Washington:

Families of Boeing 737 MAX crash victims on Wednesday asked US authorities to impose a fine of up to $24.8 billion on the aviation giant and proceed with criminal prosecution.

The move comes a day after Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun acknowledged the “gravity” of the company’s safety problems and assured a US congressional panel that it was making progress on the issue.

Sitting behind him in the audience were relatives of victims of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashes in 2018 and 2019, who held up victims’ photos.

“Because Boeing’s crime is the deadliest corporate crime in US history, a maximum fine of more than $24 billion is legally justified and clearly appropriate,” Paul Cassell, a lawyer for the families, wrote in a letter to the US Department of Justice.

The 32-page document explains the calculations behind the amount sought, saying Boeing “should be fined the maximum — $24,780,000,000 — with perhaps $14,000,000,000 to $22,000,0000,000 of the fine suspended on the condition that Boeing devote those suspended funds to an independent corporate monitor and related improvements in compliance and safety programs as identified below.”

It added: “And Boeing’s Board of Directors should be ordered to meet with the families.”

The families also believe the government should promptly “launch criminal prosecutions of the responsible corporate officials at Boeing at the time of the two crashes.”

The case relates to crashes in 2018 and 2019 in Indonesia and Ethiopia that together claimed 346 lives and comes as Boeing faces intensifying scrutiny following recent manufacturing and safety problems.

The aviation giant has again been in the public spotlight since a January 5 incident in which a 737 MAX operated by Alaska Airlines was forced to make an emergency landing after a fuselage panel blew out mid-flight.

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

In a disturbing development, Canadian rapper Drake’s Toronto mansion was targeted in an alleged break-in attempt just one day after a security guard on the property was shot, according to The Guardian.

Police were called to the residence on Wednesday after reports of a suspect attempting to enter the property. The suspect was apprehended without further incident, and thankfully, no injuries were reported.

Also Read | Shooting Outside Rapper Drake’s Toronto Mansion Amid Rap Feud: Report

This incident comes on the heels of a serious shooting that occurred early Tuesday morning. A security guard working at Drake’s home was critically injured by unknown assailants who fled the scene in a vehicle.

Authorities are investigating both incidents but have not yet established a connection between them. The Guardianalso reports that Drake’s ongoing rap feud with Kendrick Lamar is not currently considered a factor. It remains unclear whether Drake was present at the mansion during either incident.

In a statement, Toronto police confirmed they were called after a person attempted to access the property. The statement further details that the suspect was apprehended under the Mental Health Act and received medical attention.

Police have emphasised that this incident is unrelated to the shooting, for which they are still searching for the assailant, who fled in a vehicle.

No motive has been ascribed to either incident, which comes amidst a particularly high-profile month for Drake.

Drake’s mansion gained extra attention recently as it appeared on the cover art for rival rapper Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us.”

Drake himself has often referenced his Toronto home, which he nicknames “The Embassy,” in his music and on social media.

Security concerns are so high that the mansion’s gates are double the height allowed by Toronto city regulations.