SNAPSHOTS

SO THAT'S WHERE MY SODA WENT!

LUXE MEN/ CLICK CLICK (#17)

AMATEUR SELF PORTRAITS FROM AROUND THE WORLD, USING A DIGITAL CAMERA OR CELL PHONE.

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

MUSIC/VERA LYNN SETS A NEW RECORD: Legendary singer Dame Vera Lynn has become the oldest living artist to enter the top 20 of the UK album chart, her record company said. Dame Vera, who kept up the spirits of millions of soldiers during World War II, has entered the album chart at #20, at the age of 92. As posted yesterday, she achieved her success with her album, "We'll Meet Again - The Very Best of Vera Lynn". Dame Vera said: "I am extremely excited and delighted to be back in the charts after all these years." The album was released to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the declaration of war, which is on Thursday. A spokeswoman for her record company Decca said: "She has proven that music of this vintage and significance can still resonate with the British public."

TV/DAYTIME EMMY AWARD WINNERS: The 36th annual Daytime Emmy Awards were held last evening in Los Angeles. ABC led all other networks with 17 wins. CBS soap, "The Bold & The Beautiful," took home best drama, its 1st ever win in that category. Also winning for the 1st time was ABC's, "The View," which took home the prize for best talk show. "Rachael Ray" picked up its 2nd consecutive win in the entertainment talk show category, while "Tyra Banks" won its 2nd Emmy for informative talk show. "Cristina's Court," hosted by Judge Cristina Perez, also scored its 2nd consecutive win in the legal show category, while Discovery's "Cash Cab," also picked up its 2nd Emmy in a row, for best game show. "Good Morning America" repeated as outstanding morning program. "One Life to Live" star Susan Haskell won her 1st Emmy, for best actress; "The Young and the Restless'" Christian LeBlanc won for best actor. Vincent Irizarry of "All My Children" and "Guiding Light's" Jeff Branson tied for supporting actor, while "Days of Our Lives'" Tamara Braun won for supporting actress. Branson's win was bittersweet, it represented the final Daytime Emmy award that the canceled "Guiding Light" would ever receive. ABC's "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" both took home 5 trophies, while "The View," "El Tigre," "Ellen DeGeneres Show," and "Sesame Street," took 4 apiece. Full details of the ceremonies, along with a list of all awards handed out, can be found on the Emmy website.

BUSINESS/DISNEY BUYS MARVEL: Walt Disney is to buy Marvel Entertainment in a shares and cash deal valued at $4bn. The deal means Disney will take over ownership of 5000 Marvel characters, such as Spider-Man and the X-Men. The boards of Disney and Marvel have both approved the deal, which now needs the backing of Marvel shareholders and competition authorities. In statements, Disney said: "We believe that adding Marvel to Disney's unique portfolio of brands provides significant opportunities for long-term growth and value creation. We are pleased to bring this talent and these great assets to Disney." Marvel said: "Disney is the perfect home for Marvel's fantastic library of characters given its proven ability to expand content creation and licensing businesses".

US NEWS/ CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES SPREAD

Officials say that a fast-moving wildfire in Southern California has nearly doubled in size today and is threatening 10,000 homes. Fire officials said they had ordered mandatory evacuations for residents of the 10,000 homes under threat. The Station Fire had grown to 85,576 acres by early this morning. The blaze is only 5% contained while it is fueled by dry air and protected by the steep terrain in and around the Angeles National Forest. The blaze is edging closer to the Mount Wilson Observatory, home to 20 television and radio transmission towers as well as fire and police communication equipment. That area is under a critical threat, and a strike team is in position to protect the observatory. The fire claimed the lives of 2 firemen yesterday, according to the Los Angeles County Fire Department. The 2 firefighters were killed while fighting the Station Fire when their vehicle went down a steep, 700ft embankment. California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger expressed his condolences for the loss of the firefighters.

