NIGERIA: Nine people have been killed in an attack by suspected Islamist extremists in Geidam in the north-eastern state of Yobe.

Resident Babagana Umar said: “They burned down a school before storming a local alcohol and relaxation joint.

The terrorists shot at some persons and then tied others’ hands from behind and slit their throats.”

The attack was attributed to Boko Haram. At least 15 people have been killed in similar attacks this week.

POLAND: Emergency crews worked yesterday to pump air into a mine to lower methane levels and allow a search for trapped miners to resume.

Methane explosions in the Pniowek mine killed five people on Wednesday and injured 25, nine of whom are in very serious condition. Two miners were still unaccounted for when a second blast trapped five rescuers.

AFGHANISTAN: At least 10 people were killed yesterday in bomb attacks that appeared to target Shi’ite Muslims.

The worst of the three attacks occurred in northern Mazar-e-Sharif where at least 10 worshippers were killed as they knelt in prayer, said Dr Ghawsuddin Anwari, head of the main hospital.

A bomb in a Shi’ite neighbourhood of Kabul wounded two children and a third hit a vehicle in Kunduz, with casualties unknown. Islamic State has been blamed.

WORLD: The World Health Organisation said Covid-19 cases have declined by almost a quarter over the last week, falling in every single region.

The countries with the highest case numbers were South Korea, France and Germany, while the highest death toll was in the United States (3,706) followed by Russia (1,784) and South Korea (1,671).

The UN agency said figures should be treated with caution as many countries were taking fewer tests.