NEW DELHI: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Tuesday rolled out a series of stringent measures, citing a “recent surge in aviation incidents.”The enhanced safety directives were announced after a high-level meeting between the aviation regulator and Non-Scheduled Operators (NSOPs). The review came a day after an air ambulance en route to Delhi crashed in Jharkhand, killing all seven people on board, and nearly a month after a fatal crash involving a private aircraft carrying then Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar on January 28.“The regulator emphasized that safety must remain the absolute priority, superseding all commercial operations, charter commitments, or VIP movements. The authority asserted that an organization’s leadership must prioritize safety above all other criteria. To support this, the authority reaffirmed that the Pilot-in-Command’s decision to divert, delay or cancel a flight for safety reasons is final and must be respected by operators without commercial consequences,” the DGCA said in a statement.It announced the following safety measures, to be implemented with immediate effect:

According to the DGCA, these guidelines constitute “phase 1” of a special safety audit of non-scheduled operators. The first phase is expected to be completed in early March, after which a second phase will be undertaken.DGCA on Ajit Pawar plane crashMeanwhile, the DGCA also announced that, following a safety audit of Delhi-based VSR Ventures Private Limited — which operated the Learjet involved in Pawar’s ill-fated flight — it is grounding the Learjet fleet with immediate effect.“The multi-disciplinary audit team observed several non-compliances of approved procedures in the organisation (VSR) in the area of airworthiness, air safety, and flight operations. In view of the non-compliances, it is decided to initiate the corrective measures by immediately grounding Learjet 40/45 aircraft with registration VT-VRA, VT-VRS, VT-VRV, and VT-TRI till continued airworthiness standards are restored,” the body noted in a separate statement.Pawar was flying from Mumbai to his hometown of Baramati, a short journey, when the plane crashed and burst into flames near Baramati airport. His personal security officer, the two pilots, and a flight attendant also lost their lives, leaving no survivors.

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal and Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Photo credit- PTI)

India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have formally launched negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after signing a joint statement aimed at deepening trade and investment ties between the two sides, a government statement said.The joint statement was signed by Union commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal and GCC secretary general Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi in New Delhi, marking the formal start of negotiations for a “comprehensive and mutually beneficial agreement”.Goyal said the joint statement, along with the Terms of Reference (ToR) signed earlier, marks “a significant milestone in the relationship between India and GCC countries”. He added that ties rooted in shared history and cultural linkages would receive fresh momentum through a broad-based FTA.He underlined that “amidst global uncertainties, it is most opportune that discussions are starting on negotiating a robust trading arrangement which would harness mutual synergies and complementarities,” according to the cabinet statement.Albudaiwi said the proposed agreement would serve as “an important tool to further strengthen trade and investment ties between India and GCC countries by infusing predictability and certainty for businesses”.The GCC remains India’s largest trading partner bloc, with bilateral trade reaching $178.56 billion in FY 2024-25, including exports worth $56.87 billion and imports of $121.68 billion, accounting for 15.42% of India’s global trade. Trade between the two sides has grown at an average annual rate of 15.3% over the past five years.India’s key exports to GCC countries include engineering goods, rice, textiles, machinery, and gems and jewellery, while imports are dominated by crude oil, LNG, petrochemicals and precious metals such as gold.Collectively, GCC economies represent a market of about 61.5 million people and a combined GDP of $2.3 trillion at current prices, ranking ninth globally. The region is also a major source of foreign investment for India, with cumulative FDI exceeding $31.14 billion as of September 2025.Nearly 10 million Indian nationals live across GCC countries, forming what officials described as a “living bridge” strengthening economic and people-to-people ties, alongside the strong presence of Indian companies across the region.

NEW DELHI: A sitting judge of the Madras High Court, making a striking claim, said that those who do not accept spiritual Gurus as divine are “barbaric.”Justice GR Swaminathan declared that those who dismiss the reverence for gurus as unworthy(Ayogya), fools (muttal) and barbarians (kaattumurandi) are, in fact, the real barbarians themselves, LiveLaw reported.“In Tamil Nadu, there are certain rationalists who call us unworthy(Ayogya), fools (muttal) and barbarians (kaattumurandi) for treating Gurus as Gods. But I am saying, those who are saying so are the real unworthy(Ayogya), fools (muttal) and barbarians (kaattumurandi),” he said.The remark, made in Tamil during a “Guru Vandanam Utsavam” organised by the Hosur Satsangh, followed an anecdote of the judge’s personal spiritual experience, which, according to him, changed his understanding of faith.Recalling an incident from his daughter’s graduation trip to Punjab, he said that he and his wife were warned against travelling at night, though they still went ahead with the journey. “The roads were misty, visibility was poor, and then — the car tyre got punctured,” he said.His wife knew how to change the tyres; thus, she, along with the driver, worked to fix it in the freezing fog while he was chanting “Gurunatha” for about 30 minutes.“That chant gave me strength,” he said, describing it as a moment of helplessness that drew him closer to his belief in the guiding power of a guru.Justice Swaminathan then built on this experience to make a larger spiritual point. “God is abstract,” he said. “But a Guru is the living presence of God. You cannot touch the feet of God — but you can touch the feet of your Guru.”It was after this reflection that the judge took aim at what he described as Tamil Nadu’s self-styled rationalists claiming they are the ones who are barbaric, unworthy and fools.The judge had recently made headlines for another remark — that he would “carry Sanatana Dharma close to his heart” for the rest of his tenure.

