Morocco has advanced to the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 after a dramatic 3–2 penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands following a 1–1 draw in Monterrey.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Morocco vs. Netherlands

• Despite Morocco controlling significant portions of the match, Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen performed exceptionally well.

• Cody Gakpo gave the Netherlands a 72nd-minute lead by finishing a fast counter-attack, shortly after sharing personal news regarding the loss of his unborn son.

• Issa Diop equalized for Morocco in stoppage time with a header from a Chemsdine Taldi cross, forcing extra time.

• Following a crucial save by Verbruggen against Soufiane Rahimi in extra time, the match went to penalties.

• After Dutch players Justin Kluivert, Quinten Timber, and Crysencio Summerville missed their spot-kicks, Ismail Saibari scored the winning penalty.

• Morocco is now set to play Canada in Houston.

Germany vs. Paraguay

• Germany was eliminated from the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a 4–3 penalty shootout loss to Paraguay, following a 1–1 draw after extra time.

• Paraguay took a surprise lead before halftime via a Julio Enciso header, but Germany’s Kai Havertz equalized in the second half using a Florian Wirtz cross.

• A potential game-winning goal by Germany’s Jonathan Tah in extra time was disallowed due to a foul on Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill by Waldemar Anton.

• During the shootout, goalkeeper Orlando Gill saved penalties from Havertz and Nick Woltemade, while Paraguay’s Antonio Sanabria missed and Fabián Balbuena was stopped by Manuel Neuer.

• Paraguay clinched the win in sudden death when José Canale scored after Jonathan Tah missed his attempt.

• This defeat continues Germany’s struggles, as the four-time champions have failed to make a significant impact in three consecutive tournaments since their 2014 title.

• Paraguay will face either France or Sweden in the Round of 16 in Philadelphia.

Rabiu Kwankwaso, the vice-presidential candidate for the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), has called for calm among his supporters in the Kwankwasiyya group and the Obidient Movement following a recent court decision.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Context of the Legal Ruling

• Justice Isa H. Dashen of the Lokoja Judicial Division nullified a previous judgment that had ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC.

• The court’s decision was based on the claim that the Peace Movement Party, which was not included in the original lawsuit, held legal rights to the logo used by the NDC.

Kwankwaso’s Response

• Kwankwaso expressed strong disappointment, questioning how the court could base a ruling on a case involving the Peace Movement Party, which he described as a non-existent entity.

• He maintained that the NDC logo, which features a victory sign, is entirely distinct from that of the APC, a fact he argued supported the court’s initial decision to mandate registration last December.

• He highlighted that INEC had already accepted the registration, participated in NDC activities—including congresses and conventions—and chose not to appeal the initial court ruling.

• Kwankwaso characterized the judge’s decision to reverse his own prior ruling as a “huge shocker,” particularly because it stemmed from a group whose own registration application had been previously rejected by INEC.

Next Steps

• Kwankwaso stated that the NDC plans to return to court to request a stay of action and will file an appeal to ensure the party’s registration is restored.

• He urged his supporters, specifically those in the Kwankwasiyya and Obidient movements, to remain patient and law-abiding as they pursue this legal path.

Following an attack on Government Day Secondary School in Lassa, Askira/Uba Local Government Area, Borno State, a joint operation by local hunters and troops from Operation Hadin Kai led to the rescue of some abducted students and teachers.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

• After receiving a distress call, local hunters tracked the terrorists into the forest and engaged them in a gunfight.

• Vigilante sources reported that the hunters rescued eight students and two teachers, whom they subsequently transferred to the military.

• Contrarily, troops of Operation Hadin Kai stated they rescued nine students and one teacher with the assistance of the hunters.

• During the operation, the rescue team recovered motorcycles belonging to the insurgents.

• One soldier and one member of the local vigilante group were killed in the encounter.

• Military forces have deployed reinforcements and are guarding potential escape routes to locate and rescue the remaining victims.

Public Reaction to Military Response

• Local residents expressed dissatisfaction with the military’s response time, noting that the school is located near a military camp.

• One anonymous resident alleged that troops had departed their post for a patrol in a neighboring village when the attack occurred.

• The resident credited the hunters for their bravery, noting that while they successfully rescued several individuals, a female teacher remains in captivity.

• This incident has been compared to a recent abduction in Mussa village, where 42 pupils were taken after troops reportedly left their duty post.

The attack occurred during a period of ongoing military efforts to neutralize Boko Haram and ISWAP strongholds in the North-East region.