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Why Trumpism faces testing times

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Flynn (above) resigned as the US national security adviser after reports that he misled Vice-President Pence over discussions with the Russian ambassador

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Michael Flynn’s sudden exit as NSA puts The Donald in troubled waters 

By Sujit Bhar

The brouhaha over US President Donald Trump’s whimsical national policy decisions is facing what those policies were destined for—early death. His executive order on a travel ban from seven Muslim nations was virtually stubbed out by federal courts and even by a three-judge bench of the appellate court. And now his random senior appointments in key positions are coming in the line of fire.

The second part was apparent in the resignation of Trump’s National Security Adviser in the White House, Michael Flynn. He had no option when it was apparent from published reports that he had misled Trump’s team about his contacts with the Russian ambassador in the US and on his talks with him about the US sanctions on Russia.

Reports have maintained that Flynn’s loyalty to Trump was in no way a saviour for his links with Russia, causing the very Trump administration he was part of to be concerned. Russia, despite Trump’s pre-election exhortations, still remains pretty much the bogeyman in the White House and in the US in general.

Trump was certainly pitching in the dark about great relations with Vladimir Putin, disregarding complaints and allegations that Russia had a hacker’s hand in the US election process, making Trump king.

But when it came to an insider-job on information being passed, it was too much. It has now been revealed by a spokesman that Trump knew for weeks that Flynn wasn’t truthful about his Russian calls, leading to the conclusion that he couldn’t be trusted. That led to his firing.

This has left Trump in the unenviable position of having defended Putin, while failing to defend his own aide. The only way to get out this dilemma before this too assumed the huge proportion that his travel ban did, was to fire the man, he did just that.

What did Flynn do to earn his sacking? Flynn, an army general, had several telephonic discussions with Russian ambassador Sergei Kislyak during the administration of Barack Obama. That he had telephonic conversations wasn’t a secret, its contents were.

Before his appointment, Vice-President Mike Pence had asked him if he had discussed any special issues with Kislyak, specifically on the sanctions. Pence is a seasoned hand in the world of politics and his questioning was in order. It was only after Flynn had categorically said that none of the discussions had been on sensitive issues that Pence had recommended his name to Trump.

Later Flynn went back on his words and admitted to having had conversations on the sanctions. That made his position untenable.

Technically, this is none of Trump’s fault. Neither is it Pence’s. However, the aura of disquiet that Trump has already created has magnified this into a mega issue, with experts branding this as a potential security issue.

What Trump is facing today has little to do with the intransigence of Flynn. It has everything to do with the reckless and thoughtless posturing by Trump. Hence it will be Trump who will be left to pick up the pieces if the system collapses on itself.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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US reiterates its call for fair, transparent, legal process for Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, speaks on Congress frozen accounts

The US spokesperson said that they are also aware of the Congress party’s allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections.

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A day after India summoned an US diplomat over their remarks on the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in the liquor policy case, the US reiterated its call for fair, transparent, timely legal processes on Wednesday.

Responding to questions on India summoning Gloria Berbena, the US Acting Deputy Chief of Mission in New Delhi, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that they will continue to follow these actions closely, including the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Notably, the meeting at the foreign ministry’s South Block office lasted nearly 40 minutes yesterday with India objecting strongly to the US remarks on the arrest of Arvind Kejriwal.

Matthew Miller also responded to a question on the Congress party’s frozen bank accounts. The US spokesperson said that they are also aware of the Congress party’s allegations that tax authorities have frozen some of their bank accounts in a manner that will make it challenging to effectively campaign in the upcoming elections. He added that the US encourages fair, transparent and timely legal processes for each of the issues.

Arvind Kejriwal was arrested last week by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection to the Delhi liquor policy scam. Earlier, AAP leaders Manish Sisodia, Satyendar Jain and Sanjay Singh were arrested in the same case.

