4 years ago
New Delhi:
US President-elect Joe Biden took the first steps on Sunday towards taking over the White House 73 days from now but Donald Trump showed no signs of being ready to admit defeat and continued to sow doubt about the election results.
As congratulations poured in from world leaders and supporters nursed hangovers after a day of raucous celebrations, Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris launched a transition website, BuildBackBetter.com, and a Twitter feed, @Transition46. The transition website lists four priorities for an administration led by Barack Obama's former vice president: Covid-19, economic recovery, racial equity and climate change.
"The team being assembled will meet these challenges on Day One," it said in a reference to January 20, 2021, when Biden will be sworn in as the 46th President of the United States.
Joe Biden, who turns 78 on November 20, is the oldest person ever elected to the White House. Harris, 56, the junior senator from California, is the first woman and first Black person to be elected vice president.
Biden plans to name a task force on Monday to tackle the coronavirus pandemic which has left more than 237,000 people dead in the United States and is surging across the country.
He has also announced plans to rejoin the Paris climate accord and will reportedly issue an executive order on his first day reversing Trump's the travel ban on mostly Muslim countries.
Biden has vowed to name a cabinet that reflects the diversity of the country although he may have some trouble gaining Senate approval for more progressive appointees if Republicans retain control of the Senate -- an outcome that will depend on two runoff races in Georgia in January.
Here are the Highlights on US Presidential Elections 2020 Result:
Justin Trudeau says hopeful Joe Biden will keep up pressure on China
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Monday he is hopeful that US President-elect Joe Biden's administration will keep up pressure on China to release two Canadians held for nearly two years.
At a news conference, Trudeau commented that his government has "worked very closely" with Donald Trump's administration and other allies to put pressure on Beijing to release the pair.
"I am extremely confident that the incoming American administration will continue to be a good partner to Canada and other nations around the world as we look to impress upon China that the approach they're taking is simply not working (and)... the importance of returning the two Canadians who've been arbitrarily detained for over 700 days," he said.
UN chief congratulates Biden, American people
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday congratulated Joe Biden on winning the US presidency -- and the American people for a "vibrant exercise of democracy."
Biden was projected as the winner of the bitterly contested November 3 election on Saturday by US media, though President Donald Trump has yet to concede.
"The Secretary-General congratulates the American people for a vibrant exercise of democracy in their country's elections last week," spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
"He congratulates the President-elect and Vice President-elect and reaffirms that the partnership between the United States and the United Nations is an essential pillar of the international cooperation needed to address the dramatic challenges facing the world today."
End of fight against Covid-19 still months away, says Joe Biden on Pfizer's vaccine progress
US President-elect Joe Biden on Monday said that Pfizer's announcement that a Covid-19 vaccine it was developing was 90 per cent effective, offered cause for hope but warned that the battle ahead was still long.
In a statement, Joe Biden said: "Last night, my public health advisors were informed of this excellent news. I congratulate the brilliant men and women who helped produce this breakthrough and to give us such cause for hope."
Trump supporters downcast but holding out until election results 'certified'
In the parking lot of Jones Diner, the supporters of President Donald Trump aren't ready to accept a Joe Biden victory until the election results are "certified" but signs of resignation are creeping in.
Towanda, a town of about 2,800 people in rural north-east Pennsylvania's Bradford County, is a Trump bastion.
Of the 30,000 people in the county who voted in Tuesday's election, nearly 72 percent cast their ballots for Trump, a tick higher than in 2016.
On Sunday, a day after US television networks announced Biden was the winner, nearly 30 Trump supporters gathered outside Jones Diner wearing red "Make America Great Again" hats and waving giant blue "Trump-Pence" flags.
In the parking lot of Jones Diner, the supporters of President Donald Trump aren't ready to accept a Joe Biden victory until the election results are "certified" but signs of resignation are creeping in.
Towanda, a town of about 2,800 people in rural north-east Pennsylvania's Bradford County, is a Trump bastion.
Of the 30,000 people in the county who voted in Tuesday's election, nearly 72 percent cast their ballots for Trump, a tick higher than in 2016.
On Sunday, a day after US television networks announced Biden was the winner, nearly 30 Trump supporters gathered outside Jones Diner wearing red "Make America Great Again" hats and waving giant blue "Trump-Pence" flags.
Four states still counting ballots after US presidential election
Joe Biden is already projected to win the US presidential election, according to major US media. But all outlets have yet to project a final winner in four US states, as of Monday: Alaska, Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina.
Biden needs at least 270 votes in the Electoral College, which ultimately decides the presidency. Those 538 votes are apportioned among the states and chosen in individual state contests on Election Day, usually on a winner-take-all basis.
Biden currently has at least 279 electoral votes. Republican incumbent President Donald Trump has only 214 -- even if he wins all four remaining states, he cannot reach 270.
