Latest news with #SwatiGandhi
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Business Standard
7 days ago
- Business Standard
Ahmedabad plane crash probe: New details shift focus to senior pilot
The first officer who was flying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner asked the other captain, who was more experienced, why he moved the switches to the 'cutoff' position after it climbed off the runway Swati Gandhi New Delhi The focus in the Air India Flight 171 crash from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, London, has now shifted to the pilots after the cockpit recording recovered from the black box indicates that it was the captain who turned off the fuel switches to the plane's engine, the Wall Street Journal reported Thursday (IST). The report cited sources familiar with the US officials' early assessment of evidence discovered in the investigation of the crash. Air India crash claimed over 260 lives On June 12, an Air India flight from Ahmedabad to Gatwick, London, crashed into a medical college in the Meghani Nagar area of Ahmedabad shortly after takeoff. The crash, considered to be one of the worst tragedies in the country, claimed the lives of more than 260 people, including 241 out of 242 people on board and several people on the ground. The sole survivor was an Indian-origin British national, Vishwash Kumar Ramesh, who sat on seat 11A, adjacent to the emergency exit. Ramesh managed to escape with injuries through the broken emergency exit. According to the Wall Street Journal report, the first officer flying the Boeing 787 Dreamliner asked the more experienced captain why he had moved the switches to the "cutoff" position after the plane had climbed off the runway. While the first officer expressed surprise and panic, the more experienced captain remained calm. The preliminary report by AAIB suggested the exchange, but did not mention which pilot said what. According to the AAIB's preliminary report, one pilot asked the other about moving the switches, while the other denied doing so. Citing sources, the Wall Street Journal report added that it was the captain who turned off the switches; however, AAIB's finding did not clarify whether turning off the switches might have been deliberate or accidental. Air India finds no issues with Boeing 787 fuel control switch locks After the AAIB released a preliminary report, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), on July 14, directed all airlines operating Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft to inspect the locking mechanism of fuel control switches and submit their findings by July 21. On Wednesday, Air India informed the pilots that its precautionary inspections of the fuel control switch locking system on all Boeing 787 aircraft had been completed, adding that no issues were found and the throttle control modules had already been replaced, as per Boeing's maintenance schedule.
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Business Standard
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Bangladesh court sentences Sheikh Hasina to 6 mths in jail in contempt case
Ex-Bangladesh PM Hasina sentenced to 6 months in jail for contempt of court Swati Gandhi New Delhi Bangladesh's deposed prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, has been sentenced to six months in jail in connection with a contempt of court case by the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), The Dhaka Tribune newspaper said The verdict against Hasina was issued by a three-member bench of the International Crimes Tribunal-1, headed by Chairman Justice Md Golam Mortuza Mozumder. The tribunal also sentenced Shakil Akand Bulbul of Gobindaganj in Gaibandha to two months in prison. This is the first time that the ousted Awami League leader has been sentenced in a case since she left office last year and fled the country.
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Business Standard
26-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Gadkari says govt working on rare earth alternatives: 'Will be solved soon'
Speaking to Business Standard, Gadkari explained the government's multipronged push for self-reliance and assured that the problem of restrictions on rare earth magnets will be solved soon Swati Gandhi New Delhi Union minister Nitin Gadkari assured that Indian startups, research institutions, and engineering colleges are working hard to find solutions for several problems, including finding alternatives to rare earth magnets. Speaking to Business Standard, Gadkari talked about the government's multi-pronged push for self-reliance and assured that the problem of restrictions on rare earth magnets will be solved soon. The minister's remarks come amid China's export restrictions on seven heavy and medium rare earth elements and magnets. These elements include samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium, which are crucial for sectors like defence, energy, and auto, especially electric vehicles (EVs). India looks beyond China for rare earths HD Kumaraswamy, the minister for heavy industries, on Tuesday said the government is now in talks with Japan and Vietnam for rare earths. The Centre also aims to announce an incentive scheme for processing rare earth oxides into magnets, which could take up to two years. Kumaraswamy further said a decision regarding this is expected in 15-20 days. India concerned over essential bitumen supplies? Asked whether the Centre is concerned over bitumen supplies being impacted because of the Israel-Iran conflict, Gadkari said that trials are currently underway where a one-kilometre road was built using bio-bitumen, where the lignin is procured using stubble. The minister said that Indian Oil has commenced a project in Haryana's Panipat district, under which, stubble is being used to generate bio-bitumen, ethanol, and sustainable aviation fuel. Calling for India to become 'Atmanirbhar', Gadkari said that India must become self-reliant in everything, adding that the imports should come down, while exports should go up.
