This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2020/sep/15/climate-change-hurricane-sally-wildfires-donald-trump-us-election-joe-biden-us-politics-live

The article has changed 27 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 13 Version 14
Trump makes improbable claim US will see Covid vaccine within 'weeks' – live Israel, UAE and Bahrain sign deals to normalize diplomatic relations – live
(32 minutes later)
‘I want the vaccine fast,’ president says during interview on Fox & Friends, claiming government will start delivering it ‘immediately’ Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and the foreign ministers of the UAE and Bahrain each signed copies of the agreements, as did Trump
Here’s where the day stands so far:
Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed agreements to normalize relations. Speaking shortly before the agreements were signed at the White House, Trump said, “We’re here this afternoon to change the course of history. After decades of division and conflict, we mark the dawn of a new Middle East.”
Trump claimed a coronavirus vaccine would be available “within weeks,” contradicting experts. Dr Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious disease expert, has said he is cautiously optimistic a vaccine will be developed by the end of the year or early next year. But even if that happens, the vaccine will likely not be widely distributed until well into 2021.
The justice department has reportedly opened a criminal investigation into the publication of John Bolton’s book, which was released in June. The Trump administration previously claimed the former national security adviser had illegally disclosed classified information in the book, but Bolton’s publisher has dismissed those allegations as politically motivated.
The blog will have more coming up, so stay tuned.
Rockets were fired from Gaza during the White House normalization signing ceremony with Israel, the Untied Arab Emirates and Bahrain, reportedly injuring at least two Israelis.
Haaretz reports:
Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain have now signed agreements to formally normalize diplomatic relations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the foreign ministers of the UAE and Bahrain each signed copies of the agreements, as did Trump.
The White House has not yet released the exact text of the agreements, but officials have said that will be released later today.
Speaking at the White House, the foreign minister of Bahrain said the normalization deal represented a “historic step on the road to genuine and lasting peace” in the Middle East.Speaking at the White House, the foreign minister of Bahrain said the normalization deal represented a “historic step on the road to genuine and lasting peace” in the Middle East.
The foreign minister, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, thanked Trump and his advisers, such as Jared Kushner, for helping to craft the deal.The foreign minister, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani, thanked Trump and his advisers, such as Jared Kushner, for helping to craft the deal.
“Your tireless efforts brought us here today and made peace a reality,” Al-Zayani said.“Your tireless efforts brought us here today and made peace a reality,” Al-Zayani said.
Trump predicted the normalization deal would “serve as the foundation for a comprehensive peace across the entire region —something which nobody thought was possible.”Trump predicted the normalization deal would “serve as the foundation for a comprehensive peace across the entire region —something which nobody thought was possible.”
Taking the podium, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Trump for “unequivocally” standing by Israel’s side since taking office.Taking the podium, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Trump for “unequivocally” standing by Israel’s side since taking office.
The prime minister discussed being wounded in battle and losing his brother to war to underscore the importance of the agreement.The prime minister discussed being wounded in battle and losing his brother to war to underscore the importance of the agreement.
Trump is delivering remarks at the White House, congratulating Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain on the “outstanding achievement” of agreeing to normalize relations.Trump is delivering remarks at the White House, congratulating Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain on the “outstanding achievement” of agreeing to normalize relations.
The US president said he was “honored to welcome to the White House” leaders from the three nations, as they signed the normalization deal.The US president said he was “honored to welcome to the White House” leaders from the three nations, as they signed the normalization deal.
“We’re here this afternoon to change the course of history,” Trump said. “After decades of division and conflict, we mark the dawn of a new Middle East.”“We’re here this afternoon to change the course of history,” Trump said. “After decades of division and conflict, we mark the dawn of a new Middle East.”
While presenting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a “key to the White House,” Trump described it as a “special token of affection given by myself and the first lady.”While presenting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a “key to the White House,” Trump described it as a “special token of affection given by myself and the first lady.”