RANCHI/NEW DELHI: Families of the victims are devastated after seven passengers aboard an air ambulance were killed on Monday evening when it crashed near Simaria in Jharkhand’s Chatra district while travelling from Ranchi to Delhi.Relatives have expressed deep grief and shared heart-wrenching accounts of the tragedy.Father of doctor devastated after son dies“My son was a doctor. He told me he was going to Delhi with patients, but later I learned the aircraft had crashed and my son is no more. I sold my farmland to educate him.”Brother mourns nursing staff member who died in crashA relative of one of the deceased said, “My younger brother, Sachin Kumar Mishra, was everything to me. He was like my own child. He was my whole life and my entire world. Since my father is no more, he was my only support. He worked as a nursing paramedical staff member for many years. For the past two to three years, he had been working in an ambulance service. We had advised him many times to take a hospital job instead and not take such a big risk. I asked him to stay with me. He was the foundation of my life — my everything. Without him, my life feels completely incomplete. Somehow, I educated my younger brother and supported him. At a very young age, he started working to support the family, even though he did not have to. He began earning only because he saw the family’s difficult situation. Otherwise, today my brother would have been living with me.” Another relative spoke about the death of Sanjay Prasad, who had been severely burned in a domestic accidentThe relative said, “Sanjay Prasad had suffered severe burns. He was admitted to a hospital. There was no improvement in his condition during treatment, so we wanted to shift him to Delhi. In that process, we arranged a private jet, but it crashed. He had a small hotel, and a gas cylinder there had exploded, which caused the fire. That was how he got badly burnt. My demand to the government is that the system is extremely weak. Even when we go to private facilities, the arrangements turn into hardships, and today that hardship has turned into death. Our home has been completely destroyed. Not just one home—many families have been ruined. The government here is incapable and is doing nothing. If proper treatment had been available in Ranchi itself, we would not have had to take him to Delhi. And in the process of taking him to Delhi, this tragedy happened, my entire family has been wiped out. Our very existence has been shattered. There are two children who have now become like orphans. What will happen to them, I do not know.”

Former Jharkhand CM Champai Soren expresses condolencesIn a post on X, former Chief Minister and BJP leader Champai Soren expressed grief over the incident. “I pray for the deceased individuals, including the crew members aboard the plane, from Marang Buru (the supreme tribal deity), and for strength to their families during this difficult time,” he posted.According to the DGCA website, Delhi-based non-scheduled operator Redbird has six aircraft in its fleet, including the one that crashed.

As Pakistan faced England in their high-stakes T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 clash at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on February 24, 2026, the spotlight was firmly on the struggling former captain.

Despite the batting conditions appearing favorable for a stabilization role, Babar Azam’s inability to shift gears has once again placed his T20I future under intense scrutiny. After their opening Super 8 fixture against New Zealand was washed out, Pakistan entered this game needing a statement performance, but instead, they faced a middle-order collapse that left fans and former cricketers questioning the team’s tactical core.

Babar Azam castled by Jamie Overton during PAK vs ENG Super 8 game

The highlight of Babar Azam’s ‘flop show’ was a laborous 25 runs off 24 balls, an innings that lacked the boundary-hitting intent required to counter England’s disciplined attack. Entering the crease after early blows, Babar attempted to ‘anchor’ the innings, yet he struggled to find the gaps, finding the boundary just twice off the pace of Jofra Archer before retreating into a shell against the spin of Adil Rashid and Liam Dawson.

The pressure finally reached a breaking point in the 11th over when Jamie Overton returned to the attack. Attempting a ‘nothing shot’ across the line to a delivery that demanded more respect, Babar was completely beaten as the ball crashed into the top of his off-stump. This dismissal at 73/3 sucked the momentum out of Pakistan’s innings just as they were looking to build a platform for a competitive total.

Here’s how fans reacted:

BABAR AZAM I AM SICKK OF YOUUU!!!! 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

— ‎شاہ زیب بخاری (@iSyedShahzaibB) February 24, 2026

This team does not look having the intent to win.Once again poor team selection.Continuing to give opportunities to Saim is suicidal.Salman Agha does not even deserve to be in the team as a batsman and we have him as a captain.Babar Azam once again proved he is a bad choice for…

— Ali Mumtaz (@aliimumtaz) February 24, 2026

In bhojpuri commentary they are cooking Babar azam with words like ‘ fielder become lazy when babar is on strike’, ‘England is playing with 12 players’, ‘ Babar playing to increase his runs’, etc etc 😭😭

— Manjit🇳🇵 (@CricManjit) February 24, 2026

Pakistan has 11 players in the team. 10 plays for Pakistan, Babar Azam plays against Pakistan.

