*) Kidnappers release all schoolgirls abducted from Nigeria's Zamfara

All 279 Nigerian students kidnapped from their boarding school in Zamfara state have been released.

Authorities initially said 317 girls were abducted by hundreds of gunmen from the school in remote Jangebe village on Friday.

But Zafara Governor Dr Bello Matawalle confirmed that the total number of female students abducted and released is 279.

*) US urges Saudi Arabia to disband force behind Khashoggi killing

The US State Department has urged Saudi Arabia to disband an elite unit that Washington sanctioned over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

A declassified US report concluded Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman approved the killing of Khashoggi. However, the US has not sanctioned him.

The Biden administration is trying to tip the balance of power towards Washington in its ties with the kingdom, a longtime US beneficiary and benefactor.

*) WHO says world won’t vanquish virus this year

The World Health Organization has warned that it is unrealistic to think the world will be done with Covid-19 pandemic by the end of this year.

The coronavirus pandemic has killed over 2.5 million people and infected 115 million globally.

Meanwhile, Turkey has lifted weekend lockdowns in low-and medium-risk cities.

*) Armenia PM says ready for early elections

Armenia’s embattled Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan says he is ready to hold early elections to end the country's political crisis.

Pashinyan has been under fire for his handling of last year’s disastrous war with Azerbaijan, facing calls for his resignation by the military's top brass.

With Pashinyan accusing the military of an attempted coup, political uncertainty is threatening to set off a power struggle in the ex-Soviet republic.

And finally…

*) Police search Barcelona clubs offices, make several arrests

Spain's police have raided the offices of football club Barcelona and arrested several people, six days after the club’s presidential elections.

Local media said one of those arrested was former club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.

The raids were reportedly carried out in connection with last year’s “Barcagate” that saw a smear campaign against club players and officials.