“It’s a key, we call it a key to the White House. And it’s a key to our country and to our hearts,” Trump said shortly before the normalization signing ceremony between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.“It’s a key, we call it a key to the White House. And it’s a key to our country and to our hearts,” Trump said shortly before the normalization signing ceremony between Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain.
Before the normalization signing ceremony, Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office and presented him with a “key to the White House.”Before the normalization signing ceremony, Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office and presented him with a “key to the White House.”
Netanyahu responded by telling Trump, “You have a key to the hearts of the Jewish people.”Netanyahu responded by telling Trump, “You have a key to the hearts of the Jewish people.”
The US president claimed that the White House was “very far down the road” with five additional countries ready to join the normalization agreement. He declined to name those countries.The US president claimed that the White House was “very far down the road” with five additional countries ready to join the normalization agreement. He declined to name those countries.
During his presidency, Trump has taken a number of steps to cozy up to Netanyahu, including moving the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.During his presidency, Trump has taken a number of steps to cozy up to Netanyahu, including moving the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Guests are starting to take their seats at the White House for the normalization singing ceremony between the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Bahrain.Guests are starting to take their seats at the White House for the normalization singing ceremony between the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Bahrain.
The chairs on the South Lawn appeared to be closely packed together, in violation of recommendations on physical distancing to limit the spread of coronavirus. Many of the guests were also not wearing face masks.The chairs on the South Lawn appeared to be closely packed together, in violation of recommendations on physical distancing to limit the spread of coronavirus. Many of the guests were also not wearing face masks.
The event comes less than a month after Trump hosted roughly 1,500 guests on the South Lawn for his nomination acceptance speech to close out the Republican convention.The event comes less than a month after Trump hosted roughly 1,500 guests on the South Lawn for his nomination acceptance speech to close out the Republican convention.
Joe Biden has pulled ahead in Wisconsin, while he and Trump are running neck and neck in North Carolina, according to a new pair of CNN polls.Joe Biden has pulled ahead in Wisconsin, while he and Trump are running neck and neck in North Carolina, according to a new pair of CNN polls.
The CNN poll of Wisconsin found that Biden is 10 points ahead of Trump among the state’s likely voters, 52%-42%.The CNN poll of Wisconsin found that Biden is 10 points ahead of Trump among the state’s likely voters, 52%-42%.
But the CNN poll found the race in North Carolina to be much closer, with Biden attracting the support of 49% of likely voters while Trump is the preferred candidate for 46% of likely voters. Given the poll’s margin of error of 4.4 points, that translates to a virtual tie in North Carolina.But the CNN poll found the race in North Carolina to be much closer, with Biden attracting the support of 49% of likely voters while Trump is the preferred candidate for 46% of likely voters. Given the poll’s margin of error of 4.4 points, that translates to a virtual tie in North Carolina.
Trump won Wisconsin by less than 1 point in 2016, and he carried North Carolina by 4 points. Biden cannot win the electoral college by solely flipping Wisconsin, but polls indicate the Democrat has the advantage in other swing states like Michigan and Pennsylvania.Trump won Wisconsin by less than 1 point in 2016, and he carried North Carolina by 4 points. Biden cannot win the electoral college by solely flipping Wisconsin, but polls indicate the Democrat has the advantage in other swing states like Michigan and Pennsylvania.
If Biden can win all three of those states, which went for Trump in 2016, he can capture the White House.If Biden can win all three of those states, which went for Trump in 2016, he can capture the White House.
Trump met with the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates in the Oval Office, shortly before the planned normalization signing ceremony between the UAE, Israel and Bahrain.Trump met with the foreign minister of the United Arab Emirates in the Oval Office, shortly before the planned normalization signing ceremony between the UAE, Israel and Bahrain.
Trump welcomed the foreign minister to the White House and said of the UAE, “Your country is a great country.”Trump welcomed the foreign minister to the White House and said of the UAE, “Your country is a great country.”
