AFP, Odisha
A landmine blast killed four policemen in southeastern India on Wednesday, a senior officer said, with Maoist rebels suspected of being behind the latest attack in the restive region.
A vehicle carrying 13 police officers hit the landmine as it travelled through Koraput district near the border between Odisha and Andhra Pradesh states.
Local police chief S Shyni told AFP that a “security operation is under way” but did not provide further details.
Philippines to shut half of mines
Reuters, Manila
The Philippines ordered the closure on Thursday of 23 mines, mainly nickel producers that account for about half of output in the world’s top nickel ore supplier, in a government campaign to fight environmental degradation by the industry. Manila also suspended operations at another five mines, including the country’s top gold mine operated by Australia’s Oceanagold Corp, as Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Regina Lopez vowed to put the public’s welfare above mining revenues.
Five Libyan forces killed in Benghazi
Reuters, Benghazi
Five East Libyan force soldiers were killed in clashes with Islamist-led rivals holed up on the edge of a recently recaptured district of Benghazi, a military spokesman said.
Forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar, head of the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA), have been fighting Islamists and other opponents in Benghazi since 2014. They have secured most of the city, but have suffered heavy casualties as they try to gain control of a final few areas.
Romanian minister resigns after protests
Reuters, Bucharest
A Romanian cabinet minister resigned on Thursday over a government decree that could effectively amnesty dozens of officials accused of corruption, a move that has triggered countrywide protests.
More than 250,000 Romanians came out in protest late on Wednesday, in the biggest anti-corruption demonstration since the fall of communism in Romania in 1989.
