FAA administrator Mike Whitaker testifies before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation. AP
FAA administrator Mike Whitaker testifies before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation. AP
FAA administrator Mike Whitaker testifies before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation. AP
FAA administrator Mike Whitaker testifies before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Aviation. AP

US regulator to revamp safety programme after Boeing crisis


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The Federal Aviation Administration is working to revamp its oversight process after a door plug detached mid-flight on a Boeing 737 Max jet earlier this year, the head of the US agency said on Tuesday.

“We must be proactive and establish more dynamic oversight protocols that address changing technologies and changing business models and allow us to identify and mitigate risks before they manifest themselves as events,” FAA administrator Mike Whitaker said in prepared testimony.

“As a first step, we are re-evaluating our current safety oversight model and establishing a strategy to revamp our agency-wide safety management programme.”

Mr Whitaker also said the FAA is examining different ways to use internal and external data “to become more predictive in identifying risks across the aviation system”.

The FAA has faced criticism for failing to identify manufacturing and safety issues at Boeing, which resurfaced after the panel blew out on the Alaska Airlines 737 Max plane in January. The incident prompted the authority to temporarily ground about 171 737-9 Max planes.

Speaking to a US House subcommittee, Mr Whitaker said the agency should have been more proactive in its oversight process of Boeing before the incident. He is due to deliver testimony before a US Senate committee on Wednesday.

The FAA has added more safety inspectors at Boeing and its supplier Spirit Aerosystems. He said the agency is also reviewing Boeing's performance metrics to evaluate the health of its production system.

During a series of audits after the January incident, Mr Whittaker said the findings “revealed that the quality system issues at Boeing were unacceptable and required further scrutiny”. The FAA responded by capping the production of new Boeing 737 Max jets, increased data monitoring and directed the company to provide a safety action plan to address the issues. Boeing presented the FAA with a safety quality plan in May.

Mr Whitaker said the FAA directed Boeing to identify six crucial performance indicators – including how much work is done “out of order in the manufacturing process” – to provide real-time visibility and potentially trigger corrective action.

He added that Boeing's safety system must comprise “multiple layers” to detect and mitigate risks because of the company's complex system spanning numerous plants and thousands of supplies.

“Boeing must make significant changes to transform its quality system and ensure the right layers of safety are in place,” he said.

Mr Whitaker, who recently met with Boeing's new chief executive Kelly Ortberg, also reiterated that the FAA would hold Boeing accountable to have procedures in place to ensure it safely delivers aeroplanes.

Strikes halt production

Tuesday's hearing comes as a strike of more than 30,000 Boeing employees, now in its second week, has halted much of the company's aircraft production.

The labour union representing the 33,000 employees rejected Boeing's most recent offer of a 30 per cent wage increase. Boeing said its “best and final” proposal was contingent upon ratification by Friday 11.59pm PT, but the union said the time frame did not give them enough time to present the details to members or secure “all voting locations”.

The union also said the offer was not negotiated with them.

“These direct dealing tactics are a huge mistake, damage the negotiation process, and attempt to go around and bypass your Union negotiating committee,” the union said.

Last week, Boeing said it would temporarily furlough tens of thousands of employees during the strike.

Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites

The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.

It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.

“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.

The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.

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Brief scoreline:

Liverpool 2

Keita 5', Firmino 26'

Porto 0

Saturday's schedule at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

GP3 race, 12:30pm

Formula 1 final practice, 2pm

Formula 1 qualifying, 5pm

Formula 2 race, 6:40pm

Performance: Sam Smith

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The specs: 2017 Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn

Price, base / as tested: Dhxxx
Engine: 5.7L V8
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 395hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 556Nm @ 3,950rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.7L / 100km

Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
  • Flexible work arrangements
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While you're here
Who has been sanctioned?

Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.

Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.

Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.

TO A LAND UNKNOWN

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UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Results
  • Brock Lesnar retained the WWE Universal title against Roman Reigns
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  • AJ Styles retained the WWE World Heavyweight title against Shinsuke Nakamura
  • Nia Jax won the Raw Women’s title against Alexa Bliss
  • Daniel Bryan and Shane McMahon beat Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn
  • The Undertaker beat John Cena
  • The Bludgeon Brothers won the SmackDown Tag Team titles against the Usos and New Day
  • Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle beat Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
  • Jinder Mahal won the United States title against Randy Orton, Rusev and Bobby Roode
  • Charlotte retained the SmackDown Women’s title against Asuka
  • Seth Rollins won the Intercontinental title against The Miz and Finn Balor
  • Naomi won the first WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal
  • Cedric Alexander won the vacant Cruiserweight title against Mustafa Ali
  • Matt Hardy won the Andre the Giant Battle Royal
MATCH INFO

Europa League final

Marseille 0

Atletico Madrid 3
Greizmann (21', 49'), Gabi (89')

ENGLAND SQUAD

Joe Root (c), Moeen Ali, Jimmy Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, Adil Rashid, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes

MATCH INFO

World Cup 2022 qualifier

UAE v Indonesia, Thursday, 8pm

Venue: Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai

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Summer special
The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Airev
Started: September 2023
Founder: Muhammad Khalid
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: Generative AI
Initial investment: Undisclosed
Investment stage: Series A
Investors: Core42
Current number of staff: 47
 

Expert input

If you had all the money in the world, what’s the one sneaker you would buy or create?

“There are a few shoes that have ‘grail’ status for me. But the one I have always wanted is the Nike x Patta x Parra Air Max 1 - Cherrywood. To get a pair in my size brand new is would cost me between Dh8,000 and Dh 10,000.” Jack Brett

“If I had all the money, I would approach Nike and ask them to do my own Air Force 1, that’s one of my dreams.” Yaseen Benchouche

“There’s nothing out there yet that I’d pay an insane amount for, but I’d love to create my own shoe with Tinker Hatfield and Jordan.” Joshua Cox

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“If I had all the money in the world, I’d live somewhere where I’d never have to wear shoes again.” Raj Malhotra

MATCH INFO

Tottenham Hotspur 3 (Son 1', Kane 8' & 16') West Ham United 3 (Balbuena 82', Sanchez og 85', Lanzini 90' 4)

Man of the match Harry Kane

Updated: September 24, 2024, 4:43 PM`