Donald Trump

Sanders ‘strongly’ condemns Trump’s attack on Iran, describes campaign as ‘grossly unconstitutional’

By Sabiu Abdullahi

United States Senator Bernie Sanders has issued a strong rebuke of President Donald Trump’s recent decision to carry out air strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, describing the action as “grossly unconstitutional.”

Speaking at a public event shortly after the president announced the strikes via social media, Sanders firmly asserted that such a move bypassed legal processes.

“The only entity that can take this country to war is the US Congress. The president does not have the right,” he stated.

The strikes, which were launched without prior congressional authorization, have sparked a wave of criticism from lawmakers, foreign policy analysts, and rights advocates.

Many have expressed concern that the unilateral decision could escalate tensions and destabilize the already fragile Middle East region.

The operation has drawn praise from Israeli officials, but some analysts argue that the applause masks a deeper concern about the potential fallout.

Critics say the attack increases the risk of a broader conflict and undermines diplomatic efforts to address Iran’s nuclear programme through negotiation.

President Trump has defended the decision as a necessary step to deter Iran’s alleged nuclear ambitions, but calls for a more measured and constitutionally grounded approach continue to grow louder within the US political landscape.

U.S. to require student visa applicants to share public social media profiles

By Muhammad Abubakar

The United States government has announced a new policy requiring student visa applicants to make their social media profiles publicly accessible as part of the application process.

According to the Department of State, the move is intended to enhance security screening and allow immigration officials to better assess the backgrounds of applicants. The policy will apply to most non-immigrant visa categories, including the F-1 visa commonly used by international students.

Critics have raised concerns about privacy and potential bias, warning that the rule could discourage free expression online. Supporters, however, argue that it strengthens national security and helps identify potential threats.

The new requirement is expected to take effect later this year, with applicants needing to provide their social media handles and ensure that posts are visible for review.

Sanders condemns Netanyahu’s attack on Iran, warns against U.S. involvement

By Muhammad Sulaiman

U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) issued a strongly worded statement condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s unilateral military strike on Iran, calling it a reckless escalation that defies international law and endangers global stability.

Sanders accused Netanyahu of previously violating the Geneva Conventions through the starvation of children in Gaza and now pursuing an illegal attack on Iran, risking a full-scale regional war. He stated that the strikes ignored the diplomatic efforts of the United States to resolve tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and undermined planned negotiations.

“The world is more dangerous and unstable as a result of the extremist Netanyahu’s government ongoing defiance of international law,” Sanders said.

The senator urged the U.S. and international community to resist being drawn into another conflict, and instead push for de-escalation and renewed diplomacy.

“We should do everything possible to prevent an escalation of this conflict and bring the warring parties to the negotiating table,” he emphasized.

Musk apologises after online clash with Trump

By Uzair Adam 

Elon Musk, the world’s richest person and a former advisor to Donald Trump, admitted on Wednesday that he went too far in some of his social media criticisms of the US president after their public fallout last week.

“I regret some of my posts about President @realDonaldTrump last week. They went too far,” Musk posted on his social media platform X.

Musk’s apology came just days after Trump warned the billionaire of “serious consequences” if he tried to punish Republican lawmakers who supported a controversial spending bill.

Their dramatic split played out on social media last Thursday, when Musk harshly criticised Trump’s so-called “big, beautiful” spending bill, which Congress is considering.

Some Republican lawmakers opposed the bill and urged Musk, a major Republican financial backer in last year’s presidential election, to fund primary challenges against those who voted for it.

“He’ll have to pay very serious consequences if he does that,” Trump, who called Musk “disrespectful,” told NBC News on Saturday, though he did not specify the consequences.

TikTok star Khaby Lame departs US after visa overstay detention

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Khaby Lame, the Senegal-born TikTok sensation who rose to global fame for his silent comedic videos, has voluntarily left the United States after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for overstaying his visa.

The 25-year-old, who officially became an Italian citizen in 2022, was held at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas for immigration violations. Lame had been in the U.S. on a temporary visa, which reportedly expired before his detention.

Lame, known by his handle @khaby.lame, boasts over 162 million followers on TikTok, making him one of the most followed creators on the platform. His signature style—wordless, expressive reactions to overly complicated life hacks—catapulted him to viral fame during the COVID-19 pandemic.

His detention comes amid intensified immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump’s administration, which has renewed crackdowns on visa overstays and undocumented immigrants.

Sources close to Lame say he has returned to Italy and cooperates fully with authorities. Neither Lame nor his representatives have made a public statement regarding the incident.

AU Commission reacts to US travel ban, urges dialogue and cooperation

By Muhammad Abubakar

The African Union Commission has expressed concern over the recent travel restrictions imposed by the United States, which affect nationals from several countries, including some within the African continent.

