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Five people killed in an air charter crash, including the Deputy Chief Minister of India's Maharashtra State
Ajit Pawar and four other passengers died when the charter plane he was on caught fire on Wednesday. The aviation regulator confirmed this. Media reported that Pawar, a member of a prominent political family, had left for his home region in order to campaign at local elections. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation said that two of his staff members and two crew were also on board a VSR Ventures Learjet 45 operated by VSR Ventures. In an initial statement, it said: "No one on board has survived." VK Singh of VSR Ventures told India Today that there was no clear cause for the crash, which occurred as the plane approached Baramati. He said, "The aircraft was 100% safe." The crew was 'fairly experienced. The video shows smoke rising from the burning wreckage scattered on an open field. Unidentified witnesses told ANI that the plane exploded and then caught fire. "Four or five explosions followed," they said. The flames were too intense to save anyone, he said. Pawar led a faction in the state government that split from the Nationalist Congress Party in 2023 and backed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. Modi wrote on X that Pawar's passing was "shocking" and "sad". The media reported that Pawar's aircraft, traveling from Mumbai, the financial capital, attempted to land in Baramati, the family stronghold, which is 250 km away. He was going to canvass for the elections in Baramati. Holds a minority stake of ANI.
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Japan-born pandas Xiao Xiao, and Lei Lei have arrived in China amid a freeze of bilateral relations
China's panda?media base announced that giant pandas Xiao Xiao & Lei Lei had arrived in Sichuan Province on Wednesday. This is the first time Japan has been without pandas since 1972, at a time of tense relations between Japan and China. A WeChat posting by the China Conservation and Research Centre for Giant Panda revealed that Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei had arrived at Chengdu’s Tianfu?International?Airport at 1 a.m., on Wednesday. The pair arrived at the centre in Ya'an (Sichuan) at 6 am on Wednesday. They will quarantine. They were born at the Ueno Zoo, Tokyo in 2021. Their departure was accompanied by an emotional farewell from their fans who grew up in Tokyo. Since their parents, Shin Shin, and Ri Ri went to China in the year 2024, they have been a major attraction at the zoo. Since 1949, China has used panda diplomatics to express its dislike for other countries or cement its ties. The pandas usually are lent and returned home when the agreement is over. Pandas that are born in China, like Xiao Xiao or Lei Lei, usually go to a Chinese breeding programme between the ages of 2 and 4. The WeChat post showed pictures of the pandas being transported from the plane to the truck by?workers wearing white protective suits. The research centre stated that Xiao Xiao, and Lei Lei "have made a positive contribution in promoting friendship between peoples of both countries". Since 1972, when the two countries normalized their relations, Japan has been hosting pandas from China. The departure of the pandas, although long-planned, occurs at a time when Sino-Japanese ties are at their lowest point. Sanae Takaichi, the Japanese prime minister, said in November that Japan would respond militarily if China attacked democratically-governed Taiwan. China, who reacted furiously to the comment and warned citizens not to travel to Japan, sees Taiwan as its territory, despite objections from the government in Taipei. The future offering of pandas may indicate Beijing's desire to improve relations. You?Ya, the loan was for 20 years to the U.S. Return to the Homepage After a suspected Chinese terrorist attack in April 2023, the United States will be returning to China. Spy balloon The U.S. As Beijing and Washington's engagement increased, China offered to send two pandas younger to Washington, which the Chinese ambassador called a "very positive sign" for bilateral relations. Li Qiang, Premier of China, offered Australia pandas as a gift. Goodwill gesture In 2024, as relations warmed up following a trade dispute that dated back to 2020. South Korea may be the next testing ground for China’s panda diplomatic strategy. During a summit in January, Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, and Lee Jae Myung his?Korean equivalent, agreed to begin panda discussions, Yonhap News Agency said. Lee had called for a Full restoration During his first trip to Beijing as President, he visited China and South Korea. South Koreans will bid farewell in tears to the world of 2024. Fu Bao The first giant panda to be born in China, though it still has four other pandas. (Reporting and editing by Christopher Cushing; Colleen howe)
