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45-Foot Nude Woman Statue in San Francisco Triggers Social Media Backlash | WATCH

May 29, 2025, 6:59 pm

A 45-foot tall, 15,000 kg nude woman steel statue called R-Evolution was recently erected at Embarcadero Plaza in San Francisco, receiving both praise and criticism. The sculpture was designed by artist Marco Cochrane and has soft, multicoloured lighting. It is the last in The Bliss Project series by Cochrane, which originally debuted at Burning Man in 2015.

The installation is a joint collaboration by The San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, The Sijbrandij Foundation, and Building 180. Authorities are optimistic that the art will strengthen the cultural appeal of the city and increase local tourism. According to the department’s press release, “Despite comprising over half the population, women are grossly underrepresented in public art, making up only 8% of statues in the US. This sculpture disrupts that imbalance, evoking a compelling moment of visibility and reflection.”

Take a look:

San Francisco unveiled their 45-foot statue of a nude woman Thursday at Embarcadero Plaza to attract tourism. The piece is titled “R-Evolution.”

SF continues to be plagued by crime, homeless, and illegals. The city would have many more tourists if these issues were addressed. pic.twitter.com/zc0EUunniF

— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) April 13, 2025

Details of the Artwork

Painter Marco Cochrane also described the inspiration for his work, stating, “This sculpture is about being seen. Women’s presence in public art is rare. When they are represented, it is often through passive or outdated narratives. R-Evolution disrupts that. She stands strong, aware and grounded, calling for a world where all people can walk freely and without fear.”

Built with more than 55,000 steel welds, R-Evolution is programmed to gently shift once daily, simulating the process of breathing. At night, it lights up as a gleaming centerpiece, turning Embarcadero Plaza into a visually striking place.

Social Media Reacts

The statue despite it’s deep meaning has created a flood of criticism on social media. One X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, “San Francisco unveiled their 45-foot statue of a naked woman Thursday at Embarcadero Plaza to bring in tourism. The statue is named ‘R-Evolution.’ SF still has crime problems, homeless and illegals. The city would have a lot more tourists if these things were solved.”

Others questioned the statue’s relevance and effectiveness in drawing tourism. Comments ranged from, “Public art is a waste of money,” to, “This is not the way to attract more tourists.” Another simply called it, “weird,” while one user asked, “And the point of that statue is what??”

In spite of the criticism, R-Evolution is a strong piece of art, trying to redefine the debate of representation of women in street art and presenting a new and stunning addition to San Francisco’s cityscape.

Jaishankar Calls Consulate Attack a ‘Very Serious Matter’, Demands Accountability

January 23, 2025, 12:49 pm

India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, on Thursday said the 2023 arson attack on the Indian consulate in San Francisco was a “very serious matter” and called for accountability from the United States. He made the remarks at a press conference in Washington DC, where he spoke about India’s strong position on the incident and its aftermath.

#WATCH | Washington DC | EAM Dr S Jaishankar says, “…The attack on our consulate in San Francisco is a very serious matter and it is something for which we expect accountability. We would like to see that people who did it are held responsible.” pic.twitter.com/qmsV3b7Nu4

— ANI (@ANI) January 22, 2025

Attack on the Indian Consulate

The attack took place on March 19, 2023, when attackers tried to set fire to the Consulate General of India in San Francisco by sprinkling inflammable substances on the building early in the morning. They later continued committing criminal trespass, damaging government property, and attacking officials from the consulate. The attack got worse as pro-Khalistani protesters, allegedly the suspects, gathered outside the consulate, shouting slogans and harassing the consulate staff when they were leaving the premises.

A video of the attack, which emerged on social media, shows the attackers protesting in front of the consulate. This is further evidence of how serious the incident was. Within three months after the first attempt, another arson attempt on the consulate was reported in July 2023, prompting authorities to conduct investigations.

US Condemns the Attack

The United States condemned the attack, terming it a “criminal offense,” and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) later reassured India’s National Investigative Agency that it was “aggressively” pursuing the case. However, the Indian government stressed that the attackers must be brought to book.

