Vinícius Jr double sends Brazil closer to World Cup 2026 knockout stage
Brazil sealed top spot in Group C at the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 3-0 win over Scotland, as Vinícius Jr scored twice and Mateus Cunha added a third...
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has offered to mediate between the U.S. and Venezuela, warning that urgent diplomatic intervention is needed to prevent a “fratricidal war” in Latin America.
Speaking at a news conference in the Planalto Palace, Lula confirmed that he had discussed potential peaceful solutions with both U.S. President Donald Trump and Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro.
“I engage in politics seeking solutions to problems,” he said, adding that negotiating a way out of conflict is possible.
Lula questioned the U.S.’s motives, suggesting that strategic interests, such as Venezuela’s oil or rare minerals, may be influencing its approach.
He emphasised that South America must remain a “region of peace” and indicated he may hold follow-up talks with President Trump to develop a diplomatic framework to avoid military confrontation.
The two leaders last spoke officially on 2 December, focusing on bilateral trade negotiations.
Lula’s mediation offer comes amid heightened U.S. military activity in the region. Since September, the U.S. has maintained a strong naval and aerial presence in Caribbean and Pacific waters and conducted strikes on vessels linked to drug trafficking, resulting in dozens of fatalities.
The Trump administration has also ordered a complete blockade of sanctioned oil tankers entering or leaving Venezuelan ports.
The Brazilian president has criticised the U.S. campaign, warning that militarisation risks regional stability and could escalate into a wider conflict.
His initiative follows a similar offer of mediation from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Wednesday.
Russia has called for clarification on whether U.S. President Donald Trump has changed his position on the war in Ukraine following remarks made at the recent G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains.
Israel's defence minister said on Wednesday Israeli troops will not withdraw from southern Lebanon, highlighting a hurdle to Iran-U.S. peace talks, as the top U.S. diplomat tours the Middle East to win over allies sceptical about a proposed deal.
U.S. President Donald Trump said that Iran had agreed to nuclear inspections into "infinity, despite Tehran's denials, and that unfrozen Iranian assets would be used to buy humanitarian supplies from the United States.
The U.S. Senate rejected a resolution on Wednesday that would have directed President Donald Trump to remove U.S. forces from hostilities against Iran unless Congress formally authorised military action.
Brazil sealed top spot in Group C at the FIFA World Cup 2026 with a 3-0 win over Scotland, as Vinícius Jr scored twice and Mateus Cunha added a third. Scotland failed to register a shot on target, leaving them needing a result in their final group match.
A severe heatwave sweeping across Europe has caused widespread disruption, with power outages reported in parts of France, emergency heat alerts issued in the United Kingdom and Spain, and growing pressure on energy and transport systems across the continent.
Two powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, killing at least 32 people and injuring 700 after dozens of buildings collapsed into piles of shattered concrete and steel in and around the capital Caracas.
New developments linked to Jeffrey Epstein have brought renewed attention to his former associate Ghislaine Maxwell and billionaire Bill Gates. Maxwell is seeking to overturn her conviction, while Gates testified before Congress about his past interactions with the late financier.
An earthquake of magnitude 6.9 struck Japan's northeast coast on Thursday, but no tsunami warning was issued, no injuries were immediately reported and no irregularities were found at nuclear facilities, the authorities said.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for 25 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment