US President Joe Biden Archives - Lokmarg

Biden, Trump Clinch Presidential Nominations, Set For Another General Election Rematch

By LokMarg 13th March 2024

US President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump have secured the Democratic and Republican presidential nominations, respectively, setting up a rematch with each other, according to CNN.

Trump clinched the Republican nomination for president on Wednesday morning, while, Biden secured the Democratic nomination earlier Tuesday night.

The voters cast ballots in presidential primaries in Georgia, Mississippi and Washington.

Earlier on Tuesday, the Hawaii Republicans held caucuses, while voting wrapped up in the primary for Democrats Abroad, the official arm of the Democratic Party for Americans living overseas, reported CNN.

Moreover, Biden is the projected winner of the Democratic primary in the US territory of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The shorter slate of elections followed last week’s Super Tuesday, when Biden and Trump dominated across the map, putting both on the cusp of winning a majority of the delegates needed to be crowned their parties’ presumptive nominees.

The long-anticipated rematch of Trump and Biden is expected to mirror the 2020 campaign, though Trump will run this time under the spectre of 91 felony charges related to allegations that he plotted to overturn his 2020 election defeat, CNN reported.

The charges included that he played a lead role in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the US Capitol; illegally took classified documents from the White House; and covered up hush money payments to an adult film star ahead of the 2016 election.

However, Trump has now achieved a record of accomplishments and missteps for voters to weigh.

Moreover, Biden is so far running a similar campaign to 2020, appealing to concerns over Trump’s authoritarian behaviour and a middling economy, according to CNN.

Notably, unlike Trump, the US president has never faced a serious, well-funded primary challenge, with Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, his lone rival in elected office, dropping out and endorsing Biden last week.

Biden’s main opposition has come more from general intraparty anxiety over his age and from progressives’ outrage over the administration’s support for Israel in its war against Hamas in Gaza.

It has also come under some scrutiny following the release of special counsel Robert Hur’s report, which concluded that Biden mishandled and improperly disclosed classified information after leaving the vice presidency.

However, no charges were filed with Hur, who testified Tuesday on Capitol Hill, stating that he did not believe that there was enough evidence to charge Biden with a crime, as reported by CNN.

On the Republican Party (GOP) side, Trump has long been seen as the prohibitive favourite despite competition from a collection of GOP challengers, including governors, senators, right-wing provocateurs and his own former vice president, Mike Pence.

The last to give in was former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, who left the Republican race last week after a string of Super Tuesday losses but did not endorse Trump on the way out.

Haley said the former president needed “to earn the votes of those in our party and beyond it who did not support him.”

Similar to Biden, Trump will need to win over sceptical portions of his base to match past levels of support.

However, the primaries in Georgia are expected to provide both candidates with a gut check ahead of their anticipated November rematch, reported CNN.

Reportedly, Biden has been on a post-State of the Union tour of swing states, beginning from Pennsylvania on Friday before Georgia and then in New Hampshire on Monday.

However, Trump is bound for Dayton, Ohio, this weekend, when he will host a rally for businessman Bernie Moreno, his endorsed candidate in the GOP primary to take on Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Reportedly, the Ohio election is among several seen as critical to Democratic hopes of holding the Senate. (ANI)

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US Acts To Stop Sale Of Sensitive Personal Data To China, Russia

By LokMarg 28th February 2024

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday will sign an executive order aimed at better protecting Americans’ data from foreign adversaries like China and Russia.

The aim is to prevent the large-scale transfer of Americans’ personal data to what the White House calls ‘countries of concern’, and to do so without limiting legitimate commerce around data, senior Biden administration officials said on a call with reporters.

“Our intelligence community has made it clear that “our adversaries increasingly view data as a strategic resource,” a senior Biden administration official said on a call with reporters Tuesday evening.

The senior administration officials listed potential countries of concern as China, Russia, North Korea, Iran, Cuba and Venezuela.

“These countries are leveraging their access to Americans’ bulk sensitive personal data and government-related data to engage in a variety of nefarious activities, including malicious cyber-enabled activities, espionage and blackmail,” the official added.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement that the executive order would give the Justice Department “the authority to block countries that pose a threat to our national security from harvesting Americans’ most sensitive personal data”.

