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Afghanistan Rejects Trump’s Call for US Return to Bagram Airbase

Fola Badmus5 hours ago4 hours ago03 mins

Kabul, Afghanistan – September 19, 2025 — Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government has firmly rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed call for American forces to return and reclaim the Bagram airbase, a former U.S. military hub north of Kabul. A senior Afghan foreign ministry official stated on Friday that while Kabul is open to dialogue with Washington, any form of renewed U.S. military presence in the country is “non-negotiable.” “Afghanistan and the United States need to engage… without the United States maintaining any military presence in any part of Afghanistan,” said foreign ministry official Zakir Jalal in a social media post. He added that future relations must be based on “mutual respect and shared interests.” Trump, speaking Thursday, reiterated his belief that Bagram holds significant strategic value due to its proximity to China. “We’re trying to get it back,” he said, criticizing the 2021 withdrawal that led to the airbase falling under Taliban control. “We gave it to them for nothing,” Trump said, claiming Bagram is “exactly one hour away from where China makes its nuclear missiles.” The comments come as reports indicate Trump’s team has reinitiated dialogue with Taliban officials. Over the weekend, U.S. envoys Adam Boehler and Zalmay Khalilzad met with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul, reportedly discussing detained American citizens and possible areas of cooperation. While the U.S. has not formally recognized the Taliban government since it regained control in 2021, recent diplomatic engagement suggests a possible shift in tone. Still, any effort to reestablish a military foothold appears firmly off the table for Kabul. Bagram, once the largest U.S. base in Afghanistan, was the center of American operations during the two-decade war and also housed a controversial detention facility. The site was abandoned in July 2021 as part of the U.S. military withdrawal. Trump has long argued that the U.S. should have retained Bagram, not for Afghan security, but due to its regional strategic value — particularly in regard to China and access to Afghanistan’s untapped mineral wealth.

US, UK Sign Nuclear Deal to Build Reactors and Power AI Data Centres

Fola Badmus20 hours ago19 hours ago03 mins

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Donald Trump have signed a multibillion-pound agreement to expand nuclear energy infrastructure in both countries, aimed at addressing rising power demands and bolstering clean energy initiatives. The deal, called the Atlantic Partnership for Advanced Nuclear Energy, includes plans to construct up to 12 advanced modular reactors in Hartlepool, northeast England. These reactors are expected to power 1.5 million homes and create up to 2,500 jobs. The agreement also covers the development of next-generation data centres powered by small modular reactors (SMRs) in Nottinghamshire, in a project valued at £11 billion ($15 billion). US-based Holtec, France’s EDF Energy, and UK investment firm Tritax will lead the data centre initiative, while UK energy supplier Centrica will partner with American firm X-energy on the Hartlepool reactors. The partnership builds on ongoing nuclear collaborations between UK firm Rolls-Royce and US contractor BWXT and is part of a broader strategy to modernise aging UK nuclear infrastructure. The UK currently operates eight nuclear power stations, most of which are nearing the end of their service life. The move comes as global demand for low-carbon, high-reliability energy surges—particularly in industries like artificial intelligence, where energy needs are rapidly increasing. The US aims to quadruple its nuclear capacity by 2050, with Trump’s administration supporting the expansion of modular reactor technology as a faster and cheaper alternative to traditional plants. Experts estimate the UK-US nuclear programme could generate at least £40 billion ($54.4 billion) in economic value. Construction timelines for these modular reactors typically span five to seven years, with deployment expected to begin in the early 2030s.

