Two-time FIFA World Cup champions Uruguay arrived in Kolkata on Wednesday, September 30, ahead of their international friendly against India on October 6. Five-time world champions Brazil are expected to arrive in the city on Thursday, October 1, for their match against India on October 3. Both teams will play at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, also known as Salt Lake Stadium. Uruguay will hold a five-day training camp in Kolkata before facing India. However, captain Federico Valverde will miss the tour due to an ankle injury. The matches are part of India's international friendly schedule. (PC: HT)

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said there are strong signs that Iran may have been involved in a suspicious incident at RAF Fairford. The British airbase is operated by the US military and has been used during the Iran war. Five British men were arrested on terrorism charges after three vans were found near the base. Police later said no explosives were found in the vans. However, they found gasoline. The men were released on bail. US President Donald Trump criticised their release. Iran has denied any role in the incident. The investigation is still ongoing.

Israel’s Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has described the incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 as a terror attack, alleging that the co-pilot wanted to crash the plane and kill Israeli passengers. The flight was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv when it diverted to Saudi Arabia and landed safely at Tabuk airport. A passenger, Miryam Shira Ohayon, said the co-pilot tried to kill the pilot and carry out a suicide attack. The aircraft reportedly transmitted emergency signals while flying over Jordanian airspace. Israeli officials initially said it was not a hijacking, but later assessed the incident as an attempted terror attack. (PC: X)

A Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, on September 30 after an incident involving the pilots. Flight FZ1073 issued the emergency code 7700 before later switching to 7500, indicating unlawful interference. The aircraft reportedly plunged from around 34,000 feet to about 16,600 feet within two minutes, triggering a security response, including Israeli fighter jets being scrambled. Video footage reportedly showed one pilot injured and covered in blood. Initial reports raised fears of a hijacking, but later reports said a hijacking attempt had been ruled out. Authorities are investigating the incident. 

A flydubai flight travelling from Dubai to Israel made an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a violent altercation reportedly broke out between the two pilots. Passengers described hearing screams and seeing blood in the cockpit, while some reported that one pilot had been stabbed. The Boeing 737 MAX carrying about 180 passengers also descended sharply from around 33,000 feet to 17,000 feet within a minute before making an erratic turn. The aircraft transmitted emergency codes, including one associated with possible hijacking, prompting Israel to scramble fighter jets. The plane landed safely, and authorities are investigating the incident and its circumstances. 

Patrick Branco Ruivo, head of the company operating the Eiffel Tower, will step down at the end of 2026 following a controversy over the exclusion of female staff during a Hindu group's visit. An independent investigation found operational failures linked to the September 5 visit by a BAPS delegation. Female employees were reportedly moved from their workstations and told to avoid contact with the visitors. The incident led to staff protests and a one-day closure of the landmark on September 7. BAPS said it had not requested the removal of women. The Eiffel Tower operator has also announced gender-equality measures and training. (PC: X)

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani received a loud welcome from the audience during his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Los Angeles. The audience stood up and cheered as Mamdani entered the show, with host Jimmy Kimmel greeting him with a handshake. Kimmel joked that the reception showed Mamdani was doing a good job, adding that the mayor of Los Angeles would not receive the same welcome. A video of the moment was later shared on Instagram. Mamdani, New York’s first Muslim mayor and first South Asian mayor, has drawn attention for his housing and childcare plans.

A Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv landed at Tabuk airport in Saudi Arabia after declaring an emergency and turning back over northern Saudi Arabia. The aircraft was carrying around 180 passengers. Flight-tracking data showed it transmitted the 7700 general emergency code, while a possible hijacking code, 7500, was reportedly detected but remains unconfirmed. Israeli security sources cited by The Times of Israel said an altercation between the pilots may have triggered the incident. Israeli fighter jets were reportedly scrambled after the emergency signals. Israeli media reported that everyone on board was safe. (PC: X)

A Flydubai Boeing 737 MAX flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday after sending distress signals, triggering fears of a possible hijacking. The incident prompted Israeli authorities to scramble fighter jets and hold security consultations. The aircraft landed safely in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, and everyone on board was reported safe. According to Israeli media reports citing security officials, the incident was linked to a dispute between the plane’s two pilots, rather than a hijacking. The situation raised initial security concerns as authorities responded to the emergency. (PC: HT)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu secretly traveled to the United Arab Emirates and reportedly asked President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to deny claims that he warned Netanyahu about an impending Hamas attack before October 7, 2023. According to sources cited by The Times of Israel and Associated Press, the two leaders held an hourlong meeting in Abu Dhabi. The reported warning was previously published by Haaretz. Netanyahu’s office has denied that the Emirati leader warned him, while the UAE has not commented specifically on the report. The episode comes amid renewed controversy over warnings Israel allegedly received before the October 7 attack. (PC: AP)