Donald Trump

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United Kingdom government has refused to grant permission for the United States to use British military facilities for any potential strike on Iran, amid escalating tensions over Tehran’s nuclear programme.

The decision places London in a cautious diplomatic position as indications emerge that US President Donald Trump is considering military options that could involve installations located on British territory.

Reports indicate that American officials are preparing operational strategies that would depend on the joint US-UK military base at Diego Garcia in the Chagos Archipelago, as well as RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. RAF Fairford functions as a major centre for the deployment of US heavy bombers across Europe.

Under existing defence agreements between both countries, American forces require prior approval from the British government before launching operations from UK soil. However, reports state that such authorisation has not been granted should Washington proceed with military action against Iran.

Sources within government circles attribute the hesitation to legal concerns. British authorities fear violating international law, which holds both direct actors and supporting states accountable if a military strike is later judged unlawful.

The matter reportedly featured in a telephone discussion between President Trump and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Tuesday night. Trump’s ultimatum to Iran regarding its nuclear ambitions formed a key part of the conversation.

A day later, the US president criticised the UK government’s stance on the Chagos Islands agreement. He also referenced Iran in a post on his Truth Social platform, where he suggested American forces might need access to the bases if Tehran refuses negotiations.

“Should Iran decide not to make a Deal, it may be necessary for the United States to use Diego Garcia, and the Airfield located in Fairford, in order to eradicate a potential attack by a highly unstable and dangerous Regime,” Mr Trump wrote.

He added that such a move would aim to prevent “an attack that would potentially be made on the United Kingdom, as well as other friendly countries,” suggesting that British involvement could fall under self-defence if Iran poses a direct threat.

Meanwhile, the UK government has reaffirmed its commitment to moving forward with the Chagos Islands agreement despite signals of unease from Washington.

Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones confirmed that the necessary legislation will return to Parliament once scheduling allows. The proposed bill had earlier been withdrawn from debate in the House of Lords after a Conservative-backed amendment called for a pause, citing “changing geopolitical circumstances.” Fresh delays were also reported as a possibility.

The situation highlights growing diplomatic strain as Britain attempts to preserve its strategic alliance with the United States while addressing legal and political sensitivities tied to any direct role in a potential conflict with Iran.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President, Donald Trump, has openly expressed admiration for American rapper Nicki Minaj, whose real name is Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty.

The president spoke during a Black History Month event held in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. The 79-year-old leader commended the 43-year-old music star’s appearance and showered her with compliments.

In a video that circulated widely on Thursday, Mr Trump highlighted the singer’s complexion and her long acrylic nails. PREMIUM TIMES reported that the president recalled noticing her beauty when she previously visited the White House.

He said, “How about Nicki Minaj? Do we love Nicki Minaj? I love Nicki Minaj. She was here a couple of weeks ago. She’s so beautiful, her skin’s so beautiful. I said, ‘Nikki, you’re so beautiful’ Her nails are so long.

“I said, Nikki, are they real? She didn’t want to get into that, but she was so beautiful and so great. And she gets it, more importantly.”

Growing Friendship

Mr Trump’s remarks came two days after Nicki Minaj marked Presidents’ Day by sharing photos that reflected her growing relationship with the president. She posted the images on her account on X with the caption, “Happy President’s Day.”

According to Billboard, the rapper also attended the Trump-backed World Liberty Forum on Wednesday. She appeared as a keynote speaker on a panel titled “Owning the Culture: The Business of Music in a Creator-Led Economy.”

Her first public meeting with Mr Trump took place in January during the Trump Accounts Summit in Washington, D.C. At the gathering, she stood beside the president and voiced strong support for him.

She said, “I am probably the president’s No. 1 fan. And that’s not going to change. What people have to say does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more. And it’s going to encourage all of us to help him more.

“We’re not going to let them get away with bullying him. And you know, the smear campaigns. It’s not going to work. He has a lot of force behind him, and God is protecting him.”

Backstory To Their Alliance

Reports indicate that Nicki Minaj’s connection with the Trump administration has become more visible during his second term in office.

Premium Times noted that the rapper addressed a press event at the United Nations last November. She spoke on alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria and thanked Mr Trump for what she described as “his leadership on the global stage.”

The invitation came from the United States Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, who asked her to share concerns about what he termed “religious persecution in Nigeria.”

