QUÉBEC – Kawhi Leonard wasn’t in the Toronto Raptors’ lineup for Saturday’s pre-season game against the Miami Heat in Quebec City.

Leonard, who helped the Raptors win the 2019 NBA championship, was traded back to Toronto from the Los Angeles Clippers this past summer.

Saturday’s NBA game at the Videotron Centre was the first in Quebec City.

Raptors head coach head coach Darko Rajakovic told reporters before the game Leonard wouldn’t play and also likely won’t Oct. 10 against the Clippers in Vancouver.

Leonard’s June trade to Toronto was paused for two months while the NBA investigated him and the Clippers for salary-cap circumvention.

The 35-year-old averaged 27.9 points, 6.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.4 blocks in 65 games for the Clippers and was named to the all-NBA second team last season

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 3, 2026.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Quebec City police say the death of a 21-year-old man found in a home Friday is being investigated as a homicide.

Police identify the victim as Gabriel-Simon Akokane and say he has a criminal record.

They say officers found Akokane dead around 11 a.m. while carrying out a search at a home in the Saint-Jean-Baptiste neighbourhood.

Police say the search was part of an investigation by the force’s urban violence unit.

Sandra Dion, a police spokesperson, says Akokane had injuries on his body but declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing investigation.

A mobile command post is at the scene.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

TORONTO – Sean Whyte kicked a club-record eight field goals as the B.C. Lions held on for a 24-17 win over the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday afternoon.

B.C. (9-6) earned a third straight win and seventh in eight games as Whyte broke the club mark he and Lui Passaglia held jointly. The Lions also solidified their hold on second in the West Division.

Edmonton’s Vincent Blanchard owns the CFL record of nine field goals in a single game established Sept. 26 in the Elks’ 37-25 overtime win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Toronto (9-7) had its four-game win streak snapped. The Argos, who’ve already clinched a home playoff game, suffered their first loss at BMO Field in five contests there.

The Montreal Alouettes (11-3) could clinch first in the East Division with a win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-7) later Saturday.

Toronto had a glorious opportunity to force overtime but B.C.’s defence twice stopped Toronto quarterback Nick Arbuckle at the one-yard line. The second time was with 11 seconds remaining.

Toronto also threatened to score late in the game, but B.C.’s T.J. Lee intercepted Arbuckle at the Lions’ 11-yard line with two minutes 38 seconds remaining.

Arbuckle finished 27-of-33 in pass attempts for 292 yards and two TDs with two interceptions.

Arbuckle, who turns 33 on Sunday, also started on his birthday last year but suffered a season-ending shoulder injury in a 47-29 home loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

B.C. starter Nathan Rourke completed 15-of-32 passes for 254 yards before
13,974 spectators at BMO Field.

Arbuckle’s 36-yard TD strike to David Ungerer at 5:30 pulled the Argos to within 21-17. Whyte’s 29-yard field goal at 2:33 put B.C. ahead 21-10 after Toronto’s Shawn Lemon sacked Rourke for a 13-yard loss.

Makai Polk had Toronto’s other touchdown. Lirim Hajrullahu added two converts and a field goal.

Whyte’s 40-yard field goal at the 11-minute mark of the third quarter moved B.C. ahead 18-10. He connected from 19 yards out at 4:19 after Deontai Williams’s 17-yard interception return to the Toronto 29-yard line.

Whyte’s 12-yard field goal to end the second quarter gave B.C. a fortunate 12-10 halftime lead. It came after time appeared to run out on Rourke’s scramble to the Toronto four-yard line, but he was deemed down with one second remaining.

Polk gave Toronto a 10-9 lead with a five-yard TD grab at 13:25. It ended a seven-play, 70-yard drive.

Whyte put B.C. up 9-3 with a 32-yard field goal at 12:05.

Hajrullahu’s 18-yard field goal at 9:27 of the first quarter made it 3-3. But Whyte countered with a 26-yard boot at 13:53 to put B.C. ahead 6-3.