In a statement released this week, the Commission acknowledged the right of sovereign nations to protect their borders and ensure the safety of their citizens. However, it urged the US government to exercise this right in a manner that is “balanced, evidence-based, and reflective of the long-standing partnership between the United States and Africa.”

The Commission warned that the new travel restrictions could negatively impact people-to-people connections, educational exchanges, business relations, and the diplomatic ties cultivated over decades between Africa and the US.

“Africa and the United States share mutual interests in promoting peace, prosperity, and global cooperation,” the statement noted, emphasizing the importance of maintaining and strengthening those bonds.

The Commission also called on the US administration to consider a more consultative and inclusive approach in such policy decisions, advocating for constructive dialogue with the countries affected.

Highlighting the value of transparency and collaboration, the AU Commission reiterated its readiness to support any initiatives to foster mutual understanding, address the underlying concerns, and enhance cooperation between the two sides.

The statement comes amid increasing scrutiny of the broader implications of the US travel policy on international relations and multilateral engagement.

Trump administration offers $1,000 incentive for migrants to “self-deport”

By Muhammad Abubakar

In a controversial move, the Trump administration has announced a new policy offering $1,000 to undocumented migrants who voluntarily leave the United States. The initiative, branded as a “self-deportation incentive,” is part of broader efforts by the administration to reduce the number of migrants residing illegally in the country.

According to Department of Homeland Security officials, the program aims to ease pressure on immigration detention centres and reduce deportation costs. Eligible migrants must meet certain criteria, including passing background checks and agreeing to leave the country within a set timeframe.

Critics have called the policy coercive and dehumanising, arguing that it targets vulnerable populations who may feel forced to leave under economic pressure. Supporters, however, defend the measure as a cost-effective and voluntary alternative to formal deportation proceedings.

The offer has sparked fresh debate on immigration policy as the administration continues to advocate for tighter border controls and enforcement.

It remains unclear how many migrants will take up the offer or how the program will be monitored in practice.

Trump posts portrait of himself as Pope on social media 

By Muhammad Abubakar 

President Donald Trump has stirred controversy once again after publishing a digitally altered portrait of himself dressed as the Pope on his social media platform, Truth Social. The image, which depicts Trump in papal robes and regalia, quickly drew widespread attention and sparked debate online.

This unusual post follows Trump’s previous tongue-in-cheek remark in which he joked about becoming the next head of the Roman Catholic Church after Pope Francis. While many of his supporters saw the post as humorous and bold, critics accused the former president of disrespecting religious traditions.

The Vatican has not officially commented on the image or Trump’s earlier remarks.

Trump, known for his provocative and unconventional use of social media, continues to dominate headlines since his return to the White House for the second time.

State Department memo reveals lack of evidence against detained student

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Rumeysa Öztürk, a 30-year-old Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on March 25 near her home in Somerville, Massachusetts. The arrest, captured on security footage, showed masked agents taking her into an unmarked vehicle without identifying themselves, leaving her screaming for help.

Öztürk, a Fulbright scholar pursuing a Ph.D. in Child Study and Human Development, had co-authored a 2024 op-ed in The Tufts Daily criticizing the university’s response to the Gaza conflict and calling for divestment from companies linked to Israel. Following the publication, her name and photo appeared on Canary Mission, a controversial website that profiles individuals accused of anti-Israel activism.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused Öztürk of supporting Hamas, though no public evidence has been provided. Her student visa was revoked, and she was transferred to a detention center in Louisiana, despite a court order requiring 48 hours’ notice before moving her out of Massachusetts.

Öztürk’s detention has sparked widespread protests and condemnation. More than 2,000 students rallied at Tufts University, and demonstrations have taken place in Boston and Washington, D.C. A coalition of 27 Jewish organizations filed a legal brief in her support, arguing that her arrest threatens free speech and academic freedom.

Tufts University President Sunil Kumar stated that the university has no information supporting the allegations against Öztürk and emphasized the importance of due process. Öztürk’s legal team, including the ACLU, is seeking her immediate release, citing violations of her constitutional rights.

A federal court hearing is scheduled to determine the jurisdiction of her case. Öztürk remains in ICE custody, facing possible deportation to Turkey.

Trump launches $5 million “Gold Card” visa for wealthy investors

By Muhammad Ibrahim

U.S. President Donald Trump has unveiled a new immigration initiative dubbed the “Gold Card” — a $5 million visa program designed to grant wealthy foreign investors permanent residency in the United States.

The gold-coloured card, which Trump called the “Trump Card,” offers a fast-tracked route to U.S. citizenship in exchange for a $5 million investment. 

The new program is set to replace the existing EB-5 visa, streamlining the process and reducing the waiting period to less than two weeks.

Announcing the launch, Trump declared himself the first official buyer of the Gold Card and expressed optimism that the initiative would attract “wonderful, world-class global citizens” to the United States.

Details regarding eligibility criteria, investment channels, and oversight mechanisms are expected to be released in the coming weeks.