Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar as a “true hero” following the dramatic cockpit attack aboard flydubai flight FZ1073. Machchhar was stabbed during a confrontation with his co-pilot but resisted, opened the cockpit door and enabled passengers and crew members to intervene, according to the report. His actions were credited with helping prevent a major mid-air disaster. The aircraft, carrying more than 170 people, was subsequently diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed safely in Tabuk. Netanyahu’s praise came after the incident in which the Indian pilot faced the cockpit attack but helped create an opportunity for others aboard the aircraft to intervene and assist during the emergency.

An Indian-origin captain of flydubai flight FZ1073 reportedly fought off his co-pilot during an apparent attempted hijacking on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, preventing the plane from crashing and potentially saving more than 180 people. According to Israel’s YNet News and Channel 12, the captain was stabbed during the confrontation but fought back as the co-pilot allegedly attempted to crash the aircraft. The flight was ultimately landed by off-duty pilots travelling among the passengers. Initial reports identified the captain as an Indian individual and said most passengers were Israelis. Israeli officials reportedly described the incident as an attempted “Second 9/11” terror attack. The article does not provide further details about the co-pilot or motive.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump reviewed cooperation in trade, defence, energy, critical technologies and key areas in a call on Wednesday. Modi called the discussion “productive,” saying both leaders agreed to maintain close engagement to advance the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership. The call came amid heightened trade friction following enactment of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, which authorises tariffs of up to 100 per cent on countries buying Russian oil and gas, including India and China. Modi and Trump discussed regional developments, peace and security. India has flagged concerns over the sanctions legislation, while remaining a buyer of Russian oil.

Smit Machchhar, an Indian pilot who was injured during a mid-air altercation on a Flydubai flight, has over a decade of experience flying commercial aircraft. Machchhar was the captain of flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in north-western Saudi Arabia, where it made an emergency landing. According to reports, Machchhar was attacked by his Omani co-pilot during the flight. Both pilots were taken to hospital after landing. Machchhar joined Flydubai in June 2022 after spending around 11 years working with Indian airline SpiceJet.

Indian pilot Smit Machchhar was stabbed during a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after the incident. Machchhar and his co-pilot were taken to hospital. Machchhar, from Mumbai, is a captain with Flydubai and joined the airline in 2022. He earlier worked with SpiceJet for 11 years. Sources said he underwent surgery and is now stable. All passengers and crew were reported safe. The reason for the incident is still under investigation. Israeli officials called it a suspected terror attack, but authorities have not confirmed the motive.

An Indian captain reportedly helped prevent a suspected terror attack aboard a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv after the co-pilot allegedly attacked him with a knife. According to Israeli media reports, the co-pilot, reportedly an Omani national, attempted to take control of the aircraft or crash it. The injured captain fought back, while passengers rushed to the cockpit to restrain the attacker. Off-duty pilots travelling on the flight eventually took control of the aircraft. The plane landed in Saudi Arabia, and both pilots were taken to a hospital in Tabuk. Israeli authorities are investigating the incident and the co-pilot's background. (PC: India Today)

Four men from Telangana are allegedly trapped at a Russian military camp after travelling to Russia for civilian jobs around six months ago. Their families claim the men were taken to a forest, given weapons and forced to undergo military training. The men have been identified as Bhukya Ravinder, Bhukya Ashok, Megavath Prakash and Mohammed Afzal Khan. Their families said they paid agents around Rs 3 lakh each for the jobs. Khan, in a video message, alleged that they were being held against their will and faced physical abuse. The families have sought government help to bring the men home safely. (PC: NDTV)

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday rejected the bail pleas of activist Umar Khalid and former Jawaharlal Nehru University student Sharjeel Imam in the larger conspiracy case linked to the February 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. Khalid had approached the High Court for regular bail for the third time. His earlier pleas were rejected in October 2022 and September 2025, with the Supreme Court upholding both decisions. Both men face charges under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) over their alleged roles in the riots conspiracy. The violence in February 2020 left 53 people dead and over 700 injured. (PC: The Indian Express)

Iran’s Embassy in India used a Bollywood meme on X to mock the United Nations, contrasting how the global body is portrayed in books with what Iran presented as its limitations in reality. The first panel featured Doctor Strange, the Marvel superhero and neurosurgeon with magical powers and multiple arms, labelled “UN according to school books.” The second showed Thakur Baldev Singh from the 1975 classic Sholay, played by Sanjeev Kumar, captioned “UN in reality.” The post reflects Iran’s wider use of pop culture and internet humour in digital diplomacy. The embassy did not specify any particular UN resolution or crisis in the post. The meme appeared amid the ongoing war.

Two Indian nationals, 33-year-old Swapnadip Roy and 37-year-old Vicky Ramancha, were indicted by a US federal grand jury for allegedly smuggling and selling counterfeit Ozempic obtained from unauthorised sources in China to US distributors. According to court documents, the alleged scheme operated from July 2023 to April 2024, using fake packaging, inserts, pen labels and needles to mimic genuine Ozempic. Roy was extradited from Italy and pleaded not guilty. The DOJ said the scheme continued after the FDA seized counterfeit products in December 2023 and issued a warning. The defendants face conspiracy, smuggling and counterfeit-drug charges and, if convicted, could each receive up to 71 years in prison. Authorities warned counterfeit medicines pose significant health risks. (PC: X)