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.

AirAsia Flight QZ8501 with 155 people on board -- including one British, one Malaysian, one Singaporean, three Koreans, -- and seven crew members lost contact with air traffic control at 07.24 am local time Indonesia.

Sixteen children and one infant were among the passengers on board the AirAsia Airbus A320-200 that went missing on the flight from Surabaya, Indonesia, to Singapore.

At a press conference this morning, Indonesian officials said the plane was several hours past the time when its fuel would have been exhausted.

There were unconfirmed media reports that a aircraft crashed in the waters of East Belitung, off the east coast of Sumatra.

The exact location of the crash site has not been identified, media reports said.

The aircraft was in the Indonesian flight information region, more than 200 nm southeast of the Singapore -- Jakarta FIR boundary, when contact was lost, civil aviation authority of Singapore said.

Contact with the plane was lost 42 minutes after takeoff. There were no Indian nationals on board.

The plane took off from Surabaya (Indonesia) at 5:20 am local time and was scheduled to land at Singapore's ChangiAirport at 8.30 am.

A statement on AirAsia's Facebook page said: "AirAsia Indonesia regrets to confirm that flight QZ8501 from Surabaya to Singapore has lost contact with air traffic control at 07.24 am."

"At the present time we unfortunately have no further information regarding the status of the passengers and crew members on board, but we will keep all parties informed as more information becomes available," the Malaysia-based carrier said in a statement.

The aircraft was an Airbus A320-200 with the registration number PK-AXC.

"At this time, search and rescue operations are in progress and AirAsia is cooperating fully and assisting the rescue service," the statement said.

Indonesian Transport Ministry official Hadi Mustofa said the plane had asked for an unusual route before it lost contact, local media reported.

Air Asia said the pilot had requested "deviation" from its flight plan because of bad weather.

"The aircraft... was requesting deviation due to en route weather," it said.

Indonesia's national search and rescue agency bangka belitung said it has dispatched one vessel to search for AirAsia flight QZ8501.

"We received information from Basarnas in Jakarta that contact had been lost with an AirAsia flight over Bangka Belitung waters...We then dispatched a vessel with a search and rescue team of 22 members to check the information," Febi Imam Saputra, an information official at Basarnas Bangka Belitung, was quoted as saying by the Indonesian Antara news agency.

"If we look at the map, these coordinates refer to an area around 20 nautical miles from East Belitung," said Febi.

Search and rescue operations have been activated by the Indonesian authorities from the Pangkal Pinang Search and Rescue office.

Indonesian authorities have mobilised search and rescue operation near BelitungIsland, deploying five ships and a surveillance aircraft carrying 15 Indonesian Air Force personnel.

The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore has confirmed that it is linking up with Indonesian authorities to help locate the missing plane. Australia and Malaysia have also offered assistance.

A massive search is underway for the missing plane. The last detected position of the missing AirAsia Indonesia Flight QZ8501 is believed to be between Tanjung Pandan on BelitungIsland and Kalimantan, Indonesia, according to Indonesia's Director of Air Transport, Djoko Murjatmodjo.

"The position where contact was lost was between Tanjung Pandan and Pontianak, about 100 nautical miles south-east of Tanjung Pandan," said Djoko.

The pilot Captain Iriyanto has an experience of 6,100 flying hours.

AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes has asked his company to stay strong. "Thank you for all your thoughts and prayers. We must stay strong," tweeted Fernandes, an ethnic Indian, who set up the budget airlines which now flies to several countries.

Fernandes has said that he is heading to Indonesia.

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 mourns loss of Phillip Hughes

The cricket community worldwide is in mourning today following the death of Phillip Joel Hughes, aged 25.

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.

"Cricket was Phillip's life and we as family share that love of game with him.

"We would like to thank all medical and nursing staff at St Vincent's Hospital and Cricket NSW medical staff for their great efforts with Phillip.

"We love you."

Clarke bowed his head momentarily to compose himself before exiting.

Hughes was struck on the head while batting for South Australia during a Sheffield Shield game at the SCG on Tuesday, and underwent emergency surgery shortly after being rushed to St Vincent's Hospital in Sydney.

He had since been in an induced coma in the hospital’s intensive care unit.

