‘WHY WAS NO VET PRESENT WHEN AVNI WAS SHOT?’

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra State Veterinary Council (MSVC) asked the forest department why a veterinarian was not present when the tigress T1, also known as Avni, was shot dead on November 2 in Yavatmal. Dr Shirish Chitte, registrar of MSVC, told HT that the council will “initiate a detailed investigation into the alleged lapses that the forest department has not been able to prove”. ››P2

9 die in California wildfires, over 1,50,000 evacuated

PARADISE: Nine people died and over 1,50,000 were evacuated on Friday as fierce wildfires raged across California. More than 2,200 firefighters were battling the blaze, backed up by helicopters and water tankers. Fanned by strong winds, it has scorched 70,000 acres and has not been contained, officials said. ››P17

Hijack alert on Kandahar flight, pilot says ‘mistake’

NEW DELHI: Security officials at Delhi airport panicked on Saturday after the pilot of a Kandaharbound flight — with 123 passengers — parked on the tarmac issued a “hijack alert” to Air Traffic Controllers (ATC). The pilot later told officials he had pushed the panic button “by mistake”. ››P7

‘Khashoggi body dissolved in acid, remains in drains’

ANKARA: The killers of former Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi dissolved his body in acid and poured the remains down the drain, Turkish pro-government daily newspaper Sabah reported on Saturday. Samples taken from the drains at the Saudi consulate showed traces of acid, the report said. ››P17