US Grounds Over 170 Boeing 737 MAX 9 Planes After Mid-Air Scare

The US air safety regulator on Saturday ordered immediate inspections of some 170 Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes after a window panel blew out after takeoff on an Alaska Airlines flight.

The Federal Aviation Administration "is requiring immediate inspections of certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes before they can return to flight," the regulator said in a statement on X, adding that the checkups will affect around 171 aircraft and should take four to eight hours per plane.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Topstories https://ift.tt/pD8mBga

PM Hasina Eyes 4th Straight Term As Bangladesh Votes Amid Strike, Arson

1. Sheikh Hasina of the Awami League party has been the prime minister of Bangladesh since 2008 and is poised to win a fourth straight term because the election has been boycotted by the main opposition party - the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
2. The BNP is led by former prime minister Khaleda Zia, who is under house arrest after being convicted on corruption charges. The party has called a 48-hour nationwide general strike, which began at 6 am on Saturday. Party spokesperson Ruhul Kabir Rizvi said the strike was aimed at pressing for their demands for "resignation of the illegal government, establishment of a non-party neutral government and release of all party leaders and activists from prison".
3. There have been incidents of violence and arson ahead of the election. At least five schools, including four designated as polling centres for the general election, have been set ablaze. Four coaches of the Jessore-Dhaka Benapole Express were also set on fire on Friday, killing four people. Arson related to the polls is suspected in both incidents.
4. Kazi Habibul Awal, Chief Election Commissioner of Bangladesh, said there is no question about the legitimacy of elections. "One issue is violence is visible and the voters are aware of the violence. If it is repeated, that may have a negative impact on the voters in turning up at polling stations, and I have no hesitation in admitting that. But we have engaged 8 lakh law enforcement personnel, all well-armed, who will be on duty during polling time," he said.
5. "This time, a little crisis is going to happen as one major political group has said don't go to the polling stations. Another major political group has said come to the polling station and show people that voters have turned up... Had BNP participated in the election, it would have been more competitive, more inclusive and more festive. That is a reality," Mr Awal added.
6. Sheikh Hasina, whose government has arrested thousands of rival politicians and supporters ahead of the polls, has urged pro-democratic and law-abiding parties not to fuel ideas that "disrupt" the country's constitutional process, news agency PTI reported.
7. The prime minister is credited with turning around the country's economy and supercharging its garments industry. The growth has, however, slowed since mid-2022 and experts have said economic stability will be a major challenge for the next government. 
8. Over 100 foreign observers, including three from India, will monitor the election. India has said the election is an "internal matter" while some countries, including the United States, have called for credible and inclusive polls, according to PTI.
9. Voting will be held for 300 constituencies in the 350-strong Parliament - the Jatiyo Shangsad. The other 50 seats are reserved for women and are allotted based on the strength of the parties in the Parliament after the election.
10. Nearly 2,000 candidates are in the fray and a record 5.1% of them are women. Voting will begin at 8 am local time - when Sheikh Hasina is expected to cast her ballot - and end at 4 pm. Counting will start after voting ends and initial results are expected by Monday.

from NDTV News- Topstories https://ift.tt/Cd7ikg4

Less Than Respectable Share Of Lok Sabha Seats In Bihar Will...: Congress

The Congress on Saturday claimed that a less than "respectable" share of Lok Sabha seats in Bihar would affect not just the party, but the entire ruling ‘Mahagathbandhan', including Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's JD(U).

State Congress president Akhilesh Prasad Singh made the statement when he was asked about speculations in a section of the media that the party has been asked to settle for not more than four out of 40 Lok Sabha seats in the upcoming general elections.

"The Mahagathbandhan as a whole, including the JD(U), will suffer if the Congress fights only four seats, though it is not our case that we be given nine just because we had contested that many in 2019,” said Singh.

Reports have surfaced in a section of media that JD(U) wants 17 seats for itself, as many as it had contested five years ago, winning all but one.

A key aide of Kumar has made it clear that for the JD(U), a number less than 16, its current strength in Lok Sabha, was out of question.

