The White House says US President Joe Biden is not backing down in the country’s presidential election despite growing concerns about his age.

US citizens and even his fellow Democrats fear that the president’s age and mental alertness could make re-election impossible, especially after his shaky performance against Donald Trump in their presidential debate.

The US president acknowledged that age affected his fluency during the debate but insisted that he “could do the job”.

Biden also cited a cold and jet lag as reasons for his feeble performance.

Addressing reporters on Wednesday, Karine Jean-Pierre, White House press secretary, said it was not an excuse but added that it provided context for his debate.

Jean-Pierre said that while the last few days have been challenging, any leader would have to prove themselves to their constituents.

“The president is clear-eyed, and he is staying in the race,” she added.

“That is what the president is focused on, continuing to deliver for the American people.”

The White House spokesperson said, regardless of the debate, “this moment is critical”.

“This is a president who is strong and resolute,” Jean-Pierre said.

“He is as sharp as ever, as I have known him to be.”

Former US President Barack Obama had thrown his weight behind Biden amidst the lower confidence ratings he got in the debate.

Obama said bad debate nights happen and urged Americans to pick someone who always says the truth.

At least 27 people have been confirmed dead following a stampede at a religious gathering in India.

According to local authorities, the incident happened at Satsang, a Hindu religious event, which held in Pulrai village close to Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh.

The stampede began as worshippers rushed to leave the event with the religious leader.

Umesh Tripathi, chief medical officer (CMO) of Etah, said the victims include 25 women and two men.

“Police are carrying out their proceedings, and our team is ready to conduct post-mortem after they are done,” he said.

More than 150 people were rushed to hospitals, with authorities saying the number of casualties may rise.

There are reports that overcrowding could be responsible. The total number of worshippers is yet to be confirmed.

Stampedes are not uncommon at large gatherings in India. The incidents are often caused by cramming multitudes into small event centres.

In November 2023, at least four students were killed in a stampede that occurred during a music festival at Cochin University of Science and Technology in Kerala.

Mauritania’s President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani has been re-elected to office after winning 56.12 per cent of the vote, provisional results showed.

His main rival, Biram Dah Abeid, an anti-slavery human rights activist, came in second place after winning 22 per cent of the vote.

Hamadi Sidi Mokhtar of the Islamist Tawasul Party got 12.76 per cent.

Elections were held on Saturday in Mauritania, a former French colony in north-west Africa.

Results were announced late Sunday after 99 per cent of the votes were counted.

Before the announcement, Abeid alleged that there was fraud, and riot police dispersed his supporters demonstrating against the results using tear gas, witnesses said.

Mauritanians were hoping the president will work on improving their living conditions, decrease unemployment, and fight corruption and poverty.

Ould Ghazouani, 67, has promised to focus on supporting the youth during his second term.

Ould Ghazouani, a former defence minister, was elected in 2019 in the country’s first peaceful transition of power.

His predecessor Mohamed Ould Abdel-Aziz took office after a 2008 military coup.