An engine fire aboard a Cathay Pacific Airbus A350 earlier this month was caused by a fuel leak, according to an investigation by Hong Kong’s Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA). The incident, which occurred in early September, prompted the airline to ground its A350 fleet following a turn-around flight due to an “engine component failure.”

The engine involved, a Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97, suffered a malfunction shortly after departing from Hong Kong en route to Zurich. Pilots received a cockpit fire warning, shut down the affected engine, and deployed fire extinguishers. The aircraft, carrying 348 passengers and crew, made a safe emergency landing back in Hong Kong.

A preliminary report from the AAIA indicates that a broken fuel hose—among several damaged hoses—caused the fire. The protective cover of the fuel hose had ruptured, creating a “discernible hole” and leaving signs of soot and burn marks. The report highlights that other defective fuel hoses in the same engine could have led to a more severe fire if not promptly addressed.

The AAIA has recommended that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) mandate new inspection protocols for the Trent XWB engines. In response, EASA has introduced inspections of fuel pipes and the removal of potentially compromised hoses. The agency also broadened its inspection requirements to include multiple variants of the Trent XWB engine after discovering that a specific cleaning process during engine refurbishment could degrade the fuel hoses.

Cathay Pacific has stated that it conducted a comprehensive fleet-wide inspection of its A350 aircraft and is fully compliant with EASA’s directives. The airline assured that it continues to collaborate closely with airframe and engine manufacturers as well as regulators to ensure safety.

The Airbus A350, which first entered service in 2016, is favored for its efficiency and low operating costs. The Trent XWB engine, developed by Rolls-Royce specifically for the A350, is central to the aircraft’s performance. Although the fire raised concerns about potential widespread issues affecting the global A350 fleet, it was soon determined that the problem was limited to the external fuel lines, not the engine’s internal components.

Rolls-Royce has committed to supporting the ongoing investigation and emphasized that the engine and aircraft systems effectively managed the incident. The company is also investing in improvements to its engine range, including the Trent XWB-97, in response to industry feedback.

The incident underscores the importance of rigorous safety inspections and timely responses to potential aviation hazards, ensuring continued confidence in the Airbus A350 and its Trent XWB engines.

For the past 11 days, around 1,500 workers at Samsung Electronics’ Chennai plant in Tamil Nadu have been on strike, causing significant disruptions to production. The Chennai facility, one of Samsung’s two factories in India, employs nearly 2,000 workers and is crucial to the company’s revenue, contributing about a third of its annual $12 billion (£9 billion) earnings from India.

The striking workers are demanding recognition of their newly-formed union, the Samsung India Labour Welfare Union (SILWU). They argue that only a union can effectively negotiate better wages and working conditions. The protest, one of Samsung’s largest in recent years, comes amid Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to attract foreign investment by positioning India as an alternative to China for manufacturing.

Samsung India has stated that worker welfare is a priority and that discussions are ongoing to resolve the issues. “We have initiated discussions with our workers at the Chennai plant to resolve all issues at the earliest,” the company said.

Earlier in the day, police detained around 104 workers for participating in an unauthorized protest march but released them later. The workers have vowed to continue their strike indefinitely until their demands are met. According to A Soundararajan from the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), which supports the new union, the workers are asking for union recognition, collective bargaining rights, and the exclusion of competing unions. About 90% of the workforce is reportedly aligned with SILWU.

The striking workers, who earn an average monthly salary of 25,000 rupees ($298; £226), are seeking a 50% raise over the next three years. They also allege unsafe working conditions, including excessive pressure to meet production targets and prolonged work hours without adequate breaks. Samsung India has denied these allegations, asserting that all workers receive suitable breaks and work in compliance with labor laws.

Tamil Nadu’s Labour Welfare Minister CV Ganesan has assured union officials that talks are underway to address their concerns. “We will fulfill the demands of the workers,” he said.

The protest highlights ongoing issues in India’s labor market, where multinational corporations often face criticism for inadequate labor practices. Labor economist Shyam Sundar notes that firms frequently use strategies to prevent unionization, such as promoting internal, company-controlled unions over external ones. He also points to the rise of contractual labor, which can be used to maintain a more compliant workforce.

As global companies, including Apple and Amazon, establish operations in India, labor rights activists argue that many underpay and overwork employees while resisting compliance with local labor laws. The situation at Samsung’s Chennai plant reflects broader challenges facing workers in India’s rapidly evolving industrial sector.

France’s new Prime Minister, Michel Barnier, has indicated he may raise taxes to address the country’s struggling budget, a proposal that could divide his centre-right political base. Barnier, who assumed office just two weeks ago, is exploring tax hikes as a solution to France’s severe budgetary shortfall.

According to reports from French media, Barnier is contemplating tax increases given the “very serious” state of the national budget. The European Union had previously warned France about breaching budgetary rules before Barnier’s appointment. Additionally, the Bank of France has deemed the goal of reducing the public deficit to under 3% by 2027, as stipulated by EU regulations, “not realistic.”

France’s public sector deficit is projected to hit approximately 5.6% of GDP this year and could exceed 6% by 2025. Barnier is set to face his first major challenge next month when he presents the 2025 budget to parliament. Securing support for the budget may prove difficult given the potential backlash from his political allies.

Barnier’s predecessor, Gabriel Attal, who led President Emmanuel Macron’s Ensemble pour la République group, has called for a reassessment of their political strategy in light of Barnier’s tax plans. A scheduled meeting between Barnier and Macron’s supporters has been delayed, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the new administration’s stance.

Within the right-wing Les Républicains party, concerns have been voiced about Barnier’s potential tax increases. Véronique Louwagie, a party MP, criticized the idea, stating, “We currently have the highest level of taxes and contributions in Europe. Let me remind you that these contributions are levied on households and businesses.”

Although no specific tax hikes have been confirmed, speculation suggests that Barnier may target the 25% corporate tax rate and consider reinstating a wealth tax. The latter could be a strategic move to gain support from left-leaning members of the National Assembly, who might be crucial for passing the budget and securing coalition backing following France’s contentious parliamentary elections in July.

Conversely, increasing taxes could alienate the far-right National Rally, who hold the power to initiate a vote of no-confidence against Barnier. Such a vote could gain support from left-wing MPs, further complicating Barnier’s political landscape.

As Barnier navigates these challenges, his approach to the budget and tax policy will be closely scrutinized, with potential implications for France’s political stability and economic recovery.