'Explosive devices' sent to Obama, Hillary Clinton,CNN, and other US officials
WASHINGTON/NEW YORK: Police intercepted suspected pipe bombs sent to former US President Barack Obama, former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, and other high-profile Democrats on Wednesday, in what New York officials described as an act of terrorism.
The CNN bureau in New York also received a device looking like a pipe bomb, leading police to evacuate the building, as did the office of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, a Democrat. CNN reported that Eric Holder, who was US Attorney General under former President Barack Obama, was also among those targeted.
"This clearly is an act of terror attempting to undermine our free press and leaders of this country through acts of violence," New York Mayor Bill de Blasio told a news conference.
With the country deeply polarized under President Donald Trump, the packages brought a new level of tension to November 6 political contests that will decide whether Democrats can challenge the majorities now held by Trump's Republicans in Congress.
A similar pipe bomb was delivered earlier this week to the home of George Soros, a major Democratic Party donor.
There has been no claim of responsibility.
Packages Recovered
The package to Clinton was found late on Tuesday while the one addressed to Obama was recovered early on Wednesday, both during routine off-site mail screenings, the Secret Service said. Obama and Clinton were not at risk, they said.
Police intercepted what appeared to be a live explosive device and an envelope containing white powder at the Time Warner Center, where the CNN newsroom in New York is based, Police Commissioner James O'Neill told the news conference. Experts were analysing whether the powder was a dangerous substance, he said.
courtesy: ndtv.com
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Lorry strike not good for farmers, says K’taka Transport Min. Ramalinga Reddy
Bengaluru: Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy has said that any kind of strike is not good for the interest of the public and farmers.
After a meeting with representatives of the State Lorry Owners Association, Reddy addressed the media, pointing out that the strike was being held only now despite a decade of rising fuel prices under the central government.
The minister noted that the price of diesel has nearly doubled from ₹49.54 in 2015 to ₹91.05 currently without sparking similar protests during that time. He attributed the current economic strain on state governments to the central government's fiscal policies, arguing that state-level taxation was a forced measure to keep the system afloat. “When the real issue lies at the Centre, why strike now?” he questioned.
Meanwhile, G.R. Shanmukhappa, president of the State Lorry Owners Association, said the group has written multiple times to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah but has yet to receive a response. He reiterated that the association is ready for discussions if the government reaches out.
Their demands include a review of diesel prices, an end to extortion by RTO officials at border checkpoints, and the easing of restrictions on lorries entering Bengaluru, particularly those transporting daily essentials.