According to him, “The arson attack on our consulate in San Francisco is a very, very serious matter, and it is something for which we expect accountability. We would like to see that people who did it are held responsible.”

What India Aims at from the US Side

It is gaining a lot of attention globally, and especially within India; the Indian government hopes that US authorities will deal sternly and that those behind it will face judicial consequences. The remarks from Jaishankar had been on the safety and security of India’s missions and officials stationed abroad.

What is Birthright Citizenship And Reform: Trump’s Bold Election Promise

December 19, 2024, 5:22 pm

Donald Trump plans to end birthright citizenship if he becomes president on January 20. His announcement has reignited debates about immigration and constitutional law.

What Is Birthright Citizenship?

Birthright citizenship ensures anyone born in the U.S. is a citizen. It stems from the 14th Amendment, added to the Constitution in 1868. The Citizenship Clause states:
“All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 reinforces this principle. Under current law, children of immigrants, whether legal or illegal, automatically gain U.S. citizenship. Trump has criticized this, pointing to cases where foreign women travel to the U.S. just to give birth.

Are There Exceptions?

Yes, there are exceptions. Children born to foreign diplomats with immunity do not receive U.S. citizenship. This is because they are not subject to U.S. jurisdiction.

What Has the Supreme Court Ruled?

The Supreme Court has not ruled on whether children of undocumented immigrants qualify for birthright citizenship. However, past cases provide some insight.

In 1898, the Court ruled that Wong Kim Ark, born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrants legally residing in the U.S., was a citizen. This decision came despite strict immigration policies against Chinese nationals.

In contrast, an 1884 case denied citizenship to John Elk. He was born into a Native American tribe and was deemed not subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Later, in 1924, Congress granted citizenship to all Native Americans.

What Critics Say About Birthright Citizenship

Opponents argue that the phrase “subject to the jurisdiction” excludes children of undocumented immigrants. Republican senators Lindsey Graham and Tom Cotton have proposed bills to redefine birthright citizenship. They want to exclude children born to parents illegally in the U.S.

However, many legal scholars reject this view. They emphasize that undocumented individuals, unlike diplomats, are subject to U.S. laws.

Can Trump End Birthright Citizenship?

Donald Trump has suggested he could end birthright citizenship with an executive order. No president has ever attempted this. Still, Trump might issue an order requiring one parent to be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or military member.

Such an order could deny passports or benefits to those who do not meet these new criteria. Yet, courts would likely block it immediately.

Legal Challenges and the Path Forward

If Trump issues an executive order, legal challenges will follow. This could send the issue to the Supreme Court for a final decision.

If the Court upholds birthright citizenship, only a constitutional amendment could change it. Such an amendment would need approval from two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of state legislatures. This process would take years.

Trump’s proposal highlights his tough stance on immigration. While it has sparked intense debate, implementing such a change faces significant legal and constitutional hurdles. For now, birthright citizenship remains a cornerstone of U.S. law.

Democratic States Face Tough Legal Challenges Against Trump’s Policies Amid Judicial Shift

December 17, 2024, 4:58 pm

Democratic-led states preparing to challenge President-elect Donald Trump’s policies face a challenging legal landscape after his first-term appointments. These appointments have established a conservative supermajority on the U.S. Supreme Court and reduced the influence of liberal judges on key appeals courts that had previously blocked parts of Trump’s agenda.

During Trump’s first term, Democratic state attorneys general filed 155 multistate lawsuits against his policies, achieving an impressive 83% success rate, according to a database maintained by Marquette University political scientist Paul Nolette. States like California and Washington led these legal efforts and are preparing to do so again. The 23 states with Democratic attorneys general are currently reviewing Trump’s campaign promises and laying the groundwork for legal challenges on issues such as immigration, the environment, and healthcare.

