US President Joe Biden has  urged his party members to bond so that they can defeat their opponent in the upcoming presidential race – Donald Trump.

He said tis as he nominated his Vice President, Harris Kamaka, as the Democratic Party’s candidate following his Sunday withdrawal from the race.

“Today I want to offer my full support and endorsement for Kamala to be the nominee of our party this year. Democrats—it’s time to come together and beat Trump. Let’s do this,” he added.

The president also directed donors to an ActBlue link to donate to her campaign.

The presidential race in the United States of America has become more dramatic as President Joe Biden has announced that he is dropping out of his reelection battle with Donald Trump.

The return of Trump into the ring, in spite of heavy controversies, has itself made a theatre of the battle.

But, on Sunday, after much pressure by forces who believe Biden’s age, energy and health are no more compatible with the responsibility and electoral fight, he announced his withdrawal.

He, however, reeled out his achievements, including economic revitalisation.

He noted in his letter published below: “While it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term.”

Former US President Barrack Obama, is being philosophical about the uninspiring performance of President Joe Biden when he faced Donald Trump during the presidential debate held on Thursday.

Many are disappointed at Biden’s show, to the extent that his party is said to be considering dropping him.

But reflecting on the saga, Obama, as eloquent as he is, says bad days are normal in public speaking.

He enjoins Americans to remain with Biden, extolling his virtues, while magnifying Trump’s alleged vices.

He notes on X: “Bad debate nights happen,” Obama, 62, posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Trust me, I know. But this election is still a choice between someone who has fought for ordinary folks his entire life and someone who only cares about himself.

“Between someone who tells the truth; who knows right from wrong and will give it to the American people straight — and someone who lies through his teeth for his own benefit. Last night didn’t change that, and it’s why so much is at stake in November.”

The United Nations on Tuesday demanded humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip as U.S. President Joe Biden warned Israel it was losing international support because of its “indiscriminate” bombing of civilians in its war against Hamas militants.

After dire warnings by UN officials about a deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the 193-member UN General Assembly passed a resolution calling for a ceasefire with 153 countries voting in favour and 23 abstaining.

The U.S. and Israel, which argue a ceasefire only benefits Hamas, voted against the measure along with eight other countries.

The resolution is not binding but carries political weight, reflecting a global view on the war.

The United States vetoed a similar call in the 15-member Security Council last week.

The Palestinian Authority welcomed the resolution and urged countries to pressure Israel to adopt the ceasefire.

A Hamas official in exile, Izzat El-Reshiq, in a statement on Telegram echoed that reaction, saying Israel should “stop its aggression, genocide, and ethnic cleansing against our people.”

Before the resolution passed, Biden said Israel now has support from “most of the world” including the U.S. and European Union.

“But they’re starting to lose that support by indiscriminate bombing that takes place,” he told a campaign donor event in Washington.

Israel’s assault on Gaza to root out Hamas has killed at least 18,205 Palestinians and wounded nearly 50,000 since Oct. 7, according to the Gaza health ministry.

Israel launched its onslaught after a cross-border raid by Hamas fighters who killed 1,200 people and took 240 hostage in southern Israel on Oct. 7.

Israel on Tuesday declared 19 of 134 people still in captivity in Gaza dead in absentia after the bodies of two hostages were recovered.

In Khan Younis, southern Gaza’s main city, residents said on Tuesday Israeli tank shelling was now focused on the city centre.

One said tanks were operating in the street where the house of Yahya Al-Sinwar, Hamas’ leader in Gaza, is located.

After nightfall, Israeli air strikes on Khan Younis in southern Gaza Strip killed 11 Palestinians, including two children, health officials said.

An older Palestinian, Tawfik Abu Breika, earlier said his residential block in Khan Younis was hit without warning by an Israeli air strike that brought down several buildings and caused casualties.

“The world’s conscience is dead, no humanity or any kind of morals,” Breika told Reuters as neighbours sifted through rubble.

“This is the third month that we are facing death and destruction.”

United States President, Joe Biden, has asserted that Israel has the right to defend itself – his reaction to the attack Hamas launched on the country.

This is as he assured his support for the nation  while delivering his remarks on the attack via his X handle on Saturday evening.

Biden wrote, “In this moment of tragedy, I want to say that the United States stands with Israel, we will not ever fail to have her back. We’ll make sure that they have the help that her citizens need and they can continue to defend themselves.

“The world has seen appalling images, thousands of rockets in the space of hours raining down on Israeli cities killing not only the soldiers but Israeli civilians in the streets, in their homes. Innocent people were murdered, wounded, and entire families taken hostage by Hamas.

“The United States stands with the people of Israel in the face of this terrorist assault.

“Israel has the right to defend itself and its people. There is never a justification for terrorist attacks.”

Against all insinuations and threats that the United States Government should reject the victory of the president-elect, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the Joe Biden administration has chosen to be proactive in embracing it.

Obviously validating the February 25 election and respecting the independence of Nigeria’s democratic process, it has named his delegation to attend the inauguration of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu.

With the global powers also experiencing unprecedented shifts in alliance, this also seems not to be a time for Biden to tinker with relationship with Nigeria, a perception that may have influenced the decision to promptly release the delegation list – via a statement from the White Huse.

The delegation will be led by Secretary of the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, Marcia L. Fudge.

Below are members of the Presidential Delegation:

• Mr. David Greene, Chargé d’Affaires, a.i., U.S. Embassy Abuja
• The Honorable Sydney Kamlager-Dove, United States Representative (D), California
• The Honorable Marisa Lago, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade, U.S. Department of Commerce
• General Michael E. Langley, Commander of U.S. Africa Command
• The Honorable Enoh T. Ebong, Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency
• The Honorable Mary Catherine Phee, Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State
• The Honorable Judd Devermont, Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Council
• The Honorable Monde Muyangwa, Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Africa, U.S. Agency for International Development.

As ‘The Punch’ also reports, events lined up for the inauguration include a lecture titled, ‘Deepening Democracy for Integration and Development’ that would be delivered by former president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, on May 27.

Other activities include the Regimental Dinner in honour of the Commander-in-Chief at the Armed Forces Officers Mess slated for Tuesday, May 23; the Valedictory Federal Executive Council Meeting at the Council Chambers inside the Presidential Villa on May 24; Public Lecture and Juma’at prayer at the National Mosque on May 26; Children’s Day Parade and Party on May 27 and an Inter-denominational Church Service at the National Christian Centre on May 28.

Also, the Inauguration Dinner/Gala Night at the State House Conference Centre is billed for May 28 while the inauguration/swearing-in of the president-elect and the vice president-elect will take place on May 29 accompanied by an inauguration parade at the Eagle Square.

There will also be a post-inauguration luncheon strictly for the President with his colleague Presidents, Heads of Government and guests at the State House Banquet Hall after the inauguration ceremony.