France Battles Mediterranean Wildfires as Heatwave Fuels Fire Risk 
UN Warns of Looming Human Rights Catastrophe in Sudan’s Al-Obeid 
Trump Offers to Help Advance Ukraine Peace Talks in Call With Putin 
Trump Administration Declines USMCA Renewal, Opens Talks on New Trade Changes 
Taiwan Simulates Chinese Blockade and Invasion in Major Civil Defense Drill 
State of emergency in Crimea as Ukraine focuses pressure on ‘jewel in Putin’s crown’ 
Russian Attacks Kill Three in Eastern Ukraine as Civilian Casualties Mount 
OpenAI Proposes 5% U.S. Government Stake Amid AI Policy Talks 
Kim Jong Un Oversees North Korea Destroyer Missile Tests, Orders Rapid Naval Deployment 
EU Chip Industry Faces Growing Risks From China Export Controls and U.S. Technology Dependence: Report 
DHS Investigates Cyber Breach in Homeland Security Information-Sharing Network 
Trump Marks America’s 250th Anniversary With National Mall Rally Amid Political Divide 
JD Vance Says Britain Needs Major Political Change as Leadership Transition Looms 
US Resumes Dollar Shipments to Iraq After Months-Long Suspension 
Zelenskiy Urges Trump’s Support to Help End Russia-Ukraine War 
Venezuela Interim President Defends Earthquake Response as Death Toll Climbs 
South Korea Warns Won Is Undervalued, Boosts FX Coordination With Japan 
Former first lady Michelle Obama made her case for former vice president Joe Biden during the Democratic National Convention a few months back. With weeks to go until the November elections, Mrs. Obama blasted Donald Trump in a new video marking her final argument in support of the Democratic challenger.
In a 24-minute video titled “Closing Argument,” shared by the Biden Campaign, Obama ripped into Trump, calling him out for his racism and recklessness during a pandemic that has now affected millions of Americans and killed 210,000 of them. Without mentioning that Trump himself contracted COVID-19 last week, Michelle accused him of trying to “gaslight” the American public into thinking that the pandemic is not very serious. Obama also criticized Trump for flouting guidelines set by the health experts in preventing the spread of the disease, as well as his endangerment of many of his supporters’ lives by holding campaign rallies.
“Seven months later, he still doesn’t have a plan for this virus,” said Michelle. “Seven months later, he still won’t wear a mask consistently and urge others to do the same -- even when those simple actions could save countless lives. Instead, he continues to gaslight the American people by acting like this pandemic is not a real threat.”
In calling Trump out for his racism, the former first lady urged white Americans to have empathy, to be part of the solution in addressing systemic racism. In turn, Michelle also praised the former vice president, reiterating his character and years of experience as well as saying that Biden is “a good man who understands the struggles of everyday folks.”
Michelle urged everyone to turn out for Biden in the upcoming elections. “Search your hearts, and your conscience, and vote for Joe Biden like your lives depended on it.”
Like many last week, Michelle tuned in to the first presidential debate between Trump and Biden. The former first lady shared her thoughts about the chaotic debate that ensued on Instagram, the televised event of which, was widely criticized by many in large part because of Trump’s behavior. “If you were turned off by the President’s behavior last night, I feel you. Believe me, I do. But we can’t let him win by tuning out altogether. That’s what he wants,” wrote Michelle.