Joe Biden is already projected to win the US presidential election, according to major US media. But all outlets have yet to project a final winner in four US states, as of Monday: Alaska, Arizona, Georgia and North Carolina.
Biden needs at least 270 votes in the Electoral College, which ultimately decides the presidency. Those 538 votes are apportioned among the states and chosen in individual state contests on Election Day, usually on a winner-take-all basis.
Biden currently has at least 279 electoral votes. Republican incumbent President Donald Trump has only 214 -- even if he wins all four remaining states, he cannot reach 270.
US President-elect Biden's hopes for Democratic agenda hang on Georgia runoffs
US President-elect Joe Biden's hopes of enacting major Democratic priorities like expanding healthcare access, fighting climate change and providing more coronavirus aid are going to hang on a pair of U.S. Senate races in Georgia in January.
Democrats fell short of their goal of taking a Senate majority and actually lost seats in the House of Representatives, making Republicans well positioned to block major Biden legislative initiatives.
That leaves Biden's party with the daunting task of trying to unseat two incumbent Republican senators in the traditionally Republican-leaning state, where Biden himself holds just a narrow lead over President Donald Trump as vote-counting continues.
"We take Georgia, then we change the world," Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer declared in New York on Saturday. Georgia's Republican Governor Brian Kemp also heralded the high-stakes January voting, calling on Republicans to unite and saying "the fight is far from over."
US President-elect Joe Biden's hopes of enacting major Democratic priorities like expanding healthcare access, fighting climate change and providing more coronavirus aid are going to hang on a pair of U.S. Senate races in Georgia in January.
Democrats fell short of their goal of taking a Senate majority and actually lost seats in the House of Representatives, making Republicans well positioned to block major Biden legislative initiatives.
That leaves Biden's party with the daunting task of trying to unseat two incumbent Republican senators in the traditionally Republican-leaning state, where Biden himself holds just a narrow lead over President Donald Trump as vote-counting continues.
"We take Georgia, then we change the world," Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer declared in New York on Saturday. Georgia's Republican Governor Brian Kemp also heralded the high-stakes January voting, calling on Republicans to unite and saying "the fight is far from over."
Joe Biden to launch COVID-19 task force, Trump plans rallies to protest election
US President-elect Joe Biden will convene a coronavirus task force on Monday to examine the No. 1 problem confronting him when he takes office in January, while President Donald Trump pursues several long-shot gambits to hold on to his job.
Biden is due to meet with an advisory board co-chaired by former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner David Kessler and Yale University Associate Professor Marcella Nunez-Smith to examine how best to tame a pandemic that has killed more than 237,000 Americans.
The Democratic former vice president will then give remarks in Wilmington, Delaware, about his plans for tackling COVID-19 and rebuilding the economy.
"Dealing with the coronavirus pandemic is one of the most important battles our administration will face, and I will be informed by science and by experts," Biden said in a statement on Monday.
The group of scientists and experts will liaise with local and state officials on the pandemic response, including how to safely reopen schools and firms and tackle racial disparities.
US President-elect Joe Biden will convene a coronavirus task force on Monday to examine the No. 1 problem confronting him when he takes office in January, while President Donald Trump pursues several long-shot gambits to hold on to his job.
Biden is due to meet with an advisory board co-chaired by former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner David Kessler and Yale University Associate Professor Marcella Nunez-Smith to examine how best to tame a pandemic that has killed more than 237,000 Americans.
The Democratic former vice president will then give remarks in Wilmington, Delaware, about his plans for tackling COVID-19 and rebuilding the economy.
"Dealing with the coronavirus pandemic is one of the most important battles our administration will face, and I will be informed by science and by experts," Biden said in a statement on Monday.
The group of scientists and experts will liaise with local and state officials on the pandemic response, including how to safely reopen schools and firms and tackle racial disparities.
Germany to stand 'side by side' with US on global problems: Angela Merkel
Germany will "stand together" with the United States to overcome global challenges from the coronavirus pandemic to global warming, Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed Monday after Joe Biden was elected America's next president.
Germany and the US share multiple common interests, Merkel said, adding that in dealing with international problems, "Germans and Europeans know that we must take on more responsibility in this partnership in the 21st century."
Germany will "stand together" with the United States to overcome global challenges from the coronavirus pandemic to global warming, Chancellor Angela Merkel vowed Monday after Joe Biden was elected America's next president.
Germany and the US share multiple common interests, Merkel said, adding that in dealing with international problems, "Germans and Europeans know that we must take on more responsibility in this partnership in the 21st century."
Germany to stand 'side by side' with US on global problems, said Angela Merkel
Russian President Vladimir Putin Awaiting Official US Result To Congratulate Winner: Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin is waiting for official results from the US presidential election before congratulating a winner, the Kremlin said on Monday.
"We consider it correct to wait for the official results to be finalised. I want to remind you that President Putin repeatedly said he will respect the choice of the American people," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Many world leaders congratulated President-elect Joe Biden after he took an insurmountable lead over Donald Trump in the vote count.