The order directs the Department of Justice to issue regulations that establish protections for Americans’ sensitive personal data, as well as sensitive government-related data, including geolocation information on sensitive government sites and members of the military.

The Justice Department also plans to work with Homeland Security officials to build safety standards to prevent foreign adversaries from collecting data.

It will further attempt better checks to ensure that federal grants going to various other agencies, including the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs, aren’t used to facilitate Americans’ sensitive data flowing to foreign adversaries or US companies aligned with them.

Protected information will include genomic data, personal health data, geolocation data, financial data and certain personal identification data. Authorities said such information has been of high value for data brokers and cybercriminals, which enables them to blackmail individuals, surveil others, and create scams, among other privacy concerns.

“Companies are collecting more of Americans’ data than ever before, and it is often legally sold and resold through data brokers,” the White House informed.

The executive order announced Wednesday is part of a growing effort by the Biden administration to counter the use of US advances to undermine national security. US officials continue to focus on ways foreign adversaries use investments to give them access to American technology and data. (ANI)

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Couldn’t Get Everything Agreed By Everybody: Jaishankar On Biden Not Attending R-Day

By LokMarg 2nd January 2024

With US President Joe Biden not able to make it to India in late January due to “scheduling demands”, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that the visit was tied to the proposed Quad Summit and indicated that the dates did not work with all partners.

In an interview with ANI, Jaishankar said that could not get “a landing zone” there and couldn’t get “everything agreed by everybody”.

“You know I think that was a different issue. because you know it was tied to Quad also and we couldn’t get a landing zone there…we couldn’t get everything agreed with everybody. So, therefore it didn’t work,” Jaishankar said.

He was asked if Biden could have come for the Republic Day parade and there could have been “Namaste Biden” event on the lines of the huge “Namaste Trump” event held in Ahmedabad to welcome the then US President Donald Trump during his visit to India in 2020.

Sources had said earlier that Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) Summit, which was slated to be hosted by India in January, is now proposed to be held later in 2024. They had said that revised dates were under consideration as the current ones do not work with all the QUAD partners.

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti had said in September that Biden was invited to India for Republic Day celebrations. He said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended invitation to Biden on the sidelines of the G20 Summit held in Delhi in September.

French President Emmanuel Macron, will be visiting India as the Chief Guest for the January 26 Republic Day celebrations at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Macron thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the invitation.

India and the US held the fifth India-US 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in November. India and the United States have a comprehensive global strategic partnership covering almost all areas of human endeavour, driven by shared democratic values, convergence of interests on a range of issues, and vibrant people-to-people contacts.

During Biden’s visit to Delhi for the G20 Summit, India and the US also settled the seventh and last outstanding World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute. Notably, the six previous disputes were resolved during PM Modi’s state visit to the US.

The two leaders reaffirmed the close reaffirming the close and enduring partnership between India and the United States, according to the India-US joint statement. The two leaders expressed their “appreciation for the substantial progress underway to implement the groundbreaking achievements of Prime Minister Modi’s historic, June 2023, visit to Washington.”

The two leaders commended the progress in implementing the futuristic and wide-ranging outcomes of PM Modi’s State visit to the US in June 2023, including under the India-US Initiative for Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET).

PM Modi made a significant visit to the United States in June last year, engaging in high-level talks with President Biden. The discussions centred on bolstering the Indo-US strategic partnership, with an emphasis on trade, defence collaboration, and technology transfer. They announced several key initiatives, including joint efforts in renewable energy and climate change mitigation. (ANI)

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Biden Approves 4 BN$ Arms Package Sale To India

Will Not Stop Until Every Hostage Returns: Biden

By LokMarg 27th November 2023

After the release of 13 hostages in Israel, US President Joe Biden has vowed unwavering commitment to ensuring the return of every hostage to their loved ones.

While speaking at a press briefing on Sunday, President Biden said that he would not stop until every hostage is returned to their loved ones.

He also underscored the 13 hostages, including an American, who were released yesterday under a deal brokered and sustained through intensive US diplomacy.

“We will not stop working until every hostage is returned to their loved ones. This has been the product of a lot of hard work and weeks of personal engagement for me and my team,” he said.

The US President further highlighted that he has been in close contact with other West Asia countries.

“We have been in close contact with the leaders of Qatar, Egypt, and Israel, speaking with each one of them repeatedly over the past few weeks,” he added.

