United States

 By Hadiza Abdulkadir

A recent viral moment featuring a popular online personality inside a WWE setting has reignited debate about the future of professional wrestling. The clip, widely shared across platforms like TikTok and Instagram, drew millions of views within hours and prompted criticism from longtime fans who questioned whether WWE is drifting away from its roots.

The discussion reflects a broader issue facing World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE): how to remain relevant in an era increasingly dominated by short-form digital content and younger audiences with changing viewing habits.

For decades, WWE built its success on long-form storytelling. Weekly television programs developed narratives over time, leading to major live events. However, audience behaviour has shifted significantly, particularly among Gen Z viewers.

Younger audiences are more likely to consume highlights rather than full broadcasts, favouring short, engaging clips over multi-hour programming. This trend has affected not only wrestling but also traditional sports and entertainment formats.

Industry observers note that this shift has forced companies like WWE to rethink how content is delivered and consumed.

In response, WWE has expanded its digital presence, focusing heavily on platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. The company now generates substantial engagement through clips, behind-the-scenes content, and shareable moments designed for online audiences.

Part of this strategy includes collaborations with influencers and internet personalities to attract viewers who may not traditionally follow wrestling. These appearances often generate significant online traction, helping WWE reach new demographics.

Despite the increased visibility, some fans argue that WWE’s current approach prioritises virality over storytelling. Critics suggest that certain segments appear designed for social media engagement rather than long-term narrative development.

There are also concerns about authenticity. The inclusion of non-wrestling personalities in prominent roles has led some to question whether the company is diluting its core identity.

Others, however, see the shift as part of WWE’s long history of adaptation. The company has undergone multiple transformations, from the edgier “Attitude Era” of the late 1990s to the more family-oriented programming of later years.

Media analysts point out that WWE’s current strategy reflects broader industry trends, where digital reach and online engagement are increasingly important metrics of success.

As WWE continues to expand its presence across digital platforms and explore new partnerships, the debate over its direction is likely to continue.

The central question remains: is WWE moving too far from its traditional identity, or is it successfully redefining itself for a new generation of viewers?

For now, one thing is clear: professional wrestling is no longer confined to the ring. It is part of a larger, rapidly evolving digital entertainment landscape.

By Anwar Usman

The Palestinian group Hamas has urged its ally Iran to end attacks on Gulf states, while affirming Tehran’s right to defend itself against Israel and the United States in the war they launched.

Hamas on Saturday called upon its “brothers in Iran” not to target neighbouring countries, and urged the region to end the ongoing conflict that has embroiled much of the Middle East.

The group fought back against Israel’s genocidal war on Gaza following its October 7, 2023, attack, while Israel razed the besieged and bombarded enclave to the ground, killing more than 72,000, with Gulf nations, particularly Qatar, stepping in through mediation, diplomacy and aid.

Since the start of the Iran war by the US and Israel on February 28, several Gulf states in the region have reported Iranian missile and drone attacks.

Hamas said in a statement, “While affirming the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to this aggression by all available means in accordance with international norms and laws, the movement calls on the brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring countries.”

 The statement added that countries of the region should “cooperate to halt this aggression and preserve the bonds of fraternity among them”.

Iran has supported Hamas financially and militarily for decades, the group being a part of the now much-weakened so-called “axis of resistance” that includes Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis.

Last month, Gulf countries pledged more than $4bn in combined financial support to US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, signalling backing for efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The pledges were announced during the first meeting of the Board of Peace, which has gone quiet in the wake of the war, in Washington, where Qatar and Saudi Arabia each committed $1bn. Kuwait also pledged $1bn over the coming years, while the United Arab Emirates announced an additional $1.2bn in support for Gaza through the board.

Qatar, throughout the genocidal war on Gaza, also played a leading role as mediator, alongside the US and Egypt.

A US-backed “ceasefire” agreement has been in place in Gaza since October 2025, which was meant to halt Israel’s two-year onslaught that killed more than 72,000 people and injured more than 171,000 since October 2023.

Despite the “ceasefire”, however, Israeli forces have continued hundreds of violations through shelling and gunfire, killing hundreds of Palestinians.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

China has announced a $200,000 humanitarian donation to support the families of students killed in a missile strike on a school in Iran earlier in the war, according to reports by Agence France-Presse (AFP).

In a statement on Friday, China’s foreign ministry said the Chinese Red Cross Society will channel the funds through the Iranian Red Crescent Society to assist the parents of the victims.

Beijing described the incident as an “indiscriminate” missile strike carried out by the United States that resulted in the deaths of several students. The donation, officials said, will serve as emergency humanitarian assistance intended for “condolences and compensations” to the bereaved families.

China also reiterated its call for the protection of civilians, particularly children, during armed conflicts.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Venezuela’s opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has said she would consider giving her Nobel Peace Prize to former U.S. President Donald Trump, drawing swift clarification from the Nobel Institute that such a move would not be possible.

Machado made the remark during a public discussion about international support for Venezuela’s democratic struggle, suggesting Trump’s foreign policy pressure on Caracas deserved recognition. Her comments sparked widespread reaction on social media and prompted questions about whether a Nobel Prize can be transferred.