Whyte opened the scoring with a 39-yard field goal at 4:53. Lemon recovered a Lions fumble on the drive, but it was nullified by an offside call.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct, 3, 2026.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

A small Saskatchewan city is making a name for itself, but not the one it wants to be known by.

Prince Albert had the highest recorded levels of methamphetamine and cocaine in its wastewater between January 2024 and March 2026, according to data from Statistics Canada.

The concentration of traces of methamphetamine in wastewater across the city decreased from July to November 2025, before peaking at just over 2,000 milligrams per day per 1,000 people in March.

Prince Albert is one of only two cities with a concentration more than 1,000 milligrams per day per 1,000 people. The other city was Moncton, N.B., recorded in January.

Saskatoon has the third highest concentration of methamphetamine in its wastewater with 957 milligrams per day per 1,000 people in March.

While Metro Vancouver has levels of norfentanyl more than four times all other reporting cities combined, Prince Albert saw the biggest increase in norfentanyl in its wastewater between January and March.

“While fentanyl remains central to Canada’s overdose crisis, being involved in more than half (56%) of opioid-related deaths in 2025, stimulant use is also a significant source of substance-related harms nationally,” Statistics Canada said in its update.

One public health expert at the University of Saskatchewan said wastewater data provides a population overview, but it can also provide a vantage point for police forces and community organizations as its data transcends the level of drug use that may be individually reported.

“I think this helps combat stigma a little bit where we’re not just envisioning a certain segment of the population that’s using substances, but we can get a sense of the overall population level,” Barbara Fornssler told Global News.

This is not the first time Prince Albert has taken the crown for the meth capital of Canada. It also had the highest concentration of methamphetamine in the 2024 wastewater survey, though Statistics Canada noted that survey was conducted using a different method and the results may not be comparable.

Prince Albert Police Chief Patrick Nogier said the data reassures him where the force needs to dedicate its resources and attention.

“We need to be more efficient about determining how drugs are moving, where they’re moving within our communities, which ones are associated to which, so that we can have a better indication of who’s responsible for them,” he said during a press conference Thursday.

As for why cities in Saskatchewan are experiencing such a spike, Fornssler said there can be many contributors.

“It’s possible it’s the supply. It’s possible it’s the conditions that people are living in. It could also be related, and I think importantly in Saskatchewan, to our housing crisis and the lack of shelter availability,” she said.

She added that the closure of services like Prairie Harm, Saskatoon’s addiction treatment centre that shut its doors in 2025, is likely not contributing to a rise in drug use but is impacting how those who use can access appropriate supports.

“We are seeing elevated calls for ambulatory response. We’re seeing increases in the emergency department admissions. We are seeing greater demand on other systems that respond to drug-related harm,” she said.

While the wastewater survey provides a good overview for the eight communities who participate, Fornssler said she would like to see it expanded, and potentially even follow some of the methods that are being used in Europe.

“It’s my understanding based on data out of Europe … that they’ve been able to make some distinctions around the number of metabolites or the volume of metabolite in wastewater depending on how people are using the substance,” she said. “When you inject versus smoke versus snort, our bodies are gonna process that a little bit differently and it may result in greater or lower metabolite presence in the wastewater.”

She said understanding how people are using the drugs is valuable information for support services.

The City of Prince Albert said a daily count could help to better address the issue.

“That kind of data will help us to understand, for instance, when we see fluctuations, what else is going on at that time? What events are happening in the province or in the community that maybe contribute to that.”

Fornssler said in other countries public health officials and researchers are finding ways to link wastewater data with cellphone data to see how the levels of drugs in wastewater rise when people are concentrated for things like music festivals and other gatherings.

That’s not happening in Canada yet, but she said with the right additional supports, that could help some communities be better able to address drug problems within their communities.

– With files from Ashley Beherns, Global News

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

TORONTO – Daniel Alfredsson rolled into what used to be enemy territory last month.

