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Trump Eyes Qatari Luxury Jet As Replacement For Air Force One Amid Boeing Delays

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The aircraft, a Boeing 747-8, one of the most valuable and advanced commercial planes in the world, will be retrofitted for presidential use and is expected to enter service within two years.

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to accept a luxury aircraft from the Qatari royal family to serve as the next Air Force One should he return to the White House, two sources familiar with the arrangement told CNN.

The aircraft, a Boeing 747-8, one of the most valuable and advanced commercial planes in the world, will be retrofitted for presidential use and is expected to enter service within two years.

Trump and his aides reportedly toured the jet earlier this year at Palm Beach International Airport, with one source saying the former president has since “boasted to people around him about how luxurious the plane was.”

“President Trump is touring a new Boeing plane to check out the new hardware/technology,” White House communications director Steven Cheung said in a statement at the time.

The jet is being gifted by the Qatari Ministry of Defence to the U.S. Department of Defence, according to a Qatari official, who emphasised the transaction is a government-to-government deal rather than a personal gift to Trump.

The Pentagon will oversee the aircraft’s conversion, adding advanced security and communications features to prepare it for presidential duties.

Trump is scheduled to depart Monday for his first major foreign trip since announcing his re-election bid, which includes a stop in Doha, Qatar, where further discussions around the aircraft transfer are expected to take place.

Given the diplomatic implications of accepting such an extravagant gift from a foreign government, the arrangement raises significant ethical and legal concerns.

Using a foreign-provided aircraft for official presidential duties has no known precedent in modern U.S. history.

This development comes amid longstanding frustrations from Trump over delays in the official Air Force One replacement programme.

Boeing has been working on converting two 747 jets for presidential use, but setbacks have plagued the effort.

Initially scheduled for delivery by 2022, the aircraft are now not expected before 2027.

Cheung pointed to those delays as justification for considering alternatives: “Trump’s tour of the plane highlights the project’s failure to deliver a new Air Force One on time as promised, as they are already 5 years late.”

At one point, Trump even enlisted tech billionaire Elon Musk to help expedite the process, frustrated by supply chain bottlenecks and lingering effects of pandemic-era staffing shortages.

While the new plan may offer Trump a quicker path to replacing the ageing Air Force One, questions about the transparency and propriety of the deal are expected to intensify as he continues his campaign for a second term.

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2Baba Cries Out For Help in Now Deleted Instagram Post

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This morning, 2Baba posted “Help Me” on his Instagram stories, but less than 20 minutes later, the message vanished.

For the past few days, his relationship with his current wife, Senator Natasha Osawaru, has been under serious scrutiny, as a series of public incidents have surfaced and fuelled widespread speculation about the state of their marriage.

His cry for help should not be taken lightly. But who will answer him?

Will it be his family, his close friends, or the entertainment industry that has benefited from his legendary career?

At this point, one thing is clear. The music icon seems to be calling for real support and those around him cannot afford to look away.

 

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BREAKING: Unknown Gunmen Attack Gov. Otti’s Advance Team In Imo, As Scores Were Kidnapped From A Bus Along Owerri-Road Road

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An advance team of Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, escaped unhurt after unidentified gunmen opened fire on their vehicle in the early hours of Tuesday, December 2, 2025, along the Umuowa–Ihite axis in Imo State.

The three-member team was en route to Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Owerri, when the attack occurred shortly before the airport junction.

In a statement electronically signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Ukoha Njoku Ukoha, the Abia Government clarified that Governor Otti’s main convoy was not involved in the incident and was nowhere near the location at the time.

“The convoy of His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, was not attacked. No member of the advance team or any other person sustained injury, and no life was lost,” the statement stressed, urging the public to disregard rumours suggesting otherwise.

It was learned that Security agencies have been notified, and investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the assailants.

Meanwhile, a commercial bus plying along Owerri -Aba road towards the Ngor Okpala axis was attacked Monday and scores of passengers were feared kidnapped by yet-to-identify gunmen.

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Gunmen attack Ngige’s convoy in Anambra

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The convoy of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, was attacked by gunmen in Umuoji, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Ngige who confirmed the incident to newsmen, stated that he was not in the convoy when the attack occurred. He mentioned that several people were shot and injured.

“I was not in the convoy. I’m still alive and well. Those hoodlums have started again. I came to my state to relax, but what happened is unfortunate. I will go back to Abuja. But I assure those who did this, they will not go unpunished.” he said

The vehicles were reportedly returning from a mechanic workshop in Nkpor when the gunmen struck along the busy Umuoji–Nkpor Road leading to Alor, Ngige’s hometown.

According to Mr. Fred Chukwulobelu, Ngige’s former Special Adviser on Media, a policeman in the pilot car was shot, and the attackers, dressed in police and army uniforms, took away his gun and uniform.

He also confirmed that a woman filming the incident was fatally shot. He added that a shop owner who rushed out to see what was happening was also shot; he lost significant blood and is scheduled for surgery, but is expected to recover fully.

The pilot car was riddled with bullets, while the wounded escort leader has undergone surgery and is also expected to recover.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command said it has launched a state-wide manhunt for the perpetrators.

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