International
Trump will take US backward, Kamala Harris says at first rally
Trump will take US backward, Kamala Harris says at first rally
US Vice-President Kamala Harris has gone on the offensive against Donald Trump in the first rally of her White House campaign, portraying November’s election as a choice between a former prosecutor and a convicted felon.
Speaking to a crowd of about 3,000 in the battleground state of Wisconsin, Ms Harris likened her Republican opponent to fraudsters she said she had prosecuted.
Trump, meanwhile, assailed her record on the border, and posted on social media: “Lyin’ Kamala Harris destroys everything she touches!”
It comes a day after she secured the support of a majority of Democratic delegates, paving the way for her to become the party’s nominee.
On Sunday afternoon, President Joe Biden announced he was withdrawing from the race and endorsed his vice-president amid mounting pressure from top Democrats and donors following his disastrous debate against Trump in late June.
The fledgling Harris campaign raised a staggering $100m plus (£77m) in the 36 hours after Mr Biden’s exit.
Adding to her momentum, a new national poll from Reuters and Ipsos shows her with a two-point lead over Trump, 44% to 42%.
Taking the stage to applause at a high school in a suburb of Milwaukee on Tuesday, Ms Harris highlighted her experience as California’s attorney general.
“I took on perpetrators of all kinds,” she said. “Predators who abused women. Fraudsters who ripped off consumers. Cheaters who broke the rules for their own gain.”
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“So hear me when I say I know Donald Trump’s type,” Ms Harris added. “In this campaign, I promise you, I will proudly put my record against his any day of the week.”
In response, the crowd shouted “Kamala! Kamala!” Some observers noted that the audience’s enthusiasm contrasted with that seen at Biden events this electoral cycle.
When her Republican opponent’s name was mentioned, many attendees chanted “lock him up”, echoing a similar refrain at Trump events when he was running against Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Trump, meanwhile, posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, about a poll finding that Ms Harris was the most unpopular vice-president in US history.
He also shared a post noting that she was rated by the non-partisan congressional scorekeeper GovTrack as one of the most left-wing among dozens of Democratic senators during her tenure.
Ms Harris laid out a number of liberal priorities in her speech, on gun control and abortion access, as well as child poverty, union rights and affordable healthcare.
“Do we want to live in a country of freedom, compassion and rule of law, or a country of chaos, fear and hate?” she said.
Whether Ms Harris can maintain her momentum is unclear. In a memo released Tuesday, pollster Tony Fabrizio predicted her “honeymoon” period with voters would end and that there would be a “refocus on her role as Biden’s partner and co-pilot”.
The Trump campaign is attacking Ms Harris’ “failure” to stem a record influx of illegal immigrants at the US-Mexico border. It has also signalled that it will slam the Biden-Harris administration’s record on crime and inflation.
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A Tuesday afternoon email from the Republican nominee’s team accused her of bailing out “accused murderers, rapists and other violent offenders”, insulting Israel and deceiving the US public about Mr Biden’s “cognitive decline”.
During a call with reporters, Trump said of Ms Harris: “She’s a radical left person, but this country doesn’t want a radical left person to destroy it.
“I think she should be easier than Biden, because he was slightly more mainstream, but not much.”
Trump also said he was open to debating her in September, when he was originally due to face Biden on ABC News.
“I haven’t agreed to anything,” he said. “I agreed to a debate with Joe Biden. But I want to debate her. She’ll be no different.”
Most Democratic lawmakers – including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer – have already endorsed Ms Harris’ candidacy.
Entertainers George Clooney, Barbra Streisand and Jamie Lee Curtis and other Hollywood stars have also endorsed her, potentially unlocking further substantial donations to her campaign.
Her campaign is still vetting potential running mates.
On Wednesday, President Biden will deliver an Oval Office speech explaining his decision to withdraw. He arrived back at the White House on Tuesday after several days away from the public eye as he recovered from Covid.
In Washington, a Republican member of the US House of Representatives introduced articles of impeachment against Ms Harris.
The resolution, written by Tennessee’s Andy Ogles, accuses her of high crimes and misdemeanours over her handling of immigration at the border.
It is considered unlikely to advance.
Trump will take US backward, Kamala Harris says at first rally
BBC
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International
Andy Burnham Declares Bid to Succeed Keir Starmer as UK Prime Minister
Andy Burnham Declares Bid to Succeed Keir Starmer as UK Prime Minister
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International
Trump Predicts Starmer’s Resignation, Blames UK PM’s Immigration, Energy Policies
Trump Predicts Starmer’s Resignation, Blames UK PM’s Immigration, Energy Policies
United States President Donald Trump has sparked fresh political debate in Britain after predicting that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will eventually resign from office, citing what he described as failures in tackling two of the country’s most pressing challenges — immigration and energy policy.
Trump made the remarks in a post published on his Truth Social platform, where he criticised Starmer’s handling of border control and the British government’s approach to energy production.
“Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. He failed badly on two very important subjects – immigration and energy (open North Sea oil!). I wish him well!” Trump wrote.
The statement marks the latest in a series of public criticisms directed by the American president at the British leader and comes at a time when Starmer is facing growing political scrutiny at home.
Trump has repeatedly argued that Britain should increase oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, insisting that greater domestic energy production would strengthen the economy, improve energy security and reduce dependence on external energy sources.
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The US president has also been vocal in his criticism of policies aimed at accelerating the transition to renewable energy, warning that excessive reliance on green energy initiatives could weaken industrial competitiveness and drive up costs for consumers and businesses.
