The Federal Government has approved sweeping reforms to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), introducing 11 specialised career streams, extending the orientation programme to six weeks, and restructuring how corps members are trained and deployed.   According to The PUNCH, the reforms were approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Monday, marking the first comprehensive review of the 53-year-old scheme since its establishment in 1973. Speaking after the FEC meeting in Abuja, the Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Coordination, Hadiza Bala Usman, said the revamped orientation programme will now run for six weeks and be divided into three phases. The first two weeks will focus on civic responsibility, national values and leadership development. The second phase will cover career mapping, financial literacy, business planning and access to finance, alongside a structured career day that will connect corps members with employers and other stakeholders. The final two weeks will provide specialised training based on each corps member’s selected career stream, academic background and skills. Under the new framework, corps members will choose one of 11 specialised streams during registration. They include Agric Corps, Medical Corps, Education Corps, Tech and Digital Corps, Legal Corps, Public Service Corps, Infrastructure Corps, Green Corps, Enterprise Corps, Creative Economy Corps, and Paramilitary and Security Corps. Officials said the specialised streams are intended to equip graduates with practical, career-focused skills that align with Nigeria’s workforce needs. The reforms also introduce a more security-conscious deployment process, with postings taking into account prevailing security conditions across the country. In another major change, the NYSC will now be led by a civilian, while the military will continue providing security at orientation camps nationwide. The government also approved a redesigned NYSC uniform aimed at reflecting professionalism and national pride. In addition, the traditional Passing Out Parade will be replaced with a graduation ceremony, while orientation camps nationwide will be assessed under a new grading and certification system to improve standards. The Federal Executive Council has directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and the Federal Ministry of Youth Development to amend the NYSC Act and relevant regulations to provide legal backing for the reforms.

Morocco booked their place in the FIFA World Cup last 16 after defeating the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties following a dramatic 1-1 draw after extra time in Monterrey.   The Atlas Lions will now face Canada in Houston on Saturday after goalkeeper Yassine Bounou emerged as the hero, saving Crysencio Summerville’s penalty before Ismael Saibari converted the decisive spot-kick. According to AFP, Morocco snatched extra time in dramatic fashion when Issa Diop headed home Chemsdine Talbi’s cross in the first minute of stoppage time, denying the Dutch victory at the death. The Netherlands had looked set to progress after Cody Gakpo put them ahead midway through the second half. The Liverpool forward, playing days after the reported loss of his unborn child, celebrated emotionally with teammates after finishing from Crysencio Summerville’s cross. Morocco created the better opportunities for much of the contest. Neil El Aynaoui was denied by an outstanding reflex save from Bart Verbruggen, who also tipped over a fierce effort from Achraf Hakimi before halftime. The physical encounter saw several robust challenges, with Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio frequently called into action as tensions rose between both teams. The Dutch nearly doubled their advantage, but Morocco refused to surrender. Diop’s injury-time header sent the match into extra time, where Verbruggen produced another remarkable save to deny Soufiane Rahimi from close range. The tie eventually went to penalties. Although El Aynaoui struck the crossbar with Morocco’s opening kick, Bounou’s crucial stop from Summerville allowed Saibari to seal victory and spark celebrations among the Moroccan players and supporters. The result sends Morocco into the knockout stage, where they will take on Canada for a place in the quarter-finals.

The United States military is working to reopen a major port in Venezuela as the death toll from last week’s devastating twin earthquakes has risen above 1,700, with tens of thousands of people still reported missing.   According to AFP, cited by Channels Television, US Marines are repairing the heavily damaged port in La Guaira to speed up the delivery of humanitarian aid, while American airmen have helped partially restore operations at Simon Bolivar International Airport near Caracas. Five days after the powerful 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes struck the coastal state of La Guaira, hopes of finding more survivors are fading as the critical 72-hour rescue window has passed. At a temporary morgue in La Guaira, hundreds of bodies remain in coffins and body bags awaiting identification as grieving families search for missing relatives. “There were 11 people in my household. Only two of us survived because we were at work,” survivor Wilker Molalla told AFP. Despite the grim outlook, rescuers have recorded a handful of remarkable survivals. A 21-year-old identified as Aaron Levi was pulled alive from rubble in Tanaguarena, while rescuers also investigated reports from a woman who claimed she was still trapped beneath a collapsed apartment building in Caraballeda. The United States has doubled its disaster assistance from $150 million to $300 million as international relief efforts continue. Since January, Washington has been the main international backer of Venezuela’s interim government following the removal of former president Nicolas Maduro. Authorities said 24 countries have sent 521 tonnes of humanitarian supplies, along with more than 2,700 search-and-rescue personnel and 86 specialist canine units. Officials reported that 3,150 people have been injured, while 774 buildings suffered severe damage, including 189 that completely collapsed. Public frustration has continued to grow over what many residents describe as a slow emergency response. In some affected communities, locals urged soldiers to join rescue operations, while looting has been reported in parts of La Guaira amid shortages of food, medicine and other essentials. The UN migration agency estimates that as many as 6.76 million people could require emergency shelter, healthcare, clean water, sanitation and other humanitarian assistance following one of the worst earthquake disasters in Venezuela’s history.

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has announced sweeping reforms aimed at improving the speed, efficiency and transparency of proceedings at the Supreme Court through the introduction of digital case management tools.   Speaking at the opening of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch Law Week 2026 on Monday, the CJN revealed that the Supreme Court will soon deploy a National Case Management System (NCMS) to manage cases electronically from filing to judgment, according to Channels Television. She said the new system would enhance case tracking, reduce delays, strengthen court administration and improve transparency in the justice system. Justice Kekere-Ekun also announced that the Supreme Court would unveil the Supreme Court (Mandatory Upload of Electronic Copies of Processes, Record of Appeal, and Other Matters) Practice Directions, 2026 on July 1. Under the new practice directions, lawyers will be required to upload electronic copies of court processes and appeal records in addition to the existing paper filing system. According to the CJN, the reforms will strengthen registry administration, make court documents more accessible to Justices and accelerate the determination of appeals. She stressed that the initiative goes beyond digitising existing procedures, describing it as a carefully planned effort to modernise the administration of justice while preserving constitutional values and judicial independence. Justice Kekere-Ekun also addressed the growing role of artificial intelligence in the legal profession, stating that while AI can assist with legal research and case management, it cannot replace judges in deciding cases. “Technology is an instrument of justice; it can never become its substitute,” she said, adding that the constitutional responsibility for determining rights and obligations must remain with human judges who are accountable under the law. The CJN called on lawyers, judges, lawmakers, universities and technology experts to collaborate in building a digital justice system that reflects Nigeria’s legal framework and constitutional principles. She said the reforms are expected to modernise the judiciary while boosting public confidence through faster, more transparent and accessible court services.