International

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has granted a presidential pardon to former Republican Congressman Stephen Buyer, who was convicted of insider trading and served nearly two years in prison.

The pardon, dated Thursday, was made public by the White House late on Friday.

Buyer, a former representative from Indiana, received a 22-month prison sentence in 2023 after a federal court found him guilty of making illegal stock trades based on confidential information obtained while he worked as a consultant and lobbyist after leaving Congress. The court also ordered him to surrender more than $350,000 in profits linked to the trades and pay a $10,000 fine. He was released from prison in 2025.

The US Supreme Court declined to hear Buyer’s appeal in May, issuing its decision without comment.

In the pardon document, Trump granted “a full, complete, and unconditional pardon” to Buyer. The president pointed to Buyer’s service as a judge advocate general in the US Army and his years in Congress, describing his public record as “distinguished and highly productive”.

Responding to the decision, Buyer said the pardon “corrects a politically motivated prosecution” and that it was “horrific to be imprisoned for a crime that I did not commit”. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Trump had previously signaled support for Buyer’s pardon request. On May 31, he shared two letters on his Truth Social platform that urged him to grant clemency to the former lawmaker, who is also a Gulf War veteran.

Buyer served as a House prosecutor during the impeachment trial of former President Bill Clinton in 1998. He also worked on Trump’s presidential transition team in 2016, where he focused on veterans’ affairs.

One of the letters, signed by more than 40 former Republican members of Congress, argued that Buyer was “targeted by the deep state” because of his role in Clinton’s impeachment proceedings.

“Like you, Mr President, Steve has been the victim of lawfare conducted by the Biden Administration,” the former lawmakers wrote in an April 2025 letter.

A separate letter from five current Republican members of the House of Representatives stated that a pardon would help deliver justice in Buyer’s case. The June 2025 letter was signed by Tom Cole of Oklahoma, Ken Calvert of California, Marlin Stutzman of Indiana, Jack Bergman of Michigan and Pete Sessions of Texas.

Buyer, 67, was convicted over trades connected to the $26.5 billion merger between T-Mobile and Sprint, which was announced in 2018. Prosecutors also linked him to illegal trading involving consulting firm Navigant before its planned acquisition by Guidehouse became public.

Under the US Constitution, the president has broad authority to grant pardons for federal offences. While a pardon does not remove a criminal conviction from a person’s record, it is often viewed as an act of mercy or a remedy for perceived injustice.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

An Israeli air strike in southern Lebanon has killed Brigadier General Wissam Sabra and two other senior Lebanese military personnel, amid growing regional tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Israel, the United States and Iran.

According to the Lebanese military, Sabra was travelling in a convoy on a road between Kfar Tebnit and Khardali when the strike occurred. The two other victims were identified as Captain Elie Khoury and soldier Hussein Ghozal.

The Lebanese presidency condemned the attack, describing it as “a blatant violation” of the country’s sovereignty. President Joseph Aoun said the strike was “aimed at thwarting all efforts to reach a solution”, while Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called it “a heinous crime and an attack on Lebanon and all Lebanese people”.

The Israeli military later acknowledged carrying out the attack and said the vehicle involved was “moving suspiciously”. It added that the incident remains under review.

The killing of Sabra, a 54-year-old father of three, is one of the deadliest incidents involving the Lebanese army in recent years. The attack comes at a sensitive time as diplomatic efforts continue to seek an agreement involving the United States, Iran, Hezbollah, Lebanon and Israel.

Jordan also condemned the strike and called for an immediate halt to Israeli military operations in Lebanon. A spokesperson for Jordan’s Foreign Ministry, Fouad Majali, described the attack on the Lebanese military convoy as “a blatant violation of the sovereignty, security, and stability” of Lebanon.

Majali extended condolences to the Lebanese government and the families of those killed. He also reaffirmed Amman’s “unwavering support” for Lebanon.

