Page 15 - Disaster Accident
Mahindra hikes prices of personal vehicles on adoption of mandatory safety features
With effect from 01 July 2019
M&M to hike price of its range of personal vehicles by up to Rs 36,000 from July 1
Auto major Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M) Wednesday said it will hike price of its range of personal vehicles by up to Rs 36,000 across models with effect from July 1. "This price increase is due to the implementation of AIS 145 safety norms across all passenger vehicles in India," the company said in a BSE filing. Mahindra said, the SUVs that will take a substantial price increase are the Scorpio, Bolero, TUV300 and KUV100 NXT, while brands such as the XUV500 and Marazzo will increase prices marginally. Implementation of AIS 145 Safety Norms from July 1, 2019 mandates the fitment of several safety features including driver airbag, seat belt reminder for driver and co-driver, rear parking sensors and an over speed alert for the driver across all passenger vehicle models, the company added. "At Mahindra, safety has been at the core of our product development process and we welcome the regulatory requirements relating to safety upgrades....However, the safety regulatory requirement ..
8 killed in UP road mishap, CM expresses grief
At least eight people were killed and 12 others were injured in a collision between their vehicle and a truck in Lahraban village in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district on Tuesday night, police said.The victims were returning from a wedding when the accident occurred.The injured were rushed to a nearby government-run hospital, the police said, adding the bodies have been sent for postmortem.Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the deaths and instructed the district administration to ensure proper treatment for the injured.
Air India de-rosters Captain, crew member for heated argument on board flight
New Delhi [India], Jun 19 (ANI): Air India has de-rostered the Captain and a crew member of the Bengaluru-Delhi flight AI 772 for getting into a heated argument in public view on board the plane on Monday.The incident happened when the Captain allegedly asked the crew member to wash his tiffin box.An Air India official confirmed the incident and said an investigation in this regard has already been launched. The airline has issued summons to the crew members for questioning.The matter has been also been reported to the aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
26 injured in Japan earthquake
At least 26 people were injured after an earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale struck Japan's northwestern region, causing landslides and power outages in some areas, authorities said on Wednesday.
21 injured in Japan earthquake
At least 21 people people were injured following a 6.7-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan's northwestern coast overnight and caused a slight tsunami, officials announced on Wednesday.
Delhi traffic cop spreads road safety awareness with rap songs
Sandeep Shahi, a head constable in Delhi traffic police has a swanky method to spread road safety awareness as he has mastered the art of rapping.Shahi has also other ways to persuade motorists to abide by traffic rules. He uses a mirror to make them feel guilty. The cop also buys helmets from his own pocket and gifts it to others. Till date, he has circulated around 700 helmets to people.His rap, which sounds similar to actor Ranveer Singh's Gully boy is being welcomed by people on various social media platforms like Twitter. The cop sings "Apna Time Aayega" with his own set of lyrics to promote road safety."Humse na ho payega, kaun bola? Sadak ki, suraksha ki, jeevan ki raksha ki, helmet ki, seatbelt ki niyam agar apnayega, jeevan khushaal ban jaayega. Baat meri maan, suraksha ko jaan. "Tera time aayega. Jai Hind, Jai Bharat," his raps' lyrics read. ''Sahi, who lost his wife Pink Rani in an accident, appeals citizens to wear helmets and seatbelts while travelling and to follow all ..
Japan quake causes minor tsunami, 16 hurt
A strong 6.4-magnitude earthquake rocked Japan, sparking a tsunami advisory that was later lifted with no reports Wednesday of major damage and only a handful of light injuries. The nation's meteorological agency had warned Tuesday that a wave of one metre (three feet) could hit the coast of the Sea of Japan, north of Tokyo, but only small ripples of 10 centimetres were recorded. The agency cancelled the tsunami advisory around two and a half hours after the quake. The earthquake registered six on the Japanese scale, which goes up to a maximum of seven and was felt in the capital, which is more than 300 kilometres (185 miles) away. The US Geological Survey put the magnitude of the quake at 6.4. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told reporters his government would be "on the maximum alert" to prepare for possible rescue operations in the region and warned citizens to be vigilant for strong aftershocks. At least 16 were injured after the earthquake, local authorities told AFP. In Niigata, a ...
