We look back at four years of Trump's presidency. From promises, scandals, accomplishments and a lot more.

Four years of Trumpism | Donald Trump | Accomplishments and Failures | US Elections 2020 |WION

Merriam Webster Dictionary deemed the word 'sexual preference' to be 'offensive' after its use by US Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett caused a row. Amy Coney Barrett is currently undergoing hearing in the US Senate which would then take the decision to approve Amy Coney Barrett's appointment or not.

Senator Mazie Hirono lashed out at Amy Coney Barrett for using the term 'sexual preference' instead of 'sexual orientation'.

"Even though you didn't give a direct answer I think your response did speak volumes," Hirono said. "Not once, but twice, you used the term sexual preference to describe those in the LGBTQ community. And let me make clear, sexual preference is an offensive and outdated term," said Senator Hirono.

<h2>Why is 'sexual preference' an offensive word?</h2>

The term is held to be offensive in LGBTQ+ community and activists. The main contention against this word is that it conveys that sexual orientation of a person is a choice. This in many debates, paves way for people to argue that it was just a matter of choice that members of LGBTQ+ community had a sexual orientation they had. This, in many circles, leads to an assertion that being gay or bisexual can be 'cured'.

LGBTQ+ community and people working for their rights are fiercely against the notion that their sexual orientation can be cured.

And that is why, the word 'sexual preference' is offensive.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary did not have this connotation of the word until recently. But it has now been added following the row surrounding Amy Coney Barrett.

Barrett has since apologised.

"I certainly didn't mean, and would never mean, to use a term that would cause any offense in the LGBTQ community," she said. "So if I did, I greatly apologize for that." She was quoted by CNN.

Merriam Webster Dictionary deemed the word 'sexual preference' to be 'offensive' after its use by US Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett caused a row. Amy Coney Barrett is currently undergoing hearing in the US Senate which would then take the decision to approve Amy Coney Barrett's appointment or not.

Merriam Webster Dictionary deemed the word 'sexual preference' to be 'offensive' after its use by US Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett caused a row. Amy Coney Barrett is currently undergoing hearing in the US Senate which would then take the decision to approve Amy Coney Barrett's appointment or not. Senator Mazie Hirono lashed out at Amy Coney Barrett for using the term 'sexual preference' instead of 'sexual orientation'. "Even though you didn't give a direct answer I think your response did speak volumes," Hirono said. "Not once, but twice, you used the term sexual preference to describe those in the LGBTQ community. And let me make clear, sexual preference is an offensive and outdated term," said Senator Hirono. Why is 'sexual preference' an offensive word? The term is held to be offensive in LGBTQ+ community and activists. The main contention against this word is that it conveys that sexual orientation of a person is a choice. This in many debates, paves way for people to argue that it was just a matter of choice that members of LGBTQ+ community had a sexual orientation they had. This, in many circles, leads to an assertion that being gay or bisexual can be 'cured'. LGBTQ+ community and people working for their rights are fiercely against the notion that their sexual orientation can be cured. And that is why, the word 'sexual preference' is offensive. Merriam-Webster Dictionary did not have this connotation of the word until recently. But it has now been added following the row surrounding Amy Coney Barrett. Barrett has since apologised. "I certainly didn't mean, and would never mean, to use a term that would cause any offense in the LGBTQ community," she said. "So if I did, I greatly apologize for that." She was quoted by CNN.

Merriam-Webster Dictionary deems 'sexual preference' to be 'offensive' after Barrett controversy

US President Donald Trump on Thursday fired an angry tweet against Facebook and Twitter's decision to limit online distribution of a New York Post article on Joe Biden and his son Hunter. The story raises allegations against Hunter Biden and his actions that involved Joe Biden.

"So terrible that Facebook and Twitter took down the story of “Smoking Gun” emails related to Sleepy Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, in the&nbsp;@NYPost. It is only the beginning for them. There is nothing worse than a corrupt politician. REPEAL SECTION 230!!!" tweeted Trump.

The New York Post story says that Hunter Biden tried introducing a top executive of a Ukrainian firm to his father Joe Biden. Hunter Biden worked for this firm.

Donald Trump has been in dock in past over allegations that he colluded with Russia to secure victory in US Presidential elections 2020. Donald Trump's son was investigated for his contact with a Russian lawyer who had Russian spy agency as her client.

Given the background, latest allegations against Hunter Biden and Joe Biden may well present Trump with an opportunity to score political brownie points close to elections.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-son-barron-tests-positive-for-covid-19-335340">Trump's son Barron tests positive for COVID-19</a>

Meanwhile, Facebook Spokesperson Andy Stone said that the New York Post story had enough for it to be eligible for a fact check.

"While I will intentionally not link to the New York Post, I want be clear that this story is eligible to be fact-checked by Facebook's third-party fact-checking partners. In the meantime, we are reducing its distribution on our platform," tweeted Andy Stone, Facebook Spokesperson.

Spokesperson for Biden campaign defended Joe Biden and Hunter Biden by saying that there was "no wrongdoing" on part of Joe Biden. He added that New York Post never reached out to Biden campaign for their response on this.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday fired an angry tweet against Facebook and Twitter's decision to limit online distribution of a New York Post article on Joe Biden and his son Hunter.

US President Donald Trump on Thursday fired an angry tweet against Facebook and Twitter's decision to limit online distribution of a New York Post article on Joe Biden and his son Hunter. The story raises allegations against Hunter Biden and his actions that involved Joe Biden. "So terrible that Facebook and Twitter took down the story of “Smoking Gun” emails related to Sleepy Joe Biden and his son, Hunter, in the @NYPost. It is only the beginning for them. There is nothing worse than a corrupt politician. REPEAL SECTION 230!!!" tweeted Trump. The New York Post story says that Hunter Biden tried introducing a top executive of a Ukrainian firm to his father Joe Biden. Hunter Biden worked for this firm. Donald Trump has been in dock in past over allegations that he colluded with Russia to secure victory in US Presidential elections 2020. Donald Trump's son was investigated for his contact with a Russian lawyer who had Russian spy agency as her client. Given the background, latest allegations against Hunter Biden and Joe Biden may well present Trump with an opportunity to score political brownie points close to elections. Also Read | Trump's son Barron tests positive for COVID-19 Meanwhile, Facebook Spokesperson Andy Stone said that the New York Post story had enough for it to be eligible for a fact check. "While I will intentionally not link to the New York Post, I want be clear that this story is eligible to be fact-checked by Facebook's third-party fact-checking partners. In the meantime, we are reducing its distribution on our platform," tweeted Andy Stone, Facebook Spokesperson. Spokesperson for Biden campaign defended Joe Biden and Hunter Biden by saying that there was "no wrongdoing" on part of Joe Biden. He added that New York Post never reached out to Biden campaign for their response on this.

Trump fumes as Facebook, Twitter limit reach of 'smoking gun' article on Biden and his son

Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris on Wednesday grilled Donald Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court, on Obamacare. &nbsp;Amy Coney Barrett, who will be a judge in US Supreme Court if US Senate confirms her, is currently facing Senate Judiciary Committee for hearing in order to get clearance. Democratic Party fears that if confirmed, Barrett will be instrumental in striking down Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) that has given health cover to millions of Americans.

Harris asked Barrett whether she knew President Trump was seeking to nominate a judge who would strike down Affordable Care Act.

Without naming the President, Amy Coney Barrett said that she did not recall seeing or hearing those statements.&nbsp;

During the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, Harris also focussed on abortion rights and the record of the woman who held the seat Barrett would fill.

"As the Senate considers filling the seat of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was straightforward enough in her confirmation hearing to say that the right to choose is, quote, essential to woman's equality, unquote," Harris said. "I would suggest that we not pretend that we don't know how this nominee views a woman's right to choose and make her own health care decisions."