He further said that he, his wife, and so “many Americans are praying” that 4-year-old Israeli-American Avigail Idan will be all right after she was released from Hamas captivity earlier on Sunday.

Idan saw her mother killed in front of her in Kibbutz Be’eri during Hamas’s October 7 terror attack and then ran to her father, who shielded her with his body, as terrorists then shot him dead, said Biden.

She then ran to her neighbour’s home, where she, along with those inside, was taken hostage in Gaza.

“What she endured is unthinkable,” Biden emphasised, noting that she celebrated her 4th birthday on Friday in captivity and that he had personally pressed for her release in a recent call with the emir of Qatar.

Biden then expressed hope that the truce will be extended so that more hostages can be released.

“Israel has agreed to extend the four-day truce by an additional day for every extra 10 Israeli hostages released,” he added.

Moreover, US President Biden stated that he has pushed for a pause for weeks in order to get hostages out of Gaza and more humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.

Roughly 200 trucks of aid have entered Gaza during the past three days of the truce, he said.

“Innocent children in Gaza are suffering greatly as well because of this war that Hamas has unleashed,” leading to the deaths of thousands of civilians, Biden noted.

He again stressed his plan to advance a two-state solution after the war.

“I get a sense that all the players in the region… are looking for a way to end this so the hostages are all released and (that) Hamas is…no longer in control any portion of Gaza,” Biden said.

After the release of the hostages, hundreds of Israelis were seen cheering in Ofakim as the convoy made its way to Hatzerim Airbase near Beersheba, according to The Times of Israel.

The Israel Defence Forces said that the Red Cross handed them 13 hostages near the border fence in northern Gaza.

One was taken by helicopter to a hospital, and the other 12 were taken in a convoy to the Hatzerim airbase. (ANI)

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Ukraine Military Claims It ‘Liberated’ Village Near Bakhmut

By LokMarg 15th September 2023

In a major development in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, Kyiv has reclaimed the village of Andriivka near Bakhmut, CNN reported on Friday citing the Ukrainian forces.

The recapture of the village, south of Bakhmut, marks a symbolic and strategic victory for the Ukrainian forces, as per CNN.

“It’s official: The Third Separate Assault Brigade has liberated Andriivka,” the brigade announced Friday, claiming the Russian occupiers had been “smashed to pieces.”

The brigade said fighting was ongoing and that its units “continue to consolidate their positions.”

The Ukrainian and Russian sides have said that some of the most intense battles in the Bakhmut direction are happening south of the embattled city in the Andriivka area, CNN reported.

In another incident, Ukraine has claimed that the vessels it struck in an attack on a Russian naval base in occupied Crimea are beyond repair.

Andrii Yusov, a representative of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, said the landing ship Minsk and the submarine Rostov-on-Don had been destroyed in the attack. Both had been undergoing repairs at the time.

Notably, Ukraine has stepped up its missile and drone strikes on Crimea in recent weeks, as Kyiv officials have claimed they are intent on retaking the peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, according to CNN.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit US, next week as he sets to make the case for ongoing aid-related discussions for his country, reported Al Jazeera.

However, the details of his visit appeared in US media on Thursday afternoon, with anonymous government sources confirming his further plans.

According to Al Jazeera, Zelenskyy is likely to meet US President Joe Biden at the White House on Thursday and will make a stop at the Capitol.

Biden administration has asked Congress to provide USD 24 billion for Ukraine support, including USD 13.1 billion in additional military aid and USD 8.5 billion for humanitarian aid, reported Al Jazeera. (ANI)

Biden Expects To Meet Xi This Fall Amid Tensions

By LokMarg 19th August 2023

Despite escalating tensions with Beijing, US President Joe Biden is still hopeful of meeting his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping later this year, CNN reported on Friday (local time).

Notably, the two leaders are expected to meet in November this year, on the sidelines of an Asian leaders summit hosted by Biden.

Biden told CNN on Friday that he hopes to follow up on last year’s meeting with Xi “this fall.”

“I expect and hope to follow up on our conversation from Bali this fall – that’s my expectation,” Biden said.

These remarks came hours after Washington in a joint statement — after the trilateral summit between US, Japan and South Korea — denounced the “dangerous and aggressive actions” by China in the Indo-Pacific region and opposed attempts to change the status quo in Indo-Pacific.