During that speech, the rapper called for freedom for Christians in Nigeria. She said they face attacks, displacement, and killings. She stressed that protecting Christians should unite humanity rather than create division.

Reacting to Mr Trump’s recent compliments, Nicki Minaj reposted the viral video on her X page. She added an AI-generated image that showed a person holding a burning cigarette.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Former United States President Barack Obama has criticised the state of political communication in the country after a controversial video shared on the social media account of President Donald Trump portrayed him and his wife, Michelle Obama, as monkeys.

Obama spoke during a podcast interview with political commentator Brian Tyler Cohen. The discussion marked his first public remarks since the video surfaced online. He condemned the tone of modern political exchanges and described it as degrading.

“[What] is true is that there doesn’t seem to be any shame about this among people who used to feel like you had to have some sort of decorum and a sense of propriety and respect for the office, right? That’s been lost,” Obama said.

The one-minute video was posted on Trump’s Truth Social account on February 5. It promoted conspiracy theories surrounding the 2020 presidential election. Near the end of the clip, the Obamas’ faces were placed on monkey bodies for a brief moment. The post triggered criticism from across the American political landscape.

During the interview, Cohen referenced the development in political rhetoric.

“The discourse has devolved into a level of cruelty that we haven’t seen before … Just days ago, Donald Trump put a picture of you, your face on an ape’s body,” Cohen said.

“And so again, we’ve seen the devolution of the discourse. How do we come back from a place that we have fallen into?” he added.

Obama did not mention Trump directly in his response. He, however, noted that many citizens were disturbed by such conduct. He suggested the situation could negatively affect Republicans in forthcoming midterm elections. Trump later told reporters he supported the main claims in the video about election fraud. He said he did not see the offensive segment at the end of the clip.

The video, believed to be AI-generated, used the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight, popularised by Disney’s The Lion King. It appeared during Black History Month, a period set aside to celebrate the achievements and history of Black Americans.

Obama also addressed immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota. He compared the conduct of federal agents to practices seen under authoritarian systems. He cited two fatal shootings linked to the crackdown.

He described the actions as the kind “in the past we’ve seen in authoritarian countries and we’ve seen in dictatorships”.

Thousands of federal officers, including personnel from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, participated in raids and arrests. Authorities said the missions targeted criminals.

“The rogue behaviour of agents of the federal government is deeply concerning and dangerous,” Obama said.

He nevertheless expressed optimism about civic resistance.

“Not just randomly, but in a systematic, organised way, citizens saying, ‘this is not the America we believe in, and we’re going to fight back, and we’re going to push back with the truth and with cameras and with peaceful protests,” Obama said.

The operations sparked protests in Minnesota and drew criticism nationwide. Disputes over immigration enforcement funding also led to a partial shutdown involving the Department of Homeland Security, as lawmakers debated oversight and reforms.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A review of court records has shown that judges across the United States have repeatedly ruled against the detention practices of immigration authorities under President Donald Trump’s administration.

According to Reuters, findings indicate that since October, courts have issued more than 4,400 rulings that deemed the detention of immigrants by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) unlawful. The decisions represent a major legal setback for the administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policy. Despite this, detentions have continued in many instances.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Johnston of West Virginia criticised the government’s position in one of the cases. He wrote, “It is appalling that the Government insists that this Court should redefine or completely disregard the current law as it is clearly written,” while ordering the release of a Venezuelan detainee.

Many of the rulings stem from the administration’s shift away from a long-standing interpretation of federal law. For nearly three decades, immigrants already residing in the United States could seek release on bond while pursuing their cases in immigration courts. The policy change has triggered widespread legal challenges.

In response, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said the administration is “working to lawfully deliver on President Trump’s mandate to enforce federal immigration law.”

Data shows that the number of people held in ICE custody has surged to about 68,000 this month. That figure represents an increase of roughly 75 percent since Trump assumed office last year.

However, the administration recorded a legal victory at an appeals court in New Orleans. U.S. Circuit Judge Edith Jones ruled that earlier administrations’ limited use of detention powers did not eliminate the authority to expand their application. She stated that prior restraint “does not mean they lacked the authority to do more.”

Government officials argue that the spike in lawsuits was expected. Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the trend came as “no surprise” and added, “especially after many activist judges have attempted to thwart President Trump from fulfilling the American people’s mandate for mass deportations.”