California Attorney General Prepares for Legal Action

California Attorney General Rob Bonta stated, “We’ve thought about the legal arguments. We, in many cases, have briefs ready to file. Just got to cross the t’s, dot the i’s, and press print.” One potential target for litigation is Trump’s plan to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, a significant concern for California, which is home to over 10 million immigrants. The California Department of Justice, under Bonta’s leadership, is set to receive much of the $25 million in funding requested by Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom for legal battles against the Trump administration.

Judicial Landscape Transformed by Trump Appointments

However, these lawsuits will navigate a federal judiciary that has been significantly altered by Trump during his first four years in office, with 234 judicial appointments, including three U.S. Supreme Court justices, resulting in a 6-3 conservative majority. Trump’s appointees have shifted the court’s rulings to the right, overturning the nationwide right to abortion, expanding gun rights, and limiting government regulatory authority.

The Supreme Court hears only a limited number of cases each year, and before any case can reach the justices, it must first pass through lower courts, including federal appeals courts that often have the final say. Trump also appointed 54 appellate judges, flipping 19 seats previously held by Democratic appointees on intermediate courts.

The 9th Circuit Court’s Shift in Dynamics

The San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, once considered the most liberal of the 12 regional appeals courts, played a crucial role in challenging Trump’s policies during his first term. Many cases were filed in the Northern District of California, where all 14 active judges are Democratic appointees. However, Trump appointed 10 conservative judges to the 9th Circuit, which now has 16 Democratic appointees and 13 Republican appointees, increasing the likelihood of conservative panels hearing appeals.

Legal experts suggest that this shift may alter the strategy for litigants looking to challenge Trump’s policies, potentially leading them to seek more favorable jurisdictions with reliably liberal benches. Even if courts ultimately rule in favor of the Trump administration, a multitude of lawsuits across various jurisdictions could delay and complicate the implementation of his agenda.

Alternative Venues for Legal Challenges

Experts believe that Democratic-led states may have better odds in the Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, particularly by filing lawsuits in Maryland, where federal courts are dominated by Democratic appointees. Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown has indicated he is seeking additional funding for federal litigation to prepare for potential lawsuits against the Trump administration.

Another potential venue is Massachusetts, where Democratic Attorney General Andrea Campbell is preparing for litigation. Appeals from federal judges in Massachusetts go to the Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which has no Trump appointees and a majority of judges appointed by Democrats.

As Democratic states gear up for legal battles against Trump’s policies, the evolving judicial landscape presents both challenges and opportunities in their quest for justice.

Watch: Indian Man’s Video Shows ‘Zombie-Like’ People In San Francisco, Calls It ‘Most Unsafe Place’

November 28, 2024, 6:16 pm

Indian YouTuber Ishan Sharma shared a disturbing video of San Francisco, highlighting issues like homelessness, drug addiction, and public safety. In the post on X (formerly Twitter), Sharma described the city, home to major tech companies, as “the most unsafe place” he had ever been. The video shows people on the streets appearing unconscious or struggling to walk, with their heads bent down.

“Half of the streets are filled with: homeless, mentally unstable, high on drugs, or a combination of all,” Sharma said, adding, “Zombie-like people walking on the streets. It is the utopia of tech capitalism gone wrong.”

Watch:

It breaks my heart watching this.?

This is San Francisco.
The tech capital of America.
Home to the world’s brightest minds.
AND the biggest tech companies

Is also the most unsafe place I’ve been to.
Half of the streets are filled with:

– homeless
– mentally unstable
– high on… pic.twitter.com/Ngi78cimdW

— Ishan Sharma (@Ishansharma7390) November 28, 2024

Sharma’s video sparked reactions, with one user, Abhishek Shaw, commenting, “No, it’s not the tech capital anymore, most of them have already shifted to Austin, Texas.” Shaw pointed out that the city center is nearly deserted and properties have lost 90% of their value since 2016.

This isn’t the first time the city’s homelessness issue has drawn attention. Last month, Elon Musk criticized San Francisco’s homeless population, calling them “violent, drug zombies” in an interview with Tucker Carlson. Musk said that walking around the streets of the city, one is likely to encounter “violent, drug zombies.”

