Morocco beat Nigeria on penalties to reach AFCON final against Senegal

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Goalkeeper Yassine Bounou was the hero with two saves in the shoot-out as hosts Morocco beat Nigeria 4-2 on penalties to set up an Africa Cup of Nations final showdown this weekend with Senegal after a tense last-four clash on Wednesday finished 0-0 at the end of extra time. Bounou saved from Samuel Chukwueze and brilliantly from Bruno Onyemaechi, allowing Youssef En-Nesyri to convert the winning kick and spark wild celebrations inside the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in Rabat. Morocco will now play Senegal on Sunday after the Lions of Teranga defeated Mohamed Salah’s Egypt 1-0 in the other semi-final earlier thanks to a Sadio Mane goal.

FG proposes N3.23tn for federal road construction and rehabilitation in 2026 budget

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The Federal Government has proposed spending 3.2 trillion naira on the construction and rehabilitation of federal roads in the 2026 budget, a sharp increase aimed at completing long-delayed highways and repairing key corridors nationwide. The allocation marks a nearly four hundred and eighty-nine percent rise compared to the five hundred and forty-eight point five billion naira set aside for road projects in 2024, and more than triples the one trillion naira provided in the 2025 budget for four hundred and sixty-eight federal roads. Officials say the move reflects the government’s renewed commitment to fast-track inherited projects

INEC announces February 9 start for IVED rotational movement across Oyo registration areas

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Away from that, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Oyo State chapter has announced February 9th, 2026, as the start of the rotational movement of Voter Enrolment Device (IVED) machines across all three hundred and fifty-one registration areas in the state.
Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Adeniran Tella, said that the exercise marks the second phase of Continuous Voter Registration, aimed at expanding access to voter enrolment and strengthening voter education, stakeholder engagement, and political party regulation.
Professor Tella emphasized INEC’s commitment to safeguarding its autonomy and delivering credible elections. He added that security agencies, traditional leaders, and stakeholders would help ensure effective information dissemination and safety.
He also noted that registration venues for the 50-day rotational schedule would be posted across each Local Government Area, and the commission’s website remains unchanged.

Oyo State Police assure residents of security amid bandit threat reports and patrol surge

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The Oyo State Police Command has assured residents of adequate security amid concerns about alleged bandit activities. In an interview with Dominion News, Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Olayinka Ayanlade stated that there is no confirmed report of bandits in the state. He said the command is working with other security agencies to monitor the situation and protect lives and property. DSP Olayinka urged residents to remain calm and avoid panic, promising that security measures will be further strengthened to ensure the safety of all citizens.

Federal Government replaces 2009 pact with fresh ASUU agreement in Abuja

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The Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have signed a new agreement aimed at improving the quality and stability of Nigeria’s university education system.
The agreement, which replaces the 2009 pact that led to repeated industrial actions, was signed at the TETFund Conference Hall in Maitama, Abuja.
Dignitaries at the event included the Minister of Education, Doctor Maruf Alausa, and the Minister of State for Education, Professor Suwaiba Ahmad.
ASUU President, Professor Chris Piwuna, said the union remains hopeful that the Federal Government will honour the new agreement without the need for strike threats.

FG honours Nigerian Army personnel for gallantry and service at Armed Forces gala night

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The Federal Government has honoured serving and retired Nigerian Army personnel for gallantry and service at the 2026 Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day Gala Night in Abuja.
According to the Army, the late Brigadier General Musa Uba received a Gallantry Award for leading troops during counter-insurgency operations in Borno State before he was killed in a terrorist ambush in November 2025.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, received the Service and Sacrifice Award.
The President reaffirmed the government’s support for the military and announced new initiatives to honour serving personnel and veterans.

Real Madrid appoints Alvaro Arbeloa as new head coach after Xabi Alonso departs

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New Real Madrid coach, Alvaro Arbeloa, has disclosed that his priority is to return the club to their winning ways.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of today’s Copa del Rey clash against Albacete, Arbeloa stated that success is the most important thing for the record fifteen-time European champions.
The 42-year-old former defender who was appointed to replace Xabi Alonso, after Real Madrid lost the Spanish Super Cup final against rivals Barcelona on Sunday, said he is positive of adding more trophies to Real Madrid’s cabinet.

Trump warns US will take very strong action if Iran executes protesters amid violent crackdown

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President Donald Trump has sternly posited that the United States will take very strong action against Iran if it executes protesters, after earlier telling Iranians help is on the way.
It comes as relatives of 26-year-old Erfan Soltani, who was detained last week, said he was due to be executed today, tallying with over 2,400 anti-government demonstrators who have been killed in a violent crackdown by Iranian authorities.
Recall that Trump had earlier announced 25% tariffs on any country trading with Iran. However, Iran’s government has accused the US of seeking to manufacture a pretext for military intervention, warning that the move will fail.

Northeastern Thailand train derails after crane falls from construction site

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At least twenty-two people have been killed after a construction crane fell on top of a moving train carriage carrying at least one hundred and ninety-five people from Bangkok to a province in northeastern Thailand.
According to official records, the disaster left at least eighty people injured. Meanwhile, the governor of the State Railway of Thailand has been ordered to thoroughly and comprehensively investigate the cause of the accident.
According to local reports, deadly construction accidents are not uncommon in Thailand, due to poor enforcement of standards and regulations.

Tunisian appeal court reduces sentence and orders release of journalist Chatha Belhaj Mubarak

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A Tunisian appeal court has reduced the prison sentence and ordered the release of a journalist, Chatha Belhaj Mubarak, who has been jailed since 2023 over a conspiracy case.
She was convicted in the so-called Instalingo case, which involved politicians, media figures and other defendants accused of conspiracy and financial crimes, to which Belhaj denied. Her family said her health had severely deteriorated during her time in prison, with activist laying strong accusations against the government.
However, Tunisian authorities have rejected accusations by opposition groups that the prosecutions were politically motivated, arguing that the case stemmed from judicial investigations into alleged financial and security-related offenses.