US President Biden assures peaceful transfer of power in January
Washington, Nov 7: Outgoing US President Joe Biden on Thursday vowed to ensure a peaceful and orderly transfer of power to President-elect Donald Trump in January and appealed to the people to accept the election results for the White House.
Biden made the comments during an address to the nation a day after Trump, 78, was re-elected as the 47th president of the US after defeating Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party's nominee.
Biden said he spoke with Trump and also with Vice President Harris, who he said ran an inspiring campaign.
Trump, who had lost the 2020 elections to President Biden, won this time both in terms of popular votes and electoral college votes.
“Yesterday, I spoke with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his victory. I assured him that I would direct my entire administration to work with his team to ensure a peaceful and orderly transition," Biden said in his address from the Rose Garden of the White House.
"That's what the American people deserve,” he added.
"For over 200 years, America has carried on the greatest experiment in self-government in the history of the world," he said, adding that the people vote and choose their leaders and do it peacefully.
"In a democracy, the will of the people always prevails," said Biden in his address attended by members of his Cabinet and senior administration officials.
Biden said he hoped the election could also lay to rest the question about the integrity of the American electoral system.
“It is honest, it is fair, and it is transparent. It can be trusted, win or lose. I also hope we can restore the respect for all our election workers who busted their necks and took risks at the outset,” he said.
“As they did their duty as citizens, I will do my duty as president. I'll fulfill my oath and I will honour the Constitution. On January 20th, we'll have a peaceful transfer of power here in America,” Biden said.
Rebutting criticism of his economic policy, Biden said his administration is leaving behind the strongest economy in the world.
Biden said he also spoke with Vice President Harris.
"She's been a partner and a public servant. She ran an inspiring campaign, and everyone got to see something that I learned early on to respect so much: her character... She has great character, true character,” he said.
Biden added that Harris -- who took after Biden withdrew in July-- gave her "whole heart and effort" to her presidential campaign.
"I know for some people, it's a time for victory, to state the obvious. For others, it's a time of loss," he said.
Adding that campaigns are contests of competing visions and the country chooses one or the other, Biden said, "We accept the choice the country made."
"You can't love your country only when you win. You can't love your neighbour only when you agree,” Biden said.
His remarks are seen as an attempt to heal a country that appeared divided into two groups after the results of the bitterly contested presidential election were out.
"I know people are still hurting, but things are changing rapidly. Together, we've changed America for the better. Now we have 74 days to finish our term. Let's make every day count. That's the responsibility we have to the American people,” he said.
Noting that setbacks are unavoidable, he said that giving up is "unforgivable".
"We all get knocked down. But the measure of our character, as my dad would say, is how quickly we get back up. Remember, a defeat does not mean we are defeated. We lost this battle. The America of your dreams is calling for you to get back up,” he said.
“That's the story of America for over 240 years and counting. It's a story for all of us, not just some of us," he said, adding that the American experiment endures.
"We're going to be okay, but we need to stay engaged. We need to keep going. Above all, we need to keep the faith,” Biden said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Cockroach infestation at Hyderabad tiffin centre raises food safety concerns
Hyderabad, November 22 — A customer dining at a tiffin centre near Nexus Mall, KPHB, Hyderabad, was shocked to discover cockroaches in the breakfast served. The incident occurred at Madhuram Tiffins on Friday morning and quickly gained attention after the customer shared their experience on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The post included images and a video showing unsanitary conditions in the kitchen, with a plea to food safety authorities to take immediate action.
"During our breakfast at Madhuram Tiffins, we found cockroaches in the chutneys served," the customer wrote, tagging relevant food safety officials. The visuals highlighted unsanitary practices, sparking a wave of concern over food safety standards at the well-known establishment.
In response, the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) assured that their food safety team had been notified and promised swift action to address the issue.
The incident triggered a mixed response from the public. One social media user expressed frustration over the lack of cleanliness, stating, “These hotel owners and workers don’t even think about hygiene anymore. They even treat customers rudely.” Another called for stricter measures, suggesting that establishments with poor hygiene should face immediate closure and have their licenses revoked. Meanwhile, a third user warned against dining out, remarking, “Food these days is more about taste than health.”
This incident comes in the wake of recent food safety inspections conducted by the Telangana Food Safety Department. Earlier, the department carried out surprise raids at several prominent tiffin centres in Hyderabad.
During an inspection at Padmavathi Tiffins in Ashoknagar, officials found a live cockroach in the storeroom, raw food items stored directly on the floor, and evidence of rat burrows. Staff members were also seen handling food without hair caps or aprons.
At Sri Sidhi Vinayaka Udupi Tiffins, also in Ashoknagar, inspectors noted the absence of insect-proof screens and an unhygienic kitchen environment. Similar concerns were raised at Balaji Darshan Tiffins, where stagnant water in drains and uncovered garbage bins were observed.
Violations extended beyond eateries to local hostels. My Home Luxury Girls Hostel in Ashoknagar was cited for inadequate insect-proofing and cockroach infestations in the kitchen.
