Donald Trump

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.

A satirical campaign urging Donald Trump’s youngest son, Barron Trump, 19, to be drafted into the US military has gained viral attention as the US and Israel continue their strikes on Iran. The hashtag #SendBarron has been trending widely on social media.

Operation Epic Fury, which involves extensive airstrikes by the US and Israel against Iran, has so far resulted in the deaths of six American service members.

Donald Trump has faced criticism for what commentators describe as a lack of visible concern over these casualties. During brief remarks at a Medal of Honor ceremony following the attacks, Trump appeared more focused on his plans for the White House’s new ballroom than on the loss of life, prompting speculation about how he might react if his own son were deployed.

In response, former South Park writer Toby Morton created the satirical website, DraftBarronTrump.com, which encourages the president to send Barron to war. The site humorously praises Barron’s “courage” and “proven genes” while juxtaposing images of him napping.

“America is strong because its leaders are strong,” reads a subheading on the website. “President Trump proves that every day. Naturally, his son Barron is more than ready to defend the country his father so boldly commands.”

The site concludes: “Service is honor. Strength is inherited. Dog Bless Barron.”

DraftBarronTrump.com also features absurdist testimonials from Barron’s family. Donald Trump Jr said, “This moment is really about Barron, okay? Always has been. He represents strength, courage, and service. I’ll be honoring that sacrifice in my own way, mainly by talking about it from a safe distance.”

Eric Trump added: “People always say I’m stupid, which is totally unfair, because I understand a lot about pancakes. Pancakes are complex. You’ve got batter, heat, timing. If you rush it, you ruin everything. I think about pancakes a lot. Mostly pancakes.”

Morton, known for buying website names and creating satirical campaigns, also promoted ResignChuck.com, which calls for Democratic Party leader Chuck Schumer to resign over his perceived inaction toward Trump’s policies.

The launch of DraftBarronTrump.com fueled the trending hashtag #SendBarron, with thousands of social media users jokingly calling for Barron to serve alongside soldiers his father has sent into battle.

Barron’s eligibility for military service may be limited due to his height of 6’9’’ (2.05m), exceeding the maximum enlistment limit of 6’8’’ (2.03m) in most military branches. This contrasts with Donald Trump’s own avoidance of the Vietnam draft, which he famously attributed to a bone spur diagnosis. Dr. Elysa Braunstein and Sharon Kessel, daughters of the podiatrist who signed the original diagnosis, told The New York Times that it was “a favour” to Trump’s father, Fred Trump, who was their father’s landlord.

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.