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-supreme-court-pick-says-she-is-not-hostile-to-obamacare-dodges-on-abortion-335070">Trump's Supreme Court pick says she is not 'hostile' to Obamacare, dodges on abortion</a>

Amy Coney Barrett is known for her conservative views on a range of issues. Her confirmation to US Supreme Court will see conservative judges have a 6-3 majority over those having liberal views.

Republican Party has long resented Affordable Care Act brought in effect by former US President Barack Obama. A hearing on the Act is due on November 10.

Amt Coney Barrett opted not to say whether she would step aside from taking part in the hearing as Democrats have requested.

(With Reuters inputs)

Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris on Wednesday grilled Donald Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court, on Obamacare. Amy Coney Barrett, who will be a judge in US Supreme Court if US Senate confirms her, is currently facing Senate Judiciary Committee for hearing in order to get clearance.

Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris on Wednesday grilled Donald Trump's nominee for the Supreme Court, on Obamacare. Amy Coney Barrett, who will be a judge in US Supreme Court if US Senate confirms her, is currently facing Senate Judiciary Committee for hearing in order to get clearance. Democratic Party fears that if confirmed, Barrett will be instrumental in striking down Obamacare (Affordable Care Act) that has given health cover to millions of Americans. Harris asked Barrett whether she knew President Trump was seeking to nominate a judge who would strike down Affordable Care Act. Without naming the President, Amy Coney Barrett said that she did not recall seeing or hearing those statements. During the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmation hearing, Harris also focussed on abortion rights and the record of the woman who held the seat Barrett would fill. "As the Senate considers filling the seat of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who was straightforward enough in her confirmation hearing to say that the right to choose is, quote, essential to woman's equality, unquote," Harris said. "I would suggest that we not pretend that we don't know how this nominee views a woman's right to choose and make her own health care decisions." Also Read | Trump's Supreme Court pick says she is not 'hostile' to Obamacare, dodges on abortion Amy Coney Barrett is known for her conservative views on a range of issues. Her confirmation to US Supreme Court will see conservative judges have a 6-3 majority over those having liberal views. Republican Party has long resented Affordable Care Act brought in effect by former US President Barack Obama. A hearing on the Act is due on November 10. Amt Coney Barrett opted not to say whether she would step aside from taking part in the hearing as Democrats have requested. (With Reuters inputs)

Kamala Harris grills Barrett on Obamacare, she sidesteps question

Schools in the United States welcome their students back into classrooms. Epidemiologists warn parents to watch out for COVID-19 symptoms. Watch report.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Classrooms teachings resume in some US schools

Under pressure from the federal government, Nevada health officials Friday rescinded a statewide order directing nursing homes to halt the use of two government-issued rapid coronavirus tests that the state had deemed to be inaccurate.

The reversal came shortly after the United States Department of Health and Human Services issued a threatening letter, dated Oct. 8, to Nevada officials. The federal document noted that swift punitive actions could be taken if the state did not promptly revoke its ban, which Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary of Health and Human Services, called “unwise, uninformed and unlawful” and a violation of the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act.

Outside health experts who reviewed the letter, which condemned the state’s actions as “based on a lack of knowledge or bias,” described its tone as “acid.”

In a statement released on Friday, Dr. Ihsan Azzam, Nevada’s chief medical officer, said that he and his colleagues were “very disappointed by the letter received today.” Nevada’s priorities, Azzam said, remained aligned with the federal government’s: to protect “those most vulnerable in our communities from COVID-19.”

The two brands of rapid tests, manufactured by Quidel and Becton, Dickinson and Company, had been shipped en masse to nursing homes around the country in August to address the delays and equipment shortages that for months had stymied laboratory testing. Both tests detect bits of coronavirus protein, or antigens.

In submitting applications to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency clearance, BD and Quidel reported no false positives from their products, and advertised these accuracy rates on their packaging.

But among a sample of 39 positive antigen test results collected from nursing homes across Nevada, 23 were found to be false positives when confirmed by a more accurate laboratory test. The discovery prompted state officials to issue their directive on Oct. 2, urging nursing homes to promptly pivot from antigen tests to other types of tests that look for viral RNA while the discrepancies were being investigated.

Dr. Valerie Fitzhugh, a pathologist at Rutgers University, said the number of false positives the state had reported was “significant” and worthy of scrutiny. “In the meantime, switching to an alternative, accurate method of testing would be the responsible thing to do,” Fitzhugh said. “Nevada was on the right track for trying to fix this issue.” 
&nbsp;

Under pressure from the federal government, Nevada health officials Friday rescinded a statewide order directing nursing homes to halt the use of two government-issued rapid coronavirus tests that the state had deemed to be inaccurate.

Under pressure from the federal government, Nevada health officials Friday rescinded a statewide order directing nursing homes to halt the use of two government-issued rapid coronavirus tests that the state had deemed to be inaccurate. The reversal came shortly after the United States Department of Health and Human Services issued a threatening letter, dated Oct. 8, to Nevada officials. The federal document noted that swift punitive actions could be taken if the state did not promptly revoke its ban, which Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary of Health and Human Services, called “unwise, uninformed and unlawful” and a violation of the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act. Outside health experts who reviewed the letter, which condemned the state’s actions as “based on a lack of knowledge or bias,” described its tone as “acid.” In a statement released on Friday, Dr. Ihsan Azzam, Nevada’s chief medical officer, said that he and his colleagues were “very disappointed by the letter received today.” Nevada’s priorities, Azzam said, remained aligned with the federal government’s: to protect “those most vulnerable in our communities from COVID-19.” The two brands of rapid tests, manufactured by Quidel and Becton, Dickinson and Company, had been shipped en masse to nursing homes around the country in August to address the delays and equipment shortages that for months had stymied laboratory testing. Both tests detect bits of coronavirus protein, or antigens. In submitting applications to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency clearance, BD and Quidel reported no false positives from their products, and advertised these accuracy rates on their packaging. But among a sample of 39 positive antigen test results collected from nursing homes across Nevada, 23 were found to be false positives when confirmed by a more accurate laboratory test. The discovery prompted state officials to issue their directive on Oct. 2, urging nursing homes to promptly pivot from antigen tests to other types of tests that look for viral RNA while the discrepancies were being investigated. Dr. Valerie Fitzhugh, a pathologist at Rutgers University, said the number of false positives the state had reported was “significant” and worthy of scrutiny. “In the meantime, switching to an alternative, accurate method of testing would be the responsible thing to do,” Fitzhugh said. “Nevada was on the right track for trying to fix this issue.”

Nevada revokes halt on rapid antigen testing in nursing homes

Hurricane Delta is bearing down on Louisiana after sweeping over western part of Gulf of Mexico. US national guard has been mobilised and people on Louisiana coast have been evacuated from their homes. Officials say that Hurricane Delta will cause a deadly storm surge and flash flooding in Louisiana. On Friday, Hurricane Delta packed sustained winds of 120 mph.

"I don't even know if we'll have a house when we come back," Kimberly Hester, a resident of Louisiana told AFP.

"I just pray to God every night we can at least have a house to come home to," she said.

Hurricane Delta is a category 3 storm now. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that Hurricane Delta was still able to cause a "devastating damage". It warned of a "life-threatening storm surge" along parts of northern Gulf Coast.

The hurricane earlier barreled into Mexico's Yucatan region, which escaped major destruction, with no reports of deaths.

Battered US Gulf

Many along the Louisiana coastline have yet to recover from Hurricane Laura, which struck near the end of August as a strong Category 4 storm on the five-level Saffir-Simpson scale.

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards urged residents to be extremely careful with Delta, and announced that 2,400 National Guard personnel had been mobilized to aid locals.

Hurricane Delta would hit "in the area of our state that is least prepared to take it," Edwards said late Thursday.&nbsp;

"To the people of Southwest Louisiana, I know you are strong. I also know you are about to be tested again. Please finish making preparations now We will get through this."&nbsp;

In the city of Lake Charles, where torn planks of wood, uprooted trees and debris from Hurricane Laura still litter the streets, Shannon Fuselier drilled plywood over the windows of a friend's home as protection from flying debris.

