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NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: A day after Airline Pilots’ Association of India said Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau’s (AAIB) preliminary report on the Air India 171 crash led to the promoting of a “presumption of pilot guilt” even before the probe was complete, Indian Commercial Pilots’ Association (ICPA), one of the Air India pilots’ unions, on Sunday slammed the “reckless and unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide” that has been doing the rounds since the report was made public on Saturday.AAIB had stated that both fuel switches on the Boeing 787 transitioned from “run” to “cut-off” three seconds after it took off from the runway, cutting off fuel supply to the engines. “In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other, ‘Why did you cut off (the fuel supply)?’ The other responded he did not do so,” according to the report. However, it didn’t elucidate why the fuel control switches were cut off.

AI pilots’ association lashes out at ‘insinuation of suicide’

Soon after the report’s release, pilots and aviation experts, in interviews and posts on social media, claimed one of the pilots had knowingly cut off the fuel supply switch.Until final report is out, any speculation unacceptable: UnionThe pilots of AI 171, which crashed in Ahmedabad on June 12 killing 270 people, acted in line with their training and responsibilities under challenging conditions, ICPA, one of the AI pilots’ unions, said, adding the crew should not be vilified based on conjecture.Referring to a 2018 safety bulletin issued by the US aviation regulator that instructed airlines to look out for a possible mechanical fault with the fuel control switches — which could cut off fuel supply to the engines without pilot input — the report said that Air India did not carry out the inspection as it was not deemed mandatory.“In the aftermath of this incident, we are deeply disturbed by speculative narratives emerging in sections of the media and public discourse — particularly the reckless and unfounded insinuation of pilot suicide. Let us be unequivocally clear: there is absolutely no basis for such a claim at this stage, and invoking such a serious allegation based on incomplete or preliminary information is not only irresponsible — it is deeply insensitive to the individuals and families involved,” said ICPA.“Pilots undergo extensive psychological and professional screening, recurrent training, and operate under the highest standards of safety, responsibility, and mental fitness. To casually suggest pilot suicide in the absence of verified evidence is a gross violation of ethical reporting and a disservice to the dignity of the profession,” it added.“As aviation professionals, we trust and respect the rigorous investigative protocols established by competent authorities. These inquiries are designed to uncover facts methodically and without bias. Until the official investigation is concluded and the final report is published, any speculation — especially of such a grave nature — is unacceptable and must be condemned,” ICPA said, calling on media and public commentators to act with restraint, empathy, and respect for due process.





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JAMMU: A fresh batch comprising 7,049 pilgrims left for Shri Amarnath Yatra amid religious chants on Sunday morning from Bhagwati Nagar in the city. The holy cave shrine is situated in the Himalayas in south Kashmir.“The pilgrims left for Shri Amarnath cave shrine from Jammu base camp in a fleet of 286 vehicles under tight security cover,” officials said.The 38-day annual pilgrimage to the holy cave shrine began from two routes on July 3 and is scheduled to end on August 9, coinciding with the Raksha Bandhan festival.The pilgrimage was flagged off by Manoj Sinha, lieutenant governor, on July 2 and, so far, around 2 lakh pilgrims have visited the holy shrine in 11 batches.





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Sundar was India’s top performer with the ball on Day 4 of the Lord’s Test. He bowled 12.1 overs and picked up four wickets for 22 runs.

Washington Sundar makes bold prediction for third India-England Test. (Picture Credit: AFP)

The third Test of the ongoing five-match series between India and England is evenly poised after four days of play. After bowling England out for 192 in the second innings, India finished Day 4’s play at 58/4 in 17.4 overs. The visitors need 135 more runs on the final day to win the game at the Home of Cricket and go 2-1 up in the series, whereas the hosts are just six wickets away from a memorable win.

There will be too much to fight for on the final day of the match, but according to India’s star all-rounder Washington Sundar, India will definitely win the match tomorrow (Monday).

While speaking to Nasser Hussain and Kumar Sangakkara on Sky Sports, Sundar said, “Definitely India winning tomorrow, probably in the first session.”

