International
The United States pledges to continue supporting Ukraine “to stop Putin’s campaign of conquest
The US Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, warned today that Ukraine’s survival is at stake and it cannot lose a day in its fight against Russian aggression, so both Washington and the rest of Western capitals will continue to supply Kiev with the weapons it needs to resist the “campaign of conquest” of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Don’t fool ourselves, Putin will not stop in Ukraine. But as (U.S. President Joe) Biden said, Ukraine can stop Putin, if we are with Ukraine and provide him with the weapons he needs to defend himself,” said the Pentagon chief when opening a new meeting of the Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine at the US air base in Ramstein, in southwest Germany.
Austin assured, sitting next to the Ukrainian Minister of Defense, Rustem Umerov, that “Ukraine’s survival is at stake and all our security as well.”
“So we will remain united to resist Putin’s campaign of conquest and we will continue to maintain faith in the Ukrainian people,” stressed the US Secretary of Defense, at a time when Ukrainian soldiers are accused of a serious shortage of ammunition and Russia has the initiative on the entire front.
“Now the Ukrainian troops are facing harsh conditions and hard fighting. Ukrainian civilians endure the constant bombardment of Russian missiles and Iranian drones, but Ukraine will not back down and neither will the United States,” Austin stressed, while an aid package of more than 60 billion dollars is still blocked in the House of Representatives.
“Our message today is clear: we will not let Ukraine fail, this coalition will not let Ukraine fail and the free world will not let Ukraine fail,” he insisted.
“We remain determined to provide Ukraine with the resources it needs to resist the aggressions of the Kremlin. And the countries that are gathered here today do the same,” more than fifty, Austin said.
In this sense, he mentioned that Czech Republic recently announced the supply of 800,000 rounds of ammunition and Germany, France, Denmark and Sweden also provided important aid packages.
“These are investments in Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s aggression, but also in our common security, the security of Europe and in world security. We will all be less sure if Putin gets away with it. The Ukrainian people don’t have a day to lose and neither do we,” he emphasized.
International
Silent Christmas in Bethlehem as Gaza conflict overshadows celebrations
Hundreds of faithful gathered on Tuesday around the Church of the Nativity in the Palestinian town of Bethlehem, which is preparing for another quiet Christmas, with no major celebrations due to the ongoing war in Gaza.
Local authorities decided to suspend large public celebrations for the second consecutive year, and in Manger Square, there are neither decorations nor the traditional giant Christmas tree, reflecting the somber mood of its residents since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out in Gaza. At the Vatican, Pope Francis will inaugurate the Holy Year 2025 on Tuesday, a major international pilgrimage expected to draw over 30 million faithful from around the world to Rome.
On this Christmas Eve, at 7:00 PM (6:00 PM GMT), in the presence of around 30,000 people and with worldwide broadcast, the Argentine Jesuit will open the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, symbolizing the start of this “ordinary” Jubilee.
Afterwards, he will preside over the Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, an occasion in which the pontiff often highlights global conflicts.
Over the weekend, Francis’ remarks calling Israeli airstrikes in Gaza “cruel” sparked criticism from the Israeli government.
International
Pope Francis to open jubilee year in Vatican, calls for global peace amid conflict
Pope Francis will open the Catholic Church’s “Holy Year” 2025 on Tuesday, a major international pilgrimage expected to bring over 30 million faithful from around the world to Rome, under the sign of the Jubilee.
On this Christmas Eve, at 7:00 PM (6:00 PM GMT), in the presence of around 30,000 people and with worldwide broadcast, the Argentine Jesuit will open the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, symbolizing the start of this “ordinary” Jubilee. Throughout the year, pilgrims will be able to pass through this heavy and imposing bronze door, closed during ordinary times, to receive the “plenary indulgence,” the forgiveness of sins according to tradition.
The 88-year-old pope, who faces frequent health issues, will preside over the Christmas Eve Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica, before delivering his traditional “Urbi et Orbi” blessing (to the city and the world) on Wednesday at noon. It is expected that he will address global conflicts and renew his calls for a ceasefire in the Middle East, three days after condemning the “cruelty” of the attacks in Gaza, comments which provoked protests from Israeli diplomats.
Security around the Vatican has been reinforced following the deadly attack on a Christmas market in Germany. About 700 additional officers have been deployed to Rome, as announced by the Ministry of the Interior.
International
The former president of the United States Bill Clinton was hospitalized in Washington after “develoting a fever”
Former US President Bill Clinton (1993-2001) was hospitalized from Washington to undergo medical tests after “developing fever,” his office reported in a message on social networks.
Clinton, 78, was admitted to the Georgetown University Medical Center in the US capital, Angel Ureña, who served as Clinton’s deputy chief of staff, explained on his X account.
“The former president is still in good spirits and is deeply grateful for the excellent attention he is receiving,” the message deepened.
In 2004, the former president underwent quadruple bahaspas heart surgery and in 2010 he underwent another surgery related to his cardiovascular problems.
The former Democratic leader was hospitalized in 2021 in California for an infection that spread to his bloodstream.
Clinton is one of the four former presidents of the United States who are still alive, along with Donald Trump (2017-2021), Barack Obama (2009-2017), George W. Bush (2001-2009) and Jimmy Carter (1977-1981).
The latter is, at 100 years old, the longest-serving president in the history of the United States.
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