Boeing 737 max 8

Boeing has said it is slowing production of the 737 MAX so it can focus its attention on fixing the flight-control software that has been implicated in two deadly crashes.The aircraft-maker said it is "making progress" on updated 737 MAX software that it hopes will prevent future accidents.Boeing's chief executive Dennis Muilenburg admitted the "erroneous activation" of the MCAS software had been a "common link" between the crashes of Ethiopian Airlines and Lion Air.Both crashes involved the 737 MAX 8, which has an automated system that pushes the plane's nose down when the possibility of an aerodynamic stall is detected.Mr Muilenburg said in a statement: "We have the responsibility to eliminate this risk, and we know how to do it. Advertisement "As part of this effort, we're making progress on the 737 MAX software update that will prevent accidents like these from ever happening again."Teams are working tirelessly, advancing and testing the software, conducting non-advocate … [Read more...] about Boeing cuts 737 MAX production after two fatal plane crashes

Ajay Nair, news reporterIndonesia's low-cost airline Lion Air is facing renewed scrutiny after one of its planes - a relatively new Boeing 737 Max 8 - crashed with all with all 189 people on board presumed dead.The carrier began operating in 2000 and has had several incidents in its relatively short history.It was banned from flying to European Union countries between 2007 and 2016 and now operates 183 routes within Indonesia and surrounding countries.Here are the previous incidents involving Lion Air. Advertisement 2004 Its first deadly accident was in 2004 when 25 people were killed after a plane skidded at an airport in the city of Solo in central Java.More than 100 people were also injured. More from Indonesia World's oldest artwork? 44,000-year-old cave painting discovered in Indonesia Lion Air crash: Poorly trained pilots and aircraft flaws identified in final report Drug smuggler in solitary confinement after trying to escape jail by carving hole in … [Read more...] about Lion Air: A look at Indonesian airline’s deadly past

Five years ago, the 90-strong Syrian National Orchestra for Arabic Music drew stars from Plácido Domingo to Gorillaz to perform with them at their home in Damascus Opera House. Today, with the bitter civil war still raging, its musicians are scattered across the globe. Some former performers of the prestigious orchestra and the choirs that accompany it are refugees in the Middle East, Europe and the US, while others are still struggling to live and perform in the conflict-torn country. “Music, these days, is like a painkiller,” says Raneem Barakat, a singer in the orchestra’s choir. The 24-year-old regularly braves bombs and snipers on the roads on her two-hour journey to Damascus to study and perform. “You have to take the risk. When I sing it hypnotises me; I leave reality.” For the first time since the war began, former and present members of the SNOAM have been reunited by Damon Albarn’s music collective, Africa Express. Alongside guest … [Read more...] about The Orchestra of Syrian Musicians: ‘When there is violence, you have to make music’

11.03pm BST That's about it from Chris Johnston in London. My colleague Michael Safi in Sydney will kick off a new live blog on MH17 developments as Monday begins. Thanks for reading. 11.02pm BST Summary - David Cameron tells Vladimir Putin that the shooting down of MH17 was "totally unacceptable" and Russia's failure to stop supporting the rebels had "contributed to an appalling tragedy". - Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte said the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe was negotiating with rebels to bring the train containing bodies of the passengers and crew under Ukrainian government control. - Investigators from the UN aviation agency have arrived in Ukraine to help determine the crash of MH17 but cannot reach the site because of safety concerns. - Australia circulates text of a draft UN security council resolution to condemn the shooting down of MH17 and demand free access to the crash scene. 10.01pm BST More on the draft resolution being considered by … [Read more...] about Cameron tells Putin MH17 victims deserve proper funerals – as it happened

15 years after the Friends final season, series creator David Crane revealed that the iconic sitcom almost ended much differently for Lisa Kudrow's Phoebe Buffay. The show's final episodes featured Phoebe breaking up with her boyfriend Mike (Paul Rudd) and going back to David (Hank Azaria) briefly, before going back to Mike when he proposed. Crane, 62, revealed in an interview with Radio Times that they didn't even know who Phoebe would end up with, and it was possible that she would be with David.   Different wedding: 15 years after the Friends final season, series creator David Crane revealed that the iconic sitcom almost ended much differently for Lisa Kudrow's Phoebe Buffay 'There was definitely a possibility of that,' Crane said. 'I mean, we didn't definitively know [who she'd end up with].' 'They're both amazing actors. I mean, both Paul and Hank are fantastic, and fantastic with her. We sort of went back and forth,' Crane added. RELATED ARTICLES Previous … [Read more...] about Friends finale almost had Lisa Kudrow’s Phoebe end up with a different husband