Author: damazah@gmail.com

The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced the approved fares for the 2027 Hajj, with pilgrims from the northern and southern zones expected to pay between ₦7.67 million and ₦7.88 million. In a statement by its management on Friday in Abuja, the commission said the federal government approved the fares after consultations with state pilgrims’ welfare boards and service providers in Saudi Arabia, and after considering prevailing exchange rates and the cost of services for the pilgrimage. Under the new arrangement, pilgrims departing from Maiduguri and Yola will pay ₦7,560,822, while those from the northern zone will pay…

The Trump administration, in its appeal to the supreme court today, said that “this case involves an extraordinary and unlawful injunction that will halt the ongoing construction of the integrated military complex including a totally secure ballroom space, at the East Wing of the White House, which is vitally required by national security.”It’s worth noting that the appeals court ruling blocks the above-ground construction of the ballroom, but would allow the work on the underground security structure to continue.However, the government argues that “every part” of the project is “an integrated whole geared toward remedying security deficiencies and bringing critical…

Activists have tried to delivered supplies to Palestinians whose homes in the occupied West Bank have been besieged for days by Israeli settlers.The group left water and food near one of the houses in Qusra where two Palestinian families have been trapped since Sunday, with their power and water supplies cut off.Two of the residents said Israeli forces had prevented the activists from delivering the aid directly to them, and the supplies had to be left outside. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) denied this.Also on Friday, a number of settlers returned to set up a tent near the site -…

Dike Onwuamaeze The Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) of the Nigerian Economic Society Group has reported expansionary business activities in agriculture, manufacturing, Trade, Services and the non-manufacturing industries in July.  The BCM said that Nigeria’s business environment recorded stronger expansion in July 2026 as its Current Business Performance Index (CBPI) stood at 108.6 points, up from 104.6 points in June 2026.   It said: “In July 2026, Nigeria’s business environment recorded stronger expansion, as the overall CBPI accelerated to 108.6 points from 104.6 points in June 2026. It also represents an uptick from 105.4 points in July 2025. Further breakdown indicates…

Although the prompt injection attack seems ineffective at this point, Spader warned that prompt injection “was not among the dangers we contemplated” when courts were first grappling with AI scrambling justice systems. In Connecticut, like many other court systems, the focus so far has been on policing AI outputs that damage trust in courts, like hallucinated citations or fabricated quotes, not inputs like prompt injections. Courts will most likely need to draft rules around prompt injection, too, Spader suggested, since Elliott’s case shows the technology and its misuses are rapidly advancing. If not, attorneys may find their own clients using…

Nigel Farage didn’t attend the count of the byelection he forced upon Clacton. Instead, Reform UK’s leader celebrated his win with supporters at a “Farage Fest”, filmed by a friendly TV channel. For a politician who claims to speak for the people, it was telling that at his triumph he preferred an audience of believers.Mr Farage won because his toughest opponent on the campaign trail was a comedian in a jumpsuit with a bin on his head. That Count Binface nevertheless won 27% of the vote captured the absurdity of a contest the main parties had boycotted as a Faragist…

Chemical inhibition of Plasmodium plasmepsin proteins offers a new path for drug-based malaria vaccination

Super Falcons coach Justine Madugu has apologised for his team’s failure to qualify for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, admitting that defensive errors and poor finishing contributed to their painful 2-1 loss to South Africa. Madugu spoke after the Falcons loss to Banyana Banyana in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) play-off at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco on Thursday. The result ended Nigeria’s hopes of reaching the 2027 World Cup and brought their historic run of qualifying for every edition of the tournament to an end. “I have to apologise to Nigerians over our…

Eavis was on the PM programme on Friday to discuss arts funding and her hopes that new Prime Minister Andy Burnham will back music education in schools and the “crumbling” smaller music venues where many future Glastonbury headliners start out.”I’m really hoping that Andy Burnham gets right behind the arts,” she said. “Obviously, we’re a nation of makers and creators and vision makers and world changers, and it’s what we do so so well.”And I really am hoping that he will recognise the arts and music as being a huge asset to Britain. It’s what we do best, it is…

In a business environment where success is often measured by commercial achievements, Dr. Chinonso Lilian Osuofia stands out for combining enterprise with a strong commitment to humanity. As Director and Chief Executive Officer of Jigsimur International (Jigsimur Zdex Ltd), she has built a reputation as an entrepreneur and business leader whose journey is defined by resilience, purpose and service. Beyond her achievements in business, her philanthropic engagements continue to reflect a belief that true success is best measured by the lives positively impacted along the way. Precious Ugwuzor writes  Dr. Chinonso Lilian Osuofia, Director and Chief Executive Officer of Jigsimur International (Jigsimur…