indonesia-search-and-rescue-officials-fear-missing-airasia-flight-qz8501-to-be-at-bottom-of-sea

Indonesia search and rescue officials fear Missing AirAsia flight QZ8501 to be 'at bottom of sea'

Belitung, Dec 29 (ANI): Indonesia's National Search and Rescue Agency (BASARNAS) on Monday continued to look for a missing AirAsia plane carrying 162 passengers that went missing the previous day. An official said that the plane could be at the bottom of the sea after it was presumed to have crashed off the Indonesian coast, as countries around Asia sent ships and planes to help in the search effort. BASARNAS deployed seven rescue boats and three helicopters in the Karimata Strait and west of Belitung Island to support the search mission for the missing flight QZ 8501, but high waves and winds hampered the operation. The Indonesia AirAsia plane, an Airbus A320-200, disappeared after its pilot failed to get permission to fly higher to avoid bad weather during a flight from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore on Sunday. Dec 29, 2014
bangladesh-information-minister-calls-former-pm-khaleda-zia-biggest-enemy-of-democracy

Bangladesh Information minister calls former PM Khaleda Zia biggest enemy of democracy

Dhaka, Dec 29 (ANI): Bangladesh Information Minister Hasanul Haq Inu called former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia as biggest enemy of democracy in the country. He was addressing audience during the inauguration of a documentary film made by human rights activist and journalist Shahriar Kabir, called "Whither Bangladesh" - clash between secular humanism and ideology of Shariah-based statehood in Bangladesh. The function was organised by the South Asian People's Union against Fundamentalism and Communalism. In 'Whither Bangladesh', Kabir attempts to depict fundamentalist militant activities in Bangladesh and its nexus with global militant network. Dec 29, 2014
aviation-expert-expresses-concern-over-missing-airasia-flight

Aviation expert expresses concern over missing AirAsia flight

New Delhi, Dec 28 (ANI): Expressing concern over the missing AirAsia flight QZ8501, Aviation Expert Harshvardhan on Sunday said it is an extremely worrying situation and prayed to god for the safety of the passengers. He, however, also said that there could be some internal problem but didn't rule out any external problems or the sabotage or such issues. Earlier in the day, AirAsia Indonesia confirmed that flight QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore lost contact with ATC at 07:24 (Surabaya LT). A statement released by Air Asia informed that nationalities of passengers and crew onboard include one from Singapore, one from Malaysia, three from South Korean and 157 Indonesia. Dec 28, 2014
tourists-throng-shimla-to-enjoy-ice-skating

Tourists throng Shimla to enjoy ice skating

Shimla, Dec 28 (ANI): Domestic tourists thronged hill town of Shimla in Himachal Pradesh and enjoyed ice skating. As per reports, it is Asia’s oldest skating clay surface rink and got a natural coating of thick ice for the first time. People, including locals, thronged the rink with their skates and instructors also helped them to skate with ease. A tourist from Delhi, Luv, said he had a wonderful experience of ice skating for the first time. The secretary of the ice skating club in Shimla, Manpreet Singh, said that if sub-zero temperatures continue, the rink will be open for a month. The ice skating club in Shimla was established in 1920 and since then it has been attracting tourists and locals. Dec 28, 2014
airasia-flight-qz8501-from-indonesia-to-singapore-missing-with-162-on-board

AirAsia flight QZ8501 from Indonesia to Singapore missing with 162 on board

London, Dec 28 (ANI): AirAsia flight QZ8501 travelling from the Indonesian city of Surabaya to Singapore with 162 people on board has lost contact with air traffic control. The airlines' authorities said in a statement that the rescue operations and search for the flight were being conducted under the guidance of Civil Aviation Authority. An official with the transport ministry said that the plane lost contact over the Java Sea between Surabaya and Singapore. The Air Asia also said in a statement that 162 passengers and crew were onboard of which 1 is from Singapore, 1 from Malaysia, 3 from South Korean & 157 from Indonesia. Dec 28, 2014
security-arrangement-in-place-in-bodh-gaya-says-bihar-dgp

Security arrangement in place in Bodh Gaya, says Bihar DGP

Bodh Gaya, Dec 28 (ANI): Director General of Police (DGP) of Bihar, PK Thakur visited holy town Bodh Gaya to monitor security measures. Security has been tightened at holy Buddhist shrine Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya after the recent Taliban attack in a school in Peshawar. The DGP took stock of the situation in and around the temple and expressed satisfaction with the security. The holy shrine was last year in July hit by a series of bomb blasts that were described as “terror” attacks by the government. Two people were injured. The Mahabodhi Temple complex is the place where the Buddha is believed to have attained enlightenment. Buddhist scriptures describe Bodh Gaya as the "Navel of the Earth", where pilgrims and tourists from Sri Lanka, China, Japan and the entire of southeastern Asia throng to this holiest of Buddhist shrines every year. Dec 28, 2014