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Wall Street Journal, January 28,
These are the most popular stories from the Wall Street Journal. These'stories' have not been?verified and we cannot vouch for the accuracy of these stories. SoftBank has been in talks with OpenAI to invest an additional $30 billion, adding to the Japanese conglomerate’s existing stake in the startup. - Grain trader Archer-Daniels-Midland ?Company has agreed to pay a $40 million civil penalty ?to settle charges from the ?U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission alleged that the company had inflated performance in a key segment of its business. Mary Barra, the Chief Executive Officer of General Motors, said that a recent agreement by Canada to let 'tens of thousands' of cheap Chinese electric cars into the country is a threat to North American auto manufacturing. The National Transportation?Safety Board of the U.S. The National Transportation Safety Board determined that the Federal Aviation Administration had a number of?systemic failures that led to an air collision last year that resulted in 67 deaths. (Compiled by Bengaluru Newsroom)
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Sun PhuQuoc Airways, Vietnam's first international airline, will launch its service by the end of March
Sun PhuQuoc Airways, a newly-established airline in Vietnam, will launch its first regular flight overseas by the end of March. The company announced that the flight to 'Taipei' is scheduled for 29 March. Sun PhuQuoc began operations in November of last year and focuses on serving tourists to Phu Quoc Island, off the coast of Southern Vietnam. It said that the airline would begin flying to other destinations in Asia, such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangkok from May and then Kaohsiung, and Kuala Lumpur, starting from October. Sun PhuQuoc said it aims to increase its aircraft fleet from 25 to 100 by 2035. The airline operates six aircraft including four Airbus A321NXs. Khanh Vu (Reporting; David Stanway, editing)
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Japan-born pandas Xiao Xiao, and Lei Lei return to their home in China's Sichuan
China's giants pandas Xiao Xiao & Lei Lei have arrived in Sichuan safely on Wednesday.?China's Panda Research Base said this in a post on social media, 'following a heartfelt goodbye from fans who grew up in Tokyo, where Xiao Xiao & Lei Lei were raised. A WeChat posting by the China Conservation and Research Centre of the Giant Panda revealed that Xiao Xiao and Lei Lei had arrived at Chengdu’s Tianfu International Airport around 1 a.m., on Wednesday. The pair arrived at the centre in Ya'an, Sichuan around 6 am on Wednesday. They will be quarantined. In 2021, twin pandas were born at the Ueno Zoo of Tokyo. Shin Shin and Ri Ri returned to China with their parents in 2024. China, since its founding in 1949 has used panda diplomacy to enhance its international image and strengthen ties with other nations?by loaning or gifting pandas. After the agreement expires, the pandas usually return to China. Pandas born abroad like Xiao Xiao or Lei Lei are then sent to a Chinese breeding programme between two and four years old. WeChat pictures showed pandas' crates being?unloaded from a Sichuan Airlines flight and then transported to truck as workers in protective white suits looked?on. The research centre stated that Xiao Xiao, and Lei Lei "continuously built bridges of friendship" between the 'people of China and Japan", and "made a significant contribution to promoting the friendship between people of the 'two countries". The panda’s journey coincided with a low in Sino-Japanese relationships. In November, Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi stated that Japan would'respond militarily in case of a Chinese invasion on democratically-governed Taiwan. China, which views Taiwan as a province that has gone off course, was furious at the comment, and warned its citizens not to travel to Japan. (Reporting and editing by Christopher Cushing; Colleen howe)
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Delta upgrades its long-haul fleet with 31 Airbus jets
