UAE amnesty extension: Violators hail govt's initiative

News Network

August 18, 2020

Dubai, Aug 18: Residents and visitors with expired UAE visas have hailed the latest government decision that gave them three more months to legalise their status or leave the country.

Authorities have confirmed that the short-term amnesty for visa violators, whose papers have expired before March 1, will be extended.

Major General Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, director-general of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship (ICA), said the scheme - which began on May 18 and was supposed to end on August 18 - will now run until November 17.

SV Reddy, a social worker, said: "We have been getting 'out passes' for many people who have no proper paperwork or passports.

"Earlier, the government gave an extension for one month and now it's for three months. It's a huge relief for many people who were scared as they did not have proper documents."

Reddy said a number of people who have not been able to go home for years are now taking this opportunity to finally be with their families.

"Our association has been working relentlessly to help such people and now we have more time to do it."

Srikanth Sudappatti, a cleaner from Telangana, said he could now heave a sigh of relief as he gets ready to come home to his wife and mother, whom he hadn't seen for a year.

"We have time to leave now. Our outpasses and other paper work are being processed. Now, we don't have to rush to leave the country. Earlier, I was quite worried, thinking what if we get caught and face penalties? I have no job and no money."

Ravindrakumar Manjhi was also desperate and unsure about what he had to do next - until he heard the news, which gave him hope. "I came to the UAE a year ago. The agent who got me here as a plumber ran away with my passport and left us fending for ourselves even without a job. The landlord asked me to vacate the room where I was living. I started living in a mosque in Ajman before I was picked up by a social worker's team. I am so glad that the amnesty has been granted for another three months."

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Indian Air Force’s Tejas fighter jet crashes during Dubai air show

News Network

November 21,2025

An Indian Air Force (IAF) Tejas fighter jet crashed on Friday, November 21, afternoon during its aerial demonstration at the Dubai Air Show, plunging to the ground at around 2:10 pm local time while performing a manoeuvre before thousands of spectators.

The IAF confirmed the incident, stating that a Tejas aircraft participating in the show had crashed and that further details were being gathered. An Air Force spokesperson said more information would be shared after initial assessments.

The crash sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky near the airport, causing panic among visitors, including families and children who had gathered to watch the display. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the pilot managed to eject before the aircraft went down. Emergency response teams rushed to the scene, and officials have not released information on casualties or damage so far.

The Tejas is a 4.5-generation, multi-role fighter aircraft developed indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Designed for versatility, it is capable of offensive air support, close combat, ground attack missions and maritime operations. The aircraft family includes single-seat fighters and twin-seat trainers for both the Air Force and Navy.

HAL describes the latest version, the LCA Mk1A, as the most advanced in the series, featuring an AESA radar, an upgraded electronic warfare suite with radar-warning and self-protection jamming, smart multifunction displays, a digital map generator, a combined interrogator–transponder system and a modern radio altimeter. These enhancements significantly improve the aircraft’s combat capability and survivability.

Further updates from IAF and UAE authorities are awaited.

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Saudi-Kerala AIE flight diverted to Mangaluru for medical emergency

News Network

December 2,2025

Mangaluru, Dec 2: Mangaluru International Airport responded to a medical emergency late on Monday night. Air India Express flight IX 522, travelling from Riyadh to Thiruvananthapuram, was diverted to Mangaluru Airport after a passenger in his late 30s experienced a medical emergency on board.

The Airport’s Operations Control Centre received an alert regarding the passenger’s health condition. The airport activated its emergency response protocol, mobilising the airport medical team and coordinating with stakeholders including CISF, immigration, and customs.

Upon landing, airport medical personnel attended to the passenger, assessed his condition, and arranged to shift him to a local tertiary-care hospital for further treatment. The passenger’s relatives accompanied the passenger, who incidentally received necessary medical care on board, which helped stabilise the situation.

Following the handling of the emergency, the flight departed for Thiruvananthapuram at 2:05 am on Tuesday.

"We appreciate the cooperation of all parties involved, and this incident reaffirms our ongoing commitment to prioritising passenger safety and readiness to respond to unforeseen emergencies with professionalism and care," the Airport spokesperson said.

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