Donald Trump

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The White House moved quickly to dismiss circulating rumours suggesting that President Donald Trump was receiving treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The speculation emerged online on Saturday after the administration announced that the President would not make public appearances for the rest of the day.

President Trump’s health has remained under public scrutiny throughout his second term, with observers noting his past public missteps, apparent physical limitations, and reported medical concerns. The sudden absence from his usual weekend routine, which often includes a golf trip to Mar-a-Lago, triggered widespread conjecture.

Trump’s personal spokesperson, Steven Cheung, took to X to reassure the public: “There has never been a President who has worked harder for the American people than President Trump. On this Easter weekend, he has been working nonstop in the White House and Oval Office. God Bless him.”

The President’s last visit to Walter Reed occurred in October, when he underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. At the time, he told reporters aboard Air Force One: “I did. I got an MRI. It was perfect.” Trump, 79, did not disclose the specific reason for the scan, which can detect a variety of medical conditions. “The doctor said [it] was some of the best reports, for the age, they’ve ever seen,” he added, directing further questions to his medical team.

Dr. Sean Barbabella, Trump’s physician, described the October appointment as a “scheduled follow-up evaluation as part of his ongoing health maintenance plan and included advanced imaging, laboratory testing, and preventative health assessments.” He added that the President “continues to demonstrate excellent overall health.” According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, MRI scans are particularly effective for examining soft tissue and internal organs using powerful magnetic fields.

In 2025, the White House reported that Trump had been diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency, a condition in which leg veins fail to return blood efficiently to the heart, causing fluid buildup in the lower limbs. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt noted that the diagnosis followed observations of swelling in the President’s legs. Dr. Barbabella described the condition as “benign and common” among older adults.

Trump had also been seen wearing cosmetic patches on the back of his hand. The White House explained that the marks resulted from repeated handshakes and were unrelated to the vein condition.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has said his administration is weighing the option of withdrawing from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) after the alliance declined to support the ongoing war against Iran.

In an interview with The Telegraph published on Wednesday, Trump criticised the military bloc and described it as a “paper tiger”.

“Oh yes, I would say [it’s] beyond reconsideration. I was never swayed by NATO,” the president said when asked if he would reconsider US membership of the alliance after the conflict.

“I always knew they were a paper tiger, and Putin knows that too, by the way.”

Tensions have increased following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route controlled by Iran through which about 20 percent of global oil supply passes. The development has heightened concerns about energy security worldwide.

Trump has called on allied countries to deploy warships to reopen the strategic passage, although many have resisted the move.

He also directed criticism at European allies, including the United Kingdom, and took aim at British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the country’s refusal to support the US position.

“You don’t even have a navy. You’re too old and had aircraft carriers that didn’t work,” Trump said.

Trump has previously voiced dissatisfaction with NATO. In January, he stated that the United States had “never needed” its allies in the bloc and downplayed their contributions during the Afghanistan war that lasted two decades.

His latest remarks have attracted backlash from several European leaders, including Starmer, who have defended the alliance’s relevance and unity.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

King Charles III and Queen Camilla will go ahead with their planned state visit to the United States later in April, Buckingham Palace has confirmed, despite rising diplomatic strain linked to the ongoing Iran war.

According to a report by the BBC, the British monarch will be received by US President Donald Trump in Washington, DC. The trip will mark the first state visit by a UK monarch to the United States since Queen Elizabeth II’s visit in 2007.

The Palace said the visit is designed to strengthen ties between both nations, with emphasis on “historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship” as the United States prepares to celebrate its 250th independence anniversary.

Although full details of the programme have not been released, the visit is expected to feature a state banquet at the White House. King Charles is also expected to address the US Congress. On his way back, he will make a stop in Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory.

The announcement comes at a time of tension between London and Washington over the Iran conflict. President Trump recently criticised US allies, including the United Kingdom, urging them to “get your own oil” and indicating that America could reduce its support.

The disagreement has also included personal remarks. Trump had earlier criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, stating that he was “no Winston Churchill.”

Even with the strained relations, both sides appear willing to maintain diplomatic contact. Reports indicate that the UK is relying on Trump’s known admiration for the monarchy to help steady relations.

Trump, who visited Windsor Castle in September 2025, described his meeting with King Charles as “amazing,” and said he felt “honoured” by the reception.

However, the planned visit has drawn criticism within the United Kingdom. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called for it to be cancelled. A YouGov poll has also shown that nearly half of Britons do not support the trip.

There are also fresh concerns from the United States. Congressman Ro Khanna has urged the King to meet victims connected to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein during the visit.

Questions have also emerged over whether King Charles will meet his son, Prince Harry, who lives in the US.

Despite the political disagreements and public criticism, preparations for the visit are ongoing. Both governments appear determined to keep diplomatic engagement in place during a period of global uncertainty.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

US President Donald Trump has disclosed that a large military facility is being constructed beneath a proposed ballroom at the White House.

