News in Brief -(20-07-2019)

Mob kills three on suspicion of cattle theft in India

NEW DELHI, July 20: A mob beat to death three men suspected of trying to steal cattle in India's eastern state of Bihar, police said on Friday, the latest in a spate of attacks that have provoked alarm among religious minorities. In recent years angry mobs have lynched many people from marginalised groups in India, especially Muslims and the Dalits who occupy the lowest rung of the ancient caste system, often over suspicions of cow slaughter. The three men were caught by some villagers early on Friday while trying to load cattle on a pickup truck, police official Har Kishore Rai said. "They were trying to load a buffalo and a calf when some villagers woke up and took the three into their custody and beat them up," he said, adding that the men had died. — Reuters

African swine fever under control in China

BEIJING, July 19: China's African swine fever outbreaks have been effectively contained, with recovery seen in both hog production and sales, the country's agriculture ministry said Friday. China has reported 48 outbreaks of African swine fever so far this year, with a significant decrease in the monthly average, said Wei Baigang, an official with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, at a press conference. The country has lifted blockade orders in 24 provincial-level regions in which the epidemic had been contained, Wei said. China reported its first case of the disease in August 2018 in the northeastern province of Liaoning. Later outbreaks were reported in several other provincial regions. — Xinhua

Powerful earthquake hits Athens

ATHENS, July 20: A strong earthquake has shaken the Greek capital of Athens, knocking out phone networks and power in parts of the city. The earthquake was registered at 5.1 magnitude with an epicentre about 22km (14 miles) north-west of Athens. Athenians ran out into the streets and evacuated tall buildings as the tremor shook the capital for some 15 seconds. There were no reports of serious injuries but several aftershocks have been felt. — BBC