Video Captures SpiceJet Flier's Ordeal While Being Trapped In Plane Toilet

A passenger flying from Mumbai to Bengaluru was stuck in the washroom of a SpiceJet flight after the door lock malfunctioned, leaving him locked inside for over an hour. The commode lid in the cramped-up toilet was his seat for the rest of the flight. 

SpiceJet has expressed regret and apologised for the inconvenience caused to the passenger. It has also said that the passenger will get a full refund on his airfare. 

NDTV accessed the video of the passenger stuck inside the washroom. The 25-second clip shows the ordeal of the passenger who left his seat to access the washroom after the plane was airborne only to find himself stuck due to a malfunction. 

The passenger shot the video of the plane trauma he witnessed. The man is standing in the washroom and is trying to push the door, someone from outside is trying to move the door knob to open it but to no avail. In one of the frames, it can be seen that the door is unlatched and the man is trying to push it but because of the lock malfunction, the door is stuck. The trapped passenger was in a state due to this shock confinement

A cousin of the passenger told NDTV, "The kind of negligence happening in the airline segment, especially with the safety of the passengers and we wanted this to be highlighted. The airlines dropped an email regarding compensation of Rs 5,000. We asked them are you trying to justify the negligence with this compensation when you're clearly at fault."

"The airline should've checked before departure and since that email, there has been no call or any contact from SpiceJet. At least they should've checked up on him after he went through this traumatising experience," Vinod Davusi said.

The SpiceJet crew asked the passenger not to panic and slid a note across from under the locked bathroom door, requesting the passenger to stay calm. 

"Sir, we tried our best to open the door. However, we could not open it. Do not panic, we are landing in a few minutes. So please close the commode lid sit on it and secure yourself. As soon as the main door is open, the engineer will come. Do not panic," said the note, which has gone viral on social media.

The passenger was eventually rescued after the plane landed in Bengaluru and an engineer unlocked the door. By then, he had been confined for more than an hour. The flier, SpiceJet said in a statement, was provided medical attention soon after rescue.

"On 16 January, a passenger, unfortunately, got stuck inside the lavatory for about an hour on SpiceJet flight operating from Mumbai to Bengaluru, while the aircraft was airborne due to a malfunction in the door lock," a statement from the airlines said.
"Throughout the journey, our crew provided assistance and guidance to the passenger. Upon arrival, an engineer opened the lavatory door, and the passenger received immediate medical support," it added.
The entrapment of the passenger on the SpiceJet flight comes at a time when airline service providers are making headlines for the wrong reasons. Winter conditions in north India have delayed hundreds of flights over the past few days, with passengers complaining of poor communication and inadequate assistance from airline carriers.

In an unfortunate incident, a passenger attacked a pilot onboard an IndiGo flight while he was explaining the reasons for the delay. Air India was in the news for a 17-hour delay that saw passengers eating their meals on the runway as they waited for their journey to begin.

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What Is Disease X? How Scientists Are Preparing For The Next Pandemic

It sounds like something Elon Musk might have cooked up: "Disease X." In fact, the term was coined years ago as a way of getting scientists to work on medical countermeasures for unknown infectious threats - novel coronaviruses like the one that causes Covid-19, for example - instead of just known ones, like the Ebola virus. The idea was to encourage the development of platform technologies, including vaccines, drug therapies and diagnostic tests, that could be rapidly adapted and deployed in response to an array of future outbreaks with epidemic or pandemic potential. 

1. What is 'Disease X?'

It's the somewhat mysterious name for an illness caused by a currently unknown, yet serious microbial threat. The World Health Organization added Disease X in 2017 to a short list of pathogens deemed a top priority for research, alongside known killers like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Ebola. The issue made it onto the agenda of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, with WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus joining other health officials to discuss it. 

Covid-19, caused by a novel coronavirus, was an example of a Disease X when it touched off the pandemic at the end of 2019. The vast reservoir of viruses circulating in wildlife are seen as a likely source of more such diseases. That's because of their potential to spill over and infect other species, including humans, giving rise to an infection against which people will have no immunity.

2. What's the point of studying Disease X?

As the WHO puts it, it's to "enable early cross-cutting R&D preparedness that is also relevant" for an unknown disease. The humanitarian crisis sparked by the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa was a wake up call. Despite decades of research, there were no products ready to deploy in time to save more than 11,000 lives. In response, the WHO created an R&D Blueprint to accelerate development of a range of tools for "priority diseases." The current list includes:

• Covid-19,
• Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever,
• Ebola virus disease and Marburg virus disease,
• Lassa fever,
• Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and SARS,
• Nipah and henipaviral diseases,
• Rift Valley fever,
• Zika,
• Disease X

3. How's the research for the next pandemic going?

It took just 326 days from the release of the genetic sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to the authorization of the first Covid vaccine, thanks in part to the work done since 2017 in preparation for Disease X. Now groups like the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, or CEPI, are supporting rapid response vaccine platforms that could develop new immunizations within 100 days of a virus with pandemic potential emerging under a $3.5 billion plan. Other efforts underway include:

• Updating the International Health Regulations and developing a new global agreement to protect the world from future emergencies.
• A new fund, approved by the World Bank, for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response.
• A WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence in Berlin that aims to speed access to key data, and develop analytic tools and predictive models to assess potential threats.
• The Global Virome Project that aims to discover zoonotic viral threats and stop future pandemics.
• A $5 billion US government initiative to develop next-generation vaccines and treatments for Covid-19, called Project NextGen.
• $262.5 million in funding for a US national network for detecting and responding more efficiently to public health emergencies.
• Establishment of global center for pandemic therapeutics.

