MOSCOW: A Dubai airliner crashed and caught fire on March 20, landing in Rostov-on-Don, a southern Russian city. Announcing details of the passengers killed in the crash, Dubai Media Office said there were 44 Russians, eight Ukrainians, two Indians and one from Uzbekistan. A list was published by Russia's emergencies ministry, showing the Boeing 737-800 run by FlyDubai was carrying 55 passengers and seven crew members when it crashed. Governor Vasily Golubev of Rostov said, “By all appearances, the cause of the air crash was the strongly gusting wind, approaching a hurricane level.” The Russian emergencies ministry said the plane clipped the ground with its wing and caught fire.
Indian-American investor honoured
WASHINGTON: Silicon Valley-based Madhavan Rangaswami, a software executive, investor and philanthropist, has been felicitated in the US with the inaugural Asians in America Award in recognition of his efforts to strengthen Indo-US ties. Stating the need of “giving back” to the society, Rangaswami, in his acceptance speech, said it was the most gratifying thing in life. “Giving back is where I enjoy the most,” he said. Rangaswami, founder of Indiaspora, had organised the first Indian-American presidential ball in January 2013 before the second swearing of US President Barack Obama. Forbes has recognised him on its “Midas” list of investors.
15 killed in Pakistan bus blast
Islamabad: At least 15 people were killed and 27 others injured in a bombing that targeted a bus carrying passengers in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a media report said. The blast occurred near Peshawar’s Sunehri Masjid. The blast targeted a bus carrying 40-50 passengers from Mardan city to Peshawar. A TV footage showed the bus was severely damaged and injured people who came out of the vehicle. All the injured have been transferred to Lady Reading Hospital.
20 die after consuming spurious liquor in Pakistan
KARACHI: Twenty people, including 17 Hindus, died after consuming spurious liquor during Holi celebrations in Pakistan's Sindh province. Police said 34 people were rushed to a hospital in the Tando Mohammad Khan district where the people, including two women died. Medical superintendent of Liaquat University Hospital, Wajid Memon said, “Three of the patients are in a critical condition while 11 have been discharged. They had brought the cheap moonshine from a local dealer.” Residents of the area staged a protest against the police for their failure at stopping the illegal sale of hooch in their neighbourhood. The protests led to the suspension of the area station house officer and two other people for brewing the illegal drink.
Musharraf leaves to Dubai for treatment
ISLAMABAD: Former military ruler Pervez Musharraf took off to Dubai for medical treatment as soon as the government lifted the travel ban imposed on him. Pakistani Supreme Court ordered the government to lift the travel ban, making way for Musharraf to leave the country. The media buzzed with coverage of the former leader leaving his home in a heavily guarded convoy for the airport in Karachi. He entered the airport through a gate reserved for staff and left for Dubai in an Emirates flight. Addressing the media, Musharraf said, “I am a commando and I love my homeland. I will come back in a few weeks or months.” He was acquitted earlier this year of the murder of a separatist leader in 2006 and also faces charges in connection with the 2007 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto and the murder of a prominent cleric.
Bangladesh set to hang another Jamaat leader
DHAKA: Bangladeshi authorities have served death warrant to 72 year old Jamaat-e-Islami chief Motiur Rahman Nizami, for war crimes during the 1971 independence struggle against Pak. Attorney general Mahbubey Alam said the top leader of the country's biggest Islamist party will now get 15 days to seek review of the judgement issued by the Supreme Court. He however, also mentioned that the scope for review remains slim. Alam said Nizami could seek presidential mercy immediately if the review petition was rejected but won't get extra time to decide to seek the clemency. Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal has originally sentenced Nizami to death in October 29, 2014. The apex court upheld the verdict on January 6 this year.
Briton acquitted in Dubai
LONDON: British national and former managing director of Leeds United Football Club, David Haigh has been acquitted in Dubai over charged related to a simple tweet. Pleading not guilty earlier, to cyber slander after he was accused of sending an offensive tweet about a business partner, the businessman was arrested in Dubai on May 18, 2014, when he was detained without charge for 14 months and his worldwide assets were frozen. The latest complaint against Haigh comes from former employer, investment bank Gulf Finance House, and referred to remarks made on Twitter. However, all's well that ends well. His spokesman said he was delighted with the end of a “22-month nightmare”, and expected to return to Britain in two to three days.
US set to get 1st woman combatant commander
WASHINGTON: The White House will nominate General Lori J Robinson of the Air Force, to lead all military forces in North America, announced Defence Secretary Ashton B Carter. Confirmed by the Senate, General Robinson will soon become the first woman to head one of the US combatant commands. “We have coming along now a lot of female officers who are exceptionally strong. Lori certainly fits into that category,” said Carter. The defence department has six combatant commanders who look over military operations in different areas of the world. General Robinson would lead the US Northern Command, which is based in Colorado Springs and was created after the 911 attacks to coordinate the military's response to domestic threats.
