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World Leaders Court Unpredictable Trump as White House Talks on Ukraine Begin

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

In an unprecedented show of urgency, world leaders including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have gathered at the White House for hastily arranged talks on the war in Ukraine. The meeting, called just days after Donald Trump’s summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska, underscores the pivotal role the U.S. president now plays in determining the future of the conflict. A High-Stakes Meeting Diplomatic sources described the gathering as an “organic” next step after Trump’s discussions with Putin. Unlike in Alaska, where Europeans were absent, today they will dominate the room. For Trump, often at ease in the spotlight, the gathering serves as a platform to showcase his influence as a global convener. For the Europeans, it is a critical opportunity to pin down exactly what Trump is willing to guarantee in terms of Ukraine’s security—and what, if anything, he may have already discussed with Putin on land or territorial control swaps. Lessons From February The urgency is shaped by the memory of a disastrous Oval Office meeting in February, when Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly berated President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a tense exchange that rattled European capitals. Since then, leaders across Europe have recalibrated—boosting their own defense spending and pursuing personal ties with Trump. Whether through Starmer’s state visit, Finland’s Alexander Stubb joining Trump on the golf course, or Italy’s Giorgia Meloni aligning her rhetoric with his, each leader has sought to stay on Trump’s good side for precisely this kind of moment. What’s at Stake European leaders are expected to flatter Trump while issuing subtle warnings. They will frame him as the architect of a potential peace deal—an achievement that could cement his legacy—while stressing the need for continued U.S. commitment to Europe and resistance against Russian demands. Central to the talks will be whether Trump is prepared to offer Ukraine binding security guarantees and whether Putin might accept a U.S.-European pact short of NATO membership. Yet ambiguity looms large: vague agreements might yield a quick fix but could prove unsustainable in the long run. Optics and Outcomes Much will hinge not only on the substance of discussions but also on optics. Analysts note Trump often blurs the line between detail and spectacle, with even minor gestures—such as Zelenskyy’s choice of attire—becoming symbolic flashpoints. Beyond the closed doors, the world will watch for signs of whether today’s meeting produces a genuine framework for peace or simply another dramatic episode in an unpredictable diplomatic process.

Trump-Putin summit live: Leaders arrive in Alaska for Russia-Ukraine talks

Trump Putin Meet in Alaska for High-Stakes Russia-Ukraine Talks

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have arrived at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage, Alaska, for a landmark summit aimed at seeking an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. This marks Putin’s first visit to a Western country since ordering the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, a conflict that has claimed tens of thousands of lives. The meeting is their first standalone summit since their 2018 encounter in Helsinki. According to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the talks are expected to last at least six to seven hours, with a packed agenda focused on possible pathways to peace and broader geopolitical issues. Trump has indicated he hopes the Alaska summit will pave the way for a follow-up meeting involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, Zelenskyy was not invited to the current talks, a decision that has sparked debate over the inclusiveness of the negotiations. The outcome of this summit could significantly shape the trajectory of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with both leaders under pressure to deliver tangible progress. Observers are closely watching for signs of compromise, potential ceasefire frameworks, and future diplomatic engagements.

Trump: No Business With Putin Until War Settled Zelenskyy Says Ukraine Is Counting on US

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

As President Donald Trump heads to Alaska for a high-stakes summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he underscored that no business dealings between the U.S. and Russia will take place until the war in Ukraine is “settled”—a clear signal of linkage between economic engagement and progress on peace. On board Air Force One, Trump conveyed his hope that the Alaska meeting could pave the way for broader diplomacy, with potential follow-up talks involving Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “I’m not here to negotiate for Ukraine, I’m here to get them at a table,” he stated, emphasizing that any territorial discussions must be decided by Kyiv. President Zelenskyy—excluded from the summit—stressed Ukraine’s reliance on American leadership. He called for genuine engagement that leads to a “just peace” and urged inclusion in future negotiations, asserting that without Ukraine’s input, any decision would be meaningless. The meeting takes place against a backdrop of rising tensions and persistent skepticism. Trump’s linkage of business engagement to conflict resolution reflects his approach, while critics remain wary that sidelining Ukraine undermines both the peace process and Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Crunch Time in Alaska: Trump and Putin Meet in Bid for Ukraine Peace

