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The Irish Sun
17-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
Air India captain ‘deliberately cut off fuel while staying eerily calm sparking copilot panic' before crash
Juliana Cruz Lima, Foreign News Reporter Published: Invalid Date, THE captain of the tragic Air India flight stayed calm as he deliberately cut off fuel to both engines seconds after takeoff, US officials have claimed. Sumeet Sabharwal — the 56-year-old veteran at the controls of the ill-fated Boeing 787 Dreamliner — flipped the aircraft's fuel control switches to 'cut-off' just moments after liftoff from Ahmedabad in western India. 10 10 10 10 US officials reviewing the preliminary crash investigation told the Wall Street Journal a black box recording revealed a tense exchange in the cockpit. First Officer Clive Kunder reportedly asked: 'Why did you cut off?' The captain then replied: 'I didn't.' Sabharwal stayed eerily calm as the aircraft plunged. More on Air India crash CRASH TRAGEDY 'Human hand' HAD to be involved in Air India crash disaster, pilot says JET HELL Fear Air India crash was suicide as 'vanishingly small' chance fuel cut was error The plane slammed into a hostel 30 seconds after takeoff killing 260 people including 52 Britons. Only one person on board miraculously survived the crash on June 12. The voice recorder captured the cockpit drama, but the actions that sealed the plane's fate may have come down to a deliberate hand. Now, new details from the US probe, launched because a Boeing was involved and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified the plane, are zeroing in on Sabharwal. Most read in The Sun VIVA LA CHEATER? Moment CEO caught 'cheating' with HR chief on big screen at Coldplay gig 'HERO' Ex-Man Utd star dubbed 'footballer who could fly' passes away HOTEL DEATH Woman, 20s, found dead in hotel in Irish city after suspected medical emergency CRASH SCENE Seven rushed to hospital after horror two-vehicle crash on busy Irish road Sources familiar with the American investigation said it was he who reached for the fuel control switches after the Dreamliner climbed off the runway. The co-pilot, stunned, asked why, then panicked as Sabharwal stayed composed. 'Human hand' HAD to be involved in Air India crash disaster, pilot says…as he reveals billions-to-one odds of tech fault US officials familiar with the evidence told the WSJ the switches were moved to the "cut-off" position in quick succession - one second apart. Ten seconds later, they were flipped back on but by then, both engines had already flamed out and crash was imminent. A calm captain & panicked co-pilot Kunder was flying the aircraft and his hands were on the controls. Sabharwal, as the monitoring pilot, would likely have had his hands free. That's a key distinction, US pilots and safety experts say, and one that points toward who had the opportunity to touch the guarded fuel switches. The preliminary report from India's Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) acknowledged the switches were flipped but didn't say by whom — or whether it was deliberate. But people familiar with the cockpit recordings and US officials' review say the black box strongly suggests it was Sabharwal who moved them. Ben Berman, a former senior official at the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), told the WSJ: 'There was nothing to prompt the crew to perform emergency procedures, become stressed, or do anything except rotate the nose up and retract the landing gear, like they had done so many times before.' Key findings of Air India preliminary crash report Dual engine shutdown - fuel cutoff switches moved from 'RUN' to 'CUTOFF' Confusion between pilots - cockpit audio confirms one pilot asked 'why did you cut off', the other replied 'I didn't' RAT deployed - as seen in CCTV footage before the crash, the ram air turbine (RAT) which acts as a backup power source in case of emergencies had deployed Engine relight attempted - fuel switches were found returned to 'RUN' at crash site 32 seconds - the time the aircraft was airborne before it crashed Thrust levers mismatch - Thrust levers found at idle but black box data shows takeoff thrust was still engaged Fuel test pass - fuel was clean without any contamination Normal take-off set-up - Flaps and landing gear correctly configured No bird activity - clear skies, good visibility, light winds Pilot credentials clear - both medically fit and rested No sabotage detected - although FAA alerted over a known fuel switch vulnerability not checked by Air India Aircraft loading - the flight was within weight and balance limits 10 10 10 'Human hand' behind the error Captain Steve Scheibner, an aviation expert and seasoned pilot, believes the deadly Air India crash may have been the result of a human act inside the cockpit. He suggested there was a "human hand" behind the tragedy of flight AI 171 - and insisted the aircraft itself was not to blame. He told Piers Morgan Uncensored: 'I really firmly believe that there had to be a human hand on both of those for them to go to cut off." The switches - guarded and located between the pilots - require deliberate action to move. Accidental flicking is virtually impossible. Scheibner said the odds of a dual engine flameout on a Boeing 787 seconds after takeoff were "two and a half billion to one". "Everything just seems unbelievable," he added. 'When you place both fuel cutoff switches to cut off, that will fuel-starve the engines and they'll both flame out. 