Court filings show that detained immigrants have submitted more than 20,200 federal lawsuits seeking release since Trump took office. Judges have ruled in at least 4,421 of those cases that ICE held detainees unlawfully.

One example involved Joseph Thomas, an 18-year-old Venezuelan student arrested during a traffic stop in Wisconsin alongside his father. Both men were asylum seekers with legal work authorisation. Their lawyer, Carrie Peltier, argued they were targeted for “driving while brown.” Judges later ordered their release.

Chief U.S. District Judge Patrick Schiltz ruled that Joseph’s detention was illegal. He cited a lack of proof that ICE possessed a warrant at the time of arrest. In a separate decision, U.S. District Judge Eric Tostrud affirmed that the teenager’s father qualified for a bond hearing. He wrote, “This raises an issue of statutory interpretation that courts in this District have repeatedly considered and rejected, and it will be rejected here as well.”

Legal experts say habeas corpus petitions have become the primary legal route for detainees seeking freedom. The constitutional mechanism allows individuals to challenge unlawful detention in court.

The wave of litigation has placed pressure on the justice system. More than 700 Justice Department attorneys are now assigned to immigration detention cases. Some have appeared in over 1,000 lawsuits each.

Judges have also faulted authorities for failing to comply with release orders. In Minnesota, Schiltz said the government violated 96 court orders across 76 cases. A federal prosecutor in the district later described the caseload as an “enormous burden” on government lawyers.

In New York, U.S. District Judge Nusrat Choudhury ruled that ICE violated two “clear and unambiguous orders” after transferring a detainee while misrepresenting his location to the court.

The Justice Department has defended its actions. Spokesperson Natalie Baldassarre said the administration “is complying with court orders and fully enforcing federal immigration law.” She added, “If rogue judges followed the law in adjudicating cases and respected the government’s obligation to properly prepare cases, there wouldn’t be an ‘overwhelming’ habeas caseload or concern over DHS following orders.”

Advocacy groups continue to assist detainees. Lawyers often wait outside immigration courts to file emergency petitions that prevent transfers to distant detention centres.

Still, many immigrants struggle to access legal relief due to cost or lack of awareness. Judy Rall, the U.S. citizen wife of a Venezuelan detainee, said she could not afford the legal fees required to file a habeas petition. Her husband remains in detention despite having no criminal record. Reflecting on their situation, she said, “Our home burnt down, and I had told them I needed him to come help,” adding, “I assume that is the reason.”

The growing number of lawsuits continues to test the capacity of the courts as legal battles over immigration detention intensify nationwide.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Tensions between the United States and Iran have escalated after US President Donald Trump warned that Washington could resort to military action if Tehran fails to comply with its demands on key security issues.

In remarks made to Israeli broadcaster Channel 12 and published on Tuesday, Trump suggested that the United States was prepared to act forcefully if ongoing efforts to reach an agreement with Iran collapse.

“Either we reach a deal, or we’ll have to do something very tough,” Trump told the news outlet.

His warning came at a time when Iran’s security chief, Ali Larijani, held talks with Oman’s Sultan, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said. Their meeting focused on the outcome of recent discussions between American and Iranian officials.

In the past few weeks, Trump has highlighted the expansion of US military deployments around the region. He disclosed that a “massive armada” had been dispatched to nearby waters. The deployment includes the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. Reports by Channel 12 and Axios also indicated that Washington is weighing the option of sending a second aircraft carrier to the Middle East.

The growing military presence has raised fears of a possible US strike on Iran. Critics argue that such action could further destabilise an already fragile region. Earlier on Monday, the United States issued fresh guidance to commercial vessels flying its flag. The advisory urged them to remain “as far as possible” from Iranian territorial waters.

‘With Speed And Violence’

Since January, Trump has intensified pressure on Tehran. He warned that the US military is “locked and loaded and ready to go”.

He drew parallels between Iran and Venezuela, where a US military mission on January 3 led to the removal of former President Nicolas Maduro.

“Like with Venezuela, [the US military] is ready, willing, and able to rapidly fulfill its mission, with speed and violence, if necessary. Hopefully Iran will quickly ‘Come to the Table’ and negotiate a fair and equitable deal,” Trump wrote on social media on January 28.

Toward the end of last month, the Trump administration outlined three broad conditions for Iran. These include halting uranium enrichment, cutting ties with regional proxy groups, and restricting its ballistic missile arsenal. Israel has long pushed for such limits.

