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Tag: Donald Trump

  • World Cup 2026: US, Canada, Mexico to make joint bid

    World Cup 2026: US, Canada, Mexico to make joint bid

    The U.S., Canada and Mexico have announced they will make a joint bid to host the 2026 World Cup finals.

    The 2026 finals will be the first tournament after the expansion from 32 teams to 48 and, if successful, would be the first time a World Cup has been shared by three hosts.

    The proposal would be for the U.S. to host 60 matches, with 10 games each in Canada and Mexico.

    The decision on who will host the event will be made in 2020.

    That is three years later than originally scheduled because of corruption allegations surrounding the awarding of the 2018 and 2022 World Cups to Russia and Qatar.

    The U.S. staged the 1994 World Cup, which had the highest average attendance in the tournament’s history.

    Mexico was the first nation to host the event twice, in 1970 and 1986, while Canada hosted the 2015 women’s World Cup.

    President Donald Trump has promised to build a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico but Sunil Gulati, president of the US Soccer Federation, said Trump is “supportive” of the bid.

    He said he had even “encouraged” it.

    “The U.S., Mexico and Canada have individually demonstrated their exceptional abilities to host world-class events,” added Gulati.

    “When our nations come together as one – as we will for 2026 – there is no question the U.S., Mexico and Canada will deliver an experience that will celebrate the game and serve players, supporters and partners alike.”

    European and Asian countries cannot bid for the 2026 World Cup due to world governing body FIFA’s rotation policy.

    It means the previous two host confederations – Europe in 2018 and Asia in 2022 – are excluded.

    The new-look tournament will begin with an initial round of 16 three-team groups, with 32 qualifiers going through to the knockout stage.

     

  • 44 killed in Egypt’s Palm Sunday bombings

    44 killed in Egypt’s Palm Sunday bombings

    The Ministry of Health on Monday said that no fewer than 44 people were killed in bomb attacks on the symbolic cathedral seat of the Coptic Pope and another church on Palm Sunday.

    Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attacks, which also injured more than 100 people and occurred a week before Coptic Easter, with Pope Francis scheduled to visit Egypt later in April.

    The assault is the latest on a religious minority increasingly targeted by Islamist militants, and a challenge to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who has pledged to protect them as part of his campaign against extremism.

    The ministry of health said that the first bombing, in Tanta, a Nile Delta city about 100 km (60 miles) north of Cairo, tore through the inside of St. George Church during its Palm Sunday service, killing at least 27 people and injuring at least 78.

    The ministry added that the second, just a few hours later in Alexandria, hit Saint Mark’s Cathedral, the historic seat of the Coptic Pope, killing 17 people, including three police officers, and injuring 48.

    Sisi ordered troops be immediately deployed to assist police in securing vital facilities, a statement from his office said.

    “The attack…will only harden the determination (of the Egyptian people) to move forward on their trajectory to realise security, stability and comprehensive development,” Sisi said in a statement.

    President Donald Trump, who hosted Sisi on April 3, in his first official visit to the U.S., expressed support for a leader he has said he plans to work more closely with on fighting Islamist militants, who Sisi identifies as an existential threat.

    “So sad to hear of the terrorist attack in Egypt. U.S. strongly condemns. I have great confidence that President Al Sisi will handle situation properly,” Trump wrote on his official Twitter account.

    Hundreds gathered outside the Tanta church shortly after the blast, some weeping and wearing black while inside, blown apart pews sat atop tiles soaked with blood.

    “There was blood all over the floor and body parts scattered,” a woman who was inside the church at the time of the attack said.

    “There was a huge explosion in the hall. Fire and smoke filled the room and the injuries were extremely severe,” another woman, Vivian Fareeg, said.

    Islamic State’s branch in Egypt has stepped up attacks and threats against Christians, who comprise about 10 percent of Egypt’s 90 million people and are the biggest Christian minority in the Middle East.

    In February, scores of Christian families and students fled Egypt’s North Sinai province after a spate of targeted killings.

    Those attacks followed one of the deadliest on Egypt’s Christian minority, when a suicide bomber hit its largest Coptic cathedral, killing at least 25 people.

    Islamic State later claimed responsibility for that attack.

    Islamic State has waged a low-level war against soldiers and police in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula for years but is now targeting Christians and broadening its reach into Egypt’s mainland.

    That is a potential turning point in a country trying to prevent a provincial insurgency spiralling into wider sectarian bloodshed.

    Although Copts have faced attacks by Muslim neighbours, who have burnt their homes and churches in poor rural areas, in the past, the community has felt increasingly insecure since Islamic State spread through Iraq and Syria in 2014.

  • Impersonators of world leaders gather in Hong Kong

    Impersonators of world leaders gather in Hong Kong

    Three men impersonating US President Donald Trump, former president Barack Obama and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un caused laughter and chaos in central Hong Kong on Friday.

    Traffic stopped as people swarmed around the trio to take pictures.

    Barack Obama impersonator, Reggie Brown, sporting custom-made prosthetic ears, said he was happy for all the love.

    Australian, Howard X, impersonated Kim Jong Un and 66-year-old musician Dennis Allen from Chicago impersonated President Trump.

