Smit Machchhar, the Indian Flydubai pilot at the centre of the FZ1073 cockpit incident, has received praise from leaders and passengers after the Dubai-Tel Aviv flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia. The captain was injured during the incident but reportedly helped open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and other pilots to intervene. Machchhar has nearly 9,750 flying hours and previously spent about 11 years with SpiceJet.   Who is Smit Machch

A Flydubai Dubai Tel Aviv flight emergency landing became a major aviation update after flight FZ1073 diverted to Saudi Arabia’s Tabuk Airport following a reported cockpit incident. The aircraft landed safely, passengers received assistance, and officials confirmed the situation was not a hijacking. A second Flydubai flight was also diverted back to Dubai.   A Flydubai flight operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing at Tabuk Airport i

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Israel has indications its enemies could attempt an attack before the October 27 election, triggering demands from opposition leaders for more information about the threat. Netanyahu did not identify any country or armed group behind the warning. Security briefing Netanyahu made the remarks during a September 29 visit to the Tel Nof air base. In a video released from the base, he

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered near United Nations headquarters in New York as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the General Assembly, prompting traffic disruptions and arrests. The Netanyahu UN protest brought together activists, public figures and elected officials amid continuing debate over the Gaza war and US policy toward Israel. Gaza rally draws hundreds near the UN

Gaza UNGA 2026 opened in New York with the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, violence and settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank, and wider Middle East instability featuring heavily in speeches by several world leaders. Their approaches differed, but diplomacy and international law remained recurring themes. UN Gaza call highlights humanitarian crisis UN Secretary-General António Guterres u

A new Israel settler poll has exposed a sharp divide over violence in the West Bank as the October 27 election approaches. The JPPI survey on Qusra, growing diplomatic pressure over settlements and Gaza’s humanitarian strain are all shaping a tense campaign. Qusra poll shows split over settler violence The Jewish People Policy Institute surveyed Israelis from September 1 to 3 after violence in Qusra, where dozens of masked Israeli civi

Israel is facing widening diplomatic pressure over Gaza, settlement expansion in the occupied West Bank and its relations with traditional allies. The debate intensified after Jared Kushner said the Trump administration used Israel's isolation following the Doha strike to help advance a Gaza deal.    Doha strike Gaza deal increased diplomatic pressure Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and s

A major Hezbollah tunnel blast in southern Lebanon sent shockwaves across Nabatieh after Israeli forces detonated explosives beneath the Ali al-Taher ridge. The operation destroyed underground infrastructure that Israel said had been used by Hezbollah for command, weapons storage and attacks near the border. Ali Taher blast shakes southern Lebanon The Ali Taher blast took place on September 10

Israel baby names 5786 data reveals Mohammed, Ariel and Avigail as the leading choices ahead of Rosh Hashanah. New Population Registry figures also show 179,398 babies registered, while Jerusalem recorded the highest number of births among Israeli cities. Top Boy Names in Israel Mohammed ranked as the most common name for boys across Israel's overall population during Hebrew year 5786, accordin

Israeli security agency Shin Bet has confirmed that a serious Yair Netanyahu threat prompted the urgent extraction of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s eldest son from Miami and his return to Israel. The agency confirmed the security threat but did not publicly identify who was behind it. Shin Bet Alert The Shin Bet said on August 29 that authorities had identified a “significant threat??

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned violence carried out by Israeli settlers in the Palestinian villages of Qusra and Jalud in the occupied West Bank, describing the incidents as criminal acts that violate the law and damage Israel’s international standing. The remarks followed fresh clashes in Qusra, near Nablus, where dozens of Israeli settlers reportedly entered the village on Saturday after several weeks of rising tension in the area. Netanyahu sa

US President Donald Trump has again claimed that Israel would not exist today without his policies toward Iran. In a wide-ranging interview, he defended withdrawing from the JCPOA, discussed Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition and said the Strait of Hormuz was functioning despite continuing attacks. JCPOA exit returns to center of Trump Israel claim

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Iran tried to assassinate one of his sons, but he has not disclosed which son was allegedly targeted, when the attempt occurred or how it was uncovered. The claim came as he defended expanded Shin Bet protection for his family ahead of Israel’s October election. Netanyahu Iran claim emerges during Channel 14 in

US envoy Jared Kushner says the Gaza peace plan could begin showing progress within 30 days, with early steps focused on Hamas disarmament and closing militant tunnels. His comments followed talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leaders as Washington tries to revive a stalled roadmap. Hamas disarmament Kushner said he hoped the first visible progress could involve remov

A new India global opinion survey shows striking differences in how the country is viewed worldwide. Sri Lanka records the strongest favourable opinion, while the UK, Kenya and Germany also show strong goodwill. Pakistan stands at the opposite end, giving India its lowest rating among the 36 countries surveyed. Sri Lanka Sri Lanka emerged as the most India-friendly country in Pew Research Cente

For decades, US support for Israel was among the most durable features of American foreign policy. That political foundation has not disappeared, but public opinion is changing sharply. New polling shows Palestinians overtaking Israelis in American sympathies for the first time in Gallup's long-running trend, while younger voters are driving an even larger shift.

Israel Lebanon strikes have renewed fears of a wider regional conflict just as Iran and Oman move closer to an agreement on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The violence in southern Lebanon, threats against Gulf infrastructure and stalled Iran-US diplomacy show how fragile the search for peace remains. Israel Lebanon strikes hit southern villages Israel carried out strikes in southern Leb

Iran-Linked Foxtrot Network Accused of Recruiting Teen Killers The Iran Foxtrot network is under renewed scrutiny after reports alleged the criminal organisation recruited teenagers to carry out contract killings and attacks across Europe. Authorities in several countries continue investigating the group's activities, while Iran has rejected all claims linking the government to the network. Foxtrot Teen Rec

President Donald Trump has reportedly authorised a new US military strike against Iran that could begin over the weekend, as Washington increases pressure on Tehran to return to negotiations. Separate reporting suggests the United States and Israel are also considering attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure, but officials have not publicly confirmed a final target list or operational timetable. Trump Iran Strikes Could Begin This Wee

Israel has tied a complete IDF withdrawal from Gaza to verified demilitarization, including the removal of weapons and militant infrastructure. The position adds pressure to ceasefire talks, postwar governance plans and international security arrangements. Gaza Demilitarization Before IDF Withdrawal Israel says it will not completely withdraw its military forces from the Gaza Strip until the te