The president approved plans last October to demolish part of the existing East Wing to create space for the new ballroom, which is intended to host major events such as state dinners and official receptions.

According to Mr Trump, the project is being funded privately with contributions from him and other donors. The estimated cost has risen from $200 million to $400 million.

Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, he said, “The military is building a massive complex under the ballroom, and that’s under construction, and we’re doing very well, so we’re ahead of schedule.”

He added, “It’s part of it, the ballroom essentially becomes a shed for what’s being built under the military [complex] including [protection] from drones and including from any other thing. The glass on the windows is extremely thick – it’s high-grade bulletproof glass.”

Mr Trump did not provide detailed information about the underground structure. He stated that details became public “because of a stupid lawsuit that was filed”.

While presenting architectural illustrations of the project, the president highlighted the importance of the ballroom. He said, “We just got these in from the architects. A lot of people are talking about how beautiful the ballroom is.”

He noted that previous administrations had considered a similar project. “For 150 years, they’ve wanted to build a ballroom at the White House, and other presidents have wanted it [for] when we have dignitaries coming, like President Xi of China, or anybody else, and we have very small rooms that are not big enough to handle the kind of capacity that you need,” he said.

Mr Trump also described the proposed structure as unique in scale and design. “This [the ballroom] is the same height as the White House – it’s an incredible fitting. I think it’ll be the finest ballroom of its kind anywhere in the world,” he said.

He added, “A lot of people are giving it really good reviews, some are giving it reviews without even seeing the building, because these pictures just came out today.”

The president explained that he chose to unveil the designs while travelling due to his schedule. “I don’t have time to do this. I’m fighting wars and other things. But this is important because this is going to be with us for a long time,” he said.

The plan has drawn criticism from some quarters. Former presidential candidate Hillary Clinton had earlier accused Mr Trump of altering the historic building, saying he was “destroying” the White House, which was “not his house”.

Mr Trump has long argued that the current East Room is too small for large gatherings. It accommodates about 200 guests, which often requires additional arrangements on the White House grounds. He said the new ballroom would span about 90,000 square feet and hold up to 1,000 people.

However, the design has generated debate among planners and architects. Critics say the new structure could overshadow the main White House residence and obstruct key views from Capitol Hill along Pennsylvania Avenue.

In October, Mr Trump dismissed all six members of the Commission of Fine Arts, which had been reviewing the proposal. A White House official indicated that the president preferred members who were “more aligned” with his “America First policies”.

No official completion date has been announced, although the White House has said the project is expected to be finished before the end of Mr Trump’s term.

The National Capital Planning Commission is expected to take a final decision on the proposal later this week.

United States President Donald Trump has criticised Israel’s recent strike on Iran’s South Pars gas field, as tensions escalate across the Middle East with retaliatory attacks hitting key energy facilities in several countries.

In a message shared by the White House on X early Thursday, Mr Trump stated that the United States had no involvement in the Israeli operation. He said, “Israel, out of anger for what has taken place in the Middle East has violently lashed out at a major facility known as South Pars Gas Field in Iran.”

He added that further attacks on the facility would not occur under certain conditions. According to him, “NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field…” unless Iran continues its strikes on Qatar.

The US president also condemned Iran’s response, which targeted gas infrastructure in Qatar. He warned that any additional assault on Qatar’s facilities would trigger severe consequences, including the destruction of “the entirety of the South Pars Gas Field.”

The developments follow reports that Iran launched missiles at the Ras Laffan Industrial City in Qatar. QatarEnergy confirmed that the strike caused fires and “extensive damage.” The company later disclosed that multiple liquefied natural gas facilities were hit, leading to “sizeable fires and extensive further damage.”

Authorities had evacuated the site earlier after Iran announced plans to strike several locations in the region. The move was described as retaliation for earlier attacks on the South Pars gas field, which Iran attributes to Israel and the United States. Washington has since denied any role in that incident.

Beyond Qatar, Iran extended its response to other parts of the region. Two refineries in Saudi Arabia were struck, while the Habshan gas facility in Abu Dhabi was also targeted. The United Arab Emirates subsequently shut down the affected facility.

There has been no official response from Iran regarding Mr Trump’s warning as of the time of filing this report.

Analysts say the latest attacks on critical energy infrastructure could deepen the global gas supply crisis. Prices of gas and other petroleum products have already climbed sharply since late February, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran.

The ongoing conflict has claimed more than 1,500 lives, with most of the casualties reported in Iran.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has mocked Iran after the country apologised to neighbouring states affected by its recent retaliatory airstrikes.

Iran had launched missile and drone attacks on several American military bases located in Gulf countries. The targets included bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Kuwait. The strikes were carried out in response to what Iran described as “preemptive” attacks by the United States and Israel.