The Station Fire started Wednesday and had destroyed 18 structures yesterday. Besides the homes, the fire also is threatening 500 businesses and 2000 other structures. The blaze exploded in size over the weekend, fueled by low humidity and high temperatures. It is burning in an area that has not seen a major fire in more than 60 years. Some fire officials have said it is the largest fire they have seen burning without the strong Santa Ana winds. Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency Friday as a result of the Station Fire. The governor also declared a state of emergency in Monterey County, where a blaze, called the Gloria Fire, has burned about 6500 acres, and another, called the Bryson Fire, has charred more than 3000 acres, according to the US Forest Service.

WORLD NEWS/ JIMENA APPROACHES BAJA

The Mexican Government has issued Hurricane Warnings for the Southern areas of Baja, California. Hurricane Jimena, a powerful Category 4 Hurricane, is expected to make landfall tomorrow, somewhere in Southern Baja. Outer bands of rain should begin falling later today in the area, including Cabo San Lucas. Hurricane Jimena is currently located 355 miles S/SW of Cabo San Lucas, and is moving NW at 8mph. Winds are at 145mph, with gust to 180mph. Current forecasts suggest that Jimena should weaken slightly before making landfall, due to cooler waters and a slight increase in wind shear. Computer models differ on intensity, however the storm should be a strong Category 3 or a weak Category 4 Hurricane at the time it first impacts land. After Jimena makes initial landfall on Baja, it will cross over the Gulf of California and make landfall a 2nd time on Mainland Mexico. Depending upon how up along the coast this 2nd landfall occurs, Arizona may receive moisture from Jimena late this week that will be capable of causing flooding rains.

AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

OUTRAGE OVER BIMAN INCIDENT: A BIMAN BANGLADESH AIRLINES flight was delayed for about 14 hours yesterday as all 5 toilets of the London-bound Airbus were out of order. According to local media, the incident, which has provoked outrage and shame in Bangladesh, is due to negligence of the national flag carrier's maintenance section. Biman Flight 005 was on Scheduled International Service from Dhaka to London Heathrow with about 220 passengers and crew onboard, when the incident took place. According to Bangladesh officials, Flight 005 was scheduled to depart at 9:3am, but did not take off until after 11:30pm, last evening. After the 9:30am flight was canceled, passengers were taken to a city hotel. The flight was rescheduled for 2:00pm. Passengers were brought back to the airport at 1:00pm. But the Biman authorities had to send them back to the hotel. Although the toilets were repaired, the aircrafts arrival into Heathrow would have been during the night, a time when flights are banned from arriving. A Biman official said that the passengers were brought to the Airport from the hotel again, at 10:30pm. The aircraft finally left for London at 11:38pm after all 5 toilets were repaired. The incident came 1 day after United Nations officials had advised staff not to fly Biman because of concerns over safety and flight delays. The cash-strapped Airline has been heavily criticised for its performance in recent years. It has struggled to pay salaries and fuel bills and to maintain its elderly fleet of aircraft. It has also faced a string of corruption allegations. Biman's managing director said the he was unaware of any UN directive, but admitted the airline was having problems managing its flight schedule. He hoped things would improve once 3 Boeing 777's, ordered last year, had been added to Biman's fleet.

MUSIC PLAYER DIVERTS AF A321: AIR FRANCE Flight 1685 was on Scheduled International A321 Service from Tunis, Tunisia, to Paris, France, when it had to divert while enroute, yesterday, August 30. Flight 1685, with 178 passengers and crew onboard, was inflight over Corsica, when cabin crew found an MP3 player attached to a seat. At the time no passenger claimed ownership, thus the cabin crew notified the flight crew. As a precaution, Flight 1685 requested diversion, and the A321 was diverted to Bastia, Corsica, where it landed without incident. Once on the ground, a passenger did admit to ownership of the MP3 player, and said that it was a combination MP3 player and GPS. He was traveling to a trade show to display the new device, and was testing the player while inflight. Local media did not report why the owner of the device failed to claim ownership while the aircraft was inflight. There is also no word on what, if any, charges would be filed against the passenger. The A321 was then cleared to resume its flight to Paris, and departed the gate. However, a few minutes later the aircraft returned to the gate, and spent about another hour on the ground. It is not known what prompted the return to the gate. Flight 1685 eventually reached Paris around 5pm yesterday, 5 hours after its scheduled arrival. Air France has thus far not commented on the incident.

