Ukrainian Ambassador Visits Pattaya to Strengthen Ties and Boost Tourism Cooperation

Air India has appointed former Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam as its new chief executive officer, entrusting him with leading the airline through a challenging period marked by financial losses, operational setbacks and heightened safety concerns. Gebremariam succeeds Campbell Wilson, who stepped down in April after overseeing the airline’s initial restructuring following its acquisition by the Tata Group in 2022. The Air India board unanimously selected Gebremariam after an extensive global search, citing his leadership experience and strong operational record. During more than a decade at Ethiopian Airlines, he expanded the carrier’s fleet significantly and helped transform it into one of Africa’s leading and most profitable airlines. His appointment comes at a difficult time for Air India, which continues to recover from last year’s fatal Ahmedabad–London plane crash that claimed 260 lives. The airline is also dealing with mounting financial pressure after reporting a record loss of nearly $2.3 billion and reducing a significant portion of its international operations. In recent months, Air India has faced several operational disruptions, including flight delays, route adjustments and unexpected diversions. The broader aviation industry in India has also been affected by higher operating costs, aircraft delivery delays, disrupted international routes and stricter regulatory oversight. Industry analysts believe Gebremariam’s experience managing Ethiopian Airlines through the Boeing 737 Max crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic could prove valuable as Air India works to restore public confidence. Experts say his immediate priorities will include strengthening safety standards, improving employee morale, modernising the airline’s fleet, expanding its network and returning the carrier to long-term profitability.

A court in New Delhi has acquitted former Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh in a high-profile sexual harassment and stalking case filed by several women wrestlers, bringing an end to one of India’s most closely watched legal proceedings involving the sports community. Singh, 69, a former member of parliament from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), had faced allegations from a group of prominent female wrestlers who accused him of sexual harassment, inappropriate conduct and demanding sexual favours. He consistently denied all allegations throughout the investigation and trial. The case attracted nationwide attention in 2023 after leading Indian wrestlers, including world champion Vinesh Phogat and Olympic bronze medallist Sakshi Malik, launched weeks-long protests demanding Singh’s removal from the Wrestling Federation of India and legal action against him. The demonstrations sparked widespread debate over athlete safety, accountability and the treatment of women in Indian sports. According to Singh’s legal team, the court cleared him of all charges after finding inconsistencies in witness testimonies and contradictions in key aspects of the prosecution’s case. Following the verdict, his supporters celebrated outside the court by showering him with flower petals, bursting firecrackers and chanting slogans. Reacting to the ruling, Singh welcomed the decision and maintained that he had always been confident of his innocence. He described the judgment as a complete vindication of his position. Despite the acquittal, wrestler Vinesh Phogat said the legal battle was not over. She announced that the athletes would challenge the verdict before a higher court, insisting they would continue seeking justice. Phogat said it had taken immense courage for the wrestlers to file complaints against a politically influential figure and vowed to pursue the case through all available legal channels. The controversy first erupted in 2023 when protesting wrestlers accused authorities of delaying action despite their complaints. Images of athletes being detained while marching towards the Indian Parliament drew widespread attention and intensified public scrutiny of the case.