News in Brief(2023-09-01)

Prigozhin spoke about his security
in newly surfaced video
MOSCOW, Aug 31: A newly released video of Russian mercenary boss Yevgeny Prigozhin purports to show him in Africa only days before his death, addressing speculation about his wellbeing and possible threats to his security. "For those who are discussing whether I'm alive or not, how I'm doing - right now it's the weekend, second half of August 2023, I'm in Africa," Prigozhin says in the short video published by the Grey Zone Telegram channel which is linked to his Wagner Group. "So for people who like to discuss wiping me out, or my private life, how much I earn or whatever else - everything's ok," he adds with a wave of his hand. Reuters was not able to verify the location or the date of the video, which was filmed in a moving vehicle. —Reuters
Xi likely to skip G20 summit in India
BEIJING, Aug 31: Chinese President Xi Jinping is likely to skip a summit of G20 leaders in India next week, sources familiar with the matter in India and China told Reuters. Two Indian officials, one diplomat based in China and one official working for the government of another G20 country said Premier Li Qiang is expected to represent Beijing at the Sept 9-10 meeting in New Delhi. Spokespersons for the Indian and Chinese foreign ministries did not respond to requests for comment. The summit in India had been viewed as a venue at which Xi may meet with US President Joe Biden, who has confirmed his attendance, as the two superpowers seek to stabilise relations soured by a range of trade and geopolitical tensions.
—Reuters
Six Ukrainian soldiers killed in copter crash
KYIV, Aug 31: Six Ukrainian soldiers were killed when two military helicopters crashed on a combat mission in the country's east on Tuesday, state investigators said Thursday. "Two Mi-8 military helicopters crashed during a combat mission. Six servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine died," the State Bureau of Investigation said in a statement, adding that its probe was examining possible safety breaches during or in preparation for the flight. —AFP
Thaksin applies for royal pardon
BANGKOK, Aug 31 (AFP): Thailand's jailed former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra has requested a royal pardon, a government minister said Thursday. The 74-year-old billionaire, twice elected PM and ousted in a 2006 military coup, was sent to prison last week immediately after returning to the kingdom from 15 years of self-exile. His homecoming coincided with his Pheu Thai party returning to government in alliance with several pro-military parties, sparking widespread speculation of a deal to cut his jail time. Caretaker justice minister Wissanu Krea-ngam said Thaksin had applied for a pardon from the eight-year jail term he is serving for convictions for graft and abuse of power. —AFP
Train kills 5 rail workers in Italy
ROME, Aug 31: Five railway workers died after being hit by a train during overnight maintenance on a track in northern Italy, prompting shock and outrage Thursday. The train, which was transporting empty carriages on the Milan-Turin line, was reportedly travelling at 160 kilometres (99 miles) per hour when it struck the team replacing parts of the track near Brandizzo, on the outskirts of Turin. RFI, the company which manages Italy's rail network, confirmed five maintenance workers employed by an external contractor had died after a train "not in commercial service" hit them shortly before midnight. In a statement, it expressed its "deep sorrow" at the deaths of the workers and offered condolences to their families, adding that investigations were underway into the incident. —AFP
15 perish in Philippine factory fire
MANILA, Aug 31: A fire killed 15 people Thursday in a small apparel factory in a Philippine residential area, where firefighters were delayed by flooding, traffic and a wrong address, a fire protection official. Most of the victims appeared to be factory workers and carpenters who were sleeping in rooms when the fire broke out Thursday morning. Some were found dead on an aisle outside the rooms and the factory owner and his child were among the dead, Chief Superintendent Nahum Tarroza of the Bureau of Fire Protection said. Three people survived with injuries by jumping off the second floor of the two-story factory in panic, Tarroza said. The three were taken to a hospital. —AP