According to Jordan’s official Petra news agency, Majali “also stressed Jordan’s support for the Lebanese government’s efforts to assert its sovereignty over all Lebanese territory, reactivate its national institutions, and ensure that weapons are solely in the hands of the state”.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi reportedly delivered what was described as an “important message” from Islamabad to Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khomeini. He also urged an end to the war involving Iran, Israel and the United States.

Elsewhere, demonstrations in support of Palestinians took place in several countries. Hundreds of people marched through Manchester in the United Kingdom carrying Palestinian flags and demanding that the British government withdraw support for Israel. Protesters displayed a banner reading “End the Israeli Occupation”.

The march coincided with the 59th anniversary of the 1967 Naksa, when Israel occupied the West Bank, East Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip.

In Tunisia, demonstrators gathered in the city of Bizerte to protest Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Participants placed symbolic coffins marked with red paint in a public square to highlight the humanitarian situation in the territory.

In Scotland, activists from the group Red Card Glasgow held a vigil outside Hampden Park Stadium to honour Palestinian footballers killed during the conflict. Participants placed wreaths, football shirts and Palestinian scarves at the venue.

The latest developments highlight continuing instability across the region as diplomatic efforts to ease tensions face significant challenges.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has said Israel would not exist today if he had not taken action against Iran, while rejecting claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu persuaded him to confront Tehran.

Trump made the remarks during an appearance on the Pod Force One podcast, where he responded to suggestions that Netanyahu had influenced his decision to take a hard line against Iran.

“He tricked me? No. I’m the one that started it,” Trump said.

The US president stated that his actions were motivated by concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme.

“I started it because we can’t let them have a nuclear weapon. If there wasn’t me, there would be no Israel right now,” he said.

His comments came amid reports of strained relations between Trump and Netanyahu following a recent telephone conversation about Israel’s military operations in the region.

Trump also confirmed that he had a tense exchange with the Israeli leader over the continuing conflict involving Lebanon.

In an interview published by the New York Post, Trump was asked about reports that he used strong language during a phone call with Netanyahu.

“You said, ‘Are you f-ing crazy? What are you f-ing doing? I helped you stay out of jail.’ Is that true? Did you speak to him in those terms?” the interviewer asked.

“I did,” Trump responded. “I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon.”

Trump said he urged Netanyahu to halt the hostilities.

“I said, ‘Bibi, we gotta stop this.’”

The comments highlight reported disagreements between the two leaders over Israel’s military actions, despite their long-standing political relationship. They also come at a time of heightened tensions in the Middle East, where conflicts involving Israel, Iran and regional armed groups continue to draw international attention.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

At least one person was killed and 63 others sustained injuries after an Iranian drone struck a passenger terminal at Kuwait International Airport on Wednesday, amid renewed hostilities involving Iran and US forces in the Gulf region.

Indian authorities confirmed that the victim was an Indian national, while several other citizens were among those injured in the attack.

Kuwait’s military strongly condemned the incident and described it as an act of “criminal Iranian aggression”. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards, however, blamed US actions for the escalation. The group alleged that American forces had targeted a tanker and a communications tower on Qeshm Island, prompting a response.

The latest violence has raised concerns about the stability of the April 8 ceasefire that halted more than a month of fighting triggered by US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran. Although the truce has largely remained in place, occasional exchanges of fire have continued.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu accused Tehran of “playing with fire”.

“Iran surely knows what the (US) president has said, that if necessary, there’ll be a full-scale return to military action,” Netanyahu warned in an interview with US channel CNBC, referring to threats made by Donald Trump.

Kuwaiti health ministry spokesman Abdullah al-Sanad said 63 people received medical treatment for injuries sustained in the attack. He noted that the casualties suffered “including head wounds, cerebral haemorrhages, amputations and injuries resulting from explosions”.

Following the strike, Kuwaiti authorities temporarily suspended air traffic and redirected incoming flights to alternative destinations. Flight operations later resumed through Kuwait Airways.