'There is no universe where there's any procedure ever in the history of commercial flight where you place both fuel control switches to cut off, leave them there for 10 seconds, right after rotate.' Former pilot Terry Tozer agrees, telling The Sun: 'That implies that somebody did that as a conscious human action… They have a lock mechanism. 'I can't see why any pilot would have their hands anywhere near the area where these switches are located.' Who was Sumeet Sabharwal? Captain Sumeet Sabharwal was no novice. With over 15,000 flying hours — more than 8,000 on the Dreamliner — he had long been considered steady and reliable. Friends described him as soft-spoken, precise, even minimalist. 'He was a very reserved guy right from the beginning,' said fellow pilot Kapil Kohal. Known as 'Sad Sack' in flight school for his solemn demeanor, Sabharwal lived simply. Two shirts, two shoes, one bag. 'He was a middle-class boy looking at the sky and saying, 'I want to be there,'' Kohal said. But in recent years, Sabharwal had faced personal struggles. He was reportedly just months from retirement, grieving his mother's death and caring for his elderly father. Some aviation sources told The Telegraph he had taken time off in past years for mental health issues. Though he passed a Class I medical exam in September 2024, investigators are now combing through his records. 10 10 10 Investigation intensifies US officials believe the crash may warrant a criminal investigation — something that would be automatic if the tragedy had happened on American soil. In similar cases, the FBI would be brought in to assess whether a deliberate act had occurred. Jennifer Homendy, NTSB chair, has been fully briefed on the cockpit recordings and flight data, and is pushing for clarity. Her priority, she said, is 'to quickly determine whether the crash presented any immediate safety concerns to the travelling public.' So far, Boeing, GE Aerospace, and the FAA have issued no warnings or directives following the crash. The aircraft's systems were functioning normally. There were no bird strikes. No fuel contamination. No maintenance faults. No mechanical defects. Air India's CEO Campbell Wilson has urged staff not to jump to conclusions. 'The preliminary report identified no cause nor made any recommendations,' he said. 'It provided both greater clarity and opened additional questions.' Indian authorities, meanwhile, have declined to comment on the American reports. A Ministry of Civil Aviation press officer dismissed the Wall Street Journal's reporting as 'one-sided.' You're Not Alone EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers. It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women. Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now. That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign. The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives. Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone. If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: CALM, 0800 585 858 Heads Together, HUMEN Mind, 0300 123 3393 Papyrus, 0800 068 41 41 Samaritans, 116 123 Topics Mental Health and illness Plane crashes and air disasters Planes flights and airlines India United States YOU MIGHT LIKE RECOMMENDED FOR YOU MORE FOR YOU More from The Sun VIVA LA CHEATER? Moment CEO caught 'cheating' with HR chief on big screen at Coldplay gig 'HERO' Ex-Man Utd star dubbed 'footballer who could fly' passes away HOTEL DEATH Woman, 20s, found dead in hotel in Irish city after suspected medical emergency CRASH SCENE Seven rushed to hospital after horror two-vehicle crash on busy Irish road
![BTH: Tehran vs Tel Aviv, war in the Gulf, SST hikes & gun shooting [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fassets%2FNST-Logo%402x.png%3Fid%3Db37a17055cb1ffea01f5&w=48&q=75){kind=small}
New Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
BTH: Tehran vs Tel Aviv, war in the Gulf, SST hikes & gun shooting [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: As the Middle East teeters on the brink of broader conflict following direct confrontations between Iran and Israel, Beyond the Headlines unpacks the far-reaching consequences of this escalation. Hosts Amalina Kamal and Hazween Hassan delve into how this geopolitical flashpoint could affect global oil prices, shipping routes, and Malaysia's economic and national security vulnerabilities. Joining the conversation are NST Op-ed and Foreign News Editor Azman Abdul Hamid and Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia analyst Maryam Ismail. The discussion explores whether Malaysia's foreign policy can maintain neutrality, how prepared we are for ripple effects across the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, and whether ASEAN can offer meaningful diplomatic intervention. Maryam, whose research spans Jewish-Muslim relations and the influence of Islamist movements, offers a nuanced perspective on Malaysia's strategic calculus in engaging with both Iran and Israel. Can Malaysia absorb another global supply shock? Is our national preparedness adequate in the face of a widening regional war? Also in this episode: • Growing concerns over gun violence in Kuala Lumpur, featuring Universiti Malaya criminologist Dr Haezreena Begum. • A sharp look at the looming 8% SST expansion and its potential blow to SMEs, with reaction from SAMENTA chairman Datuk William Ng. More in the latest episode of Beyond the Headlines. Watch on NST Online's YouTube. *This episode was recorded on June 19.
New Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
BTH: Tehran vs Tel Aviv, war in the Gulf, SST hikes & gun shooting
KUALA LUMPUR: As the Middle East teeters on the brink of broader conflict following direct confrontations between Iran and Israel, Beyond the Headlines unpacks the far-reaching consequences of this escalation. Hosts Amalina Kamal and Hazween Hassan delve into how this geopolitical flashpoint could affect global oil prices, shipping routes, and Malaysia's economic and national security vulnerabilities. Joining the conversation are NST Op-ed and Foreign News Editor Azman Abdul Hamid and Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia analyst Maryam Ismail. The discussion explores whether Malaysia's foreign policy can maintain neutrality, how prepared we are for ripple effects across the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea, and whether ASEAN can offer meaningful diplomatic intervention. Maryam, whose research spans Jewish-Muslim relations and the influence of Islamist movements, offers a nuanced perspective on Malaysia's strategic calculus in engaging with both Iran and Israel. Can Malaysia absorb another global supply shock? Is our national preparedness adequate in the face of a widening regional war? Also in this episode: • Growing concerns over gun violence in Kuala Lumpur, featuring Universiti Malaya criminologist Dr Haezreena Begum. • A sharp look at the looming 8% SST expansion and its potential blow to SMEs, with reaction from SAMENTA chairman Datuk William Ng. More in the latest episode of Beyond the Headlines. Watch on NST Online's YouTube. *This episode was recorded on June 19.
The Sun
03-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Nuke strike could plunge US into blackout like Spain at ANY minute – weapon Trump needs now to protect 340million people
AMERICA must install a missile defence shield before the country's electrical grid is wiped out in a nuke strike, an expert has warned. Donald Trump has signed an executive order to construct a futuristic "Golden Dome" to banish threats from countries including Iran. 7 But with both Tehran and North Korea rapidly accelerating nuclear development, military historian William R. Forstchen has warned the US needs a defence system sooner rather than later. Trump has long been fascinated by Israel 's technological marvel that is the Iron Dome and wants to build something much more complex and expensive. While the Iron Dome effectively intercepts short-range missiles and rockets, the Golden Dome would need to shoot down much larger and powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles. Forstchen told The Sun: "Golden dome is designed as a ballistic defense system for intercontinental. "It is a strategic defence that would prevent any enemy attack from coming across the Pacific Ocean to hit our facilities with an electromagnetic pulse (EMP) hit, which would wipe out our electrical infrastructure. "The big fear I've always held is that North Korea has the capacity to launch an ICBM with a nuclear warhead on top. "When it's detonated above the continental United States, it sets up something called the Compton effect, which blows out the electrical grid of the United States. "This is a system designed to defend against that." But right now, Forstchen warned America will be "screwed" if North Korea or Iran unleashes just three small nuclear on the US - making it more vital than ever that Trump sees through his plan. It could see the US plunged into darkness like Spain and Portugal last Monday. Trump says Iran deal is 'well on its way' - as regime builds ring of steel around deeply buried nuclear fortresses Forstchen said: "I grew up in the 60s and 70s. It was called mutually assured Destruction. "The big fear back then was the Soviets would launch hundreds of missiles at us. "We would launch at them. Everybody blows up. Nobody wins the game. Well, it's a different paradigm now. "Third world players, in particular North Korea and Iran, if it ever achieves nuclear capability, they just have to launch three small warheads about four times the size of a Hiroshima bomb. "Get it up there 200 miles out. When the weapon blows, it sets up an electrostatic discharge called the Compton effect. "That shorts our grid off. The grid is not going. It doesn't self-repair. It does not come back online. And basically, to put it in common terminology, we're screwed." European power outage by Patrick Harrington, Foreign News Reporter MILLIONS were left without power when blackouts struck Spain, Portugal and parts of southern France on Monday. Spain says it is focusing on "overcoming the worst" and identifying the cause of what was the continent's largest power outage. At the worst point on early Monday afternoon, airports and hospitals shut down and trains screeched to a halt. Footage showed people queuing outside grocery stores and ATMs to stockpile essentials amid fears the mayhem could last for days. Roads in Spain, Portugal and parts of France were left snarled up with traffic as lights and signals went blank - with emergency officers drafted in to tackle the bedlam. Some hospitals cancelled all surgeries for Monday amid fears for patient safety in the region's most severe blackout for years. Spain's train service