How will US foreign policy affect Joe Biden’s chances of re-election in November? 
South Africa’s youth are a generation lost under democracy – study 
South Korean President Yoon faces foreign policy challenges after the National Assembly election 
US Commerce Secretary Asserts Huawei Chip Lag, Affirms Export Control Success 
Turkey’s suppression of the Kurdish political movement continues to fuel a deadly armed conflict 
The 50th anniversary of Portugal’s Carnation Revolution 
Georgia is sliding towards autocracy after government moves to force through bill on ‘foreign agents’ 
US Finalizes Ban List for Chinese Chipmakers; Boosts Mexico Semiconductor Ties 
Sudan’s civil war is rooted in its historical favouritism of Arab and Islamic identity 
US and Japan Boost AI, Semiconductor Alliance; EU Eyes Reduction in China Dependence 
The politics stopping the UK from opening a youth mobility scheme with Europe 
One of the highlights from previous White House briefings last week was President Donald Trump’s suggestion of drinking or injecting disinfectants to combat coronavirus. In the latest White House briefing, it appears Trump does not take responsibility for the increase in inquiries on whether or not disinfectants can be ingested.
BBC reports that during Monday’s White House coronavirus task force briefing, the press informed Trump that the state of Maryland received so many calls as of late, asking for assistance in ingesting disinfectants, following Trump’s comments. When asked if he takes responsibility for the rise in inquiries, Trump declined and even said that he could not imagine why there was such an increase.
Trump also backtracked his previous comments, which drew criticism from medical experts and prominent figures in the field, including the makers of Lysol, who have had to advise the American public not to ingest disinfectants as these are chemicals that are poisonous if ingested. Trump said that his comments regarding disinfectants were made out of sarcasm. The remarks were from Thursday’s White House briefing, following the presentation of an official showing that the virus could be killed by bleach.
By Friday’s conference, Trump said, “I was asking a question sarcastically to reporters like you just to see what would happen.”
In other related news, Trump continues to lash out on journalists and outlets over coverage of the press briefings that he is not pleased about during the briefings and on social media. The White House has also accused the media of taking his words out of context. One such incident came in the form of a series of tweets that he deleted, involving his eating habits and the “Noble prizes.” In those tweets, Trump complained about the New York Times on Sunday. The deleted tweets have since been recovered.
“I work from early in the morning until late at night, haven’t left the White House in many months (except to launch Hospital Ship Comfort) in order to take care of Trade Deals, Military Rebuilding, etc., and then I read a phony story in the failing @nytimes about my work schedule and eating habits, written by a third rate reporter who knows nothing about me. I will often be in the Oval Office late into the night & read & see that I am angrily eating a hamburger & Diet Coke in my bedroom. People with me are always stunned. Anything to demean!” tweeted Trump.