Still, numerous challenges threaten to undermine these efforts, including depleted and weakened health systems, a growing anti-science movement that has increased vaccine hesitancy, and the potential for governments to eventually deprioritize funding for outbreak detection and preparedness as perceived risks dissipate

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

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Iran Fires Missiles At Pakistan, Targets Baluchi Group Bases

Two bases of Baluchi group Jaish al Adl in Pakistan were targeted by missiles on Tuesday, Iranian state media reported, a day after Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards attacked targets in Iraq and Syria with missiles.

The group has previously mounted attacks on Iranian security forces in the border area with Pakistan.

"These bases were hit and destroyed by missiles and drones," Iranian state media reported, without elaborating.

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

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India, China Clashed Twice Near LAC After 2020 Galwan Incident: Report

At least two previously unknown incidents of skirmishes between the Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) have come to light with citations for gallantry awards conferred on Indian Army personnel mentioning them.

The citations, read out at an investiture ceremony by the Army's Western Command last week, provided brief details of how the Indian troops responded firmly to the aggressive behaviour of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers along the LAC.

The Army's Western Command, which has its headquarters in Chandimandir, had uploaded a video of the January 13 ceremony featuring the commentary on the gallantry award on its YouTube channel but deactivated it on Monday.

The incidents mentioned in the citations had taken place between September 2021 and November 2022.

There was no immediate comment on the matter by the Army.

The Indian Army has been maintaining a very high level of combat readiness along the 3,488 km-long LAC following the clashes in Galwan Valley in June 2020.

There were multiple incidents of skirmishes along the LAC between the Indian and Chinese troops in the last three-and-a-half years following the eruption of the eastern Ladakh border row in May 2020.

The Chinese troops attempted transgression in the Tawang sector of the LAC as well.

On December 9, 2022, PLA troops tried to transgress the LAC in the Yangtse area of Tawang Sector and unilaterally changed the status quo, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said in Parliament four days after the incident.

Mr Singh said the Chinese attempt was contested by the Indian troops in a firm and resolute manner.

PTI Sources said several Indian Army personnel who were part of the team that responded firmly to the attempted Chinese transgression were also conferred gallantry awards at the investiture ceremony.

"The ensuing face-off led to a physical scuffle in which the Indian Army bravely prevented the PLA from transgressing into our territory and compelled them to return to their posts," Mr Singh said on December 13 that year.

The clash led to injuries to a few personnel on both sides, he said.

"I would like to assure this House that our forces are committed to protecting our territorial integrity and will continue to thwart any attempt made on it. I am confident that this entire House will stand united in supporting our soldiers in their brave effort," Singh said.

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

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Poor Condition Of Ground To Host IND vs PAK WC Game Leaves Internet Fuming

The schedule for the highly-anticipated T20 World Cup 2024 was announced two weeks ago. The marquee event will kick-start from June 1, co-hosted by USA and West Indies. The first match of the tournament will be played between USA and Canada in Texas. Team India will be opening it's campaign on June 5 against Ireland in New York. Apart from this, the high-octane encounter between India and Pakistan will be played on the same ground on June 9. This is the first time that USA will be co-hosting a cricket World Cup. 

Recently, a video went viral on social media, showing the ground of New York where the World Cup matches will be played. The ground was seen to be a in a dilapidated condition, with even outfield and patches. NDTV could not independently verify whether the video showing the New York ground or not.

This is the ground in New York for the India vs Pakistan T20I World Cup match.

Do you think it's a suitable venue for international-level matches? pic.twitter.com/ij9RPNbidS

— Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952_) January 12, 2024

Many fans were left utterly shocked after seeing such a poor state of the ground and expressed their disappointment in the comments. 

Outfield

— Virat Kohli FC18 𝕏 (@VKisGODofCric8) January 12, 2024

Bro in my village the ground is better than this.

— Reshma (@ImVkohli37) January 13, 2024

Gully cricket jesa lagega yr

— ᴅɪʙʏᴀ 𝕏 (@kohlixfear18) January 12, 2024

A total of 20 teams will be participating in the tournament with four groups of five-team each. 

The semi-finals of the tournament will be played on June 25 and 27 while the summit clash will be played on June 29.

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"Your Job May Disappear Altogether, Or...": IMF Chief On AI Impact

Artificial intelligence poses risks to job security around the world but also offers a "tremendous opportunity" to boost flagging productivity levels and fuel global growth, the IMF chief told AFP.

AI will affect 60 percent of jobs in advanced economies, the International Monetary Fund's managing director, Kristalina Georgieva, said in an interview in Washington, shortly before departing for the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

With AI expected to have less effect in developing countries, around "40 percent of jobs globally are likely to be impacted," she said, citing a new IMF report.