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

US and Russian officials are gathering in Alaska ahead of a pivotal Friday meeting between Presidents Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin — their first in six years. Trump hopes the talks will deliver on his campaign promise to end Russia’s war in Ukraine, leveraging what he describes as a personal rapport with Putin to secure a ceasefire. Despite his optimism, Trump has estimated only a “25% chance” of success. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has been excluded from the talks, warning that any deal struck without Kyiv’s participation will be meaningless. Anchorage remains largely business-as-usual, aside from the influx of international media. The meeting will take place on a US military base, reflecting both heightened security and the brief nature of the talks, expected to last just a few hours. The summit comes a week after Trump’s deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or face new sanctions. That countdown was effectively paused after the meeting was announced, buying both sides more time. Washington’s tone over the week has swung between optimism, caution, and threats of “very severe consequences” if Putin refuses to end the war. Kyiv grew uneasy when Trump floated the idea of “territory swaps,” while the White House hinted the president might adopt a “listening” approach. Russia has remained publicly silent, reiterating only that peace is possible if it gains full control of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, and if Ukraine pledges not to join NATO. For Trump, success in Alaska could reinforce his image as a global dealmaker and deliver on his promise to disengage the US from costly foreign conflicts. He claims he will know “in the first two minutes” whether a deal is possible. European leaders, also excluded from the talks, emerged cautiously hopeful after a last-minute call with Trump. Zelensky, however, has been firm: Ukraine will not cede the Donbas, calling such concessions a “pathway to further conflict.” Trump has promised to brief Zelensky after the summit and floated the idea of a quick three-way meeting. The Kremlin, however, insists a direct Putin–Zelensky encounter is premature. Analysts warn Putin’s central goal remains Ukraine’s “geopolitical neutralisation” — an objective he is unlikely to abandon. As both leaders head into the Alaska talks, the venue may offer common ground geographically, but politically, the divide appears as wide as ever.

South Sudan Reportedly Approves Israeli Plan to Resettle Gazans

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago03 mins

South Sudan’s cabinet has allegedly approved an Israeli request to receive Palestinians from Gaza, despite official denials, The Telegraph has reported. According to a foreign ministry official in Juba, the deal — brokered with Israel, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates — would see the UAE provide funding, Washington lift sanctions on South Sudan, and Israel invest in health and education. The official claimed South Sudan has “enough land” and could benefit economically from the arrangement, but acknowledged strong domestic opposition. On Wednesday, the government dismissed claims of any such agreement as “baseless,” yet multiple sources told Associated Press that talks are ongoing. Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel’s visit to Juba this week, following earlier diplomatic exchanges, has fueled speculation. The reported plan aligns with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s renewed push for the “voluntary” relocation of Gazans — an idea first floated by Donald Trump and widely criticised as a form of ethnic cleansing. Critics argue that given Gaza’s devastation, relocation could hardly be considered truly voluntary, and warn displaced Palestinians may never be allowed to return. South Sudanese lawmakers have voiced strong resistance, citing the country’s economic struggles and fragile political situation. “We are not able to feed ourselves — how can we take more people?” one MP said. Israel has reportedly approached other nations, including Egypt, Jordan, Indonesia, Libya, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Somaliland, but without success. Egypt has lobbied Juba not to participate in the plan. Observers say large-scale migration from Gaza after the war may be inevitable, regardless of formal policy, due to the enclave’s catastrophic destruction.