    The professional look-alikes had been hired for the Rugby Sevens.

    See Video below:

  •  U.S. attack killed nine civilians: Syrian state news agency

     U.S. attack killed nine civilians: Syrian state news agency

    Nine civilians including four children were killed in the U.S. missile attack on a Syrian airbase near the city of Homs on Friday, the Syrian state news agency said.

    The SANA report said the civilians died in villages near the airbase.

    It said seven more people had been wounded and homes in the area had been badly damaged.

    Earlier, Homs governor Talal Barazi said seven people had been killed in the attack. It was not immediately clear if these were separate casualty tolls.

    U.S. President Donald Trump said he had ordered missile strikes against the airfield from which a deadly

    chemical attack was launched, declaring he acted in America’s “national security interest” against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

    The strikes drew sharp criticism from Russia, Assad’s ally.

    U.S. officials said the military fired dozens of cruise missiles against the base in response to the suspected

    gas attack in a rebel-held area this week, which Washington has blamed on Assad’s forces.

    The Syrian government has strongly denied responsibility and says it does not use chemical weapons.

     

    The governor of Homs province said earlier that the airbase was used to support Syrian army operations against Islamic State.

    NAN reports that the UN Security Council was expected to hold closed-door consultations on Friday about the U.S. strike on Syria following a request by Bolivia, an elected member of the council, a senior Security Council diplomat said.

     

  • Syria Deal: Russia suspends military deal with U.S.

    Syria Deal: Russia suspends military deal with U.S.

    Russia on Friday suspended a deal on military cooperation with the U.S. in Syria, in response to the U.S. bombing of Syrian state forces.

    The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement  that the deal was designed to prevent possible military incidents between the two great powers, which support opposing sides in the Syrian civil war.

    Russia condemns the U.S. “illegitimate actions against the lawful Syrian government,” the Foreign Ministry said, referring to the U.S. bombing carried out in response to the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Syrian state military.

    “Russia denies that the Syrian state military used chemical weapons, and maintains that Syrian militants were responsible for a recent chemical weapons incident in the north-western province of Idlib,’’ the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

    U.S. President Donald Trump ordered missile strikes against the airfield from which a deadly chemical attack was launched, declaring he acted in America’s “national security interest” against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

    The strikes drew sharp criticism from Russia, Assad’s ally.

    U.S. officials said the military fired dozens of cruise missiles against the base in response to the suspected gas attack in a rebel-held area this week, which Washington has blamed on Assad’s forces.

    The Syrian government has strongly denied responsibility and says it does not use chemical weapons.

    The governor of Homs province said earlier that the airbase was used to support Syrian army operations against Islamic State.

    NAN reports that the U.N. Security Council was expected to hold closed-door consultations on Friday about the U.S. strike on Syria following a request by Bolivia, an elected member of the council, a senior Security Council diplomat said.

     

  • Trump seeks to ‘reboot’ U.S. relationship with Egypt

    Trump seeks to ‘reboot’ U.S. relationship with Egypt

    President Donald Trump will seek to rebuild the U.S. relationship with Egypt at a Monday meeting with Egyptian President Abdel al-Sisi.

    The meeting will focus on security issues and military aid, a White House official said on Friday.

    “He wants to use President al-Sisi’s visit to reboot the bilateral relationship and build on the strong connection the two presidents established when they first met in New York in September 2016,” the official told reporters.

  • Trump sets ultimatum on healthcare bill

    United States President, Donald Trump, has demanded a make-or-break vote in the House of Representatives on Friday on his troubled healthcare bill.

    The American Health Care Act is meant to replace parts of President Barack Obama’s signature “Obamacare” law.

    A vote on Thursday was delayed because of opposition from some Republicans, the BBC reports.

    Mr. Trump reportedly told fellow Republicans that they had a choice between voting for his bill on Friday or being stuck with Obamacare for good.

    The President gave the warning during a closed-door meeting at the White House.

    A debate on the bill is taking place in the House of Representatives, with a vote due later on Friday.

    Republican and House Speaker, Paul Ryan said: “For seven-and-a-half years we have been promising the American people that we will repeal and replace this broken law because it’s collapsing and it’s failing families, and tomorrow we’re proceeding.”

  • ‘Nigeria spent $2.6bn on Boko Haram humanitarian crisis in 2016’

    Nigeria spent more than $2.6 billion  in 2016 to address the humanitarian challenges caused by Boko Haram terrorists, Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonisakin, has said.

    The Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Olonisakin stated this at the meeting of the ‘Global Coalition Working to Defeat ISIS’ in Washington, D.C.

    “After  over 2.6 billion dollars was spent by the Nigerian Government to address humanitarian needs in 2016 – more needs were seen when areas were recovered from Boko Haram.

    “Many in this room joined us in Oslo, Norway just last February to show support with Nigeria.

    “Coalition is fundamental. We, therefore, commend Secretary Rex Tillerson and President Donald Trump for remaining committed to fighting the global enemy of us all – terrorism,” Olonisakin said.

    The defence chief explained that Iraq’s story in the war against ISIS was similar to Nigeria’s story in the fight against Boko Haram.