Delta Air Lines announced on Tuesday that it will purchase 31 Airbus widebody jets as part a long-term strategy to modernize its international fleet, and support future growth. Delivery will begin in 2029 on 16 A330-900s as well as 15 A350 900s. Delta announced that the deal includes a new order, the conversion of ten previously held options to?firm purchase' and options for an additional 20 widebody aircraft. Delta has been focusing on newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft to reduce fuel burn?and gradually replace older Boeing 767s and early-generation Airbus A330s following the retirement of its?777 fleet. Delta is focusing on newer, fuel-efficient aircraft in order to reduce fuel consumption and gradually replace older Boeing 767s or early-generation Airbus A330s. Airbus's order comes after Delta recently decided to add 30 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners for its long-haul operations, which it intends to deploy primarily on transatlantic and South American route. The airline stated that the new Airbus jets would be used on medium- and long haul flights, including recently announced or launched services to Taipei and Melbourne. They will also have more premium seating which is contributing to greater profits. Delta CEO Ed Bastian stated this month that the majority of Delta's seat expansion is in premium cabins with only a limited amount in 'the main cabin. New aircraft are being equipped accordingly. The latest purchase by Delta will increase its A330-900 fleet to 55 aircraft, and its A350 fleet to 79 aircraft, including 20 A350-1000s that will begin arriving early in 2027. (Reporting and editing by Jamie Freed; Reporting by Rajesh Kumar Singh)
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Five people killed in a Russian attack on a passenger train in the northeastern Ukraine, according to prosecutors
Five people were killed in a Russian drone attack on a passenger train in the northeastern Ukraine, according to prosecutors. The President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called it terrorism. The prosecutor said that fragments of five bodies were found near the site of the strike in the Kharkiv region, located in the northeastern Ukraine. The train was operating from Chop near Ukraine's western border with Hungary and Slovakia to the town of Barvinkove. Online photos showed two carriages on fire next to a railbed covered in?snow. In any country, drone strikes on civilian trains would be viewed the same - as pure terrorism. Zelenskiy posted on Telegram that there is no military purpose in this. "Our cause, and this is what should 'unite all people around the world - to protect life. It is possible to achieve this by putting pressure on Russia. The prosecution said that one drone hit the train, and two others struck an area adjacent to it. Zelenskiy wrote on Telegram that four people had been?killed. He said the train was carrying over 200 passengers including 18 people in the wagon which was hit. The prosecutor had earlier stated that there were 155 passengers aboard the train. Oleksiy Kuleba, Deputy Prime Minister, described the drone attack as "a direct act of Russian terror." Oleksandr P. Pertsovskyi is the CEO of Ukrzaliznytsia - Ukrainian national railways. He thanked the rescue teams, fellow passengers, and those who helped evacuate people. Pertsovskyi posted on Facebook that "keeping things moving has become more difficult." "We're regrouping." Even on the most terrifying days, we will not give up. (Reporting and editing by Peter Graff; Ron Popeski, Chris Reese, Deepa Babington, Deepa Peleschuk, Deepa Babington, Deepa Babington, Deepa Babington, Ron Popeski)
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NTSB: FAA failed to act properly before fatal Washington DC collision
National Transportation Safety Board: The Federal Aviation Administration had a number of failures prior to a deadly collision in January 2025 between an American Airlines regional plane and an Army Black Hawk helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that killed 67 people. The FAA's safety culture needs to be reformed and the agency has not acted on a recommendation that helicopter traffic should be moved away from Reagan,?the board stated during a one-day hearing. Jennifer Homendy, Chair of the NTSB, said that FAA should've known about a problem. She cited repeated failures. The data was available. Homendy stated that the data was on their systems. "This was 100% avoidable... "There's definitely a need for serious reform." The hearing quickly became a long rebuke by the safety panel of the FAA, which shed light on serious issues of communication, culture, and safety surrounding the 26th busiest U.S. Airport, which is home to the busiest runway in the United States and is frequently used by members from Congress. The hearing also raised concerns about the Army's conduct in the busy airspace. The FAA didn't immediately comment, but the Trump administration announced on Monday that it was restructuring the organization of the agency to improve safety oversight. The FAA showed a dramatic animation of the accident and some families in tears, wearing photos of their loved one's left the room before the show. Homendy said that there could be other hotspots, saying that commercial airlines had contacted her to tell her "the next midair will be at Burbank and nobody at FAA