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Sources had told NDTV that while the aircraft landed safely, it subsequently developed a technical issue that meant it could not leave

It has been nearly two weeks the British F-35B fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport. Since then there has been no sign the American-made aircraft, from the world’s most expensive fighter jet programme – will take flight soon.

And now the British High Commission in Bengaluru has responded to a question from NDTV about the plane’s status, and also issued a statement on this subject.

The advanced fifth-generation fighter – part of the Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group deployed to the Indo-Pacific – was returning to its base after completing joint maritime exercises with the Indian Navy when it made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram.

“A UK F-35 aircraft was unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales due to adverse weather conditions. Prioritising safety, the aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India, where it landed safely. The aircraft has subsequently developed an engineering issue whilst on the ground which precluded its return to the Carrier,” the High Commission said.

“Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales assessed the aircraft and it was decided that the support of a UK based engineering team was needed. At this time, we do not have a forecast for the aircraft being repaired. To minimise disruptions to the regular airport operations, the aircraft will be moved to a space in the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility hangar once specialist equipment and UK engineering teams arrive,” the Commission added. 

Earlier sources had told NDTV that while the aircraft landed safely, it subsequently developed a technical issue that meant it could not leave. Engineers on board the British carrier conducted an initial assessment and then summoned a specialist team from England to carry out the repairs.

Congress leader claimed each meal cost Rs 5,000 and so much money was spent by the government at a time when farmers are being denied loan waivers

Congress Legislature Party leader in Maharashtra Vijay Wadettiwar claimed on Wednesday estimate committee members were served meal in silver plates at a conclave and called it “extravagant spending” by the Mahayuti government when the state’s finances were under strain.

The former state minister also targeted the BJP-led government over “deteriorating” law and order situation in Maharashtra, and what he called “internal contradictions” within the ruling coalition which consists of the BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena.The former state minister also targeted the BJP-led government over “deteriorating” law and order situation in Maharashtra, and what he called “internal contradictions” within the ruling coalition which consists of the BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena.Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Mr Wadettiwar questioned the government’s priorities, stating, “When the state is virtually on the brink of bankruptcy, what was the need to serve meals in silver plates to members of the Estimates Committees in Mumbai?” He claimed each meal cost Rs 5,000 and so much money was spent by the government at a time when farmers are being denied loan waivers, bonuses are not being paid, and large sections of tribal, social welfare, and Anganwadi schemes are allegedly facing budget cuts.

Mumbai hosted a two-day conference of the Estimates Committees of Parliament and states from June 23. The event, held at Vidhan Bhavan (legislative complex) in south Mumbai, saw participation of chairpersons and members of such panels of Parliament, states and Union Territory legislatures.

These financial committees, at the central and state/UT level, examine the expenditure estimates for each administrative department in respective budgets and also utilisation of funds.

“A majority of farmers in Vidarbha have been denied fresh crop loans. Anganwadi workers (who look after child care centres) aren’t paid honorarium on time, and funds for schemes like the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana remain pending. Yet, the government chooses to serve meals to estimates committee members in silver plates,” Mr Wadettiwar said.

The opposition legislator maintained this act was nothing, but an insult to the poor.

His party colleague and Maharashtra Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal also hit out at the Mahayuti government over the issue of “meal in silver plates”.

“They (estimates committee delegation members) feasted on Rs 5,000 meal served in Rs 550 worth of silver plate each. Was the fund spent linked to the money found in the Dhule government guest house when the state estimates committee was touring?” the MPCC chief asked in Mumbai.

Last month, a huge amount of cash was recovered from a room in the government guest house in Dhule district ahead of the visit of state estimates committee members.

“They have no money for farmers’ loan waivers or even Rs 2,100 for a poor sister, but they have no shortage of funds for lavish banquets,” Mr Sapkal remarked.

Citing an incident in Pune, where a BJP office-bearer allegedly molested a policewoman, CLP leader Wadettiwar questioned the Mahayuti government’s moral authority to uphold law and order.

US President Donald Trump weighed in on ally Benjamin Netanyahu’s long-running corruption trial Wednesday, urging for Israel’s “Great War Time Prime Minister” to be exonerated after the conflict with Iran.

“Such a WITCH HUNT, for a man who has given so much, is unthinkable to me,” Trump wrote in a long post on his Truth Social platform.

The US president, who himself faced an array of criminal charges and convictions that he argued were politically motivated, said he had “just learned that Bibi” — a nickname for Netanyahu — “has been summoned to Court on Monday.”

