Category: North America

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.

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.

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.

WASHINGTON, U.S. (NPA) — US Congressman Riley Moore, who heads the congressional committee mandated by President Donald Trump to investigate alleged killings of Christians, has accused the Nigerian Government of indifference and failure to act.

In a post on his X account Thursday, Moore recalled his visit to Nigeria, noting that while the government swiftly intervened to quell a coup in neighboring Benin Republic, it has stood idle as Christian citizens are slaughtered in Plateau State. He described the scenes as “absolutely horrific” and “unconscionable.”

Moore was reacting to a circulating video showing Christians gathered for a mass burial of victims from a previous attack, where mourners were again targeted and murdered in cold blood by alleged radical Islamic terrorists.

The congressman chaired the committee that pushed for Nigeria’s redesignation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), citing systematic assaults on Christian communities. The committee, which included Chairman Tom Cole and members of the House Appropriations Committee, declared: “Nigeria is the deadliest place in the world to be a Christian. Christians face ongoing violent attacks from well-armed Fulani militias and terrorist groups, resulting in tens of thousands of deaths, the destruction of churches and schools, and widespread kidnappings. Blasphemy laws in northern states are used to silence dissent, target minorities, and justify convictions without due process.”

Moore insisted that Nigeria has the capacity to root out terrorism but fails to act, even when forewarned of attacks. “Enough is enough,” he said, urging the Trump Administration to take “forceful action” to defend Christians in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, which he described as the epicenter of an ongoing genocide.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, met yesterday with US Charge d’Affaires David Heffern to discuss security cooperation and bilateral relations.

Her statement described the talks as “constructive,” covering security and defence, border and migration challenges, counter-terrorism, intelligence sharing, visa concerns, and broader regional stability. Both sides also addressed Nigeria’s CPC designation.

Ojukwu affirmed Nigeria’s commitment to continued engagement with US authorities to review the designation and strengthen cooperation aimed at reversing it, while deepening bilateral ties.

The CPC status remains a flashpoint in Nigeria–US relations, especially amid Washington’s concerns over religious violence and insecurity in parts of the country.

WASHINGTON, D.C., United States (NPA) — The White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) has released the Trump administration’s drug policy priorities, outlining a comprehensive strategy aimed at reducing the impact of illicit drugs across the United States.

The framework, announced on April 3, 2025, details urgent actions to be implemented within the first year to address rising drug use, trafficking, and overdose-related deaths.

According to the White House, the policy focuses on six key areas, including reducing overdose fatalities—particularly those linked to fentanyl—securing global supply chains, strengthening border controls, preventing drug use, expanding access to long-term treatment, and advancing research and data-driven strategies.

Speaking on the initiative, ONDCP Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director, Jon Rice, said the administration is adopting a coordinated, whole-of-government approach to combat the crisis.

“Terrorists, cartels, and other drug traffickers are taking hundreds of thousands of American lives by poisoning them for profit,” Rice said. “The priorities in this framework outline the first steps to kick cartels out of our country, free Americans from the deadly grip of addiction, and guide America back to health and safety.”

The administration said it would intensify efforts to disrupt drug supply chains, targeting production and distribution networks through a combination of law enforcement actions, economic measures, and advanced technology.

It also emphasised the need for a balanced domestic response that recognises substance use disorder as a complex public health issue, requiring expanded prevention, treatment, and recovery services.

Officials noted that collaboration across all levels of government and with stakeholders—including law enforcement agencies, healthcare providers, first responders, and community organisations—would be critical to achieving the policy’s objectives.

The White House added that the new priorities build on existing executive actions by President Donald Trump aimed at strengthening border security, countering drug trafficking organisations, and holding source countries accountable for the flow of illicit drugs and precursor chemicals into the U.S.

While the current framework outlines immediate priorities, the administration said its broader drug control strategy would continue to evolve in response to emerging threats in order to safeguard communities and reduce the long-term impact of illicit drug use.