World laughs as Trump boasts of achievements

Prez heaps high praise on India in UNGA speech

United Nations, Sept. 25: The world literally laughed out loud at US President Donald Trump on Tuesday when, during his address to the United Nations General Assembly, he boasted that “my administration has accomplished more than almost any administration in the history of our country.”

As soon as these words left Mr Trump’s mouth, a ripple of laughter ran through the crowd.

Taken aback, Mr Trump interrupted his prepared remarks and insisted, “So true.” With the laughter still audible, Mr Trump smiled and said, “I didn’t expect that reaction, but that’s okay.”

Mr Trump began his address to world leaders at the start of the annual UNGA by noting that this is the second time he has spoken to the UN

There is India, a free society ( of) over a billion people, successfully lifting countless millions out of poverty and into the middle class — Donald Trump, US President

General Assembly, and then began to tout the progress his administration has made since he took office.

Speaking hours before Iranian President Hassan Rouhani takes the same rostrum, Mr Trump denounced the clerical regime for sowing “chaos, death and destruction” and doubled down on the US’ withdrawal of an international agreement on curbing Tehran’s nuclear program.

He lashed out at the OPEC oil cartel, China’s trade policies and the International Criminal Court which, he vowed, the US would never accept. And urged heavy pressure both on Iran and Washington’s trading partners as he offered a robust defense of the US right to go it alone. But in his 35minute address, Mr Trump praised India’s efforts to lift millions of its citizens out of poverty.

“There is India, a free society ( of) over a billion people, successfully lifting countless millions out of poverty and into the middle class,” Mr Trump said. He also cited Saudi Arabia’s bold new reforms and Israel “proudly celebrating” its 70th anniversary as a thriving democracy in the Holy Land.

New York: French President Emmanuel Macron called Tuesday for “dialogue and multilateralism” on Iran, in a thinly veiled response to President Donald Trump’s push for tough, US- led sanctions. He was speaking at the UN General Assembly. “What will bring a real solution to the situation in Iran and what has already stabilized it? The law of the strongest? Pressure from only one side? No!” Macron said.