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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Global aviation body may join probe into AI crash
NEW DELHI: The International Civil Aviation Organisation is likely to join the investigation into the Air India Flight 171 crash, officials aware of the matter said on Friday, adding that India had requested the UN aviation body to be an observer. The ICAO made a written request to the Indian government on June 20 seeking 'observer status' for one of its investigators in the probe being led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). (REUTERS) The ICAO made a written request to the Indian government on June 20 seeking 'observer status' for one of its investigators in the probe being led by India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), according to officials familiar with the development. 'The ICAO offered to be a part of the investigation due to its critical nature and significant public interest,' an official told HT, speaking on condition of anonymity. India has approved the request, with an ICAO official expected to be designated as observer within the next two days, the official added. The participation represents an unusual step for the Montreal-based organisation. According to ICAO's website, the body 'does not normally participate in aircraft accident investigations, except when the state or states with due authority under Annex 13 — Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation request our assistance directly.' It was not clear if a request to ICAO was made by authorities in the UK – which lost 52 of its citizens in the June 12 tragedy --- or the US, where the plane-maker Boeing is headquartered. Members from both countries have been part of the analyses till now. Former DGCA joint director general JS Rawat underscored the rarity of such involvement. 'In my career of more than three decades, this is the first time that the ICAO has requested the state (India) to be a part of the investigation,' he said. HT has seen the email sent by India's ICAO representative Angshumali Rastogi to civil aviation secretary Samir Kumar Sinha, in which the UN body stated that 'the presence of an observer will greatly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the ongoing investigation.' Aviation safety expert Mohan Ranganathan clarified the observer's limited role: 'The investigation is solely conducted by the AAIB. The UK civil aviation authority, the engine and aircraft manufacturer along with US National Transportation Safety Board and ICAO do not play a main role in the investigation apart from assistance, if or when required, by the AAIB.' When ICAO does participate as an observer, assistance typically involves 'clarifying various Annex 13 requirements when requested,' according to the organization's guidelines. The AAIB is currently investigating the crash of Air India Flight 171, which went down shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12, killing at least 271 people. The investigation also involves other international stakeholders given the aircraft type and components involved, including Boeing as the aircraft manufacturer, Rolls-Royce for the engines, and aviation authorities from countries where the aircraft was certified. The civil aviation ministry and ICAO did not respond to queries seeking comment.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Valsoft Corporation Acquires collectionHQ, Global Leader in Library Collection Performance Solutions
MONTRÉAL, QC / ACCESS Newswire / June 27, 2025 / Valsoft Corporation Inc. ('Valsoft'), a Montreal-based company specializing in the acquisition and development of vertical market software businesses, is pleased to announce the acquisition of collectionHQ, the world's leading provider of data-driven collection performance improvement solutions for libraries. Founded in Glasgow, United Kingdom, collectionHQ was introduced to the public library market in 2008 as a solution to help librarians integrate the Evidence Based Stock Management (EBSM®) methodology into their workflows. As the only tool on the market delivering actionable, data-driven insights, collectionHQ quickly gained traction across the UK, United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, becoming one of the most talked-about innovations in the public library sector. Most recently, collectionHQ has extended its proven technology to academic institutions with the launch of cHQacademic, a new solution designed to help academic libraries make informed, efficient decisions that enhance the student experience. 'collectionHQ is a strong fit with Valsoft's mission of acquiring and growing market-leading vertical software companies,' said Peter Blanchard, Portfolio Vice President, Valsoft. 'Their track record of innovation and dedication to serving the evolving needs of libraries worldwide aligns perfectly with our long-term vision. We're proud to welcome them to the Valsoft family.' 'We are excited to enter this new chapter with Valsoft,' said Amandeep Kochar, CEO of Baker & Taylor. 'Their experience scaling software companies globally makes them an ideal partner as we continue to evolve our solutions and serve the needs of public and academic libraries around the world.' collectionHQ will continue to operate under its existing brand and leadership, with a focus on expanding into new markets, strengthening customer relationships, and driving product innovation. Valsoft was represented internally by David Felicissimo (General Counsel), Oliver Gray (Senior Legal Counsel) and Elisa Marcon (Corporate Paralegal). Bridgeall Libraries Limited (the seller of the collectionHQ business) was represented by Ryan Alexander of Offit Kurman and Katy Poole of Buckles Law. About collectionHQ collectionHQ is the world's leading provider of collection performance improvement solutions for libraries. Based on the proven Evidence Based Stock Management (EBSM®) methodology that has been used in libraries for almost thirty years, collectionHQ's products harness cutting-edge technology to analyze data about the library's collection and how it has been used over time to deliver easy-to-use action plans that support continuous improvements. With flexible solutions to accommodate public and academic libraries of all sizes, collectionHQ's team of librarians and data experts provide ongoing support to help optimize workflows, save time and money, improve turnover, and align collections with user demand. About Valsoft Corporation Valsoft Corporation acquires and develops vertical market software companies with the goal of driving long-term growth and value creation. Valsoft partners with companies to provide operational support, capital, and strategic expertise while allowing them to retain their entrepreneurial spirit. Headquartered in Montreal, Valsoft has a presence in over 20 countries and operates in more than 30 vertical markets. Media contact information Thierry Tardif Communications and Public Relations Valsoft Corporation +1 514-799-6679 [email protected] SOURCE: Valsoft Corp press release
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
ICAO seeks to appoint external observer in Air India crash
The International Civil Aviation Regulation (ICAO) has written to India to become a part of the investigation of the Air India Boeing 787 killing 275 people. This is unprecedented as till now ICAO has appointed observers in instances where the crash site was in a conflict zone or a civilian aircraft was shot down by military forces. People aware of the development said last week Juan Carlos Salazar Gómez, secretary general of Montreal-based ICAO wrote to India's civil aviation secretary Samir Kumar Sinha expressing interest to become a part of the probe. They said that India is yet to take a call on ICAO's proposal. The secretary general of ICAO said that since this was a large-scale accident and involves citizens of other nationalities, an external observer by ICAO will ensure that all international protocols and best practices are being met. This, will reinforce the credibility of the investigation process, he said in the letter. Live Events 53 British nationals have died in the crash prompting the United Kingdom's accident investigator become a part of the case while USA's National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) is assisting as both the aircraft and engine manufacturer Boeing and GE are US companies. In recent times, ICAO has appointed technical staff in the investigation of PS-572 crash Ukrainian International Airlines flight which was shot by Iranian Republican Guards on its way from Tehran to Kiev. The other instance was MH 17 which was shot down by Russian-backed forces with a surface-to-air missile. 'This is not identical to the Ahmedabad crash as in both these cases, the area was war torn hampering accident investigation process and it was a military action going rogue killing civilians,' an Indian government official said adding that a call to accept ICAO's proposal was yet to be made. The government on Thursday said that the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has successfully extracted data from the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) and flight data recorder (FDR) of the aircraft. The civil aviation ministry said the memory module of the front black box was accessed and downloaded on Wednesday in a lab at Delhi in presence of NTSB investigators. India is yet to appoint a lead investigator to probe the accident.
