162 passengers feared dead after AirAsia flight QZ8501 goes missing

An AirAsia plane with 162 people aboard went missing en route from Indonesia to Singapore on Sunday morning shortly after the pilots requested a change of flight plan because of weather, the third major aviation incident this year involving a Malaysian carrier.

Malaysia has also offered assistance in the search operation.

AirAsia is popular in the region as a budget carrier. It has about 100 destinations, with subsidiaries in several Asian countries.

The loss of contact with the AirAsia plane comes nearly 10 months after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which went missing on March 8.

Searchers are yet to find any debris from Flight MH370, which officials believe crashed in the southern Indian Ocean.

Another Malaysia Airlines plane MH17 was shot down over Ukraine in July, killing all 298 on board. 

Cricket world loss of Phillip Hughes

Cricket world loss of Phillip Hughes

Cricket Australia announced the news with a statement from team doctor Peter Brukner.

"It is my sad duty to inform you that a short time ago Phillip Hughes passed away," Dr Brukner's statement read. "He never regained consciousness following his injury on Tuesday.

"He was not in pain before he passed and was surrounded by his family and close friends."

Australia captain Michael Clarke, who was commended for his efforts in supporting the Hughes family since Tuesday's incident, read out a brief statement on behalf of parents Greg and Virginia and siblings Jason and Megan Hughes.

"We're devastated by loss of our much-loved son and brother Phillip," Clarke read.

"It's been very a difficult few days and we appreciate all the support we have received from family, friends, players, Cricket Australia and the general public.


He was 63 not out at the time and pushing his case for a recall to the Australian Test team.

Jeypore

Nature has showered its bounty on the undivided Koraput district with untrammelled joy. This district abounds in meadows, forests, waterfalls, terraced valleys and darting springs. This land of abundance is home to Orissa's vast tribal population. A real paradise for the nature-lover, Koraput offers an additional benefit to the visitor of first hand meeting with its ancient civilization.

Jeypore is the commercial nerve centre of Koraput district and has all such facilities to serve as the convenient base for visiting the places of interest in and around.

How to get there :

Visakhapatnam (220 km) in Andhra Pradesh and Bhubaneswar (521 km) are the nearest Airport for Jeypore which is on N. H. No. 43 connected by regular bus services from Bhubaneswar, Berhampur and other important towns of Orissa, Andhra Pradesh & Chhatisgarh. The nearest rail head is Rayagada.

Where to Stay :

Jeypore
Hotel Madhumati (Tel. 23277/ 22307), Hotel Apsara (Tel. 22272/ 23273), Hotel Princess, Hotel Shankar, Manorama Lodge (Tel : 222330).

Koraput

Sunabeda


Places to visit :

Bagra
A charming waterfall on the river Kolab and an ideal picnic spot.

Papadahandi
The Shiva Temple with Champak trees is worth visiting.

Nandapur
Here you can see the famous ‘Batris Simhasan’ (a throne with 32 steps)

Sunabeda
Ensconced in the lush valleys of the Koraput region, Sunabeda is a wonderful example of Orissa's gorgeous landscapes - verdant and innervating. The establishment of the Aero--Engine Factory speaks of the modernization process of this region.

Duduma
The glittering waterfall (157.5 metres) has been formed by the Machhakund river here. Its waters are utilised to support a huge hydroelectric project. Machhakund is an important place for pilgrimage. It is called `Matsya Tirtha'. A beautiful township has grown around this lovely place. Duduma is about 92 km away from Koraput.

Gupteswar
Lord Shiva reigns supreme at Gupteswar, the famous cave shrine set atop a huge limestone hill, surrounded by beautiful countryside. The sacred lingam is called `Gupteswar', the Hidden God and is much revered as Gupta Kedar by the people of nearby Madhya Pradesh who throng the hillside to worship the deity.

Hatipathar
Natural boulders strewn amidst Hatipathar's beautiful environs appear to be elephants in certain light. Flowing through a deep valley, the Nagavali river carves out two wondrous waterfalls in its pathway offering some lovely picnic spots -about 112 km from Koraput.

Minna Jhola

On the confluence of three rivers, Minna Jhola is a perfect place to relax and enjoy a day in the sun. The Shiva Temple here is the focus of hectic activities on Shiv Ratri. You can approach Minna -Jhola from Gunupur via Gudari, 245 km from Koraput.