came to a complete stop, leaving huge crowds stranded at stations, and Madrid's underground network was evacuated. Air traffic was slashed to "half capacity" as flights were cancelled from a number of airports - with Lisbon turning away all arrivals for hours. And a major tennis tournament, the Madrid Open, had to be suspended, with Brit Jacob Fearnley's match interrupted by a huge "bang". Investigators are still determining the cause of the mass blackout. Spain's top court has launched a bombshell probe into whether sabotage was behind the sudden power loss after it is revealed that "unusual activity" hit the UK grid hours before Europe. Forstchen - a leading authority on EMP technology who has given guidance on its potential impact to federal and state governments - warned the Dome would be America's only hope against an EMP attack. An EMP is a burst of electromagnetic energy produced by a nuclear explosion in the atmosphere, that could cause widespread damage to power lines, telecommunications, and electronic equipment. "EMP distorts the grid off and you lose your electricity," he said. "The devastation ultimately would be a hundred times worse because the grid is gone. You can't pump water, get food, all the other things we depend upon." It comes as Trump's Golden Dome hopes gather pace - with his billionaire pal Elon Musk understood to have won the contract to build the incredible missile defence shield. Musk's rocket and satellite company SpaceX is partnering with software maker Palantir and drone builder Anduril to build key parts. 7 Plans include building and launching more than 1,000 satellites circling the globe to sense incoming missiles and track their movement, sources told Reuters. A separate fleet of 200 attack satellites armed with missiles or lasers would then bring enemy missiles down. SpaceX is understood to be pitching for the part of the Golden Dome initiative called the "custody layer". It would work as a constellation of satellites that would detect missiles, track their trajectory, and determine if they are heading toward the US. However, the rocket company is not expected to be involved in the weaponisation of satellites. Overall cost for the Dome could hit hundreds of billions of dollars, experts say. Trump previously warned a missile attack is "the most catastrophic threat facing the United States" - and is in a race to strike a deal with Iran over its controversial nuclear programme. 7 7 Iran's accelerates nuclear development Exclusive by Katie Davis, Chief Foreign Reporter (Digital) IRAN is believed to have accelerated its nuclear weapons development and is building terrifying nuclear warheads for solid-fuel missiles with a range exceeding 1,800 miles (3,000km). A powerful blast from Iran could impact on several continents due to the chilling capability of the warheads. Italy, Ukraine, Sudan, India and even large swaths of Russia would all potentially be in the firing line. They are being developed at two sites in Shahrud and Semnan, which were previously pinned as rocket or space satellite launch sites. A third site, Sorkheh Hesar, is also said to be carrying out projects, including research on nuclear power and underground explosions. Nukes are being quickly created under the watchful eye of the regime's nuclear weaponization entity, the Organization for Advanced Defense Research (SPND). Bosses are developing nuclear warheads for the solid-fuel Ghaem-100 missiles, which are equipped with mobile launch platforms at the Shahrud site. Iran's rocket designers have used North Korea's missiles as a guide to develop the Ghaem-100 missile. When the missile was in a very early testing stage in 2011, dozens of missile experts were killed at the Modarres site in Tehran. Personnel vehicles are banned from entering the Shahrud site and are forced to park at a checkpoint before people are transported in. Meanwhile, they are using the liquid fuel missile Simorgh to develop nuclear warheads in Semnan. Iran has staged three successful Ghaem-100 missile launches over the past two years, enhancing the regime's capability to deploy nuclear weapons. The US president vowed "there will be bombing" if Tehran's regime fails to negotiate an agreement. National security adviser Mike Waltz has said that Trump wants the "full dismantlement" of Iran's nuclear programme. He added: "That's enrichment, that is weaponisation, and that is its strategic missile programme." But Iran hopes a deal to limit, but not dismantle, its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. Fears of a devastating strike comes as both Iran and North Korea ramp up their nuke schemes. The Sun previously revealed how Iran's tyrannical regime has been secretly building nuclear warheads for missiles that can fire more than 3,000km. Satellite pictures uncovered three sites that Iran's leaders claimed were being used as part of a space initiative. Tehran is building terrifying nuclear warheads for solid-fuel missiles with a range exceeding 1,800 miles (3,000km). North Korea meanwhile is understood to have around 50 nuclear weapons and sufficient production of fissile material for six to seven nuclear weapons per year. Tyrant Kim Jong-un has continued arms build-up in response to what Pyongyang claims is threats from the US and its allies in the region. Trump is said to be planning to kick off fresh talks with Kim over his alarming nuclear advances. Earlier this month, Kim unveiled North Korea's largest naval destroyer that could house a vertical launchpad capable of firing nuclear missiles. The extent of North Korea's nuclear and missile programme has long been shrouded in mystery - with stations scattered across the hermit kingdom. But The Sun last month revealed how scheming Kim had constructed a new missile base disguised as a private golf course. 