When asked what message today’s ceremony would send to Palestinians, Trump said, “I think we’ll see the Palestinians at some point. ... You’re going to have peace without blood in the sand.”When asked what message today’s ceremony would send to Palestinians, Trump said, “I think we’ll see the Palestinians at some point. ... You’re going to have peace without blood in the sand.”
Palestinian leaders have previously criticized the deal, even describing the UAE’s decision to normalize relations with Israel as a “betrayal.”Palestinian leaders have previously criticized the deal, even describing the UAE’s decision to normalize relations with Israel as a “betrayal.”
The department of justice has reportedly launched a criminal investigation into the publication of John Bolton’s book, after the Trump administration failed to block the former national security adviser from releasing the book in June.The department of justice has reportedly launched a criminal investigation into the publication of John Bolton’s book, after the Trump administration failed to block the former national security adviser from releasing the book in June.
The New York Times reports:The New York Times reports:
The Trump administration has accused Bolton of unlawfully disclosing classified information in his book, but Simon & Schuster dismissed those allegations as politically motivated.The Trump administration has accused Bolton of unlawfully disclosing classified information in his book, but Simon & Schuster dismissed those allegations as politically motivated.
The publisher previously said the administration’s lawsuit attempting to block the book’s release was “nothing more than the latest in a long-running series of efforts by the Administration to quash publication of a book it deems unflattering to the president”.The publisher previously said the administration’s lawsuit attempting to block the book’s release was “nothing more than the latest in a long-running series of efforts by the Administration to quash publication of a book it deems unflattering to the president”.
House speaker Nancy Pelosi said she thought the chamber should stay in session until a deal is reached on the next coronavirus relief package.House speaker Nancy Pelosi said she thought the chamber should stay in session until a deal is reached on the next coronavirus relief package.
“We are committed to staying here until we have an agreement, an agreement that meets the needs of the American people,” the Democratic speaker told CNBC this morning, echoing earlier comments in a call with her caucus.“We are committed to staying here until we have an agreement, an agreement that meets the needs of the American people,” the Democratic speaker told CNBC this morning, echoing earlier comments in a call with her caucus.
The House is currently scheduled to to break for the elections on October 2.The House is currently scheduled to to break for the elections on October 2.
Pelosi also told CNBC, “We are optimistic that the White House at least will understand that we have to do something.”Pelosi also told CNBC, “We are optimistic that the White House at least will understand that we have to do something.”
Negotiations between the White House and Democratic congressional leadership have been stalled since early last month, so it’s unclear whether this pronouncement will spur any momentum toward passing another relief package.Negotiations between the White House and Democratic congressional leadership have been stalled since early last month, so it’s unclear whether this pronouncement will spur any momentum toward passing another relief package.
Democrats have pushed for a $2.2 trillion package, but Republicans have said that top-line cost is a non-starter.Democrats have pushed for a $2.2 trillion package, but Republicans have said that top-line cost is a non-starter.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer is calling on Alex Azar, the secretary of health and human services, to resign “immediately” over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer is calling on Alex Azar, the secretary of health and human services, to resign “immediately” over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Schumer expressed frustration with Azar’s leadership of the department, specifically citing reports over the weekend that a senior HHS official, Michael Caputo, had pushed for changes to key reports on coronavirus because they “would undermine the president’s optimistic messages about the outbreak.”Schumer expressed frustration with Azar’s leadership of the department, specifically citing reports over the weekend that a senior HHS official, Michael Caputo, had pushed for changes to key reports on coronavirus because they “would undermine the president’s optimistic messages about the outbreak.”
“Too many people within HHS are trying to suppress the science,” Schumer said in a speech on the Senate floor. “[Azar] has been almost entirely silent about the chaos and mismanagement in his own agency.”“Too many people within HHS are trying to suppress the science,” Schumer said in a speech on the Senate floor. “[Azar] has been almost entirely silent about the chaos and mismanagement in his own agency.”
