Latest news with #battered
Mint
23-05-2025
- Climate
- Mint
IndiGo flight with 'nose damage' from Delhi storm was denied entry into Pakistan airspace, DGCA clarifies
Pakistan turned down a request from a Srinagar-bound IndiGo flight, which was battered by severe turbulence on Wednesday evening, to enter its airspace, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed. The regulator has initiated a detailed investigation into the incident. The Airbus A321 Neo aircraft – carrying more than 220 people, including Trinamool Congress MPs – was cruising at 36,000 feet when it encountered extreme weather conditions. According to the DGCA, the crew had requested a deviation from their flight path due to an approaching storm, but this was denied by Northern Control, operated by the Indian Air Force. A subsequent attempt to enter Pakistani airspace by contacting Lahore ATC was also refused. Faced with rapidly deteriorating weather conditions and limited alternatives, the crew initially considered turning back but ultimately decided to fly through the storm to minimise exposure time. 'The aircraft experienced updraughts and downdraughts that caused the autopilot to disengage, leading to significant speed fluctuations,' the DGCA stated. 'Warnings for exceeding the maximum operating speed and repeated stall alerts were also triggered. At one point, the aircraft's rate of descent peaked at 8,500 feet per minute.' The pilots were forced to take manual control until the aircraft exited the turbulent zone. A PAN PAN emergency call was made to Srinagar ATC, after which the aircraft received radar vectors and landed safely. The auto-thrust system resumed normal operation prior to touchdown. Following the safe landing, a post-flight inspection revealed damage to the aircraft's nose radome, likely caused by hail impact.
Mint
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Pakistan rejected IndiGo pilot's request to use its airspace for turbulence-hit Delhi-Srinagar flight with 220 people
The pilot of the Delhi-Srinagar IndiGo aircraft that was battered by a sudden hailstorm on Wednesday, had initially Lahore Air Traffic Control's permission to use the Pakistan airspace for a brief while to avoid the turbulence. However, his request was denied, a report said on Thursday. According to a PTI report quoting sources, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is probing the incident where flight 6E 2142 encountered severe turbulence. The IndiGo flight, carrying more than 220 people, including Trinamool Congress MPs encountered a sudden hailstorm, and the pilot reported the 'emergency' to air traffic control at Srinagar airport. The aircraft landed safely on Wednesday, but passengers were left battered. The pilot noticed the turbulence while flying over Amritsar and reached out to Lahore ATC to seek permission to take a deviation through the Pakistan airspace on Wednesday, as per the PTI report. However, the request was rejected by Lahore ATC, it said. As a result, the flight had to navigate through its original path, which was affected by severe turbulence. Pakistan has closed its airspace for all Indian aircraft in the wake of tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed at least 26 people. India has also closed its airspace for Pakistani carriers. In a statement on Wednesday, IndiGo said its flight 6E 2142, operating from Delhi to Srinagar, encountered a sudden hailstorm en route. "The flight and cabin crew followed established protocol, and the aircraft landed safely in Srinagar. The airport team attended to the customers after the arrival of the aircraft, prioritising their wellbeing and comfort. The aircraft will be released post necessary inspection and maintenance," it had said. A five-member delegation of Trinamool Congress comprising Derek O'Brien, Nadimul Haque, Sagarika Ghose, Manas Bhunia, and Mamata Thakur was on the flight. "It was a near-death experience. I thought my life was over. People were screaming, praying and panicking," Ghose said on Wednesday. "Hats off to the pilot who brought us through that. When we landed, we saw the nose of the plane had blown up," she had said and added that the delegation thanked the pilot after the landing. Videos of the moments of turbulence emerged on social media showing panicked passengers praying for their lives as the plane swayed.
