Thursday, October 1st

What happened

A FlyDubai passenger jet flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a violent cockpit incident triggered emergency alerts. Israeli officials first described a cockpit fight, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other Israeli officials later said one pilot stabbed the other and apparently tried to crash the plane. The route has grown since Israel and the United Arab Emirates normalized relations in 2020, making the incident politically and security-sensitive. Israel scrambled fighter jets and held security consultations as passengers described screams, blood, and a steep plunge of more than 14,000 feet. Saudi authorities are questioning the suspected attacker, an Omani national. The motive remains under investigation.

What happened

Leaked audio captured Texas GOP Senate nominee Ken Paxton telling donors that Donald Trump’s Dallas midterm convention hurt Republican polling, including his own race. Paxton is running against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico in a close Texas Senate race, where recent public polling gave Talarico a small lead of about 3 points. Trump endorsed Paxton over incumbent Sen. John Cornyn in the GOP primary, making his support central to Paxton’s campaign. Paxton’s campaign called the report manipulated nonsense and said internal polling showed him ahead. Trump said he had not heard the audio, but called the convention “amazing.” Paxton is expected to campaign with Trump in Texas on Thursday.

What happened

President Trump met with leading AI-company executives at the White House and signed an order telling federal agencies to use “Super Intelligence” or “SI” instead of “artificial intelligence” in executive-branch materials. The move came as frontier systems raise public fears about cybersecurity, biosecurity, chemical threats, and whether fast-improving tools can be safely controlled. Trump and the companies called the separate safety accord voluntary and “morally binding.” The White House said the new name better matched the technology’s power, while Trump said “super” fit better than “artificial.” The accord calls for internal controls, monitoring teams, outside audits, and board oversight. Future rules remain possible, and Trump may name an oversight committee.