Newstrack

A routine Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a severe mid-air emergency when a violent confrontation erupted between the pilots in the cockpit. The aircraft transmitted squawk code 7500, signalling unlawful interference, and rapidly descended nearly 14,000 feet in under 30 seconds before diverting safely to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia. Reports revealed that one pilot was stabbed inside the flight deck, while passengers and crew intervened to neutralize the attacker and help safely land the plane. Israeli authorities, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, described the incident as a highly severe security situation and an attempted terror attack, alleging the co-pilot attempted to crash the airliner. Israeli politician Sharon Haskel noted that the event is currently under investigation by authorities in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. A rescue flight carrying the stranded passengers subsequently landed safely in Tel Aviv.

In an interview with India Today's Marya Shakil, Lovely Professional University dean Sorabh Lakhanpal discusses the violence, arson and vandalism on campus and the protest that blocked National Highway 44.

Supreme Court Senior Advocate Vikas Singh questioned the functioning and impartiality of the Election Commission of India amid the ongoing debate over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. He argued that the poll panel is a multi-member body and its decisions should be taken unanimously or by majority. Singh also questioned the EC's role in the SIR exercise, arguing that the commission does not have the authority to determine the citizenship of individuals. He said such powers lie with the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Citizenship Act. He further called for greater independence in the appointment of election commissioners, suggesting an independent collegium involving the Chief Justice of India. Former Chief Election Commissioner OP Rawat, Congress spokesperson Bhavya Narasimhamurthy and BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari debated the allegations surrounding the poll panel and CEC Gyanesh Kumar. Bhandari defended the EC and rejected opposition allegations as "source-based fake news", while Narasimhamurthy questioned why NDA chief ministers were responding to the criticism instead of the CEC addressing the public directly.

A political controversy has erupted over revelations that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi recorded 14 objections over 10 months during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The concerns included changes to Form Six for new voter registration, access to digital databases and voter deletions in West Bengal and Goa. The Opposition has demanded accountability and accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of acting autocratically. The Election Commission, however, said decisions were taken unanimously after internal checks and balances. The BJP defended the poll panel, saying differences during deliberations reflect democratic decision-making. Former CEC OP Rawat and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi have debated the constitutional and operational framework of the Election Commission.

US President Donald Trump called for Iran's complete economic isolation, demanding that Tehran halt attacks on commercial shipping, abandon its nuclear ambitions and end its support for terrorism.

A revised merchant discount rate framework will apply to select Unified Payments Interface merchant transactions above 2,000 rupees starting 15 October, while person-to-person transfers and payments under the threshold remain free.

In this India Today Programme Video, anchor Marya Shakil takes up the intensifying global race to develop artificial intelligence and the growing debate over whether humans can keep pace with the technology they are creating. With tech leaders including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, OpenAI's Sam Altman, Elon Musk and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella warning about AI development outpacing safety guardrails, the question of how far the AI race should go is becoming increasingly urgent. US President Donald Trump, however, has rejected calls for slowing down, arguing that the United States cannot afford to fall behind China.

Ahead of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held crucial bilateral talks with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Seven people lost their lives after a paying guest accommodation collapsed in south Delhi's Satya Niketan, prompting the suspension of five Municipal Corporation of Delhi officials, including a deputy commissioner and multiple engineers.

An India Today special investigation examines the fatal building collapse at a paying guest accommodation in Delhi's Satya Niketan that claimed seven lives.

A tragic PG collapse in Satya Niketan, South Delhi, has claimed seven lives, sparking severe anger and panic among Delhi University students. The incident involved an unregulated, five-decade-old structure where renovation was taking place, allegedly undermining basement pillars. Students residing across Satya Niketan and Anand Niketan highlighted extreme neglect, exorbitant rents, lack of fire safety, contaminated water, and zero accountability from PG operators. In the wake of the tragedy, police arrested owner Hariram Gupta, his wife Urmila, and son Mahesh from Bhiwadi. The Delhi Chief Minister initiated action by removing five officials, including the Deputy Commissioner, while the civic body ordered the demolition of an adjacent dangerous building. The Delhi High Court has directed a high-level probe into the collapse. Trade union representatives reported that around 10 to 12 labourers were working in the basement when the structure collapsed, demanding accountability and justice for the affected workers.

A news report outlines the governance and development milestones of Uttar Pradesh, highlighting a transformation in law and order, economic growth, and infrastructure.

India's gross domestic product registered a 7.8% growth in the April to June quarter, surpassing the Reserve Bank of India's projection of 7%.

On NewsTrack, Marya Shakil spoke to Stimson Center Senior Fellow Austin Lord and HiMAP Senior Researcher Alton C. Byers about the growing disaster risks across the Himalayas. They discussed the Nepal floods, extreme rainfall, fragile terrain, the China factor, the need for greater information sharing and whether Switzerland-style 3D landslide simulation models could be adapted to the Himalayan region.