Air India Crash: Confusion Over Fuel Switches Highlighted in Report

Reuters,

A preliminary report on the Air India Boeing 787 crash that killed 260 people reveals cockpit confusion and a mystery surrounding the plane’s fuel cutoff switches. Shortly after takeoff from Ahmedabad en route to London, both engines lost thrust as the fuel switches were inexplicably flipped from “run” to “cutoff,” starving the engines. The pilots, both experienced, were recorded questioning each other during the fatal descent, with one denying cutting the fuel. The AAIB report states that such switches are not easily or accidentally moved, raising serious questions about how they were both flipped nearly simultaneously. Although the switches were found in the “run” position at the crash site, CCTV showed the ram air turbine had deployed, signaling power loss. Investigators have ruled out immediate design flaws or mechanical failures. Boeing and the FAA say they are cooperating fully, while the Indian government faces pressure to ensure safety as part of its aviation expansion goals.

Trump Announces New Tariffs on Brazil and Six Smaller Economies

South China Morning Post,

In another dramatic shift in global trade policy, U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on Brazil and six smaller economies, citing trade imbalances and political grievances. A 50% tariff will be levied on Brazilian imports, allegedly in response to the trial of Trump ally Jair Bolsonaro. The move marks a sharp increase from the 10% rate introduced in April. Additional tariffs include 20% on the Philippines, 25% on Moldova and Brunei, and 30% on Iraq, Algeria, and Libya. Trump called the actions necessary to correct “unsustainable” trade deficits and framed the decisions as part of his aggressive “flood-the-zone” economic strategy. Critics warn the approach is isolating the U.S., with even Republican senators expressing concern over the lack of formal trade agreements. Meanwhile, Asian and European nations are strengthening mutual trade ties. Trump, however, insists tariffs are boosting the U.S. economy, dismissing expert warnings. Analysts fear further instability if the administration continues with unilateral tariff declarations.

Boeing Settles Lawsuit Over 737 Max Ethiopia Crash

AP News,

Boeing has reached a confidential settlement with Paul Njoroge, a Canadian man who lost his wife and three children in the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max crash. The case was set to be the first trial stemming from the tragedy that killed all 157 on board and led to the global grounding of the 737 Max fleet. Njoroge had prepared to testify about the profound emotional impact of the loss and his inability to return to his home in Toronto. Investigators previously found that a faulty sensor and software system led to the crash, mirroring a similar incident in Indonesia. Boeing had accepted responsibility in 2021, enabling families to sue in U.S. courts. While many families have since settled, details remain confidential. The settlement avoids potentially damaging testimony just days before the trial. The crash was a defining moment in aviation history and sparked widespread criticism of Boeing’s safety practices and regulatory oversight.

Gaza’s Cash Crisis Deepens Amid War and Inflation

The Independent,

A severe cash shortage in Gaza is pushing residents to desperation, with people paying up to 40% commissions just to access their own money. Banks and ATMs are largely inoperable due to Israeli airstrikes and ongoing war conditions. With electronic transfers increasingly useless in daily life, a black market of cash brokers has emerged, profiting heavily off civilian need. Residents report having to transfer $100 to receive only $60 in usable shekels—Israel’s currency, which is now scarce and often rejected unless in pristine condition. Tattered notes are frequently refused by merchants, and “money repair” has become a new business. The crisis is tied to Israel’s restrictions on cash flow into Gaza to curtail Hamas financing, as well as the collapse of confidence in Gaza’s banking system. The war, inflation (which spiked 230% in 2024), and mass unemployment have made survival nearly impossible. Even basic necessities like flour and sugar have reached prices many times their pre-war levels, leaving families with little option but to rely on humanitarian aid.