"We have 16 seats. On these, the question of a claim or any confusion should not arise,” JD(U) national general secretary Sanjay Kumar Jha said.

Jha also said "whatever may be the demand of the Congress, it should convey the same to the RJD. We will be sitting across the table with the RJD for final discussions on seat sharing”.

The JD(U) leader's averment was in the backdrop of a general understanding reached within the Mahagathbandhan that since the chief minister's party was a new entrant, having joined the coalition after dumping the BJP less than two years ago, the RJD, the largest constituent, be allowed to negotiate on behalf of smaller partners.

A statement to this effect was made some time ago by CPI (ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya, who had said the number of seats his party desired has been shared with RJD supremo Lalu Prasad, who would negotiate on behalf of other junior partners with the JD(U).

No RJD leader has, so far, hinted the number of seats the party wanted to contest and Prasad's son Tejashwi Yadav, the deputy CM, denied having taken up the issue with Kumar.

“He is the CM and I am the deputy. There can be any number of issues for us to discuss. Do not worry too much about seat-sharing. We will let you know in due course,” said Yadav, when journalists approached him with queries.

Mahagathbandhan leaders are of the view that the RJD, which is numerically far superior to the JD(U) in the assembly, would have liked to have the lion's share of Lok Sabha seats.

Its bargaining power has, however, been hit because of its dismal performance in the general elections of 2019 when it failed to win a single seat.

The BJP-led NDA, which then included JD(U), had won 39 out of 40 seats while the Congress bagged Kishanganj, becoming the lone Mahagathbandhan constituent to have escaped the ignominy of drawing a blank at the hustings.

However, sources in the Mahagathbandhan added it was unlikely that the RJD would agree to a share smaller than the JD(U), especially in the light of the fact that Kumar has indicated that in the next assembly polls, it will be Tejashwi Yadav who will lead the charge for the coalition.

In the event of both JD(U) and RJD deciding to contest 17 seats each, the Congress, CPI(ML) L, CPI and CPI(M) will have to be accommodated in the remaining six.

Sanjay Kumar Jha was also asked whether by insisting on a high number of seats, JD(U) was trying to put pressure on Congress for naming Kumar as the convenor of INDIA.

“Nitish Kumar has already made it clear that he has forged opposition unity to defeat the BJP. He desires nothing for himself. We want seat-sharing to be complete by this month because this was the view expressed by our leader at last month's INDIA meet in Delhi. He feels we cannot afford to lose much time,” Jha said.

When Akhilesh Prasad Singh was asked the same question, he replied: “The Congress has great appreciation for the contribution made by Kumar in cobbling together the coalition. But, to name him as the convenor is not entirely in the hands of our party. There needs to be a consensus among other constituents of INDIA. Talks are on.”

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Topstories https://ift.tt/YH0qErI

"Macaulay Was Sent By British To Enslave Indians Mentally": Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said Thomas Babington Macaulay was sent to India to throttle the country's traditional system of education and enslave Indians mentally.

He said the revival of 'gurukuls' was necessary to counter the effects of Macaulay's system of education on Indian minds but advised that these traditional schools should synthesise their education with emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum technology.

"Macaulay was sent to India to enslave Indians even mentally by colonising their minds," Mr Singh said, addressing a large gathering of seers and students at the foundation laying ceremony of Patanjali Gurukulam in Haridwar.

Talking about Macaulay's attitude of disregard towards India's cultural and literary legacy, the Union minister said the British official had once declared that an almirah in a European library was worth the whole of India's literary heritage.

"He (Macaulay) said this about a country that created the Vedas, the Upanishads and the Gita," Mr Singh said.

"The education system introduced by Macaulay spawned generations of Indians who grew up with a sense of inferiority about their own culture and traditions," the minister said.

He said Maharshi Dayanand Saraswati and Swami Darshananand established institutions like 'gurukuls' to carry forward India's traditional system of education and restore its glory.

The Union minister praised Yoga Guru Ramdev for his efforts to revive the institution established by Swami Darshananand in the name of Patanjali Gurukulam saying a new India needed new 'gurukulams' which combined traditional education with emerging and cutting-edge technologies.

