Trendbrio.com

News and Entertainment Update

Live
News
Veekee James Expecting First Child with Husband Femi Atere 01
02
News
Nigerians Suffering More Under APC Government — ADC Chairman David Mark
03
News
Wike Says He’s Closely Monitoring PDP Crisis in Oyo State
04
Sports
FIFA President, Infantino Defends Awarding FIFA Peace Prize to Trump, Dismisses World Cup Boycott Calls
05
Soccer
Ademola Lookman Joins Atletico Madrid

Tag: US

Trump Urges Immediate End to Gaza War, Rejects Palestinian Statehood Recognition

Trump Urges Immediate End to Gaza War Rejects Palestinian Statehood Recognition

Fola Badmus08 mins

U.S. President Donald Trump has called for an immediate end to the war in Gaza during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly, while dismissing the recognition of a Palestinian state by several Western nations as a “reward” for Hamas. “We have to stop the war in Gaza immediately,” Trump told world leaders on Tuesday. “We have to negotiate peace. We have to get the hostages back. We want all 20 back.” Trump referred to the 20 captives still believed to be alive among the 48 held by Hamas and said those in support of peace should be united in demanding their release. However, he sharply criticized recent efforts by countries to unilaterally recognize Palestinian statehood, claiming such moves would embolden Hamas. “As if to encourage continued conflict, some in this body are seeking to unilaterally recognise the Palestinian state. The rewards would be too great for Hamas terrorists, for their atrocities,” he said. The remarks stand in contrast to comments made earlier this week by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who stated that Palestinian statehood is “a right, not a reward.” Trump placed responsibility for the failure of ceasefire negotiations squarely on Hamas, stating that the group has “repeatedly rejected reasonable offers to make peace.” He offered minimal criticism of Israeli actions, despite mounting international outrage over Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza, which began in October 2023. Human rights organizations and UN investigators have raised alarms over civilian casualties and humanitarian conditions in the besieged enclave. Trump’s remarks follow reports of an Israeli ground assault on Gaza City this month, displacing thousands and resulting in hundreds of Palestinian deaths. Israel has also been accused of deliberately stalling ceasefire negotiations. In a statement Tuesday, Hamas denied being an obstacle to peace: “We have never been an obstacle to reaching an agreement. The U.S. administration, the mediators, and the world know that [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu is the sole obstructionist in all attempts to reach an agreement.” Hamas reiterated its readiness for a truce that includes the release of captives, an exchange of prisoners, and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza — conditions Netanyahu has refused to accept. More than 65,000 Palestinians have reportedly been killed since the conflict escalated in 2023, according to local health authorities. International condemnation has grown over the U.S.’s continued military support for Israel during the war. Trump also used his UN address to issue strong warnings toward Iran, calling it the “world’s number one sponsor of terror” and vowing that Tehran would never obtain nuclear weapons. “Three months ago in Operation Midnight Hammer, seven American B-2 bombers dropped 30,000-pound bombs on Iran’s key nuclear facilities, totally obliterating everything,” he said. While Trump claimed the operation “demolished” Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity, U.S. defense officials have said the strikes only delayed Iran’s program by several months. Trump’s address included repeated references to his past foreign policy record, claiming he ended “seven different wars” and suggesting he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts — though he added he “didn’t care about awards.” He also took aim at the United Nations, accusing it of failing its core mission and enabling illegal immigration: “I had to end wars instead of the United Nations,” he said.“The UN is funding an assault on Western countries and their borders,” he added, alleging the organization is helping undocumented migrants enter the U.S. with food, shelter, and debit cards. Migration and climate change were recurring targets in the speech. Trump described immigration as an “invasion” and called climate policy “the greatest con job,” claiming renewable energy is “destroying” the West. “Some countries are going to hell over their border policies,” he said in closing remarks. Trump also addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine, arguing the conflict would have been avoided under his leadership. “Everyone thought Russia would win in three days, but it didn’t,” he said, describing his relationship with President Vladimir Putin as “a good one,” while admitting the invasion was “not making Russia look good.” He criticized European countries for continuing to buy Russian oil and gas despite sanctions and called on EU nations to impose tariffs on Moscow. Trump also blamed China and India for “funding” Russia’s war effort. Following his General Assembly address, Trump was scheduled to meet with UN Secretary-General Guterres and leaders from Ukraine, the European Union, Argentina, and a coalition of Middle Eastern and Asian nations. A reception with over 100 world leaders is expected before his return to Washington, D.C.