7 The Sun's visit to an Iron Dome battery By Katie Davis, Chief Foreign Reporter (Digital) THE Sun this month got a rare look at an Iron Dome battery system in southern Israel. Tucked along a track away from prying eyes close to a city of around 33,000, a group of highly trained IDF soldiers work tirelessly to repel missiles fired by Hamas from Gaza. Fenced off from the public, the batteries sit on a concrete base ready to be put into action at the drop of a hat. Firing units are primed and ready to go, with the launchers always pointing towards the sky as incoming threats can come at any moment. An IDF commander walked us through exactly how the remarkable system works and proudly told how they had successfully wiped out around 96 per cent of missiles fired their way. Developed by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries, this exceptional kit is essential to Israel's defence. During my time in Israel last week, I saw first hand the devastation Hamas caused on October 7. Kibbutz Nir Oz was decimated by callous terrorists and around a quarter of its residents were either brutally killed or taken hostage. Hamas also unleashed a barrage of more than 5,000 missiles against Israeli targets that day in a bid to overwhelm its robust defence system. Since then, the terror group has continued to repeatedly blitz Israel - but thanks to systems like the Iron Dome it has managed to limit casualty numbers
The Sun
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Iconic drinks brand from 90s launches brand new flavour and shoppers are itching to try it
Georgie English, Foreign News Reporter Published: Invalid Date, AN ICONIC drinks brand beloved in the 90s has launched a tasty new flavour which has been labelled as the "best one yet". Shoppers have been rushing to stores to try and find the sour apple flavoured fruity beverage scanning for less than £1. 3 3 Sunny Delight, known as Sunny D, now stock the fresh sour apple drink in two British supermarkets. Shoppers at Heron Foods and Farm Foods can snap up the fascinating green drink for just 90p. And on July 3, it will also be available in Asda stores across the UK. The official sunny D Instagram account announced the new addition to their drinks range at the end of April. They said: "Sour apple has entered chat! "A whole new tang just dropped, all the nostalgia of original sunny D but with a crisp twist! ㅤ "Not to be dramatic, but… this might be our best one yet." The low calorie and high in vitamin drink has Dozens of people rushed to the comments of numerous posts to say how excited they were over the drink. One wrote: "Love the sound of this!" As another told their friend: "I wanna try lol." A third even chimed in: "Wow I need that." Shoppers run to Primark as perfect spring jacket reduced to just £5 in sale Other shoppers who have already purchased the drink even commented on the great price. One said it was scanning at tills in Heron Foods for only 90p. It comes just weeks after sunny D also released a new pink lemonade flavour. It is being sold exclusively at Iceland with shoppers able to get five bottles for £5. Other flavours available include the classic Florida style citrus fusion, blue raspberry and very cherry. In other exciting news for fizzy drink fanatics, a "legendary" Coca-Cola bottle has returned to shelves in UK shops - 12 years after being discontinued. The comeback is inspired Gen Z's quest for "authentic connection," the beloved brand has said. Shoppers have also been going wild over a new Walkers snack spotted on supermarket shelves which is based on beloved crisps. Wotsits have been turned into a full-blown meal in a surprising revamp in the form of Mac 'n' Cheese bowls. The flavours include Sweet & Spicy, Flamin Hot and Really Cheesy. Why are products axed or recipes changed? ANALYSIS by chief consumer reporter James Flanders Food and drinks makers have been known to tweak their recipes or axe items altogether. They often say that this is down to the changing tastes of customers. There are several reasons why this could be done. For example, government regulation, like the "sugar tax," forces firms to change their recipes. Some manufacturers might choose to tweak ingredients to cut costs. They may opt for a cheaper alternative, especially when costs are rising to keep prices stable. For example, Tango Cherry disappeared from shelves in 2018. It has recently returned after six years away but as a sugar-free version. Fanta removed sweetener from its sugar-free alternative earlier this year. Suntory tweaked the flavour of its flagship Lucozade Original and Orange energy drinks. While the amount of sugar in every bottle remains unchanged, the supplier swapped out the sweetener aspartame for sucralose.