“Bibi and I just went through HELL together, fighting a very tough and brilliant longtime enemy of Israel, Iran, and Bibi could not have been better, sharper, or stronger in his LOVE for the incredible Holy Land,” Trump said.

“Bibi Netanyahu’s trial should be CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY, or a Pardon given to a Great Hero,” Trump urged.

Trump’s lavish praise for Netanyahu came a day after the US leader angrily berated Israel in an expletive-filled rant for apparently preparing to attack Iran despite a ceasefire announced the previous night.

The unusual public display of anger at Israel saw Trump apparently trying to cajole his ally to call off warplanes in real time.

Moments later he said Israeli planes would “turn around and head home.”

Netanyahu’s trial has been delayed many times since it began in May 2020, with the Israeli leader requesting postponements due to the war in Gaza and later conflict in Lebanon.

In a first case, Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, are accused of accepting more than $260,000 worth of luxury goods such as cigars, jewelry and champagne from billionaires in exchange for political favors.

Two other cases allege that Netanyahu attempted to negotiate more favorable coverage in two Israeli media outlets.

Netanyahu has denied any wrongdoing.

Before the agreement of a ceasefire on Tuesday, Israel had pounded Iranian nuclear and military sites over the course of 12 days of war, while Iran launched waves of missiles at its regional arch foe in their deadliest-ever confrontation.

The United States joined the fray in support of its ally, hitting two nuclear facilities with massive bunker-buster bombs over the weekend, while guided missiles from a submarine struck a third.

Trump announced the ceasefire shortly after Iran retaliated with strikes targeting a US base in Qatar that the president said had been fully defeated and forewarned.

“It was the United States of America that saved Israel, and now it is going to be the United States of America that saves Bibi Netanyahu,” Trump said in his social media post

Congress Legislature Party leader in Maharashtra Vijay Wadettiwar claimed on Wednesday estimate committee members were served meal in silver plates at a conclave and called it “extravagant spending” by the Mahayuti government when the state’s finances were under strain.

The former state minister also targeted the BJP-led government over “deteriorating” law and order situation in Maharashtra, and what he called “internal contradictions” within the ruling coalition which consists of the BJP, NCP and Shiv Sena

Speaking to reporters in Nagpur, Mr Wadettiwar questioned the government’s priorities, stating, “When the state is virtually on the brink of bankruptcy, what was the need to serve meals in silver plates to members of the Estimates Committees in Mumbai?” He claimed each meal cost Rs 5,000 and so much money was spent by the government at a time when farmers are being denied loan waivers, bonuses are not being paid, and large sections of tribal, social welfare, and Anganwadi schemes are allegedly facing budget cuts.

Mumbai hosted a two-day conference of the Estimates Committees of Parliament and states from June 23. The event, held at Vidhan Bhavan (legislative complex) in south Mumbai, saw participation of chairpersons and members of such panels of Parliament, states and Union Territory legislatures.

These financial committees, at the central and state/UT level, examine the expenditure estimates for each administrative department in respective budgets and also utilisation of funds.

“A majority of farmers in Vidarbha have been denied fresh crop loans. Anganwadi workers (who look after child care centres) aren’t paid honorarium on time, and funds for schemes like the Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Yojana remain pending. Yet, the government chooses to serve meals to estimates committee members in silver plates,” Mr Wadettiwar said.

It has been nearly two weeks the British F-35B fighter jet made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram airport. Since then there has been no sign the American-made aircraft, from the world’s most expensive fighter jet programme – will take flight soon.

And now the British High Commission in Bengaluru has responded to a question from NDTV about the plane’s status, and also issued a statement on this subject.

The advanced fifth-generation fighter – part of the Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group deployed to the Indo-Pacific – was returning to its base after completing joint maritime exercises with the Indian Navy when it made an emergency landing at Thiruvananthapuram.

“A UK F-35 aircraft was unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales due to adverse weather conditions. Prioritising safety, the aircraft diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport in India, where it landed safely. The aircraft has subsequently developed an engineering issue whilst on the ground which precluded its return to the Carrier,” the High Commission said.

“Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales assessed the aircraft and it was decided that the support of a UK based engineering team was needed. At this time, we do not have a forecast for the aircraft being repaired. To minimise disruptions to the regular airport operations, the aircraft will be moved to a space in the Maintenance Repair and Overhaul facility hangar once specialist equipment and UK engineering teams arrive,” the Commission added. 

Earlier sources had told NDTV that while the aircraft landed safely, it subsequently developed a technical issue that meant it could not leave. Engineers on board the British carrier conducted an initial assessment and then summoned a specialist team from England to carry out the repairs.