Read More
Khamenei Rules Out Talks with US Over Iran’s Nuclear Programme

Khamenei Rules Out Talks with US Over Iran’s Nuclear Programme

Fola Badmus07 mins

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has ruled out any direct negotiations with the United States over the country’s nuclear programme, calling such talks a “sheer dead end” and accusing Washington of attempting to dictate terms rather than engage in genuine diplomacy. Khamenei’s remarks, broadcast on Iranian state television, came as Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met with diplomats from Germany, France, and the United Kingdom — known as the E3 — along with European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. The talks, held on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, focused on the looming reimposition of sanctions, expected to take effect within days. “The US has announced the result of the talks in advance,” Khamenei said. “The result is the closure of nuclear activities and enrichment. This is not a negotiation. It is a diktat, an imposition.” His comments followed US President Donald Trump’s speech at the UNGA, in which he vowed that Iran would “never possess a nuclear weapon” and labeled the Islamic Republic the “world’s number one sponsor of terror.” Trump has continued to push a hardline stance, despite mounting tensions in the region and global calls for diplomacy. The diplomatic impasse comes in the wake of a failed UN Security Council resolution that would have extended sanctions relief for Iran. The E3 accuse Tehran of stockpiling enriched uranium well beyond limits set by the 2015 nuclear agreement — the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — which Trump unilaterally withdrew from in 2018 during his first term. That agreement, signed between Iran and six world powers, aimed to lift economic sanctions in exchange for strict limits on Tehran’s nuclear activities. However, Trump reimposed sanctions under his “maximum pressure” campaign, a strategy that President Joe Biden continued despite initially opposing it. European nations have signaled willingness to delay the return of sanctions — if Iran resumes direct talks with the US, allows full access to its nuclear sites by UN inspectors, and provides a clear account of the more than 400kg of highly enriched uranium the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says it is holding. But progress has been limited. According to Al Jazeera’s James Bays, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said the Tuesday meeting “didn’t go particularly well.” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas added, “Diplomacy has a chance. The deadlines are running, and let’s see. We need to see some real action also on the Iranian side.” Iran maintains that it is not pursuing nuclear weapons and insists on its right to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Khamenei reiterated this in his speech, affirming that Tehran would not yield to international coercion. Tensions escalated dramatically in June after Israel, with support from the US, launched a 12-day military operation against Iran, targeting several nuclear sites. The strikes followed a ruling by the IAEA’s board that Iran was failing to comply with international nuclear safeguards. Iran responded by accusing Israel and the US of violating international law and ramping up regional instability. Last week, the UNSC voted against permanently lifting economic sanctions on Iran, a decision Tehran slammed as “politically biased.” That vote followed a 30-day ultimatum issued in August by the E3, warning of renewed sanctions unless Tehran met its nuclear obligations. Iran has threatened to suspend cooperation with the IAEA if sanctions are reinstated. On Monday, several hardline Iranian lawmakers called for the country to start developing a nuclear bomb, citing fears that sanctions could reignite conflict with Israel. If no agreement is reached by Saturday evening, the so-called “snapback” mechanism will automatically trigger the return of wide-ranging international sanctions, freezing Iranian assets abroad, halting arms sales, and targeting Iran’s ballistic missile programme. Still, there may be a narrow path forward. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi told reporters on Tuesday that a team of inspectors is en route to Iran, prepared to resume monitoring activities if a last-minute deal is struck. “Everything is possible. Where there is a will, there is a way,” Grossi said. “We have our inspectors, and inspectors are on the way, and there is the possibility to start on this work, depending on the political will of Iran.”

Read More

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

Fola Badmus03 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.

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

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

Fola Badmus03 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.

Read More
US condemns Beijing’s South China Sea ‘nature reserve’ plan

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

Fola Badmus05 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.

Read More

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

Fola Badmus07 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.”

Read More

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

Fola Badmus05 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.

Read More
Five killed after tour bus returning to New York City from Niagara Falls crashes

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

Fola Badmus03 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.

Read More