Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a media tour at the Hanover Fair 2026 Hanover, Germany, on Monday. Photo by Hannibal Hanschke/EPA
April 20 (UPI) — Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has warned about the deterioration of the international order and the paralysis of the United Nations in a message published on X.
He urged strengthening multilateralism while on an official visit to Germany, where he also promoted the trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur.
“It is useless to have one’s house in order in a world that is in disorder. The prevalence of force over law is the greatest threat to international peace and security,” Lula wrote in a message that addresses multiple global conflict hotspots.
De nada adianta estar com a casa em ordem em um mundo em desordem. A prevalência da força sobre o direito é a mais grave ameaça à paz e à segurança internacional.
Estamos profundamente preocupados com os riscos de retomada do conflito no Irã e de escalada no Líbano. A…— Lula (@LulaOficial) April 20, 2026
Lulu expressed concern over “the risks of a new conflict in Iran” and a possible escalation in Lebanon, as well as the situation in Palestine, where he said that “the survival of the Palestinian state and its people remains under threat.”
He also mentioned the war in Ukraine, noting that “the long-awaited peace remains distant.”
In his message, Lula criticized the lack of international action.
“Between the actions of those who provoke wars and the silence of those who prefer to remain quiet, the United Nations is once again paralyzed,” he said. He added that Brazil and Germany have defended for decades a reform of the Security Council that restores its legitimacy.
“Revitalized multilateralism is the only path to restore diplomacy and cooperation as tools for peace and sustainable development,” he said, and concluded with a broader call: “Humanity must recover the idea that peace is morally necessary and politically possible.”
The message aligns with a series of recent statements by the Brazilian leader on the global order and the role of major powers.
In an interview published Thursday by the Spanish newspaper El País, Lula criticized U.S. President Donald Trump over his rhetoric toward other countries and questioned the use of threats in foreign policy.
“Trump does not have the right to wake up in the morning and threaten a country,” Lula said, also calling for greater responsibility from international leaders to preserve peace.
In the same interview, he defended dialogue as the main diplomatic tool and warned about the risk of global escalation.
“I do not want a war with the United States. I decided to be very patient,” he said, explaining that his government prioritizes negotiation and national interests over ideological differences.
He also questioned the use of tariffs by Washington and said that the arguments to apply measures against Brazil “were not true.”
Lulu already has raised the need to reform international institutions.
“The time has come to redefine the United Nations to give it credibility,” he said, in line with his most recent call on social media.
In Germany, Lulu participated in the opening of the Hannover Industrial Fair alongside Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Both leaders highlighted the free-trade agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, whose provisional entry into force is scheduled for May 1.
Merz said the agreement “will make all participating economies stronger, more independent and more resilient.” Lula, for his part, presented it as an alternative to unilateralism.
“Mercosur and the European Union chose cooperation,” he said, adding that increased trade will boost employment and investment in both regions.
Noah Kahan has bravely opened up about his battle with body dysmorphia in a new Netflix documentary.
In film Out Of Body, the Stick Season singer says: “I’ve always hated the way I looked. It’s something I’ve struggled with my whole life.
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Noah Kahan has opened up about his long struggle with body dysmorphia in a candid new Netflix documentaryCredit: Getty Images – Getty
“I binge eat a lot of food when I’m feeling stressed and then I get so hateful about my body and what I look like that I don’t eat for a while and I starve myself.
“When I look in the mirror, I feel like I don’t see what my body actually looks like.”
Later in the film, which was released yesterday, he explains: “Disordered eating is something I’ve experienced in ways my whole life but in my adult life, in the last four or five years
“Sometimes I’ll see a photo and people will be like, ‘You look great,’ and I’ll be like, ‘What do you mean? I look like, 300 or 400lb.’
Other scenes reveal fame has not done him any favours mentally. He is shown in late 2024 working on new album The Great Divide, which is due out on April 24, and says: “Now my mental health has never been as low as it has been the last three months of my life.”
With another sold-out tour in June, I hope he’s got the support he needs now.
Leigh’s reddy to rock
Looking every inch the pop star, Leigh-Anne wore this red leather bra and matching hula skirt for her solo showCredit: Getty
Leigh-Anne had a famous face in the crowd for her solo show in London.
Former Little Mix bandmate Jade was spotted as Leigh-Anne took to the stage at the O2 Forum Kentish Town, proving there’s still plenty of love between the girls.
Looking every inch the pop star, the My Love singer wore this red leather bra and matching hula skirt.
And it was a family affair too, with Leigh-Anne bringing her twins on stage for an emotional moment during her song Heaven, which she wrote about them.
Opening the show, she told fans: “My solo journey has been a rollercoaster, it’s allowed me to find myself again.”
She added: “It’s not easy being an independent artist.
“It means everything that you’re here.”
The crowd lapped it up, screaming her name as she powered through tracks including No Hard Feelings – even joking: “I listen to my own music, is that OK?”
Fans lit up the room with their phone torches, while four lucky punters were pulled on stage to join the show.
With her high-energy choreography and the crowd fully behind her, Leigh-Anne proved this new chapter in her career is already hitting all the right notes.
