Air India Probe Puts Early Focus on Pilots’ Actions and Plane’s Fuel Switches

https://www.wsj.com/business/airlines/air-india-crash-probe-fuel-cut-3a711f39?mod=hp_lead_pos8
The investigation into last month’s Air India crash is focusing on the actions of the jet’s pilots and doesn’t so far point to a problem with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, according to people familiar with U.S. officials’ early assessments.

Preliminary findings indicate that switches controlling fuel flow to the jet’s two engines were turned off, leading to an apparent loss of thrust shortly after takeoff, the people said. Pilots use the switches to start the jet’s engines, shut them down, or reset them in certain emergencies.

The switches would normally be on during flight, and it is unclear how or why they were turned off, these people said. The people also said it was unclear whether the move was accidental or intentional, or whether there was an attempt to turn them back on.

If the switches were off, that could explain why the jet’s emergency-power generator—known as a ram air turbine, or RAT—appears to have activated in the moments before the aircraft plummeted into a nearby hostel for medical students. In all, 260 people died, including all but one of the people onboard the plane.

Taiwan Resists China With Military Displays and History Lessons

https://www.wsj.com/world/asia/taiwan-resists-china-with-military-displays-and-history-lessons-c6044067?mod=world_lead_pos4
The island democracy of Taiwan is demonstrating its fortitude against the threat of Chinese invasion with an annual defense exercise that is twice as long and far bigger than in the past.

The expanding event, which opened Wednesday, parallels what security officials describe as the growing menace of China’s armed forces as they muscle in on territorial claims and try to prevent the U.S. and its partners from challenging Beijing’s influence in its own neighborhood.

“We need to make China understand that any military action it takes will now carry greater uncertainty,” said Lt. Gen. Sun Li-fang, spokesman for Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense. “It will face stronger resistance from us.”

Taiwan opened the 10-day exercises with the unprecedented call-up of 22,000 reservists. Other additions include newly commissioned Himars, a U.S.-made rocket-launching system delivered late last year that puts targets along China’s southeastern coastline within striking range. Drills involving drones are also a new focus for Taiwan. 

Hunting Down Russian Spies With Norway’s Intelligence Service

https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/hunting-down-russian-spies-with-norways-intelligence-service-649c7653?mod=world_lead_pos3

Paranoia pervades the placid border town of Kirkenes in Norway’s far north. Residents are routinely trailed by unknown men. The Wall Street Journal’s camera crew was photographed and followed around town by a suspicious vehicle with no license plate. Most locals warn you to keep your wits about you because, as one said in a hushed tone, “the Russians are watching.”

The Journal’s video shows us accompanying Norway’s domestic intelligence agency, the PST, on patrol for Russian spies. We meet residents convinced they are under Russian surveillance and we find out firsthand what it feels like to be trailed.

European intelligence officials say Kirkenes is a laboratory for Russia’s hybrid warfare—a potential ground zero for the kinds of espionage and sabotage attacks that have ramped up across Europe in recent years.

Johan Roaldsnes, the regional chief of the PST who operates in the town, says these grey-zone operations blur the traditional lines between war and peace. “It’s the feeling that something is wrong but you can’t pinpoint it,” he said. “When you get the sneaky kind of off-feeling that somebody is doing this on purpose, this is not natural, you get a bad taste in your mouth.”