Israel Kills 24 Palestinians in Gaza Since Dawn

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago01 mins

Israeli forces have killed at least 24 Palestinians across Gaza since dawn, including five children and five people seeking aid, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and medical sources cited by Al Jazeera. The latest casualties come amid ongoing global protests over Israel’s targeted assassination of four Al Jazeera journalists and two freelancers in Gaza. A Hamas delegation has arrived in Egypt for further talks aimed at securing a ceasefire, even as Israel advances its plan to seize Gaza City, forcibly displace nearly one million Palestinians, and confine them to designated zones in the south. Since the start of the war, at least 61,599 Palestinians have been killed and 154,088 wounded in Gaza. In Israel, an estimated 1,139 people were killed during the October 7, 2023 attacks, with more than 200 taken captive.

Musk Threatens Legal Action Against Apple Over Alleged App Store Bias

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago02 mins

Elon Musk has accused Apple (AAPL) of anticompetitive conduct, alleging that the App Store has refused to feature both his social media platform X and his AI chatbot Grok in its top app promotions. In a series of posts on X, Musk said Apple’s actions amount to “an unequivocal antitrust violation” and warned that his AI firm, xAI, would take “immediate legal action” to address the issue. “Why do you refuse to put either X or Grok in your ‘Must Have’ section when X is the #1 news app in the world and Grok is #5 among all apps?” Musk wrote, accusing Apple of “playing politics” with its rankings. He also questioned why rival ChatGPT, run by OpenAI, appeared in multiple curated lists. Apple partnered with OpenAI in 2024 to integrate its technology into Apple Intelligence, a feature embedded in Siri for content generation and device tasks. Apple says the App Store is “highly curated” with human and automated oversight. Musk, who co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but left over strategic disputes, has an ongoing lawsuit against the company, seeking to block its transition to a for-profit model. That case is scheduled for trial in March 2026. Apple has not responded to requests for comment on Musk’s allegations.

Wikipedia Lists Owolabi Salis As First Nigerian Astronaut

Fola Badmus1 month ago1 month ago04 mins

Following official recognition by the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), globally acclaimed online media, Wikipedia has officially listed the U. S. based Astronaut, Chief Owolabi Salis, amongst the universally recognised lists of people who had successfully travelled to the outer space. The Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) defines space flight as any flight over 100 kilometers (62 miles) above sea-level. Those able to breast the tape above this threshold are awarded with Astronaut Wings. The globally acclaimed online encyclopedia further recognised the Nigeria-born Lawyer and Finance technocrat as the first Nigerian to travel to the outer space. By this rating, Salis who was numerically listed as 702, amongst the hierarchy of officially acknowledged space travellers since the annals of human existence, thus became not only the first, but also the only Nigerian ever to have successfully undertaken the journey, in the annals of outer-space adventure. The Nigeria-born Lawyer-Astronaut described the recognition by Wikipedia as immensely gladdening and encouraging, considering the fact that our planet is approximately five billion years old and about 117 billion people had lived in it, out of which only an infinitesimal 720 people had been to space. Topping the list was Yuri Gagarin, from the defunct Soviet Union recorded as the first person to have navigated the space on April 12,1961, coming close on the heels by Alan Shepard, the first American to have achieved the feat barely a month after, in May 5,1961. According to Wikipedia, the qualification for enlistment is based on achieving an altitude higher than 330,000 feet as stipulated by Federation Aeronatique Internationale, the universally endorsed body that certifies aviation records. It could be recalled that on June 29, the history-making Legal luminary, along with six others, took a trip to space, aboard the Blue Origin space-craft, which took off from West Texas and reached approximately 105 Km altitude, crossing the Karman Line, the internationally recognized boundary for space travel. The trip code-named NS-33 was undertaken under the auspices of Blue Origin, an aerospace company owned by Amazon, founder of Jeff Broz. On the historic trip with Salis was Allie Kuehner, Carl Kuehner, Leland Larson, Freddie Rescigno Jnr. and Jim Sitkin, in an adventure which Salis the Leader and Founder of Soul Makers Ministry World-Wide described as spiritually rewarding.