— Sunil The Cricketer (@1sInto2s) February 24, 2026

Good bye babar azam, i think it’s enough. Enough of chances and enough of everything.#PAKvENG #T20WorldCup2026 #Super8 #Cricket #MatchDay #CricketFans

— Nauman (@MNaumanFazal) February 24, 2026

Another shit T20 knock by King Babar Azam

— Gappistan Radio (@whyteknight07) February 24, 2026

– Babar misjudged the pace!!!!

— Asif Khan (@mak_asif) February 24, 2026

That should be the end of Babar Azam’s career.

— Sam Mathad (@sameermathad) February 24, 2026

Release Imran khan, arrest babar Azam https://t.co/9lMwRnWIQA

— Usman (@usmann_01) February 24, 2026

Aik tu saim ko allrounder bannay kay chakkar mai main kaam kharab karwa deeya dosra agha kya toss kay leyeh hai team may 🤷🏽
Upar say babar azam adil say bachay tu overton ka shikar hogai this team only depends on Sahibzaida farhan

— Najeeb ul Hasnain (@ImNajeebH) February 24, 2026

Also READ: T20 World Cup 2026: Here’s why Faheem Ashraf is not playing today’s PAK vs ENG Super 8 game

Sahibzada Farhan and Fakhar Zaman ignite Pakistan’s charge in Pallekele vs England

In a high-stakes Super 8 encounter at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on February 24, 2026, Pakistan have managed to recover from early setbacks to put England’s bowling unit under immense pressure. After winning the toss and electing to bat, Pakistan’s innings stuttered early as Jofra Archer and Dawson removed Saim Ayub and captain Salman Ali Agha within the powerplay.

However, the momentum shifted dramatically through a resilient partnership between Babar and Sahibzada Farhan, with Farhan taking the lead to smash a blistering half-century off just 37 balls. Even after Babar was bowled by Overton for 25, Pakistan refused to slow down, as the experienced Fakhar Zaman joined Farhan to launch a ruthless assault in the middle overs.

The duo has already plundered several massive sixes, propelling Pakistan past the 120-run mark in the 16th over with significant acceleration. As the match progresses toward the death overs, the ‘Men in Green’ look poised to set a formidable target, while England’s Harry Brook is searching for a breakthrough to stem the flow of runs on a surface that is beginning to reward aggressive stroke-play.

Also READ: Former cricketer explains why Zimbabwe pose a bigger threat to India than West Indies in T20 World Cup 2026

Mumbai: In India’s third charter aircraft accident this year, a Pawan Hans helicopter carrying 7 persons ditched in shallow waters near Maya Bunder in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on Tuesday morning. Unlike the 2 other fatal accidents involving non-scheduled operators, all passengers and crew in the Pawan Hans crash were safe.The Pawan Hans Dauphin N3 helicopter (VT-PHY) took off from Sri Vijaya Puram (Port Blair) at around 8.30 am for Rangat and onward to Maya Bunder, said Pawan Hans in a statement. The aircraft landed at Rangat at about 9.05 am and departed again around 9.10 am for Maya Bunder.“The helicopter ditched about 300 metres short of the Maya Bunder helipad in shallow sea water at around 9.30 am. There were 5 passengers with 2 crew on board,” the company said, adding that all were on board and were “safely retrieved”.An aviation source said, “Officials from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and Pawan Hans reached the islands today; some will reach by tomorrow. The AAIB initiated an investigation.”The aircraft, a Eurocopter Dauphin (S365), operating with call sign PH2, was commanded by Capt Anil Janu, with Capt T P S Gulia as co-pilot.The helicopter reportedly maintained an altitude of 2,500 feet after departure from Rangat for Mayabunder. “The last known position of the aircraft before ditching was near Dhobidera, close to Mayabunder,” said a source.Over 12 hours before this accident, another crash occurred in Jharkhand in which an air ambulance operated by Redbird Airways crashed and killed all the 7 people onboard.Less than a month ago, on Jan 28, a Learjet aircraft operated by VSR Ventures crashed during landing at Baramati airport, killing Maharashtra’s then deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar and 4 others. Apart from accidents involving non-scheduled operators, there was another accident involving a flying club, Redbird Aviation. Earlier this month, a Cessna 172 (VT-EUC) belonging to Redbird Aviation, a flying training organisation, crash-landed in Vijayapura after it ran out of fuel. The instructor and the trainee pilots sustained serious injuries but survived.