The Irish Sun
16-05-2025
- Climate
- The Irish Sun
More dramatic storms smash Spain as hail warning issued with streets turned to RIVERS & Benidorm Brits left soaked
SPAIN has been battered by another wave of wild weather as freak hail storms turned streets into rivers and left holidaymakers in Benidorm soaked. The latest lashing comes as a yellow weather alert was issued across parts of the country, warning of torrential rain and hail. 7 Spain's state weather agency, Aemet, issued alerts across several regions as the storms rolled in Credit: X 7 By Thursday evening, most alerts had been lifted, and forecasters expect calmer conditions from Friday Credit: X 7 Authorities have urged caution, particularly for travellers heading to affected areas Credit: AFP 7 People stand near a car that was swept away by the rain, in the Las Bachilleras ravine, in Telde, on the island of Gran Canaria Credit: Reuters 7 Workers clear a street of flooded mud during clean-up operations on the Avenida de las Islas Canarias after heavy rains over the weekend in Costa Teguise Credit: EPA The storms hit southern and southeastern Spain on Thursday, hammering regions including Almería, Murcia, Granada, and parts of the Costa Blanca – with the popular British hotspot of Benidorm right in the firing line. In Librilla in Murcia, 37 litres of rain per square metre reportedly fell in just 30 minutes, sparking sudden flash floods. Shocking videos shared on social media show water gushing down streets, hail pelting rooftops, and cars trying to navigate rising floodwaters. Locals and tourists alike were caught off guard, with many dashing for shelter as the skies opened without warning. Read more on World Spain's state weather agency, Aemet, issued alerts across several regions as the storms rolled in, warning of 'potential hail' and advising people to remain indoors. The sudden downpour followed days of unsettled spring weather, marking yet another chaotic chapter in what's become one of the wettest Mays in recent memory. Authorities have urged caution, particularly for travellers heading to affected areas. Spain's Civil Protection agency issued multiple warnings for heavy rain, strong winds, and storms, with guidance focused on popular destinations like Valencia, Almería, Most read in The Sun By Thursday evening, most alerts had been lifted, and forecasters expect calmer conditions from Friday, though isolated showers and storms may persist, especially inland and in the Balearic Islands. Shock vids show hols hotspot Valencia SWAMPED with freak rain & hail as 'cyclonic supercell' storm pummels Spain Tourists are advised to monitor local forecasts and follow official advice. Emergency services were deployed across multiple regions to respond to flooding, blocked roads, and waterlogged properties. In some areas, storm drains overflowed within minutes, and local authorities struggled to respond to the volume of calls from residents and businesses affected by the flooding. In Orihuela and Elche, hailstones the size of marbles were reported pounding windows, while footage from Almería showed cars half-submerged and people wading through knee-deep water. The suddenness of the storms left little time to prepare, with many scrambling to protect homes and vehicles. Lightning lit up skies across the southeast and east coast, prompting additional safety warnings. Experts say the storms were intensified by a cold air mass colliding with warm, moist conditions over the Iberian Peninsula — a mix that often triggers sudden, violent weather outbreaks. Meteorologists at Aemet warn that more unsettled weather may return early next week, especially in higher altitude and coastal areas. While temperatures may rise slightly, unstable atmospheric conditions raise the risk of further showers and hailstorms. Local businesses in tourist zones report a drop in foot traffic and last-minute cancellations. Many bar and restaurant owners in Benidorm say fewer people are dining out as tourists opt to stay indoors. Travel firms are monitoring the situation, with some advising customers to reconsider trips to the hardest-hit areas. Flights have not seen major disruptions, but officials urge travellers to stay in contact with airlines as conditions can shift quickly. Despite the chaos, authorities say flood management systems have improved in several urban areas — leaving them better prepared than in previous years. 7 Travel firms are also monitoring the situation, with some advising customers to review their plans if visiting the hardest-hit areas Credit: Reuters 7 The suddenness of the storms left little time to prepare, with many left scrambling to protect homes and vehicles Credit: EPA
The Journal
02-05-2025
- The Journal
McGregor seeks to introduce evidence from new witness in appeal of civil sexual assault finding
LAWYERS FOR CONOR McGregor have said they have new evidence from a woman who claims to have witnessed Nikita Hand being punched and possibly kicked by her then-partner hours after she returned home from the hotel where a civil jury found she was raped by the MMA fighter. At the Court of Appeal today, Remy Farrell SC, for McGregor, said a couple have come forward with fresh evidence in the case, with the female claiming she saw Hand's then-partner assaulting Hand at her home. The court heard the woman has sworn an affidavit that she saw her neighbour Hand being punched. The woman has also sworn that while she did not actually see Hand being kicked on the ground, by the body movement of the man, she believes he kicked Hand after he punched her. The court heard that the woman came forward during the case with her allegation after reading about the civil trial in the media. Ray Boland SC, for Hand, said the woman had averred that she had also sent McGregor an Instagram message, but did not say when. During the trial, Hand told the court that she sustained bruising on her legs, back, neck, hands. 