World

02

Oct

By The Press Editor

World

UAE declares flydubai flight incident an ‘act of terror’, hails pilot Smit Machchhar as hero

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Friday declared the flydubai incident was an "act of terrorism", a day after it ordered a probe into the matter. The remarks were made Anwar Gargash, who is an adviser to President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. In a post on microblogging platform X (formerly Twitter) in Arabic, Gargash also hailed pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his efforts in averting a tragedy that helped in saving 174 lives. He said Machchhar's "professionalism and moral sense in the darkest circumstances" has turned him into a hero. "The Indian pilot at 'Flydubai,' Smit Machchhar, deserves all…

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02

Oct

By The Press Editor

World

Co-pilot accused of attacking Smit Machchhar spoke of ‘killing Jews’, refused handshakes with women: Reports

The Omani co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a Flydubai flight bound for Israel had reportedly shown signs of radicalisation before the incident, with multiple reports alleging that he spoke about "killing Jews" on social media and had undergone Islamist radical indoctrination. A colleague also reportedly claimed that the man refused to shake hands with women and displayed unusual behaviour around religious observances at work. The suspect, whose identity has not been made public, was serving as co-pilot on the Flydubai flight from the United Arab Emirates to Israel when he allegedly attacked Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar inside…

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02

Oct

By The Press Editor

World

He tried to crash the plane Chilling footage captures chaos after attack on Indian pilot Smit Machchhar

New footage from inside flydubai flight FZ1073 has captured the frantic moments that unfolded after passengers and crew intervened to stop what appeared to be an attempt by the Omani co-pilot to crash the aircraft. The flight was travelling from the United Arab Emirates to Israel when chaos erupted inside the cabin after the co-pilot allegedly stabbed Captain Smit Machchhar, the Indian pilot. Filmed on a phone from a seat close to the cockpit, the video captures people shouting in both English and Hebrew as they tried to understand what had happened. At one point, a passenger can be heard…

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02

Oct

By The Press Editor

World

9,000 troops head to Middle East as Donald Trump weighs new Iran strikes amid ongoing conflict

Washington: Amid ongoing conflict with Tehran, the US military said it is dispatching roughly 9,000 troops aboard a group of ships to the Middle East. The US military is bolstering its presence as President Donald Trump warned that new strikes against Iran could be on the horizon. The movement of the American troops, which includes a third aircraft carrier, underscores the rapidly evolving dynamic of Trump's war against Iran as he ponders his next move, with midterm elections in the United States looming large and new signs that the nature of the conflict may be becoming more complex. Trump threatens…

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02

Oct

By The Press Editor

World

Putin praises PM Modi, says he has good ideas at finding mutually acceptable solutions to Ukraine war

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday praised PM Modi and said he is one of those world leaders who, despite our very good and even friendly relations, personal good relations, constantly raises the question and asks the question about putting an end to the conflict in Ukraine. Putin said PM Modi has an avid interest and very good ideas aimed at finding mutually acceptable solutions. He added that Prime Minister Modi takes a neutral position but with an interest in the end of the conflict. “I think it's my duty to say that directly. And we are thankful to…

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01

Oct

By The Press Editor

World

BAPS France denies asking Eiffel Tower to exclude female staff after probe finds no explicit request

Paris: A controversy erupted at the Eiffel Tower after female employees alleged that they were sidelined during a private visit by a BAPS delegation. The incident led to protests by staff and the Eiffel Tower being closed for a day. However, a subsequent investigation by the General Inspectorate of the City of Paris found that BAPS had made "no explicit request" to remove or exclude female employees. BAPS France has also denied asking for women to be excluded, while the probe found that an internal process at the Eiffel Tower led to female staff being replaced or asked to step…

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01

Oct

By The Press Editor

World

Trump says Iran maybe linked to flydubai copilot who tried to crash flight as terror probe begins

US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Iran may be linked to the FlyDubai co-pilot accused of attempting to crash an Israel-bound passenger plane. Asked by reporters at the White House whether he had been briefed about possible links between the co-pilot and Tehran, Trump said the US was investigating. 'We're working on it right now," Trump said. Asked whether there was an Iranian connection, he added, "I would say the answer, based on what I’m hearing, is yes, but we’re working on it right now." Trump did not provide details about the alleged connection. Asked whether the US would retaliate…

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01

Oct

By The Press Editor

World

Cheated death twice US Tennessee murder death row inmate christa pike survives execution after two lethal injections fai

Tennessee death row inmate Christa Pike was taken to hospital after an attempt to execute her by lethal injection failed, her lawyer said. Pike's legal team filed an emergency motion seeking to halt the execution while it was underway, stating that she had lost consciousness but still had a heartbeat and was audibly snoring. One of her attorneys told the BBC that the 50-year-old was being given "life-saving measures" in hospital after two syringes containing pentobarbital were administered. Pike was sentenced to death in 1996 for the murder of 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer in 1995. Her execution was preceded by a…

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01

Oct

By The Press Editor

World

Indian envoy in UAE says hero Indian pilot Smit Machachhar ‘in good health’ after flydubai incident

Abu Dhabi: The Indian ambassador to UAE Deepak Mittal has met the injured Indian flydubai pilot Smit Machchhar a day after he got stabbed and left seriously injured by Omani copilot. "Ambassador Deepak Mittal visited Captain Smit Machchhar and his family at the hospital. Captain Machchhar is in good health and recovering well. The Embassy remains in close coordination with local authorities to ensure his continued medical care and well-being," read the Indian Embassy's post on X.    Who is flydubai Hero Indian pilot Smit Machchhar?  Captain Smit Machchhar is working with flydubai for four years. Prior to this, he…

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01

Oct

By The Press Editor

World

UAE orders probe into flydubai flight altercation, to investigate ‘possible terror activity’

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Thursday ordered an investigation into the incident involving the flydubai flight that was travelling to Israel's Tel Aviv from Dubai, but was diverted to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. The probe was ordered following a direction from UAE's Attorney General Counsellor Dr Hamad Al Shamsi. In a statement, UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) said a team would be constituted that would comprise specialised members of the public prosecution to probe all angles into the incident, including a "possible terrorist activity". The UAE's judicial authorities, the foreign ministry said, have the jurisdiction to probe the incident…

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