CATHAY A330 SUFFERS BIRD STRIKE: CATHAY PACIFIC Flight 685 was on Scheduled International A330 Service from Hong Kong to Mumbai, India, when it suffered a bird strike, on Sunday, August 23. Flight 685, with 224 passengers and 12 crew members onboard, reportedly struck a bird(s) during departure from Hong Kong, or on approach to Mumbai. According to media reports, the aircraft completed its flight without incident. During a routine post flight inspection, mechanic found evidence that a bird strike had damaged the hydraulics line to the No.2 brake of the left main gear. The aircraft has since been repaired and returned to service.

SNAPSHOTS

A DAHLIA, CAPTURED IN FULL BLOOM, EARLIER THIS WEEK IN RURAL NEW YORK STATE.

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LUXE MEN/ CANDID PORTFOLIO (#7)

A SERIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS OF AN AMATEUR MAN FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD.

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

MUSIC/MONKEYS & DIZZEE TOP UK CHARTS: 2 familar faces top the UK Charts today. The Arctic Monkeys score their 3rd #1 album in a row, as "Humbug" debuts in the penthouse. The set is poised to make a debut later this week in the US top 20. Also new is David Guetta coming in at #2 with his dance album, "One Love," Neil Diamond at #14 with "Hot August Night/NYC" and Athlete in at a disappointing #18 with "Black Swan." At #20, 40s siren Vera Lynn, famously known for the WWII standard, "The White Cliffs of Dover," debuts with "We'll Meet Again, The Very Best of Vera Lynn". On the singles chart, Dizzee Rascal comes in at #1 for the 3rd time this year, with his new single "Holiday". Last weeks #1, David Guetta's "Sexy Chick," which also features Akon, falls to #2. The only other new entrant in the top 10 is the #10 single, "That Golden Rule" by Biffy Clyro.

MUSIC/DJ AM DEATH REMAINS A MYSTERY: The autopsy on Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein was completed yesterday afternoon, however exactly how he died still remains a mystery. "The cause of death was inconclusive because we need to do additional testing," a New York City Medical Examiner spokesperson said yesterday, a day after police discovered Goldstein, 36, dead in his Manhattan apartment. "The testing would include toxicology and tissue testing. We don't expect any results for several weeks." The spokesperson could not comment further on the case. A recent breakup with his girlfriend only added to DJ AM's rough year following the tragic plane crash he survived last September. New York media reported he was "completely devastated" by the split and according to friends, "hadn't been in a good place lately." The same media reports said that Goldstein was having a very hard time dealing with post-traumatic stress from the plane crash he barely survived, in which 4 people died. The other survivor of the plane crash was Travis Barker, former drummer with Blink 182. In a tweet, Barker said: "Rest In Peace my brother, this really fucks me up. I'll never forget everything we've been thru and every time i play the drums i'll think of you." The pop drummer also said: "U were an amazing friend/DJ/human being … Don't know how i am gonna play 2night but i am for AM. My brother is gone.i love u and miss u, i'll never forget all the good times we had."

MUSIC/BRIAN JONES DEATH REVIEWED: The death of former Rolling Stones guitarist Brian Jones is to be reviewed following new evidence. Police in Sussex, England, were recently handed new information connected to the musician's death 40 years ago. Jones, was found dead at the bottom of a swimming pool at a house in Cotchford farm, Hartfield, East Sussex. An inquest recorded a verdict of death by misadventure but speculation continued that he was murdered. A spokesman for Sussex police said the force had been handed documents connected with Jones's death, prompting the review. But he said it was too early to launch a fresh investigation. He added: "These papers will be examined by Sussex Police, but it is too early to comment at this time as to what the outcome will be." Jones, who was 27 when he died, was a founding member of the Rolling Stones.