The airport has come under attack on several occasions during the conflict and had only returned to full operations earlier this week.

Kuwait said it detected 30 ballistic missiles and drones launched during what it described as “heinous Iranian aggression”. The country also rejected claims from Tehran that its territory and airspace had been used for attacks against Iran.

A resident living near the airport, Hassan Sheikh, recounted hearing multiple explosions overnight.

“For the first time, my children felt how serious the situation was,” he said.

Bahrain also reported overnight drone attacks, while the United Arab Emirates called for a “cohesive Gulf stance” among neighbouring states in response to Iran.

Although Iran’s Revolutionary Guards did not claim responsibility for the airport strike, they accused Kuwait and Bahrain of assisting US military operations. The group said it had targeted “the Ali Al Salem Air Base in Kuwait, which hosts helicopters”.

Iran’s chief negotiator in talks with the United States, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, warned that any “aggression will be met with a decisive, regrettable, and proportionate response”.

Meanwhile, the US military said it had “successfully defeated” several Iranian missile and drone attacks directed at Kuwait and Bahrain. It also confirmed carrying out strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island.

Bahraini authorities reported intercepting three Iranian missiles and several drones.

The escalation coincided with diplomatic efforts in Washington, where US, Israeli and Lebanese officials held discussions aimed at ending the parallel conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

According to the Lebanese embassy in Washington, a proposed US-backed arrangement would initially cover Israeli attacks on Beirut and Hezbollah operations against Israeli territory.

Neither side has publicly endorsed the proposal. Senior Hezbollah official Mahmud Qomati said in a written statement that the group “will not accept a partial ceasefire”.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington wanted the Lebanon talks to remain separate from negotiations involving Iran, although Tehran has repeatedly linked both conflicts.

Israeli forces have expanded ground operations in Lebanon, marking their deepest advance into the country in two decades.

Lebanese authorities said Israeli strikes on Wednesday killed at least nine people in southern Lebanon, including two paramedics. Another airstrike reportedly targeted a vehicle near Beirut.

Hezbollah claimed responsibility for a rocket attack against Israeli troops in northern Israel, stating that the action was a response to what it described as Israeli violations of an existing ceasefire.

A truce intended to halt fighting in Lebanon was scheduled to take effect on April 17, but both sides have continued military operations.

Israeli officials have maintained that attacks on northern Israeli communities by Hezbollah could trigger strikes on Beirut’s southern suburbs. They say the position is supported by Washington.

Netanyahu also said Trump shared his objective of disarming Hezbollah in order to “save Lebanon”.

By Muhammad Abubakar

U.S. Representative Thomas Massie has called for a temporary suspension of American aid to Israel, arguing that such a move would quickly reduce tensions in the Middle East and lower energy prices.

Massie’s remarks came in response to reports that President Donald Trump angrily confronted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Israel’s military actions in Lebanon. According to Axios, Trump warned Netanyahu that Israel’s operations were undermining U.S. diplomatic efforts in the region and risked escalating the conflict.

Reacting to the report on social media, Massie wrote that Washington should “just withhold foreign aid to Israel for a month,” claiming the move would prompt Israel to halt military operations against its neighbours, help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and reduce U.S. gasoline prices. He also described Israel as “the biggest welfare recipient from American taxpayers.”

Massie’s comments add to ongoing debates in Washington over U.S. military and financial support for Israel amid heightened regional tensions and concerns about the broader economic impact of instability in the Middle East.

By Uzair Adam

A senior adviser to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, has warned that Tehran would respond with a massive wave of missile and drone attacks if the United States carries out further military strikes against the country.

Mohsen Rezaei, a military adviser to Khamenei, issued the warning on Wednesday in a post on X, declaring that any new aggression by Washington would trigger an immediate and forceful response.

“Every shot fired and every attack will be met with a deluge of missiles and drones,” Rezaei wrote, adding that “the aggressor will swiftly be punished.”

The warning comes in the wake of recent US strikes targeting an Iranian tanker and facilities on Qeshm Island.

