Jihadists Massacre, China Thaws, Sewage Flows, England Seeks Calm.

Jihadist attacks in Nigeria, a sewage crisis in New Zealand, a diplomatic shift between China and Canada, and the upcoming T20 World Cup in India are among the top news stories. Additionally, Thailand is preparing for elections amid border disputes.

In Nigeria, a village chief recounted the terror of a recent jihadist massacre in Kwara state, where attackers killed his sons and kidnapped his wife and daughters. According to The Guardian, Umar Bio Salihu, the local head of Woro, described how gunmen "just came in and started shooting." The attack occurred earlier in the week, leaving the community reeling from the violence.

Meanwhile, in Wellington, New Zealand, an environmental disaster unfolded as millions of liters of untreated sewage flowed into the sea due to a wastewater treatment plant failure. Residents were advised not to enter the water, collect seafood, or walk their dogs on local beaches, as reported by The Guardian. Local authorities have described the situation as a major environmental concern.

In a potential sign of improved relations, China overturned the death sentence of Canadian Robert Lloyd Schellenberg, according to a Canadian official cited by The Guardian. Schellenberg was detained on drug charges in 2014, and his case became a point of contention as Canada-China ties soured in 2018. The move is seen as a possible step towards a diplomatic thaw.

The sports world is also focused on the upcoming T20 World Cup, with England preparing for the tournament. Al Jazeera reported that England is among the frontrunners to win the title. The team will play Nepal at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, India, on Sunday, February 8, at 3pm (09:30 GMT).

Thailand is also preparing for a nationwide election on Sunday, with the country's border dispute with Cambodia casting a shadow over the proceedings. Brief but deadly armed clashes occurred last May on a disputed section of the Thai-Cambodia border, escalating into the deadliest fighting in a decade between the two countries, according to Al Jazeera. The election is taking place amid this ongoing tension.