He also praised Ramdev for popularising Yoga, the ancient Indian discipline of physical and mental well-being, not only in the country but also abroad, saying it was an exemplary service to humanity.

"People can be seen performing yogic kriyas not only in parks but also in buses, trains, metros and flights. This is a result of Baba Ramdev's relentless efforts," he said.

He also praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's efforts behind the proclamation of June 21 by the UN as the International Yoga Day. The Union minister said the journey of Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna from their humble beginnings to the height of their achievements at present is a source of inspiration to the whole country.

He also urged them to do something about the revival of Sanskrit saying it was a scientific language but the number of people capable of speaking and writing it is increasingly getting smaller.

Earlier, accompanied by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, his Madhya Pradesh counterpart Mohan Yadav, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal and Rajya Sabha MP and BJP spokesman Sudhanshu Trivedi, Mr Singh participated in a havan on the Jwalapur Mahavidyalaya ground and laid the foundation stone of Patanjali Gurukulam.

Speaking during the programme, Mr Dhami said the country is getting rid of its slave mentality under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Modi.

The country is eagerly waiting for January 22 when the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will take place. There is no limit to the joy of Ram devotees and those who love this country, he said. "It would not have been possible without Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Trivedi said a new India which takes pride in itself, in its own traditions and cultural symbols is emerging under the leadership of PM Modi.

Addressing the students of Patanjali Yogpeeth attending the ceremony, Mr Trivedi said India is the youngest country in the world but the oldest civilisation and he can see the combination of the two in the precincts of the gurukul.

"In this combination here, I can see the seeds of India's great future," he said.

Mr Meghwal showered praise on PM Modi for the passage of legislation in Parliament which would replace the Indian Penal Code with Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

"In this way, a penal code inherited from our foreign rulers will be replaced with our own system of justice," he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Topstories https://ift.tt/rQfPIaz

"We Closed Window Of Vulnerability": S Jaishankar On Article 370 Abrogation

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday that the decision to take the Kashmir issue to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in 1948 was a "fundamental error" and by abrogating Article 370, India closed a 'window of vulnerability' which New Delhi had been "foolish enough" to open.

He said that at that time, India had a view of UN Security Council as a neutral arbiter while a set of countries with their "geo-political agenda" used Kashmir as an issue of "vulnerability" for New Delhi.

The EAM was speaking on his book 'Why Bharat Matters' with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Tejasavi Surya at the Golden Jubilee Celebration of PES University in Bengaluru, Karnataka.

"Today it is very clear, in fact not now, it was very clear by 1970s, that taking the Kashmir issue to the UN Security Council was a fundamental error because you are taking it at the court where the judges are all stacked against you. These were Western countries who had a bias towards Pakistan," Jaishankar said.

He said that if India had been "hard-headed," it wouldn't have made that 'misreading'.

"Actually, if we had been hard-headed, if we had a good sense of international politics at that stage, we would not have taken that call. It was done as a misreading of what the world was about. Somewhere we saw there is a sanctity about UN...these chaps will be impartial and neutral arbiters," the EAM added.

Jaishankar further said Article 370 had profound implications not just within the country but also on country's foreign policy and it took India decades to finally abrogate it.

"We were taken in for a ride by a set of countries who had their geo-political agenda, who used Kashmir as an issue of vulnerability for us and they continue to use it. It took us decades to finally take the call on Article 370. To me, Article 370 was not just the call within the country...it actually has profound foreign policy implications. We closed today a window of vulnerability which we were foolish enough to open in 1948," he said.

Laying emphasis on young people visiting places having strong historical cultural imprints, the EAM said that a lot of people across the world will be looking forward to the inauguration of Ram Mandir on January 22.

"It's important for young people and those who travel abroad to go to those places where our cultural imprint historically been very strong. Then you will realise that what is happening in India is not something which is limited to us. As you start moving eastwards, you can see a very strong cultural influence," Jaishankar said.