When asked to give the time by which the match will be done and dusted, Sundar added, “Probably just after lunch.”

“The position that we are in right now… probably for 1 (wicket loss) at the stumps would have been ideal, but yes, the way we bowled, all the fast bowlers in particular, the way they came out today and kept the pressure going throughout the day was amazing.”

Sundar was India’s top performer with the ball in the second innings. The Tamil Nadu-based cricketer bowled 12.1 overs on Sunday and picked up four wickets for 22 runs. He opened his wicket account by dismissing Joe Root in the post-lunch session and then clean bowled Jamie Smith as well.

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    While Root scored 40 runs from 96 balls, Smith could only manage to score 8 runs. In the third session, Sundar breached Ben Stokes’s defence and shattered his stumps for 33 runs and then wrapped up England’s innings by removing Shoaib Bashir for 2 runs.

    For India, apart from him, pacers Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah also picked up two wickets each, and one English batter each was sent back to the pavilion by Akash Deep and Nitish Kumar Reddy.

    News cricket ‘Definitely India Winning Tomorrow’: Washington Sundar Makes Bold Prediction | Watch



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    Washington Sundar took four wickets while Jasprit Bumrah took two as India bundled England out for 192 runs in the second innings at Lord’s in the ongoing third Test on Sunday. India will now need 193 runs in the fourth innings to take 2-1 lead in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Despite the team in transition, India have been ruthless under new captain Shubman Gill in the ongoing series.

    Having lost four wickets in the first session of the fourth day, England revived through Joe Root and Ben Stokes. However, it was Sundar’s twin strikes on either side of the Tea, that really turned the game into India’s favour. The off-spinner first castled Root before going through defence of Jamie Smith – England most successful batter in the series.

    Sundar’s wicket of Stokes put the final nail in England’s coffin. Both India and England had scored 387 in their respective first innings. At Lord’s India have played England 19 times, winning just three games an lost 12. Four matches ended in draws.

    Out of three victories, India’s only win while chasing in the fourth innings came in 1986 when the Kapil Dev-led side chased down 134 with five wickets in hand. It was also India’s first-ever Test win at the iconic venue. India’s most recent win at Lord’s came in 2021.

    Resuming the final session at 175/6, England lost their remaining four wickets for just 17 runs, with premier pacer Jasprit Bumrah (2/38) taking two of them. Sundar’s polished the England tail with a wicket of Shoaib Bashir and finished with figures of 4/22. Bumrah accounted for Chris Woakes (10) and Brydon Carse (1) as England folded quickly.



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    Families of the Air India crash victims have said they are hoping for more answers from investigators after a report found the plane’s fuel switches were cut off, deepening the mystery of what happened.

    The preliminary report from India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, published on Friday, said both of the plane’s fuel switches moved to the cut-off position immediately after takeoff, stopping fuel supply to the engines.

    “In the cockpit voice recording, one of the pilots is heard asking the other why did he cut off. The other pilot responded that he did not do so,” the report reads.

    The London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed into a medical college shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad airport on 12 June, killing 241 people on board.

    Another 19 people died on the ground and 67 were seriously injured.

    map

    The cousin of sisters Dhir and Heer Baxi, who were flying home to London after surprising their grandmother for her birthday and died in the crash, said he was not satisfied by the report.

    Ishan Baxi, who lives in Ahmedabad, said: “We’re still hoping for a more transparent and honest investigation that doesn’t shy away from addressing possible mechanical flaws or lapses in protocol to avoid future potential accidents.

    “I just hope the final report brings full clarity on what exactly failed and who’s accountable. It shouldn’t hide behind vague terms.

    “More than anything, it should push for real changes so this never happens again.”

    Relatives of Akeel Nanabawa, his wife, Hannaa Vorajee, and their four-year-old daughter, Sara Nanabawa, who died in the crash, said in a statement that the report was “the first stepping stone” and that the family were still “working our way through the weight of our loss”.