    “This meeting, therefore, will further strengthen our collective resolve and determination to destroy and defeat ISIS.

    “To this end, Nigeria is prepared to work with the coalition in the pursuit of the first lines of efforts towards the realisation of the aims of the global coalition,” he said.

    He commended the steady progress made in Iraq, and Syria in denying ISIS access to territories and closing up their supply routes.

    According to him, it is, therefore, imperative that as part of the objectives of the meeting, global leaders consider the value of timely sharing of information and best practices on addressing cross-border threats.

    He also emphasised the need for mobilisation of resources for partners in the conflict and confronting violent extremist organizations with the digital battle space or cyberspace.

    He added that reshaping the public narratives around ISIS to one of failure, was also critical in the battle to defeat ISIS.

    “Let me also add that this meeting is of great importance to Nigeria.

    “This is because, Nigeria’s effort to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists is viewed as part of wider efforts to combat violent extremism globally especially, the defeat of ISIS.

    “Nigeria is open and willing to adopt strategies from the coalition that could further enhance its success story,” Olonisakin said.

    U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, in his welcome remarks, said “it is indeed encouraging to see the attendance”.

    “When the forces of ISIS tune into their TVs and their computer monitors, they will see the strength of a combined 68 nations and organisations.

    “Together, we share a resolve to deal ISIS a lasting defeat. Our coalition is united in stopping ISIS resurgence, halting its global ambitions and discrediting its ideological narrative.

    “And we’re ready to grow stronger and stay aggressive in this battle.

    “President Trump, in his recent address to the joint session of Congress, made clear that it is the policy of the United States to demolish and destroy this barbaric terrorist organisation”.

    NAN reports that the meeting was attended by Ministers of Foreign Affairs and senior leaders of the 68 countries of the global coalition working to defeat ISIS.

    NAN also reports that among those who attended the meeting were Chargé d’affaires of the Nigeria Embassy in Washington, Hakeem Balogun and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

     

  • UN says Trump’s new plan will worsen refugees’ woes

    UN says Trump’s new plan will worsen refugees’ woes

    The UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi says it is concerned that the new Executive Order signed by U.S. President Donald Trump on refugee resettlement on Monday will worsen the agonies of refugees.

    The UN High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi, in his reaction to Trump’s new travel ban, insisted that refugees are not criminals.

    “Refugees are ordinary people forced to flee war, violence and persecution in their home countries and who remain in urgent need of life-saving assistance and protection.

    “The imperative remains to provide protection for people fleeing deadly violence, and we are concerned that this decision, though temporary, may compound the anguish for those it affects.

    “The UNHCR has long been a partner for the U.S. in finding solutions to refugee problems, and we look forward to continuing this partnership,” he said.

    In the wake of the new order, the head of the UN refugee agency reiterated its readiness to engage constructively with Trump’s orders to ensure all refugee programmes meet the highest standards for safety and security.

    “Americans have long played a crucial role in promoting global stability while simultaneously exemplifying the highest humanitarian ideals, from support for refugee emergencies overseas, to welcoming some of the most vulnerable refugee families in the United States to rebuild their lives in safety, freedom and dignity.

    “This is the gold standard in refugee protection and a powerful model for all countries that at a time of record-high levels of forced human displacement, this kind of humane leadership is needed more than ever.”

    Grandi’s statement followed the signing of the Executive Order that would, among other things, suspend the country’s refugee programme for 120 days.

    However, under the old order, Syrian refugees were barred indefinitely.

    It would also bar for 90 days, travel to the U.S. by citizens of Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.

    The measure followed a similar order signed by Trump on Jan. 27, which barred all nationals from the countries, including Iraq.

    However, Iraq was removed from the new order following what the U.S. Government said was the country’s cooperation in ensuring effective vetting of immigrants to the U.S.

  • Congress probes Obama over Trump’s phone tapping

    Congress probes Obama over Trump’s phone tapping

    The U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Intelligence said it would probe former President Barack Obama’s administration over alleged tapping into the phones and computer servers of President Donald Trump and campaign officials.

    The Chairman of the Committee, Rep. Devin Nunes, said on Sunday in a statement that his panel will investigate wiretapping allegations made by Trump against Obama. The wiretapping was alleged by Trump to have occurred during the 2016 presidential campaigns.

    “One of the focus points of the House Intelligence Committee’s investigation is the U.S. government’s response to actions taken by Russian intelligence agents during the presidential campaign.

    “As such, the Committee will make inquiries into whether the government was conducting surveillance activities on any political party’s campaign officials or surrogates, and we will continue to investigate this issue if the evidence warrants it.”

    The White House on Sunday demanded that Congress examine Trump’s allegations that his predecessor conducted surveillance in Trump Tower to determine whether campaign operatives had contacts with the Russians during the election.

    White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer said: “Reports concerning potentially politically motivated investigations immediately ahead of the 2016 election are very troubling.

    “President Donald J. Trump is requesting that as part of their investigation into Russian activity, the congressional intelligence committees exercise their oversight authority to determine whether executive branch investigative powers were abused in 2016.”

    Obama has, however, denied that he ordered any such wiretaps.