Israel’s coastal economic hub and technocratic capital of the Gush Dan region
Foreign Office files from 2002 have revealed that British officials raised concerns about systematic human rights abuses by Israeli forces during Operation Defensive Shield, noting high civilian casualties and attacks on medics. The files show London briefly halted some arms exports then; subsequent UK responses to later Israeli operations have been weaker, with only limited licence suspensions.
Officials say a co-pilot barred by Oman for extremist views attacked the captain, as passengers and crew halted a hijacking attempt over Tel Aviv. Investigations focus on aviation screening and regional security amid upcoming elections.
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.
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.
The Guardian-produced NAZA has sparked a fierce backlash in Israel after its Venice premiere and North American rollout. The film features 24 anonymous Israeli soldiers and intelligence officers describing AI-assisted targeting and civilian casualties in Gaza. Israel denies the allegations and promises to defend its soldiers, while the filmmakers face calls to revoke their citizenship.
A string of reports shows opposition leaders coordinating ahead of the October 27 vote, while polls indicate a tight race with blocs short of a majority. Arab parties retain potential influence, and intra-bloc tensions surface over leadership and coalition thresholds.
The Red Sea conflict has intensified as Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi air power, press to retake Sanaa and secure Bab al-Mandeb. The Houthis have escalated missile and drone attacks on Saudi targets, while the U.S. supports allies with intelligence and targeting data but is not yet engaging in kinetic strikes.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he will examine options for Britain’s long-term relationship with the EU, including a customs union, single market entry or full membership. He has told broadcasters he will set out choices around a UK–EU summit later this year and will judge each option on what is doable and its pros and cons.
The United States-led coalition has completed its orderly withdrawal from Erbil, handing security responsibilities to Iraqi forces and the Kurdish Peshmerga. Iraq aims to preserve sovereignty amid Iran-aligned pressure and regional volatility. Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi is pushing to place weapons under state control while diversifying the economy to reduce external influence.
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.
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.
A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv has made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a co‑pilot allegedly stabbed the captain and tried to crash the plane. The injured captain, identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar, has been taken to hospital in Tabuk. Passengers and on‑duty crew have overpowered and restrained the attacker; all passengers have returned to Tel Aviv.
Passengers and crew have foiled a pilot’s attempt to crash a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The attacker has been subdued; the injured Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, is in stable condition and the cockpit has been secured. Netanyahu has said it is too early to determine the attacker’s motive, while India’s embassy confirms the captain’s health update.
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.
Arab parties face disqualification challenges as Israel's election rules are tested. The Supreme Court and Central Elections Committee are at the center of rulings that could shape representation for Palestinian citizens ahead of the October 27 vote.
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 group of Israeli passengers helped subdue an armed co-pilot during a hijacking attempt on a Flydubai flight, stabilizing the aircraft and saving lives. Yaniv Hayoun, a plumber by trade, has become a symbol of quick action and courage as details emerge and political reactions unfold.
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.
Syria and Israel face a renewed phase of tensions along the Golan and southern Quneitra as Israeli engineers advance the Sufa 53 line, extending a fortified route inside or near the contested buffer zone. Syria condemns the move as a violation of the 1974 disengagement and UN resolutions, while regional actors urge restraint.
Prime Minister Lauli Leuatea Schmidt has apologised for a seven-second clip showing a Nazi salute at a private family gathering in 2007. He says the words and gesture were inappropriate and not reflective of his beliefs or Samoa's values. The video has drawn international attention as Schmidt has led Samoa since 2025 and has publicly supported Israel.
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.
The Conservatives have announced Britannia Shield, a 10bn plan to build an integrated radar, control and interceptor missile system to defend Britain from drones and missiles. The package, funded to reach 3% of GDP by 2030, is pitched as a major upgrade to UK air defence. Labour criticises the plan as underfunding and a repeat of past hollowed-out forces.
The third anniversary of Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack is marked by memorials, discussions of accountability, and ongoing trauma. Victims’ families and survivors recount losses, while questions over intelligence failures and government response remain unresolved as the conflict persists.
Three years after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attack, Israel faces a pivotal election that could determine the future of Benjamin Netanyahu’s premiership. Voters weigh accountability for security failures against a demand for stability as regional dynamics remain volatile and Gaza’s humanitarian toll persists.
Three years after the Hamas-led invasion of Israel, New York communities hold ceremonies and install art to honor victims and hostages; vigils, official memorials and street demonstrations reflect ongoing trauma and resilience.
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.
Protesters in Jordan are calling for the cancellation of Andrea Bocelli’s November 27 concert in Petra due to the singer’s ties to Israel. The event, part of his Romanza world tour, is organized by Friends of Jordan Festivals in partnership with the Jordan Tourism Board. Critics say hosting Bocelli risks cultural normalisation and align Jordan with Israel amid regional tensions. UNESCO lists Petra as a World Heritage site and a major tourist draw.
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.
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.
US President Donald Trump has reiterated his complaint that he has not received the Nobel Peace Prize, calling the committee’s decision “disgraceful and embarrassing.” He claims to have helped prevent wars and accuses the Nobel committee of discrediting Norway. Pillay’s Nobel win is reported amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in Gaza and commentary on the UN report’s findings.
The Times of Israel, The Guardian and BBC Business report that Quentin Tarantino will write and direct his first stage play, The Popinjay Cavalier, set in 1830s Europe. Sacha Baron Cohen will star in the London production, which opens in March 2027 at the Phoenix Theatre. Sony Pictures Entertainment and Sonia Friedman Productions are producing. Full casting will be announced later.
The Omani co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami has been detained in the UAE after an attempted hijack on a Dubai-to-Tel Aviv flight. Emirati prosecutors say he was radicalised while studying in Australia and drew inspiration from 9/11. Investigations are examining ties to foreign networks and possible international links.