Ankara reaffirms commitment to diplomacy for lasting peace
Türkiye has reiterated its readiness to play a leading role in efforts to secure a just and lasting peace in the Russia-Ukraine war....
The deaths of at least 16 people in the derailment of a historic Lisbon cable car have cast a spotlight on the city’s “old charm” image, revealing cracks in its ageing infrastructure amid a booming tourist industry.
On Wednesday, the tram left the tracks at a bend and collided with a building just metres from its twin at the bottom of the steep 265-metre slope. The wreckage was mangled, with passengers trapped inside, after the traction cable linking the two cars snapped.
Jorge Silva, vice-president of the Portuguese Association of Civil Protection Technical Experts, said that a car made from modern materials such as carbon fibre, rather than the century-old wood and metal design, could have reduced the severity of the crash.
“The components are rigid enough for normal operation, but they are not designed to absorb the impact of a derailment. They twist, leaving passengers more exposed,” Silva explained.
Lisbon’s trams, which run on similarly steep hills, still use mid-20th century designs. Silva stressed that investments should focus on modernising the carriages while preserving their historic appearance.
An investigation is underway to determine the role of the pendulum cable system in the accident.
The line has faced rising demand, with passenger numbers on the “Gloria” funicular tripling in the past decade to over three million annually. The two cars, each carrying around 40 passengers, operate in tandem, climbing and descending the slope via an electric motor pulling the connecting cable.
Manuel Leal, head of the Fectrans union, told local media that workers had previously flagged issues with cable tension affecting braking, though it is too early to confirm if this caused the crash. The municipal transport company, Carris, said that all scheduled maintenance had been completed. Silva suggested that more frequent and rigorous inspections may now be required to safely handle increased passenger loads.
Modernisation in Lisbon, however, is complicated by the city’s seismic risks. Experts warn that renovations on historic buildings, many of which were constructed shortly after the 1755 earthquake with pioneering anti-seismic designs, may undermine their structural integrity. While post-1958 buildings must comply with seismic standards, older structures undergoing renovation are not legally required to receive anti-seismic reinforcement.
AnewZ has learned that India has once again blocked Azerbaijan’s application for full membership in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, while Pakistan’s recent decision to consider diplomatic relations with Armenia has been coordinated with Baku as part of Azerbaijan’s peace agenda.
A powerful eruption at Japan’s Shinmoedake volcano sent an ash plume more than 3,000 metres high on Sunday morning, prompting safety warnings from authorities.
A day of mourning has been declared in Portugal to pay respect to victims who lost their lives in the Lisbon Funicular crash which happened on Wednesday evening.
The UK is gearing up for Exercise Pegasus 2025, its largest pandemic readiness test since COVID-19. Running from September to November, this full-scale simulation will challenge the country's response to a fast-moving respiratory outbreak.
A Polish Air Force pilot was killed on Thursday when an F-16 fighter jet crashed during a training flight ahead of the 2025 Radom International Air Show.
Thailand’s royal authority has blocked a move by acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to dissolve parliament and call snap elections, citing legal concerns over his authority to submit such a request, local media reported on Wednesday.
More than 100,000 people are expected to take part in France’s “Block Everything” movement on 10 September, broadcaster France Info reported on Thursday. Energy, transport, and defence sectors are likely to be the most affected.
The death toll from Sunday’s powerful earthquake in eastern Afghanistan has risen above 2,200, with search and rescue operations ongoing. Local officials warn that many people remain trapped under rubble, and the number of fatalities is likely to climb further.
Colton Herta, nine-time IndyCar race winner, is set to compete in Formula Two next year while also taking on a test driver role for Cadillac.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans to propose updates to the certification process for new commercial aircraft, according to a notice released by the Trump administration on Thursday.
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