    “Moving forwards, we require honesty, transparency and an unwavering commitment to uncovering the full truth,” they said.

    graphic

    “We seek justice and answers, both of which are essential for us to find any sense of closure. We accept God’s fate, but knowing what happened will help ease our hearts and allow us to begin the long journey of healing.

    “Above all, we hope that by pursuing the truth, no other family will ever have to endure the shock, uncertainty, and profound sorrow that we have lived through this past month.”

    A lawyer advising some of the families affected by the crash said the findings were deeply concerning.

    Demetrius Danas, an aviation lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said: “We’re continuing to speak with and advise families who’ve been affected by the Air India crash. Understandably, all they want is to be provided with answers.”

    Fifty-two British nationals were killed, making it one of the deadliest plane crashes in terms of the number of British fatalities.

    The preliminary report says all crew members were breathalysed on their arrival at Ahmedabad airport and found to be “fit to operate the flight”.

    No significant bird activity was detected near the flight path and the aircraft started to lose altitude before crossing the airport perimeter wall.

    Investigators have identified “components of interest for further examinations”, the report says.

    Fuel samples taken from tanks used to refuel the aircraft were “satisfactory”.

    The UK transport secretary, Heidi Alexander, said on Sunday that she had confidence in the investigation. “We stand ready to assist the Indian authorities if they require that from us,” she said.

    Asked whether she thought Indian authorities were doing a good job getting to the bottom of the causes of the crash, she said: “On the basis of what I have seen so far, yes, but we do stand ready to provide any assistance. The US National Transportation Safety Board is also involved on an ongoing basis.”

    An Air India spokesperson said: “Air India is working closely with stakeholders, including regulators. We continue to fully cooperate with the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau and other authorities as their investigation progresses.”



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    Bashir suffered a finger injury while bowling to Ravindra Jadeja during the second session of the third day’s play of the ongoing third India-England Test at Lord’s.

    Ben Stokes checks the injury of England’s Shoaib Bashir. (Picture Credit: AP)

    Star England spinner Shoaib Bashir suffered a finger injury on Saturday (July 12) during India’s first innings of the ongoing third Test at Lord’s. The 21-year-old spinner damaged the little finger on his left hand while bowling to Ravindra Jadeja during the second session of the third day’s play. After getting hit, Bashir left the field and didn’t bowl any more in the first innings.

    The English camp was hopeful about Bashir bowling in the evening session, but he didn’t take the field.

    According to a report in ESPN Cricinfo on Sunday (July 13), he bowled on a practice strip ahead of the fourth day’s play, with heavy strapping on his fourth and fifth fingers, but it is unclear whether he will be fit to bat.

    An England statement on the fourth morning said, “Following his left little finger injury, Shoaib Bashir continues to be monitored and is expected to bowl in the fourth innings of this Test. A decision on whether he will bat in the third inning will be made in due course. His involvement in the fourth Test at Emirates Old Trafford will be assessed at the end of the match.”

    Bashir, who made his Test debut for England against India last year in Visakhapatnam, has picked up a total of nine wickets so far in the series. In the first innings of the Lord’s Test, he accounted for the dismissal of KL Rahul, who made 100 runs.

    If Bashir is not deemed fit to play in Manchester, England could consider playing Liam Dawson, Jack Leach, and Rehan Ahmed.

    Bashir’s Test record

    In 19 Tests played so far, 21-year-old Bashir has picked up 67 wickets. His best bowling figures in the five-day format of the game are 6 for 81 against Zimbabwe in the four-day match played at Trent Bridge in May 2025. Bashir has played a total of six Tests so far against India and dismissed 26 batters. In the red-ball format of the game, Bashir has two five-wicket hauls to his name against the Indian men’s cricket team.