THEATRE/"MERMAID" CLOSES TODAY: Disney's lavish Broadway musical, "The Little Mermaid," plays its final performance at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre today. When it closes, the musical will have played a total of 50 previews and 685 performances. "Mermaid" began previews on Broadway November 3, 2007, with an official opening January 7, 2008. The show's original opening night was for nearly 3 weeks by a stagehand strike at the time. A national tour is expected to launch in fall 2010. The stage version of the hit animated film borrowed Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's movie songs and added new songs by Menken and lyricist Glenn Slater. Opera director Francesca Zambello directed.

WORLD NEWS/ HURRICANE JIMENA EYES BAJA

Hurricane Jimena, a category 4 storm, is approaching Mexico's Baja peninsula this afternoon with top winds of 135mph. The storm is currently located about 285 miles S of Cabo Correintes, Mexico, or about 500 miles S/SE of the southern tip of Baja California. Jimena is expected to continue in a N/NW motion and approach the SW tip of Baja California sometime on Tuesday. Watches and Warnings are expected to be issued later today or early tomorrow for the region. Jimena's winds increased to 135mph this afternoon, with gusts hovering around 160mph. Forecasters warn that the storm may intensify further, into a Cateogry 5 Hurricane in the next 12 to 24 hours. However, those same forecasts predict that Jimena will weaken into a Category 2 or 3 Hurricane as it makes landfall on Tuesday.

AVIATION/ BELARUS SU27 CRASHES IN POLAND

A Suhkoi Su27 from the BELARUS AIR FORCE crashed today while performing at the 2009 Air Show at Radom Air Base in Poland. According to witnesses on the ground, the jet had taxied in front of the crowd before taking off. The fighter jet than performed a fly-over to thunderous applause. The aircraft then turned and the Su27 suddenly plummented to ground, sending a big ball of smoke into the air. Both Pilots onboard the fighter jet were killed in the crash. No one on the ground was injured. Authorities immediately canceled the rest of the Air Show. Aviation officials in Poland, as well as Belarus Air Force officials have launched an investigation into the accident.

AVIATION NEWS BRIEFS

AC A319 RETURNS OVER ENGINE PROBLEMS: AIR CANADA Flight 1904 was on Scheduled International A319 Service from Toronto, Canada, to Liberia, Costa Rica, when it had to return to Toronto, yesterday, August 29. Flight 1904 was inflight at 36000 feet, overhead Pennsylvania, when the crew requested a non-emergency return to Toronto due to left hand engine vibrations. Prior to landing at Toronto, the crew requested Emergency Services be on standby for the overweight landing, and the possiblity off overheating brakes. The A319 touched down and rolled out at Toronto without incident. The aircraft was then removed from service for inspection and possible repairs.

AVIONICS DIVERTS MALMO AVRO: MALMO AVIATION Flight 764 was on Scheduled International Avro RJ100 Service from Gothenburg, Sweden, to Split, Croatia, when they had to divert while enroute, yesterday, August 29. Flight 764 was inflight over Germany at 31000 feet, when the crew declared an emergency reporting avionics problems. The Avro was diverted to Dresden, Germany, when it landed without incident, about 2 hours after its initial departure from Gothenburg. In a brief statement, Malmo said that the aircraft was removed from service and ferried back to Gothenburg for inspection and repairs.

CARGO FIRE PRIOR TO LOADING ON AIR INDIA 737: AIR INDIA Flight 7913 was on Scheduled Domestic Boeing 737 Cargo Service from Mumbai to Nagpur, India, when it had a "close call" with disaster, on Wednesday, August 26. Flight 7913 was due to depart at 11:30pm, but was delayed due to 8 pallets of cargo that had yet to be loaded. At 11:42, 1 of the 8 pallets burst into flames. Emergency Services deployed and extinguished the fire within 10 minutes. The 737 was not damaged in the incident. The flight crew then refused to takeoff on the flight, without knowing exactly what kind of cargo they were transporting. According to local media, the flight crew pointed out that had they not been delayed, they would have already been airborne at the time the fire broke out. According to Air India, the pallet had been received from Chennai, India, via India Postal Services and contained undeclared hazardous goods, including match boxes and incense sticks. Air India went on to say that Postal Services had leased Flight 7913 to transport post, therefore they were responsible for proper dangerous goods declarations. An investigation has been launched into the fire and the cargo being transported. According to Emergency Services, an initial invesitgation into the fire failed to detect the point of origin of the fire.