It will end in tears, Sydney
Sydney Sweeney in the controversial scene from EuphoriaCredit: HBO Max
The HBO show returned last night and a teaser for future episodes showed Sydney wearing a nappy with her boobs on show, a dummy in her mouth and her hair in pigtails.
Her character will make adult content in the series, but fans think the creator Sam Levinson has gone too far.
One person on X called it “actually disgusting”, while another wrote: “There’s a line and Sam Levinson has severely crossed it.”
Chris gets on his soapbox
Chris Evans has been giving advice ahead of the Redbull Soapbox Race this summerCredit: Getty
Ahead of me competing in the Redbull Soapbox Race this summer, Chris Evans has some words of advice.
And, if I’m honest, myself, Virgin Radio’s Ellie Davis and Kej Kamani, are now quaking in our trainers about the prospect of racing down the hill for the event at Alexandra Palace in London on June 20, which will be broadcast on the Discovery Channel.
Speaking on his Breakfast show on Virgin Radio UK, Chris, right, said: “Full disclosure: I used to own the company that makes this TV show so I’ve known about this forever.
“We have our official Virgin Radio Soapbox. And The Sun’s Ellie, Dennie, our boss, and Kej, who runs TFI Unplugged and Ellie who runs the radio station will be in the Soapbox.
“Ally Pally is a serious hill – this is like Formula One. That is why there are hay bales – it can be more dangerous than the F1.
“A regular Redbull Soapbox race in an hour will see more issues and rebuilding of the track than an F1 race. There have been episodes where not a single soapbox gets to the bottom of the hill because they all crash and burn. Well, not burn, but you know what I mean.”
Gulp.
Precious Stones for a grand
The Rolling Stones’ ultra-limited white label single Rough And Twisted, was released under the alias The Cockroaches at the weekendCredit: Getty
The Rolling Stones have sparked a vinyl frenzy, with fans shelling out more than £1,000 for a record that originally cost just £10.07.
Their ultra-limited white label single Rough And Twisted, released under the alias The Cockroaches at the weekend, was sold in tiny numbers at select indie shops, with some stores getting just four copies.
The mystery drop, teased with cryptic QR codes and a secret website, sent demand soaring.
But it’s left plenty of die-hard fans furious after missing out.
One fan said: “Even the crazies like me left empty-handed.”
Now copies are being flipped online for eye-watering prices, sparking calls for the band to release more and “kill the black market.”
Stones fans, of all people, should know that you can’t always get what you want.
Craig loves a chuckle
Craig Revel Horwood and Paul Chuckle share a jokeCredit: Instagram
I thought Barry Chuckle had come back from the grave when I saw Craig Revel Horwood sporting this bushy moustache.
In a snap shared on Instagram, the Strictly judge posed on a balcony with late Barry’s brother Paul.
Craig, who has a surprising friendship with the Chucklevision entertainer, wrote: “What a treat to hang out with my bestie @officialpaulchuckle to film a secret project!”
One fan wrote: “You can’t ever replace Barry but that’s a cracking moustache.”
I couldn’t agree more.
FKA Twigs is in pole position
FKA Twigs wowed Coachella fans with an emotional set that saw her pole dance and break down in tears on stageCredit: GettyThe star shows off her pole skillsCredit: GettyBath-born PinkPantheress, who played in a frilly, checked bra-top, delivered one of the most talked-about sets of the festivalCredit: Getty
FKA Twigs closed weekend one of Coachella in sizzling style by performing while twirling around on a pole.
The British singer, clad in a tight black top and knee-high boots, played a 75-minute set on Sunday night and was brought to tears as she belted out her track Cellophane.
But at another point, Twigs – who won her first Grammy in February and has just completed her US tour – wielded a sword and pole danced, top right, while performing Love Crimes.
Bath-born PinkPantheress, who played in a frilly, checked bra-top, delivered one of the most talked-about sets of the festival including recent hits Stateside and Illegal.
Afterwards, she wrote on Instagram that she had “the best time ever”.
They will both be back on stage in Californianext weekend for the event’s second and final weekend.
Rangers say “all parties must be prepared to have their actions and decision-making subjected to proper scrutiny”, with Celtic referencing “serious concerns” raised by supporters about pre-match access arrangements.
The Ibrox club have called for the review to be “thorough and wide-ranging” and to “include the broader context” around the match, from initial decisions on ticket allocation through to the post-match incidents.
Their statement adds: “The disorder that occurred on Sunday was unacceptable and we condemn it unequivocally. Safety must always come first in football, for supporters, players and everyone working in and around the game.
“There are now a number of serious issues which require proper examination. For that reason, we agree that there should be a fully independent review into the events surrounding the match.”
Rangers have vowed to represent the club and their supporters “robustly” but say they will take action – “including the potential withdrawal of ticketing privileges and stadium bans” – against anyone identified and convicted.
The club also say they are “appalled” to discover graffiti mocking the Ibrox disaster, which claimed the lives of 66 supporters in January 1971.
They add: “To desecrate their memory is vile. It is cowardly. It is shameful. This is not football rivalry and it is not banter. It is the abuse of a tragedy that claimed 66 lives.”
Meanwhile, Celtic say they are awaiting a response from the Green Brigade regarding safety and security measures – as required by the police and Glasgow City Council’s Safety Advisory Group – to allow the club “to advocate re-entry” of the banned fan group to Celtic Park.