标签： Asia

In a significant step toward mending bilateral relations, India and China have resumed direct flights after a prolonged hiatus. The first flight, IndiGo 6E 1703, departed from Kolkata and arrived in Guangzhou on Monday, carrying approximately 180 passengers. This marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to rebuild ties between the two nations, which had been strained since the suspension of flights during the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 and further exacerbated by a deadly border clash in the disputed Himalayan region. The resumption of flights follows a landmark agreement on border patrols reached last year, signaling a gradual normalization of relations. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to China in August—his first in seven years—and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s reciprocal visit to India the same month underscored the diplomatic thaw. The Indian government emphasized that the renewed air connectivity would enhance people-to-people contact and foster bilateral exchanges. Additionally, India has resumed issuing visas for Chinese tourists, further facilitating cross-border interactions. At Kolkata airport, the historic flight was celebrated with traditional brass oil lamps, symbolizing hope for a brighter future in India-China relations. Qin Yong, a senior Chinese consular official, described the occasion as a ‘very important day’ for both countries. Passengers expressed optimism about the logistical benefits and reduced transit times. Looking ahead, China Eastern Airlines plans to launch a Shanghai-Delhi route in November, reinforcing the momentum toward strengthened ties.

Britain’s Prince Andrew is under increasing scrutiny as discussions between him and King Charles III intensify regarding his living arrangements and royal titles. Reports suggest that the King may compel his younger brother to vacate his 30-room residence, Royal Lodge, located within the expansive grounds of Windsor Castle. This development follows renewed public outrage sparked by allegations from Virginia Giuffre, one of Jeffrey Epstein’s primary accusers, who detailed her claims in a recently published memoir. Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing but settled a civil sexual assault case with Giuffre in 2022, paying her millions of dollars. Giuffre tragically took her own life in April, while Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. Adding to the controversy, The Times revealed that Prince Andrew has not paid rent for two decades on Royal Lodge, a mansion owned by the Crown Estate. British media outlets have reported ongoing negotiations between the King and Prince Andrew about his potential relocation. The Sunday Times described the situation as a ‘pincer movement’ from both Parliament and Buckingham Palace to strip him of his Duke of York title and remove him from Windsor. Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrat party is pushing for a parliamentary debate to scrutinize Prince Andrew’s conduct and living arrangements. While such a debate would be unprecedented in modern times, it remains unclear when it might occur or whether it would be binding. The pressure on King Charles and the government to address the issue continues to mount, with Prince William reportedly seeking to move into a nearby residence and urging his uncle to leave beforehand.

In a concerning sequence of events, two U.S. Navy aircraft operating from the USS Nimitz crashed into the South China Sea within a half-hour span on Sunday afternoon, according to the Navy’s Pacific Fleet. The incidents involved an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet. Fortunately, all five crew members—three from the helicopter and two from the jet—were rescued and reported to be in stable condition. The causes of the crashes remain under investigation. The USS Nimitz, which had been deployed to the Middle East for much of the summer as part of U.S. efforts to counter Houthi rebel attacks on commercial shipping, is now en route to its home port at Naval Base Kitsap in Washington state. This marks the carrier’s final deployment before its scheduled decommissioning. The crashes add to a series of recent mishaps involving U.S. Navy aircraft in the region. In December, an F/A-18 jet from the USS Harry S. Truman was mistakenly shot down by the guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg. In April, another F/A-18 slipped off the Truman’s hangar deck and fell into the Red Sea. In May, an F/A-18 attempting to land on the Truman went overboard after failing to catch the arresting cables, forcing its pilots to eject. While no fatalities occurred in these incidents, investigations into their causes are still pending.