Many neighborhood houses are covered with tarps from previous hurricane damage, and the home Fuselier was working on had already suffered roof damage from a fallen tree and smashed windows during Laura.

"The branches and leaves don't do that much damage," said Fuselier, 56. "It's pieces of metal, steel, frames of other peoples windows, signs from people's stores, nails."

Fuselier said that she was staying because she didn't think the storm was strong enough for her to flee.&nbsp; 
Edwards has already warned that Delta could sweep up old debris and hurl it like missiles.

On Thursday there was a traffic jam in both directions on the highway out of Lake Charles as people left the city.

Terry Lebine had already evacuated to the town of Alexandria, some 100 miles (150 kilometers) to the north, during the previous hurricane, and was ready to head out again.

"It's exhausting," she told AFP. "...I've got my mother, she's 81 years old and not in the best of health. Right after we went back home after Laura, we have to leave again for Delta. We were home a good two to three weeks."

Delta is the 26th named storm of an unusually active Atlantic hurricane season.

In September, meteorologists were forced to break out the Greek alphabet to name Atlantic storms for only the second time ever, after the 2020 hurricane season blew through their usual list, ending on Tropical Storm Wilfred.

As the ocean surface warms due to climate change hurricanes become more powerful -- and scientists say there will likely be an increase in powerful Category 4 and 5 storms.

 
&nbsp;

Hurricane Delta is bearing down on Louisiana after sweeping over western part of Gulf of Mexico. US national guard has been mobilised and people on Louisiana coast have been evacuated from their homes.

Hurricane Delta is bearing down on Louisiana after sweeping over western part of Gulf of Mexico. US national guard has been mobilised and people on Louisiana coast have been evacuated from their homes. Officials say that Hurricane Delta will cause a deadly storm surge and flash flooding in Louisiana. On Friday, Hurricane Delta packed sustained winds of 120 mph. "I don't even know if we'll have a house when we come back," Kimberly Hester, a resident of Louisiana told AFP. "I just pray to God every night we can at least have a house to come home to," she said. Hurricane Delta is a category 3 storm now. National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that Hurricane Delta was still able to cause a "devastating damage". It warned of a "life-threatening storm surge" along parts of northern Gulf Coast. The hurricane earlier barreled into Mexico's Yucatan region, which escaped major destruction, with no reports of deaths. Battered US Gulf Many along the Louisiana coastline have yet to recover from Hurricane Laura, which struck near the end of August as a strong Category 4 storm on the five-level Saffir-Simpson scale. Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards urged residents to be extremely careful with Delta, and announced that 2,400 National Guard personnel had been mobilized to aid locals. Hurricane Delta would hit "in the area of our state that is least prepared to take it," Edwards said late Thursday. "To the people of Southwest Louisiana, I know you are strong. I also know you are about to be tested again. Please finish making preparations now We will get through this." In the city of Lake Charles, where torn planks of wood, uprooted trees and debris from Hurricane Laura still litter the streets, Shannon Fuselier drilled plywood over the windows of a friend's home as protection from flying debris. Many neighborhood houses are covered with tarps from previous hurricane damage, and the home Fuselier was working on had already suffered roof damage from a fallen tree and smashed windows during Laura. "The branches and leaves don't do that much damage," said Fuselier, 56. "It's pieces of metal, steel, frames of other peoples windows, signs from people's stores, nails." Fuselier said that she was staying because she didn't think the storm was strong enough for her to flee. Edwards has already warned that Delta could sweep up old debris and hurl it like missiles. On Thursday there was a traffic jam in both directions on the highway out of Lake Charles as people left the city. Terry Lebine had already evacuated to the town of Alexandria, some 100 miles (150 kilometers) to the north, during the previous hurricane, and was ready to head out again. "It's exhausting," she told AFP. "...I've got my mother, she's 81 years old and not in the best of health. Right after we went back home after Laura, we have to leave again for Delta. We were home a good two to three weeks." Delta is the 26th named storm of an unusually active Atlantic hurricane season. In September, meteorologists were forced to break out the Greek alphabet to name Atlantic storms for only the second time ever, after the 2020 hurricane season blew through their usual list, ending on Tropical Storm Wilfred. As the ocean surface warms due to climate change hurricanes become more powerful -- and scientists say there will likely be an increase in powerful Category 4 and 5 storms.

Hurricane Delta heads towards Louisiana

Senator Kamala Harris hit out at Trump administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic and termed it "greatest failure" of any US administration. US remains the worst-hit country in the world with more than 7 million people infected with the deadly virus. Kamala Harris lashed out during Vice-Presidential debate with USA Vice President Mike Pence.

"The American people have witnessed what is the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country," Harris, running mate to Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, said.

Donald Trump has faced flak from the Opposition over his handling of coronavirus pandemic. He has also faced criticism from the media for the 'lax' approach he had in early days of the pandemic in the US.

Trump has said on record that coronavirus was 'just a flu' and advocated medicines that had not been comprehensively and scientifically proven to help cure coronavirus. Trump dissed wearing mask in public which resulted in his supporters following in his suit. Even when thousands were dying almost daily, Trump was not seen wearing mask during his public appearances. Only when death toll kept on mounting and number of those infected rose exponentially, did Trump wear a mask.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-pence-dont-believe-in-science-kamala-harris-at-us-vice-presidential-debate-333337">Trump, Pence ‘don’t believe in science’: Kamala Harris at US Vice Presidential debate</a>

Trump caught coronavirus infection last week. He again caused furore when he removed his mask on camera.

During the Vice Presidential debate, Mike Pence slammed Kamala Harris for her statements questioning whether a vaccine released under Trump could be trusted due to the intense pressure on the president to tame the pandemic.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-am-still-speaking-kamala-harris-stops-pence-from-interrupting-during-us-vp-debate-333362">I am still speaking: Kamala Harris stops Pence from interrupting during US VP Debate</a>

"The fact that you continue to undermine public confidence in a vaccine, if the vaccine emerges during the Trump administration, I think is unconscionable," Pence said.&nbsp;

The US death toll from the pandemic has exceeded 210,000. It remains the worst affected country in the world.

(With inputs from AFP)

Senator Kamala Harris hit out at Trump administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic and termed it "greatest failure" of any US administration. US remains the worst-hit country in the world with more than 7 million people infected with the deadly virus.

Senator Kamala Harris hit out at Trump administration's response to the coronavirus pandemic and termed it "greatest failure" of any US administration. US remains the worst-hit country in the world with more than 7 million people infected with the deadly virus. Kamala Harris lashed out during Vice-Presidential debate with USA Vice President Mike Pence. "The American people have witnessed what is the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country," Harris, running mate to Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden, said. Donald Trump has faced flak from the Opposition over his handling of coronavirus pandemic. He has also faced criticism from the media for the 'lax' approach he had in early days of the pandemic in the US. Trump has said on record that coronavirus was 'just a flu' and advocated medicines that had not been comprehensively and scientifically proven to help cure coronavirus. Trump dissed wearing mask in public which resulted in his supporters following in his suit. Even when thousands were dying almost daily, Trump was not seen wearing mask during his public appearances. Only when death toll kept on mounting and number of those infected rose exponentially, did Trump wear a mask. Also Read | Trump, Pence ‘don’t believe in science’: Kamala Harris at US Vice Presidential debate Trump caught coronavirus infection last week. He again caused furore when he removed his mask on camera. During the Vice Presidential debate, Mike Pence slammed Kamala Harris for her statements questioning whether a vaccine released under Trump could be trusted due to the intense pressure on the president to tame the pandemic. Also Read | I am still speaking: Kamala Harris stops Pence from interrupting during US VP Debate "The fact that you continue to undermine public confidence in a vaccine, if the vaccine emerges during the Trump administration, I think is unconscionable," Pence said. The US death toll from the pandemic has exceeded 210,000. It remains the worst affected country in the world. (With inputs from AFP)

US Vice-Presidential debate: Kamala Harris blasts Trump govt for 'greatest failure' over COVID-19 pandemic

Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris sat a dozen feet apart Wednesday, separated by Plexiglas and an ideological chasm, for a 90-minute debate that for all the hype seems unlikely to affect the trajectory of presidential campaign.

