Pilot reported difficulties, wanted to turn back: Ethiopian Airlines
The pilot of the Kenya-bound flight ET 302, which crashed on Sunday killing all 157 people on board, had alerted the controllers “he had difficulties”, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO Tewolde GebreMariam said. The pilot wanted to turn back the plane and was given clearance to return. The flight lost contact within six minutes of take off from Addis Ababa.
Hardik Patel to join Congress in presence of Rahul Gandhi on Mar 12
Patidar leader Hardik Patel took to Twitter to announce he will be joining the Congress in presence of Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders on March 12. “If there’s no legal hindrance and party decides to field me in electoral politics, I’d abide by the party’s decision. I’m taking this step to serve 125 crore citizens of India,” he tweeted.
Indian Air Force shares poem lauding pilot Abhinandan’s bravery
The official Twitter handle of Indian Air Force on Sunday posted a poem lauding the bravery of Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman who safely returned to India after being in Pakistan’s custody for nearly 60 hours. The poem was titled ‘Sabke Bas Ki Baat Nahi’. Besides the poem, the tweet also said, “Jai Hind”.
Match-fixing bigger crime than murder: MS Dhoni in documentary
Former India captain MS Dhoni, in a documentary, said that the biggest crime that he can “commit is not a murder, it is actually match-fixing”. “The team was involved and even my name came up. It was a tough phase for us,” he added referring to CSK getting banned from IPL for two years over the 2013 betting scandal.
Dipa Karmakar honoured by Barbie, gets doll modelled after her
Gymnast Dipa Karmakar was honoured by ‘Barbie’ in celebration of their 60th anniversary and was presented a doll modelled after her. “Barbie has always shown girls that they can be anything!! On the occasion of her 60th anniversary, I am honoured to be selected as a Barbie Role Model to help inspire the next generation of girls!” Karmakar tweeted.
Siddharth Kaul gets married to long-time girlfriend Harsimran Kaur
Pacer Siddharth Kaul, who was included in India’s squad for the first two ODIs against Australia in the ongoing series, recently tied the knot with his long-time girlfriend Harsimran Kaur. Following his wedding, Kaul hosted Team India at his residence for dinner. “Thank you guys for making it a special evening for us and blessing us,” he wrote on Instagram.
NASA captures pics of shockwaves merging from supersonic jets
NASA has captured what it claims the ‘first-ever’ images of the interaction of shockwaves from two supersonic aircraft in flight. They were captured by an aircraft, fitted with an updated imaging system, flying above two ‘T-38’ jets. The images were captured as the three aircraft were at the exact right place at the right time, NASA said.
4 Indians among 157 killed in Ethiopian Airlines crash identified
Four Indian nationals who were killed in Kenya-bound Ethiopian Airlines flight crash that killed all 157 people aboard on Sunday were identified as Vaidya Pannagesh Bhaskar, Vaidya Hansin Annagesh, Nukavarapu Manisha and Shikha Garg. External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said Garg was a Consultant with Ministry of Environment and Forests. She was travelling to attend UNEP meeting in Nairobi.
UP man drives burning car aside to save others, loses family
Ghaziabad’s Upendra Mishra, whose car caught fire in the middle of Akshardham flyover in Delhi on Sunday, drove it to the side before exiting the car, said eyewitnesses. While Mishra was able to save himself and one of his daughters, his wife and other two minor daughters were killed. CNG leak is believed to be the cause of the fire.
Pakistan should join hands with India to curb terrorism: Rishi
Actor Rishi Kapoor, who is undergoing treatment in the US, has said that if Pakistan wants to “truly” curb terrorism, it should join hands with India to do so. “We and you have nothing against our respective civilians. If [Pakistan Prime Minister] Imran [Khan] cannot, Pakistan Army or ISI should do it. Think!” he added.
EVMs in LS polls to have candidate’s pic to avoid confusion
The Election Commission on Sunday announced that during the 2019 Lok Sabha elections, all EVMs will carry photographs of candidates to avoid confusion over similar names. The photograph will be printed on the EVM ballot units as well as on postal ballot papers. India had gone to polls with Photo Electoral Rolls for the first time in 2009, EC added.
EC announces guidelines for social media use during LS polls
Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora on Sunday announced the guidelines for social media use ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. He said candidates will be required to furnish the details of their social media accounts. He added all political advertisements on social media will require pre-certification and their expenditure needs to be included in the election expenditure account.
Festival of democracy is here: PM on poll dates announcement
Following the announcement of the dates for General elections, PM Narendra Modi took to Twitter and urged the people to vote. “The festival of democracy, elections are here…I hope this election witnesses a historic turnout,” he said. Wishing luck to political parties, he added, “We may belong to different parties but our aim must be the same- development of India”.
