While You Were Sleeping: 5 stories you might have missed, July 24
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US Vice-President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris speaking at her first campaign rally, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 23.
PHOTO: AFP
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Harris assails Trump in debut rally
US Vice-President Kamala Harris assailed Donald Trump on July 23 at her first campaign rally since replacing President Joe Biden as the Democratic presidential candidate, while a Reuters/Ipsos opinion poll showed her taking a marginal lead over her Republican rival.
In a 17-minute speech, Ms Harris aggressively went after Trump’s vulnerabilities, comparing her background as a former prosecutor to his record as a convicted felon.
Ms Harris ticked through a list of liberal priorities, saying that if elected she would act to expand abortion access, make it easier for workers to join unions and address gun violence, drawing a sharp contrast with Trump, the Republican nominee for president in the Nov 5 election.
“Donald Trump wants to take our country backward,” she told a cheering crowd of several thousand at West Allis Central High School in a Milwaukee suburb in Wisconsin, a battleground state with a pivotal role in deciding the election outcome. “Do we want to live in a country of freedom, compassion and rule of law, or a country of chaos, fear and hate?“
US Secret Service chief resigns after rally shooting
US Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle resigned after the agency came under harsh scrutiny for its failure to stop a would-be assassin from wounding former president Donald Trump during a campaign rally, the White House said on July 23.
The agency did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The Secret Service, which is responsible for the protection of current and former US presidents, faces a crisis after a gunman was able to fire at Trump from a roof overlooking the outdoor rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13.
Fishing treaty fails at WTO, prompting concern
REUTERS
Countries and environmental groups voiced concern and disappointment on July 23 after a draft treaty to cut fishing subsidies failed to pass, with China calling for major changes in how countries negotiate at the World Trade Organisation (WTO).
The talks - seen as critical to helping over-fished stocks recover - have been going on for more than 20 years at the WTO, with an initial package approved in 2022.
The second phase, tackling some of the toughest remaining issues, had been drafted for approval at a WTO meeting this week but was blocked by India which criticised what it called the treaty’s “significant shortcomings” while seeking deeper carve-outs for developing countries.
Apple likely to release foldable iPhone as early as 2026
AFP
Apple is likely to introduce its foldable iPhone as early as 2026, the Information reported on July 23, that could mark the biggest hardware design revamp for the company’s most popular product.
The Cupertino, California-based company’s plan to release a foldable iPhone could mimic a similar move by Samsung Electronics, which pioneered the foldable segment in 2019, in a bid to attract new customers with a major hardware design refresh.
Apple’s foldable iPhone has progressed from the ideation stage, the report said, citing two people with knowledge of the matter.
US vow to keep pressure off Biles at Paris Games
AFP
United States gymnastics chiefs said on July 23 they want to keep the pressure off Simone Biles as she bids for six gold medals at the Paris Olympics.
US women’s team technical leader Chellsie Memmel said Biles must not feel they are “relying” on her and she has the option of not competing on all four apparatus in the women’s team final.
“I don’t say, ‘You are keeping us all together, we’re relying on you and you alone’,” Memmel told journalists days before the Games begin in the French capital.
