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Coronavirus US live: Trump's decision to cut WHO funding sparks outrage Coronavirus US live: Trump's decision to cut WHO funding sparks outrage
(32 minutes later)
Trump’s announcement yesterday that he would cut off US funding to the World Health Organization deemed ‘dangerous’ and ‘obscene’Trump’s announcement yesterday that he would cut off US funding to the World Health Organization deemed ‘dangerous’ and ‘obscene’
Joe Biden released a statement thanking Elizabeth Warren for her endorsement and suggesting her campaign proposals would be a prominent part of his platform.
“By centering her campaign in the importance of ideas and comprehensive policy plans, she helped set a high-water mark for what our politics can be at their best — authentic and service-oriented, focused on how we can deliver the most help to the most people,” Biden said in a statement.
“And I’ve been proud to work with her over the past few weeks to identify and adopt important policy proposals that will strengthen us as a people.”
Biden has already adopted Warren’s bankruptcy plan, which would largely undo a 2005 bill that Biden championed and Warren fought stridently against.
“At a moment of crisis for our nation, Senator Warren’s ideas will be more important than ever as we chart a path forward,” Biden said.
Joe Biden continues to pick up endorsements from prominent Democrats, including House intelligence committee chairman Adam Schiff.
“As we face a global pandemic with increasingly severe economic and public health implications, it is more important than ever that we have a President who places the interests of the American people first and knows how to lead,” Schiff said in a statement released by Biden’s campaign.
“At this moment in time, when so much depends upon the vision and judgment of our nation’s leadership, Joe Biden is uniquely qualified to step into the Presidency and lead us out of this crisis and to a promising future. We need Joe in the White House and I will be doing all I can to make sure he is successful.”
The endorsement could potentially spark a reaction from Trump, considering the president repeatedly lashed out against Schiff when the congressman served as the lead impeachment manager during Trump’s Senate trial.
Independent congressman Justin Amash said he has stopped actively campaigning for his House seat and is considering launching a presidential campaign as a libertarian.Independent congressman Justin Amash said he has stopped actively campaigning for his House seat and is considering launching a presidential campaign as a libertarian.
“He has been discussing the potential campaign with his family, his friends, his team, and others, and a decision can be expected soon,” Amash’s team said in a statement to CNN.“He has been discussing the potential campaign with his family, his friends, his team, and others, and a decision can be expected soon,” Amash’s team said in a statement to CNN.
Amash left the Republican party last year, citing his frustration with Trump’s presidency. When Trump falsely claimed on Monday that he has “total” authority to reopen the economy, Amash said the American people deserved “another option.”Amash left the Republican party last year, citing his frustration with Trump’s presidency. When Trump falsely claimed on Monday that he has “total” authority to reopen the economy, Amash said the American people deserved “another option.”
After Bernie Sanders dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary last week, making Joe Biden the presumptive nominee, Amash tweeted, “Trump versus Biden is not the contest America deserves or the one it needs right now.”After Bernie Sanders dropped out of the Democratic presidential primary last week, making Joe Biden the presumptive nominee, Amash tweeted, “Trump versus Biden is not the contest America deserves or the one it needs right now.”
Although Amash would have virtually no chance of winning the presidency if he launched a third-party campaign, his bid could draw votes away from the two main candidates.Although Amash would have virtually no chance of winning the presidency if he launched a third-party campaign, his bid could draw votes away from the two main candidates.
However, it’s difficult to predict whether Amash would draw more votes away from Biden or Trump, so his candidacy could ultimately help the president win reelection.However, it’s difficult to predict whether Amash would draw more votes away from Biden or Trump, so his candidacy could ultimately help the president win reelection.
More than 2 million cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed worldwide, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.More than 2 million cases of coronavirus have now been confirmed worldwide, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University.
The US has confirmed the highest number of cases, with at least 600,000 Americans being diagnosed with coronavirus in recent weeks.The US has confirmed the highest number of cases, with at least 600,000 Americans being diagnosed with coronavirus in recent weeks.
The global death toll has climbed to 128,071, while the US death toll has reached 26,059.The global death toll has climbed to 128,071, while the US death toll has reached 26,059.
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also said millennials have been devastated by two global events ten years apart: the financial crisis and the coronavirus pandemic.Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez also said millennials have been devastated by two global events ten years apart: the financial crisis and the coronavirus pandemic.
“Millennials have been totally screwed,” the New York Democrat told Politico. “Millennials graduated and a recession hit just as we were starting our careers.”“Millennials have been totally screwed,” the New York Democrat told Politico. “Millennials graduated and a recession hit just as we were starting our careers.”
The 30-year-old congresswoman added that the coronavirus pandemic struck as millennials were reaching the “formative parts” of their careers.The 30-year-old congresswoman added that the coronavirus pandemic struck as millennials were reaching the “formative parts” of their careers.
The Atlantic’s Annie Lowrey wrote in a piece published earlier this week:The Atlantic’s Annie Lowrey wrote in a piece published earlier this week:
Progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told Politico that her team has been “in touch” with Joe Biden’s campaign.Progressive congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez told Politico that her team has been “in touch” with Joe Biden’s campaign.
