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Selasa, 18 Agustus 2020

Trump lashes out at Michelle Obama after convention takedown - CNA

MILWAUKEE: US President Donald Trump lashed out at former first lady Michelle Obama on Tuesday (Aug 18) after she delivered a scathing takedown of his leadership on the opening night of the Democratic convention.

"I thought it was a very divisive speech, extremely divisive," Trump told reporters at the White House.

"Frankly, I would not even be here if it wasn't for Barack Obama," he said. "I would be building buildings someplace and having a good time."

In her pre-taped remarks to the convention - which has gone almost entirely online because of the coronavirus pandemic - Michelle Obama urged Americans to rally behind Democrat Joe Biden, her husband Barack Obama's former vice-president, in November's presidential election.

Biden "will tell the truth, and trust science", she said in a jab at Trump, who has been accused of ignoring the advice of scientists on how to respond to a health crisis that has left some 170,000 Americans dead and millions without jobs.

Former first lady Michelle Obama said "Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country". (Photo: AFP/Handout)

In unprecedented criticism of a sitting US president by a former first lady, she painted Trump as a man who lacks the competence, character and decency for the job.

"Whenever we look to this White House for some leadership, or consolation, or any semblance of steadiness, what we get instead is chaos, division and a total and utter lack of empathy," she said.

"Donald Trump is the wrong president for our country," she said. "He has had more than enough time to prove that he can do the job, but he is clearly in over his head.

"He cannot meet this moment."

After a night of hard-hitting attacks on Trump from Michelle Obama, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders and others, including several Republicans, the convention is to feature remarks on Tuesday by two former presidents - Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

'LONGEST POLITICAL TV AD EVER'

Jill Biden, the candidate's wife, is also scheduled to speak along with New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a rising star in the progressive wing of the party.

Former president Obama will speak on Wednesday along with 2016 Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton and Biden's running mate, California Senator Kamala Harris.

Former US president Bill Clinton is to address the second night of the Democratic convention. (Photo: AFP/POOL)

The convention is to culminate on Thursday when the 77-year-old Biden will formally accept the Democratic nomination and deliver his acceptance speech.

US presidential nominating conventions are traditionally raucous events featuring rousing speeches, balloons and confetti and thousands of delegates from around the country.

But the Democratic convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and next week's Republican event in North Carolina have been forced to go almost entirely online because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Larry Saboto, a professor of politics at the University of Virginia, gave the Democrats' virtual convention a thumbs-up after the first day.

"This show, this longest political TV ad ever, isn't designed for the junkies but for people who dip in for 10 minutes before going back to Netflix," Sabato said. "And that's smart."

Actress Eva Longoria served as the emcee on the opening night. (Photo: AFP/Handout)

Biden is leading Trump in the polls ahead of the Nov 3 election and the Republican incumbent has been desperately seeking to persuade Americans that the COVID-19 crisis is behind them and that the situation is improving.

"My Administration and I built the greatest economy in history, of any country, turned it off, saved millions of lives, and now am building an even greater economy than it was before," Trump tweeted on Tuesday.

READ: Drawing criticism, Trump says he will accept Republican nomination 'live from the White House'

Trump also continued his attacks on mail-in voting, insisting without proof that it was "going to be a disaster the likes of which our country has never seen.

"It'll end up being a rigged election or they will never come out with an outcome," he said. "They'll have to do it again and nobody wants that. And I don't want that."

Trump has threatened to block extra funding that Democrats say is urgently needed to allow the US Postal Service to process millions of ballots.

While Democrats hold their convention, Trump has been visiting battleground states.

He visited Minnesota and Wisconsin on Monday and plans to go to Iowa and Arizona on Tuesday.

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2020-08-18 17:12:11Z
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Trump erupts angrily at Michelle Obama's convention takedown - The Straits Times

MILWAUKEE (AFP) - President Donald Trump erupted angrily on Tuesday (Aug 18) after former first lady Michelle Obama said he was "in over his head" in a blistering speech at the Democratic convention.

Mrs Obama's keynote speech on the first night of the convention to nominate Mr Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate hammered at Mr Trump as a hapless, divisive leader who has not measured up to the challenge of taking on the Covid-19 pandemic and mass economic fallout.