Twelve people were killed overnight in the Mexican state of Guanajuato when gunmen opened fire on a celebration in the city of Irapuato, authorities said Wednesday.

People were dancing and drinking in the street in celebration of St. John the Baptist when the shooting began. Revelers screamed and ran to escape the gunfire, according to videos circulated online.

Irapuato official Rodolfo Gómez Cervantes, said in a news conference Wednesday that the number of victims had risen to 12. Some 20 others were wounded.

Guanjuato, which is northwest of Mexico City, has been one of the country’s most violent states, as various organized crime groups battle for control. There have been 1,435 homicides in the state through the first five months of the year, more than double any other state.

TV actor couple Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma have claimed that they were scammed of their entire life savings recently by someone they trusted and knew for a while.

The Tujh Sang Preet Lagai Sajna co-stars, who tied the knot in 2020 and have a son, updated their fans and followers about the financial fraud through a vlog on their official YouTube channel Puja & Kunal.

“These last two-three months have been extremely difficult for us. We have no idea what will happen next. We have been victims of a financial scam. We lost a big amount. We lost all of our life’s savings. We have to start our life from zero but we won’t give up. We don’t want to give up. In these tough times, all we want is your support and prayers. We have full faith in God,” Puja Banerjee said.

While the actor said they lost their life savings, she didn’t reveal the exact amount.

In the video, Kunal Verma said they were cheated by someone they trusted. “They had been coming to the house for two-three years,” he added.

“We belong to an industry where our livelihood depends entirely on your love and support. Our work remains unfulfilled if you don’t watch it. We want you to know there is a person behind this fraud of which we are huge victims,” he further said.

Puja Banerjee said she decided to open up about the scam after fans expressed concern over her Eid post on Instagram.

Celebrity fitness trainer Prashant Sawant’s wedding reception was a blockbuster night. The event marked the arrival of several Bollywood stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Varun Dhawan and Mrunal Thakur.

Pictures and videos of the star-studded bash have been posted on Instagram. 

In one video, Shah Rukh Khan is seen arriving at the venue, guarded by heavy security. The superstar looks dapper in a black t-shirt and a pair of blue denim jeans. He completed his casual avatar with a grey beanie. SRK also rocks a salt-and-pepper beard.

Abhishek Bachchan, on the other hand, picked out a navy-blue suit. He teamed the crisp fit with a white shirt underneath. Printed glasses elevated his gentlemanly avatar. Here’s a video of the Housefull 5 actor sharing a warm hug with Prashant Sawant before getting inside his car.

Varun Dhawan also made sure to attend his fitness trainer’s big day. He leaned on a grey blazer and matching trousers for the occasion. A basic white shirt underneath sealed his minimal avatar. 

Hours after the tragic Air India plane crash, Vikrant Massey shared a post on his Instagram Stories, revealing that the first operating officer Clive Kunder was his “uncle” Clifford Kunder’s son. As media portals reported the officer as Vikrant’s “cousin”, the 12th Fail actor put up another post, clarifying the speculation. “The Kunder’s are our family friends,” wrote Vikrant Massey. 

What’s Happening

Vikrant Massey shared a post condoling the deaths of 241 people who were on the ill-fated Air India plane.

He mentioned Clive Kunder as his “Uncle’s son” in his post.

After media portals reported the officer as Vikrant’s cousin, the actor shared a new post on his Instagram.

He wrote, “Dear friends in the media and elsewhere, the unfortunately deceased Mr Clive Kunder was NOT my cousin.  The Kunder’s are our family friends. Request no more speculations and let the family and loved ones grieve in peace.

Actor Katrina Kaif has been appointed as the global brand ambassador for Visit Maldives. The announcement was made by the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation (MMPRC/ Visit Maldives) recently. 

Mr Ibrahim Shiuree, CEO and MD of Visit Maldives, said in a statement, “We are thrilled to welcome Katrina as our Global Brand Ambassador. Her vibrant personality and strong connection with audiences worldwide make her a perfect representative for the Sunny Side of Life, the World’s Leading Destination for the past 5 consecutive years, especially as we start our Summer Sale push in key markets around the world.”

Speaking about her new role as the Sunny Side of Life’s Global Brand Ambassador, Katrina said, “The Maldives represents the pinnacle of luxury and natural beauty – a place where elegance meets tranquillity. I’m honoured to be chosen as the face of the Sunny Side of Life. This collaboration is about bringing the finest travel experiences to global audiences, and I’m excited to help people around the world discover the unique charm and world-class offerings of this extraordinary destination.”