News in Brief(2023-08-31)

'Deliberate wrongdoing' among possible causes
of plane crash that killed Prigozhin: Kremlin

MOSCOW, Aug 30: The Kremlin said Wednesday that "deliberate wrongdoing" is among the possible causes of the plane crash that killed mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin last week. Speaking to reporters during his daily conference call, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov noted that "different versions" of what happened exist and "are being considered," including "let's put this way, deliberate wrongdoing." He urged reporters to wait until the probe by the Russian Investigative Committee is concluded, and said there can't be an international investigation into it. — Reuters
Deal signed to slash HIV treatment price
GENEVA, Aug 30: The Global Fund announced Wednesday a deal with generic pharmaceutical manufacturers to significantly slash the price of a cutting-edge HIV drug, in a move it said would save lives. The Global Fund, a partnership set up in 2002 to battle AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, said the agreement would make it possible to provide the advanced pill known as TLD for under $45 per person per year. "This improved pricing-a 25-percent reduction-will allow governments in resource-limited settings to expand access to critical HIV services," it said in a statement. — AFP
Lion escapes into heavy traffic in Karachi
KARACHI, Aug 30: An adult lion escaped from a private vehicle amidst heavy traffic in the southern Pakistani city of Karachi on Tuesday, causing panic for two hours before it was recaptured, police said. The lion was being transported by its owner when it escaped on the main road of the bustling port city during peak traffic hours, the police statement said. "Our teams rushed here immediately. Praise be to Allah, it is with us safely and no one is in danger now," Wildlife Inspector Mukhtyar Soomro told Reuters at the site of the lion's capture. — Reuters
Ten die in anti-UN demo in DR Congo
GOMA, Aug 30: At least 10 people were killed Wednesday in Goma, a city in eastern DR Congo, after soldiers attempted to stop a religious group's planned anti-UN protest. Moleka Maregane, a member of the group that organised the march, said that Congolese soldiers killed six people at a radio station and place of worship. Hospital officials also said they had admitted 33 wounded people, three of whom three died of their injuries. The UN peacekeeping force in the Democratic Republic of Congo, known as MONUSCO, is one of the largest and costliest in the world, with an annual budget of around $1 billion. It has been present in the country since 1999. — AFP