Ocasio-Cortez originally endorsed Bernie Sanders and served as one of the Vermont senator’s most prominent surrogates, but Sanders dropped out of the race last week and has since endorsed Biden.Ocasio-Cortez originally endorsed Bernie Sanders and served as one of the Vermont senator’s most prominent surrogates, but Sanders dropped out of the race last week and has since endorsed Biden.
The congresswoman told the New York Times in an interview published earlier this week that the Biden campaign had not yet reached out to her, sparking some anger among her many Democratic fans.The congresswoman told the New York Times in an interview published earlier this week that the Biden campaign had not yet reached out to her, sparking some anger among her many Democratic fans.
Ocasio-Cortez has previously said she would support Biden if he won the nomination, but the New York lawmaker made clear in her Times interview that she would like to see some changes to the Democratic platform, such as further lowering the Medicare eligibility age. Biden has said he would lower it to 60, which Ocasio-Cortez called “almost insulting.”Ocasio-Cortez has previously said she would support Biden if he won the nomination, but the New York lawmaker made clear in her Times interview that she would like to see some changes to the Democratic platform, such as further lowering the Medicare eligibility age. Biden has said he would lower it to 60, which Ocasio-Cortez called “almost insulting.”
Wisconsin senator Tammy Baldwin also announced her endorsement of Joe Biden this morning, as the presumptive nominee continues to consolidate support among prominent Democrats.Wisconsin senator Tammy Baldwin also announced her endorsement of Joe Biden this morning, as the presumptive nominee continues to consolidate support among prominent Democrats.
“From making it harder for people to afford their health care, to senseless trade wars that have hurt our dairy farmers and workers, Donald Trump’s policies have not worked for Wisconsin families,” Baldwin said in a video announcing the endorsement.“From making it harder for people to afford their health care, to senseless trade wars that have hurt our dairy farmers and workers, Donald Trump’s policies have not worked for Wisconsin families,” Baldwin said in a video announcing the endorsement.
“Now more than ever, our families are wondering where they’re going to get their next paycheck or can they keep their small businesses afloat. They need a champion in the White House and that champion is Joe Biden.”“Now more than ever, our families are wondering where they’re going to get their next paycheck or can they keep their small businesses afloat. They need a champion in the White House and that champion is Joe Biden.”
Baldwin could become a crucial surrogate for Biden, considering Wisconsin narrowly voted for Trump in 2016 and Democrats hope to recapture the battleground state in November.Baldwin could become a crucial surrogate for Biden, considering Wisconsin narrowly voted for Trump in 2016 and Democrats hope to recapture the battleground state in November.
Joe Biden has received a string of endorsements from fellow Democrats this week, as the party seeks to unify before the November general election.Joe Biden has received a string of endorsements from fellow Democrats this week, as the party seeks to unify before the November general election.
Both Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, who disagreed with Biden during the presidential primary on issues ranging from health care to college debt relief, have now endorsed him and explicitly asked their supporters to back him.Both Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, who disagreed with Biden during the presidential primary on issues ranging from health care to college debt relief, have now endorsed him and explicitly asked their supporters to back him.
It seems Democrats are trying to avoid a repeat of 2016, when Sanders and Hillary Clinton battled through a contentious primary that left many of Sanders’ supporters frustrated with the Democratic nominee.It seems Democrats are trying to avoid a repeat of 2016, when Sanders and Hillary Clinton battled through a contentious primary that left many of Sanders’ supporters frustrated with the Democratic nominee.
Some Democrats have cited the frustration among Sanders’ supporters as one factor that led to Clinton’s loss to Trump, especially considering how states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania were decided by less than 1 point.Some Democrats have cited the frustration among Sanders’ supporters as one factor that led to Clinton’s loss to Trump, especially considering how states like Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania were decided by less than 1 point.
Elizabeth Warren’s video endorsing Joe Biden acknowledges that the two Democrats have many differing policy views, which were underscored during the primary.Elizabeth Warren’s video endorsing Joe Biden acknowledges that the two Democrats have many differing policy views, which were underscored during the primary.
“Among all the other candidates I competed with in the Democratic primary this year, there’s no one who I’ve agreed with 100% of the time over the years,” Warren says in the video announcing her endorsement.“Among all the other candidates I competed with in the Democratic primary this year, there’s no one who I’ve agreed with 100% of the time over the years,” Warren says in the video announcing her endorsement.
“But one thing I appreciate about Joe Biden is that he will always tell you where he stands. When you disagree, he’ll listen — not just listen, but really hear you. And treat you with respect, no matter where you’re coming from. And he has shown throughout this campaign that when you come with new facts or a good argument, he’s not too afraid or too proud to be persuaded.”“But one thing I appreciate about Joe Biden is that he will always tell you where he stands. When you disagree, he’ll listen — not just listen, but really hear you. And treat you with respect, no matter where you’re coming from. And he has shown throughout this campaign that when you come with new facts or a good argument, he’s not too afraid or too proud to be persuaded.”