Harris wanted to talk about President Donald Trump. Pence wanted to talk about Joe Biden. And neither had much interest in answering any of the questions posed by the moderator — or by the other candidate — leading to a mostly staid series of two-minute set pieces.

It was civil. It was conventional. It was not especially scintillating or revealing. But that was still a vast improvement over the unruly shout-out that Americans suffered through last week in the first presidential debate. It even felt normal — minus the Plexiglas plates erected onstage — as neither candidate focused on the most compelling news development in the nation: Trump’s contracting of the coronavirus, his hospitalization and return to the White House amid unanswered questions about the full nature of his medical status.

By the end of the night, the debate seemed a news cycle or a presidential tweet away from being forgotten, and for a Biden ticket that is ahead in the polls, that is welcome news. That is the first of six takeaways from the lone vice-presidential debate, with 27 days left until Election Day:

The race was not upended.&nbsp;

It was telling that a fly that landed on Pence’s head partway through the debate was among the biggest buzz generators of the night.

For all the high Democratic expectations around Harris and her past debate performances, she did not eviscerate Pence. As for Pence, he turned in an effective, dutiful, conservative case for Trump, the likes of which the president rarely articulates himself.

“There are things the campaigns can use from this,” said Matt Gorman, a Republican strategist. “But the trajectory of the race is in the same place it was 24 hours ago.”

And that trajectory is not good for Trump.

“Mike Pence threw snacks to his base but offered nothing substantive to gain ground,” said Jess O’Connell, a Democratic strategist.

Given the age of Biden, 77, and the fact that this would be a 74-year-old Trump’s final term, it is quite possible that clips from the debate could have a bigger impact on the 2024 race than on 2020.&nbsp;

Harris tried to keep 2020 as a referendum on Trump.&nbsp;

It is not often that the first lines of a debate will be among the most important, but the opening answer from Harris amounted to a succinct summary not just of her strategy for the next 90 minutes, but of the Democratic plan for the final four weeks of the race: “The American people have witnessed what is the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country.”

She was talking about the coronavirus. And looking straight into the camera, she delivered a devastating critique of the Trump administration’s handling of the pandemic, ticking off a series of blunt and brutal statistics: 210,000 dead, 7 million cases, one in five businesses closed and more than 30 million filing for unemployment.

Harris navigated the potentially tricky waters of attacking the administration without personalizing matters around a president still recovering from the virus.

She accused the administration of muzzling the truth (“They knew, and they covered it up”) and not having a clear path forward (“They still don’t have a plan. They still don’t have a plan”).

And that was just in her first two minutes, which she ended with an exclamation point: “This administration has forfeited their right to reelection.”

Pence had few strong answers, acknowledging the “very challenging time” the nation had been through while trying to focus on some of Trump’s early actions, like suspending travel from China. But his final thought in his first scripted answer was a swipe at Biden, saying that the Democratic plan for COVID-19 of looked “a little bit like plagiarism, which is something Joe Biden knows a little bit about."

It was a sign that …

… Pence wanted to make the election an ideological choice.

Pence was most comfortable on the economy and the traditional Republican message of cutting taxes and regulations, pitching the specifics of the Trump tax cuts in more granular and understandable detail than Trump managed in his own debate performance.

“The American economy — the American comeback is on the ballot,” Pence said.

Over and over, he redirected — sometimes smoothly and sometimes not — questions back to the Biden agenda. When Harris said that Biden would repeal the full Trump tax bill, he pounced, saying that doing so would hike taxes for many Americans ( Harris clarified with Biden’s pledge not to raise taxes on those earning less than $400,000 per year).

The point was not the specifics. It was to frame the election as a choice between competing visions, even if Pence intentionally sought to blur the differences between Harris’ own positions during the primary, such as embracing the Green New Deal and opposing fracking, with those of Biden, who has not taken those same positions.

When in doubt, Pence returned to economics. Such as when he was asked if climate change was an existential threat. Mr. Pence paused, dodged and pivoted to the safe space: “Once again, Sen. Harris is denying the fact that they’re going to raise taxes."

Sara Fagen, a Republican strategist and a former senior official in the George W. Bush White House, praised Pence’s economic focus. “He needed to make the case on the economy, and he’s effectively drawing a contrast between two economic visions for America,” she said.

&nbsp; 
Pence’s interruptions revealed the stage’s gender dynamics.

In the early stretches of the debate, Harris took an extended opportunity not just to defend Biden’s credentials but, step by step, to walk through her own: a former San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general, U.S. senator (“only the second Black woman”) and member of the Senate Intelligence Committee.

“Women always have overcompensate on résumé,” said Alexis Grenell, a Democratic strategist. “Men are evaluated based on potential, and women have to come with receipts. You can hear that in Kamala’s answer.”

There were other gender dynamics at play, including Pence’s regular interruptions.

“I’m speaking,” Harris pushed back at one point. “Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking,” she said at another. “He interrupted me, and I’d like to just finish, please,” she said a third time.

It was hard not to see the interjections and pushback refracted through the lens of gender in a contest where the outsize support of women is lifting the Democratic ticket.

Karen Finney, a Democratic strategist, said that Harris “clearly came prepared with strategies for Pence interrupting, talking over her and running over time.”

“She was no doubt aware of the various dynamics and need to thread the needle on balancing being assertive and letting certain attacks go at points so as not to be seen as 'angry’ or ‘overly aggressive,’ which are common sexist racist tropes about women.” said Finney, who was an adviser on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign.

Pence, it should be noted, was the only man on the stage Wednesday, with Harris across from him and Susan Page, the Washington bureau chief of USA Today, serving as moderator.

Harris got tangled up on the courts

The weakest moment of the night for Harris came on the courts, when Pence challenged her directly to answer whether she and Biden would endorse expanding the Supreme Court if Trump’s nominee for the current vacancy, Amy Coney Barrett, was seated.

Harris dodged. Pence called her out. And Harris dodged some more.

Pence declared at the end of a squirm-worthy segment: “You gave a non-answer. Joe Biden gave a non-answer. The straight answer is, they are going to pack the Supreme Court if they somehow win this election.”

The Biden campaign has clearly decreed that not answering this question — the former vice president has evaded it himself — is more politically palatable than any actual answer it might give. And on Wednesday night, that put Harris in a bind.

“She will be in media trainings as an example of what not to do when avoiding a question,” said Gorman, the Republican strategist.

With four weeks until the election — and upcoming Supreme Court confirming hearings — it is not clear how long the dodge will remain more tenable than an answer.

Harris eventually returned to familiar and safer ground when it comes to the courts: the Trump administration’s lawsuit seeking to unwind the Affordable Care Act. She turned to the camera to accuse Trump of trying to gut it “literally in the midst of a public health pandemic.”

Pence and Harris spar on race and racial justice.

Harris’ mere presence onstage — the first woman of color on a major party ticket — was a statement in and of itself, an accomplishment Pence acknowledged directly by congratulating her on the “the historic nature of your nomination.”

Still, Pence sought to undercut Harris’ credentials and appeal to Black voters, accusing her of prosecuting more African Americans than whites and saying she did not “lift a finger” for a criminal justice bill that Trump eventually signed.

He elided the inconsistencies of making that argument moments after he had said that it would be an “great insult” to say America was “systemically racist” or that law enforcement officers have an “implicit bias.”

Harris forcefully defended her record. “I will not sit here and be lectured by the vice president on what it means to enforce the laws of our country,” she said.

The two candidates also differed on whether there had been justice for Breonna Taylor, the Black woman who was killed in her home in Louisville, Kentucky, during a police raid. “I don’t believe so,” Harris said. “I trust our justice system,” Pence said of a grand jury decision not to press further charges.

