Christian Oliver, known for his performances in movies such as Speed Racer, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny and Valkyrie, passed away on Thursday along with his two young daughters after their plane crashed into the water off the coast of a Caribbean island, as reported by a leading news portal. Oliver was 51 years old. The plane’s owner and pilot, Robert Sachs, also died in the tragic accident.

Officials reported that the privately-owned plane went down while en route to St. Lucia from Bequia, a small island in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, after departing from J.F. Mitchell Airport on Thursday afternoon. Among those who tragically lost their lives were Oliver’s daughters, Madita, aged 12, and Annik, aged 10.

Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft encountered difficulties and nosedived into the ocean, according to a statement from the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force. Fishermen and divers from Paget Farm rushed to the scene in their boats to provide assistance.

All four bodies have been found, and an investigation into the cause of the crash is underway. Local reports indicate that the pilot informed the tower of difficulties shortly after takeoff and stated an intention to return. This was the plane’s final communication.

Oliver had recently completed shooting the last scenes of his newest movie, Forever Hold Your Peace, which was directed by Nick Lyon and also featured Bai Ling.

Oliver, originally from Germany, worked with Steven Soderbergh on The Good German, alongside Cate Blanchett and George Clooney. He also collaborated with Brian Singer and Tom Cruise on Valkyrie and the Wachowskis on Speed Racer in 2008. His television appearances include Saved By the Bell: The New Class, and his latest movie role was in Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.

In another historic moment for India in space, Aditya-L1 — the country’s first mission to study the sun — has reached its final destination. The space observatory was launched on September 3 last year.

Praising the country’s scientists for the achievement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India has created yet another landmark and that the country will pursue new frontiers of science to benefit humanity. 

In a post on X on Saturday, the PM wrote, “India creates yet another landmark. India’s first solar observatory Aditya-L1 reaches its destination. It is a testament to the relentless dedication of our scientists in realising among the most complex and intricate space missions. I join the nation in applauding this extraordinary feat. We will continue to pursue new frontiers of science for the benefit of humanity.”

India creates yet another landmark. India’s first solar observatory Aditya-L1 reaches it’s destination. It is a testament to the relentless dedication of our scientists in realising among the most complex and intricate space missions. I join the nation in applauding this…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 6, 2024

Aditya L1, which is India’s first space-based observatory to study the Sun, has been placed in a halo point around the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1. The point is around 1.5 million km from the Earth, in the direction of the Sun. 

Gangster Sharad Mohol was shot dead by members of his gang in Pune yesterday over a financial dispute, the police said.

A video has now emerged that shows a group of men firing at Sharad Mohol from close range in a narrow lane in Pune’s Kothrud.

As Sharad Mohol falls to the ground after being shot, his aides try to drag him to a safe spot, the video shows.

Police said he was attacked at around 1.30 pm. “A bullet pierced his chest and two bullets entered his right shoulder,” they said.

Officials said it was Mohol’s wedding anniversary on Friday.

He was rushed to a private hospital in Kothrud where he died during the treatment.

Officials said a dispute over land and money within his gang is suspected to have led to his killing.

Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis yesterday said it was not a gang war as Mohol was killed by his own associates. “As our government knows how to deal with such notorious elements, no one dares to get involved in a gang war,” he said.

Eight people have been arrested in connection with the gangster’s murder so far and investigation is on, officials said. 

Police have recovered three pistols, three magazines and five cartridges from their possession.