City-state hub of the UAE, a global business and tourism magnet
IMF projections show the Middle East and Central Asia contracting 0.3% in 2026, with the Gulf facing deeper contractions in Kuwait, Iraq and Qatar. Saudi Arabia flexes with diversified export routes, while the broader region eyes a rebound in 2027 as supply lines normalize.
Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz have faced renewed attacks, with multiple incidents reported near Madinat ash Shamal and Limah. UKMTO says ships have been struck by projectiles; several vessels remain under threat as regional tensions keep shipping routes volatile. Exports through the strait have shown resilience, with data suggesting near pre-war levels.
Libya’s oil pipeline is back online after valve seven was opened, restoring crude flow from Sharara to Zawiya. The restart follows protests and blockades that had disrupted output, causing millions in losses and threatening state revenues. Authorities warn disruptions could recur if grievances persist, emphasizing the need for security and governance reforms to secure energy cash for broader reform.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are strengthening high-level ties amid regional tensions, inviting Gulf allies to the GCC-EU Summit and coordinating on issues including Yemen and security. Multiple meetings signal a thaw and shared interests as Riyadh hosts the event.
Saudi Arabia has secured the Gulf Cup title at home after a 2-0 win over the UAE, with early goals from Hammam Al-Hammami and Feras Al-Brikan setting the pace. Donis’s side solidified their path to Asian Cup 2027 preparations, while UAE’s Zlatko Dalic era faces a difficult lesson in resilience.
A Flydubai co‑pilot has attacked the captain on a Dubai–Tel Aviv flight on Sept. 30, stabbed him and attempted to seize control. Passengers, cabin crew and two off‑duty pilots have overpowered the assailant; an off‑duty relief crew has landed the Boeing 737 MAX in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The UAE has opened a terrorism probe and investigators are examining the suspect’s background and travel history.
Israel’s prime minister faces defamation lawsuits as Haaretz and other outlets are accused of publishing false reports about warnings to Netanyahu before the October 7, 2023 attacks. The stories persist as other outlets report related warnings from Egypt and the UAE, while Netanyahu denies having been warned.
The State Department has amended ITAR to remove Syria from the denial list, allowing case‑by‑case consideration of US arms exports. The move follows steps to ease sanctions and hints at reopening Damascus embassy. Seven countries remain on the denial list as Washington shifts its approach to Damascus.
Amnesty International has published a detailed report alleging that Moroccan authorities use Pegasus spyware and a broad surveillance network to monitor journalists and activists. The findings cite a whistleblower from the DGST, leaked documents, and collaborations with multiple international vendors. Morocco denies the accusations.
The Flydubai FZ1073 flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has diverted to Tabuk after a midair altercation in the cockpit. UAE authorities are coordinating with Saudi and Emirati agencies to determine motives, possible terrorism links, and any prior planning. The captain, Smit Machchhar, is recovering, and investigations are under way across multiple jurisdictions.
A Flydubai captain, Smit Machchhar, has been injured after a cockpit attack on a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight, forcing an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. Israeli PM Netanyahu praises his bravery for saving 174 lives amid ongoing investigations. Machchhar has more than 9,750 flying hours and previously worked at SpiceJet.
A flydubai Boeing 737 MAX 8 has made an emergency landing in Tabuk after a co-pilot allegedly attacked the captain and the aircraft plunged thousands of feet. Passengers and two off-duty crew members have overpowered the attacker; the captain is hospitalised and multiple countries are investigating the incident.
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 Flydubai incident has the UAE probing a cockpit attack in which a co-pilot, identified by reports as an Omani national, attacked the captain with an emergency axe and attempted to crash the plane toward Israel. Passengers and crew overpowered the attacker, and the flight landed safely in Saudi Arabia. Israel and regional authorities are reviewing cockpit-crew vetting and security procedures.
Passengers and crew have subdued an attacker on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, preventing a potential crash as the aircraft plummeted and then leveled out. An Israeli passenger and off-duty pilots helped regain control; Trump has praised an ‘Israeli plumber’ whose actions are cited by multiple outlets.
