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BREAKING: Trump rejects Iran’s response to diplomatic efforts, calls proposal ‘totally unacceptable’

WASHINGTON, United States (NPA) — President Donald Trump has rejected Iran’s latest response to ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending tensions between Washington and Tehran, describing the position as “totally unacceptable.”

In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the response submitted by Iranian representatives.

“I have just read the response from Iran’s so-called ‘Representatives.’ I don’t like it — TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE!” he wrote.

The U.S. president’s remarks came shortly after another statement in which he accused Iran of deceiving the United States and the international community for nearly five decades through what he described as delay tactics designed to advance its military ambitions.

Trump also criticised former President Barack Obama over his administration’s policy toward Iran, alleging that Obama favoured Tehran while sidelining key American allies, including Israel.

“He was not only good to them, he was great, actually going to their side, jettisoning Israel and all other allies, and giving Iran a major and very powerful new lease on life,” Trump said.

The president referenced the Obama-era nuclear agreement with Iran and the release of funds to Tehran, alleging that hundreds of billions of dollars, including $1.7 billion in cash, were handed over to the Iranian government.

He also described Obama as a weak leader and accused Iran of exploiting successive American administrations for decades.

“For 47 years the Iranians have been tapping us along, keeping us waiting, killing our people with roadside bombs, destroying protests, and recently wiping out 42,000 innocent, unarmed protestors,” he said.

Trump maintained that Iran would no longer take advantage of the United States under his leadership.

The latest comments come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran over regional security, military activities and ongoing nuclear negotiations.

May 10, 2026
Trump accuses Iran of decades of deception, blasts Obama, Biden over Tehran policy

WASHINGTON, United States (NPA) — President Donald Trump has accused Iran of deceiving the United States and the international community for nearly five decades through what he described as delay tactics aimed at advancing its military interests.

Trump, in a blistering post on his Truth Social handles, also criticised former President Barack Obama over his administration’s policy toward Iran, alleging that Obama favoured Tehran while sidelining key U.S. allies, including Israel.

“He was not only good to them, he was great, actually going to their side, jettisoning Israel and all other allies, and giving Iran a major and very powerful new lease on life,” Trump said.

The U.S. president referenced the Obama administration’s nuclear deal with Iran and the release of funds to Tehran, claiming that hundreds of billions of dollars and $1.7 billion in cash were handed over to the Iranian government.

According to Trump, the funds were transported to Tehran in cash deliveries.

“It was so much money that when it arrived, the Iranian thugs had no idea what to do with it,” he alleged.

Trump further claimed that banks in Washington D.C., Virginia and Maryland were emptied to facilitate the cash transfer, although he did not provide evidence to support the allegation.

He also described Obama as a weak leader, “a sucker,” and a “disaster”, and accused Iran of exploiting successive American administrations for decades.

“For 47 years the Iranians have been tapping us along, keeping us waiting, killing our people with roadside bombs, destroying protests, and recently wiping out 42,000 innocent, unarmed protestors,” he said.

Trump, however, argued that Iran would no longer take advantage of the United States under his leadership.

The comments come amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran over regional security, military activities and nuclear negotiations.

May 10, 2026
11 killed, 12 injured as COCIN leader raises alarm over fresh Plateau attack

JOS, Nigeria (NPA) — Reverend Ezekiel Dachomo, Regional Leader of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN), has called on security agencies to urgently intervene in the Sabon Layi community in the Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State following a deadly attack allegedly carried out by armed assailants.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Dachomo appealed to law enforcement authorities to respond swiftly to the situation in the troubled community.

“Pray for Sabon Layi, Barkin Ladi. All law enforcement agencies should take note and intervene urgently, please,” he said.

The cleric, who has consistently spoken on attacks affecting Christian communities in northern Nigeria, alleged that the assault occurred on May 7, 2026. According to him, initial reports indicating that 10 persons were injured did not reflect the full scale of the incident. “Our findings from the ground today confirm that 12 persons were critically injured while 11 innocent souls were killed,” he stated.

Dachomo said one of the victims was a four-year-old child, lamenting what he described as the growing loss of humanity and compassion amid recurring violence in affected communities.

“Eleven human beings. Eleven destinies. Eleven families thrown into darkness,” he said.

The cleric, who accompanied his statement with graphic images allegedly showing victims of the attack, further accused some sections of the media of downplaying the scale of the violence (denying what he said is a genocide against the people) despite repeated killings in parts of Plateau State. “How many more bodies must be buried before the truth is acknowledged? How many mothers must cry themselves to sleep? How many children must die in silence?” he queried.

Citing several biblical passages, Dachomo urged the international community and relevant authorities not to ignore the plight of victims and displaced families. He said many of the injured victims were struggling to access adequate medical care, while affected families faced difficulties covering treatment and burial expenses.