Australia captain Michael Clarke, a long-time teammate and friend, was among the many from within Australian cricket to visit Hughes and his family at the hospital, offering support and well wishes.

The Australian team was due to assemble in Brisbane this weekend for next Thursday's first Test against India. Instead players from around the country flew into Sydney as the cricket family drew strength from the company of one another.

Hughes, who hailed from Macksville on the New South Wales mid north coast, was struck by a ball below the helmet while attempting to play a hook shot to a short-pitched delivery at 2.23pm Tuesday, the opening day of his team's match against NSW.

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

6 Top Remedies for Hair Growth

Hair is important for our looks. Why else would anyone spend so much of time, efforts and money to find that most suitable hairstyle for one’s face? Your hair gives you a distinct personality. So if you are worried about hair loss that you have noticed recently, there is nothing unnatural here. Even if you are losing only the normal amount of hair but want to have thicker hair, you may do so through various remedies for hair growth. So here we go and give you 6 (plus one super tip) hair growth remedies with which you can have a good volume of hair without spending a whole lot of money for clinical treatments!

Home Remedies for Hair Growth

1. Onion juice- smelly but effective remedy for hair growth

Onion not only makes your food tasty but also makes your hair grow and multiply effectively. Why? Because onion juice has sulphur in it which boosts the production of collagen tissues. These tissues assist in re growth of your hair. You will only need red onions, even shallots would do.
Directions:

• Take two to four onions.
• Grate the onions and squeeze out the grate thing to get its juice.
• Massage your scalp with this fresh onion juice.
• Let it be there for, preferably one hour. If not, leave it there at least for 15 minutes.
• Now wash off your hair with a mild shampoo and water.

Alternative method for using onion for hair growth
If you are scared of tears and irritation in eyes due to grating of onions while taking out its juice, you can use onions in another way. Here are the directions for it:

• Take 4-5 onions and chop them.
• Take a liter of water and boil it.
• Add the chopped onions to boiling water.
• Let it boil for another 5-10 minutes.
• Put off the flame and let the water cool.
• Now strain and use the water to wash your hair after using shampoo.
• If you can stand the smell, do not rinse hair with other water that day. Next day shampoo your hair use clean water to wash off.
• If you can’t stand the smell, at least do not wash off with clean water for an hour. After that shampoo and rinse hair with clean water.

Onion not only helps in re growth of hair but also lends your hair with a fabulous sheen.

2. Potato Juice- yet another vegetable that helps your hair grow
No, we are not in a vegetable juice shop nor are we cooking food in your kitchen but these vegetables really do wonder when it comes to hair growth. Along with onions, you can also use potatoes to grow your hair. In fact, potato juice can even cure thinning of hair due to ‘alopecia.’ Potatoes are rich in certain vitamins like vitamins A, B and C. When your body lacks this vitamins, your hair gets dry and brittle. So, you must have those foods that are rich in these vitamins. Using potato juice on hair directly too is beneficial. Just grate 3-4 potatoes and squeeze out the juice from it. Massage your scalp with this juice for at least 15 minutes. Rinse off with water. If your hair is very dry, instead of using just the potato juice, you can use this potato hair mask.
You will need:

• Potatoes – 3
• Egg yolk- from one egg
• Honey – 1 tablespoon

Directions:

• Grate and squeeze out the juice from potatoes.
• Add egg yolk and honey to this juice.
• Mix well to get the potato hair mask.
• Apply on your scalp and leave for at least half and hour.
• Wash off with mild shampoo and water.

The egg yolk and honey add a good amount of moisture to potato juice which is beneficial for your dry hair. This hair mask helps in growing hair faster.

3. Eggs give extra protein to grow extra hair

Hair is primarily made up of protein. What’s the better way to grow hair than to provide it with extra protein,in fact, one of the best proteins- the egg white. What you need to do is take one or two eggs and massage your scalp with the liquids in it. Let it sit there for an hour, preferably covered with a shower cap. Then wash it off with a mild shampoo and water. You may even make an egg mask for your hair to give it extra shine and strength.
For egg hair mask, you will need:

• Egg white – from 1-2 eggs
• Olive oil- 1 tsp
• Honey- 1tsp

Directions:

• Mix egg white, olive oil and honey well to make the egg hair mask.
• Apply this mask on your scalp. Cover your hair too.
• Let it sit there for about 15-20 minutes.
• Wash off with mild shampoo and water.