pays attention." She also said, "People are raising red-flags." In October, the FAA was reported to have been examining the traffic flow around Hollywood Burbank Airport (less than 10 miles away) and Van Nuys Airport (less than 10miles apart), which serve a mixture of aircraft that are closely spaced on their arrival and departure routes. The NTSB has made numerous recommendations to the FAA, citing failures that occurred before the crash. In March, the NTSB reported that there have been 15,200 incidents of air separation near Reagan between helicopters and commercial planes since 2021. This includes 85 close calls. The 'NTSB' also found problems with the way the FAA handles traffic at Reagan. It questioned the reason why the FAA downgraded Reagan Tower in 2018. They said the FAA refused to provide any criteria or metrics as to why it had been downgraded. The FAA rejected suggestions to include hot spots on a chart of helicopter routes. The NTSB stated that airplane pilots did not know about the conflict between helicopter routes, because aeronautical charts provided insufficient information. The Justice Department ruled in December that the federal government is responsible for the crash. The government acknowledged that it "owed plaintiffs a duty to care, which it breached thereby proximately leading to the tragic accident," and that pilots of both the Army helicopter as well as the regional?jet failed to maintain vigilance to avoid each other. The NTSB stated that the controller should've issued a safety warning, which "may had allowed action to be done to avoid the collision." Homendy stated that the FAA had not reviewed the routes of the helicopters and that they were not designed in a way to ensure separation. Homendy stated that "we have an entire 'tower' who took it upon themselves repeatedly to voice their concerns, only to be squashed by the management and everyone above them." "Were these people set up to fail?" She said that a critical safety system called ADS-B in and out could have alerted the pilot of the passenger aircraft 59 seconds prior to the collision, and the crew of the helicopter 48 seconds beforehand. The lawmakers are trying to mandate this technology. U.S. LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES The collision took place at a height of approximately 300 feet, despite the fact that the maximum altitude allowed for the route taken by the helicopter was 200 feet. According to the Justice Department, an air traffic controller also failed to comply with an FAA directive. As a result, both agencies were liable for damages. The Potomac River crash was the worst U.S. aviation disaster in over 20 years. The NTSB revealed last year that in 2022, members of an FAA working group on air traffic had recommended moving helicopter traffic from Reagan airport. They also suggested establishing airborne "hotspots" but the proposal was rejected by an FAA official because it was deemed "too politically charged". The NTSB found that the Potomac FAA facility regularly delivered airplanes with less space than was required. In March, the FAA restricted helicopter flight after the NTSB stated that their presence was an "intolerable" risk to civilian aircraft at Reagan National. After a near-miss that caused two civilian planes abort their landings, the FAA banned the Army in May from helicopter flights over the Pentagon.
KLM runs out of deicing fluid in Amsterdam
Dutch airline KLM announced on Tuesday that they were running out of fluid to remove the ice from planes at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport where cold weather had caused thousands of flight cancellations in the last five days.
KLM's 25 de-icing vehicles have been continuously in use at its Amsterdam hub. They consume around 85,000 litres of heated water?and glycol per day to clear away snow and ice from departing aircraft before takeoff.
The Dutch airline Air France-KLM announced that since Friday, KLM has de-iced aircraft at Schiphol round-the-clock using de-icing liquid delivered daily.
Stock levels are low due to extreme weather conditions and delays in delivery from the supplier. The problem is widespread in Europe", it said.
KLM has sent employees to Germany to collect more de-icing liquid. It could not provide a definite time frame for when the stock might run out.
Anoesjka Aspeslagh, spokesperson for KLM, said: "We will do everything possible to prevent this."
Schiphol Airport, on the other hand, said it had plenty of supplies of another type of deicing fluid that it uses to remove ice and slush from runways.
KLM, the largest airline in Amsterdam, cancelled at least 300 flights to and from Amsterdam on Tuesday.
The Netherlands is expected to experience more winter weather in the next few days, with snow and strong winds forecast for Wednesday morning.
(source: Reuters)