Latest news with #AFA


The Hindu
30-05-2025
- General
- The Hindu
IAF marks 100th Pre-Flying Training Course completion at AFA Dundigal
The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday commemorated a landmark moment in its training history with the completion of the 100th Pre-Flying Training Course (PFTC) at the Air Force Academy (AFA), Dundigal. The PFTC, a foundational training course for candidates entering the IAF's Flying Branch, was originally established at the Air Force Administrative College (AFAC), Coimbatore, on August 16, 1969. The first batch graduated in June 1975. After moving to Air Force Station Begumpet in 1986, the unit found its current home at the AFA Dundigal in September 2001. Over the decades, the PFTC has become a vital gateway for aspiring pilots entering through various induction pathways such as the Combined Defence Services (CDS), Air Force Common Admission Test (AFCAT), National Cadet Corps (NCC), and service entry schemes. Today, nearly 40% of IAF pilots begin their journey with this course. Every woman pilot in the Indian Air Force has been trained through this programme, said a release. The commemorative ceremony was presided over by Air Marshal Tejbir Singh, Senior Air Staff Officer, Headquarters Training Command. Addressing the gathering, the Air Marshal underscored the need to keep pace with evolving technologies and highlighted the importance of intelligence, emotional strength, social connection, and adversity management as crucial attributes for personal and professional development in today's dynamic military environment.


India.com
28-05-2025
- General
- India.com
UPSC CDS 2 Notification 2025 To Be Released Today At upsc.gov.in- Check Eligibility And Other Details Here
UPSC CDS 2 Notification 2025: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) is set to release the official notification for the Combined Defence Services (CDS) Examination II 2025 today, May 28. Candidates aspiring to join the Indian Armed Forces through the CDS pathway can view the detailed notification on the official UPSC website — — once it is published. The application window will open alongside the notification release and will remain active until June 17, 2025. The CDS II 2025 written exam is scheduled for September 14, 2025. This examination provides entry into esteemed institutions such as the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Indian Naval Academy (INA), Air Force Academy (AFA), and Officers' Training Academy (OTA). UPSC CDS 2 Notification 2025: Eligibility Criteria To be eligible for the CDS exam, candidates must fulfill certain educational and age criteria: Indian Military Academy (IMA) and Officers' Training Academy (OTA): Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized university. Indian Naval Academy (INA): Candidates should have an engineering degree from a recognized university or institution. Air Force Academy (AFA): A degree from a recognized university is required, with Physics and Mathematics at the 10+2 level, or a Bachelor of Engineering. The exam is open to unmarried male and female candidates who also meet the physical and medical standards prescribed by the respective training academies. UPSC CDS 2 Notification 2025: Here's how to apply Step 1: Go to the official UPSC website at Step 2: Find and click on the link for 'Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2025.' Step 3: Register by entering your basic personal details. Step 4: Log in using your registration credentials. Step 5: Complete the application form, upload the required documents, and pay the application fee. Step 6: Submit the completed form and download the confirmation page. Step 7: Take a printout of the confirmation for future reference. UPSC CDS 2 Notification 2025: Exam pattern For IMA, INA, and AFA: The written test includes three subjects — English, General Knowledge, and Elementary Mathematics. Each paper is two hours long, making the total exam duration six hours. The maximum marks for these candidates are 300. For OTA: The exam comprises only two papers — English and General Knowledge. Each section is two hours long, with a total score of 200 marks. Candidates who clear the written exam will proceed to the SSB interview, which evaluates their psychological fitness, leadership qualities, and overall suitability for a role in the armed forces.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (UAL) and Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Contract Agreement, Says Union
United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) and its 28,000 flight attendants have reached a tentative agreement for a new contract, the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA (AFA) said on Friday. The union described the tentative deal as 'industry-leading', saying it would result in a 40% financial gain for the flight attendants in the first year of the contract. United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL)'s cabin crew has not had a raise since 2020. A bird's eye view of a large commercial jetliner taking off from an airport runway. The proposed contract also includes a signing bonus, retroactive pay, and improved quality of life, said the AFA. The union's leaders are expected to meet next week to review the complete details of the agreement. If approved, the deal would be sent for a ratification vote. In 2023, United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL)'s cabin crews had filed for federal mediation, demanding a double-digit pay raise, an increase in pay for time at work, schedule flexibility, retroactive pay, and work rule improvements. They also authorized the union to call a strike if the negotiators failed to reach a deal. Flight attendants across the United States have pushed for wage increases over the last few years, especially after pilots secured new labor deals in response to the coronavirus pandemic. United Airlines Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:UAL) is set to become the latest major airline in the country to sign an agreement with its flight attendants. While we acknowledge the potential of UAL as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than UAL and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about this cheapest AI stock. READ NEXT: ChatGPT Stock Advice: Top 12 Stock Recommendations and 10 Cheap Rising Stocks to Buy Right Now. Disclosure: None.
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
18-05-2025
- Business
- First Post
Will Messi come to Kerala? Sports minister provides fresh update on Argentina team's visit
Lionel Messi and the Argentina football team's visit to Kerala has come under the cloud after contradicting statements coming from all corners. Kerala's Sports Minister V Abdurahiman has now issued a fresh remark regarding the tour. read more Kerala's Sports Minister V Abdurahiman has issued a fresh statement amid speculations surrounding the Argentina national football team's visit to the southern state later this year. Recently, there were reports that Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, might cancel the Kerala leg of their tour due to sponsorship issues. Government clarifies role amid uncertainty However, Abdurahiman has made it clear that the responsibility of bringing the Argentina football team to Kerala lies with the sponsors and not the state government. His statement comes amid growing uncertainty over the tour due to the sponsors' reported breach of contract with the Argentina Football Association (AFA). Speaking to Onmanorama on Saturday, Abdurahiman said, 'The government will make every arrangement if the Argentina team comes to Kerala. But I can't say anything more at this moment. As of now, we can't say that Messi and Argentina are not coming. Yes, there were some delays, but there is no confusion at the moment.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Abdurahiman explained that the Kochi-based Reporter Broadcasting Company had entered into an agreement with AFA to bring the reigning World Cup champions to Kerala. The minister said that the sponsors have promised to clear the pending payment to AFA soon, which may have caused the confusion. More from Football Abdurahiman also pointed out that the Kerala government is currently dealing with financial issues and cannot afford to host a high-profile international football team. He clarified that the state government had only helped identify two potential sponsors and submitted their details to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for approval. Change in stance fuels confusion However, this latest statement is different from what he had said earlier. A few months ago, he had announced that the Kerala government had struck a deal with AFA and that Messi and his team would spend around a week in Kerala, playing at least two friendly matches between October and November. Meanwhile, reports suggest that the Kerala Gold and Silver Merchants' Association was the main sponsor at first but they had trouble getting approvals from the RBI, so they stepped back. Then, Reporter TV became the new sponsor and reportedly got the required RBI clearance but got tangled in a payment issue with the AFA. 'The RBI rejected the first sponsor because they didn't meet the necessary criteria. After that, Reporter Broadcasting Company stepped in as the new sponsor. They have received all the required clearances from both the RBI and the Central Ministry of Sports,' the minister said. Earlier in the month, the Argentina's international friendly schedule was announced by the AFA and it did not include India, which caused a stir. If the tour goes ahead as planned, it will be the second time Messi will play international friendly in India. He first came way back in 2011 to play a friendly in Kolkata. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD


NDTV
16-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Lionel Messi's Argentina To Miss Game In Kerala In 2026
Kerala football buffs will now have to wait to see their favourite player Lionel Messi and his World Cup-winning Argentine football team play on Kerala soil. It was in November last year Kerala Sports Minister V Abdurahiman and his team after huge efforts involving several rounds of discussions with Argentina Football Association (AFA) following a meeting held in Spain, it was announced that Messi and his team will play at least one international match in Kerala as part of their exhibition matches schedule. But, with the schedule of Argentina for 2026 now out, Kerala is no where in the scheme of things as the South American nation is scheduled to play in China, Qatar and Africa. Lionel Messi last played in India in 2011, when Argentina faced Venezuela in an international friendly at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Among the enthusiastic fans in attendance were several football lovers from Kerala, including the current CPI(M) General Secretary, M.A. Baby, who had come to cheer for Messi. Interestingly, in the football-crazy districts of Malappuram and Kozhikode, the Argentina national team enjoys the largest support base—a trend that has continued for many years. This support reached new heights after Messi led Argentina to victory in the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Abdurahiman, a native of Malappuram, has been working tirelessly to bring Lionel Messi to play in Kerala. Last year, he led a delegation to Spain and announced that the much-anticipated event would take place in the last quarter of 2026. However, the hopes of both Abdurahiman and the Kerala government have been dashed, and the wait continues for football enthusiasts in the state. More importantly, Kerala is set to go to the polls in April/May 2026 to elect a new government and the next edition of the FIFA World Cup is also scheduled to take place in 2026.