The FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals get underway on Thursday with a highly anticipated clash between France and Morocco, as the tournament enters its decisive stage.   According to AFP, via Channels Television, France face Morocco at Gillette Stadium near Boston in a repeat of their 2022 World Cup semi-final. The French side have been among the standout teams of the tournament and are aiming to move a step closer to another world title. The match also carries added significance for France coach Didier Deschamps, who is set to step down after the tournament, ending a successful 14-year spell in charge. However, the World Cup-winning coach insisted his focus remains solely on overcoming Morocco rather than reflecting on his legacy. Deschamps also brushed aside concerns surrounding the appointment of Argentinian referee Facundo Tello, despite speculation on social media given the possibility of France meeting Argentina in the final. Morocco, under coach Mohamed Ouahbi, have impressed with a balanced blend of technical quality, physical strength and tactical discipline. Deschamps acknowledged the challenge ahead, describing the Atlas Lions as a team capable of matching France in possession, attacking football and goalscoring. The winner of Thursday’s contest will advance to the semi-finals to face either European champions Spain or Belgium, who meet on Friday in Los Angeles. Elsewhere, defending champions Argentina continue their title defence against Switzerland after surviving a dramatic scare against Egypt in the last 16. Lionel Messi inspired a remarkable comeback as Argentina recovered from two goals down to claim a 3-2 victory. The winner of Argentina’s quarter-final will take on either England or Norway. England reached the last eight after defeating co-hosts Mexico 3-2, while Norway booked their place thanks to a brace from Erling Haaland in a 2-0 victory over Brazil. The expanded 48-team tournament has produced 280 goals in 96 matches, with only eight nations now remaining in contention for the trophy ahead of the July 19 final in East Rutherford.

The Federal Government has expressed condolences to the government and people of China following the devastating landslide that struck Tanchang County in Gansu Province, killing at least 21 people.   In a statement issued on Wednesday, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the country was deeply saddened by the disaster, which occurred on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, and extended sympathies to the bereaved families and all those affected. “Nigeria mourns the loss of lives in this disaster, which has claimed at least 21 lives, with others affected amid the rescue operations,” the ministry said. It added that Nigeria’s thoughts and prayers were with the families of the victims, the injured and those who lost loved ones or property in the incident. The Federal Government also commended the swift response of Chinese authorities and emergency rescue teams, praising their efforts to save lives and provide relief to affected communities. Reaffirming the strong bilateral ties between both countries, the ministry noted that Nigeria and China share a long-standing strategic partnership founded on mutual respect, friendship and cooperation. “Nigeria stands in solidarity with China during this difficult time, and we are confident in the resilience of the Chinese people and government as they work towards recovery and rehabilitation in the affected areas,” the statement added. Chinese state media reported that the landslide occurred in Rencang village, Dangchang County, at about 6:56 a.m. on Tuesday, burying dozens of people. Search and rescue operations have since concluded, with authorities confirming 21 fatalities. The Chinese government has reportedly allocated 30 million yuan (about $4.4 million) for reconstruction efforts in the affected area. The landslide came amid a wave of severe weather across China. On the same day, heavy storms and flooding in southern and central parts of the country killed around 17 people and injured hundreds more.

Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has said governors and local government chairmen should be held accountable whenever kidnappings occur in their states, arguing that responsibility for local security and governance extends beyond the Federal Government.   Speaking on The Morayo Podcast Show, Bwala responded to questions on the Federal Government’s handling of the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oyo State, as well as the country’s worsening security situation. He maintained that every kidnapping occurs within a state and local government area, making state and local authorities directly answerable. Bwala pointed to the Federal Government’s Save the School Initiative, which he said provided funds to states for perimeter fencing, early warning systems and other school security measures. He challenged Nigerians to demand accountability from their governors over how those funds were utilised. The presidential aide also alleged that local governments were being denied direct access to funds meant for them. Citing Oyo State as an example, he claimed some local government areas were entitled to hundreds of millions of naira monthly, funds he said could strengthen primary healthcare, education, local vigilante operations and welfare programmes if released directly. He criticised what he described as a culture of relying solely on the Federal Government, urging citizens to organise town hall meetings and use the media to hold local government officials accountable for public spending. According to Bwala, Nigeria’s constitutional structure does not give the President authority to compel governors to act, noting that President Bola Tinubu could only encourage state governments rather than dictate to them. On the Oyo school abduction, where the victims have reportedly spent more than 50 days in captivity, Bwala said the government’s priority was to secure their safe release. He stressed that any rescue operation must prioritise the lives of the hostages, warning that a forceful approach could endanger those being held.

A suspected terrorist attack has left one soldier dead and key public facilities destroyed in Logomani community, Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State, following a coordinated assault on a military base and surrounding civilian infrastructure.   According to Punch, suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP fighters launched the attack late Tuesday night, targeting the Forward Operating Base in Logomani before setting fire to a police outpost, a primary healthcare centre and two classrooms at a local primary school. The Acting Military Information Officer for Headquarters Joint Task Force North-East, Operation Hadin Kai, Capt. Muhammed Goni, confirmed the attack in a statement issued on Thursday. He said troops successfully repelled the assault despite the insurgents briefly breaching part of the base’s defensive perimeter. “Troops rapidly regrouped, mounted a determined counter-offensive and decisively expelled the attackers, inflicting significant casualties and forcing the surviving terrorists to flee with varying degrees of gunshot wounds,” the statement said. The military, however, confirmed that one soldier was killed during the fierce exchange, while two gun trucks and other combat equipment were damaged. Goni added that the base remains under the control of Operation Hadin Kai troops, with reinforcements deployed, exploitation operations ongoing and additional defensive measures being implemented. Residents told Punch that the attackers fired sporadically, forcing people to flee before torching public facilities. “We all left the community during the attack. The terrorists were very sophisticated. After they overpowered the Army, they entered the school and burnt down two classrooms. They also attacked a police outpost and a hospital, which they burnt down,” one resident, who requested anonymity, said. A local security source said a combined team of military personnel, police officers and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force pursued the fleeing insurgents after the attack. Meanwhile, the Executive Chairman of Ngala Local Government Council, Mala Tijjani Ngala, visited the affected community on Wednesday to assess the damage. During the inspection of the destroyed police outpost, healthcare centre and school, the council chairman said his findings would be forwarded to the Borno State Government for urgent intervention. He also urged residents to remain calm and continue cooperating with security agencies.