“We share concerns about actions inconsistent with the rules-based international order, which undermine regional peace and prosperity. Recalling the publicly announced position of each of our countries regarding the dangerous and aggressive behaviour supporting unlawful maritime claims that we have recently witnessed by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in the South China Sea, we strongly oppose any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the waters of the Indo-Pacific,” the statement read.

They three countries also opposed the militarization of reclaimed features; the dangerous use of coast guard and maritime militia vessels and coercive activities, and further expressed concern about illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

“We reiterate our firm commitment to international law, including the freedom of navigation and overflight, as reflected in the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The July 2016 award in the South China Sea arbitration sets out the legal basis for the peaceful resolution of maritime conflicts between the parties to that proceeding. We reaffirm the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element of security and prosperity in the international community. There is no change in our basic positions on Taiwan, and we call for a peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues,” the joint statement added.

Notably, Biden and Xi last spoke in person on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali last November.

The two leaders have however, spoken on phone several times, and officials said they expect the two men to speak again soon, potentially on the sidelines of an Asian leaders summit Biden is hosting in November in San Francisco, CNN reported.

Earlier this month, in a scathing attack on China, Biden had described Xi’s China as a “ticking time bomb” citing economic concerns. In June, Biden had even called XI a “dictator”. Both statements were denounced by Beijing.

In another major decision, Biden administration imposed restrictions on US investment in high-tech areas in China and barred exports of advanced microchips. (ANI)

Procurement Of Drones Will Strengthen India’s Aerospace, Defence Ecosystems

By LokMarg 24th June 2023

Baba Kalyani, Chairman and MD of Bharat Forge Limited and founding president of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers has hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden for emphasising on co-production of critical systems and platforms “identifying avenues for joint research and development in advanced technologies.”

Kalyani termed the PM Modi’s US visit, a reflection of “strengthening engagement between two great and large democracies.”
He said, “Historic state visit being accorded to PM Modi by US President Joe Biden is reflective of strengthening engagement between two great and large democracies, to scale up the Indian market and its requirements, combined with our overlapping strategic interest, create both an opportunity and imperative for businesses on either side…to expand bilateral trade & commerce, to strengthen engagement including strategic sectors such as defence, space, 5G, semi-conductor amongst others and collaborate to co-develop critical and emerging technologies.”

The Indian billionaire businessman also thanked PM Modi and President Biden for “placing special emphasis on promoting industry, start-ups and academia linkages on either side encouraging co-development and coproduction of critical systems and platforms identifying avenues for joint research and development in advanced technologies.”

He also welcomed the news around the manufacturing and assembling of the General Electric-F414 engine for LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) and also the phased procurement of General Atomics Predator MQ -9 Reaper guardian Drones.

“I believe these programs will go a long way in strengthening the aerospace and defence ecosystems in India,” he said.

Such important discussions that have taken place in Washington, will help the Indian industry and Indian defence industry to get into the supply chain of the US defence sector, he added.

Chairman and MD of Bharat Forge also hailed the discussions on green initiatives, strategic clean energy partnership.

“There’s a new task force that is going to be set up through SCEP (Simple Certificate Enrollment Protocol) launch of the US India New and Emerging Renewable Energy Technologies Action Platform, which will accelerate cooperation, green hydrogen, offshore and onshore wind, amongst other technologies,” he said.

Kalyani also noted that PM Modi’s US visit has “created a position for India on the high table of global commerce.”

He also said that the relationship between the legal relationship between India and the United States is going to be of great benefit to the Indian economy and to the Indian industry.

Earlier on Friday, PM Modi said that the decision of General Electric Company (GE) to manufacture fighter planes in India will prove to be a milestone for India’s defence sector, as both nations are taking strong steps towards a better future through their cooperation.

During his address to the Indian diaspora at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, DC, PM Modi said, “In these 3 days, a new and glorious journey of India and the US relations has begun. This new journey is of our convergence on global strategic issues, of our cooperation for Make in India Make for the World.”

In a major announcement coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the United States, GE Aerospace on Thursday announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force.

The agreement includes the potential joint production of GE Aerospace’s F414 engines in India.

GE Aerospace said in a release that it continues to work with the US government to receive the necessary export authorization for this. The effort is part of the Indian Air Force’s Light Combat Aircraft Mk2 programme.

