On COVID-19, China either made a terrible mistake or probably it was incompetence: Trump
Washington: The spread of the deadly coronavirus across the globe from China was either a terrible mistake on the part of the Chinese or probably it was incompetence, US President Donald Trump said on Thursday.
"It (coronavirus) could have been stopped at the point. It could have been stopped right at the source. It would have been easy to do, but something happened. Something happened," he told reporters in the Oval Office of the White House.
"Either they made a terrible mistake -- probably it was incompetence. Somebody was stupid and they did not do the job that they should have done. It is too bad," the president said in response to a question.
More than 2,64,000 people have died of COVID-19 globally and 37 lakh tested positive for the disease. In the US alone, more than 76,000 Americans have died and 12 lakh people tested positive for coronavirus.
The deadly virus has spread to over 180 countries, Trump pointed out.
Meanwhile, House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy announced the formation of the China Task Force, which will bring together select members from key committees to help reinforce Congressional efforts to counter the current and emerging cross-jurisdictional threats from China.
The task force was originally designed to be a joint effort with Democrat colleagues, but after delaying for more than a year, the majority never launched the initiative, the Republican leader said.
"As we learn more about COVID-19, one thing has become clear -- China's coverup directly led to this crisis. The Communist Party of China hid the seriousness of the disease, led a propaganda campaign blaming the US, used their supplies to exert influence and continue to refuse international experts to investigate what happened," McCarthy said.
"It follows the same threatening pattern of behaviour we have seen from the Chinese Communist Party for years -- something that has long been the bipartisan consensus in Washington," he added.
In a related development, 27 members of the Senate and House condemned Chinese Ambassador Cheng Jingye's comments and expressed support for Australia's decision to pursue the investigation.
The comments insinuated that Australia may face economic retaliation after calling for an independent investigation into the origins of the coronavirus, including boycotts of Australian wine and beef.
"This incident is part of a broader and concerning pattern from the Chinese government," the lawmakers said in a statement.
"As we continue to confront this deadly disease and its consequences, we will be faced with many tough decisions, including those that may arise from the Chinese government's continued lack of cooperation and transparency. One decision that is not difficult is to always stand with our Australian mates. No matter the external pressure or coercion, we will always have Australia's back, just as Australia has always had ours," they said.
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Lara Dutta stranded in Dubai as Middle East unrest escalates, urges better sense to prevail
Mumbai (PTI): Bollywood actor Lara Dutta Bhupathi, who is currently in Dubai with her daughter and former tennis star Mahesh Bhupathi, on Wednesday said she is feeling “nervous” and “stressed out” due to the ongoing conflict and is hoping to return to Mumbai.
The actor said she had travelled to Dubai , which has been like a home to her for the past three years, for a brand-related commitment when the Israel-Iran war began. She recalled hearing explosions and seeing missiles being intercepted while she was at a studio.
“I can’t lie (been) stressful days. We are nervous and it’s been scary. Lots of fighter jets flying overhead, lots of loud booms. Though we live in a villa in a very safe neighbourhood, the windows shake, the house and the doors rattle, and it's unnerving. But I haven't felt unsafe, not even once,” the actor said in a video clip, admitting that the nervous energy compelled her to make it.
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Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply after the United States and Israel launched a coordinated offensive against Iran on February 28. Tehran responded by firing drones and missiles at Israel, US military installations across the Gulf region, and the global business hub of Dubai.
She praised the UAE government and said they’ve doing an “incredible” job and they are being “looked after” and “protected” regardless of the nationality.
“…We feel like we count, we matter. The UAE government as somebody living in this city, is making sure they do everything in their power to protect us and keep us safe,” Dutta said.
The actor expressed her admiration for the workforce from her gardener to delivery riders, and said she has immense respect for the everyday heroes who keep the country running.
She said they are looking at flights back to India, and but they are not available.
“We are trying to get back to Mumbai, more so because the kids are lot more nervous, we are as well as grown-ups. We are trying to get out,” an emotional Dutta said.
“I was in India, obviously, when India and Pakistan went to war, and we saw how well our country protected us then. And it's the same here. No one, no civilian, deserves to live in fear or be caught up in a war that is destabilising an entire region,” she said.
Dutta said she is hoping that the “common sense and better judgement would prevail”.
Friends and colleagues from the film industry commented on Dutta’s post.
“I'm glad you're safe, Lara, and credit where credit is due to the UAE govt,” actor Richa Chadha said.
Actor Sudhanshu Pandey said, “Lara my dearest, you hang in there, all will be well. Stay together stay strong, this will be over soon.”
Earlier, actors Esha Gupta, Sonal Chauhan were stranded in UAE and have safely returned to India.