His latest comments reflect a broader disagreement between Washington and London over energy priorities. While the Starmer government has maintained its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions and expanding clean energy infrastructure, Trump has consistently advocated for increased fossil fuel production and energy independence.
The American leader’s intervention comes as political pressure continues to mount on the Labour government.
In recent weeks, reports from British media have pointed to increasing concerns within the ruling Labour Party over the government’s performance, electoral standing and long-term political direction.
Several ministers have reportedly stepped down from government positions in recent months, while growing calls have emerged from within Labour ranks for greater clarity regarding Starmer’s future leadership plans.
The pressure intensified following a strong by-election performance by Labour figure Andy Burnham, whose political success has fuelled speculation about possible leadership changes within the party.
Supporters of Burnham argue that his electoral appeal demonstrates an ability to reconnect with voters and challenge the growing influence of rival political movements, particularly Reform UK, which has continued to gain traction among disaffected voters.
Reports in the British press have suggested that some Labour lawmakers have privately encouraged discussions about a future leadership transition, while others have urged Starmer to provide assurances regarding his political intentions ahead of future elections.
Despite the speculation, there has been no official indication from Downing Street that the Prime Minister intends to resign.
Starmer has publicly maintained that he remains committed to leading the government and continuing the implementation of Labour’s policy agenda.
Political analysts note that Trump’s remarks are unusual because they go beyond criticism of government policy and directly predict the departure of a sitting foreign leader.
The comments have also reignited debate about the future of Britain’s energy strategy, immigration policies and the political challenges facing the Labour government as it seeks to maintain public support amid economic and social pressures.
Observers say the Prime Minister’s ability to manage internal party concerns, address voter dissatisfaction and deliver on key policy promises could prove crucial in determining the stability of his leadership in the months ahead.
For now, Starmer remains in office, but Trump’s intervention has added a new international dimension to an already intense political debate over the future direction of British politics.
As discussions over immigration, energy security and economic growth continue to dominate public discourse, the exchange between the two leaders is likely to remain a major talking point on both sides of the Atlantic.
Trump Predicts Starmer’s Resignation, Blames UK PM’s Immigration, Energy Policies
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International
Trump Warns Iran: ‘Close Hormuz and You Won’t Have a Country’ as Geneva Talks Open
Trump Warns Iran: ‘Close Hormuz and You Won’t Have a Country’ as Geneva Talks Open
United States President Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, demanding that Tehran immediately halt support for its proxies in Lebanon or face escalated military action. The threat comes as American and Iranian delegations engage in high-stakes negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, aimed at implementing a fragile peace framework signed earlier this month. “Iran must immediately stop their highly paid PROXIES in Lebanon from causing trouble,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “If they don’t, we’ll hit Iran very hard again, just like we did last week, only harder!!!” .
The US president’s remarks appeared to target Hezbollah, Iran’s most powerful regional ally, which has remained involved in clashes linked to ongoing tensions in southern Lebanon. The warning lands at a delicate moment for the peace process, as Vice President JD Vance leads the US delegation in talks focused on implementing a preliminary memorandum of understanding signed earlier this month. The memorandum includes provisions for a ceasefire in Lebanon, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and broader negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme. The talks, being mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, were originally scheduled for Friday but were postponed after Israeli military escalation in Lebanon disrupted the diplomatic timetable.
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Israel and Hezbollah have continued trading accusations of ceasefire violations, with Israeli strikes killing at least 20 people in Lebanon on Saturday, Lebanon’s state news agency NNA reported. Hezbollah accused Israel of committing hundreds of ceasefire violations and warned that continued attacks “will not pass without a response”. The renewed violence casts doubt on the durability of both the ceasefire and the broader US-Iran understanding that hinges in part on ending hostilities in Lebanon.
The situation was further complicated by Iran’s announcement that the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed as long as the Lebanon ceasefire is not respected. Iran’s Tasnim news agency reported on Sunday that the waterway would also remain closed until waivers allowing the sale of Iranian oil were issued. The strait, a critical oil shipping route, was blockaded by Iran for much of the war, sending shockwaves through global energy markets. Trump has warned Iran against closing the strait, telling Fox News: “You close it, and you won’t have a country. You won’t even make it back to your f**ing country”. He also threatened that the US could take over the strait, saying, “We may take over the Strait, if we have to. I’ll blow the sht out of them”. Trump proposed that the United States could become the “Guardian Angel” of the Strait of Hormuz and take “20% of the oil” if Iran fails to reach a deal. “If they don’t make a deal, we’ll collect tolls,” he added.
Vance has expressed cautious optimism about the talks, saying Washington wanted Iran to play a positive role in efforts for peace while stressing that Trump was committed to seeing a full regional ceasefire. The US vice president praised Pakistan’s mediatory role, stating that Pakistan’s contribution had been appreciated around the world. He said the technical negotiations “may not solve every disagreement, but it will allow us to sit together as teams for the first time in history”. The Iran delegation in Geneva includes parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, along with central bank and oil officials. Qatari and Pakistani mediators are also taking part in the talks. Neither Israel, Hezbollah nor the Lebanese government are party to the talks in Switzerland. Allowing Iran to introduce the Israel-Hezbollah conflict into the negotiations marks a shift in US strategy. The preliminary agreement gives negotiators 60 days to reach a final deal, including on Iran’s nuclear programme, though officials acknowledge the timeline may be extended. Iranian officials have said Lebanon is the focal point for peace talks with the United States, and Tehran has insisted that Israeli attacks on Lebanon must end before substantive talks can resume.
Trump Warns Iran: ‘Close Hormuz and You Won’t Have a Country’ as Geneva Talks Open
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