China Says Understands US Election Result Will Be Determined Following Laws
China's foreign ministry said on Monday that China understands the result of the U.S. presidential election will be determined following U.S. laws.
Wang Wenbin, spokesman with the ministry, made the comment at a regular news briefing when asked whether China's President Xi will congratulate U.S. president-elect Joe Biden.
Trump Refuses To Concede Over 24 Hours Later, Golfs Again On Sunday
As President-elect Joe Biden accepted congratulations from world leaders and a former president on Sunday, the man he defeated continued to deny the reality of a transition that was taking place despite his unwillingness to participate. Read more
As President-elect Joe Biden accepted congratulations from world leaders and a former president on Sunday, the man he defeated continued to deny the reality of a transition that was taking place despite his unwillingness to participate. Read more
Melania Wants Donald Trump To Concede Defeat To Joe Biden: Report
US First Lady Melania Trump has joined other members of her husband Donald Trump's inner circle asking him to accept his loss and concede defeat to President-elect Joe Biden, informed a source familiar with the conversations.
The source said that although Melania has not publicly commented on the election, she has privately weighed in with her opinion, reported CNN.
"She has offered it, as she often does," said the source.
Melania had earlier campaigned for her husband's re-election campaign last month. Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and his senior adviser, had earlier approached the President about conceding the election, two sources told CNN.
The move came after Trump, in a statement, said that Biden is "rushing to falsely pose as the winner" and that the race is "far from over".
Biden Likely To Keep Focus On "Indo-Pacific" Region To Tackle China
Unlike Donald Trump, whom Chinese officials had little knowledge of before he took office, Joe Biden is well known in Beijing. But that history is unlikely to quickly repair a relationship between the global powers that has fundamentally changed over the past four years. Read more
Donald Trump Advisers View Legal Challenges To Joe Biden Win As Futile
Recognition is growing in Donald Trump's inner circle that efforts to overturn Joe Biden's victory will be futile, though some advisers have urged the president to pursue focused legal challenges, according to people familiar with the matter.
Trump has given no indication he's preparing to concede. His closest aide, son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner, has recommended the president ask courts to ensure transparency around ongoing counts of ballots in several contested states, the people said.
The president is falling further behind Biden in three pivotal states -- Pennsylvania, Georgia and Nevada -- and has not made up enough ground in Arizona to make it likely the state will flip back to Trump's column. He now trails Biden by about 101,000 votes combined across the four states, with the largest deficits in Pennsylvania and Nevada.
There is awareness among Trump's aides that the election has been decided, according to three of the people.
Former Obama Officials Morell, Haines Likely Candidates For Biden Spy Jobs
Two former senior US intelligence officials - Michael Morell and Avril Haines - have emerged as leading contenders to serve as Director of National Intelligence or run the CIA in President-elect Joe Biden's administration, several current and former intelligence officials said. Read more
Two former senior US intelligence officials - Michael Morell and Avril Haines - have emerged as leading contenders to serve as Director of National Intelligence or run the CIA in President-elect Joe Biden's administration, several current and former intelligence officials said. Read more
Artist Sudarsan Pattnaik creates 25-feet long sculpture to congratulate Joe Biden, Kamala Harris
My sandart at #Puri beach in India.
- Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) November 8, 2020
For historical win of President-elect, @JoeBiden and Vice President-elect, @KamalaHarris . pic.twitter.com/wA8ZqECg4g
Former Obama officials Morell, Haines likely candidates for Biden spy jobs
Two former senior US intelligence officials - Michael Morell and Avril Haines - have emerged as leading contenders to serve as Director of National Intelligence or run the CIA in President-elect Joe Biden's administration, several current and former intelligence officials said.
Morell served as the Central Intelligence Agency's deputy director in the Obama Administration between 2010 and 2013, and during that time also served two stints as acting agency director Haines, served as CIA deputy director and as President Barack Obama's deputy national security advisor, said the sources
Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro hopes to resume "decent" dialogue with Biden administration
Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro said Sunday that he will work to resume "decent, sincere" political dialogue with the United States, a country with which his government maintains tense relations, once Joe Biden assumes the presidency.
"In time,... we will work, hopefully, to resume decent, sincere, direct channels of dialogue between the future government of Joe Biden" and Venezuela, the leftist leader said in a televised speech.
Joe Biden and aides plan for the "hard work of governing" US
A day after clinching the U.S. presidency, Democrat Joe Biden and his advisers were working on Sunday on how to address the nation's coronavirus crisis while reinforcing his intention to bridge America's gaping political divisions.
"The work starts right away," Biden Deputy Campaign Manager Kate Bedingfield said.
Biden on Saturday made clear that tackling the pandemic was a top priority. He has promised to improve access to coronavirus testing and, unlike Trump, to heed the advice of leading public health officials and scientists.
