State Bank considers scrapping Rs10 banknote

The head of the US National Transportation Safety Board has urged Congress to end months of legislative delays and pass a major aviation safety package aimed at reducing the risk of deadly midair collisions. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said lawmakers already have clear recommendations from investigators and should move quickly to turn them into law. Homendy said the agency has provided Congress with a detailed plan to strengthen aviation safety and prevent another disaster like the one that claimed dozens of lives near Washington last year. She stressed that the necessary reforms have been discussed for months and that it is now time for lawmakers to take action. Her appeal comes after the January 2025 collision between an American Airlines regional passenger jet and a US Army helicopter near Washington, DC. The crash killed 67 people and became the deadliest aviation accident in the United States since 2001. Following the tragedy, the House of Representatives approved a broad aviation safety bill in April with overwhelming bipartisan support in a 396 to 10 vote. The legislation includes dozens of recommendations made by investigators after the crash. The Senate had earlier passed its own proposal, known as the ROTOR Act, but the measure failed to secure enough support in the House under fast track voting procedures, leaving the reforms stalled. According to the NTSB, the collision could have been prevented if both aircraft had been equipped with Automatic Dependent Surveillance Broadcast technology, commonly known as ADS-B. The system allows aircraft to continuously share their position with air traffic controllers and nearby aircraft, improving awareness in busy airspace and reducing the risk of collisions. Earlier this year, the NTSB concluded that failures within the Federal Aviation Administration contributed to the fatal accident. Investigators found that the FAA had allowed helicopters to operate too close to commercial flight paths near Washington’s airport without maintaining adequate separation. The agency was also criticized for failing to properly review safety data and for not acting on earlier recommendations to redirect helicopter traffic away from the area. The House approved legislation would require most US military aircraft to be fitted with collision prevention technology by 2031. Fighter jets, bombers and drones would be exempt from the requirement. The bill also introduces new standards for collision mitigation systems on civilian airplanes and helicopters to improve safety across the aviation sector. Lawmakers from both chambers are continuing negotiations to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the legislation before a final bill can be approved. FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford recently said the agency has been providing technical guidance to Congress throughout the legislative process. He noted that the FAA has the authority to expand the use of ADS-B technology without waiting for new legislation but said clear direction from Congress would provide a stronger framework for implementing long term safety improvements. The NTSB believes the proposed reforms would significantly strengthen aviation safety and reduce the chances of another catastrophic midair collision. With negotiations continuing in Congress, transportation officials are urging lawmakers to finalize the legislation as soon as possible to better protect passengers, flight crews and military personnel.

Fourteen Arab and Palestinian organisations have issued an urgent appeal calling for immediate international action to protect occupied East Jerusalem and the Al Aqsa Mosque, warning that recent Israeli measures are threatening the city’s religious heritage and historic identity. The groups said the situation has reached a critical stage and argued that stronger global intervention is needed to prevent further escalation. In a joint statement released on Wednesday, the organisations expressed concern over what they described as increasing Israeli actions aimed at changing the existing status of Jerusalem and its holy sites. They said recent developments have targeted not only Al Aqsa Mosque but also the Palestinian residents of Jerusalem and the city’s Arab, Islamic, and Christian character. Al Aqsa Mosque is considered Islam’s third holiest site. The same area is also revered by Jews as the Temple Mount, believed to be the location of two ancient Jewish temples. Israel captured East Jerusalem during the 1967 Arab Israeli war and later declared the entire city its capital in 1980, a move that has not been recognised by most of the international community. According to the appeal, Israeli authorities have allowed an increase in visits to the Al Aqsa compound by Jewish groups under police protection. The organisations claimed these actions, along with restrictions placed on Muslim worshippers, are attempts to alter the long standing arrangements governing access to the holy site. The statement also raised concerns about attacks on worshippers, restrictions placed on religious leaders, and measures targeting guards responsible for protecting the mosque. The groups argued that these actions undermine freedom of worship and threaten the historical and legal status of one of Islam’s most important religious landmarks. Beyond the mosque itself, the organisations accused Israel of expanding settlements, demolishing Palestinian homes, revoking residency rights, carrying out excavations around the Old City, and increasing pressure on both Islamic and Christian religious sites. They warned that these policies are changing the city’s demographic and cultural landscape while placing Jerusalem’s diverse religious heritage at risk. The appeal also highlighted concerns over the city’s Christian community. It said restrictions affecting churches, religious institutions, and Christian leaders threaten the long established Christian presence in Jerusalem and weaken the city’s multicultural identity. The organisations argued that international statements of concern are no longer enough to address the situation. They called for coordinated political, legal, and human rights efforts to stop actions they consider violations of international law. They also urged governments and international institutions to ensure accountability and prevent further changes to the city’s status. The statement specifically called on Jordan, which holds custodial responsibilities for Jerusalem’s Islamic and Christian holy sites, to intensify diplomatic efforts and encourage stronger international engagement. The groups said Jordan’s role remains essential in defending the religious and historical significance of the city’s sacred places. Describing Jerusalem as a shared historical, cultural, and religious responsibility, the organisations stressed that protecting the city requires practical measures rather than symbolic declarations. They said preserving the rights of its residents and safeguarding its holy sites should remain an international priority. The appeal was signed by several organisations, including the Popular Conference for Palestinians Abroad, the Al Quds International Institution, the Arab National Congress, the European Palestinian Conference, and the Islamic National Conference. The statement comes as tensions continue to rise across the occupied West Bank, where Israeli military raids and settler related violence have increased since the start of the Gaza conflict in October 2023. Palestinian officials say thousands of people have been injured or arrested during this period, while violence has intensified further following recent deadly clashes near Nablus involving Palestinians, Israeli settlers, and Israeli forces.

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has announced the formation of a new multinational maritime defence alliance with 13 other countries to strengthen security along some of the world’s busiest shipping routes amid rising tensions in the Middle East. The Saudi Ministry of Defence said the coalition has been created to protect freedom of navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. These waterways are critical for global trade and international energy supplies. The new alliance includes Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Türkiye, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Djibouti, Somalia, Bangladesh, Yemen, Sudan and the Comoros. According to Saudi authorities, representatives from 43 of the 51 invited countries attended the meeting that led to the creation of the alliance. A delegation from the European Union also participated in the discussions. The ministry said the coalition aims to improve coordination among member states to address growing maritime security challenges. It will focus on intelligence sharing, joint operational planning, military exercises and coordinated maritime operations. Saudi officials stressed that the alliance is purely defensive and is not intended to target any country. They said its primary objective is to secure international shipping lanes and ensure the uninterrupted flow of global trade. The announcement comes as security concerns continue to grow across the region due to escalating tensions involving Iran and attacks on commercial vessels in strategic waterways. The Bab al-Mandeb Strait has become increasingly important for international shipping. It connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as a vital link between the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean through the Suez Canal. Experts estimate that around 10 to 12 percent of global maritime trade passes through the narrow waterway every year. Millions of barrels of crude oil and petroleum products are transported through the route daily, making it one of the world’s most strategically important sea lanes. Saudi Arabia has increasingly relied on the Red Sea route for oil exports through its East-West pipeline, which transports crude from the country’s eastern oil fields to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea coast. However, ships departing from Yanbu must still pass through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait before reaching international markets. Regional instability has increased concerns over the safety of commercial shipping. Repeated attacks on vessels operating in the Red Sea have disrupted maritime traffic and raised fears of higher transportation costs and energy prices.