Sharma, who has over 1.5 million subscribers on YouTube, has been sharing his experiences in the US, including a controversial incident earlier this year where he faced backlash for not returning a balance after paying for food.

Air India Resolves Diversion Crisis: Relief Aircraft Arrives in San Francisco

July 20, 2024, 4:02 pm

On Saturday, Air India announced that a relief aircraft for passengers stranded on its Delhi-San Francisco flight had safely arrived in San Francisco. The flight, AI183, was diverted to Krasnoyarsk International Airport in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk Krai on Thursday after the crew detected a potential technical issue in the cargo hold area. The plane had 225 passengers and 19 crew members on board.

After the emergency landing, Air India quickly arranged a relief flight from New Delhi to Krasnoyarsk the next day. This flight, designated AI1179, carried passengers to their final destination in San Francisco and included essential supplies and food for everyone on board. Additionally, a team from the Indian Embassy in Moscow was sent to the Russian airport to assist the stranded passengers.

In its latest update on Friday, Air India confirmed that flight AI1179 landed safely in San Francisco at 8:27 a.m. local time. The airline expressed its gratitude to various organizations for their support, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Government of India, the Indian Embassy in Russia, Russian authorities, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and Krasnoyarsk International Airport.

Air India also thanked the passengers for their patience and understanding during the diversion, emphasizing that safety is their foremost priority. This incident is similar to one that occurred last year when an Air India flight on the same route experienced technical issues and was diverted to the remote Russian town of Magadan. In that case, passengers were temporarily housed in a local school before being transported to San Francisco by a replacement flight from Mumbai.

The swift response and coordination by Air India in both incidents demonstrate their commitment to managing such situations effectively and ensuring passenger safety and comfort.

Air India Relief Flight Evacuates Stranded Passengers From Russia To San Francisco

July 20, 2024, 1:41 pm

Two days after making an emergency landing in Russia, passengers from Air India’s flight bound for the United States reached San Francisco on a different aircraft from Krasnoyarsk International Airport (KJA).

According to a post by Air India on X, the relief flight from the Russian airport landed in San Francisco with all the stranded passengers on board.

“We thank the DGCA, Government of India, Embassy of India in Russia, the Russian authorities, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Krasnoyarsk International Airport, and all partners involved, for their support in the situation,” the airline tweeted.

UPDATE #6: FLIGHT AI1179 ARRIVES IN SAN FRANCISCO

AI1179 landed safely in San Francisco at 2027 Hrs local time (19 July).

We thank the DGCA, Government of India, Embassy of India in Russia, the Russian authorities, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Customs…

— Air India (@airindia) July 20, 2024

According to the airline, an Air India relief flight left the Russian airport at 12:02 am on Saturday. Following the departure, the Indian Embassy in Moscow expressed gratitude to Russia’s Foreign Ministry and other parties for their help with the stranded passengers.

Taking to X, the Indian Embassy stated, “Air India Rescue Flight AI 1179 with passengers of AI-183 took off from Krasnoyarsk for San Francisco.”.

“The Embassy of India, Moscow, thanks the Foreign Ministry of Russia and its Representative Office in Krasnoyarsk, the Russian Federal Agency for Air Transport, the Krasnoyarsk Krai Government, airport authorities, and security officials for their assistance to the passengers and to the Embassy’s team in the coordination work throughout the emergency situation,” the Embassy added.

Earlier on Friday, Air India received regulatory approval for a relief flight from Mumbai to transport the US-bound passengers who were stranded at Krasnoyarsk International Airport (KJA). The airline mentioned that the flight was equipped with essentials and ample food for all the stranded passengers.

The San Francisco-bound Air India flight, originally departing from Delhi, was diverted to Russia on Thursday after the crew identified a potential issue in the cargo hold area.

