Flydubai plane attack: co-pilot had been from flying over extremist views
SCMP •

Flydubai plane attack: co-pilot had been from flying over extremist views

The Flydubai co-pilot who officials said nearly crashed a Tel Aviv-bound flight with 182 people aboard was barred from flying by his native Oman over concerns he had adopted extremist views, a person familiar with the matter said on Saturday. The co-pilot has been identified as Hamam al-Hammami, according to three people with knowledge of the situation, including a Gulf and Western diplomat. All s...

Flydubai plane attack: co-pilot previously barred from flying by Oman over extremist views
SCMP •

Flydubai plane attack: co-pilot previously barred from flying by Oman over extremist views

The Flydubai co-pilot who officials said nearly crashed a Tel Aviv-bound flight with 182 people aboard was barred from flying by his native Oman over concerns he had adopted extremist views, a person familiar with the matter said on Saturday. The co-pilot was subsequently hired by the United Arab Emirates-based airline, the person said, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing...

'God made Trump': Inside White House's $20 million ad campaign ahead of midterms
Times of India •

'God made Trump': Inside White House's $20 million ad campaign ahead of midterms

Three of the advertisements have so far appeared on television networks including CBS, CNN, MS NOW, Fox News and Fox. It remains unclear whether every advertisement will be broadcast on television, released digitally or both. Although the videos have different themes, many feature Trump alongside audio containing favourable comments about him from news reports.

Hindu temple hit with bricks in US; Hindu groups demand swift action

Hindu temple hit with bricks in US; Hindu groups demand swift action

Times of India •

An attack on the Shree Swaminarayan Vadtal Dham Hindu Mandir in Richmond Heights occurred while devotees were present. The incident involved bricks being thrown at the temple, resulting in shattered windows. Surveillance footage is being reviewed by authorities to identify the perpetrator. This potential hate crime coincides with Hindu Heritage Month and upcoming Navratri celebrations.

‘We swept a lot under the carpet’: Vichy regime film hits home in France of 2026

‘We swept a lot under the carpet’: Vichy regime film hits home in France of 2026

The Guardian •

Movie about Nazi-collaborating administration strikes chord during what director calls ‘time of great uncertainty’It is the story of how a lowly state administrator unthinkingly becomes a cog in the machine of an authoritarian regime, embracing the bureaucracy and logistics of sending people to their deaths – and it is drawing in audiences to French cinemas.The French film Notre Salut (Our Salvati...

China returns to top 100 in gender parity ranking for first time since 2016

China returns to top 100 in gender parity ranking for first time since 2016

SCMP •

For the first time in a decade, China has returned to the top 100 out of 145 economies in an annual global report assessing gender equality. China closed 69.9 per cent of its gender gap in 2025, rising to 96th place from 103rd the previous year and increasing 1.3 percentage points, according to the 2026 Global Gender Gap Report published by the World Economic Forum (WEF), an international non-prof...

No more welcome mat? Japan’s tough visa rules spur foreign businesses to look elsewhere

No more welcome mat? Japan’s tough visa rules spur foreign businesses to look elsewhere

SCMP •

Five years ago, Sarah and her husband were optimistic about Japan’s economic future and were expanding their small businesses across several sectors. Today, that optimism has been replaced by concern over a sense of hostility towards two hard-working foreigners who feel they have contributed to the society that they have worked hard to fit into. New regulations that took effect on Thursday mean th...

Hong Kong to relax ad rules for broadcasters to boost business edge, minister says

Hong Kong to relax ad rules for broadcasters to boost business edge, minister says

SCMP •

Hong Kong authorities plan to relax restrictions on indirect advertising for broadcasters amid fierce competition from online and streaming media, the commerce minister has told the South China Morning Post. In a wide-ranging exclusive interview, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Algernon Yau Ying-wah said many broadcast operators had requested to review the Generic Codes of Practice...

Security lapse Israel overlooked? Over 12 Omani pilots flew to Tel Aviv despite ban

Security lapse Israel overlooked? Over 12 Omani pilots flew to Tel Aviv despite ban

Times of India •

Israeli passengers, the captain and other pilots on board intervened, allowing the plane to make an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia. Most of the passengers were Israeli and were later flown from Saudi Arabia to Israel. Oman does not have diplomatic relations with Israel. According to the report, rules introduced after 2020 Abraham Accords prohibit pilots from countries that do not have relations...

Five-year-old girl and man, 67, in critical condition after car hits crowd in Newcastle

Five-year-old girl and man, 67, in critical condition after car hits crowd in Newcastle

The Guardian •

Driver arrested at the scene after vehicle strikes multiple people in a crowd, leaving 10 injured including three childrenGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastTen people have been injured, two critically, after a car crashed into a crowd of people in Newcastle waiting to farewell the Knights team bus before the NRL grand final.New South Wales police said a five-year-old girl ...

Women in Munich Oktoberfest given free shorts to prevent upskirting

Women in Munich Oktoberfest given free shorts to prevent upskirting

Times of India •

At least 32,000 videos featuring women on the Teufelsrad have been circulated, according to Munich daily Süddeutsche Zeitung. Some have apparently been watched millions of times. The videos often show women wearing traditional dirndl dresses with their underwear visible. Some images have also been digitally manipulated to make the women appear naked, according to BR.

Scientists turned waste wool into stiff building panels that helped reduce heat transfer

Scientists turned waste wool into stiff building panels that helped reduce heat transfer

Times of India •

Researchers have found an innovative way to repurpose waste wool fibers into building panels. The panels, formed with keratin and citric acid, provide excellent insulation properties. Existing wool that is typically discarded can now be used in construction. This development addresses significant waste in the wool industry while promoting sustainability. The findings present an alternative to trad...

North Korea launches ballistic missile as tensions with Seoul grow over border mine blasts

North Korea launches ballistic missile as tensions with Seoul grow over border mine blasts

France 24 •

North Korea launched a ballistic missile Saturday morning from the Wonsan area on its east coast into the Sea of Japan, according to Seoul's military. The launch comes amid renewed tensions between North Korea and South Korea, with the latter demanding an apology for a blast that wounded three South Korean soldiers inside the Demilitarized Zone last month.