4. Rinse Hair with Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has many benefits for your hair. It stimulates the hair follicles and help them grow faster. It also cleanses scalp apart from maintaining the pH balance of hair which accelerates their growth. You just have to use this vinegar as an after-wash rinse. Add apple cider vinegar with water and use it as a final rinse for your hair each time you shampoo your hair. Although it has a mild smell that doesn’t bother anyone too much yet if you want your hair smell good even when they grow with apple cider vinegar, just add a couple of drops of some essential oil (such as lavender oil) to your mixture of water and vinegar.

5. Use Fenugreek- the age old remedy for hair growth

Fenugreek has been used to treat hair fall since ages in many parts of the world. Even you can use this spice for growing hair.
You will need:

• Fenugreek seeds – 2-3 tablespoons
• A large pan filled with water

Directions:

• Soak the fenugreek seeds in the water for 24 hours.
• Strain and use the water to rinse hair.
• Do not immediately was hair with normal water. Let this water be there for at least 3 hours
• After 3 hours, wash your hair with lukewarm water (never use hot water on your hair)
• Repeat this daily for at a month to see your hair gaining strength and volume.

Fenugreek can also be used to make a superb hair mask for growing hair faster.
For Fenugreek hair mask, you will need:

• Fenugreek seeds paste- 1 tsp
• Coconut milk – ¼ cup or more if you have longer hair

Directions:

• Mix fenugreek seeds paste and coconut milk well.
• Apply to your scalp and hair.
• Leave for half an hour.
• Now wash off with a mild shampoo and water.

6. Ayurvedic Herbs -Amla Shikakai Reetha- for long and strong hair

Indian gooseberry (amla) is well recognized as the powerhouse of vitamin C and antioxidants. Thus it helps in production of collagen and also fights off free radicals promoting hair growth and even improving pigmentation of your hair. You can simply mix 2 teaspoons each of amla powder and lime juice and rub this on your scalp. After some time, rinse with warm water. This will help your hair grow. There is, however, another herbal remedy using amla which can promote faster hair growth by making your hair long, strong and shiny. For this you’ll have to make a shampoo at home using amla, shikakai and reetha.
To make amla, shikakai, reetha shampoo, you will need:

• Amla or Indian gooseberry (Emblica officinalis) – 100 gm
• Shikakai (Fruit of Acacia concinna shrub) – 100 gm
• Reetha or soapnut (Sapindus Mukorossi) – 100 gm
• Water – 2 liters

Directions:

• Soak all the three herbs- amla, shikakai and reetha – in water overnight.
• In the morning, boil the mixture till the time water reduces to half.
• Let it cool.
• Once the mixture cools, with the help of hands mash the boiled herbs to pulp in the water itself.
• Now strain and collect the homemade shampoo in another utensil.
• Wash your hair with this shampoo.
• Do not try to rub the herbal liquid as you do when using regular shampoos. This will entangle your hair leading to breakage as your hair goes rough as soon as it comes in contact with this herbal shampoo.
• The right way to use Amla-Shikakai-Reetha shampoo is to apply it over all of your wet hair and let the hair soak in it for about 5 minutes.
• After 5 minutes, rinse with water and apply some conditioner.
• Take care to not let the concoction enter your eyes.

This homemade shampoo will remove all the oil and dirt from your scalp and hair giving you healthier shiny hair with lots of volume. Use this amla herbs mix whenever you shampoo your hair for about 2 months. You will love the pace at which your hair grows.

The Super Tip for Hair Growth

Apart from using one or many of the above remedies for hair growth, you should always do one thing regularly. Massage your hair with some nutritious oil at least once a week. Warm a little olive oil, coconut oil or almond oil and gently massage rubbing this oil on to your scalp in circular motions. This is done best when you leave the oil overnight in your hair. However, you cannot or do not wish to do so, dip a towel in hot water, squeeze the extra water from it and wrap the towel around your oiled hair. Leave it like this for sometime and then wash off your hair with mild shampoo and conditioner. Warm towel treatment helps the massaged oil reach deep hair follicles, which in turn makes your hair strong, thick and healthy.