Laptop Fire Forces Emergency Evacuation of American Airlines Flight

July 13, 2024, 4:50 pm

An American Airlines flight from San Francisco to Miami experienced an emergency evacuation on Friday after a passenger’s laptop began emitting smoke. The incident resulted in three passengers sustaining minor injuries, necessitating hospital visits. Emergency slides and a jet bridge were utilized for the evacuation, and the flight was subsequently rescheduled for later that day.

Passenger Jan Jankai recounted to ABC News the smell of “burned cables” that preceded the evacuation. He and his father attempted to unbuckle their seat belts and reach the emergency exit as the odor intensified.

Flight 2045 was originally set to depart from San Francisco International Airport at 12:15 PM local time. The San Francisco Fire Department (SFFD) reported that three individuals suffered minor injuries during the evacuation, with one requiring hospitalization.

Video footage captured emergency responders removing the smoking laptop from the passenger’s bag and placing it in a water-filled container. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced an investigation into the incident, as confirmed by spokesperson Steve Kulm.

Texas Mom Removed From Flight For Misgendering Attendant: ‘It’s A Hate Crime…’

June 27, 2024, 2:43 pm

A recent United Airlines flight from San Francisco to Austin turned into a nightmare for Jenna Longoria, a Texas mom, and her 16-month-old toddler. According to Jenna, a simple mistake involving pronouns led to her and her child being removed from the plane, leaving her feeling singled out and humiliated.

The Texas incident, which Jenna shared with her 20,000 Instagram followers, has quickly gone viral and sparked widespread discussions about pronoun usage. Jenna explained that she was preoccupied with managing her toddler and their carry-on luggage when she accidentally used the wrong pronoun for a flight attendant. Despite apologizing for the mistake, the situation escalated rapidly.

Mother and 16 month old baby DENIED entry to United Flight for using the wrong PRONOUNS for flight attendant.

“The flight attendant has denied access to us because he said I made a derogatory comment about one of the flight attendants because I didn’t use the right pronoun” pic.twitter.com/SyvqNJzdmF

— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) June 26, 2024

United Airlines stated that Jenna and her family were denied boarding due to exceeding the carry-on baggage limit, a claim Jenna strongly disputes. In her Instagram post, Jenna recounted how Gabriella, a member of the flight staff, informed them that they needed more time to investigate but that the captain had already decided to remove them from the flight. Jenna described the incident as absurd, emphasizing that she was focused on her son and not familiar with pronouns.

The situation began when Jenna accidentally misgendered a flight attendant who identifies as a woman. After thanking the attendant with “thank you, sir,” the attendant became upset, leading to a confrontation. Despite Jenna’s attempts to clarify the misunderstanding and manage her crying son, she, her son, and her mother were ultimately denied boarding, leaving their luggage and medications on the plane.

Gabriella, the flight staff member, reportedly told Jenna that due to the verbal altercation, she was being removed from the flight. Jenna was informed that comments made during the incident were considered derogatory and offensive.

The incident has sparked a heated debate on social media, with many expressing outrage over the handling of the situation. Some users suggested legal action against the airline, while others criticized the emphasis on pronoun usage.

Jenna and her family eventually took an alternate flight, but the ordeal has left a lasting impact. The controversy highlights ongoing discussions about the importance of pronouns and the challenges faced by those unfamiliar with current practices.

‘Just Fired Our Designer, Hiring Someone Tonight’: Pakistani-American Founder’s Post Sparks Controversy

June 27, 2024, 11:26 am

A San Francisco-based founder has sparked controversy with his recruitment post shared online shortly after dismissing his designer. “Just fired our designer. Need someone that wants to design products for millions,” wrote Arib Khan, 20, on the social media platform X. He added, “DM me your portfolio today. Hiring someone tonight.”

just fired our designer

need someone that wants to design products for millions

software + hardware

dm me your portfolio today

hiring someone tonight

— Arib ???? (@aribk24) June 25, 2024

Khan, the Pakistani-American founder of Musicfy, a company that develops AI tools for musicians, previously served as founder and CEO of a men’s jewelry brand. However, his post did not go over well with many, especially given the current climate of exposing toxic workplaces and managers.