During his first presidency, Trump withdrew the United States from the 2015 nuclear agreement that imposed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief.

After returning to office for a second term in January 2025, he reinstated his “maximum pressure” strategy against Tehran. The campaign features sweeping sanctions and demands to dismantle Iran’s nuclear programme, which Iranian authorities insist is strictly for civilian energy use.

Last June, Trump approved military strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities during a 12-day conflict involving Iran and Israel.

Focus On Anti-Government Protests

Trump’s renewed threats have coincided with a fresh wave of anti-government protests inside Iran.

Authorities in Tehran responded with a violent crackdown that reportedly left thousands dead. The development drew condemnation from international human rights organisations.

Reports indicated that security forces fired live rounds at demonstrators during an internet blackout.

On January 2, one day before the Venezuela operation, Trump threatened to intervene in support of the protesters and “come to their rescue”, though no such action was eventually taken.

Some analysts believe that proposed US strikes on Iran would do little to assist protesters. They argue that military action would instead align with long-standing US and Israeli objectives of weakening Iran’s military strength.

Iranian officials maintain that armed groups infiltrated the protests and attacked security personnel, leading to the deaths of hundreds of officers. Tehran has also accused foreign powers, including the United States and Israel, of backing the unrest.

While many aspects of the protests remain difficult to independently verify, Iranian authorities have acknowledged that thousands were killed during the government response.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has stated he did not err in sharing a video on his official Truth Social account that showed former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama depicted as apes.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Friday, Trump insisted he “didn’t make a mistake” and said he does not need to apologize.

“I didn’t make a mistake,” he emphasized.

Trump acknowledged that he had not watched the entire video before it was posted. He explained:

“I didn’t see the whole thing. I looked at the first part, and it was really about voter fraud in the machines, how crooked it is, how disgusting it is. Then I gave it to the people. Generally, they look at the whole thing. But I guess somebody didn’t.”

When asked whether he condemned the video’s content, Trump replied, “Of course I do.”

The video, posted late Thursday, promoted a conspiracy theory about voting machines used during the 2020 election and included a racist portrayal of the Obamas. It remained on Trump’s account for about 12 hours before being deleted Friday morning after bipartisan calls for its removal.

Earlier, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the post in a statement, describing it as “from an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from The Lion King.”

She added, “Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public.”

Hours after the statement, the video was removed from Trump’s Truth Social account.

By Muhsin Ibrahim

We could not sleep one night in 2008. Instead, we sat in front of the TV, watching and praying for ‘our’ favourite candidate to coast to power and be declared the winner of the election. We wanted to witness history, not of any relative winning any election in Nigeria, but of Barack Obama winning the United States presidential election.

Of course, we witnessed the history of the first non-white man becoming the president of the most powerful country in the world. We were delighted. We thought that, henceforth, black people would be more respected globally. Henceforth, our race would not be associated with backwardness. Henceforth, we would have more opportunities not only in the US but far beyond.

We also thought President Obama would do more for Africa (where his father came from) and for Muslims (his father’s ‘relatives’), especially in the Middle East. Again, his association with towering academics, such as Edward Said and Rashid Khalidi, gave us some extra hope. No, we got it all wrong. Obama was like the rest of them.

Obama’s role in destabilising Libya is still felt not only within the country but also far beyond, including in Nigeria. Obama authorised more drone strikes in the Middle East than any other US president. He did not bring peace anywhere, though he controversially won the Nobel Peace Prize.

Despite the above and more, I was disturbed to see President Donald Trump sharing the infamous Obamas’ “meme”, depicting them as apes. This was Trump’s new low. Its implications are also broad, extending beyond the Obamas. It, among other things, risks normalising racism, especially in the West, towards black people.

Trump is unlike any leader anyone has ever seen in the White House. Yet, we should not overlook this brazen attack on us; we must call him out for this naked racism towards black people. We are not apes. We are human beings like him, if not better. We deserve respect. He owes us an apology.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

President Donald Trump shared a video clip on social media that portrayed former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama as apes. He later removed the post after strong criticism from the public and members of his own Republican Party.

The clip appeared near the end of a 62-second video that pushed conspiracy claims about irregularities in the 2020 presidential election. It featured the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” The post formed part of a pattern critics say reflects Mr. Trump’s history of promoting offensive imagery and language about Black Americans and other groups.

The White House initially defended the video. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the outrage in an earlier statement before the post was taken down.