Mr Trump waited until early on Tuesday to respond, launching a broadside that also attacked his predecessor Barack Obama and Mr Biden, who served as Mr Obama's vice-president for two terms.

"Somebody please explain to @MichelleObama that Donald J. Trump would not be here, in the beautiful White House, if it weren't for the job done by your husband, Barack Obama," Mr Trump wrote.

"Biden was merely an afterthought, a good reason for that very late & unenthusiastic endorsement."

Mr Trump, who had been running on the strong US economy until the coronavirus shutdown pushed millions of people into unemployment, repeated assurances that the situation is rapidly improving.

Polls show Mr Biden currently ahead of Mr Trump in the Nov 3 election. The Republicans will have their convention to nominate Mr Trump for a second term next week.

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2020-08-18 13:09:02Z
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New virus strain genetically more fit, not more transmissible or deadly: Expert | THE BIG STORY - The Straits Times

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2020-08-18 10:04:25Z
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Surge in cases in countries that contained coronavirus in early months signals move to new phase, says WHO - The Straits Times

SINGAPORE - The recent surge in Covid-19 cases in countries that had managed to contain the pandemic in its early months actually marks their move to a new phase for which they are better prepared, said a senior World Health Organisation official.

Dr Takeshi Kasai, WHO's regional director for the Western Pacific, said at a virtual press conference on Tuesday (Aug 18): "What we are observing is not simply a resurgence. We believe it's a signal that we've entered a new phase of the pandemic in the Asia Pacific.

"In this phase, countries are increasingly able to minimise large-scale disruptions to people's lives and economies."

Countries such as Japan, Vietnam, South Korea and Australia had moved quickly to contain Covid-19 in the early months of the epidemic, but are now fighting new surges.

In some cases, the second wave is larger than their initial outbreaks, said Dr Kasai.

The surge in cases comes because countries have relaxed their earlier stringent measures as they move towards reopening their economies.

He said these countries "will need to deal with multiple increases or surges, but in a sustainable way".

They need to have "earlier targeted response" to prevent "big disruptions to the economy and people's lives".

They should continue to improve their healthcare system, and protect the vulnerable.

And people in these countries need to "maintain their healthy behaviour, not just protecting themselves, but their family, communities", and for businesses to find ways to operate, while minimising the risk of the virus spreading.

Dr Kasai said: "By combining early detection and rapid response to emerging infections, and people sticking to the prevention measures that are part of the new normal, many (countries) are now detecting outbreaks earlier and responding to them faster, with more targeted intervention."

This agile approach will help them to restore their health systems, societies and economies.

Dr Kasai added: "The direction that the epidemic now takes depends on the actions of governments and people across the region."

The WHO's Western Pacific region includes China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia and the Pacific island states, among others.

Asked about moves by some countries to open up for international travel, which has practically come to a standstill, Dr Kasai said countries should adopt "a risk-based approach".

They need to look at where people are travelling to and from, and the status of the outbreak in those countries.

Other considerations include the kind of people coming into the country, and the control or intervention that can be put in place.

He said: "This requires continuous information sharing and assessment, and dialogue between the countries."

Meanwhile, countries planning to open up "need to continue to improve their surveillance system, and share that information".

They must come up with an agreement with the other countries that allow travel on how to manage those who are travelling, so any problems are spotted and dealt with as early as possible.

On the effect of mutation of the coronavirus, Dr Kasai said that based on the thousands of gene sequences available, this is a relatively stable virus, and will not affect work on a vaccine.

He said the "significant investments in health emergency preparedness made over several years" by countries in the region are paying off, and is one reason for the comparatively low Covid-19 numbers here.

One lesson learnt during the pandemic is that a country's response capacity has to be scalable, to match the size of the outbreak.

Dr Kasai concluded: "Covid-19 will be with us for the foreseeable future. We know it's a long and difficult stretch, and we will face setbacks. But we must keep trying, learning and doing it together.

"How we fare is up to each and every one of us. If we make the right choices every day, we will come out of this as safe and as strong as possible."

Hong Kong leader says won't take US sanctions against her to heart - CNA

HONG KONG: Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said on Tuesday (Aug 18) she was not too bothered about US sanctions against her but the Chinese-ruled city will complain to the World Trade Organization (WTO) about a new US requirement on Hong Kong-made products.