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    News cricket Bad News For England! Star Bowler Doubtful For 4th Test Against India
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    06:18:12 AM IST, 13 Jul 2025

    On AAIB’s preliminary report, former fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force, Captain Sharath Panicker says, “It is the duty and responsibility of the AAIB to come out with the preliminary report

    “It is the duty and responsibility of the AAIB to come out with the preliminary report, which they have within the 30-day stipulated period. The report is factual mostly, but in my opinion, there are certain areas that lend to a degree of ambiguity. Specifically, I would have liked to have seen something that would have explained the time frame as to what happened exactly at what stage, including the failure of both engines, when this apparent conversation occurred between the pilots, and when the mayday call happened. That would have made the report a little bit more factual. It would have made it a little bit clearer, and it would have lent itself less to this degree of ambiguity which we are seeing at this point in time,” Panicker said.



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    The US lifting EDA software sales restrictions to China challenges Indian chipmakers. Experts urge India to speed up chip design efforts to remain competitive.

    Indian semiconductor and chipmakers see a difficult times ahead after lifting of US restriction on its EDA companies for China.

    Indian chipmakers look ahead tough times and stiff competition at the global front after United States has lifted the restriction on the sale of Electronic Design Automation (EDA) software to China by US companies.

    The lifting of the restrictions will allow the US-headquartered EDA companies including Cadence Design Systems, Siemens EDA and Synopsys to resume the business engagement in China. Eventually, it would harm the interest of India chipmaker firms who are prying to gain the big pie as soon as possible. 

    The Trump administration had put the restrictions on US’ EDA companies as part of its overall strategy to halt the access of advanced technologies to Chinses firms, especially those critical to semiconductor and defense industries.

    Ruchir Dixit, chairperson of the India Electronics & Semiconductor Association (IESA) board of directors, told ET that “The strengthening capabilities of China’s industry could create increased competitive dynamics, not only for India’s EDA sector but also across the wider electronics and semiconductor industry.”

    He also added that “until a few months ago, nobody thought of software as a supply chain problem. Now, with this action, the supply chain includes software as well. It includes anything that enables creation and employment in India.”

    With the lifting of software restrictions, companies reassessing their ‘China Plus One’ strategy should carefully consider the timing of their investments in India for EDA development or other functions, according to Dixit.

    Shankar Krishnamoorthy, chief product development officer at Synopsys as quoted by ET report, stated that the company does not expect software export restrictions previously placed on China to be imposed on India, especially given India’s goal to develop its semiconductor ecosystem and the ongoing US-India collaboration in the sector.

    Biswajeet Mahapatra, principal analyst at Forrester, noted that this signals increased competition. A more capable Chinese chip industry, with renewed access to critical design software, could accelerate its R&D and manufacturing, potentially intensifying the race for global market share and foreign investment, particularly in design and packaging, areas where India is also making significant progress.

    Kunal Chaudhary, partner and co-leader of the Inbound Investment Group at EY India told ET the urgency for India to act quickly. “India must accelerate its chip design efforts. With the US easing EDA export restrictions for China, the global playing field is shifting,” he said.

    Chaudhary emphasized that developing India’s own chip design software is a strategic necessity, not just for resilience but to lead in the next era of semiconductor innovation. He called for focused investment in R&D, intellectual property (IP), and deep skilling.

    India’s Semiconductor Push Amid Global Headwinds

    India is aggressively pushing to become a global semiconductor hub with a Rs 76,000 crore incentive scheme under the Semiconductor India Programme. The government aims to boost domestic capabilities across chip manufacturing, packaging (ATMP/OSAT), and design. Big players like Micron have already committed to setting up chip assembly plants in Gujarat, while Tata Group is also exploring fabrication projects. With global firms looking to diversify away from China, India is positioning itself as a strong alternative through policy support, subsidies, and fast-track approvals.

    While India already has a strong chip design talent base, the challenge lies in setting up full-scale fabs, which require high capital, cutting-edge technology, and steady infrastructure. The government has also launched the India Semiconductor Mission to coordinate efforts and support startups in chip design and EDA tools access. With sustained investment, IP development, and skilling, India aims to reduce import dependence and become a competitive player in the global semiconductor race.