The Maple Leafs’ new associate coach — and Ottawa Senators legend — had dramatically switched sides in the Battle of Ontario over the summer.

Toronto’s annual alumni golf tournament was his first official taste of blue-and-white life after playing a leading role in the white-hot, provincial rivalry of the early 2000s.

Fences, including with former Maple Leafs antagonist Darcy Tucker, were mended at the course.

“We kissed and made up,” joked Alfredsson, who famously delivered a questionable hit on Tucker in the 2002 playoffs.

Hatchets now firmly buried, the Swede reflected on a move he didn’t take lightly after playing 17 of his 18 NHL seasons in the nation’s capital before spending the last three as an assistant coach there.

“At first I wasn’t sure … can I do this?” Alfredsson said Saturday morning before Toronto hosted Ottawa at Scotiabank Arena. “A lot of thoughts back and forth, and it wasn’t a quick decision. But at the end of the day, I thought this would be a great opportunity.”

Many fans in Ottawa, however, were stunned when he agreed to join Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller’s staff.

“You gotta experience different situations and different scenarios,” Alfredsson said. “That’s where it went in my head, ‘How can I evolve and get better as a coach?'”

The first modern-era Senators player inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame — a Hail Mary, 133rd overall pick at the 1994 draft — Alfredsson still owns much of the franchise’s all-time record book, topping the list in goals (426), assists (682) and points (1,108), while sitting second in games played (1,178).

The 53-year-old former winger also holds Ottawa’s high-water mark for playoff goals (51), assists (49), points (100) and games played (121).

“I enjoyed working with Alfie,” Senators head coach Travis Green said. “I wish nothing but the best for him personally. From a team standpoint, I wouldn’t say the same thing, and they wouldn’t say that about us. But he’s a good coach and he’ll do well.”

“We really appreciated our time with him,” Senators captain Thomas Chabot added. “A blast to be around at the rink.”

Hiller said Alfredsson, who’s running Toronto’s power play, can offer different perspectives on and off the ice.

“He wasn’t one of those players that was a surefire, high draft pick,” Hiller said. “He came from underneath, so a tremendous work ethic and drive and understanding of the game.”

Hiller added the fact Alfredsson’s passion to coach after a long career as a star was appealing.

“He set himself up financially,” Hiller said. “He certainly doesn’t have to jump into this coaching grind … I see a guy who’s just fully committed.”

Senators captain from 1999 through 2013, Alfredsson was one of the main actors — and the key villain from a Maple Leafs perspective — in the Battle of Ontario rivalry that saw Toronto best Ottawa in the playoffs four times in five years between 2000 and 2004.

“Seeing him in blue is a lot better than red and gold,” Maple Leafs defenceman and Toronto native Darren Raddysh said.

Apart from that check on Tucker, Alfredsson got under fans’ skins for playfully mocking Mats Sundin — a friend, fellow Swede and now one of Alfredsson’s bosses in Toronto as senior executive adviser of hockey operations — after the Maple Leafs captain was suspended for throwing a broken stick into the stands in January 2004.

Ottawa was up 7-1 two nights later as Sundin watched in street clothes, and Alfredsson couldn’t help but troll the home crowd by fake hurling his own broken twig over the glass.

The boos never really stopped until he was introduced on opening night earlier this week.

“Wasn’t sure what to expect,” Alfredsson said of the reception. “It felt great.”

Also the first modern-era Senators player to have his number retired, he spent his entire playing career in Ottawa before a one-off with the Detroit Red Wings in 2013-14.

Alfredsson, who won Olympic gold with Sundin in 2006, said that return was more of a challenge than anything he will experience this season.

“Knowing that locker room was my home for so long, a difficult, an emotional day,” he said. “Being back in Ottawa will bring back memories, for sure. I’m sure it will be emotional to some degree, but not the same.”

In the meantime, Alfredsson is still getting used to life in Toronto.

“I love the energy,” he said. “I thought I would be more incognito in the city, but they still remember my face … and I love it.

“A hectic first month here, but I look forward to what’s ahead.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 3, 2026.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

An American man is facing charges following a collision in southeastern Saskatchewan that left a woman and two children dead.

RCMP said they received reports of a collision on a grid road approximately nine kilometres west of Foam Lake shortly after 12:30 p.m. Friday.

An initial investigation determined a truck was attempting to pass a semi when it collided with an SUV, a press release states.

The driver of the SUV, a 40-year-old woman, was declared dead at the scene, police said. A five-year-old girl and an eight-year-old girl were also killed.

A third passenger of the SUV, an adult man, and one passenger of the truck, were both airlifted to hospital with injuries serious in nature, RCMP said. The driver of the truck and a second passenger were reported to have non-life-threatening injuries.

The driver of the semi did not report any physical injuries to police.

As a result of the investigation, a 40-year-old man from Sumter, South Carolina was arrested and charged with three counts of dangerous driving causing death and three counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

RCMP continue to investigate in collaboration with a collision reconstructionist.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a Hamilton-based air ambulance carrying six people that went missing off the coast of Nantucket.

The Federal Aviation Administration told Global News in a statement it issued a Search and Rescue Alert for a Gulfstream G-100 around 1:20 a.m. Saturday.

The flight departed from L.F. Wade International Airport in Bermuda and was headed to Boston Logan International Airport, a spokesperson said. It was scheduled to arrive in Boston around 1:30 a.m.

A spokesperson for the Massachusetts Port Authority, which operates Boston Logan International Airport, confirmed to Global News in an email that the aircraft did not arrive as scheduled.

“Our thoughts are with those on board and their loved ones as the search continues,” the spokesperson said.

According to data from Flight Aware, the plane took off around 11:40 p.m. Friday. Data shows the aircraft slowing down as it dropped from 24,000 feet to 11,000 feet around 1:05 a.m. before losing contact.

In a post on social media, the Coast Guard said it had launched air and surface crews in search of the aircraft.

Authorities are engaging in what is called a pattern search, John Gradek, an aviation expert at McGill University, told Global News.

“These aircraft are typically equipped with a transponder that basically beeps out to the world about location. So I’m not sure whether that transponder got deployed or not,” he said, adding it does not appear authorities have a pinpointed location.

The Nantucket Police Department told Global News in a statement that they were requested to check the Nantucket Memorial Airport and the southern shoreline for the plane but it was not located.

“We have been monitoring the southern shore on ATV with both police and Harbour Master’s Office Staff since sunrise,” a spokesperson said.

The jet is registered to Latitude Air Ambulance, a company based in Hamilton, Ont., according to data from FlightRadar 24.

The company’s website states it operates four Gulfstream G-100 jets, the “longest range dedicated medevac aircraft in North America.”

Gradek said the company has been around for a while, calling it the “premier long distance air ambulance service in North America.”

“They’ve been around a few years, they fly high quality, good maintenance airplanes, and are very reliable,” he added.

Clarence Togeretz, operations manager for Latitude Air Ambulance, told The Canadian Press this is the first time Latitude Air Ambulance has lost contact with one of its planes.

He said the missing aircraft was transporting a patient and their family member, with two pilots and two medical staff on board.

The four medical staff are Canadian and the two passengers are Bermuda nationals, he added.

The Bermuda government said in a post on social media it has been in contact with the families of those on board.

The jet’s previous flight was Friday, travelling from Hamilton to Bermuda.

https://x.com/USCGNortheast/status/2106327386987888885

– With files from The Canadian Press

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms.

If there’s one thing I’ll gladly outsource to technology without looking back, it’s cleaning. And thanks to smarter, quieter, and more innovative tech, we can now hand over a surprising amount of the grunt work to gadgets that genuinely make life easier (and dare I say, a little pleasurable to watch?). Here are my top picks for this latest round of smartest home helpers — all of them high-tech, thoughtfully designed, and worth your attention.

 

Let’s be honest: cleaning windows is right up there with scrubbing grout — necessary, but not enjoyable. The Winbot Mini changes that with a compact, ultra-thin design that can clean areas other robots can’t touch — even windows with handles or narrow side panels under 30 cm wide – which has been an issue with predecessor models. It sticks securely with suction and glides across glass, using smart navigation to map its path while avoiding edges and obstacles. Use it inside or out, and enjoy streak-free results without risking life, limb, or ladder. Really, how nice would it be to look out the window and watch that! [/product_listing]

 

This is one of those “how did I live without it?” products. The Dreame L40 doesn’t just vacuum — it also mops, self-cleans, and empties its own bin. All you do is fill the clean-water tank and empty the dirty one occasionally; it handles the rest. With precision LiDAR mapping (read: lasers) and adaptive floor sensors, it glides effortlessly from tile to carpet, cleaning every inch efficiently. Through the app, you can set cleaning schedules, define no-go zones, or watch its progress in real time. It’s the ultimate time-saver for anyone who’d rather do literally anything else than clean floors. This is especially handy for pet parents and parents of young children.[/product_listing]

 

Let’s have the talk. Toilet paper is fine, but once you go bidet, you don’t go back. The TUSHY Classic 3.0 is the perfect beginner’s bidet — non-electric (so no outlet needed), super-easy to install, and equipped with a self-cleaning nozzle that rinses itself before and after every use. You’ll save money on TP, feel cleaner, and add a surprisingly luxe touch to your bathroom for under $150. And yes, you’ll probably start telling everyone about it, too.[/product_listing]

 

Keyboards, car vents, window blinds — all those crumb-catching crevices finally meet their match. This compact powerhouse switches between blower and vacuum mode at up to 150,000 RPM (that’s literal jet-speed air) and recharges for easy use. Bring it with you camping or take it outside to clean your car, or keep it desk-side for computer cleans while you’re listening to on-hold music. Its Six interchangeable nozzles let you tackle everything from laptop ports to patio furniture, and it even inflates pool toys or air mattresses. No more canned air, no more excuses.[/product_listing]

 

Steam cleaning is one of those “try it once and you’ll never stop” things. Truly, once you see what steam cleaning can do you’ll be sad you didn’t start sooner. The NEAT Plus generates pressurized, low-moisture steam hot enough to sanitize surfaces naturally — no harsh chemicals needed. People with allergies or asthma will especially benefit from this type of cleaning. It’s powerful yet gentle, meaning you can clean grout, sealed hardwood, upholstery, blast away built up grease, grime and gunk and sanitize pet areas safely. Since it uses just tap water, it’s eco-friendly, quick-drying, and oddly satisfying to use (seriously — watching grime melt off is quite the joy to experience).[/product_listing]

 

Wrinkled blouses, musty coats, and dry-cleaning bills? Meet your new secret weapon. The LG Styler uses TrueSteam™ technology and gentle hanger vibration to refresh and sanitize clothes — even delicate fabrics — without detergent or heat damage. It eliminates 99.9% of bacteria, reduces allergens, and smooths wrinkles in under 20 minutes. Use it to sanitize blankets, pillows, and stuffies, dry coats and gloves after a wet day in the snow, or to dewrinkle your favourite blazer after a day of wear. This helps to extend the time between washes and trips to the drycleaner, too. It also features a touch screen, LG ThinQ app integration, and doesn’t require a water hookup, only an electrical outlet. Once you have one, you’ll find more excuses to use it. [/product_listing]

 

You may also like:

Vitruvi Stone Diffuser – $105.59

Levoit Humidifier – $66.02

Plug-in Night Lights – $13.49

 

Dyson keeps out-innovating itself, and the new V16 Piston is their most advanced yet. Its multi-directional cleaning head pivots fluidly to reach tight corners, while sensors automatically adjust suction power depending on floor type. Inside the bin, Dyson’s new Piston Compaction System literally crushes collected dirt and hair — fitting up to 30 days of dust into the canister before you need to empty it. And, enjoy up to 70 minutes of runtime, too. Translation: less mess, fewer dumps, and cleaner air, thanks to the sealed HEPA filtration that traps 99.99% of particles. It’s power, precision, and efficiency all rolled into one sleek stick vac.[/product_listing]

 

Another option worth the splurge is the Dyson V15 Detect Plus Cordless Vacuum–on sa

 

This purifier’s claim to fame is its airplane-inspired jet engine. Dyson engineered the HushJet Engine™ to mimic the aerodynamics of a turbofan — pushing air rapidly while smoothing turbulence so it stays whisper-quiet (as low as 24 decibels in Sleep mode). The result? A powerful, even stream of purified air that won’t disrupt your work, sleep, or sanity. 360° Electrostatic filter captures ultrafine particles, allergens, and VOCs, while its sleek, compact form makes it perfect for bedrooms or offices.
[/product_listing]

 

You may also like:

Heating Pad – $29.99

Ecozy Sunrise Alarm Clock – $46.99

NextMug Temperature Controlled Mug – $139.95

 

These aren’t just cool for the sake of being cool. Each one brings meaningful innovation to your daily routine:

• Less effort, more automation: Robots like the Winbot Mini and Dreame L40 actually clean — you just supervise.
• Smart design that saves time: The Dyson V16’s compaction bin and multi-directional head mean fewer stops and cleaner results.
• Cleaner living, less waste: The TUSHY and Dupray NEAT make hygiene eco-friendly and sustainable.
• Whisper-quiet power: From the HushJet’s jet-engine tech to the LG Styler’s silent refresh cycles, high performance no longer means high noise.

When tech gets this good, “cleaning day” starts to feel a lot more like “relaxing while robots do your chores” day — and that’s a future I can get behind.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

CAIRO (AP) — The co-pilot accused of attacking the captain on an Israel-bound flight with an axe and trying to seize the controls was an Omani national who’d been barred from flying on his country’s airline because of concerns about extremist views, officials said 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, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The United Arab Emirates, which is leading the investigation, said the co-pilot attacked with the cockpit’s crash axe and tried to take control of the sharply plummeting plane in a “terrorist attack” Wednesday. His actions nearly crashed the flight with 182 people on board before passengers and others rushed in and subdued him.

The new details raised questions about how thoroughly FlyDubai vets potential employees, and how the co-pilot’s presence on a flight filled with Israeli passengers got past Israel’s strict security protocols.

Israel’s government has said it has agreements with foreign carriers to keep pilots of nations without diplomatic ties from flying there. Israel and Oman don’t have formal diplomatic relations. The UAE government has earned a reputation for effective measures against extremist activities but has bristled in the past over criticism of security lapses.

The incident occurred at a sensitive time for Israel, a week before the anniversary of the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023, that sparked the war in Gaza. It also came weeks before a highly contentious election in which security, and Oct. 7 security failures, have been central issues.

FlyDubai hired the co-pilot after Oman Air barred him

Separately, a regional official and a person familiar with the matter said the co-pilot had been barred from flying by Oman over concerns he had adopted extremist views. The official said he was moved to an administrative job at Oman Air. Both spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation. They gave no details about the alleged extremist views.

The co-pilot was later hired by UAE-based airline FlyDubai, the person said. It was not immediately clear to what extent the co-pilot was vetted. The Gulf diplomat said he had undergone standard security checks before being hired, but it appears that the checks focused on whether he had been convicted on criminal charges and didn’t go deeper into examining his background for potential signs of radicalization.

The regional official also said security agencies from four regional countries were working to establish the co-pilot’s motives, aided by the United States and other Western governments. The Gulf diplomat said investigations were trying to establish whether the co-pilot acted alone or “has any connection with any extremist groups.”

The regional official said the co-pilot was born in the UAE and his mother is Syrian. He obtained Omani nationality from his father, also an Omani national. The regional official also said the co-pilot had traveled to Syria, with no details.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday said the co-pilot had undergone “Islamist radicalization,” but provided no evidence. There was no immediate comment Saturday from Israel’s government.

A social media account was deleted the day of the flight

A FlyDubai spokesperson said in an email that the airline could not comment beyond its official statements and acknowledged “there are many questions at this stage.” There was no immediate comment from Oman Air, and Oman’s government has said nothing publicly in response to repeated questions since the incident.

In a statement to the AP, Royal Air Maroc, Morocco’s national carrier, said the co-pilot “completed a three-month theoretical training period with the airline in 2025, as part of the pre-employment process. At the end of this training period, his application was not selected for employment.” There were no details.

Keith Coles, a spokesperson for Buckinghamshire New University in England, told the AP that al-Hammami previously completed a distance-learning course in aviation management there but “did not undertake any pilot training.” There were no details on the timing.

Little else was immediately known about the co-pilot’s background. His Instagram account was active until the day of the flight and then deleted.

Captain and passengers have described drama on board

Airlines are generally required to carry crash axes in the cockpit that could be used in an emergency to break open a window to escape or break open a panel to access a fire.

The captain, who was badly wounded in the axe attack, has said he used his remaining energy while being attacked to unlock the cockpit door, allowing people who had noticed alarmingly unusual sounds to come in, tackle the co-pilot and stabilize the flight while passengers screamed.

The plane made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia after a descent so extreme that part of the rudder was torn away, and aviation experts have marveled that it didn’t crash. FlyDubai has said crew traveling on the plane helped to stabilize the plane and land. They have not yet been publicly identified.

Both the captain and co-pilot were later taken to the UAE. The passengers, most of them Israeli, flew home later Wednesday on a separate plane, to cheers.

___

Mednick reported from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Anna from Jerusalem. AP Washington bureau chief Anna Johnson in Washington, aviation writer Josh Funk and Sam Metz in Jerusalem contributed.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

LONDON (AP) — A dual U.K.-Iranian national arrested on suspicion of plotting a terror attack following a security incident at a U.S.-run military air base in England has been released on bail, authorities said Saturday.

The 25-year-old man was arrested Thursday in London on suspicion of preparing terrorist acts close to the RAF Fairford air base, which has been used by American bombers to strike Iran. He was the sixth person taken into custody and then released on bail as detectives investigate the incident.

British authorities have linked the incident to Tehran.

The five other men were not named, but police said they are all British nationals in their 20s and from London.

Scores of residents were evacuated from their homes near the base early Sunday as armed police officers and army bomb-disposal experts swooped on the rural area. Police later said they had found a quantity of an accelerant – gasoline – in three vans linked to the five suspects, but no explosives.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said the U.K. sees “strong indications” that Iran played a part in the incident. He did not provide details about what the suspects were planning or why the U.K. thinks Iran was involved.

Iran has denied involvement. It has previously said that it considers any base used to attack its territory a legitimate target.

RAF Fairford, 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of London, has been used by American bombers during decades of conflicts in the Middle East, including this year’s war with Iran.

Top U.S. officials have criticized the decision to grant the five suspects bail, with President Donald Trump saying “I wouldn’t have done that” and Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying a lot of people were “disturbed” by the move.

The arrests came at a time of heightened tensions around the threat from hostile states, with British security services saying Russia and Iran have both used proxies to commit crimes on U.K. soil. British officials have said the number of national security cases involving activity by hostile states, including Iran, increased by 50% in the six months to December 2025.

U.K. officials say proxies linked to Iran have been behind a string of arsons and other attacks in Britain and other countries, many of them targeting the Jewish community and intended to sow fear. They have previously warned that Tehran could expand its targets in the U.K. if conflicts in the Middle East continue.

© 2026 The Canadian Press