US Condemns Beijing’s South China Sea Nature Reserve Plan at Scarborough Shoal

Fola Badmus6 days ago6 days ago05 mins

The United States has condemned China’s plan to establish a so-called “nature reserve” at the disputed Scarborough Shoal, backing the Philippines in what Washington described as yet another act of regional coercion by Beijing. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a strong statement on Friday, saying the proposal was “yet another coercive attempt” by China to assert sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea. “The US stands with our Philippine ally in rejecting China’s destabilising plans to establish a ‘national nature reserve’ at Scarborough Reef,” Rubio posted on X. “This is another example of Beijing using pressure tactics to push expansive territorial claims, disregarding the rights of neighbouring countries.” China’s State Council announced earlier this week that it intends to create a protected ecological zone of 3,500 hectares at Scarborough Shoal, describing the move as essential for “biodiversity and sustainability”. But the announcement has triggered sharp responses from Manila. The Philippines’ Department of Foreign Affairs said it would file a formal diplomatic protest, calling China’s move “illegitimate and unlawful”. National Security Adviser Eduardo Año described the plan as a violation of multiple international agreements, including: “This is not about environmental protection,” Año said, “but about reinforcing China’s illegal control of a maritime feature that lies within the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.” Ongoing Tensions and Regional Pushback Scarborough Shoal, also known as Huangyan Island in China, lies just 240km off the coast of Luzon. Though it falls within the Philippines’ EEZ, it has been effectively under Chinese control since a 2012 standoff. Beijing has since deployed coastguard and militia vessels to monitor the area, frequently blocking Filipino fishermen from accessing the shoal’s rich fishing grounds — a traditional livelihood for generations of coastal communities in Luzon. Analysts in Manila suggest China is using the “nature reserve” designation as a pretext for occupation. “Beijing is testing the Philippines’ resolve,” said Julio Amador III of Amador Research Services. “If there is no strong pushback, we can expect similar tactics to be used elsewhere.” In recent weeks, the Philippines has held joint naval exercises near the shoal with allies including Australia and Canada, simulating responses to aerial and maritime threats in disputed waters. Meanwhile, China has reiterated its claim to “sovereignty” over the shoal, saying it would “resolutely defend” the area. Beijing continues to assert control over almost the entire South China Sea, despite competing claims from Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, and the Philippines. The disputed waterway remains one of the world’s most strategically vital corridors, with over $3 trillion in annual trade transiting through it. The latest escalation adds further strain to the already fraught US-China relationship and highlights the growing strategic alignment between Washington and Manila in countering China’s influence in the region.

The Whole Scheme Stinks: Ugandans Question Secretive Deal to Accept U.S. Deportees