When Bernie Sanders announced his endorsement of Biden earlier this week, Biden said he would need Sanders’ help “not just to win the campaign but to govern,” indicating the presumptive nominee may consult with his former primary rivals as he moves toward the general election.When Bernie Sanders announced his endorsement of Biden earlier this week, Biden said he would need Sanders’ help “not just to win the campaign but to govern,” indicating the presumptive nominee may consult with his former primary rivals as he moves toward the general election.
Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren has endorsed Joe Biden’s presidential bid, an announcement that comes a month after Warren suspended her own campaign for the White House.Democratic senator Elizabeth Warren has endorsed Joe Biden’s presidential bid, an announcement that comes a month after Warren suspended her own campaign for the White House.
In a statement announcing the endorsement, Warren applauded Biden for his long record of government service and issued an explicit warning about the dangers of having Trump in the White House amid a global crisis.In a statement announcing the endorsement, Warren applauded Biden for his long record of government service and issued an explicit warning about the dangers of having Trump in the White House amid a global crisis.
“Joe Biden has spent nearly his entire life in public service. He knows that a government run with integrity, competence, and heart will save lives and save livelihoods,” Warren said. “And we can’t afford to let Donald Trump continue to endanger the lives and livelihoods of every American.”“Joe Biden has spent nearly his entire life in public service. He knows that a government run with integrity, competence, and heart will save lives and save livelihoods,” Warren said. “And we can’t afford to let Donald Trump continue to endanger the lives and livelihoods of every American.”
Leaders from around the world have come forward to criticize Trump’s decision to halt funding to the WHO.Leaders from around the world have come forward to criticize Trump’s decision to halt funding to the WHO.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement, “Now is the time for unity and for the international community to work together in solidarity to stop this virus and its shattering consequences.”UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement, “Now is the time for unity and for the international community to work together in solidarity to stop this virus and its shattering consequences.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her country would continue to provide financial support to the organization.New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said her country would continue to provide financial support to the organization.
“At a time like this when we need to be sharing information and we need to have advice we can rely on, the WHO has provided that,” Ardern said.“At a time like this when we need to be sharing information and we need to have advice we can rely on, the WHO has provided that,” Ardern said.
And German foreign minister Heiko Maas said Trump’s decision to cut off funding in the middle of a pandemic was nonsensical. “The virus knows no borders,” Maas said in a tweet.And German foreign minister Heiko Maas said Trump’s decision to cut off funding in the middle of a pandemic was nonsensical. “The virus knows no borders,” Maas said in a tweet.
The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished. And it has emerged that the UK government is refusing to directly criticise Trump’s decision to freeze funding for the World Health Organisation.The Downing Street lobby briefing has just finished. And it has emerged that the UK government is refusing to directly criticise Trump’s decision to freeze funding for the World Health Organisation.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said that the UK would continue to support the WHO, but he declined any invitation to say anything critical about Trump’s stance. Asked for the UK’s response to the president’s move, the spokesman said:Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s spokesman said that the UK would continue to support the WHO, but he declined any invitation to say anything critical about Trump’s stance. Asked for the UK’s response to the president’s move, the spokesman said:
When asked if the government was disappointed by Trump’s decision to freeze payments to the WHO, the spokesman said:When asked if the government was disappointed by Trump’s decision to freeze payments to the WHO, the spokesman said:
By contrast, in an interview with LBC this morning, the new Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was happy to criticise the US president’s decision. Starmer said:By contrast, in an interview with LBC this morning, the new Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was happy to criticise the US president’s decision. Starmer said:
Follow the Guardian’s UK live blog for the latest from No 10:Follow the Guardian’s UK live blog for the latest from No 10:
Good morning, live blog readers.Good morning, live blog readers.
Donald Trump’s announcement yesterday that he would cut off US funding to the World Health Organization in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic has sparked outrage, and even some of the president’s allies are not rushing to defend the decision.Donald Trump’s announcement yesterday that he would cut off US funding to the World Health Organization in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic has sparked outrage, and even some of the president’s allies are not rushing to defend the decision.
Former US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said the funding halt was “obscene,” and Bill Gates called the WHO decision “as dangerous as it sounds.”Former US ambassador to the UN Samantha Power said the funding halt was “obscene,” and Bill Gates called the WHO decision “as dangerous as it sounds.”
Dr Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said this morning that the WHO and the CDC have a “long history of working together” that will continue despite the latest decision.Dr Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said this morning that the WHO and the CDC have a “long history of working together” that will continue despite the latest decision.
When pressed on whether he agreed with Trump’s assessment that the WHO had failed in its handling of the pandemic, Redfield dodged the question and instead said he would like to conduct a “postmortem” once the US is through the worst of the crisis.When pressed on whether he agreed with Trump’s assessment that the WHO had failed in its handling of the pandemic, Redfield dodged the question and instead said he would like to conduct a “postmortem” once the US is through the worst of the crisis.
However, Trump’s decision could make the US more vulnerable at a time when many governors are warning the virus is not yet conquered.However, Trump’s decision could make the US more vulnerable at a time when many governors are warning the virus is not yet conquered.