Covid-19: Dutch mink cull starts as coronavirus spreads to tenth farm

A mink farm is seen during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in Oploo, Netherlands AMSTERDAM, June 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Dutch mink farms have begun a government-ordered cull amid concern that animals infected with coronavirus could transmit the illness to humans.  Infected mink have been found on 10 Dutch farms where…

Covid-19: UK support for PM Johnson’s Conservatives falls as deaths rise

LONDON, June 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Three opinion polls released in Britain showed support falling for Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s Conservative Party, as public confidence in the government’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic declines. However, the figures are unlikely to be an immediate concern for Johnson, who does not need to…

Update: Mali vows to investigate after army accused of deadly village attack

Coalition of the People of Azawad (CPA) fighters BAMAKO, June 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Mali pledged to investigate claims that the army killed dozens of civilians in its conflict-riven centre, as complaints about the military’s conduct in the West African nation escalate. Some 30 people were killed and a village burnt…

Mexico governor apologises for police abuses, searches for missing people

Anarchist protestors face off against police in the Polanco neighborhood of Mexico City MEXICO CITY, June 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The governor of a Mexican state roiled by clashes between security forces and demonstrators apologised for police abuses and pledged to track down a number of people reported missing after the…

Dozens survive deadly shipwreck off Mozambique coast

MAPUTO, June 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Twelve people were reported to have died, including several children, when a boat sank in the bay of Pemba off northern Mozambique.Thirty-five people survived after swimming ashore on Wednesday.But they were then apprehended by the police on suspicion that they could be recruits to a…

Covid-19: Madagascar minister fired over $2m lollipop order

Madagascar’s education minister planned to order more than $2m worth of sweets for schoolchildren ANTANANARIVO, June 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Madagascar’s education minister has been fired over plans to order more than $2m worth of sweets for schoolchildren. Rijasoa Andriamanana said pupils would be given three lollipops each to mask the…

Czechs expel two Russian diplomats over hoax poison plot

Czech PM Andrej Babis said the Russian plot was undoubtedly a hoax PRAGUE, June 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Two Russian diplomats are being expelled by the Czech government amid a hoax poison plot against three Prague politicians. The government in Prague says infighting between Russian embassy staff resulted in one of…

Pres Trump ‘approves plan’ to withdraw US troops from Germany by September

Trump has previously complained about a lack of burden-sharing at Nato WASHINGTON, June 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — US President Donald Trump has approved a plan to withdraw 9,500 American troops from bases in Germany by September, US media say. Trump, who has long complained that European members of Nato should spend…

Four killed in Mali prison riot

BAMAKO, June 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Four prisoners in Mali’s capital Bamako have died after a “mutiny” which saw inmates break out of their cells and attack prison guards. The violence occurred on Friday while anti-government protesters were demonstrating in Bamako, according to government spokesman Yaya Sangare. “A mutiny occurred at…

OPEC, allies agree to extend deep output cuts through July

VIENNA, June 7 (NNN-AGENCIES) — OPEC members, led by Saudi Arabia, and other key oil producers agreed to extend historic output cuts through July, as oil prices tentatively recover and coronavirus lockdowns ease. The 13-member cartel and its allies, notably Russia, decided to extend by a month deep May and…