Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is being hailed as a hero after he thwarted an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash a flydubai flight carrying nearly 180 people. Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, Machchhar fought back, enabling passengers and crew to overpower the attacker. Indian envoys met his family in Dubai, assuring full government support, while the co-pilot has been arrested in Saudi Arabia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have lauded Indian pilot Smit Machchhar as a hero for thwarting an alleged attempt to crash a flydubai flight, saving 174 lives. Machchhar, despite being seriously injured, resisted the attacker and helped prevent a catastrophic mid-air disaster.
India's anti-terror agency, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), has registered a case to investigate a mid-air attack on Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, inside the cockpit of an Israel-bound flydubai flight, citing an "apparent attempt to hijack or cause it to crash."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Captain Smit Machchaar for his exceptional bravery in foiling an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash an Israel-bound flydubai flight. Modi spoke to Machchaar and his family, expressing pride in his heroic actions that saved hundreds of lives. The incident involved a sharp descent and diversion of the flight, with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu also acknowledging Machchaar's courage.
An Indian pilot and several passengers are being hailed as heroes after thwarting a co-pilot's alleged attempt to crash a flydubai flight en route to Tel Aviv. The incident involved a mid-air struggle, a rapid descent, and an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia, with international leaders praising the bravery that saved 174 lives.
Captain Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot, is being hailed as a hero for his quick thinking and bravery in preventing a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv from crashing, an act praised by both Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and Indian PM Narendra Modi.
A dispute has emerged in Mumbai regarding the naming of the new East-West Vidyavihar bridge. The Shiv Sena (UBT) is advocating for it to be named after actor Nana Patekar, while BJP MLA Parag Shah proposed naming it after Captain Smit Machchhar, a pilot recognised for thwarting a hijacking. The controversy highlights differing views on honouring local figures and public service.
The flydubai near-tragedy showed how the gratuitous conflicts their governments started in West Asia have made the world unsafe for them (and unfortunate co-passengers of other nationalities), points out Kanika Datta.
A FlyDubai flight captain was stabbed by his co-pilot in a suspected terror attack, leading to a desperate fight for survival that was heroically thwarted by an Israeli dentist and other passengers, averting a major mid-air disaster.
An Indian national in Israel was injured by shrapnel from an Iranian missile and is currently in stable condition after undergoing surgery. The Indian Embassy is monitoring the situation.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Thursday pledged to stand with Israel in its "darkest hour" and welcomed the opening of a humanitarian corridor into Gaza as he held talks with the country's top leadership during his two-day visit to the Middle East aimed at preventing further escalation of conflict in the region.
"The people of Gaza need food, water, medicine, shelter. Today, I asked the Israeli cabinet to agree to the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance to civilians in Gaza...and the aid should go to civilians, not to Hamas. Israel agreed that the humanitarian assistance can begin to move from Egypt to Gaza. If Hamas diverts or steals the assistance it will have demonstrated once again that they have no concern for the welfare of the Palestinian people.. and it will stop the international community from being able to provide this aid," Biden said.
An Indian captain on a Flydubai flight heroically prevented a co-pilot from crashing the plane en route to Tel Aviv. The co-pilot, allegedly radicalized, attacked Captain Smit Machchhar, who managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and off-duty aviators to subdue the assailant and make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Investigations are ongoing, with Israeli and UAE authorities involved.
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar has been hailed as a hero by Israeli leaders for his extraordinary bravery in thwarting an alleged mid-air attack by his co-pilot on a flydubai flight. Despite being stabbed and seriously injured, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower the attacker and prevent a catastrophic disaster. The flight, carrying 174 passengers, safely landed in Saudi Arabia, and Machchhar is recovering.
US President Donald Trump has stated his personal belief that Iran was responsible for the attempted mid-air hijacking and crash of Flydubai Flight FZ1073, where an Omani co-pilot attacked the Indian captain.
The Gujarat government announced that Indian pilot Smit Machchhar will be awarded the 'Visisht Gujarat Garima Award' for his extraordinary bravery. Machchhar thwarted his co-pilot's alleged attempt to crash a Flydubai flight, saving 174 lives despite being stabbed. He is currently receiving treatment in Saudi Arabia, and special prayers for his recovery have been organised at the Somnath temple.
Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar is in stable condition in Saudi Arabia after being seriously injured while preventing his co-pilot from crashing a Flydubai flight. He was stabbed during the incident, but managed to alert others, leading to the co-pilot's incapacitation and a safe landing. Both Indian and Israeli leaders have praised his heroic actions.