In response to the backlash, Khan stood firm. “My goal isn’t to be nice,” he stated. “If your designs are s*** I will say they are s***.” He added, “If you can’t handle what I will say then don’t work for us.” Khan’s X bio mentions his Pakistani-American heritage.

my goal isn’t to be nice

if ur designs are shit i will say they are shit

if you can’t handle what i will say then don’t work for us

— Arib ???? (@aribk24) June 25, 2024

He later updated that the vacancy had been filled.

Netizens React:

Social media reactions to his post were overwhelmingly negative. A former Meta employee commented, “This kind of attitude might make you feel ‘I’m top of the world’ because you made some money as a 20 yr old. But it will bite your back soon enough.”

This kind of attitude might make you feel “I’m top of the world” because you made some money as a 20 yr old. But it will bite your back soon enough.

Attitude impacts work, we had a client last year with the same attitude and I played nice, asked him to be respectful and still… pic.twitter.com/W2Z5k1MzuC

— Nick (@MrNick_Buzz) June 26, 2024

Another X user remarked, “Whilst this approach works to a certain point. It reduces the morale of the team which has a long time effect in output.”

Many X users labeled Khan a red flag, with one noting, “Multiple red flags here, sounds like a nightmare client.”

Air India Apologizes For 30-Hour Delay, Offers Compensation To Passengers

June 2, 2024, 12:49 pm

In a recent incident, Air India faced significant scrutiny after passengers endured a 30-hour delay on a flight from Delhi to San Francisco. The airline, dealing with technical glitches and operational constraints, issued a formal apology and compensation to affected travelers.

Air India’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Klaus Goersch, addressed passengers in a letter expressing sincere regret for the inconvenience caused. Each passenger was offered a travel voucher worth USD 350 for future use with the airline. Alternatively, passengers could choose to credit the amount instead of redeeming it for travel.

“Please allow me to sincerely apologize, on behalf of Air India, for the extended delay in bringing you to San Francisco, which was caused by several technical delays and other operational constraints. We have endeavored to rectify the technical issues, but clearly, the duration of the delay was long, and the experience was not what we aspire to offer. However, your safety was the highest priority throughout. As a gesture of apology, we would like to offer you a travel voucher worth USD 350, for future travel on Air India. Alternatively, we could credit this amount to you through your source of payment or bank details. Although we cannot change the past, I trust that this gesture conveys our sincere regrets for the disruption and inconvenience,” said Klaus Goersch in the letter.

Reasons Behind the Delay

The Delhi-San Francisco flight, scheduled for departure on Thursday afternoon, faced numerous setbacks. Technical glitches, non-operational air-conditioning systems, and payload issues contributed to the prolonged delay, leaving passengers stranded for over 30 hours.

“We are very sorry for this lapse in our service and the inconvenience caused to you,” the letter emphasized.

Regulatory Scrutiny

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) took notice of the situation, issuing a show-cause notice to Air India. The notice highlighted delays in at least two international flights and the airline’s perceived failure to adequately assist passengers. Specifically, the delays of flight AI 183 from Delhi to San Francisco on May 30 and AI 179 from Mumbai to San Francisco on May 24 were cited in the notice.

Passengers Wait Inside Cabin for 5 Hours as Air India Flight from Mumbai to San Francisco Delayed

May 25, 2024, 12:38 am

Passengers of an Air India flight bound for San Francisco from Mumbai faced significant delays on Friday, enduring over five hours of waiting inside the aircraft. Ultimately, the flight was rescheduled for Saturday.

Initially scheduled for departure at 1600 hours, the Boeing 777 aircraft experienced delays due to a technical issue. Subsequently, some passengers disembarked, and then another passenger fell ill, further prolonging the delay.

After the unwell passenger was attended to and deboarded around 1917 hours, it was realized that the flight, AI 179, would encounter night-landing restrictions upon reaching San Francisco, and the crew would exceed their flight-duty limits.

As a result, the decision was made to reschedule the flight for Saturday, with a new departure time set for 1030 hours.

