The final cockpit recording from the AI-171 crash revealed startling concerns of a technical glitch after an unexpected engine fuel cut-off. Adding to the controversy, it emerged that the FAA had issued a 2018 advisory flagging potential issues with the Boeing 787’s fuel control switch lock. Meanwhile, in a bizarre case of love across borders, a Bangladeshi woman was jailed in Tripura after illegally crossing into India to meet her Instagram boyfriend. On a brighter note, Isro cleared a key hurdle in its Gaganyaan mission after successfully passing final tests. In Uttar Pradesh, ATS officials demolished a ₹3 crore villa belonging to Chhangur Baba, the alleged mastermind of a mass religious conversion racket. Here are today’s top developments at a glance.Inside the cockpit: ‘Why did you cut off …?’ What was the last conversation between AI 171 pilotsThe final exchange between flight captain Sumeet Sabharwal and first officer Clive Kunder was captured on the cockpit voice recorder of the London-bound Air India 787 that crashed in Ahmedabad. According to a 15-page preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB), one pilot was heard asking, “Why did you cut off?” after the fuel supply to both of the aircraft’s engines was cut off. The other pilot responded, “I did not do so,” implying a possible technical issue or involuntary activation. Read more‘Advisory, not mandatory’: Did FAA flag fuel control switch issue on Boeing jets in 2018?According to the first investigation on the Ahmedabad Air India tragedy, a 2018 US report had identified the “potential for disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature.” The report states that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) identified a possible disengagement of the fuel control switch locking feature in Boeing aircraft, including the B787-8 equipped with comparable part numbers, in their Special Airworthiness Information Bulletin (SAIB) No. NM-18-33, which was issued in December 2018. Read more‘Met on Instagram’: Bangladeshi woman crosses border to meet lover from Karnataka; lands in jailA Bangladeshi woman has landed in a Tripura jail after she crossed the international border to meet the love of her life, whom she met virtually eight months ago. Her boyfriend, who traveled from Karnataka to meet her, is in judicial custody as well. Datta Yadav from Karnataka met Gulshana Akhter, a resident of Palsa village in the Bogura area of Bangladesh, on Instagram. Their relationship got stronger over the months courtesy of many texts, shared images, and video conversations filled with promises. Read moreIndia’s crewed space mission: Gaganyaan Propulsion System clears tests — Why this mattersAnother significant milestone in India’s crewed space voyage has been reached with Shubhanshu Shukla, the country’s first astronaut, aboard the International Space Station. On Saturday, Isro announced that it has successfully finished the Gaganyaan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) qualifying testing. This brings Isro one step closer to sending humans into space, including Shubhanshu Shukla, who is presently aboard the ISS. Read moreChhangur Baba weeps as Rs 3 cr villa razed; ran conversion racket for 15 yearsConversion syndicate mastermind Jalaluddin, also known as Chhangur Baba, was taken by UP ATS on Friday to his vast Balrampur home, which the government has since largely demolished after his network was exposed. Baba was taken inside the sealed premises by the ATS commandos, where senior officers retrieved important documents linked to the case of alleged forced religious conversions and performed a 40-minute on-site inquiry. Read more

Reuters

When and where did the plane crash?

What has a preliminary report said about the crash?

Reuters

How have Air India and Boeing reacted to the report?

Who was on board?

What do we know about the plane?

An eight-year-old cheetah named Nabha, translocated to Kuno National Park (KNP) from Namibia, succumbed to injuries on Saturday, an official stated.

“Nabha was badly injured a week back, probably during a hunting attempt inside her soft release enclosure. She had fractures in both ulna and fibula on the left side along with other injuries,” Cheetah Project Field Director Uttam Sharma said in a statement.

She was under treatment for a week but succumbed to her injuries. Further details will be known after the postmortem, he added.

After Nabha’s death, KNP is now left with 26 cheetahs, including nine adults (six females and three males) and 17 cubs born in KNP. All are healthy and doing well, he said, adding that two male cheetahs shifted to Gandhisagar from KNP are also doing well.

Out of 26 cheetahs in KNP, 16 are in the wild and are performing very well. They have adapted well to the habitat, have learned to live with co-predators, and are regularly hunting, Sharma added.

