WORLD

The incumbent United States President Joe Biden’s administration, on Sunday (Dec 17) condemned former President Donald Trump for what they described as fascist-like rhetoric after he said undocumented immigrants are “poisoning the blood of our country”. Trump was also accused of “praising dictators” when he quoted Russian President Vladimir Putin at a rally. 

The remarks by the former president were made at a rally in the US state of New Hampshire, on Saturday (Dec 16) which will vote on a Republican candidate to face Democrat Biden for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. 

Washington on Saturday reiterated its warning to North Korea that any nuclear attack on the United States would result “in the end of the Kim regime.”

A joint statement by the US-South Korean Nuclear Consultative Group also reaffirmed that any nuclear attack by Pyongyang on South Korea “will be met with a swift, overwhelming, and decisive response.”

“The United States reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to provide extended deterrence to the ROK (Republic of Korea) backed by the full range of US capabilities including nuclear,” said the statement published by the White House.

Iran has announced that it was lifting visa requirements for citizens of India as well as 32 other countries — being an addition to several other countries that have recently announced visa-free travel for Indian nationals.

This move is aimed at boosting tourism with more visitors from across the world, said Ezzatollah Zarghami, Iranian minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, following a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

The United States has urged Israel to end the high-intensity fighting in Gaza, as soon as possible. This comes as Israel continues to draw international outrage and rare criticism from the United States over the killing of civilians. Meanwhile, 12 Palestinians were killed following Israeli raids, which the IDF said helped capture dozens of terrorists. In recent years Israel has greatly expanded settlements in the West Bank, leaving less territory for a viable Palestinian state.

Republican-controlled US House of Representatives voted to initiate a formal impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden in connection to allegations surrounding Biden's son, Hunter Biden, and his controversial international dealings. President Biden swiftly dismissed the move as a "baseless" political stunt, emphasizing the lack of evidence provided by Republicans to support claims of corruption.

Despite the absence of concrete evidence implicating the president, the vote stood at 221 to 212 along strict party lines with every Republican voting in favour of it. The inquiry gives Republicans a reason to critique Biden as he gears up for his 2024 reelection campaign along with serving as a distraction from federal criminal trials faced by the anticipated Republican challenger, former president Donald Trump.