The Indian government has firmly dismissed social media allegations that the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1 experienced an oil leak during its display at the Dubai Airshow 2025. The Press Information Bureau’s (PIB) Fact Check unit labeled these claims as ‘false’ and ‘propaganda-driven,’ emphasizing that the viral videos circulating online depict a routine procedure rather than a technical malfunction. The footage in question shows the standard draining of condensed water from the aircraft’s Environmental Control System (ECS) and On-Board Oxygen Generating System (OBOGS), a common practice in humid environments like Dubai. The PIB reiterated that the Tejas Mk1 has a proven performance record and has successfully participated in numerous international airshows. The Indian Air Force contingent arrived at Al Maktoum Airbase for the Dubai Airshow, which ran from November 17 to 21, showcasing the aircraft’s capabilities. Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, Vice Chief of Air Staff, expressed optimism about foreign interest in the Tejas, highlighting the growing defense cooperation between India and the UAE. The Indian Air Force also performed high-maneuver displays with the Tejas, drawing significant attention from the audience. The PIB urged the public to verify facts before sharing unverified claims, reinforcing the aircraft’s reliability and technical integrity.
标签： Asia
亚洲
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Egyptian explorer Omar Samra on how mountaineering helped him rediscover himself
Egyptian explorer Omar Samra’s journey is one of resilience, self-discovery, and transformation. Known as the first Egyptian to summit Mount Everest and complete the Explorer’s Grand Slam, Samra’s life has been marked by both extraordinary achievements and profound personal loss. His story is a testament to how adventure and mountaineering became tools for healing and rediscovery.
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UAE: Visitors now get free 10GB SIM at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport
In a move to enhance the travel experience for international visitors, Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport has partnered with telecom giant e& to provide free 10GB SIM cards to arriving passengers. This initiative, announced on November 20, 2025, offers travellers instant connectivity with 10GB of data valid for 24 hours, enabling seamless access to essential online services such as maps, ride-hailing apps, payment platforms, messaging services, and destination guides like the Abu Dhabi Pass. The collaboration aims to simplify the arrival process and ensure visitors feel welcomed and connected from the moment they land. Zayed International Airport, one of the world’s fastest-growing aviation hubs, serves over 100 destinations through a network of more than 30 airlines. As of September 30, 2025, the airport’s new terminal has welcomed 23.9 million passengers, marking its 18th consecutive quarter of double-digit growth. Elena Sorlini, Managing Director and CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, emphasized the organization’s commitment to shaping the future of airport experiences. Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, CEO of e& UAE, highlighted the partnership’s focus on delivering a fast, digital-first experience that makes visitors feel at home in Abu Dhabi.
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Why Booker winner Banu Mushtaq refuses to ‘internationalise’ her language
Banu Mushtaq, a celebrated writer, activist, and lawyer, has carved a unique space in the literary world with her unwavering commitment to truth and resistance. As the winner of the 2025 International Booker Prize for her work ‘Heart Lamp,’ Mushtaq’s journey from Karnataka’s Bandaya Sahitya movement to global recognition is a testament to her profound empathy for the marginalized. Emerging from a radical wave of writers in the 1970s and ’80s, she has consistently challenged caste, class, and gender hierarchies through her evocative storytelling. Her years as a journalist with Lankesh Patrike further honed her political consciousness and her ability to capture the essence of ordinary lives. Mushtaq’s writing, deeply rooted in regional idioms and everyday experiences, resonates with a global audience, offering a powerful lens into the struggles and resilience of the marginalized. In an exclusive interview, she reflects on her evolution as a writer, her politics of empathy, and the transformative power of language. Mushtaq’s work, spanning six short story collections, a novel, essays, and poetry, has earned her numerous accolades, including the Karnataka Sahitya Academy and Daana Chintamani Attimabbe awards. ‘Heart Lamp,’ her first full-length English translation, has brought her poignant narratives to a wider readership, with one story even featured in The Paris Review. Mushtaq’s journey underscores the importance of authenticity in literature, as she continues to write with a fierce love for the marginalized, refusing to ‘internationalize’ her language. Her stories, drawn from the lives of farmers, Dalits, migrants, and women, illuminate the extraordinary within the ordinary, reminding us of our shared humanity. Mushtaq’s voice, both rebellious and contemplative, remains a beacon of hope and resistance in a fractured world.
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Beijing set to open 8th railway station soon
Beijing is poised to enhance its urban transportation network with the inauguration of its eighth railway station, the Beijing Sub-center Station, located in Tongzhou district. This development, announced by transportation authorities during a press conference on Thursday, is scheduled to be operational by the end of this year. The integration of all eight railway stations with subway lines underscores the city’s commitment to improving commuter convenience and efficiency. Furthermore, the recent advancements in regional rail connectivity, including the launch of the Beijing-Harbin high-speed railway and the Beijing-Xiong’an intercity line, along with the opening of Yizhuang Station on the Beijing-Tianjin intercity railway, have significantly bolstered the transportation infrastructure in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. These developments have effectively established a travel circle of 1 to 1.5 hours between major cities, fostering a one-hour commuter belt around Beijing.