The New York Democrat argued Azar had failed to stand up to Trump when it came to political influence over the country’s pandemic response, instead allowing HHS to become “subservient to the president’s daily whims.”The New York Democrat argued Azar had failed to stand up to Trump when it came to political influence over the country’s pandemic response, instead allowing HHS to become “subservient to the president’s daily whims.”
“So today, I’m calling on Secretary Azar to resign immediately,” Schumer said. “We need a secretary of health and human services who will look out for the American people, not President Trump’s political interests.”“So today, I’m calling on Secretary Azar to resign immediately,” Schumer said. “We need a secretary of health and human services who will look out for the American people, not President Trump’s political interests.”
Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani has arrived at the White House for the normalization signing ceremony with Israel and the United Arab Emirates.Bahrain Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani has arrived at the White House for the normalization signing ceremony with Israel and the United Arab Emirates.
As the foreign minister arrived, Trump gave a thumbs up to reporters. Asked about the historic day, the president said he felt “fantastic,” but he ignored other questions from reporters.As the foreign minister arrived, Trump gave a thumbs up to reporters. Asked about the historic day, the president said he felt “fantastic,” but he ignored other questions from reporters.
At the White House, a military honor guard is awaiting the arrival of leaders from Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates for today’s normalization signing ceremony.At the White House, a military honor guard is awaiting the arrival of leaders from Israel, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates for today’s normalization signing ceremony.
The White House will host the normalization signing ceremony today between the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Bahrain.The White House will host the normalization signing ceremony today between the United Arab Emirates, Israel and Bahrain.
Details of the deal remain scarce, but according to Axios, the agreement will include a mention of the two-state solution.Details of the deal remain scarce, but according to Axios, the agreement will include a mention of the two-state solution.
Axios’ Barak Ravid reports:Axios’ Barak Ravid reports:
Trump will participate in an ABC News town hall tonight, two days before CNN hosts a town hall with Democratic nominee Joe Biden.Trump will participate in an ABC News town hall tonight, two days before CNN hosts a town hall with Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Trump’s town hall will be in Philadelphia, while Biden’s will be in Scranton, meaning both of the presidential nominees will be in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania.Trump’s town hall will be in Philadelphia, while Biden’s will be in Scranton, meaning both of the presidential nominees will be in the crucial swing state of Pennsylvania.
The town halls represent the first time in months that Trump and Biden will take questions from voters, which could help them to prepare for the first presidential debate later this month.The town halls represent the first time in months that Trump and Biden will take questions from voters, which could help them to prepare for the first presidential debate later this month.
This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.This is Joan Greve in Washington, taking over for Martin Belam.
As Martin mentioned, Trump was on “Fox and Friends” this morning for an interview, during which the president dodged questions about climate change and insisted the coronavirus vaccine would be available in “weeks,” despite experts’ assertions to the contrary.As Martin mentioned, Trump was on “Fox and Friends” this morning for an interview, during which the president dodged questions about climate change and insisted the coronavirus vaccine would be available in “weeks,” despite experts’ assertions to the contrary.
But perhaps the most bizarre moment of the interview came just before the president hung up, when he told the Fox hosts that he would be calling into the show once a week before the election, mostly on Mondays.But perhaps the most bizarre moment of the interview came just before the president hung up, when he told the Fox hosts that he would be calling into the show once a week before the election, mostly on Mondays.
Host Steve Doocy replied, “You may want to do [an interview] every week, but Fox is not committed to that. We’re going to take it on a case-by-case basis.” Fellow host Brian Kilmeade appeared a bit stunned as Doocy said this.Host Steve Doocy replied, “You may want to do [an interview] every week, but Fox is not committed to that. We’re going to take it on a case-by-case basis.” Fellow host Brian Kilmeade appeared a bit stunned as Doocy said this.
A former senior adviser to Republican senator Ted Cruz said this about the awkward exchange:A former senior adviser to Republican senator Ted Cruz said this about the awkward exchange: