UAE orders investigation into Flydubai flight incident
The United Arab Emirates attorney-general on Thursday ordered an investigation into an incident involving a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv, the state news agency WAM reported.
Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi ordered the formation of a team of specialized public prosecutors to investigate the incident involving Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv on Wednesday before being diverted and landing safely in the Saudi city of Tabuk.
The move followed Flydubai's statement that an altercation had occurred in the cockpit during the flight and that crew members intervened and secured the aircraft.
Iraqi PM confirms complete withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi confirmed Thursday the complete and final withdrawal of U.S.-led coalition forces from Iraq, declaring the full achievement of national sovereignty.
In a statement addressing the nation, al-Zaidi said Oct. 1 marks the beginning of a "new chapter in Iraq's journey."
He also said that Oct. 1 marks the start of a process to address the issue of weapons outside state control under a roadmap extending no later than June 30, 2027.
Russia expels multiple Hungarian diplomats in tit-for-tat move
The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned Hungary's Charge d'Affaires to Russia Gabor Gergics on Thursday to inform him of retaliatory measures in connection with Hungary expelling a group of Russian diplomats on Sept. 8.
"A group of staff members of the Hungarian Embassy in Moscow and the Hungarian Consulates General in St. Petersburg and Kazan must leave the territory of the Russian Federation within two weeks," said the ministry.
On Sept. 8, Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orban announced that the country was expelling 10 staff members of the Russian Embassy in Budapest due to their activities, which were incompatible with their diplomatic status.
Yemeni gov't forces say 30 Houthis killed in fierce Taiz battles
Yemeni government forces said Thursday that 30 Houthi fighters were killed and 50 others wounded in fierce battles in the southwestern province of Taiz.
Pro-government Aljoumhouriya TV channel, citing a military statement, said that the Houthis were killed or wounded during confrontations in the Al-Aqroud area of Al-Misrakh district in southern Taiz.
A Yemeni military official told Xinhua that fierce clashes had been raging since early Thursday across five fronts in Taiz, with both government forces and the Houthi group suffering "heavy casualties."
Ebola case drop in DRC may mask continued spread: Africa CDC
The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) warned Thursday that a recent decline in reported Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) may reflect disruptions to disease surveillance rather than a sustained reduction in transmission, as the outbreak has claimed nearly 4,000 lives.
Speaking at an online press briefing, Africa CDC official Wessam Mankoula said that the outbreak has spread from three health zones in mid-May to 63 health zones across seven provinces, with 45 health zones still reporting active transmission.
Although the epidemic curve has largely plateaued over the past four to five weeks and reported cases declined in the latest week, the agency cautioned against interpreting the drop as a sign of sustained progress.■
