These 211 certainly can run after losing an HPT blade, but there really is no point. It would be running extremely hot so increased risk of rather large fire and would also be produing less thrust. Further damage to an engine could also result, possible producing an uncontained blade failure. This could be seriuos if the offending blade severed something important, eg a double firwire loop. The QRH will also give instruction to shut down after engine exceedances.
2 IFDS in a few days is rather unfortunate and there was another in about June but this could be more to do with engine life rather than maintenance problems. You can go years without one then - bang two at once. Average at CX into LHR is about two a year, probably a little higher than some operators but less than others. E.G BA maintain all engines on the 744 to ETOPS standard where CX does not (as no 767s).
At the end of the day its all down to money, the more you spend on maintenance and overhaul the less IFSDs you will have (theoretically at least).
As for Jounalism, I think there are a few journo's out there who link stories together - its what they are paid for I suppose- and end up with 2+2=5. CX safety has been in the news a little of late but at least we seem to have been a little more open about it all this time round, this is a postive out of all this !!