Anti-ecto-parasitic medication for all cheetahs was completed recently.

Two mothers, Veera and Nirva, along with their recently born cubs, are healthy and doing well, the director added.

(reports PTI)

Who were the plane’s two pilots?published at 04:44 British Summer Time

04:44 BST

Soutik Biswas
India Correspondent

The preliminary report has brought fresh attention to the two pilots in control of the ill-fated Air India flight.

Just seconds after take-off, cockpit audio captured one pilot asking the other, “Why did you do the cut-off?”- referring to the fuel switch that starved the engines. The other replied, “I didn’t.” It’s still unclear who asked the question – and who answered.

Here’s what we know about the crew.

Capt Sumeet Sabharwal, 56, was a veteran with 30 years of experience at Air India. He had logged 15,638 flying hours, including 8,596 on the Boeing 787. Based in Mumbai, he lived with his elderly father and was looking forward to retirement.

First Officer Clive Kunder, 32, had 3,403 total flying hours, with 1,128 on the Dreamliner. He joined Air India in 2017 and had dreamed of flying since school.

Both were based in Mumbai and had arrived in Ahmedabad the day before the flight, with adequate rest, the report says. Kunder was the pilot flying, while Sabharwal was the pilot monitoring, it says.

The crew had passed pre-flight breathalyser tests and were seen at the gate on CCTV before they took off, the report adds.

Last Updated:July 12, 2025, 10:51 IST

Whether it’s a quiet hill station retreat or a workcation in a monsoon-soaked metro, India’s rainy season has found its tribe.

In the end, India’s monsoon traveller is no longer deterred by rain in fact, the season adds allure, as long as it’s paired with thoughtful hospitality.

As the rains roll in and the air cools down, a new kind of wanderlust awakens across India. Monsoon tourism is no longer a niche escape, it’s a growing movement, fuelled by travellers who crave misty mornings, lush greenery, and soulful experiences. But in a country where seasonal downpours can be unpredictable, what exactly drives traveller choices when it comes to monsoon destinations?

According to leading voices in the hospitality sector, it’s a mix of raw nature, reliable infrastructure, emotional comfort, and local immersion.

Monsoon Travel is All About Mood, Nature, and Local Vibes

“When choosing monsoon destinations in India, travelers look for raw natural beauty, immersive local experiences, and a break from crowds,” says Pranav Dangi, CEO & Founder, The Hosteller.

He highlights the appeal of places like Goa, which offers far more than sun and sand during the rainy season. “Hidden waterfalls, quiet beaches, and easy access to cozy cafés and village life, all just minutes from the hostels make it a monsoon magnet.”

The same trend echoes up North, where destinations like Rishikesh, Chakrata, and Dalhousie draw in travellers seeking scenic beauty and warm in-hostel community vibes. “Rainy days become opportunities for connection and comfort,” Dangi adds.

Safety and Accessibility: The Make-or-Break Factors

While romantic rainy-day escapes sound idyllic, travellers are more discerning than ever — especially when it comes to logistics.

Rohit Arora, VP North & Goa and Head of Leisure Sales, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, notes, “Travellers today demand reliability and preparedness. They want to know their hotel is monsoon-ready that the roads aren’t flooded, hygiene is top-notch, and power or internet isn’t going to cut out during a storm.”

For monsoon travel to thrive, infrastructure must match the season’s mood. It’s about cozy interiors and comforting experiences, yes but also about seamless planning and a sense of control.

Dangi echoes this sentiment, “Travellers prefer well-connected locations with reliable transport options and hostels that feel secure and community-driven, allowing them to explore confidently even in unpredictable weather.”

For business travellers, the stakes are even higher. Vaibhav Jain, Regional General Manager, Holiday Inn Express (by IHG) South West Asia, explains that “Safety and accessibility are top priorities during the monsoon. New-age professionals need more than just comfort — they seek dependability, efficiency, and ease.”

Holiday Inn Express hotels are designed with these priorities in mind, offering strategic locations near airports and business parks, express check-ins, high-speed Wi-Fi, power showers, and 24/7 laundromats to ensure guests remain sharp, rested, and #MoreThanReady.