“This is from an internet meme video depicting President Trump as the King of the Jungle and Democrats as characters from the Lion King,” she said. “Please stop the fake outrage and report on something today that actually matters to the American public.”

Despite that defense, the video disappeared from the president’s social media feed hours later. Observers described the deletion as a rare reversal from Mr. Trump, who often stands by controversial online posts.

Civil rights advocates and historians noted that portraying Black people as apes draws from racist imagery used during slavery and segregation to dehumanize Black communities and justify violence.

Condemnation also came from Republican lawmakers. Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, the only Black Republican in the Senate and a political ally of Mr. Trump, reacted on social media.

He wrote that he hoped the post was fake “because it’s the most racist thing I’ve seen out of this White House. The President should remove it.”

Representative Mike Lawler, a Republican from New York, also criticized the video. He said the president’s post “is wrong and incredibly offensive.” He added that it “should be deleted immediately with an apology offered.”

Mr. Trump has clashed with Mr. Obama for years. He previously promoted the false “birther” claim that Mr. Obama was born in Kenya and therefore was not a legitimate U.S. president.

The latest controversy has renewed debate over rhetoric, race and political conduct as the United States approaches another election cycle.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to sue comedian Trevor Noah following a joke he made at the Grammy Awards that referenced Trump and the late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Trevor Noah, a South African-born comedian, hosted the music awards ceremony. During his presentation, he made a remark while introducing the Song of the Year category. He said: “Song of the Year – that is a Grammy that every artist wants almost as much as Trump wants Greenland, which makes sense because Epstein’s island is gone, he needs a new one to hang out with Bill Clinton.”

Trump reacted strongly to the comment and said he would take legal steps against the comedian. Writing on his Truth Social platform, the president stated that he would be “sending my lawyers to sue”.

In a series of posts, Trump accused Noah of spreading false information. He wrote: “Noah said, INCORRECTLY about me, that Donald Trump and Bill Clinton spent time on Epstein Island. WRONG!!!”

Trump went further to deny any connection to Epstein’s private island. He added: “I can’t speak for Bill, but I have never been to Epstein Island, nor anywhere close, and until tonight’s false and defamatory statement, have never been accused of being there, not even by the Fake News Media.”

He also criticised the comedian directly, saying: “Noah, a total loser, better get his facts straight, and get them straight fast.” Trump concluded his response with the words: “Get ready Noah, I’m going to have some fun with you!”

Trump has acknowledged that he knew Epstein in the past but insists that he had no knowledge of Epstein’s criminal activities. He has said their relationship ended around 2004. Authorities have stated that there is no evidence linking Trump to Epstein’s crimes. The U.S. Justice Department has described allegations against him as unfounded and false. Trump has not been accused of any crime by Epstein’s victims, and there are no claims that he ever visited Epstein’s island.

In 2020, a spokesperson for former U.S. President Bill Clinton said Clinton had “never been” to Epstein’s private island, Little St James. Clinton has also not been accused of wrongdoing.

Jeffrey Epstein was found dead in his New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death came more than a decade after he was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor. Epstein bought his private island in 1998, and several survivors later accused him of trafficking and abusing them there.

Trump has pursued legal cases against several media organisations in recent years. These include actions involving the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. In December, he filed a multi-billion-dollar lawsuit in a Florida court, accusing the BBC of defamation and of breaching trade practices laws over the editing of a Panorama programme.

Trevor Noah previously hosted The Daily Show on Comedy Central in the United States for seven years and remains one of the most prominent comedians on the global stage.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States Mission in Nigeria has announced a temporary halt to regular updates on its official X account, citing a lapse in government appropriations.

The Mission, however, assured the public that passport and visa services would continue, subject to prevailing circumstances.

The disclosure was made on Saturday through a post on the Mission’s verified X handle, @USinNigeria. It stated that routine updates would stop until full operations resume, except where urgent safety and security information becomes necessary.

“Due to the lapse in appropriations, this account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information,” the post read.

Despite the funding challenge, the Mission said scheduled passport and visa services in the United States and at US embassies and consulates abroad would remain available as conditions allow.

“At this time, scheduled passport and visa services in the United States and at US Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits,” the Mission stated.

It added that further public communication would be limited until full operations return, aside from messages related to urgent safety or security concerns.

The Mission also advised individuals who require updates on services and operational status to consult the official US travel website for accurate information.