It was a disagreement — but, like much of the night, an expected and uneventful one.

Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris sat a dozen feet apart Wednesday, separated by Plexiglas and an ideological chasm, for a 90-minute debate that for all the hype seems unlikely to affect the trajectory of presidential campaign.

Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris sat a dozen feet apart Wednesday, separated by Plexiglas and an ideological chasm, for a 90-minute debate that for all the hype seems unlikely to affect the trajectory of presidential campaign. Harris wanted to talk about President Donald Trump. Pence wanted to talk about Joe Biden. And neither had much interest in answering any of the questions posed by the moderator — or by the other candidate — leading to a mostly staid series of two-minute set pieces. It was civil. It was conventional. It was not especially scintillating or revealing. But that was still a vast improvement over the unruly shout-out that Americans suffered through last week in the first presidential debate. It even felt normal — minus the Plexiglas plates erected onstage — as neither candidate focused on the most compelling news development in the nation: Trump’s contracting of the coronavirus, his hospitalization and return to the White House amid unanswered questions about the full nature of his medical status. By the end of the night, the debate seemed a news cycle or a presidential tweet away from being forgotten, and for a Biden ticket that is ahead in the polls, that is welcome news. That is the first of six takeaways from the lone vice-presidential debate, with 27 days left until Election Day: The race was not upended. It was telling that a fly that landed on Pence’s head partway through the debate was among the biggest buzz generators of the night. For all the high Democratic expectations around Harris and her past debate performances, she did not eviscerate Pence. As for Pence, he turned in an effective, dutiful, conservative case for Trump, the likes of which the president rarely articulates himself. “There are things the campaigns can use from this,” said Matt Gorman, a Republican strategist. “But the trajectory of the race is in the same place it was 24 hours ago.” And that trajectory is not good for Trump. “Mike Pence threw snacks to his base but offered nothing substantive to gain ground,” said Jess O’Connell, a Democratic strategist. Given the age of Biden, 77, and the fact that this would be a 74-year-old Trump’s final term, it is quite possible that clips from the debate could have a bigger impact on the 2024 race than on 2020. Harris tried to keep 2020 as a referendum on Trump. It is not often that the first lines of a debate will be among the most important, but the opening answer from Harris amounted to a succinct summary not just of her strategy for the next 90 minutes, but of the Democratic plan for the final four weeks of the race: “The American people have witnessed what is the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country.” She was talking about the coronavirus. And looking straight into the camera, she delivered a devastating critique of the Trump administration’s handling of the pandemic, ticking off a series of blunt and brutal statistics: 210,000 dead, 7 million cases, one in five businesses closed and more than 30 million filing for unemployment. Harris navigated the potentially tricky waters of attacking the administration without personalizing matters around a president still recovering from the virus. She accused the administration of muzzling the truth (“They knew, and they covered it up”) and not having a clear path forward (“They still don’t have a plan. They still don’t have a plan”). And that was just in her first two minutes, which she ended with an exclamation point: “This administration has forfeited their right to reelection.” Pence had few strong answers, acknowledging the “very challenging time” the nation had been through while trying to focus on some of Trump’s early actions, like suspending travel from China. But his final thought in his first scripted answer was a swipe at Biden, saying that the Democratic plan for COVID-19 of looked “a little bit like plagiarism, which is something Joe Biden knows a little bit about." It was a sign that … … Pence wanted to make the election an ideological choice. Pence was most comfortable on the economy and the traditional Republican message of cutting taxes and regulations, pitching the specifics of the Trump tax cuts in more granular and understandable detail than Trump managed in his own debate performance. “The American economy — the American comeback is on the ballot,” Pence said. Over and over, he redirected — sometimes smoothly and sometimes not — questions back to the Biden agenda. When Harris said that Biden would repeal the full Trump tax bill, he pounced, saying that doing so would hike taxes for many Americans ( Harris clarified with Biden’s pledge not to raise taxes on those earning less than $400,000 per year). The point was not the specifics. It was to frame the election as a choice between competing visions, even if Pence intentionally sought to blur the differences between Harris’ own positions during the primary, such as embracing the Green New Deal and opposing fracking, with those of Biden, who has not taken those same positions. When in doubt, Pence returned to economics. Such as when he was asked if climate change was an existential threat. Mr. Pence paused, dodged and pivoted to the safe space: “Once again, Sen. Harris is denying the fact that they’re going to raise taxes." Sara Fagen, a Republican strategist and a former senior official in the George W. Bush White House, praised Pence’s economic focus. “He needed to make the case on the economy, and he’s effectively drawing a contrast between two economic visions for America,” she said. Pence’s interruptions revealed the stage’s gender dynamics. In the early stretches of the debate, Harris took an extended opportunity not just to defend Biden’s credentials but, step by step, to walk through her own: a former San Francisco district attorney, California attorney general, U.S. senator (“only the second Black woman”) and member of the Senate Intelligence Committee. “Women always have overcompensate on résumé,” said Alexis Grenell, a Democratic strategist. “Men are evaluated based on potential, and women have to come with receipts. You can hear that in Kamala’s answer.” There were other gender dynamics at play, including Pence’s regular interruptions. “I’m speaking,” Harris pushed back at one point. “Mr. Vice President, I’m speaking,” she said at another. “He interrupted me, and I’d like to just finish, please,” she said a third time. It was hard not to see the interjections and pushback refracted through the lens of gender in a contest where the outsize support of women is lifting the Democratic ticket. Karen Finney, a Democratic strategist, said that Harris “clearly came prepared with strategies for Pence interrupting, talking over her and running over time.” “She was no doubt aware of the various dynamics and need to thread the needle on balancing being assertive and letting certain attacks go at points so as not to be seen as 'angry’ or ‘overly aggressive,’ which are common sexist racist tropes about women.” said Finney, who was an adviser on Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign. Pence, it should be noted, was the only man on the stage Wednesday, with Harris across from him and Susan Page, the Washington bureau chief of USA Today, serving as moderator. Harris got tangled up on the courts The weakest moment of the night for Harris came on the courts, when Pence challenged her directly to answer whether she and Biden would endorse expanding the Supreme Court if Trump’s nominee for the current vacancy, Amy Coney Barrett, was seated. Harris dodged. Pence called her out. And Harris dodged some more. Pence declared at the end of a squirm-worthy segment: “You gave a non-answer. Joe Biden gave a non-answer. The straight answer is, they are going to pack the Supreme Court if they somehow win this election.” The Biden campaign has clearly decreed that not answering this question — the former vice president has evaded it himself — is more politically palatable than any actual answer it might give. And on Wednesday night, that put Harris in a bind. “She will be in media trainings as an example of what not to do when avoiding a question,” said Gorman, the Republican strategist. With four weeks until the election — and upcoming Supreme Court confirming hearings — it is not clear how long the dodge will remain more tenable than an answer. Harris eventually returned to familiar and safer ground when it comes to the courts: the Trump administration’s lawsuit seeking to unwind the Affordable Care Act. She turned to the camera to accuse Trump of trying to gut it “literally in the midst of a public health pandemic.” Pence and Harris spar on race and racial justice. Harris’ mere presence onstage — the first woman of color on a major party ticket — was a statement in and of itself, an accomplishment Pence acknowledged directly by congratulating her on the “the historic nature of your nomination.” Still, Pence sought to undercut Harris’ credentials and appeal to Black voters, accusing her of prosecuting more African Americans than whites and saying she did not “lift a finger” for a criminal justice bill that Trump eventually signed. He elided the inconsistencies of making that argument moments after he had said that it would be an “great insult” to say America was “systemically racist” or that law enforcement officers have an “implicit bias.” Harris forcefully defended her record. “I will not sit here and be lectured by the vice president on what it means to enforce the laws of our country,” she said. The two candidates also differed on whether there had been justice for Breonna Taylor, the Black woman who was killed in her home in Louisville, Kentucky, during a police raid. “I don’t believe so,” Harris said. “I trust our justice system,” Pence said of a grand jury decision not to press further charges. It was a disagreement — but, like much of the night, an expected and uneventful one.

