Yemen's Saudi-backed government has announced a major military operation to retake territory held by the Iran-backed Houthis. In a televised address from Riyadh on Sunday, President Rashad al-Alimi said forces would "extend the authority of the state" across the entire country. (PC: BBC) The announcement follows days of strikes between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition. The Houthis claim they hit Aramco sites near Riyadh and in Khurais, saying it was a response to 50 coalition strikes in 12 hours. Saudi Arabia has not commented.   Meanwhile, the Houthis reportedly cut the supply route between Taiz and Aden, effectively encircling Taiz, according to AFP. (PC: BBC)

Russian drones struck Kyiv's Pivnichnyi (Northern) Bridge on Sunday for the second day in a row, injuring two people. Major bridges in the capital have now been hit for four straight days, causing traffic gridlock. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz made a surprise visit to Kyiv as the attack unfolded, telling Ukraine, "You can rely on us." President Volodymyr Zelensky said a new aid package worth over €1.3 billion had been agreed with Germany, covering weapons and energy support ahead of winter. Russia's military said it would intensify strikes on Kyiv and other regions. Ukraine's Air Force said it shot down 125 of 135 drones overnight. (PC: BBC)

Questions over security lapses have grown in the Flydubai cockpit attack probe, as reports said the UAE shared the crew list with Israel before flight FZ1073 left for Tel Aviv. Omani co-pilot Hammam al-Hammami allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar with a crash axe and tried to take control of the plane, which carried nearly 180 people. Officials said he was barred from flying in Oman over alleged extremist views, yet was cleared to operate the flight. Israel's Shin Bet and Transportation Ministry said they received no warning or passenger list. The UAE is leading the investigation, which continues.

A new video from the Flydubai flight incident shows passengers repeatedly insisting that co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami be handed over only to police after he was restrained following an alleged attack on Indian Captain Smit Machchhar. Passengers who helped subdue the Omani co-pilot told The New York Post that some cabin crew members allegedly asked them to untie him, raising their suspicions. The passengers refused, keeping him restrained until the aircraft landed in Saudi Arabia. The 45-second video shows al-Hammami kneeling with his hands tied behind his back while passengers can be heard saying “just police” and “only police.” 

Australian authorities have begun investigating the Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the captain on a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight, after sources said he had once lived in Australia. The man was reportedly issued a student visa in 2014 and studied there between 2015 and 2017. ABC reported the visa was cancelled in 2019. The Australian Federal Police, with state police and the security agency, said it is examining his "links to Australia" and will give an update "at the appropriate time". Counter-terrorism officials will look at whether he was radicalised there, ABC reported. UAE prosecutors are separately probing motives behind the September 30 attack. (PC: BBC)

Passengers on a Flydubai flight refused to release the Omani co-pilot after he allegedly attacked Indian pilot Smit Machchhar during a mid-air incident. Passengers restrained the co-pilot and said they would hand him only to police. A video showed him with his hands tied behind his back as passengers repeatedly said “just police” and “only police”. Some passengers later alleged that cabin crew members asked them to release the suspect, but they refused. The aircraft, flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted and landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. UAE authorities are investigating the incident as an alleged terrorist attack. (PC: X)

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff has said the university “must do better” after a student alleged she was drugged and sexually assaulted by 7 men at a fraternity house in 2024. The student, identified as Jane Doe, said the incident happened at the Chi Phi fraternity on October 19, 2024, involving alcohol and ketamine. She reported the incident to Cornell police 2 weeks later, but no charges were filed. She has since sued the university, alleging it failed to protect her. New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James to lead a review of the case and investigation. (PC: BBC)

Israel’s Transportation Ministry has acknowledged that it does not conduct background checks on foreign pilots flying into the country, amid scrutiny following the Flydubai cockpit attack. Officials said identifying foreign crew members and assessing security threats falls under other security agencies, while the ministry has no personnel abroad to check individual pilots. The admission has raised questions after an Omani co-pilot allegedly attacked Indian Captain Smit Machchhar aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. Reports indicate dozens of Omani pilots may have previously flown to Israel despite restrictions. Israel is now facing questions over how existing security measures were enforced. (PC: X)

Two unidentified Flydubai pilots played a crucial role in saving an Israel-bound flight after its co-pilot attacked Captain Smit Machchhar inside the cockpit. The pilots, who were travelling as additional crew members, entered the cockpit after passengers subdued the attacker and helped stabilise the aircraft following a severe descent. A passenger said some travellers initially feared the pilots might hijack the plane because they did not communicate immediately. After regaining control, the pilots issued a mayday call and diverted the aircraft to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. Flydubai has not publicly identified the two pilots. (PC: India Today)

Australian security agencies are investigating the links of the Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the captain and attempting to seize control of an Israel-bound flight. The Victorian Joint Counter Terrorism Team, involving the Australian Federal Police, Victoria Police and ASIO, is examining his time in Australia. The Omani national reportedly received a student visa in 2014, studied in Australia from 2015, and left in 2017; his visa was cancelled in 2019 after he was no longer enrolled. The investigation follows an incident involving 182 people, during which the aircraft rapidly descended before passengers and crew intervened. UAE authorities are leading the wider investigation. (PC: AFP)