Emirati diplomat and politician
Iran has said three of its pilots were captured by Qatari forces after Su-24 jets crashed during an operation over Qatar in March. Qatar has denied detaining surviving aircrew, saying its search teams recovered one body and invited Iran to review the rescue operation; Tehran says Doha has not responded to its request to allow an Iranian investigation.
Iran's state media has touted a new missile test against a US warship, with Tehran claiming a turning point in its defense. The US has hit Iranian oil tankers in response, and both sides warn of further escalation as shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains contested.
Algeria has severed diplomatic relations with the United Arab Emirates, accusing Abu Dhabi of repeated "provocative and hostile" actions and giving the UAE ambassador 48 hours to leave. Algeria has closed its airspace to UAE-registered aircraft while allowing commercial flights to and from Algiers until the end of 2026. The UAE has said it hopes the move will be temporary.
A fire at Furaha and Ujamaa schools in Bukavu, DR Congo, has killed at least 24 children with many more injured. The blaze destroyed roughly 300 homes in Kadutu; authorities say the cause remains unknown amid Congo’s security challenges and a new spike in Ebola cases.
Iran has presented a seven-day plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but Washington has rejected it and negotiations appear to resume amid mounting economic strain. U.S. and Iranian officials discuss a path to reopen the strait while sanctions and asset freezes remain a flashpoint.
An Omani co‑pilot has attacked the captain aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 and has attempted to seize control to crash the aircraft on Sept. 30. Passengers and off‑duty crew have overpowered and restrained him; the jet has made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. UAE prosecutors have opened a terrorism probe and say the suspect has admitted planning a suicide attack inspired by 9/11.
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has diverted to Tabuk after a co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar. The captain opened the cockpit door as the aircraft dropped about 17,000 feet; passengers and crew overpowered the attacker, enabling an emergency landing. Machchhar is recovering in Abu Dhabi, praised by Modi and Netanyahu for bravery.
The co-pilot on Flight FZ1073 has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national. Investigators describe the incident as a potential terrorist act but are still establishing motive and whether others were involved. Passengers and crew subdued the co-pilot after he attacked the captain, prompting an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
A flydubai co-pilot has attacked the captain with an axe on a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight, prompting a forced landing in Saudi Arabia. Multiple agencies are investigating the co-pilot’s links to Australia and possible extremist ties. Several reports identify the suspect as Hamam al-Hammami, an Omani national. Israel says it will strengthen checks; UAE authorities are probing motives.
Israel has ordered a comprehensive security review of international flights following an incident in which an Omani co-pilot attacked the flight captain aboard a FlyDubai jet bound for Tel Aviv. Investigations focus on pilot vetting, cross-border checks, and possible security gaps as politicians react ahead of elections.