Tsunami advisories lifted after 6.7 magnitude earthquake jolts Japan
The Japan Meteorological Agency lifted tsunami advisories after a 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck the country's northern region late Tuesday night.The tremor hit off Yamagata Prefecture's coast at 10:22 pm as per seismologists, according to state broadcaster NHK World.While about 1,000 people were forced to evacuate their homes, 15 people in Niigata, Yamagata, and Miyagi prefectures were wounded because of the quake.The damage caused by the tremor became clear as day broke across the region on Wednesday morning.Tombstones have fallen in cemeteries, while several houses in Yamagata's Tsuruoka City are missing roof tiles.Moreover, the earthquake caused a landslide in Yamagata's Nishikawa Town while a road in the mountains has caved in, the state broadcaster added.The jolt had left thousands of homes without electricity in the Niigata and Yamagata prefectures, according to utility company officials.
Govt to remove minimum educational qualification rule required to obtain driving license
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways on Tuesday decided to remove the requirement of minimum educational qualification for driving a transport vehicle.The process of amendment to Rule 8 of Central Motor Vehicles 1989 and the draft notification in this regard will be issued soon, an official statement read.According to the present Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989, a transport vehicle driver needs to have passed class 8."In a move to benefit skilled persons from economically underprivileged sections of the society, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has decided to remove the requirement of minimum educational qualification for driving a transport vehicle," the statement said.The removal of the requirement will open up employment opportunities for a large number of unemployed persons, especially the youth, and the decision will also help to meet the shortage of nearly 22 lakh drivers in transport and logistics sector, which is hindering its growth. There are large ...
Gunmen kill soldier, three others in central Nigeria: police
Gunmen killed a soldier and three other people in an attack in north-central Nigeria on Tuesday, state police said. State Commissioner of Police, Isaac Akinmoyete, said the attack took place in the early hours of Tuesday in the village of Tumburok, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) south of Jos, the capital of Plateau State. Legislator Timothy Danton confirmed the incident in parliament, but gave the toll as five dead. According to Akinmoyete, the soldier was shot while exchanging fire with the unknown attackers. "Three corpses were found and of course some houses were burnt. Many houses were burnt, probably 30 or 40," said Akinmoyete, adding that an investigation was underway to identify the attackers. Violence between farmers and nomadic herders is on the rise in Nigeria over access to fertile land and water, which is becoming scarce in the face of drought and rapid population growth. Plateau State is one of the hotspots for the deadly violence.
1 dead in Mexico helicopter crash, gunmen fire at responders
Mexican authorities say a helicopter crash killed the male pilot and injured three women, and then police who went to the scene were fired on by gunmen. A security official for the State of Mexico, which borders Mexico City, says officers responding to a 911 call in Sultepec municipality found the downed helicopter but also armed men in six pick-up trucks. The official said a shootout erupted, but gave no further details. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the case publicly. Mexico State prosecutors say in a statement that no bullet wounds were found in the dead pilot or the three hospitalized women. The official says the cause of the helicopter's fall Sunday night is still under investigation.
Boeing signs first deal for 737 Max jet since deadly crashes
Boeing is selling its 737 Max planes again. The company announced at the Paris Air Show on Tuesday that International Airlines Group, the parent company of British Airways and other carriers, signed a letter of intent for 200 Boeing 737 aircraft. Boeing said it's the first sale of the jetliner since the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max in March. Another 737 Max crashed in Indonesia last year. All planes of the same model are now grounded amid an investigation of problematic software. The letter of intent is subject to final agreement, but is a vote of confidence in Boeing as it struggles to win back trust from airlines, pilots, regulators and the traveling public. The combination of 737-Max 8 and 737-Max 10 planes would cost USD 24 billion at list prices, though companies usually strike deals for discounts. The planes would be delivered between 2023 and 2027 to airlines owned by IAG. IAG expressed optimism that regulators will allow amended Max jets to fly again soon. But it's ..
At least 14 killed in attack on Mali villages: official
At least 14 people were killed in an attack on two ethnic Dogon villages in central Mali, local officials said Tuesday. Monday's attacks on Ganfafani and Yoro villages near the border with Burkina Faso left "14 people dead according to a provisional toll", said local judicial official Boubacar Sidiki Samake. A Mali military source said as many as 40 people may have been killed.
