Geneva reduces threat level
AFP, Geneva
Authorities in Geneva have lowered the terror alert level raised earlier this month following intelligence about a specific threat in the Swiss canton, a statement said on Monday.
Geneva police on December 10 announced a manhunt for potential ISIS group sympathisers and beefed up security at key locations, amid reports that US intelligence had identified a jihadist cell in the area.
The Geneva security services “have decided to return to the level of vigilance in force before December 10,” a statement from the cantonal government said.
During the period of heightened alert, strategic locations were under round-the-clock watch, while the United Nations European headquarters, known as the Palais des Nations, had added security by UN guards.
48 killed in Nigeria bombings
Reuters, Nigeria
At least 48 people were killed in suicide attacks and bombings on Monday in two cities in northern Nigeria where the jihadist Boko Haram group is waging a six-year campaign to create an Islamic state, officials and residents said.
The attacks came a day after the army fought Boko Haram militants west of Maiduguri, capital of Borno state and birthplace of their insurgency in the northeast of Africa’s most populous country.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility but the blasts bore the hallmarks of the group, whose insurgency has killed thousands and displaced some 2.1 million people in the region.