"And the more you have higher skilled jobs, the higher the impact," she added.

However, the IMF report published Sunday evening notes that only half of the jobs impacted by AI will be negatively affected; the rest may actually benefit from enhanced productivity gains due to AI.

"Your job may disappear altogether -- not good -- or artificial intelligence may enhance your job, so you actually will be more productive and your income level may go up," Georgieva said.

Uneven effects

The IMF report predicted that, while labor markets in emerging markets and developing economies will see a smaller initial impact from AI, they are also less likely to benefit from the enhanced productivity that will arise through its integration in the workplace.

"We must focus on helping low income countries in particular to move faster to be able to catch the opportunities that artificial intelligence will present," Georgieva told AFP.

"So artificial intelligence, yes, a little scary. But it is also a tremendous opportunity for everyone," she said.

The IMF is due to publish updated economic forecasts later this month which will show the global economy is broadly on track to meet its previous forecasts, she said.

It is "poised for a soft landing," she said, adding that "monetary policy is doing a good job, inflation is going down, but the job is not quite done."

"So we are in this trickiest place of not easing too fast or too slow," she said.

The global economy could use an AI-related productivity boost, as the IMF predicts it will continue growing at historically muted levels over the medium term.

"God, how much we need it," Georgieva said. "Unless we figure out a way to unlock productivity, we as the world are not for a great story."

'Tough' year ahead

Georgieva said 2024 is likely to be "a very tough year" for fiscal policy worldwide, as countries look to tackle debt burdens accumulated during the Covid-19 pandemic, and rebuild depleted buffers.

Billions of people are also due to go to the polls this year, putting additional pressure on governments to either raise spending or cut taxes to win popular support.

"About 80 countries are going to have elections, and we know what happens with pressure on spending during election cycles," she added.

The concern at the IMF, Georgieva said, is that governments around the world spend big this year and undermine the hard-won progress they have made in the fight against high inflation.

"If monetary policy tightens and fiscal policy expands, going against the objective of bringing inflation down, we might be for a longer ride," she added.

- Concentrating on the job -

Georgieva, whose five-year term at the IMF's helm is set to end this year, refused to be drawn on whether she intends to run for a second stint leading the international financial institution.

"I have a job to do right now and my concentration is on doing that job," she said.

"It has been a tremendous privilege to be the head of the IMF during a very turbulent time, and I can tell you I'm quite proud of how the institution coped," she continued.

"But let me do what is in front of me right now."

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

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Zerodha's Nikhil Kamath Shares Video Of A "Hidden Beach" In Udupi

Nikhil Kamath, Zerodha's co-founder, offered a sneak peek into an undiscovered coastal gem close to his hometown in Udupi, Karnataka, shedding light on India's frequently neglected yet stunning beaches. Mr Kamath praised the serene and pristine nature of these coastal havens, highlighting a notable distinction from the bustling and frequently crowded beaches in the western regions.

In contrast to well-known tourist spots such as Bali and Thailand, where beaches often suffer from overcrowding and pollution, the Udupi beach offers a tranquil retreat from such chaos. Mr Kamath emphasized the lack of large crowds, hectic scenes, and the disheartening sight of litter commonly found on international beaches.

Mr Kamath wrote on X, "India has some spectacular hidden beaches, this one is near my hometown in Udupi. Unlike beaches in the west, no crowds/chaos (game-changer this), no trash-filled beaches like Bali and Thailand right now, plus Mangi food is mindblowing. Also no expensive seaplanes, boat rides, immigration, visas or waiting in lines at international airports."

Mr Kamath's post comes amidst a diplomatic tiff between India and the Maldives concerning Lakshadweep. 

See the post here:

India has some spectacular hidden beaches, this one is near my hometown in Udupi. Unlike beaches in the west, no crowds/chaos (game-changer this), no trash-filled beaches like Bali and Thailand right now, plus Mangi food is mindblowing.
Also no expensive seaplanes, boat rides,… pic.twitter.com/LHxnBW7I7T

— Nikhil Kamath (@nikhilkamathcio) January 15, 2024

Mr Kamath's post soon went viral and people flooded the comments with enquiries about the beach's location and how to visit it. Numerous users were thrilled to explore new beach destinations, others took the opportunity to share their secret beach spots across India. 

A user wrote, "The absence of crowds and chaos paints a compelling picture of the potential for mindful tourism. Can we strike a balance between exploration and conservation to ensure these hidden paradises remain untouched?"

Another user wrote on X, "Let's not forget the great mutton and prawn ghee roasts with neer dose! I love coastal Karnataka."

"There are so many unexplored and beautiful places in India that are waiting to be found...the only bad thing about this is that once a place gets popular it gets too crowded and dirty," the third user wrote. 

"Udupi is the best-kept secret of India. Amazing place. Spectacular beaches. Cultural hotspots. Great food. And it's quite affordable compared to places like Goa," the fourth user commented. 

"The whole coastal Karnataka belt is beautiful and serene with tonnes of historic temples around," the fifth user wrote. 

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