Fola Badmus3 weeks ago3 weeks ago07 mins

A controversial agreement between Uganda and the Trump administration to receive deportees from the United States—potentially including high-profile detainee Kilmar Abrego Garcia—has sparked a wave of criticism in Uganda, with opposition lawmakers and civil society figures denouncing the deal as opaque and politically motivated. Ugandan lawmakers have voiced outrage over the lack of parliamentary oversight and transparency, raising concerns that the East African nation is being used as a political bargaining chip amid President Donald Trump’s aggressive anti-immigration campaign. Controversy Over Deportee Deal Few details about the agreement have been officially released. Ugandan authorities have stated they prefer to receive deportees of African origin and not individuals with serious criminal records. However, leaked information suggests that the U.S. is pushing to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia—a Salvadoran national and Maryland resident—to Uganda. Abrego Garcia, who has an American wife and children, was granted protected legal status in 2019 after a U.S. judge ruled he could face harm if returned to El Salvador. Despite that, he was mistakenly deported earlier this year as part of Trump’s immigration crackdown. His lawyers say he was severely beaten and psychologically tortured while held in El Salvador’s notorious CECOT mega-prison. U.S. officials later admitted his removal was due to an “administrative error.” This week, Abrego Garcia was again detained by immigration authorities in Baltimore. The Department of Homeland Security stated he is now being “processed for removal to Uganda.” Political Motives Suspected “This whole scheme stinks,” said Mathias Mpuuga, former leader of the opposition in Uganda’s Parliament. “Uganda is already struggling to support refugees from neighboring conflicts. How are we now becoming a dumping ground for U.S. deportees?” Critics allege that President Yoweri Museveni’s administration entered the deal without public consultation or parliamentary approval. Some see it as a move to curry favor with the Trump administration amid rising international pressure over Uganda’s deteriorating human rights record. “This makes sense only as economic expediency,” said Ibrahim Ssemujju, a prominent opposition MP. “Museveni will be happy to oblige, especially with the U.S. sanctions hanging over his government.” Uganda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs initially dismissed reports of a deal as “complete rubbish.” But just a day later, the ministry’s permanent secretary confirmed that an agreement was in place to accept deportees who are “reluctant to or may have concerns about returning to their countries of origin.” Uganda’s Deteriorating Rights Record Human rights organizations have long accused Museveni’s government of authoritarianism, corruption, and abuse of power. The 79-year-old leader, who has ruled Uganda for nearly 40 years, faces mounting criticism for unlawful killings, arrests of opposition leaders, and media suppression. Relations with Washington have grown tense in recent years. Under former President Joe Biden, the U.S. imposed sanctions on several high-ranking Ugandan officials over corruption, election interference, and LGBTQ rights violations—sanctions that remain in place under Trump’s administration. Uganda drew international condemnation in 2023 after passing one of the world’s harshest anti-LGBTQ laws, prompting widespread human rights concerns. A May 2025 Human Rights Watch report accused the government of fueling “discrimination, violence, and misinformation” against LGBTQ communities. Among those sanctioned by the U.S. are Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, a close ally of Museveni, as well as the country’s prisons chief and several former security and military officials. What Uganda Stands to Gain Despite domestic backlash, some analysts believe Museveni sees strategic advantages in the deportation deal. “Museveni is looking for a way back into Washington’s good graces,” said Marlon Agaba, Executive Director of the Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda. “He sees this as a political opportunity—and potentially an economic one, if it leads to better trade terms.” “The Trump administration is all about transactional diplomacy,” Agaba added. “And any strongman understands that kind of deal-making.” Similar deportation arrangements are reportedly underway with other African countries. In July, the U.S. deported five individuals to Eswatini and eight to South Sudan. Rwanda has also agreed to receive up to 250 deportees under similar terms. Still, many Ugandans remain skeptical. “We deserve answers,” Mpuuga said. “We cannot sell our sovereignty behind closed doors.”

Lula Condemns U.S. Revocation of Brazilian Minister’s Visa Calls It Irresponsible

Fola Badmus3 weeks ago3 weeks ago05 mins

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has denounced the United States’ decision to revoke the visa of Justice Minister Ricardo Lewandowski, calling the move “irresponsible” and “unacceptable” amid growing diplomatic tensions between Brasília and Washington. Speaking during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Lula said the visa revocation is part of a wider pattern of attacks against Brazilian institutions and officials by the Trump administration, as former President Jair Bolsonaro’s coup trial moves toward a verdict. “I wanted to express my solidarity, and the government’s solidarity, with Minister Lewandowski in light of the irresponsible gesture by the United States in revoking his visa,” Lula said. “We are willing to sit at the table on equal terms. What we are not willing to do is be treated as subordinates. We will not accept that from anyone.” Mounting Tensions Amid Bolsonaro Trial Relations between Brazil and the U.S.—longstanding allies and economic partners—have significantly deteriorated since Donald Trump returned to office earlier this year. The former U.S. president has openly criticized Lula’s government for pursuing legal action against Bolsonaro, a close political ally of Trump. Bolsonaro, who served as Brazil’s president from 2019 to 2023, is currently under house arrest as he faces trial for allegedly attempting to orchestrate a coup following his defeat in the 2022 election. Prosecutors allege he explored declaring a state of siege, mobilizing the military, and calling for new elections. Trump has repeatedly called the trial a “witch hunt.” On July 7, he posted a message on Truth Social defending Bolsonaro as a leader who “fought for THE PEOPLE.” Days later, he announced sweeping 50% tariffs on all Brazilian exports to the U.S., citing the trial as the rationale. U.S. Sanctions Target Brazilian Judiciary The visa revocation for Lewandowski follows similar punitive actions against other Brazilian officials. On July 18, the U.S. State Department revoked visas for Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and his immediate family, citing alleged censorship and political bias in the Bolsonaro investigation. “Justice Alexandre de Moraes’s political witch hunt against Jair Bolsonaro created a persecution and censorship complex so sweeping that it violates the rights of Brazilians and extends beyond Brazil’s borders,” said U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the time. The U.S. further escalated its measures by freezing any U.S.-based assets linked to de Moraes and prohibiting American entities from engaging in financial dealings with him. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent accused the judge of carrying out “an oppressive campaign of censorship, arbitrary detentions, and politicized prosecutions.” Lula Asserts Brazilian Sovereignty President Lula strongly rebuked these measures, defending Brazil’s judicial independence and asserting that his government would not tolerate foreign interference. “These attitudes are unacceptable—not only against Minister Lewandowski but also against our Supreme Court justices and any Brazilian public servant,” he said. “Brazil has its own constitution, its own laws, and we will uphold them.” The escalating row places increasing strain on U.S.-Brazil relations, as Bolsonaro’s trial approaches a critical verdict in early September. The outcome could carry wide-reaching consequences for Brazil’s democracy—and its standing on the global stage.