The United States this month imposed sanctions on Lam and other current and former Hong Kong and mainland officials whom Washington accuses of curtailing political freedom in the financial hub.

"Despite some inconvenience in my personal affairs, it is nothing I would take to heart," Lam told a weekly news conference.

"We will continue to do what is right for the country and for Hong Kong."

The sanctions came in response to China's imposition of a sweeping national security law on the semi-autonomous city after prolonged anti-China, pro-democracy protests last year.

The legislation punishes anything China considers secession, subversion, terrorism or collusion with foreign forces with up to life in prison and has drawn criticism from Western countries that worry the law will end the freedoms promised when the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

READ: Hong Kong Carrie Lam leader returns Cambridge fellowship over rights row

The sanctions freeze any US assets of the officials targeted and bar Americans from doing business with them.

Lam said that while she could not travel to the United States herself, her government would continue to promote Hong Kong to US businesses.

The US government has also required goods made in the former British colony for export to the United States to be labelled as made in China after Sep 25.

Lam said Hong Kong and China were separate WTO members and Hong Kong would lodge a complaint against the US decision.

The Hong Kong government initially denounced the US sanctions as "shameless and despicable" and "blatant and barbaric" interference in China's internal affairs.

Beijing and Lam's government have defended the national security law as necessary for the city's stability and prosperity, and they said imposing it was China's legitimate right.

READ: China's polarising new security law: Sunset for Hong Kong, or a return to stability?

Asked about the international community's criticism of last week's arrest of pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai, and the search of his Apple Daily newsroom by some 200 police officers, Lam said she could not comment on individual cases, but warned of "double standards" in concerns expressed by other countries.

She said the government's decision to postpone elections for the city's legislature for a year amid a resurgence in coronavirus cases was criticised by countries that did not level similar criticism of other governments that postponed votes.

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2020-08-18 05:12:29Z
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Senin, 17 Agustus 2020

Michelle Obama launches scathing attack on Trump's leadership, says Biden will end the chaos - CNA

WASHINGTON: Former first lady Michelle Obama launched a scathing attack on President Donald Trump on the first night of the Democratic National Convention on Monday (Aug 17), calling him the "wrong president" for the country and urging Americans to elect Joe Biden in November to end the chaos created by Trump's presidency.

While acknowledging she did not care much for politics, Obama said Biden's steady and empathetic approach to problems was the answer and urged voters to stand in line or do whatever it takes to ensure they can beat Trump.

"Whenever we look to this White House for some leadership or consolation or any semblance of steadiness, what we get instead is chaos, division, and a total and utter lack of empathy," Obama said, adding Trump was "in over his head" as president.

READ: Drawing criticism, Trump says he will accept Republican nomination 'live from the White House'

"So if you take one thing from my words tonight, it is this: If you think things cannot possibly get worse, trust me, they can; and they will if we don’t make a change in this election. If we have any hope of ending this chaos, we have got to vote for Joe Biden like our lives depend on it."

Obama, whose husband Barack Obama was president when Biden was vice president from 2009-2017, capped a long parade of speakers, including some of Trump's fellow Republicans, who made the case for Biden at the start of his four-day nominating convention.

Former rival Bernie Sanders and prominent Republican John Kasich said Biden's steady approach to problems was needed to confront the coronavirus pandemic, economic woes and racial injustice.

"Joe Biden will end the hate and division Trump has created. He will stop the demonisation of immigrants, the coddling of white nationalists, the racist dog-whistling, the religious bigotry and the ugly attacks on women," said Sanders, a US senator and Biden's top primary rival.

The coronavirus pandemic forced Biden's Democrats to overhaul the convention, largely eliminating the in-person gathering planned for Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and turning it into two-hour, prime-time packages of virtual speeches and events from around the country.

The convention featured discussions with voters who described their struggles confronting the virus and coping with the slumping economy and healthcare.

Joe Biden Aug 18 — Democratic US presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden appears by video feed from Delaware to question voters about their situations at the start of the virtual 2020 Democratic National Convention. (Photo: Reuters)

Kristin Urquiza, who lost her father to COVID-19, blamed Trump's mismanagement of the pandemic for his death.

