Boeing staff confused on safety reporting: US study

WASHINGTON - Boeing employees are confused and distrustful of changes to safety reporting systems implemented by the aerospace giant after fatal plane crashes in 2018 and 2019, according to a US report released Monday.

The report pointed to a "disconnect" between senior company management and other Boeing employees and skepticism that safety complaints by workers would not result in retaliation, according to an expert panel appointed by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

"The procedures and training are complex and in a constant state of change, creating employee confusion especially among different work sites and employee groups," said an executive summary.

The analysis comes as Boeing faces intensified scrutiny following a January 5 Alaska Airlines emergency landing that led to a temporary grounding of some Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

The US Congress ordered the analysis in a 2020 law after fatal Lion Air and Ethiopian Airline crashes on 737 MAX planes. The report's scope did not include the Alaska Airlines incident, although the summary alluded to "serious quality issues" that surfaced during the report that "amplified" the panel's concerns.

The analysis identified 27 points of concern and offered 53 recommendations, including steps to standardize safety training, enhance transparency in the handling of employee complaints and improve systems to grant pilots more influence on safety and training matters.

The FAA plans to "immediately" undertake a review to determine next steps, the agency said.

"We will continue to hold Boeing to the highest standard of safety and will work to ensure the company comprehensively addresses these recommendations," the FAA said.

Boeing thanked the panel and said it will "carefully review the panel's assessment and learn from their findings," according to a company statement."We've taken important steps to foster a safety culture that empowers and encourages all employees to share their voice," Boeing said. " But there is more work to do." Boeing staff confused on safety reporting: US study

Read More........ → March 01, 2024

Two Indian nationals charged in elder fraud gold bar courier scam

Cleveland – Anil Mangukia, 39, of Edison, New Jersey, and Yash Navadia, 25 of Secaucus, New Jersey, who were Indian Nationals, were both indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with money laundering conspiracy for their roles in an elder fraud gold bar courier scam (“Courier Scam”) targeting older Americans. They allegedly stole more than $127,000 and attempted to steal an additional $650,000 from a victim in Warrren, Ohio.

According to court documents, coconspirators posed as a customer service employee at a company or bank. They contacted a victim—typically an elder person—and falsely claimed that the victim’s account was at risk or had been compromised by a hacking event or similar computer intrusion. The purported customer service employee then referred the victim to another perpetrator who posed as a government agent, claiming that the fake government agent would assist the victim in avoiding or mitigating the effects of the account compromise. The fake government agent would discuss the incident with the victim, validate the false story told by the purported customer service or bank employee, and instruct the victim to either (1) move the victim’s money to another account that the perpetrators controlled, or (2) purchase gold or other valuable items and move them to the perpetrators’ account, claiming that the new account was secure and safe from the purported hackers. The perpetrators then used the stolen funds for their own benefit, without the victim’s knowledge or consent.

According to court documents, the defendants caused their victims to engage in several different types of transfers, such as the following: (i) withdrawing currency, converting it to cryptocurrency, and transferring the cryptocurrency to the coconspirators, who claimed they would deposit it into secure accounts; (ii) initiating bank transfers directly from victim’s accounts to acquire things of value that were handed over or otherwise transferred to coconspirators, who claimed that they would then convert those items into funds and deposit them in a secure account for the victim.

According to court documents, the defendants and their coconspirators also obtained proceeds from the Courier Scam directly from victims, traveling to meet victims either at their homes or nearby designated locations. There, the victims would give the defendants and their coconspirators U.S. currency, gold bars, or gold coins under false pretenses, persuaded that the perpetrators would secure the victims’ property.

“Our Office is committed to investigating and prosecuting those who commit financial scams that defraud our elderly citizens of their hard-earned savings,” said U.S. Attorney Rebecca C. Lutzko. “Financial fraud schemes of any variety cause serious financial harm to our community members, but those that target the elderly are particularly reprehensible. We encourage all members of the public to remain vigilant against such hoaxes and report suspected scams to law enforcement.”

“The FBI is focused on finding and investigating criminals preying on the trust of older Americans,” said FBI Cleveland Special Agent in Charge Greg Nelsen. “Scams are becoming more complex, with several layers of deceit in their ploy and bad actors working in groups to give the illusion of legitimacy. The FBI will not yield in its pursuit to identify these criminals and dismantle scam and fraud-based networks.”

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it is the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). Two Indian nationals charged in elder fraud gold bar courier scam

Read More........ → February 29, 2024

The Surging South Asian Audience in the USA: Shaping Media and Economy for a New Era

New Jersey, USA — The South Asian population in the United States is rapidly growing, bringing with it a dynamic shift in demographics and its unique influence on the nation’s economy and media landscape. In this article, we explore the behavior, age groups, spending patterns, and evolving language preferences of the South Asian audience, as presented through the insights of Mr. Sai Sagar Patnaik, A Media Analyst with a wealth of knowledge and expertise in the South Asian media industry.

The South Asian population in the United States is rapidly growing, and its influence on the nation’s economy and media landscape is becoming increasingly evident. South Asians are starting businesses, contributing to the workforce, and shaping the culture of the United States. They are also consuming media in English and other South Asian languages, and their preferences are influencing the media landscape.

For instance, the presence of cricket matches on platforms like ESPN Plus is a clear testament to the growing significance of South Asian audiences in influencing media content and choices within the United States. Notably, the recent inclusion of cricket in the Olympics and the hosting of the T20 World Cup matches in the USA provide additional evidence of this trend.

South Asians are also influencing the American media landscape. With a growing Telugu & Hindi-speaking population, media outlets catering to regional-speaking audiences have emerged. This includes television channels, radio stations, and digital platforms, offering news, entertainment, and cultural content in Telugu. However, the South Asian audience is primarily English-speaking, and their preference for consuming content in English plays a pivotal role in their media choices. Traditionally, South Asian television networks struggled to generate substantial revenues due to the English-speaking ability of their audience. For instance, American corporations like the known food chain in America, aiming to target an English-speaking audience, would often prefer to allocate their advertising budgets to national TV networks rather than regional media, said Sai Patnaik.

Furthermore, South Asian influence is increasingly evident in mainstream media. TV networks and streaming platforms have recognized the value of capturing this audience, resulting in a surge of South Asian representation in American TV shows and movies. This not only enhances cultural diversity but also offers new opportunities for South Asian actors, writers, and producers.

The market for the South Asian population in the USA is thriving and rapidly expanding. South Asians are leaving an indelible mark on the American fabric, and their contributions are undoubtedly enriching the United States in many ways.

About the Author:Sai Sagar Patnaik is a South Asian Media Maven and Strategist with a passion for exploring and highlighting the cultural influences shaping media industries. As a seasoned professional, Sai brings a unique perspective to the evolving landscape of media and cultural intersections. For inquiries or further discussions, you can reach Sai via email at saisagar.patnaik@gmail.com The Surging South Asian Audience in the USA: Shaping Media and Economy for a New Era

Read More........ → February 28, 2024