The exact number of passengers onboard was not immediately available.

According to airline officials, the initial delay stemmed from a technical issue just before departure, which required engineering checks and resolution.

Subsequent delays occurred as a few passengers opted to discontinue their journey, necessitating the offloading of their baggage from the aircraft.

Despite efforts to proceed with departure, the flight returned to the parking bay at 1917 hours due to a passenger falling ill.

In light of the inconvenience caused, passengers were offered hotel accommodations, complimentary rescheduling, and full refunds, with the airline expressing regret for the disruption.

Air India’s ferry flight with stranded passengers from Russia reaches San Francisco

June 8, 2023, 2:36 pm

An Air India ferry flight that was moved from Mumbai to pick up passengers stranded for nearly two days in Russia’s Magadan has landed safely in San Francisco.

An Air India flight, headed to San Francisco from New Delhi with 216 passengers and 16 crew was diverted on Tuesday to Magadan after a technical issue with one of its engines.
As per the airline, Flight AI173D landed safely in San Francisco (SFO) at 0007 hours on 08 June 2023 (local time).

“All our passengers are being extended maximum on-ground assistance with clearance formalities and provided other necessary support,” Air India said in a tweet.

In a statement on Thursday morning, the airline said it had mobilised additional on-ground support at the San Francisco airport to carry out the smooth clearance formalities for all passengers upon arrival.

San Francisco street has been renamed after the victim of an anti-Asian attack

October 3, 2022, 12:22 pm

According to the reports, a street in San Francisco has been renamed after an 84-year-old man who died in a “senseless” anti-Asian hate attack last year. Sonora Lane will be renamed “Vicha Ratanapakdee Lane.”

Vicha Ratanapakdee, who had moved to the United States from Thailand, was walking in the Anza Vista neighbourhood on January 28 last year when he was violently shoved to the ground. Vicha Ratanapakdee never regained consciousness following the attack.

The attack, which was caught on CCTV, was one of many reported against Asian Americans in the United States in recent years. In San Francisco, it sparked public outrage, prompting artists to create murals and portraits of Vicha Ratanapakdee.

“This horrific incident was one of several senseless attacks against members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community here in the San Francisco — our friends and neighbors should not have to fear the unthinkable when they walk our streets,” Catherine Stefani, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors told.

Following the assault, a 19-year-old man was charged with murder and elder abuse, according to the report.

Air India plans to introduce 20 additional weekly flights to Birmingham, London, and San Francisco

September 30, 2022, 3:55 pm

As part of the airline’s efforts to reclaim its position in international aviation, Air India plans to introduce 20 additional weekly flights to Birmingham, London, and San Francisco from October to December. Air India said in a statement, “With five additional flights a week to Birmingham, nine additional flights to London, and six additional flights a week to San Francisco, Air India will be able to offer over 5,000 additional seats every week to customers and ensure ample choice in terms of connectivity, convenience, and cabin space.”They also said in a statement, “Birmingham will receive an extra five flights per week, three from Delhi and two additional from Amritsar. London will receive nine additional weekly flights, of which, five are from Mumbai, three from Delhi, and one from Ahmedabad. Altogether, seven Indian cities will now have non-stop Air India flights to the UK’s capital.”The airlines said that flights from India to US will increase to 34-40 per week and it will connect Mumbai with San Francisco with thrice-weekly service and reinstate a three times weekly Bengaluru operation.The statement said, “This takes Air India’s San Francisco offering from 10 to 16 weekly, with non-stop service from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru.”Air India’s chief executive officer and managing director Campbell Wilson said the airline is reinventing itself under the Vihaan.AI transformation programme and adding frequency and improving connectivity from major Indian cities to more international destinations is a significant focus.He said, “This sizeable frequency increase to the US and the UK, as well as the addition of new city pairs and improved aircraft cabin interiors, comes just 10 months after Air India’s acquisition by the Tata Group. It is a clear signal of our intent, and an early step towards a much bigger aspiration.”