SNAPSHOTS

MOUNT SHASTA, AS CAPTURED LAST EVENING FROM FALL RIVER MILLS, CALIFORNIA.

LUXE MEN

LUXE MEN

MEDIA/ DIEUX DU STADE 2010 OUT SOON

The Cover for the 2010 DIEUX DU STADE Calender. The 2010 edition, which goes on sale later this fall, is the 10th Annivesary of one of the world's most popular calenders.

MUSIC HISTORY/ 30 YEARS AGO

BILLBOARD TOP 10 SINGLES FOR WEEK ENDING AUG.29,1979:
1. MY SHARONA--THE KNACK
2. GOOD TIMES--CHIC
3. MAIN EVENT/FIGHT--BARBRA STREISAND
4. AFTER THE LOVE HAS GONE--EARTH, WIND, & FIRE
5. BAD GIRLS--DONNA SUMMER
6. DON'T BRING ME DOWN--ELECTRIC LIGHT ORCHESTRA
7. THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA--CHARLIE DANIELS BAND
8. LEAD ME ON--MAXINE NIGHTINGALE
9. MAMA CAN'T BUY YOU LOVE--ELTON JOHN
10. SAD EYES--ROBERT JOHN

TOP DEBUT ON HOT 100: #70--DIM ALL THE LIGHTS--DONNA SUMMER

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

MUSIC/DJ-AM DIES AT 36: Nearly a year after surviving a plane crash in South Carolina, disc jockey Adam "DJ AM" Goldstein was found dead in his New York apartment yesterday afternoon. He was 36. "The circumstances surrounding his death are unclear," his publicist said in a statement confirming the performer's death. "Out of respect for his family and loved ones, please respect their privacy at this time." Goldstein was found unconscious and unresponsive in his lower Manhattan apartment New York police said. Prescription pills and a crack pipe was found beside the body. Goldstein had openly talked in the past about his addictions to crack cocaine, ecstasy, and other drugs. The cause of death would be determined by medical examiners, but "There is no criminality suspected at this time," a police statement reported. Goldstein and Travis Barker, the former drummer for rock band Blink-182, were the only survivors of the September 19, 2008 INTER TRAVEL Learjet crash in Columbia, South Carolina that left both critically injured. 4 others onboard the plane were killed when the Learjet skidded off a runway during takeoff from Columbia. "Daily I live with the guilt and grief of what happened that night, what I saw, who was lost and why I was spared," he wrote in a December 2008 post on his Web site. " I have no words to express the pain that comes with knowing 4 people died, while I lived." Goldstein was a DJ for hire who performed at Hollywood's most exclusive parties and was admired by music aficionados. In addition to his DJ duties, Goldstein had a new show debuting in October on MTV, "Gone Too Far," in which he and concerned families staged interventions for drug abusers. In a recent interview, he talked about holding a crack pipe for the 1st time in years for the show and said he felt as though he had an angel on his shoulder for surviving so much turmoil. MTV did not have an immediate comment on whether the show would air. He also was famous for past relationships with the reality TV star Nicole Richie, and with actress-singer Mandy Moore.

MUSIC/JACKSON'S DEATH OFFICIALLY HOMICIDE: The Los Angeles Coroner officially announced yesterday that Michael Jackson's death was a homicide and that the singer had a lethal cocktail of 6 different drugs in his body when he died. Ending several weeks of speculation following Jackson's sudden death in Los Angeles on June 25, the coroner's office issued a brief statement yesterday, ruling that the superstar's death was unlawful. The statement said that while "acute intoxication" from the powerful anaesthetic propofol was the primary cause of death, Jackson, 50, had also suffered from the effects of other drugs in his system. As well as propofol, powerful drugs including lorazepam, midazolam, diazepam, lidocaine and ephedrine were found in Jackson's body. The coroner's statement said police investigators and public prosecutors had ordered that the full toxicology report concerning Jackson be withheld until further notice. The announcement will fuel speculation that authorities are likely to charge Jackson's personal physician Conrad Murray in connection with the death. Cardiologist Murray was the last person to see Jackson alive. Jackson is to be buried at a cemetery in Glendale, California on September 3.

