Spain’s World Cup-winning squad received a rapturous welcome in Madrid on Monday as an estimated two million fans lined the streets to celebrate their 2026 FIFA World Cup triumph.   The open-top bus parade saw jubilant supporters dressed in Spain’s red and yellow colours pack the city’s main roads before the team arrived at the iconic Cibeles Square for a night of celebrations. Players, some shirtless and others carrying drinks, waved the World Cup trophy to cheering crowds after returning from the United States, where Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 after extra time in Sunday’s final. Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal, securing Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title after their maiden success in 2010. Coach Luis de la Fuente and his players were introduced individually on stage, each walking out to their chosen music while wearing “We are champions” shirts. Pop star Shakira praised the champions in a recorded video message, saying Spain had shown the world “what it is to work together, with one mind and one heart.” De la Fuente described his squad as “the best in the world” and urged supporters to remember that “together we are stronger.” Earlier in the day, King Felipe VI and the Spanish royal family welcomed the team before Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez hosted the champions at the Moncloa Palace. Captain Rodri, who proudly held the World Cup trophy as the squad landed in Madrid, described the triumph as the greatest achievement of his career. “I’ve always said it, winning with your country is the most beautiful thing there is, above all a World Cup,” the Manchester City midfielder said. Prime Minister Sánchez celebrated Spain’s perfect record in World Cup finals and expressed hope the nation could claim a third title in 2030 when Spain co-hosts the tournament alongside Portugal and Morocco. Spain also became the first country to simultaneously hold both the men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup titles after the women’s team’s 2023 triumph. Meanwhile, Argentina captain Lionel Messi admitted the defeat would be difficult to overcome, writing on Instagram that “the pain is immense” while congratulating Spain on their victory.

Britain’s new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, has moved quickly to assert his authority by reshuffling his cabinet, removing several allies of predecessor Keir Starmer and unveiling plans for a 10-year programme aimed at tackling the country’s cost-of-living crisis.   According to AFP, published by Channels Television, Burnham assumed office on Monday after formally being invited by King Charles III to form a government following Starmer’s departure. The 56-year-old immediately began work by holding separate telephone conversations with US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky before announcing his new ministerial team. Burnham pledged to rebuild Britain’s industrial base, decentralise power from Westminster and end rough sleeping, describing his administration as the beginning of “a new political model” focused on creating “a new economy”. As part of the cabinet overhaul, former Defence Secretary John Healey was appointed finance minister, Ed Miliband became foreign secretary, Angela Rayner returned to government, while Wes Streeting was named defence minister. Shabana Mahmood retained her role as interior minister to continue reforms to Britain’s asylum system. Burnham said his government would soon announce measures to ease the cost-of-living burden on households and promised greater public investment in housing and essential services. He also reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to defence and security during his first call with Trump and pledged continued support for Ukraine in a separate discussion with Zelensky. Burnham succeeds Keir Starmer after Labour lawmakers replaced him as party leader last month. Despite inheriting economic challenges, rising public debt and growing pressure from Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, Burnham said his government would focus on restoring stability and delivering long-term economic renewal. French President Emmanuel Macron was among the world leaders to congratulate Burnham, calling for renewed momentum in UK-European Union relations.

No fewer than 17 shops were destroyed after a fire swept through Sabo Market in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State in the early hours of Tuesday.   According to Punch Newspapers, the fire broke out at about 1:10 a.m. and was contained before it could spread to other parts of the market. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, through its spokesperson Olawale Afolabi, said preliminary findings indicated that the blaze started in one of the shops before spreading to adjoining stalls. LASEMA said the fire was suspected to have been caused by an electrical surge, as power supply was reportedly on when the incident occurred. Emergency responders from LASEMA and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service quickly brought the fire under control, preventing a larger disaster. A post-incident assessment showed that 17 of the 32 shops in the affected section were damaged. Provisions, groceries, foodstuffs and other goods were destroyed. Despite the losses, no deaths or injuries were recorded. The remaining shops in the affected row and nearby sections of the market were largely saved due to the swift response of emergency teams. LASEMA confirmed that recovery operations had been completed and its response team had returned to base. The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, urged traders, market leaders and residents to prioritise electrical safety by ensuring proper wiring, avoiding overloaded electrical appliances and carrying out regular inspections of electrical installations. He also encouraged residents to report emergencies through the state’s toll-free emergency numbers, 112 and 767. The incident comes just three days after a separate fire gutted a three-storey residential building in the Ikosi area of Lagos. That incident also recorded no fatalities.

Women in the Gero community of Jos South Local Government Area, Plateau State, on Monday staged a protest and barricaded part of a major highway after the bodies of two unidentified women were discovered behind the local government secretariat.   According to Punch, the bodies were found early on Monday, drawing residents to the scene and triggering outrage among women in the community, who blocked the expressway while demanding justice and a thorough investigation. A resident, Mary Loknan, confirmed the incident, saying the bodies of the two females were discovered behind the Jos South Local Government headquarters. Another resident, who spoke anonymously, said the protesters demanded answers from the government and security agencies over the circumstances surrounding the deaths. The protest disrupted traffic for several hours before security personnel, including soldiers and police officers, intervened, restored calm and reopened the affected road. A commercial driver, Ibrahim Sule, said motorists were stranded for more than an hour due to the blockade. A security operative involved in the response urged residents to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information and cooperate with investigators. As of the time of filing the report, authorities had not identified the victims or confirmed the cause of their deaths. Residents have called on the Plateau State Government and security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.