The cleric also called for justice, protection for vulnerable communities and stronger humanitarian support for survivors of attacks across the region. “The world may choose silence, but Heaven sees every tear. God is watching. And one day, every hidden evil shall be brought into the light,” the statement added.

Authorities in Plateau State had yet to issue an official response on the latest casualty figures at the time of filing this report.

Earlier, Newpost Africa reported the killing of an entire Christian family in Plateau State. The victims — Rev. Ayuba Choji, his wife, and two children, Precious and Ishaya — were allegedly killed by radical Islamists on April 27, 2026, and laid to rest three days later in Kwi, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area. Their only surviving son managed to escape through a window during the attack.

May 10, 2026
UN Deputy SG Amina J. Mohammed mourns passing of former Botswana President Festus Mogae

NEW YORK, U.S. (NPA) — Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of former President of Botswana, Festus Mogae, who passed away on Friday, May 8, 2026.

“I am saddened by the passing of former President of Botswana, Dr. Festus Mogae,” she said.

In a statement issued on Friday, Mohammed described the late former president as a visionary leader who played a key role in shaping Botswana’s record of stability and progress. She also noted his courage and compassion in addressing the AIDS crisis, which remained a defining part of his public service legacy.

She further praised Mogae’s strong belief in Africa’s economic transformation, saying it inspired action across the continent.

“My heartfelt condolences to his family, loved ones and the people of Botswana,” her statement concluded.

Here’s a sharper, newsroom‑ready edit of your draft in the style you’ve been using:

Festus Mogae, Botswana’s third president, died at 86 in Gaborone. His passing was announced by President Duma Boko, who declared three days of national mourning with flags flown at half‑mast. Mogae, who led Botswana from 1998 to 2008, earned widespread respect for his economic stewardship during the country’s diamond‑driven growth and for spearheading one of Africa’s most ambitious HIV/AIDS treatment programs, which dramatically reduced infection and mortality rates.

Beyond his presidency, Mogae remained a prominent voice in peace mediation and public health advocacy. In 2008, he was awarded the prestigious Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership, honoring his democratic governance and peaceful transfer of power. His death marks the loss of a leader celebrated across Africa and internationally for his unwavering commitment to democracy, good governance, and solidarity in confronting public health challenges.

May 9, 2026
WHO DG allays fears of Tenerife people over hantavirus outbreak as cruise ship docks in Canary Island

TENERIFE, Spain (NPA) — The Director‑General of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has addressed the people of Tenerife following the deaths of three passengers aboard the MV Hondius cruise ship from the Andes strain of hantavirus. In a statement titled “To the people of Tenerife,” Tedros reassured residents that the public health risk remains low and urged calm.

Tedros acknowledged lingering anxieties from the COVID‑19 pandemic, but emphasized: “This is not another COVID‑19. The current public health risk from hantavirus remains low.” He confirmed that no passengers on board are currently symptomatic, and WHO experts, alongside Spanish authorities, have prepared a detailed plan for safe disembarkation.

Passengers will be transferred through a sealed corridor at the industrial port of Granadilla, away from residential areas, before being repatriated directly to their countries of origin. Tedros praised Spain’s decision to host the ship as “an act of solidarity and moral duty,” noting that Tenerife was chosen under international health regulations for its medical capacity and infrastructure.

Nearly 150 people from 23 countries have been at sea for weeks, some grieving, all anxious to return home. Tedros announced he will personally travel to Tenerife to oversee the operation and pay tribute to the island’s response, describing it as one of “dignity, solidarity, and compassion.”

WHO continues to monitor the situation closely, with Tedros in direct communication with the ship’s captain, Jan Dobrogowski, and WHO expert Dr. Freddy Banza‑Mutoka on board. So far, the risk to the population of the Canary Islands and globally remains low.

Tedros concluded: “Viruses do not understand politics or respect borders. The best immunity we have is solidarity. Tenerife is demonstrating that solidarity today.”

May 9, 2026
Matawalle highlights strategic partnerships at SAHA Expo 2026, says Nigeria committed to strategic defence diplomacy

ISTANBUL, Türkiye — Nigeria’s Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has described the SAHA Expo 2026 as one of the leading global platforms for the defence, aerospace and industrial sectors.

The exhibition is being held at the Istanbul Expo Center from May 5 to May 9, 2026.

Matawalle said Nigeria was honoured to engage with global industry leaders, defence stakeholders and international partners participating in the event.

Highlighting the significance of the exhibition to Nigeria’s efforts at tackling insecurity, the minister disclosed that he held strategic discussions during the Business-to-Business (B2B) sessions with Secretary of Defence Industries of Türkiye, Haluk Görgün.

According to him, the discussions focused on bilateral cooperation in defence and security, capacity-building initiatives, technology transfer and strategic collaborations aimed at strengthening the operational capabilities of both Nigeria and Türkiye.