MUSIC/NOEL QUITS OASIS: Noel Gallagher has quit rock band Oasis, saying he can no longer work with his brother Liam. Noel, the group's lead guitarist and chief songwriter, and pictured at left with Liam, has recently been involved in a series of rows with frontman Liam. Last night the guitarist said: "It's with some sadness and great relief to tell you that I quit Oasis tonight. People will write and say what they like, but I simply could not go on working with Liam a day longer." Referring to the remaining shows of their current world tour, he added: "Apologies to all the people who bought tickets for the shows in Paris, Konstanz and Milan." The band were due to play the Rock en Seine festival in Paris last night, but cancelled at the last minute. Noel also thanked fans after his decision, brought an "amazing" 18 years to an end. He also posted a statement on the band's website that said their success was "a dream come true", adding: "I take with me glorious memories." A spokesman for the group said that Liam and the other band members would have an announcement next week about the future of Oasis. Oasis formed in Manchester in 1991. They had 8 UK #1 singles and amassed 15 NME Awards, 5 BRIT Awards, 9 Q Awards and 4 MTV Europe Music Awards. In February 2007, Oasis received the BRIT Award for outstanding contribution to music.

US NEWS/ TED KENNEDY LAID TO REST

Under relentless rain and with heavy hearts, hundreds of mourners both great and ordinary bade farewell to Senator Edward M. "Ted" Kennedy in Boston today. The funeral was at the Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in the Roxbury section of Boston, a 130-year-old Romanesque church. He was remembered as the beloved youngest child of a dynasty who grew to be its patriarch, a man who left his mark on millions of Americans through the laws he shepherded over more than 4 decades, during which he became one of the most powerful political figures in the country. President Obama gave the eulogy in a hushed church before 1400 mourners as Kennedy neared the end of a 77-year journey through history that was to conclude with his burial at Arlington National Cemetery, later this evening. He will be buried 95 feet S of the grave of his brother Sen. Robert Kennedy, which is in turn just steps away from brother President John Kennedy's burial site. John's widow Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis is also buried at Arlington. After the burial, a single white, wooden cross will be placed at the head of the grave, and a marble footmarker put in place. The footmarker reads: "Edward Moore Kennedy 1932-2009." The setup is identical to Robert Kennedy's grave. Kennedy, the patriarch of America's leading Democratic family for more than 40 years, died at the age of 77 on Tuesday, 15 months after being diagnosed with brain cancer

AVIATION/ JTSB REPORTS ON CHINA AIR FL120

The Japanese Transportation Safety Board has released its final report into a serious incident involving a CHINA AIRLINES Boeing 737 on August 20, 2007, at Okinawa, Japan. On that date, China Air Flight 120 was on Scheduled International Service from Taipei, Taiwan, to Okinawa, with 157 passengers and 8 crew members onboard. Flight 120 landed at Okinawa's Naha Airport without incident at 10:27am, and taxied to the apron. Reaching the remote stand, where they would begin offloading passengers and luggage, ground engineers saw fuel gushing from an area near the No.2 engine pylon. The Pilot shut off the fuel supply to the engines after he was alerted by the ground engineer about the leak. Fuel from the leak flowed beneath the aircraft towards the No.1 engine. The fuel then ignited, and the crew called for an emergency evauation of the 737. Moments after all occupants had been evacuated, a large explosion occurred in the center of the aircraft. A full compliment of Emergency Services vehicles rushed to scene, and extinguished the fire. By the time the fire was extinguishd, the 737 had burned out completely. The Airline, Airport, ground staff, and Emergency Services were all commended for their actions during the incident as none of the 165 passengers or crew were killed or injured in the explosion and fire.

