NEW YORK: Former Vice President Joe Biden is outlining his vision for unifying America in a high-profile speech set in his native Pennsylvania.
The Democratic presidential contender faces voters in Philadelphia on Saturday. Biden formally launched his White House bid three weeks ago in Pennsylvania, but the weekend address marks his first public appearance in his home state since announcing Philadelphia would host his campaign headquarters.
Biden’s campaign says the speech will focus on his “vision for unifying America with respected leadership on the world stage — and dignified leadership at home.”
The 76-year-old has leapt to the front of the crowded Democratic primary, in part by highlighting his ability to compete with President Donald Trump across battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin.
2020 hopeful Biden set to outline vision for uniting America
2020 hopeful Biden set to outline vision for uniting America
- Biden formally launched his White House bid three weeks ago in Pennsylvania
- Biden’s campaign says the speech will focus on his “vision for unifying America"
UN chief calls Ukraine war ‘a stain on our collective conscience’
- Guterres warned that the fighting posed direct risks to the safe and secure operation of Ukraine’s nuclear sites
WASHINGTON: Four years after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said the war there remained “as a stain on our collective conscience” and reiterated calls for an immediate ceasefire. In remarks for a session of the United Nations Security Council to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Guterres commended the efforts of the United States and others to end the war, but said concrete measures were needed to de-escalate and create space for diplomacy.
Referring to Russia’s invasion, Guterres said: “We have witnessed the cascading consequences of this blatant violation of international law.”
He said more than 15,000 civilians had been killed in Ukraine since the start of the war and over 41,000 hurt. Among those killed or hurt were 3,200 children.
Guterres’ remarks were read on his behalf by Rosemary DiCarlo, the UN under-secretary-general for peacebuilding.
Guterres warned that the fighting posed direct risks to the safe and secure operation of Ukraine’s nuclear sites, and added: “This unconscionable game of nuclear roulette must cease immediately.”
He urged UN member states to fully fund humanitarian assistance and said that any settlement to the war must uphold the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.
“Enough with the death. Enough with the destruction. Enough with the broken lives and shattered futures,” he added.
“It is time for an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire – the first step toward a just peace that saves lives and ends the endless suffering.
