Author: Mohammad Adamu

Saudi Arabia’s Supreme Court has officially announced that the Standing at Mount Arafat — the spiritual climax of the annual Hajj pilgrimage — will take place on Tuesday, May 26, 2026, with Eid-al-Adha to follow the next day, Wednesday, May 27. The declaration came after the court confirmed Monday, May 18, as the first day of Dhul Hijjah 1447 AH, following the verified sighting of the crescent moon. “The Crescent Sighting Department of the Supreme Court reached the decision after reviewing testimonies submitted by witnesses regarding the sighting of the Dhul Hijjah crescent,” the court stated. The official account of…

The World Health Organisation has declared the Ebola outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC), citing fears the crisis is far larger than official figures suggest. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made the declaration on Sunday after consulting with both affected countries, confirming that the outbreak — caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus — does not, however, meet the threshold of a pandemic emergency. As of Saturday, eight laboratory-confirmed cases, 246 suspected cases and 80 suspected deaths had been recorded in DRC’s Ituri Province, spanning at least…

Chelsea have appointed Xabi Alonso as their new men’s head coach, the Premier League club confirmed on Sunday, with the Spaniard signing a four-year contract ahead of taking charge on July 1, 2026. Alonso joins Stamford Bridge following a landmark stint at Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the German club to their first-ever Bundesliga title and cemented his reputation as one of Europe’s most sought-after coaches. In a statement, Chelsea said the appointment reflects confidence in Alonso’s tactical philosophy, leadership qualities and professional integrity, describing him as not only an elite coach but a proven leader whose approach aligns with…

Antoine Semenyo produced one of the great FA Cup final goals to hand Manchester City a 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Wembley on Saturday, securing the club’s eighth FA Cup title and Pep Guardiola’s third in the competition. The Ghana winger, signed from Bournemouth in January, settled a scrappy final with a moment of pure improvisation in the 72nd minute — deftly back-heeling Erling Haaland’s cut-back into the far corner to the delight of the City faithful. It was a finish worthy of winning any trophy, placing Semenyo alongside Ricky Villa, Michael Owen, Roberto Di Matteo and Steven Gerrard in…

United States President Donald Trump has announced the killing of a senior ISIS commander, Abu-Bilal Al-Minuki, in an operation carried out jointly by American forces and the Nigerian Armed Forces. Trump made the announcement in a post on X, describing Al-Minuki as the second-in-command of ISIS globally and confirming that the mission was executed at his direction. “Tonight, at my direction, brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield,” Trump wrote. The US President said intelligence sources had…

Michael Carrick has been confirmed as the permanent manager of Manchester United after agreeing terms on a long-term contract with the club. The decision, weeks in the making, has been finalised and approved by minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and senior club executives. Carrick is set to sign a deal running for an initial two years, with an option to extend or convert to a three-year structure based on performance. The former United midfielder had been serving in an interim capacity before being handed the role on a full-time basis, following a strong run of results and growing internal support…

Ambassador Ayanda Ngwane, CEO of Ayanda Media Network, led the tributes with words that captured what so many felt but struggled to express. “To know you is to cherish you forever,” she wrote. “You were truly full of life — a beautiful soul who carried light, love, and warmth everywhere you went. You had a rare way of making every moment memorable, every space brighter, and every person around you feel seen and valued.” For Ngwane, the loss was not merely professional — McCloy was a sister in spirit, someone whose love and loyalty ran deeper than the industry that…

Embassy in Abuja has called on Nigeria to strengthen its commitment to the One-China principle, citing what it described as growing separatist activities by Taiwan’s leadership. Dong Hairong, Counselor at the Chinese Embassy, made the appeal Thursday at a media salon in Abuja themed: “Understanding the One-China Principle and Its Role in Deepening China–Nigeria Strategic Relations. ” The event was jointly organised by the Centre for China Studies and the Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research. Dong criticised a recent visit by Taiwan’s leader, Lai Ching-te, to Eswatini, calling it a covert attempt to expand Taiwan’s international separatist agenda. She also…

The Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, and Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to China, Abdurahman Bello Dambazau, held a diplomatic meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, with both sides reaffirming commitment to deepening bilateral relations. Yu formally congratulated Dambazau — a former Chief of Army Staff — on his appointment. Posting on X, the Chinese envoy described the encounter as part of broader efforts to advance the China-Nigeria comprehensive strategic partnership under the leadership of President Xi Jinping and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “This year marks the 55th anniversary of our diplomatic ties,” Yu noted, adding that China has extended zero-tariff treatment to…

Madonna, Shakira, and K-pop superstars BTS will headline the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final, set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The performance, curated by Coldplay’s Chris Martin, mirrors the entertainment format popularised by the Super Bowl and marks a landmark moment in World Cup history. FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who announced plans for the show in March last year, described it as “a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.” The spectacle will also support FIFA’s Global Citizen Education Fund, which…