Five Killed After Tour Bus Returning to New York City from Niagara Falls Crashes

Fola Badmus4 weeks ago4 weeks ago03 mins

Five people have died and dozens more were injured after a tour bus returning to New York City from Niagara Falls crashed on a major highway in western New York. The bus, carrying 52 passengers, overturned on Interstate 90 near Pembroke, approximately 30 miles (48 km) east of Buffalo, at around 12:30 p.m. local time (5:30 p.m. UK time). According to New York State Police spokesperson Trooper James O’Callaghan, “multiple fatalities, multiple entrapments, and multiple injuries” were reported at the scene. Some children were among those on board. Several passengers were thrown from the bus as windows shattered, while others were trapped inside the wreckage. The Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) in Buffalo received 24 patients. At a press conference, Dr. Jennifer Pugh, Chief of Emergency Medicine at ECMC, said two patients were taken to surgery, including one with internal injuries. Dr. Jeffrey Brewer, Chief of Surgery, said the most seriously injured patients were expected to recover. Injuries included blunt trauma, head injuries, and multiple fractures. Other hospitals also received patients from the crash: Most passengers were of Indian, Chinese, and Filipino descent, and translators were brought in to assist. The bus driver survived and is cooperating with investigators. “It’s a full-size tour bus with significant damage,” O’Callaghan said. “Most passengers were likely not wearing seat belts, which is why so many were ejected.” Mercy Flight deployed three helicopters to airlift critically injured individuals. “It’s a very active scene,” said Mercy Flight President Margaret Ferrentino. “At this time, we’re praying for the victims.” Police said the driver lost control of the bus at full speed and the vehicle flipped during an attempt to correct course. The crash forced the closure of the highway in both directions, causing significant delays during one of the final weekends of the summer holiday season. Niagara Falls, located on the US-Canada border, attracts more than nine million visitors annually.

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.

US Warns Nigerian Students of Visa Revocation Over Academic Violations

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

The United States government has issued a strong warning to Nigerian students and other international students in the country, cautioning them against violating the conditions of their student visas. In an advisory shared on Monday via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the US Mission in Nigeria emphasized that students who drop out, miss classes, or abandon their academic programmes without formally notifying their institutions risk having their visas revoked. The mission further warned that such violations could jeopardize eligibility for future US visas, regardless of the visa category. “If you drop out, skip classes, or leave your programmes of study without informing your school, your student visa may be revoked, and you may lose eligibility for future US visas,” the advisory stated. Students were strongly advised to adhere strictly to the terms of their visa and maintain active academic status throughout their stay in the United States to avoid immigration-related issues. The warning serves as a reminder to thousands of Nigerian students currently enrolled in US institutions to remain compliant with visa regulations, especially as the new academic year approaches.