Washington, May 26 (AP) President Donald Trump insists a peace deal is close on the 88th day of the Iran war, but Iran on Tuesday denounced US airstrikes as a sign of “bad faith and unreliability” as negotiations continue. Meanwhile, state media in Lebanon reports that Israel has killed 12 more people in another strike. Iran has demanded that any deal must include an end to hostilities in Lebanon and Gaza.
In Washington, the president has a medical checkup on his schedule, and the redistricting war also continues — the Congressional Black Caucus is urging corporate America to get involved to save voting rights, ending a collective retreat during Trump's second presidency. In Texas, the Trump-backed, scandal-plagued Ken Paxton is favoured over Sen. John Cornyn in Tuesday's GOP primary runoff election.
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Trump turns 80 next month as more Americans express concerns about his age
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A Washington Post/ABC News/Ipsos poll in April found that less than half of US adults think Trump has the mental sharpness or physical health to serve effectively.
“I think concern for the president's physical health is probably at an all-time high, and I think advanced physical age is the No. 1 concern,” said Dr Jeffrey Kuhlman, who served as a White House physician under Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and Bill Clinton.
Kuhlman said a complete physical would include advanced heart testing, screening for common cancers and a cognitive assessment. The White House has not disclosed what Trump's checkups will entail.
“President Trump is the sharpest and most accessible President in American history who is working nonstop to solve problems and deliver on his promises, and he remains in excellent health,” White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said in a statement.
US consumer confidence is dented as gas prices remain high
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US consumer confidence declined slightly as gas prices remained at or above a national average of USD 4.50 a gallon in May and inflation remained elevated, a sharp contrast to soaring stock prices that have neared record levels.
The Conference Board's consumer confidence index slipped 0.7 points to 93.1 in May, the first decline after three months of gains.
The index follows a separate gauge of consumer sentiment compiled by the University of Michigan, which fell to a record low this month. Spikes in gas prices as well as higher food costs have worsened inflation, which has outpaced the growth in average paychecks in recent months, reducing most Americans' purchasing power. Polls show Americans have soured on Trump's economic policies, which could harm Republicans in this year's elections.
US stocks rise, oil falls after Trump said Iran talks are proceeding nicely'
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The price for a barrel of US crude oil fell 3.8 per cent to USD 92.99 on Tuesday after resuming trading following the Memorial Day holiday, and US stocks were catching up to others around the world that climbed after Trump said Iran talks were “proceeding nicely.”
The S&P 500, Dow Jones Industrial Average and Nasdaq composite all rose Tuesday to near their all-time highs even though fighting continued in the Mideast and the US military said it struck Iranian missile launch sites and boats placing mines on Monday. Markets have rallied in the past on hopes for a coming end to the war with Iran, only to see the conflict drag on, causing painful inflation around the world.
Presidents aren't required to disclose health information
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There's no law requiring these disclosures, and the degree of transparency varies.
Presidents for decades have released medical test results to try to reassure the public that they are up to the high-pressure job.
But the president signs off on what is released, which raises questions about what isn't being shared.
Trump's past medical reports have been criticised for offering scant detail and including statistics that some medical experts eyed with scepticism.
It will be several hours before the White House releases any information about Tuesday's exam. (AP) SKS
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