Six takeaways from the vice-presidential debate

Watch today in WION Dispatch: The Quad members' relations has been tensed with China. The United States of America has accused China for covering up COVID-19 from the world initially.

WION Dispatch: Quad members' tense relations with China, US accuses China for COVID

United States' Secretary of States Mike Pompeo slammed China over COVID-19 Quad Foreign Ministers' meet in presence of India's Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar. Mike Pompeo also discussed post-COVID world order.

Mike Pompeo slams China over COVID-19 in Quad Foreign Ministers' meet

Pompeo's trip comes despite the coronavirus crisis gripping Washington, which has seen President Donald Trump and a raft of his closest staff and advisors test positive for Covid-19.

Pompeo hails Japan PM Yoshihide Suga 'Force for good' during his visit to Tokyo

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his American counterpart, Mike Pompeo, on the sidelines of the Quad ministerial meeting on October 6.

QUAD Foreign Ministers' Meet: EAM S Jaishankar says India, US will work for stability in Indo-Pacific

India's External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have met in Tokyo. While they have been in touch with each other for past few months, amid the COVID crisis--this is the first in-person meeting between the two.

QUAD Foreign ministers' meet: Indian external affairs Min meets US Secy of State

Floyd’s killing, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, which has disproportionately infected and killed black people, has exposed long-standing racial inequities in every aspect of American life

Why racism in rural America is far worse than mainland; Watch this report

US House of Representative Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was due to resume talks on COVID-19 relief with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Wednesday, as Democratic lawmakers prepared to move forward with a $2.2 trillion bill if no deal is reached.

The House Rules Committee is meeting to debate an updated Heroes Act coronavirus relief package, which House Democrats unveiled on Monday. The panel would set the parameters for a House floor debate and vote on passage, but much depended on the outcome of Pelosi`s conversation with Mnuchin.

"I`m hopeful. We`ll just see what they come back with today and how our negotiations go next," Pelosi, who had spoken to Mnuchin for about 50 minutes on Tuesday, told MSNBC in an interview.

"It`s a negotiation. We won`t get everything we want," she said. Pelosi spoke just before the House Committee met. She did not say when exactly she would speak to Mnuchin and her office did not respond to queries.

Formal talks between Pelosi, Mnuchin, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows broke down on Aug. 7 with the two sides far apart.

Pelosi has since taken the lead for Democrats in trying to reach a compromise with the Trump administration.

Pelosi and Schumer initially pressed for a $3.4 trillion relief package but scaled back their demands by over a $1 trillion. The White House began with a $1 trillion proposal and later said that Trump could agree to a $1.3 trillion package.

On Monday, Pelosi urged the Trump administration to raise its number.

A report from Height Securites said on Wednesday that Mnuchin could give Pelosi an offer of $1.5 trillion to $1.6 trillion on Wednesday. 
&nbsp;

US House of Representative Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was due to resume talks on COVID-19 relief with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Wednesday, as Democratic lawmakers prepared to move forward with a $2.

US House of Representative Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she was due to resume talks on COVID-19 relief with Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on Wednesday, as Democratic lawmakers prepared to move forward with a $2.2 trillion bill if no deal is reached. The House Rules Committee is meeting to debate an updated Heroes Act coronavirus relief package, which House Democrats unveiled on Monday. The panel would set the parameters for a House floor debate and vote on passage, but much depended on the outcome of Pelosi`s conversation with Mnuchin. "I`m hopeful. We`ll just see what they come back with today and how our negotiations go next," Pelosi, who had spoken to Mnuchin for about 50 minutes on Tuesday, told MSNBC in an interview. "It`s a negotiation. We won`t get everything we want," she said. Pelosi spoke just before the House Committee met. She did not say when exactly she would speak to Mnuchin and her office did not respond to queries. Formal talks between Pelosi, Mnuchin, Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows broke down on Aug. 7 with the two sides far apart. Pelosi has since taken the lead for Democrats in trying to reach a compromise with the Trump administration. Pelosi and Schumer initially pressed for a $3.4 trillion relief package but scaled back their demands by over a $1 trillion. The White House began with a $1 trillion proposal and later said that Trump could agree to a $1.3 trillion package. On Monday, Pelosi urged the Trump administration to raise its number. A report from Height Securites said on Wednesday that Mnuchin could give Pelosi an offer of $1.5 trillion to $1.6 trillion on Wednesday.

Pelosi, Mnuchin to resume COVID-19 relief talks as Democrats mull new bill

In a socially distanced 1st #PresidentialDebate2020, Donald Trump & Joe Biden expressed their acrid contempt for each other. Tuesday night's debate became a spectacle of utter ignorance of the traditional parameters & trampled down debate decorum.

US Election 2020: Major takeaways of 1st presidential debate

Republican lawmakers are calling for the US to open trade talks with Taiwan in order to counter national security and economic threats from China. According to the Congressman who leads the group, a plan is "very much" on the radar screen of US Government.

Representative Michael McCaul, who chairs the China task force launched by Republicans said that negotiations for such a deal would be "an important foreign policy statement to make". He also said that this would help hold China accountable for how it handled the COVID-19 outbreak.

"It is very much on their radar screen," McCaul told Reuters, when asked if the Trump administration and its top trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, would pursue a deal. "I don`t think that Lighthizer has 100% approved it, but...it is one of the options on the table for them and I think a recommendation coming from the task force would carry a lot of weight."

The proposal is one of 400 recommendations outlined in a report set to be released later on Wednesday by the task force.

The report will also recommend bolstering U.S. medical supply chains, sanctioning Chinese telecoms companies engaged in economic or industrial espionage, and evaluating whether the Beijing`s repression of its Uigher Muslim minority amounts to genocide.

Taiwan has long sought a free trade agreement with the United States, its most important supporter on the international stage, but Washington has complained about barriers to access for U.S. pork and beef.

Last month, Taiwan paved the way for an eventual deal by announcing an easing of restrictions on the import of U.S. beef and pork that is expected to go into effect on Jan. 1.

Taiwan-U.S. trade last year was worth $85.5 billion, with the United States running a $23.1 billion deficit. Taiwan was the United States` 14th biggest export market in 2019.

The United States, like most countries, has no official relations with Taiwan, which is claimed by Beijing as sovereign Chinese territory. China has been stepping up its military activities near the island.

Republican lawmakers are calling for the US to open trade talks with Taiwan in order to counter national security and economic threats from China. According to the Congressman who leads the group, a plan is "very much" on the radar screen of US Government.

Republican lawmakers are calling for the US to open trade talks with Taiwan in order to counter national security and economic threats from China. According to the Congressman who leads the group, a plan is "very much" on the radar screen of US Government. Representative Michael McCaul, who chairs the China task force launched by Republicans said that negotiations for such a deal would be "an important foreign policy statement to make". He also said that this would help hold China accountable for how it handled the COVID-19 outbreak. "It is very much on their radar screen," McCaul told Reuters, when asked if the Trump administration and its top trade negotiator, Robert Lighthizer, would pursue a deal. "I don`t think that Lighthizer has 100% approved it, but...it is one of the options on the table for them and I think a recommendation coming from the task force would carry a lot of weight." The proposal is one of 400 recommendations outlined in a report set to be released later on Wednesday by the task force. The report will also recommend bolstering U.S. medical supply chains, sanctioning Chinese telecoms companies engaged in economic or industrial espionage, and evaluating whether the Beijing`s repression of its Uigher Muslim minority amounts to genocide. Taiwan has long sought a free trade agreement with the United States, its most important supporter on the international stage, but Washington has complained about barriers to access for U.S. pork and beef. Last month, Taiwan paved the way for an eventual deal by announcing an easing of restrictions on the import of U.S. beef and pork that is expected to go into effect on Jan. 1. Taiwan-U.S. trade last year was worth $85.5 billion, with the United States running a $23.1 billion deficit. Taiwan was the United States` 14th biggest export market in 2019. The United States, like most countries, has no official relations with Taiwan, which is claimed by Beijing as sovereign Chinese territory. China has been stepping up its military activities near the island.