The External Affairs Ministry had earlier stated that states are expected to be respectful of the sovereignty and internal affairs of others, and this responsibility is even more so in case of fellow democracies, adding that it could otherwise end up setting unhealthy precedents.

The Ministry further emphasized that India’s legal processes are based on an independent judiciary which is committed to objective and timely outcomes. It mentioned that casting aspersions on India’s legal procedure is unwarranted.

The United State’s remarks followed days after Germany’s Foreign Office stressed that Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal is entitled to a fair and impartial trial. The Indian government labelled their remark as blatant interference in internal matters.

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5 Chinese nationals killed in suicide bomb attack in Pakistan

This is the third major attack on Chinese interests in Pakistan within a week.

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Nearly five Chinese nationals were killed in an explosion during an attack on their convoy by a suicide bomber in northwest Pakistan on Tuesday. Reportedly, the suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a convoy of Chinese engineers travelling from Islamabad to their camp in Dasu, situated in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Regional police chief Mohammad Ali Gandapur said that five Chinese nationals and their Pakistani driver were killed in the attack. As yet, none has claimed responsibility for the attack. Bisham Station House Officer (SHO) Bakht Zahir asserted that the incident was a suicide blast and the authorities concerned were collecting the evidence.

The Station House Officer further added that security arrangements were tightened at the spot and the bodies were being shifted to a hospital. He added that they will investigate from where and how the vehicle of a suicide bomber came and how it happened. Notably, this is the third major attack on Chinese interests in Pakistan within a week.

Previously, two attacks hit an airbase and a strategic port in the southwest province of Balochistan where China is investing billions in infrastructure projects. Several Chinese engineers and Pakistani construction workers have for multiple years been working on hydroelectric projects as part of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative in the western province of Khyber-Paktunkhwa.

Notably, Dasu is home to a significant dam project, has been a target of previous attacks. Earlier in 2021, the attack in Dasu resulted in the deaths of nine Chinese nationals, along with two Pakistani children. The incident occured when a bus carrying Chinese engineers and workers to the Dasu Hydropower Project site was targeted.

There was confusion surrounding the nature of the attack initially, with some reports suggesting it was a bus accident. Nonetheless, subsequent investigations revealed that it was indeed a terrorist attack. The bus was hit by a blast, leading it to plunge into a ravine.

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US bridge collapses after being hit by ship

The rescuers were searching for at least 7 people in the water. Some reports said upto 20 construction workers were there on the Baltimore Bridge at the time of the incident. A video of the incident which was widely shared on social media showed the moment the 3 km long bridge collapsed.

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Major portions of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, US collapsed on early Tuesday morning after it was hit by a large container ship. The incident occurred at nearly 1.30 am (US local time). The Baltimore City Fire department said the collapse is a mass casualty incident.

According to reports many vehicles fell into the river below. The rescuers were searching for at least 7 people in the water. Some reports said upto 20 construction workers were there on the Baltimore Bridge at the time of the incident. A video of the incident which was widely shared on social media showed the moment the 3 km long bridge collapsed.

It seems the vessel had hit one of the supports of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, causing the roadway to break apart in many places and plunge into the water. The ship caught fire and appeared to sink. Grace Ocean Pte Ltd, the registered owner of the ship, and the manager, Synergy Marine Group, said it is a Singapore flagged ship Dali which collided with a pillar of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore, Maryland.

He said the exact cause of the incident is yet to be determined; the Dali has now mobilized its qualified individual Incident response service. It added that all crew members, including the 2 pilots who were aboard, have been accounted for and there are no reports of injuries.

The local traffic police said all lanes on both directions of the bridge have been closed and the traffic is being de-toured. Maryland Governor Wes Moore also declared a state of emergency after the collapse of the bridge. The bridge was opened in 1977, spans the Patapsco River, a vital artery that along with the Port of Baltimore is a hub for shipping on the East Coast. It is named after the writer of the Star Spangled Banner.  

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