Earlier, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran had no intention of invading neighbouring countries. He called for cooperation among regional nations to promote stability and peace.

“I deem it necessary to apologise to neighbouring countries that were attacked,” Pezeshkian said.

“We do not intend to invade neighbouring countries.”

However, Trump reacted strongly to the apology in a message posted on his Truth Social platform on Saturday. He claimed the apology resulted from continuous military pressure from the United States and Israel.

“Iran, which is being beat to HELL, has apologised and surrendered to its Middle East neighbours,” Trump posted.

“They were looking to take over and rule the Middle East. It is the first time that Iran has ever lost, in thousands of years, to surrounding Middle Eastern Countries.

“They have said, ‘Thank you President Trump’. I have said, ‘You’re welcome!’

“Iran is no longer the bully of the Middle East, they are, instead, ‘The loser of the Middle East’ and will be for many decades until they surrender, or more likely, completely collapse!”

Trump also warned that further military action could follow.

“Today, Iran will be hit very hard!”

He added that Iran’s “bad behaviour” had forced authorities to consider expanding potential targets. According to him, some areas and groups that were previously not included among targets are now under consideration for “complete destruction and certain death.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States President Donald Trump has mocked Iran after the country apologised to neighbouring states affected by its recent retaliatory airstrikes.

Iran had launched missile and drone attacks on several American military bases located in Gulf countries. The targets included bases in Bahrain, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Kuwait. The strikes were carried out in response to what Iran described as “preemptive” attacks by the United States and Israel.

Earlier, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that Tehran had no intention of invading neighbouring countries. He called for cooperation among regional nations to promote stability and peace.

“I deem it necessary to apologise to neighbouring countries that were attacked,” Pezeshkian said.

“We do not intend to invade neighbouring countries.”

However, Trump reacted strongly to the apology in a message posted on his Truth Social platform on Saturday. He claimed the apology resulted from continuous military pressure from the United States and Israel.

“Iran, which is being beat to HELL, has apologised and surrendered to its Middle East neighbours,” Trump posted.

“They were looking to take over and rule the Middle East. It is the first time that Iran has ever lost, in thousands of years, to surrounding Middle Eastern Countries.

“They have said, ‘Thank you President Trump’. I have said, ‘You’re welcome!’

“Iran is no longer the bully of the Middle East, they are, instead, ‘The loser of the Middle East’ and will be for many decades until they surrender, or more likely, completely collapse!”

Trump also warned that further military action could follow.

“Today, Iran will be hit very hard!”

He added that Iran’s “bad behaviour” had forced authorities to consider expanding potential targets. According to him, some areas and groups that were previously not included among targets are now under consideration for “complete destruction and certain death.”

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States government has played down reports that Russia provided intelligence to Iran about American military targets across the Middle East amid the ongoing war involving the US, Israel and Iran.

The report was first published by The Washington Post. It claimed that Moscow had supplied Tehran with information about the location of US military assets in the region.

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth addressed the issue during an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes on Friday. He said the US military is closely monitoring developments and incorporating any relevant information into its operational planning.

Since the conflict began on February 28, Russia has reportedly passed details to Iran about US military positions, including warships and aircraft. Three officials who spoke anonymously told The Washington Post about the alleged intelligence sharing.

“It does seem like it’s a pretty comprehensive effort,” one of the sources told the newspaper.

However, other unnamed officials who spoke to The Associated Press said US intelligence agencies have not found evidence that Moscow is instructing Iran on how to use the information. The conflict has continued with US and Israeli forces carrying out air strikes while Iran responds with attacks targeting American assets and allies in the Gulf region.

Hegseth dismissed concerns that the reported intelligence sharing could endanger US citizens.

“The American people can rest assured their commander-in-chief is well aware of who’s talking to who,” Hegseth said.

“And anything that shouldn’t be happening, whether it’s in public or back-channelled, is being confronted and confronted strongly.”

He added: “We’re putting the other guys in danger, and that’s our job. So we’re not concerned about that. But the only ones that need to be worried right now are Iranians that think they’re gonna live.”

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also responded to the report on Friday. She told journalists that the alleged intelligence sharing has not affected US military operations in Iran.

“[the report] clearly is not making any difference with respect to the military operations in Iran because we are completely decimating them,” Leavitt said.

She declined to comment on whether President Donald Trump had discussed the matter with Russian President Vladimir Putin or whether Russia might face consequences. She said the president would address the issue himself if necessary.

President Trump also reacted sharply when asked about the report later on Friday. During a White House meeting focused on college sports, Fox News reporter Peter Doocy raised the issue during a question-and-answer session.

“I have a lot of respect for you, you’ve always been very nice to me,” the US president said to Peter Doocy, the Fox News reporter.

“What a stupid question that is to be asking at this time. We’re talking about something else.”

