分类： world

A preliminary investigation into the fatal plane crash at Hong Kong International Airport last month has uncovered critical details about the incident. The report, released on Tuesday, indicates that the Number 4 engine of the Boeing 747 aircraft accelerated unexpectedly after the plane touched down on October 20. The aircraft, operated by Turkey-based ACT Airlines and leased by Emirates, skidded upon landing, colliding with a security patrol car and plunging both vehicles into the sea. Tragically, the two workers in the car lost their lives, while the four crew members on the plane escaped unharmed. The Transport and Logistics Bureau confirmed that flight conditions, including weather, runway status, and air traffic control, were normal prior to the accident. The Air Accident Investigation Authority classified the event as an accident, noting that the thrust lever of the Number 4 engine was in the full forward thrust position, contrary to the other engines, which were set to maximum reverse thrust. Investigators are now focusing on determining why the Number 4 engine’s thrust lever was in this position, examining potential issues with aircraft systems, engine conditions, maintenance records, and human factors. The investigation, supported by experts from Turkey’s Transport Safety Investigation Center, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board, and Boeing, aims to produce a comprehensive report within a year.

Palestinian factions, including Hamas, have strongly emphasized that any international mission in Gaza must operate under a United Nations mandate. This demand comes as the UN Security Council prepares to vote on a US-drafted resolution aimed at establishing a ‘Board of Peace’ and an international stabilization force in the Gaza Strip. The factions argue that a mission outside UN authority could lead to external domination over Palestinian decision-making and turn humanitarian aid into a tool of pressure, thereby undermining Palestinian institutions and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees. They insist that any mission must coordinate exclusively with official Palestinian institutions to avoid compromising Palestinian sovereignty. Additionally, the groups are calling for international mechanisms to hold Israel accountable for its violations of the ceasefire agreement, including the humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s control of Gaza’s crossings. The US-drafted resolution, which follows a recent ceasefire brokered by the US, includes provisions for a potential future Palestinian state and the disarmament of Hamas. However, experts like Arhama Siddiqa of the Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad argue that the resolution fails to address the core issue of Israel’s occupation and the denial of Palestinian self-determination, making it unlikely to gain credibility on the ground.

In a bid to mend strained relations, experts and media leaders from India and China have emphasized the need to bridge the communication gap between the two nations. The call was made during a special plenary session at the 31st annual conference of the Asian Media Information and Communication Centre, held in Mumbai in October. The session focused on promoting dialogue to improve bilateral ties, with participants stressing the importance of rebuilding trust to reduce negative perceptions. Padma Rani, a senior professor at the Manipal Institute of Communication, highlighted the role of multilateral organizations like BRICS, G20, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation in aligning views on global issues. She advocated for consistent dialogue and non-official exchanges between experts, think tanks, and civil society members to address the trust deficit. Wang Xiangwei, a professor at Hong Kong Baptist University, reflected on the cultural differences in communication styles between the two nations, noting that these differences could serve as bridges rather than barriers. He lamented the lack of accredited journalists in each other’s countries, which has led to negative portrayals in the media. Biplab Loho Choudhury, chairman of the Indian Communication Congress, recalled Rabindranath Tagore’s vision of a ‘common Asian viewpoint’ and urged the two nations to embrace an Asian way of thinking. Ji Li, a professor at Wuhan University, highlighted a project encouraging young journalists to report on sustainable development goals, aiming to shift media narratives from confrontation to cooperation. K.G. Suresh, vice-president of the Indian Communication Congress, called for more academic exchanges to shape perceptions, while Wang suggested partnerships between media organizations to reduce dependency on Western sources and foster empathy through shared bylines.

As the United Nations COP30 climate summit in Brazil reaches its pivotal final week, host nation Brazil has issued a direct appeal to participating countries to accelerate negotiations. The letter, dispatched late Monday, underscores the urgency of reaching consensus on key issues before the summit concludes on Friday. This historic gathering, the first of its kind in the Amazon rainforest, highlights the region’s critical role in climate regulation through its vast carbon-absorbing forests.

In a tense maritime operation, Philippine forces successfully transported essential supplies and personnel to the Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed territory in the South China Sea, despite interference from Chinese government ships. The mission, conducted on Friday, saw the Armed Forces of the Philippines deliver food, fuel, and a fresh batch of navy personnel to the BRP Sierra Madre, a grounded warship serving as a territorial outpost. Chinese Coast Guard vessels, which have long guarded the periphery of the shoal, reportedly jammed communications during the operation, ostensibly to prevent potential drone surveillance by the United States or other foreign forces. Philippine officials confirmed the mission was completed without incident, though they spoke anonymously due to the sensitivity of the issue. China, which claims sovereignty over the shoal and much of the South China Sea, has repeatedly demanded the removal of the Sierra Madre. The two nations had previously signed a temporary nonaggression agreement in July 2024 to avoid confrontations in the area. However, tensions have persisted, with China deploying additional coast guard and militia ships to the shoal in August, some equipped with advanced weaponry. The Philippines has conducted 12 such supply missions since last year, all without incident. The South China Sea remains a flashpoint for regional disputes, with Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, and Taiwan also laying overlapping claims. The U.S., while not claiming the waters, has pledged to defend the Philippines, its oldest Asian ally, in the event of armed conflict.