“In view of the evolving security landscape across the African continent, our discussions further underscored the critical importance of multidimensional partnerships in promoting regional stability, strengthening collective resilience, and advancing a shared vision for global security,” Matawalle said.

As part of activities at the exhibition, the minister also visited several exhibition stands, including that of Nigeria’s indigenous defence company, DICON-D7G, alongside MKE and other leading defence manufacturers showcasing advanced military technologies and innovations.

Matawalle reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to strategic defence diplomacy, indigenous capacity development and international collaboration in addressing contemporary security challenges.

“Nigeria remains resolute in its pursuit of strategic defence diplomacy, indigenous capacity development, and international cooperation in addressing contemporary security challenges,” the minister stated.

May 9, 2026
Trump secures three-day Russia-Ukraine ceasefire ahead of Victory Day celebrations

WASHINGTON, D.C. — United States President Donald Trump has announced a three-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine as part of efforts to ease tensions in the ongoing war between both countries.

The ceasefire, scheduled to hold from May 9 to May 11, 2026, is expected to coincide with Victory Day commemorations in Russia.

In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump said the temporary truce would create an enabling environment for the celebrations in both countries, noting that Ukraine also played a major role during World War II.

“This ceasefire will include a suspension of all kinetic activity, and also a prison swap of 1,000 prisoners from each country,” Trump stated.

According to the U.S. president, the request for the brief pause in hostilities was made directly by him, adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had both agreed to the arrangement.

“Hopefully, it is the beginning of the end of a very long, deadly, and hard-fought war,” he added.

Trump further disclosed that negotiations aimed at permanently ending the conflict — which he described as the biggest war since World War II — were ongoing and making steady progress.

The development comes amid intensified cross-border attacks by both sides in recent days. Ukraine has significantly expanded its capacity to strike targets deep inside Russia.

On Thursday, Ukrainian forces reportedly struck a facility belonging to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) in Chechnya. The FSB, known in Russian as Federalnaya Sluzhba Bezopasnosti, is Russia’s principal domestic security and intelligence agency.

Ukraine also reportedly carried out a drone strike on an aviation control centre facility, forcing the temporary closure of 13 airports across Russia and disrupting thousands of flights.

In recent months, Kyiv has also intensified long-range strikes targeting Russian oil and gas infrastructure, describing the operations as part of efforts to enforce sanctions against Russia’s energy exports.

Russia, on its part, has continued heavy drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian targets, in what observers describe as an escalating cycle of retaliatory strikes by both sides.

The ceasefire agreement is expected to reduce tensions temporarily and may help prevent disruptions to events scheduled to take place in Moscow during the Victory Day celebrations.

May 9, 2026
Trump administration releases declassified UFOS files in new transparency initiative

WASHINGTON, U.S. (NPA) — The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the release of previously classified government files relating to Unidentified Anomalous Phenomena (UAP), commonly referred to as UFOs, as part of what officials described as an unprecedented transparency initiative.

In a statement issued Friday, the U.S. Department of War said the initial batch of files was released under a new interagency programme known as the Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters (PURSUE).

According to the department, the initiative involves coordination among the White House, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), the Department of Energy, the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office (AARO), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other intelligence agencies.

The newly declassified materials, including videos, photographs and original source documents, are expected to be published on a dedicated government portal, with additional releases planned on a rolling basis.

The administration said the move followed directives from Trump to begin identifying and declassifying files related to UAPs “in the interest of total transparency.”

The statement described the release as the most extensive disclosure effort by any U.S. administration on the issue.

“The American people can now access the federal government’s declassified UAP files instantly,” the department stated, adding that the materials had undergone security reviews, although some had not yet been fully analysed.

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the release was intended to address longstanding public speculation surrounding classified UAP investigations.

“These files, hidden behind classifications, have long fueled justified speculation — and it’s time the American people see it for themselves,” Hegseth said.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said the intelligence community was coordinating a comprehensive review of government holdings related to UAPs.

“Today’s release is the first in what will be an ongoing joint declassification and release effort,” she stated.

FBI Director Kash Patel described the move as a “landmark release,” saying the American public now has “unfettered access” to declassified government records on anomalous phenomena.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman also welcomed the initiative, saying the agency would continue to apply scientific research and data analysis in studying unexplained aerial phenomena.

“We will remain candid about what we know to be true, what we have yet to understand, and all that remains to be discovered,” Isaacman said.

The release is expected to intensify global interest in UAP investigations, an issue that has increasingly attracted attention from governments, researchers and intelligence agencies in recent years.

May 8, 2026
Pope Leo XIV marks first anniversary of papacy with pilgrimage to Pompei and Naples

POMPEI, Italy (NPA) — Pope Leo XIV commemorated the first anniversary of his election to the papacy with a pastoral visit to southern Italy, placing his pontificate under the protection of the Virgin Mary during celebrations in Pompei and Naples.