Monsoon Travel = Big Business (With a Ripple Effect)

Contrary to old-school thinking that the rainy season is a lull for tourism, many brands now see it as a golden opportunity, especially with rising interest in experience-led micro getaways.

“We’ve seen growing demand for short, seasonal escapes,” says Rohit Arora. “Destinations like Goa and Visakhapatnam, as well as our Zone hotels in emerging monsoon-friendly markets like Dimapur, Digha, Pathankot, and Port Blair, are witnessing a steady increase in bookings.”

To attract guests during this window, hotels are curating hyper-local experiences — think cozy brunches, warm local meals after a cultural walk, live music, spa sessions, and cocktail evenings under grey skies.

“Beyond room bookings and RevPAR, there’s a ripple effect: local vendors, artists, drivers, and farmers all benefit when hotels are full. It’s about community value creation,” Arora adds.

Vaibhav Jain notes that even corporate travellers are now eyeing monsoon destinations with a mix of work and pleasure. “Cities like Jaipur, Nashik, and Kolkata are increasingly seen as dual-purpose destinations with strong business infrastructure and seasonal charm.”

Hotels in Delhi, Pune, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Gurgaon, and Nashik are leveraging their proximity to major airports and highways to support travellers facing weather disruptions.

The New Monsoon Traveller: Connected, Curious, Comfort-Seeking

In the end, India’s monsoon traveller is no longer deterred by rain in fact, the season adds allure, as long as it’s paired with thoughtful hospitality.

From The Hosteller’s youthful, exploration-driven audience to Holiday Inn Express’s efficiency-focused business guests and The Park Hotels’ emotion-driven leisure seekers, the thread is clear: Comfort, safety, seamless access, and immersive moments are the heart of modern monsoon travel.

Whether it’s a quiet hill station retreat or a workcation in a monsoon-soaked metro, India’s rainy season has found its tribe.

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First Published:

Air India AI171 crash: Boeing says ‘supporting investigation’, responds after AAIB’s initial findings

Preliminary investigation does not apportion blame for Boeing 787 crash that killed 260 people in June.

Fuel control switches to the engines of an Air India flight that crashed shortly after takeoff last month were moved from the “run” to the “cutoff” position moments before impact, according to a preliminary report.

The report, issued by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) early on Saturday, did not offer any conclusions or apportion blame for the June 12 disaster that killed 260 people in the plane and on the ground, but said the shift occurred three seconds after takeoff.

After the switches flipped, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner immediately began to lose thrust and sink down, according to the report.

One pilot can be heard on the cockpit voice recorder asking the other why he cut off the fuel. “The other pilot responded that he did not do so,” the report said.

It did not identify which remarks were made by the flight’s captain and which by the first officer, nor which pilot transmitted “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday” just before the crash.

The preliminary report also does not say how the switch could have flipped to the cutoff position on the London-bound flight from the Indian city of Ahmedabad.

United States aviation safety expert John Cox said a pilot would not be able to accidentally move the fuel switches that feed the engines.

“You can’t bump them and they move,” he told the Reuters news agency.

Flipping to cutoff almost immediately cuts the engines. It is most often used to turn engines off once a plane has arrived at its airport gate and in certain emergency situations, such as an engine fire. The report does not indicate there was any emergency requiring an engine cutoff.

“At this stage of investigation, there are no recommended actions to Boeing 787-8 and/or GE GEnx-1B engine operators and manufacturers,” India’s AAIB said.

Air India acknowledged the report in a statement on the social media site X. The carrier said it was cooperating with Indian authorities but declined further comment.

There were 242 people on board the plane, including passengers and crew. Only one, Viswashkumar Ramesh, survived.

The plane crashed in a residential area called Meghani Nagar, and 19 people on the ground were also killed.

The AAIB, an office under India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, is leading the probe into the world’s deadliest aviation accident in a decade.