Dozens of US planes carrying ammunition landed in Tel Aviv, raising concerns about potential strikes on Iran. Negotiations between the US and Iran remain deadlocked over key issues, with both sides issuing fresh demands and warnings.
As international investigations intensify into the mid-air security scare aboard the Flydubai flight, Israel's i24 News reported that an Emirati source has revealed that among the belongings of the Omani co-pilot were leaflets and publications from "Free Palestine" groups, alongside pro-Palestinian material.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has lauded Indian pilot Smit Machchhar as a 'hero of the entire world' for his bravery in foiling an alleged co-pilot's attempt to crash a flydubai flight, and has extended an invitation to Machchhar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to light a flame on Israeli Independence Day.
Authorities in Australia, Israel, and the UAE are investigating an Omani co-pilot's attempted "terrorist act" on a flydubai flight. The co-pilot, identified as Hamam al-Hammami, attacked the Indian captain with a crash axe, but passengers and reserve pilots managed to land the plane safely. The probe focuses on his motives, connections, and past radical views.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised delegates who walked out of the United Nations General Assembly during his speech, labelling them 'moral cowards.' He also addressed rising antisemitism and accused New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of fostering an unsafe environment for Jewish residents.
The ministry of external affairs on Friday dismissed as 'fake news' reports alleging that India had requested Israel to sign a defence pact in response to the newly formed Pakistan-Saudi Arabia-Turkey security framework.
Iran has launched a fresh wave of missile attacks against Israeli and United States-linked targets as the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it fired some of its heaviest missiles in the latest phase of its retaliatory campaign, while Israel Defence Forces alleged that many of the projectiles carried cluster bomb warheads.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the UPSC centenary, urged a fundamental shift in civil services recruitment and governance. He highlighted the need for services to adapt to an "instant-delivery world" powered by AI, focusing on citizen-centricity and evaluating candidates' motivation beyond academic knowledge. The PM also praised Captain Smit Machchhar's bravery during his address.
The UK has announced a comprehensive sanctions regime against Israeli settlements in the West Bank, banning the import of goods and targeting entities involved in settlement expansion. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband condemned the "ethnic cleansing of Palestinians" and highlighted international support for the UK's stance, while Israel reacted strongly with counter-measures.
Cybersecurity specialists warn AI-driven attacks require continuous threat monitoring instead of periodic security checks.
Iran has fired 280 ballistic missiles at Israel since early Friday in retaliation to Israeli strikes on its nuclear programme, its military and political officials, and nuclear scientists.
Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei will not attend his father, former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei's, funeral due to security concerns stemming from Israeli threats. This decision follows a sharp warning from Iran's Foreign Minister to the United States, urging it to control Israel after its Defence Minister reportedly marked Khamenei for death. The incident highlights escalating tensions and ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate hostilities in West Asia.
Indian badminton star PV Sindhu was stranded at Dubai airport due to flight suspensions caused by escalating tensions in the Middle East, casting doubt on her participation in the All England Open.
US President Donald Trump has claimed that Washington has the capability to liquidate the surviving Iranian leadership with "one shot" if it desired, pointing to the congregation of top Iranian officials attending the week-long state funeral for the late Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who lost his life in joint US-Israeli air strikes on February 28.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has announced a series of military operations against US and Israeli targets in retaliation for earlier airstrikes. The IRGC claims to have launched multiple missile and drone strikes, and has warned against any potential ground operations within Iranian territory.
Zolqadr's appointment comes through a presidential decree, endorsed by Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced a significant policy shift, declaring that Israel's robust economy no longer requires American financial assistance. He also reiterated strong opposition to Palestinian statehood, affirmed an aggressive national defence strategy, warned of pre-emptive strikes against Iran, and confirmed the continued military presence in southern Lebanon.
It is high time India ends its silence on the human cost of the Gaza war and takes a principled stand without diluting its relations with Israel. A largely friendless Tel Aviv today needs New Delhi more than the other way around. India's failure now may cost it diplomatically in the long run, cautions M R Narayan Swamy.
US President Donald Trump has sharply criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the handling of military operations in Lebanon, expressing dissatisfaction with the pace of the conflict and the escalating civilian death toll.
Glimpses of the damage from Iranian missile attacks on Rishon LeZion, Ramat Gan and Tel Aviv in Israel, June 13 and June 14, 2025.
Glimpses after the hostages-prisoners swap and ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel -- showing the return of those kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and taken to Gaza, October 13, 2025.
Israel extends nationwide restrictions and warns citizens of potential attacks from Iran and Hezbollah, with the Home Front Command maintaining current guidelines until further assessment.
Glimpses from India and around the world that will make you smile and cry.