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Business Standard
13-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Israel strikes Iran's nuclear sites; world urges restraint amid tension
From Saudi Arabia to UN Secretary-General Guterres, the recent escalation has been condemned, with many urging both sides to opt for dialogue and diplomacy Swati Gandhi New Delhi In the early hours of Friday, Israel launched a 'preemptive strike' on Iran's nuclear sites, killing two Iranian generals. Countries across the world have reacted to the attack as tensions escalated over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme. The strike came a day after United States and European officials warned of a possible Israeli offensive. On Thursday (local time), US President Donald Trump announced the withdrawal of American troops from West Asia. Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli attack Expressing strong condemnation, Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry posted on X, describing the incident as 'blatant Israeli aggression'. It said the attack undermined Iran's 'sovereignty and security and constitutes a clear violation of international laws and norms'. #Statement | The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and… — Foreign Ministry ???????? (@KSAmofaEN) June 13, 2025 US distances itself from Israeli strikes India calls for restraint amid close ties with both nations India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the country was 'closely monitoring the evolving situation, including reports related to attacks on nuclear sites'. He added that India urges both sides to avoid escalation, as it shares 'close and friendly' relations with both Israel and Iran. The Indian Embassy in Iran also issued an advisory for all Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin, urging vigilance and advising them to avoid all unnecessary movement. Islamabad condemns Israeli attack on Iran Condemning the attack on Iran, Pakistan's foreign office in a statement said the military strikes by Israel violated the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iran and contravene the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law. Extending its support to Iran, Pakistan, which does not recognise Israel, said that it stands 'in resolute solidarity' with the people of Iran and unequivocally denounces 'these blatant provocations, which constitute a grave danger and a serious threat to the peace, security, and stability of the entire region and beyond, with serious implications'. China, UN echo concern over worsening crisis Reacting to the developments, China's embassy in Iran described the situation as 'severe and complex'. It urged Chinese citizens to monitor developments closely and enhance their security precautions, including avoiding sensitive or crowded areas. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on Israel and Iran to exercise restraint. A spokesperson for Guterres stated that the UN chief 'condemns any military escalation in the Middle East'. Australia and New Zealand call for diplomacy Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the country was 'alarmed by the escalation between Israel and Iran'. She urged both sides to prioritise dialogue and diplomacy, adding, 'This risks further destabilising a region that is already volatile.' Iran retaliates with drone offensive Following the Israeli strike, in an operation it dubbed 'Rising Lion', Iran retaliated by launching 100 drones towards Israeli sites. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowed 'severe punishment', stating that Israel 'opened its wicked and blood-stained hand to a crime in our beloved country, revealing its malicious nature more than ever by striking residential centres'.
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Business Standard
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
Hold NEET-PG exam in single shift instead of two: Supreme Court to NBE
According to a LiveLaw report, the court in its ruling said that conducting the exam in two shifts creates arbitrariness, adding that NBE should make arrangements to hold it in a single shift Swati Gandhi New Delhi The Supreme Court (SC) on Friday ordered the National Board of Examination (NBE) to conduct the National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test-Post Graduate (NEET-PG) 2025 exam in one shift, instead of two shifts. According to a LiveLaw report, the SC in its ruling said that conducting the exam in two shifts creates "arbitrariness", adding that NBE should make necessary arrangements to hold the exam in a single shift and to ensure transparency. The court in its order stated, "Holding examination in two shifts creates arbitrariness and also does not keep all the candidates at the same level. Any two question papers can ever be said to be of an identical level of difficulty or ease. There has to be a variation." The court rejected the argument made by NBE that there are not enough centres to hold the exam in a single shift. The apex court ruled, "The exam is to be held all over the country, not just in one city. We are not ready to accept that in the entire country, and considering the technological advancements in this country, the examining body could not find enough centres to hold the examination in one shift." When questioned why the exam for NEET-PG has to be conducted in two shifts, when the same is not the case for NEET-UG, which has more applicants, NBE stated, "The exam is held online. In 2024, NEET UG had to be cancelled due to malpractice. For the online exam, there are limited centres. All important examinations in which a large number of candidates appear are held like this." Petitioners' counsel argued in the court that the double-shift exam gives priority to "luck" over "merit". It further claimed that conducting the exam in two shifts violates the rights of the candidates under Article 14 of the Constitution. The plea also referred to the 2024 NEET-PG exam, which was conducted in two shifts and resulted in a case before the apex court.