The attacks reportedly heightened tensions in the region and were followed by retaliatory strikes on Kuwait and Bahrain.

The latest exchange of threats has further raised concerns about a wider escalation of hostilities in the Middle East.

By Muhammad Abubakar

U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly launched into a profanity-laden tirade against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during their latest phone conversation, according to a report by Axios.

Citing unnamed sources familiar with the exchange, Axios reported that Trump told Netanyahu: “You’re fucking crazy. You’d be in prison if it weren’t for me. I’m saving your ass. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this.”

The reported remarks reflect growing tensions over Israel’s handling of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and increasing international criticism of the Israeli government. Neither Trump nor Netanyahu had publicly commented on the report at the time of publication.

If confirmed, the exchange would mark one of the sharpest known criticisms of Netanyahu by Trump, despite the close relationship the two leaders maintained during Trump’s presidency.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A joint military air operation involving the Nigerian Armed Forces under Operation HADIN KAI and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) has killed 21 suspected fighters of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in Borno State.

Military sources confirmed that the strike took place on May 30 in Arege, Kukawa Local Government Area. The target was a suspected terrorist base identified through intelligence reports that indicated insurgent activity in the area.

Security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, reported that surveillance and reconnaissance missions first established the presence of ISWAP members before the air raid was authorised.

The operation focused on a camp believed to be used by the group to coordinate and plan attacks across the Lake Chad region. The strike left 21 fighters dead and caused major disruption to the group’s operations in the area.

Military officials explained that the mission forms part of ongoing security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States. The partnership aims to dismantle terrorist networks, destroy hideouts, and reduce the operational strength of insurgents in the North-East.

They further described the attack as intelligence-led and carefully planned to maximise impact on the identified target.

According to the sources, the success of the operation reflects growing collaboration between Nigerian security forces and international partners in the fight against terrorism.

The officials also expressed confidence that continued coordinated strikes would weaken insurgent activity around the Lake Chad Basin, where terrorist groups have continued attempts to regroup and launch attacks on nearby communities.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has suggested that a peace agreement with Iran is close to completion, saying key parts of the deal have already been negotiated, including plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump made the remarks on Saturday in a post on his Truth Social account, where he said he had held discussions with several Middle Eastern leaders. He explained that an agreement had reached an advanced stage but still required final approval.

He stated that the arrangement remains subject to final agreement between the United States, the Islamic Republic of Iran, and other involved countries.

Trump also said:

“Final aspects and details of the Deal are currently being discussed, and will be announced shortly.

“In addition to many other elements of the Agreement, the Strait of Hormuz will be opened,” he said.

Further details of the proposed deal are expected to be made public once the remaining terms are concluded.

By Muhammad Abubakar

A rare albino water buffalo nicknamed “Donald Trump” has become an internet sensation and a massive crowd-puller in Bangladesh ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Adha festival.

The 700-kilogram (1,540 lb) animal went viral for a distinct tuft of golden-blonde hair on its forehead, prompting immediate comparisons to the former U.S. president. Raised at the Rabeya Agro Farm in Narayanganj, near the capital city of Dhaka, the buffalo features unique cream-coloured skin and pale eyes resulting from a rare genetic mutation.

The animal’s sudden fame drew thousands of visitors, with people travelling long distances by boat just to catch a glimpse or take a selfie. However, the overwhelming attention took a toll. The farm’s owner, Ziauddin Mridha, had to briefly restrict public viewing after the noise and crowds stressed the buffalo, causing it to lose its appetite.

To keep the celebrity livestock healthy, handlers pampered the animal with four baths and four high-nutrient meals a day.

Naming prized livestock after global celebrities and politicians has become a popular marketing trend among traders in Bangladesh to boost interest ahead of the Islamic “Feast of the Sacrifice”. The viral “Donald Trump” buffalo has already been sold to a buyer in Dhaka, where it will be sacrificed in accordance with Eid traditions.