Taiwan trade deal on Trump administration's radar, lawmaker says

President Donald Trump and Democrat Joe Biden will face each other live on TV for the first time in Cleveland, Ohio for the first presidential debate.

U.S. Election 2020 New York Direct EP3: Trump, Biden head to Ohio for first debate

One person was killed and another was wounded as a result of a shooting at the Amazon fulfillment centre in Florida`s Jacksonville city, the Florida Times-Union newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing the local police.

According to the police, the shooting occurred at 7.25 p.m. local time on Tuesday (23:25 GMT). Police officers arrived at the site immediately and found two people -- appearing to be Amazon employees -- with gunshot wounds.&nbsp;

A woman was declared dead on the scene, while a man was taken to a hospital.An investigation into the incident has been launched, according to the police.This is the second shooting to occur at the Amazon centre on Pecan Park Road this year. The previous one took place on June 29.

One person was killed and another was wounded as a result of a shooting at the Amazon fulfillment centre in Florida`s Jacksonville city, the Florida Times-Union newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing the local police.

One person was killed and another was wounded as a result of a shooting at the Amazon fulfillment centre in Florida`s Jacksonville city, the Florida Times-Union newspaper reported on Wednesday, citing the local police. According to the police, the shooting occurred at 7.25 p.m. local time on Tuesday (23:25 GMT). Police officers arrived at the site immediately and found two people -- appearing to be Amazon employees -- with gunshot wounds. A woman was declared dead on the scene, while a man was taken to a hospital.An investigation into the incident has been launched, according to the police.This is the second shooting to occur at the Amazon centre on Pecan Park Road this year. The previous one took place on June 29.

Shooting at Amazon facility in Florida, one dead

The first presidential debate, also dubbed as "Super bowl" of American democracy will begin shortly. Donald Trump frames the debate as a test for Joe Biden's mental acuity. This report sums up the campaign war ahead of the live debate.

U.S. Election 2020: Trump & Biden pre-debate campaign clash

Clocks around the world have been put on a countdown to 9 PM ET & 6:30 AM IST for the first Presidential Debate 2020. Festivities have begun on social media ahead of the live debate. Tweeter wrestle out narratives & judge candidates.

U.S. Election 2020: Festivities begin on twitter for big debate night

USA is seeking to limit stay of Chinese journalists on its soil to 90 days. The proposal of the Departement of Homeland Security is part of fixed time limit on visas of students, researchers and foreign journalists in the US. The administration's move has been mentioned in a federal notification.

This may open a new front of tussle between USA and China as bilateral relations worsen. Both the countries are locked in a tit-for-tat battle over coronavirus, trade, diplomatic presence on each other's soil.

As per the new proposal, Chinese journalists in the US can apply for an extension of 90 days. Journalists from Macau have been given exception.

Although a provision of extension of 90 days has been proposed, the period is much less than that granted to other foreign journalists.

Journalists from countries other than China can spend 240 days in the US and ask for an extension for same period ahead.

In March, the State Department asked Chinese media outlets to reduce their number of staff in the US.

Four Chinese State-run media outlets -- Xinhua News Agency, China Global Television Network, China Radio International and China Daily- were asked to reduce their total staff of 160 Chinese nationals to 100.

In June, the US designated four top state-run Chinese media houses as "foreign missions," terming them as "propaganda" outlets "controlled" by the ruling Communist Party of China.

It will be interesting two see how China responds to the fresh proposal that is set to come into effect in 30 days.

In past China has retaliated US moves.

When US asked China to shut it embassy in Houston, China had retaliated by asking US to do the same with its embassy in Chengdu province.

After this, both countries have increasingly chosen to restrict movements of each other's diplomats on their own soil.

USA is seeking to limit stay of Chinese journalists on its soil to 90 days. The proposal of the Departement of Homeland Security is part of fixed time limit on visas of students, researchers and foreign journalists in the US.

USA is seeking to limit stay of Chinese journalists on its soil to 90 days. The proposal of the Departement of Homeland Security is part of fixed time limit on visas of students, researchers and foreign journalists in the US. The administration's move has been mentioned in a federal notification. This may open a new front of tussle between USA and China as bilateral relations worsen. Both the countries are locked in a tit-for-tat battle over coronavirus, trade, diplomatic presence on each other's soil. As per the new proposal, Chinese journalists in the US can apply for an extension of 90 days. Journalists from Macau have been given exception. Although a provision of extension of 90 days has been proposed, the period is much less than that granted to other foreign journalists. Journalists from countries other than China can spend 240 days in the US and ask for an extension for same period ahead. In March, the State Department asked Chinese media outlets to reduce their number of staff in the US. Four Chinese State-run media outlets -- Xinhua News Agency, China Global Television Network, China Radio International and China Daily- were asked to reduce their total staff of 160 Chinese nationals to 100. In June, the US designated four top state-run Chinese media houses as "foreign missions," terming them as "propaganda" outlets "controlled" by the ruling Communist Party of China. It will be interesting two see how China responds to the fresh proposal that is set to come into effect in 30 days. In past China has retaliated US moves. When US asked China to shut it embassy in Houston, China had retaliated by asking US to do the same with its embassy in Chengdu province. After this, both countries have increasingly chosen to restrict movements of each other's diplomats on their own soil.

US seeks to restrict stay of Chinese journalists to 90 days

A white supremacist was killed in a shootout with police in Templeton, California on Friday. Christopher Straub, the deceased was a wanted felon and had previously served jail time in prison. A Deputy Sheriff was injured due to bullets fired by Straub.

Before the shootout, the police tried at first to conduct a traffic stop on Starub near a cemetery. This was when Straub grabbed a gun he had in his car and ran through the vineyards in the cemetery. The police gave a chase.

Inside the cemetery, Starub ambushed and opened fire at the police. One policeman was injured. The policeman was airlifted to a hospital and his health is said to be stable.

As policemen retaliated and fired bullets at Christopher Straub, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police found a large cache of weaponry inside his car. As per CNN, this included four assault-style rifles, one hunting rifle, one shotgun, two handguns along with the one he used to fire at police and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.

The police later discovered that Stroub was illegally manufacturing weapons parts.

He had links with white supremacist groups and had been booked more than a dozen times in various parts of California.

A white supremacist was killed in a shootout with police in Templeton, California on Friday. Christopher Straub, the deceased was a wanted felon and had previously served jail time in prison.

A white supremacist was killed in a shootout with police in Templeton, California on Friday. Christopher Straub, the deceased was a wanted felon and had previously served jail time in prison. A Deputy Sheriff was injured due to bullets fired by Straub. Before the shootout, the police tried at first to conduct a traffic stop on Starub near a cemetery. This was when Straub grabbed a gun he had in his car and ran through the vineyards in the cemetery. The police gave a chase. Inside the cemetery, Starub ambushed and opened fire at the police. One policeman was injured. The policeman was airlifted to a hospital and his health is said to be stable. As policemen retaliated and fired bullets at Christopher Straub, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Police found a large cache of weaponry inside his car. As per CNN, this included four assault-style rifles, one hunting rifle, one shotgun, two handguns along with the one he used to fire at police and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. The police later discovered that Stroub was illegally manufacturing weapons parts. He had links with white supremacist groups and had been booked more than a dozen times in various parts of California.

White supremacist killed in shootout in California

The crowds at election rallies are gaining strength. Doubts are being cast on the fairness of the election process. A fierce debate has ensued over the peaceful transition of power. And Donald Trump has reiterated his offer to mediate in India-China standoff.

Speaking to reporters outside White House earlier today, Trump delved into his nomination for the Nobel Prize and then switched to the ongoing India China face-off.