In Pompei, the Holy Father celebrated Mass before an estimated 20,000 faithful gathered outside the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary. The date coincided with the feast of the Supplication to the Virgin, a devotion closely tied to the shrine and to St. Bartolo Longo, canonized as the “apostle of the rosary.” In his homily, Pope Leo reflected on the significance of the rosary, calling the repeated Hail Mary “an act of love” and “an invitation to joy.” He urged believers to see the prayer as a source of mercy and peace in a world scarred by war and division.

Before the Mass, the pope visited the shrine and greeted the sick and people with disabilities. He also met members of the “Temple of Charity,” a local organization assisting those in hardship, underscoring the Church’s mission of compassion.

Later in the day, Pope Leo traveled by helicopter to Naples, where he visited the Cathedral of the Assumption of Mary. There, he prayed before the relic of St. Januarius, blessing the faithful gathered in the packed chapel. Addressing priests, religious, and laypeople, he called for a shift from “pastoral maintenance” to “missionary pastoral ministry,” urging the Church to engage directly with the realities of inequality, youth unemployment, and fragile family life.

At Piazza del Plebiscito, where authorities estimated 50,000 people were present, the pope delivered a message centered on peace and justice. He described peace as beginning in the human heart and expanding outward to neighborhoods, cities, and nations. He also highlighted the “Neapolitan paradox” — a city experiencing booming tourism yet struggling with deep social divides and organized crime.

Pope Leo encouraged collaboration among institutions, the Church, and civil society to protect children, confront hardship, and restore Naples’ vocation as a “capital of humanity and hope.”

May 8, 2026
Former U.S. Mayor Mike Arnold questions Jonathan’s 2027 readiness, urges leadership capable of confronting violent extremism

ABUJA, Nigeria (NPA) — A United States-based conservative activist and founder of Africa Arise International, Mike Arnold, has questioned whether former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan possesses the resolve needed to confront Nigeria’s worsening security crisis should he contest the 2027 presidential election.

Arnold, a former mayor of Blanco City in Texas, made the remarks in a statement titled “A Question for President Goodluck Jonathan.”

In the statement released Friday, Arnold described Jonathan as “a good man,” saying the former president is remembered as “gentle, thoughtful and prayerful,” qualities he said are rare in African politics.

“I have sat with him. I have looked him in the eye. He is gentle, thoughtful, prayerful — a rare combination at the top of African politics,” Arnold stated.

However, he argued that Nigeria’s current security and humanitarian challenges require leadership prepared to confront violent extremism and insecurity more aggressively.

“Nigerians can no longer afford a leader who lays down the fight in the name of peace. The blood is already on the ground. The peace has already been broken,” he said.

Arnold alleged that since 2015, insecurity has claimed the lives of more than 185,000 Nigerians, cutting across both Christians and Muslims. He asserted that 125,000 Christians and 60,000 peaceful Muslims were slaughtered by the same machinery of violence. In addition, over 19,000 churches were destroyed, while between 10 to 12 million Nigerians were displaced from their ancestral lands. He further described the crisis as marked by mass slavery, mass starvation, and mass forgetting. Against this backdrop, Arnold warned that the scale of the nation’s challenges is so severe that the leadership of a single “good person,” so to speak, would not be sufficient to contain the prevailing insanity.

NPA could not independently verify the casualty figures cited in the statement.

The American activist further argued that Jonathan’s decision to concede defeat in the 2015 presidential election, widely praised at the time as a statesmanlike move, continues to raise questions about whether he was willing to fully confront the forces behind Nigeria’s insecurity.

Jonathan famously conceded defeat to former President Muhammadu Buhari after the 2015 election, stating at the time that his political ambition was not worth the blood of any Nigerian.

Arnold said while the concession elevated Jonathan’s global image as a statesman, he believes the political struggle at the time went beyond personal ambition. “The fight was not about his political ambition. It was about life. It was about liberty,” he stated.

He also claimed that during Jonathan’s administration, Nigeria experienced relative stability and stronger resistance against insurgent groups compared to subsequent years.

According to Arnold, the worsening security situation since 2015 has heightened concerns about the country’s future ahead of the 2027 elections. He said reports suggesting Jonathan may contest the presidency again had prompted renewed debate over the type of leadership Nigeria requires.

“Mr President — now more than perhaps any time in Nigerian history, your people need a fighter,” Arnold said.

He challenged Jonathan to explain what lessons he learned from the 2015 election and what he would do differently if given another opportunity to lead the country.

As of the time of filing this report, former President Goodluck Jonathan had not publicly responded to the statement. Addressing a group of supporters in Abuja yesterday — mostly young people urging him to contest — Jonathan cautioned that running for the Nigerian presidency “is not like playing a computer game.” He added that he is still consulting widely before making any decision.

May 8, 2026