The JSTB stated that the probable cause of the incident was: "It is considered highly probable that this accident occurred through the following causal chain: When the Aircraft retracted the slats after landing at Naha Airport, the track can that housed the inboard main track of the No.5 slat on the right wing was punctured, creating a hole. Fuel leaked out through the hole, reaching the outside of the wing. A fire started when the leaked fuel came into contact with high-temperature areas on the right engine after the Aircraft stopped in its assigned spot, and the Aircraft burned out after several explosions. With regard to the cause of the puncture in the track can, it is certain that the downstop assembly having detached from the aft end of the above-mentioned inboard main track fell off into the track can, and when the slat was retracted, the assembly was pressed by the track against the track can and punctured it. With regard to the cause of the detachment of the downstop assembly, it is considered highly probable that during the maintenance works for preventing the nut from loosening, which the Company carried out on the downstop assembly about 1.5 months prior to the accident based on the Service Letter from the manufacturer of the Aircraft, the washer on the nut side of the assembly fell off, following which the downstop on the nut side of the assembly fell off and then the downstop assembly eventually fell off the track. It is considered highly probable that a factor contributing to the detachment of the downstop assembly was the design of the downstop assembly, which was unable to prevent the assembly from falling off if the washer is not installed. With regard to the detachment of the washer, it is considered probable that the following factors contributed to this: Despite the fact that the nut was in a location difficult to access during the maintenance works, neither the manufacturer of the Aircraft nor the Company had paid sufficient attention to this when preparing the Service Letter and Engineering Order job card, respectively. Also, neither the maintenance operator nor the job supervisor reported the difficulty of the job to the one who had ordered the job."

AVIATION/ YEMENIA FL626 CVR LOCATED

The chief investigator into the crash of YEMENIA AIRWAYS Flight 626, said today that search teams have found the 2nd flight data recorder of the Airbus A310 that crashed off the Comoros islands on June 30, killing 152 people. The Cockpit Voice Recorder has been located and operations were under way to retrieve it. Yesterday, they retrieved the Flight Data Recorder with the help of a specially-equipped French vessel scouring an Indian Ocean zone where the average depth is estimated at 1200 metres. "The 2 flight recorders will be sent in the coming days to the Investigation and Analysis Bureau in Bourget, France, where they will be studied in the presence of the investigations team members," the investigator said in a statement. The causes of the crash remains a mystery. Some sources blamed the state of the plane, which did not satisfy European safety regulations, but the investigation has yet to establish this. The passengers, who were travelling from Paris, France to the Comoros, had changed planes in the Yemeni capital Sanaa and boarded the Airbus A310. The plane plunged into the Indian Ocean as it was trying to land in Moroni. The sole survivor was a 13-year-old girl who lost her mother in the crash and clung to a floating piece of debris for hours before being rescued. The investigation team is made up of officials from the Comoros, Yemen and France and is headed by the Comoros authorities.

AVIATION/ DRC UPDATES ON AERO FRET CRASH

The Congolese Ministry of Transport has issued a brief update on the crash of the AERO FRET BUSINESS Antonov AN12 near Brazzaville, Democratic Republic of Congo, this past Wednesday. On August 12, the AN12 was on Cargo Service from Pointe Noire to Brazzaville, when it crashed into a cemetery in the town of Nganga Lingolo, about 7 miles from the Brazzaville Airport. According to witnesses on the ground, 1 of the wings was on fire and the Antonov broke up in the air, before the wreckage fell to the ground. All 6 people onboard the aircraft were killed in the crash. The Ministry of Transport has corrected information regarding those onboard. It now says that 4 of those onboard were crew members, 2 from the Ukraine, and 2 from Moldavia. The other 2 people onboard were listed as passengers from the DRC, which is direct violation of DRC law which bans Antonov 12 aircraft from carrying any passengers. The law was put into place after a series of crashes involving Antonov passenger aircraft in the DRC over the last several years. The Ministry also said that the Cargo Flight was carrying a load of soft drinks and passenger vehicles to Brazzaville. The search for the flight data recorders continues at the scene of the crash. The Ministry went on to say that it has given orders that "all the debris be taken to the National Agency for Civil Aviation" for the purposes of the investigation.