In response, the Nobel Institute said the rules governing the Nobel Peace Prize are clear and final: once awarded, the prize cannot be given, reassigned, or donated to another individual. “The decision is final,” the institute said, underscoring that the prize is granted solely to the named laureate, to her in this case.

Machado, a former National Assembly member, was barred by authorities aligned with Nicolas Maduro from running in Venezuela’s 2024 general election.

She backed a stand‑in candidate widely considered to have won the vote, although Maduro claimed victory. Ballot audits by independent observers revealed irregularities in the official results.

US President Donald J. Trump has renewed his long-standing claim that he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize, arguing that his actions strengthened NATO and prevented wider war in Europe.

In a social media post, Trump said Norway—a NATO member and host country of the Nobel Peace Prize committee—“foolishly” failed to award him the prize, despite what he described as ending multiple wars and forcing NATO allies to increase defence spending. He claimed his leadership deterred Russia and elevated U.S. global standing.

Trump concluded by asserting that NATO depends primarily on American military strength, crediting his presidency for rebuilding U.S. power and saving millions of lives.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A directive from BBC News editors instructing journalists not to describe the arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro as a “kidnapping” has sparked controversy, placing the broadcaster at odds with U.S. President Donald Trump’s own terminology.

Socialist commentator Owen Jones revealed an internal BBC memo on X, which stated that while journalists could use “captured” (if attributed to U.S. sources) or “seized,” they must “Avoid using ‘Kidnapped.’

“This editorial guidance clashes with comments from President Trump. When asked about Venezuelan Interim President Delcy Rodríguez’s use of the term “kidnapping” for Maduro’s detention, Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One, “It’s alright. It’s not a bad term.”

Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, pleaded not guilty in a New York court to narco-terrorism and cocaine importation conspiracy charges.

During the hearing, Maduro declared he was “kidnapped” and “a prisoner of war,” while Flores asserted her status as Venezuela’s first lady.

Following the operation, Delcy Rodríguez, Maduro’s former vice president, was sworn in as Venezuela’s new leader in Caracas. Trump asserted the U.S. was now “in charge” of Venezuela, warning its interim government to cooperate or pay a “very big price.”

By Maryam Ahmad

Democrat Zohran Mamdani has made history after being sworn in as the first Muslim mayor of New York City, marking a significant milestone in the city’s political and cultural landscape.

The swearing-in ceremony, held at City Hall, drew city officials, community leaders, and supporters from across the five boroughs. In his inaugural address, Mamdani emphasised unity, social justice, and inclusive governance, pledging to serve all New Yorkers regardless of background, faith, or political affiliation.

Mamdani’s victory has been widely celebrated by civil rights advocates and minority communities, who view his election as a reflection of New York City’s diversity and democratic spirit. Supporters say his leadership signals a new chapter focused on equity, accountability, and grassroots engagement.

As he assumes office, Mayor Mamdani faces pressing challenges, including housing affordability, public safety, and economic recovery, while carrying the expectations of a city that has once again made history.

By Maryam Ahmad

Russian President Vladimir Putin struck a defiant tone in a speech to his defence ministry, insisting that Russia’s goals in the war in Ukraine “will undoubtedly be achieved,” either through diplomacy or by “military means.”

While signalling openness to what he described as “substantive talks” with the United States, Putin dismissed European leaders in crude terms, referring to them as “little pigs” as they discuss proposals to increase funding for Ukraine.

The comments come as diplomatic activity intensifies in Europe. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to join European Union leaders in Brussels on Thursday, where discussions will focus on continued political, military and financial support for Kyiv amid the protracted conflict.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Nick Reiner, 32, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder following the deaths of his parents, filmmaker Rob Reiner and photographer Michele Singer Reiner, authorities said Sunday.

Police reported that the couple were found dead at their residence earlier in the day. Investigators have not released details about the circumstances of their deaths, citing the ongoing investigation.

Reiner was taken into custody without incident, according to law enforcement officials. He is expected to make an initial court appearance in the coming days.

Officials emphasised that the charges are allegations and that the investigation remains active. No further information was immediately available.

By Muhammad Abubakar

The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) has condemned what it describes as the “sectarian and deeply troubling” conduct of a recent United States congressional delegation to Nigeria.

In a statement issued by its Executive Chairman, Disu Kamor, MPAC faulted the visit of Congressman Riley Moore, who publicly emphasised meetings with Christian and traditional leaders during the trip, including bishops in Benue State and a Tiv traditional ruler. Moore, a vocal proponent of the claim of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, said on his X account that he came “in the name of the Lord” and held discussions on alleged Fulani-led attacks.

MPAC argued that the delegation’s failure to engage the leadership of the Nigerian Muslim community—particularly the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA)—was a deliberate snub rather than a scheduling issue. It accused the U.S. team of avoiding Muslim victims and communities affected by violence and warned that such selective engagement risked reinforcing “extreme voices and anti-Muslim narratives” within U.S. policy circles.

The organisation said the pattern of “selective listening, selective engagement, and selective outrage” threatens Nigeria’s delicate interfaith balance. It called on international partners, especially the United States, to demonstrate neutrality and ensure that foreign policy on Nigeria is not shaped by religious lobbies or sectarian biases.

MPAC reaffirmed its commitment to justice and peaceful coexistence, urging Nigerians to question why key Muslim institutions and victims were excluded from the delegation’s itinerary.