Prayagraj: The Allahabad high court has observed that merely expressing support for Pakistan without referencing any specific incident or mentioning India by name does not prima facie constitute an offence under section 152 (act endangering sovereignty or unity and integrity of India) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).The court said, “Section 152 BNS is a new section providing stringent punishment and there was no corresponding section in IPC. Therefore, before invoking the section 152 BNS, reasonable care and standards of reasonable person should be adopted as spoken words or posts on social media is also covered by the liberty of freedom of speech and expression, which should not be narrowly construed unless it is of such nature which affect the sovereignty and integrity of a country or encourages separatism.“Allowing bail application of one Riyaz, who is accused of pledging support to Pakistan without mentioning name of India and any particular incident, Justice Arun Kumar Singh Deshwal, “Considering the submissions of the counsel for the parties and perusal of record, it is not in dispute that while posting the aforesaid post through Instagram ID, the applicant has not mentioned anything, which shows disrespect towards our country. Merely showing support to Pakistan without referring to any incident or mentioning the name of India, will not prima facie attract the offence under Section 152 BNS”, the court added.During the course of hearing, the counsel for the applicant submitted that the social media post by the applicant did not lower the dignity and sovereignty of the country, as neither the Indian Flag nor its name or any photo was posted which showed any disrespect to the country.“Merely supporting a country, even if the country is an enemy to the country of India, will not attract the ingredients of section 152 BNS,” added the applicant’s counsel.On the other hand, the state government’s counsel opposed the bail application submitting that such a post of the applicant through the Instagram ID encourages separatism and therefore, the applicant is not entitled to be released on bail.The court while allowing the bail application further observed, “For attracting the ingredients of section 152 BNS, there must be purpose by spoken or written words, signs, visible representations, the electronic communication to promote secession, armed rebellion, subversive activities or encourages feeling of separating activities or endangers the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India. Therefore, merely posting a message to simply show support of any country may create anger or disharmony among citizens of India and may also be punishable under section 196 (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc.) of BNS, which is punishable up to seven years but definitively will not attract the ingredients of section 152 BNS, the court added in its order dated July 10.”

Kanpur/Bengaluru: Union minister of communications Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday said that the govt aims to foster next-generation communication technologies, such as 6G, by establishing robust policy frameworks, boosting research funding, and allocating spectrum in a timely manner to facilitate innovation and testing.Reviewing the progress of Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) along with Neeraj Mittal, secretary, telecom, the minister said that the Bharat 6G alliance should create a focused, strategic and clear roadmap for driving the innovation in 6G technology.“Guided by Prime Minister Narendra Modiji’s vision, I highlighted how India is not just advancing with indigenous 4G/5G stacks but also aiming to contribute 10% of global 6G patents, placing the nation at the forefront of telecom innovation,” Scindia later posted on X.The event included comprehensive presentations from working group chairpersons, outlining actionable plans and key technological advancements. Among them was Prof Rohit Budhiraja, vice chair of B6GA and professor in the department of electrical engineering at IIT-Kanpur, who delivered a presentation titled “Global 6G Standardisation”.He shared India’s growing contributions to international standard-setting bodies such as 3GPP and ITU, and emphasized the importance of aligning national efforts with global benchmarks.Drawing from India’s active participation in global standard-setting forums such as the 3GPP workshop in Korea and the TSG RAN meeting in Prague, Prof Budhiraja outlined how India is shaping discussions on critical 6G design goals including ubiquitous coverage, AI integration, security, and energy efficiency. He emphasized that 6G must inherently support both terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, and presented frameworks for integrating AI-as-a-Service and post-quantum cryptography into 6G networks.He said, “Artificial Intelligence and 6G share a symbiotic relationship. While AI will make 6G networks more secure, efficient, and adaptive, from threat detection to energy optimization, 6G will, in turn, serve as a foundational platform to scale AI applications through AI-as-a-Service, seamless data handling, and intelligent connectivity. At IIT-Kanpur, our work is actively shaping this intersection, building on insights from 5G Advanced and pushing the frontiers for what 6G can enable.“The government of India unveiled the Bharat 6G Vision Document in March 2023, laying the strategic foundation for India’s leadership in the sixth generation (6G) of wireless systems. To operationalize this vision, the Bharat 6G Alliance (B6GA) was established as a multi-stakeholder platform, uniting academia, industry, startups, and public institutions. The Bharat 6G Alliance is a collaborative initiative, designed to create a comprehensive and future-ready 6G ecosystem in India. Its focus on R&D, innovation, and standardization is central to the national mission of making India a global leader in 6G.