Boeing's troubled 737 MAX gets huge vote of confidence from IAG
US aircraft giant Boeing got a welcome vote of confidence in its beleaguered 737 MAX plane on Tuesday when International Airlines Group, owner of British Airways, said it wanted to buy 200 of the planes. The companies said they had signed a letter of intent for the purchase, the first since the 737 MAXs were grounded in March after two of them crashed within six months of each other, killing 346 people. At list prices the order would be worth $24 billion, but IAG, whose airlines also include Iberia, Vueling and Aer Lingus, noted that it had negotiated "a substantial discount." It was a coup for Boeing since up to now IAG has been a longtime client of Airbus for its single-aisle jets, used on some of its most popular routes. "We have every confidence in Boeing and expect that the aircraft will make a successful return to service in the coming months having received approval from the regulators," IAG's chief Willie Walsh said in a statement. Walsh isn't a stranger to Boeing, however, ..
Parched Chennai will get drinking water, assures CM (2nd Lead)
With reservoirs supplying water to Chennai drying up and ground water levels plummeting in absence of rain, water has become scarce but the government is taking necessary steps to supply drinking water to people, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Palaniswami said on Tuesday.
Japan issues tsunami alert after 6.5 magnitude earthquake hits its west coast
Japan on Tuesday issued a tsunami alert after a powerful 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit Niigata and Yamagata prefectures located in the west coast of the largest Japanese island, Honshu."A marine threat is present. Get out of the water and leave coastal regions immediately," the advisory read."Due to the risk of ongoing strong currents, do not enter the sea or approach coastal regions until the advisory is lifted," it added.The quake, which occurred at around 10:22 p.m. (local time), prompted the Meteorological Agency to issue tsunami advisories for coastal areas of Yamagata and Niigata prefectures and the Noto area in Ishikawa Prefecture. The agency estimated the possible tsunami's height to be as much as 1 meter, The Japan Times reported.The agency also stated that some fluctuation of the sea surface is expected but it's unlikely to cause major damage.Tohoku Electric Power Company was quoted as saying that nearly 5,000 households were experiencing a power outage in Yamagata Prefecture
Cyclone Vayu crosses Gujarat coast, causes heavy rains
After playing truant for a week, Cyclone Vayu went past the Kutch coast in Gujarat on Tuesday in a considerably weakened state, leaving moderate to heavy showers at several places with the mercury plummeting dramatically.
Ground team to reach accident site of AN-32 on June 19
A ground team comprising of guard commandos of the IAF, SF of Indian Army, civilian porters and hunters on its way to the accident site of AN-32 is likely to reach the site late on June 19, said Ratnakar Singh, Wing Commander, Defence PRO Meghalaya in a press release.The press release noted that helicopters, including Mi17s, Cheetah and ALH have been unable to approach the site during the last three days, because of inclement weather in the valleys and cloud cover over the crash site."The IAF has actively coordinated with state administration at all levels and a ground team comprising guard commandos of the IAF, SF of Indian Army, civilian porters and hunters is already on its way to the accident site on foot," read the press release."No efforts are being spared by IAF personnel to ensure that the mortal remains of their brothers in arms are retrieved at the earliest. The Army and Arunachal Pradesh state administration has all along provided unflinching support," it further read.The ..
Strong quake jolts northwest Japan; no major damage reported
A powerful earthquake jolted northwestern Japan late Tuesday, prompting officials to issue a tsunami warning along the coast which was lifted about 2 hours later. Thousands of families lost electrical power and bullet train services were suspended, but there were no reports of serious injuries or damage from the magnitude 6.7 quake. Japan's Meteorological Agency said the earthquake was located off the western coast of Yamagata about 50 kilometers (30 miles) southwest of the city of Sakata. It said the quake was fairly shallow, about 14 kilometers (9 miles) below the sea's surface. Shallow quakes tend to cause more damage. The agency warned of a possible tsunami up to 1 meter (3.3 feet) high along the coasts of the northwestern prefectures of Yamagata, Niigata and Ishikawa. But only a minor swelling of the sea was observed in several cities about half an hour after the earthquake struck. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said several minor injuries were reported in Niigata and ...