Obama blasts Trump for cosying up to America’s adversaries


Layla Mashkoor
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Former US president Barack Obama hit out at Donald Trump's record on foreign policy, coronavirus and racial equality during a campaign visit to Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday.

Adjusting to the effects of Covid-19, Mr Obama hosted a drive-in rally, with people confined to their cars, and urged residents in the swing state to vote for Democrat Joe Biden.

In the lead-up to the election, Mr Obama has increasingly departed from his usually restrained tone to criticise his successor’s record.

"A president shouldn't make things worse," he said.

Mr Obama criticised the president for walking out on an interview with 60 Minutes journalist Leslie Stahl.

"Our current president, he whines that 60 Minutes is too tough," he said. "You think he's going to stand up to dictators? He thinks Leslie Stahl's a bully."

Mr Obama admonished the Trump administration for cosying up to America’s adversaries.

"He said that Putin of Russia, Xi of China and Kim Jong-un of North Korea want him to win. We know.

"We know because you've been giving them whatever they want for the last four years.

"Of course they want you to win. That's not a good thing. You shouldn't brag."

Mr Obama said Mr Trump showed “incompetence and disinterest” in managing the worsening coronavirus outbreak.

The US has been reporting record-high Covid-19 infections this week, with an average of 71,000 daily new infections.

Mr Obama expressed alarm over the second Covid-19 outbreak in the White House, with aides to Vice President Mike Pence being infected with the virus.

He accused the Republican leadership of turning the White House into a “hot zone”.

Mr Trump, he said, was “jealous of Covid’s media coverage”.

"Tweeting at the TV doesn't fix things," Mr Obama said. "Watching TV all day doesn't fix things. Making stuff up doesn't fix things.

"You've got to have a plan if you want to make people's lives better."

He also reacted to controversial remarks made on Monday by White House senior adviser Jared Kushner about the African-American community.

"His son-in-law says black folks have to want to be successful," Mr Obama said. "That's the problem.

"Who are these folks? What history books do they read? Who do they talk to?"

Joe Biden supporters look on from their vehicles while former President Barack Obama campaigns in Orlando, Florida. Getty Images / AFP
Joe Biden supporters look on from their vehicles while former President Barack Obama campaigns in Orlando, Florida. Getty Images / AFP

In neighbouring Georgia, Mr Biden looked to win over voters in a state that has not backed a Democrat for president since 1992.

Mr Biden's running mate, Kamala Harris, announced she had again tested negative for Covid-19 as she headed for the historically Republican states of Arizona and Texas.

The Biden campaign is using its final days trying to sway voters in typically “red” states by reaching out to young, non-white and anti-Trump suburban voters.

Elsewhere, Melania Trump hosted her first solo campaign event in the battleground state of Pennsylvania. She was joined by former Trump counsellor Kellyanne Conway for the indoor rally in Atglen.

Both women have recently recovered from Covid-19 infection. Ms Trump said she was “feeling so much better thanks to healthy living” and “therapeutic treatments”.

The first lady delivered a rigid speech as she read off a teleprompter.

Throughout the campaign she has often delivered a more balanced tone in contrast to Mr Trump’s controversial remarks.

The president has packed his campaign schedule in the final week before the election, sometimes visiting two states in one day.

Mr Trump is focusing his efforts on swing states, with a trip to Michigan’s capital Lansing on Monday followed by a trip to Wisconsin.

Before leaving the White House, he called the voting system into question.

"It would be very, very proper and very nice if a winner were declared on November 3 instead of counting ballots for two weeks, which is totally inappropriate and I don't believe that's by our laws," Mr Trump said.

He has repeatedly suggested that an increase in mail voting will lead to election fraud, although experts say it is secure and safe.

Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now

There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:

1. Rising US interest rates

The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.

Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”

At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.

2. Stronger dollar

High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.” 

3. Global trade war

Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”

4. Eurozone uncertainty

Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.

Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”

The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”

Temple numbers

Expected completion: 2022

Height: 24 meters

Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people

Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people

First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time

First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres  

Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres

Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor 

Vidaamuyarchi

Director: Magizh Thirumeni

Stars: Ajith Kumar, Arjun Sarja, Trisha Krishnan, Regina Cassandra

Rating: 4/5

 

Results
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