The US company said that the MoU with HAL to produce fighter jet engines for IAF is a major milestone amidst PM Modi’s official state visit to the United States and a key element in strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.

The announcement about the MoU came ahead of PM Modi’s bilateral talks with US President Joe Biden on Thursday. (ANI)

Biden Pledges $500MN Military Aid For Ukraine

By LokMarg 20th February 2023

US President Joe Biden who made an unannounced visit to Kyiv today, days before the first anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, pledged a USD 500 million military aid package for the country.

Addressing a joint briefing alongside Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy, Biden said, “We will announce USD 500 million in aid to Ukraine. This will consist of javelins, howitzers, and artillery ammunition. Later, we will announce additional sanctions against companies which are trying to back Russia.”
Biden said the package would be announced on Tuesday and that Washington would also provide more ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) in Ukraine’s possession.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s president has lauded Biden’s visit to Kyiv as the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion approaches.

“Joseph Biden, welcome to Kyiv! Your visit is an extremely important sign of support for all Ukrainians,” Zelenskyy said in a post on Telegram.

The US leader’s visit comes at a crucial moment in the war as Biden looks to keep allies unified in their support for Ukraine with the war expected to intensify in the coming months as both sides prepare for anticipated spring offensives.

Zelenskyy is pressing allies to speed up the delivery of pledged weapon systems and is calling on the West to deliver fighter jets to Ukraine – something that Biden to date has declined to do.

Biden declared from Kyiv on Monday that a year after invading Ukraine, “Putin’s war of conquest is failing.”

“Putin’s war conquest is failing. Russia’s military has lost half its territory once occupied. Young, talented Russians fleeing from Russia because they see no future in the country. Russia’s economy is isolated and struggling,” said Biden.

“Putin thought Ukraine was weak and the West was divided. He thought he could outlast us. I don’t think he’s thinking that right now, ” Biden said standing alongside Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.

“He’s just been plain wrong,” Biden said of Putin. “One year later, the evidence is right here in this room. We stand here together.”

“One year later Kyiv stands, Ukraine stands, and Democracy stands. America and the world stand with you. Kyiv has captured a part of my heart. Freedom is priceless, it is worth fighting for. We are going to be with you for as long as it takes,” said Biden.

President Biden’s trip to Kyiv on Monday was shrouded in secrecy, a reflection of the steep security concerns of visiting an active war zone.

Biden is travelling with a relatively small entourage, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan, deputy chief of staff Jen O’Malley Dillon and personal aide Annie Tomasini, reported CNN.

Zelenskyy said negotiations between his and US President Biden’s teams in Kyiv were a major boost to his country.

“This conversation brings us closer to victory,” Zelenskyy said, speaking alongside Biden on Monday.

“The results of this visit will surely be seen, and will surely have repercussions on the battlefield in liberating our territories,” he added.

The Ukrainian leader also called Biden’s surprise visit the most important in the “history of the Ukraine-US relationship.”

“Ukrainians remember the focus, attention, the attitude that President Biden and the US have given to Ukraine,” Zelenskyy added.

“I thank you for this level of US-Ukraine cooperation,” he said.

Zelensky said he had discussed the supply of more advanced Western weapons to Ukraine, and cited the recent decision by the US to send Abrams tanks to the country as another defining moment.

“The decision of the US on Abrams tanks has already presented a foundation for establishing a tank coalition and is of historic importance,” he said.

“We’ve also talked about long-range weapons and the weapons that may still be supplied to Ukraine – even though have not been supplied before,” added Zelenskyy. (ANI)

Biden Makes Surprise Visit To Kyiv In The Middle Of Full-Scale Conflict

By LokMarg 20th February 2023

In a display of strong American support for Ukraine just four days before the anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, US President Joe Biden on Monday made a surprise visit to Kyiv, reported The Washington Post.

Kyiv is no stranger to official visits, but this one is different. The fact the US president is meeting Ukraine’s leader in the heart of the capital in the middle of a full-scale conflict is significant and symbolic.
The high-risk visit, to a Ukrainian capital that has been under threat of missile attacks, signals continued commitment from the United States, the largest financial and military backer of Ukraine’s effort to repel Russians from its territory, reported The Washington Post.

