us President donald trump On Friday the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil shipping route and a key choke point in the Iran war, was dubbed the “Strait of Hormuz.”Speaking at the Future Investment Initiative in Miami, Trump said, “Iran has to open up the Strait of Hormuz, I mean, Hormuz,” Trump said, prompting laughter from the audience.He then said, “Sorry. I’m so sorry. Such a terrible mistake,” before adding, “The fake news will say, ‘She said by mistake’, ‘No, I haven’t had an accident, not too bad. If there was, we’d have a big story.'”The comments come at a time when the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route, has become the epicenter of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The waterway typically handles the movement of about 20 million barrels of oil per day, making it one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints.Iran’s ability to disrupt or block access through the strait has contributed to significant volatility in global energy supplies and prices. The conflict is nearing its second month, while the United States claims to have “destroyed” Iran’s military capabilities.Earlier in the week, Trump had suggested that control of the strait could be jointly managed by “me and the Ayatollahs” as part of a possible solution. He has also said that Iran is in talks with the US and is “begging” for a compromise, although officials in Tehran have denied any direct talks.Separately, a New York Post report cited by Axios said Trump is considering the possibility of taking control of the strait and naming it after himself or as “America’s Strait.” This idea echoes their earlier effort to relabel the Gulf of Mexico.The comments are in line with Trump’s long-standing approach to branding, where he has often used his name in business and public ventures. This also echoes a previous post on Truth Social in October, where he jokingly mentioned the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, using its name.The Kennedy Center’s board later voted to rename the institution the “Trump-Kennedy Center”, according to a White House announcement in December.

New Delhi: Pilots flying VVIP aircraft, including Z-plus category SPG protectees, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Cabinet ministers, Chief Justice of India, Chief Ministers and Governors, have now been given the right to refuse to fly if it is not safe to do so for any reason.Following the death of Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and four others in a small plane crash this January, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday issued a new set of “guidelines for carriage of central, state and other dignitaries by aircraft”.The new rules state, “…the flight crew should not be put under undue pressure to undertake the flight, which could affect the safety of operations. Any last minute changes to the planned flight due to VIP requirements should be made only through the management of the organization and not directly with the crew.”Furthermore, the guidelines also state that only well-maintained aircraft or helicopters, in which the last reported fault has been rectified, and very experienced pilots, shall operate such flights.Noting that VVIPs frequently use air travel in “(small) aircraft” and helicopters for election campaigning and other purposes, the DGCA said, “Analysis of earlier accidents/incidents involving aircraft operations at airstrips/temporary helipads and during election flights have often revealed violations of instructions and security was jeopardized. It is necessary to ensure the highest standards of safety for operation of such flights.” Adequate measures should be taken by all concerned.“The move is aimed at saving pilots from pressure as politicians often insist on flying to public meetings even in low light.A charter operator for decades said, “These new rules make it possible for us to refuse to operate flights to VIPs if it is not safe to do so. Over my many years, I have gotten into trouble myself for pointing out that it may not be safe to operate flights for any number of reasons, such as weather. Now that we are responsible for maintaining the aircraft and obtaining landing clearance, the responsibility for safe flight rests on everyone on board the aircraft. This new rulebook makes it completely clear.“Now DGCA has issued new instructions making it mandatory for VVIPs to have twin-engine aircraft with a minimum crew of two and good operational capability.It also says that 24 hours before the flight, state governments, public sector undertakings, aircraft operators and pilots will have to ensure the availability of a suitable helipad or airstrip for landing. Furthermore, district authorities are required to issue landing permission or no objection certificate before an aircraft can land at a remote or uncontrolled airport or helipad. The state and district administration will have to provide information about the location of the helipad or airstrip along with coordinates, security, fire and rescue arrangements.