"My dad was a healthy 65-year-old. His only pre-existing condition was trusting Donald Trump, and for that, he paid with his life," she said. "When I cast my vote for Joe Biden, I will do it for my Dad."

READ: Former rival Sanders, Republican Kasich to back Biden at Democratic convention debut

The convention opened amid widespread worries about the safety of voting in November because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Democrats have pushed mail-in ballots as a safe alternative, but fear it could be hindered by cost cuts at the Postal Service that, under Louis DeJoy, a top Trump donor, have led to delays in mail service.

"The president may hate the Post Office, but he's still going to have to send them a change of address card come January," said US Senator Amy Klobuchar, who ran unsuccessfully against Biden in the 2020 primary.

The convention also highlighted a call for a broad racial reckoning over systemic racism and police brutality amid protests that broke out after the death of African American George Floyd in Minnesota under the knee of a white policeman.

Speaking from Houston, Floyd's brother Philonise Floyd introduced a moment of silence and honored other Black victims of police violence.

"So, it's up to us to carry on the fight for justice. Our actions will be their legacies," Floyd said.

A video showed Biden speaking virtually with activists and officials around the country about ways to battle racism.

Jim Clyburn, the influential US Representative from South Carolina whose endorsement of Biden was critical to his breakthrough primary victory in that state in February, said Biden understood the need to unify people was part of presidential leadership.

"Joe Biden is as good a man as he is a leader," Clyburn said from South Carolina.

"We know Joe Biden, but more importantly Joe knows us."

COUNTRY AT A CROSSROADS

Kasich, a former Ohio governor and frequent Trump critic who lost to Trump in the 2016 Republican primary, described his opposition to Trump as a patriotic duty and said the country was at a crossroads.

"I'm a lifelong Republican, but that attachment holds second place to my responsibility to my country," he said.

Standing literally at a fork in a road, he called Biden "a man who can help us see the humanity in each other".

Speaking to reporters on Air Force One, Trump said Kasich "was a loser as a Republican and he'll be a loser as a Democrat".

Other Republicans on the speakers list included former New Jersey Governor Christine Todd Whitman and former Hewlett Packard Enterprise Chief Executive Meg Whitman.

"Donald Trump has no clue how to run a business, let alone an economy. Joe Biden, on the other hand, has a plan that will strengthen our economy for working people and small business owners," Meg Whitman said.

The inclusion of Republican speakers angered some Democrats who voiced concern it would take time away from progressive speakers like Sanders of Vermont and US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

But Cedric Richmond, a Louisiana congressman and Biden campaign co-chair, pushed back against that idea, telling reporters earlier in the day, "Remember tonight's theme is 'We the People,' not 'We the Democrats.'"

In a break with tradition, Trump looked to steal Biden's spotlight by crisscrossing the United States in a campaign swing to Wisconsin and Minnesota. Candidates usually limit their activities during their opponents' convention week.

Biden, 77, leads Trump, 74, in national opinion polls heading into back-to-back convention weeks for the two political parties.

Trump will be formally nominated for a second term at next week's Republican National Convention, which also has been scaled back due to coronavirus concerns.

Speaking at a fundraiser before the convention's prime-time broadcast, Biden, 77, said: "We've got to unite this country. It's the only way it's going to work."

Biden, who was vice president under Barack Obama, will be formally nominated on Tuesday to be the Democratic challenger to Trump, 74, in the Nov 3 election. Biden's acceptance speech on Thursday will cap the convention.

Biden's vice-presidential pick, US Senator Kamala Harris of California, the daughter of immigrant parents from India and Jamaica, will speak on Wednesday.

Democrats hope the opening night lineup will offer a contrast to 2016, when lingering bitterness between rivals Sanders and nominee Hillary Clinton contributed to her eventual loss to Trump.

This year, Sanders dropped out of the primary race in April and swiftly endorsed Biden.

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2020-08-18 03:45:00Z
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Infectious Covid-19 mutation may be 'a good thing', says disease expert Paul Tambyah - TODAYonline

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2020-08-18 03:07:43Z
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Selasa, 18 Agustus 2020

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Senin, 17 Agustus 2020