Lebanon faces a delicate test as its government seeks to reassert state authority north of the Litani, amid Israeli incursions and Hezbollah’s entrenched influence. Leaders call for disarmament of Hezbollah while navigating regional tensions and international pressure, with reconstruction and sovereignty on the line.
Israeli carriers have cancelled flights to Dubai after UAE authorities revoked landing permissions linked to the flydubai incident. Repatriation efforts have been disrupted as security discussions stall, leaving thousands of Israelis stranded and forcing them to seek alternative routes via Abu Dhabi or Europe.
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.
A baby boy has been born to Nira and Yigal Sarusi in Ra’anana after eggs frozen 25 years ago were used with a surrogate, offering new life after the family mourned their elder son Almog, who was kidnapped and killed in 2024. The birth was welcomed on Yom Kippur, two weeks before the anniversary of Almog’s death, highlighting resilience amid collective grief.
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.
Pacific nations and allies press for urgent action on climate finance, ocean health, and keeping 1.5°C within reach ahead of COP31 in Turkey. Pre-COP meetings in Fiji and Tuvalu highlight vulnerability to sea-level rise and demand concrete, community-level finance and adaptation.
The flydubai co-pilot has attacked the captain, prompting an emergency landing. Israeli, UAE, and other authorities have coordinated investigations. Preliminary reports indicate the co-pilot planned to crash the plane into Ben Gurion Airport and had sought employment with airlines flying to Tel Aviv.
Chanel’s artistic director Matthieu Blazy unveils a bold, joyful collection in Paris, marking a shift from quiet luxury to bright, wearable spectacle. The show blends archival references with modern tailoring, signaling a confident direction for the house amid strong brand momentum.
The co-pilot of a flydubai flight bound for Tel Aviv has allegedly attacked the captain with a crash axe, stabbing him as the aircraft plunged mid‑flight. Passengers and crew overpowered the co-pilot, and the plane was landed safely in north-western Saudi Arabia. Investigations are probing the co-pilot’s links to multiple countries and possible long-standing extremist influences. The incident has sparked international security reviews and calls for accountability across jurisdictions.
Britain’s East Jerusalem consulate is closing its doors in a dispute over sanctions on Israeli settlements. London says the mission will operate as a UK presence, while Israel demands staff reductions and a limited remit. The move tests a long‑standing partnership amid mounting tensions in the region.
El-Sayed has sparked controversy by saying Israel is not an ally if it drags the US into unnecessary wars, during a debate in Grand Rapids. Rogers pressed him on Israel vs. Iran, and the exchange has intensified scrutiny from Jewish Democrats and donors. The candidate maintains he has condemned Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, while critics push back on his foreign policy stance.
The UAE has disclosed that the Dubai–Tel Aviv flight was the scene of a cockpit attack, with the co-pilot stabbing the captain and passengers helping to subdue him. Prosecutors say the suspect acted alone, prepared with terrorism material after drifting toward extremism in 2017, and had prior flight experience with several airlines before joining Flydubai in January 2026.
The UAE-led probe has identified the co-pilot as a likely attacker who used a cockpit axe to threaten the captain amid a dramatic mid-flight crisis. Investigators say the motive centered on inflicting mass casualties; several crew members and passengers played key roles in subduing the assailant as the jet diverted to Tabuk after a steep descent.
The UAE prosecutor has stated the Omani co-pilot of Flydubai was radicalised in Australia and drew inspiration from Al-Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks, attempting a hijack with the aim of causing maximum loss of life. Investigations are examining the suspect’s ties to people and groups abroad, including NZ and Australia.
Israel has tightened restrictions on foreign airline crews following a spate of security incidents, including a flydubai cockpit attack and a diverted Ethiopian Airlines cargo flight. Authorities are barring pilots and crew from nationals of countries without diplomatic relations, with potential broadening to more nations. The latest incidents involve Ethiopian Airlines and a Delta flight at Ben Gurion Airport, amid ongoing security concerns.
A continuing wave of attacks by Yemen's Houthis targets Saudi Arabia, with drones and missiles intercepted near Riyadh and other cities. The government says the strikes have caused casualties and damage, while international schools and oil facilities are impacted as civilians seek safety.