He added, "Because in Korea, there is a kind of belief that, they actually have a connection between their Royalty and Ayodhya. In the last few years, we have seen the revival of Ayodhya. We have actually had Korean participation in cultural programmes. They take it as a matter of pride. On 22nd of January, a lot of people across the world will be looking what's happening".

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Topstories https://ift.tt/lC8QJhV

Delhi Lt Governor Praises Temple For Bringing Down Its Gate To Facilitate Traffic

Delhi LG VK Saxena commended Jhandewalan Mandir on Rani Jhansi Marg for bringing down its gate to ensure safer pedestrian movement and reduce traffic jams.

In a post on X, VK Saxena shared a video of the Jhandewalan Mandir bringing down its gate and described the incident as exemplary.

"The ancient Jhandewalan Mandir on Rani Jhansi Marg has voluntarily brought down its gate beside the foot-over bridge, on my request. This exemplary exercise will ensure safer pedestrian movement and reduce traffic jams on this important arterial connecting North and South Delhi," Mr Saxena posted on X.

The ancient Jhandewalan Mandir on Rani Jhansi Marg has voluntarily brought down its gate beside the foot over bridge, on my request. This exemplary exercise will ensure safer pedestrian movement & reduce traffic jams on this important arterial connecting North & South Delhi. pic.twitter.com/vZqeMIrb4C

— LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) January 5, 2024

He further said that this incident will bring relief to residents and commuters of heavily congested areas and saluted the civic spirit of the temple.

"It will bring major relief to residents and commuters of heavily congested areas like Eid Gaah, Sadar Bazar, Azad Market, Model Basti, Pul Bangash and Motia Khan, among others. My salute to the civic spirit of the Temple Management", Delhi LG added.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Topstories https://ift.tt/w3ZrUns

High Court Reduces Jail Term Of Man Convicted For 'Digital Rape' Of Minor

The Delhi High Court on Friday reduced to 12 years the 20-year jail term awarded to a man convicted for the "digital rape" of a four-year-old girl in 2014.

Justice Amit Bansal said the appellant, aged 38, has a "substantial life ahead of him" as well as an ageing mother to look after, and his conduct in jail was satisfactory.

"The trial court had sentenced the appellant for 20 years of rigorous imprisonment observing that the appellant had committed 'digital rape' on a child of four years at the time of the incident," the court said.

Digital rape refers to the act of penetration by using fingers. The court upheld the conviction of the appellant under POCSO Act but added, "In my considered view, ends of justice will be met if the sentence of the appellant is reduced to 12 years. In this view of the matter, I deem it appropriate to reduce the sentence of the appellant from 20 to 12 years. The fine of Rs 15,000 awarded by the trial court is retained."

The appellant, the brother-in-law of the survivor's tutor, was awarded a 20-year jail term in 2021 under Section 6 (aggravated penetrative sexual assault) of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Indian Penal Code along with a fine of Rs 15,000 by the trial court.

The court stated that under POCSO Act, penetrative sexual assault can occur if there is insertion, to any extent, of an object or body part of an accused into the vagina, urethra, or anus of a child and in the present case, the appellant failed to successfully rebut the "presumption" against him by leading evidence or discrediting the evidence of the prosecution.

Penetrative sexual assault qualifies as aggravated penetrative sexual assault under certain situations such as the survivor being less than 12 years of age.

The court observed that the trial court rightly held that just because the defence witness, the tuition teacher who was related to the appellant, turned hostile, the statements of the child cannot be ignored.

Absence of external injuries on the private parts as well as the hymen of the survivor being intact did not mean that she was not subjected to penetrative sexual assault, opined the court.

The court also observed that there was no straight-jacket formula under the criminal law for sentencing an accused and its objective should be to create a deterrence as well as bring a reformation.

It noted that the appellant has undergone more than nine years in prison, during which he has been working as a 'langar sahayak' and his conduct was satisfactory.

"He has not been involved in any other offence. It is also relevant to note that the appellant was a young man of around 28 years at the time of commission of the offence. As on date, he is around 38 years of age and has a substantial life ahead of him. He also has an aging mother to look after," the court said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

from NDTV News- Topstories https://ift.tt/eUPI2aJ