Time Out
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Kyoto Botanical Gardens is now open at night for an immersive multimedia experience
Kyoto is more than just temples. It may come as a surprise that Japan's ancient capital is also home to the country's oldest public botanical garden. Fresh off its 100th anniversary last year, the Kyoto Botanical Gardens is now opening its doors after dark for a one-of-a-kind multimedia experience. When Light Cycles Kyoto debuted last year, it was a hit despite being held for just two months. Building on that success, the night event is now operating year-round, running until March 31 2026. The best part? The entire event takes place inside the botanical garden's covered conservatory, making it enjoyable regardless of the weather. Produced by the Montreal-based multimedia studio Moment Factory, Light Cycles Kyoto is an immersive sensory experience that uses light and sound not only to reveal the relationships plants have with nature, but also to create a new way for us to appreciate them. The experience is designed as a journey through four zones. You start with ' Light Will Find You ', inspired by komorebi, that peaceful, magical moment when sunlight filters through tree canopies. Here, the same phenomenon is recreated using artificial light to cast dappled patterns that break up the darkness of night. The second zone, ' Memory of Water ', pays tribute to the vital element. Moment Factory uses light waves and the sounds of thunder and rain to emphasise the importance of water to nature and life. ' Invisible ', the third zone, is playful, as it involves light frequencies that create patterns and rhythms. The last zone, ' Forest Frequencies ', highlights nature's orchestra, where a symphony of natural sounds evokes calm and harmony. Complementing the experience is a gift shop offering items inspired by 'plants' and 'light', including exclusive goods celebrating the garden's history and biodiversity. There is also a food and drink area showcasing vendors from the local neighbourhood. Light Cycles Kyoto is open Tuesday through Sunday, from 7pm to 9.30 pm (last entry 8.30 pm) until August, and from 6pm to 9.30pm (last entry 8.30pm) from September through March. Tickets are ¥2,500 for adults and ¥1,200 for elementary and middle school children. Purchase your tickets online in advance for a ¥100–¥200 discount. For more information, check the event website.
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Health
- Calgary Herald
Alberta reaches deal to donate imported children's pain medication to Ukraine
Alberta has reached a deal with a charitable organization to donate to Ukraine the province's surplus supply of children's pain medication it imported from Turkey two years ago in a deal that has become the subject of multiple investigations. Article content Montreal-based Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC) told Postmedia on Tuesday that it had struck an agreement with Alberta Health Services (AHS) to accept as many as 1.4 million bottles of acetaminophen and ibuprofen to donate to the war-torn European country. Article content Article content Article content The organization says once the donation is received, it will work with partner organizations and local government to identify where the supply is most needed. Article content Article content 'In essence we match what is needed to what we have available,' HIPC president Lois Brown stated in an email. Article content 'Agreements with recipient partners include guarantees that all donated medicines will be used in accordance with applicable standard treatment guidelines.' Article content HIPC partner organizations typically cover the costs of transportation for donated supplies. Article content In April, Health Canada told Postmedia it had issued a 'no objection' letter in March to Alberta's request to donate the medication to Ukraine. Article content The letter requires Alberta to ensure the drugs are only sold or donated abroad for humanitarian purposes, don't violate Ukrainian laws including import approvals, and that logistics and quality oversight are overseen by a compliant drug establishment licence holder. Article content Article content Turkish-base drug manufacturer Atabay had been seeking that licence though its status remains unclear. Article content Postmedia's queries regarding the licence as well as details on quantity, timing, and cost were directed to the office of Hospital and Surgical Health Services Minister Matt Jones. Article content AHS has previously said it was not part of the process of finalizing a donation agreement. Article content 'Good quality drugs' Article content The medication was imported in 2023 under exceptional circumstances amid a Canada-wide shortage, and is set to expire between January and March of next year, according to internal documents previously obtained by Postmedia. Article content Less than a third of the planned shipment arrived, and much of the medication that did make it to Alberta went unused after the shortage ended.