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Dubai: AR Rahman, Arno Krimmer announce film on Rumi
In a captivating event at Dubai’s Noor Royal Gallery, celebrated composer AR Rahman and Hollywood producer Arno Krimmer announced their collaboration on a groundbreaking film about the life and teachings of the 13th-century Sufi poet, Rumi. Hosted under the patronage of Sheikha Somayeh Noor, the evening celebrated the unifying power of art, emphasizing Rumi’s timeless philosophy of unity and non-judgment. The gallery, renowned for its collection of masterpieces by artists like Picasso and Monet, provided a fitting backdrop for the announcement. Rahman described Rumi’s work as profoundly soul-satisfying, highlighting its universal appeal and spiritual depth. Krimmer, who has dreamt of this project for over two decades, drew parallels to Richard Attenborough’s successful Gandhi biopic, expressing confidence in the film’s global resonance. The event underscored art’s ability to transcend cultural and temporal boundaries, uniting humanity through shared creativity.
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Israel’s ‘ethnic cleansing’ of West Bank camps amounts to war crimes, HRW says
Human Rights Watch (HRW) has accused Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity through the forced displacement of Palestinians from refugee camps in the occupied West Bank. In a comprehensive report released on Thursday, HRW detailed that 32,000 individuals were forcibly removed from their homes in January and February 2024, with no permission granted for their return. Israeli forces have continued military operations in these camps, deliberately demolishing civilian infrastructure and homes. The report highlights large-scale assaults on the Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nur Shams refugee camps in the northern West Bank, where civilians were expelled and infrastructure systematically destroyed. HRW’s findings are based on interviews with 31 displaced Palestinians, satellite imagery, videos, and photographs, which confirm widespread destruction. The report, titled ‘All My Dreams Have Been Erased’: Israel’s Forced Displacement of Palestinians in the West Bank,’ also reveals that Israeli authorities have denied residents the right to return, even in the absence of active military operations. Soldiers have reportedly fired at individuals attempting to access their homes, with only a few allowed to retrieve belongings. The military has bulldozed and razed areas to create wider access routes and blocked all entrances to the camps. According to the United Nations Satellite Centre (Unosat), at least 1,460 buildings have been damaged in the three camps as of October 2023. These actions are part of a broader escalation by Israeli forces in the West Bank, which has included nearly 7,500 raids on Palestinian towns and villages in 2025 alone, as reported by the UN humanitarian affairs office (OCHA). Over the past two years, Israeli forces have killed more than 1,000 Palestinians and arrested thousands more in the occupied West Bank. HRW’s senior refugee and migrant rights researcher, Nadia Hardman, emphasized the urgent need for international action, calling for targeted sanctions on Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Katz, and the enforcement of International Criminal Court warrants.
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Zootopia in the air
China Eastern Airlines has introduced a Zootopia 2-themed aircraft, transforming air travel into an enchanting adventure for passengers. The inaugural flight took off on November 19, 2025, from Shanghai Pudong International Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport. In collaboration with The Walt Disney Company, the airline has curated a fully immersive Zootopia experience, extending from check-in to the entire journey. Passengers are greeted with themed decorations, imagery, and elements inspired by the beloved animated film, creating a unique and memorable travel experience. This initiative marks a creative fusion of aviation and entertainment, offering travelers a delightful escape into the world of Zootopia. The themed flight is expected to attract both Disney enthusiasts and families, further enhancing the airline’s appeal in the competitive aviation market.
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India captain Shubman Gill doubtful for second test due to neck injury
India’s cricket captain, Shubman Gill, faces uncertainty regarding his participation in the second test against South Africa due to a neck injury. Gill, who was forced to retire hurt during the first innings of the Kolkata test—a match India lost by 30 runs—traveled with the team to Guwahati on Wednesday. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak addressed the media on Thursday, indicating that Gill’s availability hinges on the risk of a recurring neck spasm. ‘He is definitely recovering really well. The decision will be made tomorrow evening,’ Kotak stated. ‘If there’s a guarantee that the issue won’t recur, he will play. Otherwise, he will rest for one more game, as it wouldn’t benefit the team.’ Should Gill be sidelined, vice-captain Rishabh Pant is set to lead the team in the second test, which begins on Saturday in Guwahati. Kotak emphasized the team’s depth, noting, ‘Any team would miss a player and captain like Shubman. But we have plenty of good players who should step up and perform.’ Potential replacements include Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Nitish Kumar Reddy. The series between India and South Africa will continue with three one-day internationals and five T20 internationals scheduled from November 30 to December 19.
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Police, villagers join overnight rescue for missing 76-year-old in Gansu
In a remarkable display of community solidarity and efficient law enforcement, a 76-year-old woman who went missing in Zhenyuan county, Qingyang city, Gansu province, was successfully rescued after an intensive 11-hour search operation. The incident, which occurred on November 4, 2025, involved over 30 police officers and local villagers, who braved the cold mountainous terrain to locate the missing senior. The search utilized advanced technology including drones and a highly trained police dog from Xifeng district, alongside traditional grid search methods. The woman was eventually found in a ravine approximately seven kilometers from her home, exhausted but in stable condition. She was carefully carried up the steep slope by the rescuers and provided with immediate care, including warm water and food, before being safely escorted home. In gratitude, her family presented silk banners to the Mengba Police Station and the police dog unit, acknowledging their relentless efforts and dedication.