One of India’s most listless displays: Kaif on India’s loss
Reacting to India’s loss in the 4th ODI against Australia, part of Mohammad Kaif’s tweet read, “One of India’s most listless display[s] with the ball and in the field in recent times. Dropping absolute sitters.” Other users reacted with tweets like, “A Turner has arrived !! Swashbuckling innings !!” and “2-2 bring on WEDNESDAY!”
Mane, Firmino score braces in Liverpool win, Chelsea earn draw
Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino scored braces in Liverpool’s 4-2 win over Burnley on Sunday. Chelsea, on the other hand, earned a 1-1 draw against Wolves after Eden Hazard scored with a long-range shot in the 92nd minute of the match. Liverpool are now a single point behind Manchester City in the Premier League points table.
Was 3rd strike when PM visited Nawaz Sharif’s house: Owaisi
AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Saturday took a dig at Home Minister Rajnath Singh after the latter claimed that India conducted three air strikes in last five years. “Sir, is it when @PMOIndia went uninvited to (ex-Pakistan PM) Nawaz Sharif’s house for a wedding ceremony?” Owaisi tweeted. Owaisi was referring to PM Narendra Modi’s surprise visit to Pakistan in 2015.
Indian e-comm, internet startups raised over $7 bn in 2018: EY
According to a report by Ernst & Young, Indian e-commerce and consumer internet companies have raised over $7 billion across 200 deals in private equity and venture capital in 2018. Of the total investment, startups including OYO Rooms, Swiggy and Byjus, among others, collectively raised $4.6 billion, the report added. Hyperlocal segment attracted the maximum amount of investment.
US streaming service to make series based on Snap’s creation
Quibi, an American streaming service expected to launch in 2020, is creating a short-form series on how Snap’s Founder Evan Spiegel founded the disappearing photo and video-sharing platform. “[W]e want to tell a story that is as…interesting…as ‘The Social Network’ was for Facebook,” American film executive Jeffrey Katzenberg said. The screenplay for it is titled ‘Frat Boy Genius’.
State govt approves setting up two IT parks in North Goa
The Goa government has approved setting up two Information Technology parks in North Goa, seeking to address the IT sector’s future demands. The IT Parks will come up at Chimbel and Penha-de-Franca villages, bordering Panaji. The Chimbel project is an “integrated IT township” while the Penha-de-Franca project is a “hybrid IT Park” under the Goa Information Technology Development Act, 2007.
NIA summons to Mirwaiz assault on religious identity: Mufti
Commenting on the summoning of separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq by NIA, PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti said, “Summons are emblematic of Centre’s repeated assaults on our religious identity”. “Mirwaiz Farooq isn’t any ordinary separatist leader. He is religious…head to Kash Muslims,” she added. “J&K is the proverbial sacrificial lamb exploited to divert attention from real issues,” Mufti tweeted.
Jet revival plan will be executed if all conditions met: SBI
SBI Chairman Rajnish Kumar has said the comprehensive resolution plan to bail out Jet Airways will be implemented if conditions by all stakeholders are met. It’s not a simple resolution plan and requires necessary approvals by the government to revive the cash-strapped airline, he added. Jet has reportedly pledged fixed deposits worth ₹1,500 crore with SBI to borrow ₹225 crore.
Deutsche, Commerzbank to hold talks about merger: Reports
Two of Germany’s largest lenders Deutsche Bank and Commerzbank will reportedly hold talks on the feasibility of a merger. This comes as Deutsche Bank faces three consecutive years of losses and Commerzbank dropped most of its 2020 financial targets. Reports, however, added that there is no formal mandate to pursue a merger and other turnaround options are still being considered.
DGCA to seek info on Boeing 737 MAX after Ethiopia crash
Aviation regulator DGCA will seek information from planemaker Boeing and domestic carriers operating Boeing 737 MAX aircraft following the plane crash in Ethiopia, a senior official said. Jet Airways and SpiceJet are among the Indian carriers which have the aircraft in their fleet. This is the second air crash in less than five months which involves Boeing 737 MAX.
Aus register their highest successful ODI run chase, level series
Australia chased down the target of 359 against India in the fourth ODI at Mohali on Sunday to register their highest successful ODI run chase and level the five-match series 2-2. Australia’s previous highest successful run chase had come in 2011 when they chased down a 334-run target against England. The series decider will take place in Delhi on Wednesday.
Congress Gen Secy KC Venugopal not to contest LS polls
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal on Sunday said that he would not contest the 2019 Lok Sabha elections on account of his organisational responsibilities. The MP from Kerala’s Alappuzha added that he has communicated his decision to party leadership in the state. He further said, “Contesting polls in Alappuzha by sitting in Delhi will be an injustice to my voters.”
Was IAF on mission to kill Pak terrorists or bring bodies? Swaraj
Taking a jibe at the Opposition for raising questions on the IAF air strikes conducted last month, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, “If anyone asks for proof, tell them, did the Indian Air Force go there to kill Pakistani terrorists or bring back their bodies?” “Would they have returned safely or brought back bodies from another country?” she added.