'I was brutally raped and battered,' she told the jury. Mr Justice Seamus Noonan said the 'extensive bruising' sustained by Hand, who was photographed by gardaí the day after she attended the Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in the Rotunda Hospital, was a 'very significant' part of the case. He said the witness has claimed to have seen 'a heated row' involving Hand and her then-partner in the early hours of 10 December 2018 after she returned home from the hotel. Advertisement Mr Justice Noonan said Hand, in an affidavit, has 'vigorously' disputed the claim made by the woman. McGregor is seeking to introduce the alleged new evidence in his appeal against the civil jury's finding that he raped mother-of-one Hand in the Beacon Hotel in Sandyford in 2018. The Court of Appeal heard that the application would focus on the credibility of the two new intended witnesses as to why they did not come forward during the trial. Last November, Hand was awarded €248,000 in damages after a three-week civil trial where a jury concluded that she had been assaulted by McGregor. Hand alleged that McGregor – once the highest-earning sportsperson in the world – 'brutally raped and battered' her on 9 December 2018 at the penthouse suite of the hotel. McGregor, who had denied the allegations, subsequently appealed the jury's decision and is seeking a re-trial of the civil case against him, which was won by Hand in November last year. At a directions hearing at the Court of Appeal today, Boland said there would have to be a cross examination of the two proposed new witnesses before their evidence could be allowed into the appeal. Boland said that Hand had sworn an affidavit describing the claims by the woman as 'lies'. Counsel said the application to introduce the new evidence would also require an affidavit from Hand's ex-partner. Mr Justice Noonan said all deponents connected to the alleged new evidence can be cross examined. Mr Justice Noonan then adjourned the application to introduce new evidence to 1 July for a three-day hearing on the matter. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Irish Daily Mirror
02-05-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Conor McGregor's lawyers seek to introduce neighbour's evidence in appeal
Lawyers for Conor McGregor say they have new evidence from a woman who claims to have witnessed Nikita Hand being punched and possibly kicked by her then-partner hours after she returned home from the hotel where a civil jury found she was raped by the MMA star. At the Court of Appeal today, Remy Farrell SC, for Mr McGregor, said a couple have come forward with fresh evidence in the case, with the female claiming she saw Ms Hand's then-partner assaulting Ms Hand at her home. The court heard the woman has sworn an affidavit that she saw her neighbour Ms Hand being punched and, while she did not see her actually being kicked on the ground, by the body movement of the man she believes after he punched Ms Hand he then kicked her. The court heard that the woman came forward during the case with her allegation after reading about the civil trial in the media. Ray Boland SC, for Ms Hand, said the woman had averred that she had also sent Mr McGregor an Instagram message, but did not say when. During the trial, Ms Hand told the court that she sustained bruising on her legs, back, neck, hands. "I was brutally raped and battered," she told the jury. Mr Justice Seamus Noonan said the "extensive bruising" sustained by Ms Hand, who was photographed by gardaí the day after she attended the sexual assault treatment unit in the Rotunda Hospital, was a "very significant" part of the case. He said the witness has claimed to have seen "a heated row' involving Ms Hand and her then-partner in the early hours of December 10, 2018 after she returned home from the hotel. Mr Justice Noonan said Ms Hand, in an affidavit, has "vigorously" disputed the claim made by the woman. Mr McGregor is seeking to introduce the alleged new evidence in his appeal against the civil jury's finding that he raped mother-of-one Ms Hand in the Beacon Hotel in Sandyford in 2018. The Court of Appeal heard that the application would focus on the credibility of the two new intended witnesses as to why they did not come forward during the trial. Last November, Ms Hand was awarded €248K in damages after a three-week civil trial where a jury concluded that she had been assaulted by Mr McGregor. Ms Hand (Ní Laimhín) alleged that Mr McGregor - once the highest-earning sportsperson in the world - "brutally raped and battered" her on December 9, 2018, at the penthouse suite of the hotel. Mr McGregor, who had denied the allegations, subsequently appealed the jury's decision and is seeking a re-trial of the civil case against him, which was won by Ms Hand in November last year. At a directions hearing at the Court of Appeal today, Mr Boland said there would have to be a cross examination of the two proposed new witnesses before their evidence could be allowed into the appeal. Mr Boland said that Ms Hand had sworn an affidavit describing the claims by the woman as "lies". Counsel said the application to introduce the new evidence would also require an affidavit from Ms Hand's ex-partner. Mr Justice Noonan said all deponents connected to the alleged new evidence can be cross examined. Mr Justice Noonan then adjourned the application to introduce new evidence to July 1 for a three-day hearing on the matter. The High Court previously heard that Mr McGregor's side will say the trial judge, Mr Justice Alex Owens, made legal and factual errors in his directions on the treatment of evidence and in his charge to the jury. One of the grounds focuses on whether the trial judge erred in directing that the jury be asked to answer whether or not Mr McGregor "assaulted" Ms Hand, as opposed to whether or not he "sexually assaulted" her. During the three-week trial, Mr McGregor took the stand in his own defence, telling the jury that he had "consensual" sex with Nikita Hand, which he described as "enthusiastic, athletic, prolonged and vigorous" and carried out in a "multitude" of positions. Ms Hand had said in evidence she had told Mr McGregor she did not want to have intercourse with him but he "would not take no for an answer". Ms Hand said she was using a tampon at the time and would not have sex during her period. The jury found that a second defendant, James Lawrence, of Rafter's Road, Drimnagh, had not assaulted Ms Hand by allegedly having sex with her without her consent in the hotel. Mr Lawrence had said in evidence that he and Ms Hand had consensual sex twice. Ms Hand said she had no memory of that and described it as "a made-up story". In cross-examination, Mr Lawrence denied he was being used as a "fall-guy" concerning the allegation Mr McGregor had raped Ms Hand. Mr Lawrence is appealing his own costs in the case, even though the court heard that Mr McGregor was paying his legal costs. Last January, Mr Justice Owens ordered Mr McGregor to pay most of the costs of the civil trial - €1.3 million.
