Transportation

Stowaway Falls to Death on a British Airways Flight

Published

9 years ago

June 22, 2015

Usually incidents that surround flights and airports are unfortunate incidents of hijacking and smuggling. Airport and flight security are always on an alert watch for these incidents and sometimes, manage very well to avoid these issues.

However, a very curious incident has recently taken place aboard a British Airways flight. Two men apparently clung to the British Airways air-craft that was flying from Johannesburg to London. But sadly, one of those men fell 8000 miles from the air and the other who managed to clang on throughout the journey is seriously injured and was taken to the hospital.

The body of the dead victim was found later on the Heathrow flight path in Richmond. The other man who survived the 10 hour long flight by clinging on to the plane was apparently 24 years-old and the police are investigating his identity further.

The officials said, “At this time, there is no evidence to link the death to the discovery of a stowaway in the undercarriage of a plane at Heathrow airport; however, this is one line of enquiry into identifying the deceased and the circumstances of his death.”

Apparently, people who have been involved in previous cases like that have died because of low temperatures or lack of oxygen.

Related Topics:British Airways Johannesburg London London Heathrow Airport

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BUSINESS

Volkswagen’s valuation attempts hampered by absence of succession plan

Published

6 months ago

July 19, 2023

Precious Ubani

Volkswagen, a prominent automotive industry player, has been trying to boost its valuation. However, the lack of a clear succession plan reportedly stifles the company’s progress. The absence of a well-defined leadership transition strategy raises concerns among investors and stakeholders about the company’s long-term stability and growth prospects. In this article, we delve into the details surrounding Volkswagen’s valuation efforts, the impact of the lack of a succession plan, and the potential implications for the company’s future.

Valuation Enhancement Efforts

Volkswagen’s endeavors to enhance its valuation demonstrate its commitment to achieving sustained growth and financial performance. Various strategies, such as product innovation, cost optimization, and market expansion, have likely been pursued to improve the company’s market value.

Importance of Succession Planning

Succession planning is critical to corporate governance, especially for large and influential companies like Volkswagen. A well-structured succession plan ensures a smooth leadership transition, maintains investor confidence, and fosters long-term stability and continuity.

Investor Concerns and Market Reaction

The lack of a clear succession plan may raise concerns among investors and impact the company’s market performance. Investors often value companies that demonstrate strong leadership continuity and a clear plan for future leadership.

Governance and Risk Management

Effective succession planning is integral to sound governance and risk management. A robust succession plan minimizes disruptions and uncertainties during leadership transitions, safeguarding the company’s interests and reputation.

Potential Leadership Vacuum

The absence of a clear succession plan may create a leadership vacuum in the future, making it challenging to fill key executive positions with suitable candidates. This can hinder strategic decision-making and operational efficiency.

Impact on Long-Term Strategy

A lack of clarity regarding leadership succession can affect Volkswagen’s long-term strategic planning. Uncertainty about future leadership may lead to hesitation in implementing crucial growth and investment strategies.

Investor Engagement and Communication

Transparent communication with investors and stakeholders about succession planning is crucial for maintaining their trust and confidence in the company. Clear communication helps manage expectations and mitigates uncertainties.

Addressing Succession Planning

Volkswagen may need to prioritize the development of a comprehensive succession plan that identifies potential successors, outlines leadership transition protocols, and ensures continuity in the company’s vision and values.

Conclusion

Volkswagen’s efforts to boost its valuation are commendable, reflecting its commitment to growth and financial success. However, the lack of a clear succession plan is a significant concern that may hinder the company’s long-term stability and investor confidence. Addressing succession planning is crucial for Volkswagen to ensure effective governance, minimize risks, and sustain its growth trajectory. By prioritizing the development of a well-defined succession strategy, Volkswagen can foster leadership continuity, enhance market performance, and maintain its position as a leading player in the automotive industry.

