Pakistan🇵🇰 is begging before the world to save it from devastation.

[Pakistan's Parliament] pic.twitter.com/i3ZNA3kQaN— kanishka Dadhich 🇮🇳 (@KanishkaDadhich) April 29, 2024

He further added,

“Leave this power. Come and sit here [on the opposition benches], and if the PTI is indeed the larger group, then give them the government, the establishment and bureaucracy had no role in achieving this country. What kind of election is this where the losers are not satisfied, and the winners are upset?”

Rehman also aimed at the failure to implement principles from the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII), which focuses more on Islamic principles.

pic.twitter.com/KGHZhhVB18— Maulana Fazl-ur-Rehman (@MoulanaOfficial) April 29, 2024

“We got the country in the name of Islam, but today we have become a secular state. Since 1973, not a single recommendation of the CII has been implemented. How can we be an Islamic country?”

The JUI-F is the arch-rival of PTI and targets the central government, i.e., Imran Khan. After his downfall, JUI-F became part of the coalition government.

Also Read: Pakistani Man Covers YouTuber’s Shaila Khan Head On Camera Citing Allah, Video Goes Viral

India News

Goldy Brar, Sidhu Moosewala Murder Mastermind Reportedly Shot Dead, Rival Dalla Lakhbhir Claims Responsibility

Published

17 hours ago

May 1, 2024

Subhashree Panda

Goldy Brar, Sidhu Moosewala Murder Mastermind Reportedly Shot Dead, Rival Dalla Lakhbhir Claims Responsibility

The death news of the mastermind behind has been Sidhu Moosewala Murder has been circulating all over the social media since Wednesday morning. Initially, a News18 report claimed that Goldy Brar had been shot dead.

It is reported that he was shot on April 30, Tuesday at 5:25 pm.

As per prevailing allegations, when the accused was standing with a friend in the street, some unknown miscreants arrived. They open fired at him and ran away.

According to Rozana Spokesman, Lasley Williams, a police officer, reported the media that two people were shifted to the hospital. Moreover, one of them passed away.

However, Goldy Brar’s news of death is not confirmed yet. Thus, it is not known whether he is dead or alive.

This incident took a big turn when Lakhbir and Arsh Dalla, two rival gangsters, claimed the responsibility of shooting Goldy Brar to death.

Sidhu Moosewala Murder Case

Goldy Brar is allegedly the mastermind behind the murder case of Sidhu Moosewala, the dreaded gangster and Punjabi singer.

The reports claimed that the gangsters shot Goldy Brar dead at Hotel Fairmount in California. Notably, official confirmation is awaited.

Goldy Brar was believed to be among the 25 most wanted persons in Canada. He had also been regarded as a fugitive gangster in Canada

Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu, also popularly known as Sidhu Moosewala, the famous Punjabi singer, was killed on May 29, 2022. It is anticipated, based on the allegations prevailing, that the killing occurred on the orders given by Goldy Brar.

Who Is Goldy Brar?

Goldy Brar is a fugitive gangster hailing from Punjab, India. His real name is Satinderjeet Singh. Goldy is the son of a former police officer.

He stepped into the world of crime when he got involved in local gang rivalries occurring in Punjab. Soon he graduated to become Punjab’s most wanted by committing bigger crimes.

Eventually, Goldy Brar has become one of became Canada’s 25 most wanted people in the present time. His contribution is in the crime actions like supplying illegal firearms and murder.