He said that two countries were having "substantial difficulty" and if America could help, it would love to help. Trump's own endless wars with China notwithstanding, he is convinced that he is the best person to negotiate peace.

The election battle has entered the final six-week stretch. Trump has upped the ante. He campaigned in two states in one day. He travelled to North Carolina and then to Florida. The rally venues were packed.

In his speech, Trump called Kamala Harris the 'furthest left' in the US Senate. And Joe Biden the 'lowest energy individual' he had ever seen.

"Supposing he never campaigns and he wins, you know how badly I'm going to feel. I'm working hard and you got to work hard. And you know what? I said it today. We cannot have a low-energy individual as our president. We can't. And he's the lowest energy individual I've ever seen...," said Trump.

"Kamala, you know, Kamala is further left than Bernie. I didn't know that. She is the furthest left in the U.S. Senate," he added.

Meanwhile, the transition of power after elections has become a subject of debate. Trump has refused a peaceful transition of power casting doubts on election process. but his fellow republicans do not support his stance. They think he is pushing it too far. This includes Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell. Republican Senator Marco Rubio, and Republican lawmaker Liz Cheney.

They all have reaffirmed their faith in the final results. They are promising a peaceful transition. The democrats have found new fodder.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi slammed Trump for disrespecting his oath to office. And she reminded him that he is not in North Korea.

"...I remind him that you are not in North Korea. You are not in Turkey. You are not in Russia, Mr President. And by the way, you are not in Saudi Arabia. You are in the United States of America. It is a democracy. So why don't you just... try for a moment to honour your oath of office," she said.

Speaking of the constitution, Donald Trump went to pay his repects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the deceased Supreme Court judge. First lady Melania Trump accompanies him. Both of them had their faces covered in masks. As the couple emerged on the steps of the Supreme Court building, something unusual happened. The people who had gathered started shouting "Vote him out!"

The crowds at election rallies are gaining strength. Doubts are being cast on the fairness of the election process. A fierce debate has ensued over the peaceful transition of power.

The crowds at election rallies are gaining strength. Doubts are being cast on the fairness of the election process. A fierce debate has ensued over the peaceful transition of power. And Donald Trump has reiterated his offer to mediate in India-China standoff. Speaking to reporters outside White House earlier today, Trump delved into his nomination for the Nobel Prize and then switched to the ongoing India China face-off. He said that two countries were having "substantial difficulty" and if America could help, it would love to help. Trump's own endless wars with China notwithstanding, he is convinced that he is the best person to negotiate peace. The election battle has entered the final six-week stretch. Trump has upped the ante. He campaigned in two states in one day. He travelled to North Carolina and then to Florida. The rally venues were packed. In his speech, Trump called Kamala Harris the 'furthest left' in the US Senate. And Joe Biden the 'lowest energy individual' he had ever seen. "Supposing he never campaigns and he wins, you know how badly I'm going to feel. I'm working hard and you got to work hard. And you know what? I said it today. We cannot have a low-energy individual as our president. We can't. And he's the lowest energy individual I've ever seen...," said Trump. "Kamala, you know, Kamala is further left than Bernie. I didn't know that. She is the furthest left in the U.S. Senate," he added. Meanwhile, the transition of power after elections has become a subject of debate. Trump has refused a peaceful transition of power casting doubts on election process. but his fellow republicans do not support his stance. They think he is pushing it too far. This includes Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell. Republican Senator Marco Rubio, and Republican lawmaker Liz Cheney. They all have reaffirmed their faith in the final results. They are promising a peaceful transition. The democrats have found new fodder. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi slammed Trump for disrespecting his oath to office. And she reminded him that he is not in North Korea. "...I remind him that you are not in North Korea. You are not in Turkey. You are not in Russia, Mr President. And by the way, you are not in Saudi Arabia. You are in the United States of America. It is a democracy. So why don't you just... try for a moment to honour your oath of office," she said. Speaking of the constitution, Donald Trump went to pay his repects to Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the deceased Supreme Court judge. First lady Melania Trump accompanies him. Both of them had their faces covered in masks. As the couple emerged on the steps of the Supreme Court building, something unusual happened. The people who had gathered started shouting "Vote him out!"

US Elections: Fierce debate ensues on transition of power after Trump's statement

This was the first indication that the US trial will remain on hold until the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and a safety panel investigate the case.

What's the status of Oxford-AstraZeneca trials in US; Detailed report

The Constitution's 22nd Amendment, which was ratified in 1951, established that a President may not serve more than two terms.

US Election 2020: Trump claims he is entitled to a '3rd term' if he wins

The diplomatic war between China and USA opened a new chapter as China imposed curbs on staff of US embassy and consulates located on Mainland China and in Hong Kong. Beijing has already imposed restrictions on US diplomats.

However, no details have been given as to the nature of these curbs

The diplomatic tussle between the US and China has been going on for months. Even US President Donald Trump has upped the ante on China as US presidential elections 2020 approach.

In July, US ordered China to close its consulate in Houston for what US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described as "stealing" intellectual property.

Soon China ordered closure of US consulate in the city of Chengdu.

Fresh curbs on US embassy and consulate staff have come as US declared last week that Chinese diplomats would be required to obtain approval from US State Department before visiting campuses of US Universities or holding cultural events of more than 50 people outside mission grounds.

About these restrictions, Pompeo maintained that the US was "simply demanding reciprocity".

The restrictions had drawn a strong reaction from the Chinese side. Chinese Embassy in Washington had termed this as "yet another unjustified restriction and barrier on Chinese diplomatic and consular personnel" that "runs counter to the self-proclaimed values of openness and freedom of the U.S. side."

US State Department had previously written to boards of US universities about the threat from Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

"These threats can come in the form of illicit funding for research, intellectual property theft, intimidation of foreign students and opaque talent recruitment efforts," Pompeo said.

The diplomatic war between China and USA opened a new chapter as China imposed curbs on staff of US embassy and consulates located on Mainland China and in Hong Kong.

The diplomatic war between China and USA opened a new chapter as China imposed curbs on staff of US embassy and consulates located on Mainland China and in Hong Kong. Beijing has already imposed restrictions on US diplomats. However, no details have been given as to the nature of these curbs The diplomatic tussle between the US and China has been going on for months. Even US President Donald Trump has upped the ante on China as US presidential elections 2020 approach. In July, US ordered China to close its consulate in Houston for what US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described as "stealing" intellectual property. Soon China ordered closure of US consulate in the city of Chengdu. Fresh curbs on US embassy and consulate staff have come as US declared last week that Chinese diplomats would be required to obtain approval from US State Department before visiting campuses of US Universities or holding cultural events of more than 50 people outside mission grounds. About these restrictions, Pompeo maintained that the US was "simply demanding reciprocity". The restrictions had drawn a strong reaction from the Chinese side. Chinese Embassy in Washington had termed this as "yet another unjustified restriction and barrier on Chinese diplomatic and consular personnel" that "runs counter to the self-proclaimed values of openness and freedom of the U.S. side." US State Department had previously written to boards of US universities about the threat from Chinese Communist Party (CCP). "These threats can come in the form of illicit funding for research, intellectual property theft, intimidation of foreign students and opaque talent recruitment efforts," Pompeo said.

China imposes fresh curbs on US embassy and consulate staff

The US says it has revoked the visas of more than 1,000 Chinese students and researchers who have been deemed to be a security risk.

WION Dispatch: US revokes more than 1,000 visas of Chinese nationals

E-retailer Amazon has announced ban on the sale of foreign seeds in the US after thousands of residents from across the country complained that they had received mysterious packages containing unidentified seeds from China.

Amazon bans sales of foreign seeds in US after thousand receive mysterious packets

A new book released Tuesday dishes on the supposed icy relationship between Melania Trump and her stepdaughter Ivanka

WION Dispatch: Stephaine Winston wrote the book on Melania Trump

us-news

Us News, News on Us News, stories on Us News, articles on Us News, Us News stories at Wion, Us News news, Us News latest news

us news