Briefly

ETHIOPIA

Tragedy report focuses on Boeing's systems

Ethiopian investigators are mostly blaming Boeing for last year's crash of a 737 Max jet shortly after takeoff, saying in an interim report on Monday that there were design failures and inadequate training for pilots. The update from Ethiopia Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau a day before the anniversary of the crash pointed to the role of a new flight-control system that Boeing installed on the 737 Max and which repeatedly pushed the nose of the plane down. All 157 people on board were killed when Ethiopia Airlines Flight 302 crashed into a field six minutes after takeoff from Addis Ababa. Every Max jet worldwide was grounded within days of that crash.

BURKINA FASO

Gunmen kill 43 in attacks on 2 villages

Gunmen killed at least 43 people in attacks on two villages in northern Burkina Faso, the government said in a statement on Monday. Armed men attacked Dinguila and Barga villages in Yatenga Province, the government said. The military was dispatched to secure the villages and at least six injured were taken to the central hospital in nearby Ouahigouya, the statement added. Government spokesman Remis Fulgance Dandjinou said he did not know who was behind the violence. A resident from Ouahigouya, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of his safety, said the attacks occurred after extremists sought shelter in the town of Dinguila.

AUSTRALIA

Over $7b spent on illicit drugs last year

Australians spend more than $7 billion on illicit drugs every year, according to a report released on Tuesday. The ninth report from Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission's National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program said Australians spent $7.4 billion on heroin, cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine in the 12 months to August last year. Of that figure, $5.6 billion, or 76 percent, was spent on 11.5 tons of methamphetamine, which is commonly known as ice. In Tasmania, consumption of ice has increased 92.5 percent in the three years, while in Queensland it has risen 75.9 percent and by 53.2 percent in Victoria.

Agencies - Xinhua