Biden was spotted outside St Michael Golden-Domed Monastery with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The Ukrainian capital was in a tight security lockdown with car traffic halted and even pedestrians blocked from certain streets. Shortly afterwards, an air raid siren went off in the city, reported The Washington Post.

His visit was shrouded in secrecy. Biden was due to leave for an announced visit to Poland from Washington on Monday evening.

Earlier, major motorcade was spotted in Kyiv amid speculations that Biden is visiting the country.

Heavy US security has been deployed near Ukraine’s border as the White House had in a statement said that Biden is heading to Poland for a two-day visit to mark the one-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, returning to the region as the war enters a volatile new phase without a clear path to peace.

Biden will arrive in Warsaw on Tuesday where he will meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda, the White House said in a statement on Sunday.

Biden has insisted the US will continue to back Ukraine for “as long as it takes” despite flagging support among the American public and no near-term prospect of peace talks to end the conflict, reported The Washington Post.

The Biden administration has provided some USD 30 billion in security aid since President Vladimir Putin sent Russian forces into Ukraine on February 24, 2022, initiating the largest ground war in Europe since World War II — one that already has cost his country and Ukraine hundreds of thousands of casualties.

Under Biden’s leadership, the US and its NATO allies have gradually expanded the array of weaponry they have pledged to include heavy tanks.

While other world leaders have visited Kyiv to meet with Zelenskyy over the past year, and tour the war-scarred city, Biden has stayed away due to security concerns and fears about the possibility of conflict between the world’s two largest nuclear powers, sending senior aides in his place.

Notably, First Lady Jill Biden made a surprise visit to Western Ukraine on Mother’s Day in May, reported The Washington Post. (ANI)

From Biden To Pope, World Leaders Wish People ‘Merry Christmas’

By LokMarg 25th December 2022

On the occasion of Christmas, world leaders – US President Joe Biden, Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, and Pope Francis wished a ‘Merry Christmas’ to people across the globe.

“Jill and I hope everyone is able to spend time with family and friends during the holiday season. We’re also holding a special place in our hearts for anyone missing a loved one during this time. From our family to yours, we wish you a peaceful Christmas Eve,” tweeted Biden.

Meanwhile, Pope Francis tweeted, “Tonight, God draws near to you because you are important to him. From the manger, as food for your life, He tells you: “If you feel consumed by events, if a sense of guilt and inadequacy devours you, if you hunger for justice, I am with you. #Christmas. Jesus asks us to go to the bare reality of things, to lay down all our excuses, our justifications and our hypocrisies at the feet of the manger. He whom Mary tenderly wrapped in swaddling wants us to be clothed in love. #Christmas.”

Canadian PM Trudeau also wished “joy, health, love, and peace,” and said that he is “excited to gather around the Christmas tree and spend some quality time together.”

“Merry Christmas! Like millions of Canadians, my family is excited to gather around the Christmas tree and spend some quality time together. And as we look ahead to the new year, we’re also wishing you joy, health, love, and peace,” tweeted Trudeau.

He also thanked the Canadian Armed Forces for protecting the country. “This year, I’m thinking of Canadians who go the extra mile to make our country a better place. I’m thinking of members of the Canadian Armed Forces who are protecting our country and the values we share. I’m thinking of the doctors, nurses, and first responders working throughout the holidays. And I’m thinking of everyday Canadians who find ways to show up for their friends and neighbours.”

Trudeau said that 2022 was a challenging year; for many, this holiday season won’t be easy. “But I’m confident that Canadians will continue to be there for each other in 2023 – because that’s just who we are,” he said.

Australian PM Albanese said that Christmas is a special time of year.

“It’s a day of giving. It’s a day for relaxing together with family and friends. And for many Australians, it is a day that is so central to their faith. Of course, not everyone gets to take it easy today. If you’re rostered somewhere, I want to say thank you for your service to others. If you’re working because you volunteered your time to make Christmas better for your fellow Australians, whether you’re serving lunch to those in need or you’re keeping our beaches safe, I want to express my gratitude and my admiration.”

Thanking emergency service workers and the Australian Defence Force, he said, “The same goes to all our emergency service workers and of course, all Australian Defence Force personnel, whether they’re serving here or far from home overseas. Thank you to every single one of you. Whatever form Christmas Day takes for you, may it be a very happy one and may Santa be good to every child. Merry Christmas.” (ANI)