The intelligence report marks the first indication that Russia may have taken steps to involve itself in the conflict that began about a week ago.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tehran has not requested military assistance from Moscow. He noted that Russia continues to maintain communication with Iranian leaders.

“We are in dialogue with the Iranian side, with representatives of the Iranian leadership, and will certainly continue this dialogue,” he said.

When asked directly whether Russia had provided military or intelligence assistance to Iran since the start of the war, Peskov declined to comment.

Russia and Iran have strengthened their ties in recent years. Moscow has relied on Iranian missiles and drones during its ongoing war in Ukraine. Both countries have maintained cooperation even as Iran faced long-standing Western sanctions linked to its nuclear programme and its support for armed groups across the Middle East.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The United States economy recorded an unexpected decline in employment in February after official figures showed that thousands of jobs were lost across several sectors.

Data released in the latest labour report indicates that payrolls dropped by 92,000 during the month. The unemployment rate also increased slightly to 4.4%. Analysts had predicted that the labour market would remain steady.

The development has raised fresh concerns about the strength of the US job market. Economists now question whether the labour sector could be entering a period of weakness.

The report shows that job losses affected nearly every major sector of the economy. The healthcare industry also recorded losses despite its reputation as a stable source of employment. Strikes in the sector contributed to the decline in February.

The drop represents the largest monthly job loss since October. At that time, the United States government shutdown disrupted economic activity.

Economic observers also point to rising oil prices as another potential challenge. The increase followed tensions linked to the US-Israel war in Iran. Analysts warn that the surge in energy costs could place additional pressure on economic growth in the coming months.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

U.S. President Donald Trump has said he must play a part in selecting Iran’s next leader following the death of the country’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei.

Trump made the remark during an interview with Axios on Thursday. He said Mojtaba Khamenei, the 56-year-old son of the late Iranian leader, appears to be the most likely successor. However, the U.S. president rejected the possibility of him taking over the position.

“They are wasting their time. Khamenei’s son is a lightweight,” Trump said. “I have to be involved in the appointment, like with Delcy [Rodriguez] in Venezuela.”

Rodriguez became Venezuela’s acting president in January after U.S. forces entered Caracas, arrested then-President Nicolas Maduro and transferred him to New York to face drug-related charges. After Rodriguez assumed office, Trump described Venezuela as “our new friend and partner” and said her administration had supplied the United States with millions of barrels of oil.

Trump stressed that Washington would not accept a new Iranian leader who intends to continue the policies of the late supreme leader.

“Khamenei’s son is unacceptable to me,” he told Axios. “We want someone that will bring harmony and peace to Iran.”

He repeated the position in a separate interview with Reuters.

“We want to be involved in the process of choosing the person who is going to lead Iran into the future. We don’t have to go back every five years and do this again and again.”

Reports from the New York Times indicate that Mojtaba Khamenei has emerged as the leading candidate for the role after several meetings of Iran’s Assembly of Experts. The cleric, who has largely stayed away from public attention, studied Islamic theology and is known for holding hardline conservative views.

The comments from Trump come days after the United States and Israel launched a large-scale military operation against Iran. The strikes targeted multiple locations across the country. A humanitarian organisation reported that more than 1,000 people lost their lives during the attacks.

Iran responded with missile strikes on Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and other locations in the region. According to the Pentagon, six American service members have been killed in the conflict.

Military activity has continued in recent days. Reports indicate Iranian attacks in Azerbaijan. The U.S. Navy also sank an Iranian vessel in the Indian Ocean. The Pentagon said more than 20 Iranian ships have either been damaged or destroyed.

Soon after the first strikes, the Trump administration offered several explanations for the operation, which it named “Epic Fury.”

Vice President JD Vance said the campaign aims to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the action followed indications that Israel planned to attack Iran. Trump also suggested the operation could lead to political change in Iran. He wrote on Truth Social during the weekend, “This is the single greatest chance for the Iranian people to take back their Country.”

During a press conference on Monday, Trump outlined four major objectives. He said the United States seeks to destroy Iran’s missile capabilities, eliminate its navy, prevent the country from obtaining nuclear weapons and remove the current Iranian leadership.

It remains unclear how long the operation will last. Trump suggested it might take about four weeks but said the United States has the ability to continue longer if necessary.

The military action has drawn mixed reactions in the United States. Many Democrats oppose the campaign and have described it as illegal and strategically flawed. Several Republicans have expressed support for the president, although some have raised concerns in private.

A war powers resolution that aimed to limit the president’s authority over the Iran conflict failed in the Senate earlier this week. Lawmakers in the House of Representatives are expected to vote on a similar proposal.

Public opinion also appears divided. A recent Reuters survey found that only one in four Americans support the U.S. strikes on Iran.

Iran’s government has condemned the attacks. Officials in Tehran described the strikes as illegal and urged the international community to support the country.