AFRICA

President’s “Non-Starter” Deal Will Not End Shutdown

Published

5 years ago

January 20, 2019

Diane Won

This week, shutdown polls showed the American public blame President Trump for the government shutdown. To divert Americans’ attention elsewhere, President Trump tried to make a deal with Democrats on Saturday. Among other elements, the deal consists of three years’ legislative relief to DACA recipients and a three-year extension of temporary protected status for 300,000 immigrants whose protected status is about to expire. In exchange for these provisions, $5.7 billion border wall funding will finally be paid for. The so-called deal is a non-starter because it contains the wall House Speaker Pelosi refuses to compromise on. Moreover, Democrats seek to reopen government before beginning negotiations on border security. Democrats are presenting a united front and refusing to budge on the wall together, at least until the government is opened.

To Pelosi, the wall is an expensive and unnecessary item border security can do perfectly fine without. To President Trump, the wall is an integral part of his campaign promise and essential to seal off the border, stopping illegal crooks and helping border security officials do their jobs.

Support for the wall is clearly divided along partisan lines. Many Republican lawmakers, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, supported President Trump’s latest proposal. McConnell said he will floor Trump’s proposal in the Senate next week. Sen. Mitt Romney is also in favor of the proposal. House Republicans too considered Trump’s deal to be bipartisan, fair, and reasonable.

Speaker Pelosi said any one item in the deal was not likely to pass the House, let alone the compilation of all items. Moreover, Trump’s proposal does not offer a permanent solution to Dreamers and TPS recipients. Dreamers and TPS recipients had their protections initially removed by President Trump. President Trump’s deal with the Democrats can hardly be called a deal at all considering the Democrats were not consulted before Trump’s announcement and none of their policy demands were met. His proposal is a consolidation of items Democrats previously voted for and band-aid solutions to Democratic immigration priorities.

Other Democrats such as Sen. Tim Kaine and Mark Werner, both of whom represent Virginia where many federal workers reside, were displeased President Trump did not address the sufferings of federal workers going without pay. Without their paychecks, federal workers, who tend to be paid less overall, can barely make ends meet with mortgage and child care payments. There is increasing dependence on food banks. The government shutdown enters its 29th day.

Featured image via Flickr/The White House

AFRICA

Young Man Who Targeted the White House Arrested

Published

5 years ago

January 17, 2019

Diane Won

US Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia, Byung J. Pak, announced the arrest of a man plotting to blow a hole through the White House for access and subsequently corner people inside with semi-automatic rifles. The backpack he was supposed to wear would have contained a bomb for him to become a “martyr”.

Hasher Taheb, 21, is from Cumming, Georgia. He plotted to attack the White House, the Statue of Liberty, and other locations in Washington, D.C. Taheb was investigated by the Atlanta Joint Terrorism Task Force and the FBI for a year after a community member gave local authorities the hint Taheb was becoming a dangerous radical. The tip, given in March 2018, said Taheb had, “become radicalized, changed his name, and made plans to travel abroad.”

In July, Taheb applied for a US passport and put his car on sale. Taheb told an FBI informant who showed interest in buying the car that he was selling the car to pay for his trip abroad to ISIS-controlled territories. He teamed up with this FBI informant and relayed to him his passion for jihad along with the targets he had in mind.

On December 2, Taheb met with the informant and an undercover FBI agent. He communicated his desire to be a “martyr” and inflict as much damage as possible in the US. Taheb drew a diagram of the West Wing in the White House and requested assistance in obtaining weapons and explosive devices from the undercover agent on December 7. On December 15, Taheb uploaded a 40-page manifesto about jihad to Google Docs and started a group chat with the informant and undercover agent for discussing imminent attacks planned.

On Saturday, Taheb met the FBI informant and informed him he was going to initiate attacks on Thursday. On Wednesday, Taheb and the two FBI associates conferred in a store parking lot located in Buford, Georgia to exchange their automobiles for rifles and explosives. A second FBI informant joined them and instructed Taheb on how to use the weapons. Taheb was arrested at the scene after he gave away his car keys and took the explosives he was promised, transferring them to a rental vehicle. Chris Hacker, head of Atlanta’s FBI branch, said authorities think Taheb was acting alone aside from the FBI associates Taheb expected to carry out his plans with.

Taheb appeared in an Atlanta court, charged with attempts to damage federal properties using improvised explosives. Pak said prosecutors will bring the case before a grand jury. Taheb will next appear in court on January 24 at 3:00 p.m. ET.

Featured image via Flickr/The White House