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    News business India’s Chipmakers Face Fresh Challenge As US Eases EDA Software Ban On China
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    Apple CEO Tim Cook has previously praised the skill and expertise of Chinese assembly workers as a key reason for setting up production in China, beyond just cost advantages.

    New Delhi: Foxconn, a Taiwanese multinational electronics contract manufacturer, has reportedly directed hundreds of Chinese engineers and technicians to return home from its iPhone factories in India. The company hasn’t provided any specific reason behind the move. As per a Bloomberg report, more than 300 Chinese workers have left the facilities over the past two months.

    The move by Foxconn to call back its engineers and technicians is likely to hit the production costs and affect the efficiency on iPhone assembly lines in India. The decision will also slow down the training of the local workforce and the transfer of manufacturing technology from China. According to Bloomberg, the timing is particularly challenging as Apple prepares to ramp up production of the new iPhone 17 with its manufacturing partners in India.

    The move also appears to be part of Beijing’s broader strategy to curb technology transfers and equipment exports to India and Southeast Asia. Earlier this year, Chinese officials verbally encouraged regulatory agencies and local governments to restrict such transfers, potentially aimed at preventing companies from shifting manufacturing away from China.

    The Indian government has not witnessed any major impact on phone production yet, according to a person familiar with the matter. It is important to note that Apple CEO Tim Cook has previously praised the skill and expertise of Chinese assembly workers as a key reason for setting up production in China, beyond just cost advantages.

    Here are some of the key details:

    • Foxconn is replacing departing Chinese staff with Taiwanese and Vietnamese workers. This will mitigate the impact.
    • The company is converting machinery to be operated by Indian employees.
    • The company has asked the suppliers to retrofit existing machinery that largely runs on Chinese-language software to be used by English-speaking engineers.
    • Foxconn is expected to receive the retrofitted machinery in a few months
    • The company continues building a new iPhone plant in southern India as part of Apple’s plans to manufacture most iPhones for the US market in India by late 2026.

    The departure of these seasoned engineers from India marks a major setback for Apple’s diversification efforts, especially as the company aims to lessen its reliance on Chinese manufacturing amid persistent geopolitical tensions.

    The Apple ecosystem in India employs approximately 200,000 people across various vendors, making it one of the country’s largest job creators in the technology sector.






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    India launched Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians.

    Islamabad:

    Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has dismissed the idea of a nuclear exchange with India during the recent conflict, stating that the country’s nuclear programme is strictly for “peaceful activities and self-defence.” Sharif made the comments while addressing a group of Pakistani students in Islamabad on Saturday.

    55 Pakistanis were killed

    Recalling the four-day military confrontation, Sharif said that 55 Pakistani citizens were killed during the Indian military strikes. However, he stressed that Pakistan retaliated with full force, showcasing its military strength.

    When asked about the possibility of using nuclear weapons, Sharif replied, “Pakistan’s nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes and national defence, not for aggression.”

    India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. The operation specifically targeted terrorist infrastructure located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

    Sharif denies rumours of Zardari stepping down

    Sharif also dismissed rumours that President Asif Ali Zardari might be forced to resign or that Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir had aspirations to take over the presidency. Sharif called these reports “mere speculations”.

    “Field Marshal Asim Munir has never expressed any desire to become the president, nor is there any such plan in the offing,” he told The News on Friday.

    Sharif added that he, Zardari and Munir shared a relationship built on mutual respect.

    The clarification followed interior minister Mohsin Naqvi’s statement on X on Thursday, in which he denounced the “malicious campaign” targeting Zardari, Sharif, and Munir. “We are fully aware of who is behind the malicious campaign,” said Naqvi, who is considered close to the top military leadership.

    “I have categorically stated there has been no discussion, nor does any such idea exist, about the president being asked to resign or the COAS aspiring to assume the presidency,” he added.

    (With PTI inputs)

    Also Read: Pakistan terror groups LeT, JeM may use Nepal route to strike India: Nepalese official

    Also Read: Bilawal Bhutto admits Pahalgam was a terror attack, acknowledges presence of LeT and JeM in Pakistan





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