A bomb threat forced an Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv carrying 57 people to divert to the Bulgarian capital, Sofia, late on Sunday, though a search found no danger, the airline and Bulgaria’s BTA news agency said.

“We confirm that there was a threat against flight OS82 on October 18, 2026, from Tel Aviv to Vienna (TLV to VIE), which made it necessary for the flight to make an intermediate landing in Sofia (SOF),” the airline said in a statement on Monday.

“During the search of the affected aircraft, the passengers, and the crew, no danger was identified,” it said, adding that the flight continued from Sofia to Vienna with all passengers after reboarding.

Bulgaria’s BTA news agency said the Vienna-bound flight’s crew reported receiving a bomb threat when the aircraft was approaching the Romanian border, and the Bulgarian Air Force scrambled MiG-29 fighter jets.

The Lufthansa Group, which owns Austrian Airlines, Vienna Airport and the Austrian interior ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

The incident came less than three weeks after a co-pilot on an Israel-bound flydubai jet allegedly attacked the captain with an axe in an attempt to crash the plane.

The UAE attorney general said last week that an Omani flydubai co-pilot had intended to seize the September 30 Dubai-Tel Aviv flight and crash it into a terminal at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport in a suicide attack, before he was thwarted by the captain.

Bollywood actor Tiger Shroff escaped a shooting incident in Mumbai on Sunday evening (October 18), after unidentified gunmen opened fire on his vehicle in the city’s Juhu neighbourhood.

The 36-year-old actor did not sustain any gunshot injuries, Mumbai Police confirmed. However, two people, including his driver, were injured in the attack, which has triggered a major police investigation.

What happened to Tiger Shroff?

The incident occurred at around 7pm near Pushpa Park in Juhu, where Shroff had been playing football with other members of the film and television industry.

According to local media reports, three assailants arrived on a motorcycle, with two of them allegedly opening fire at the actor’s BMW before fleeing the scene.

Several shots were fired at the vehicle as Shroff was preparing to leave the location. His driver sustained a gunshot injury to his hand, while another individual, identified in reports as an autorickshaw driver, was also injured.

Both injured individuals were taken to hospital for treatment. Shroff was subsequently escorted home under police protection.

Mumbai Police confirmed the incident and said an investigation was underway.

“A firing incident has been reported under Juhu Police Station. Actor Tiger Shroff is safe and has not sustained any gunshot injuries. Further investigation is underway,” police said in a statement carried by The Economic Times.

Police investigate possible gang involvement

The shooting has raised fresh concerns about the safety of high-profile personalities in India’s entertainment industry.

Police are investigating claims linking the attack to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, which has previously been associated with threats and violence targeting Bollywood personalities.

According to India Today, a social media post attributed to overseas-based gangsters Anil Pandit and Harman Sandhu claimed responsibility for the attack in the name of the Bishnoi group. However, authorities have not independently verified the claim.

Mumbai Police have reportedly formed 15 teams to track down those responsible, while one individual has been detained for questioning.

The UAE is likely to experience above-average temperatures and near- to above-normal rainfall between October and December 2026, as the El Niño climate phenomenon is forecast to strengthen through the end of the year, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM).

In its Seasonal Climate Outlook for October to December 2026, the NCM said most climate models indicate that very strong El Niño conditions will continue to intensify until the end of 2026 and persist into spring 2027. The forecast points to a warmer-than-average final quarter, with the possibility of increased rainfall across parts of the country.

Temperatures could rise up to 2°C in October

The NCM expects temperatures across most of the UAE to exceed seasonal averages in October, with the probability of above-normal conditions surpassing 80 per cent. Its deterministic forecast suggests temperatures could be 1°C to 2°C higher than normal during the month.

Read more: Will your UAE flight be delayed? GCAA flags weather conditions that could disrupt operations

The warming trend is expected to continue through December. The seasonal outlook places the probability of above-normal temperatures across the UAE at more than 80 per cent, with readings potentially ranging from 0.5°C to 1.5°C above the seasonal average.

The projections indicate that the country is likely to face warmer-than-usual conditions during the final three months of the year, although actual temperatures will depend on evolving weather patterns.

Rainfall outlook points to a potentially wetter season

Rainfall forecasts for October are more mixed. The NCM puts the probability of normal rainfall across most of the UAE at around 40 per cent, while the northern parts of the country have a greater likelihood of receiving above-normal rainfall. Its deterministic forecast points to generally normal rainfall during the month.

For October to December, the outlook indicates an increased chance of near- to above-normal rainfall across most of the country. The probability of above-normal seasonal rainfall exceeds 40 per cent, although the deterministic forecast suggests rainfall levels will remain close to normal across much of the region.

The projections point to the possibility of a wetter-than-average season in some areas, but they do not guarantee higher rainfall. Actual precipitation will depend on weather systems and atmospheric conditions as the season progresses.

NCM cautions against unverified weather claims

In a statement reported by the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on September 11, 2026, the NCM addressed social media claims about severe El Niño impacts, including predictions of flooding and unusually heavy rainfall in the UAE.

The Centre said El Niño is a natural climate phenomenon whose direct effects are concentrated in the Pacific Ocean, while its influence on the UAE is indirect. The phenomenon can contribute to drought in some regions and above-average rainfall in others.

The NCM said the strong El Niño conditions forecast this year could be associated with beneficial rainfall in the UAE. However, heavy rainfall could still occur at times if suitable weather conditions develop.

The Centre added that weather conditions remained stable and were being monitored around the clock. Significant weather events would be communicated in advance through official channels, supported by relevant reports and warnings.

The NCM also urged residents and media organisations to verify weather information, avoid circulating unconfirmed claims and rely on official sources for updates.

US President Donald Trump has publicly endorsed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for re-election, praising his leadership during the conflict with Iran and warning Tehran of further military and economic consequences unless it changes course.

In a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform, Trump described Netanyahu as a key US partner in confronting Iran and urged Israeli voters to support the prime minister in the country’s upcoming election.

“Bibi Netanyahu has been a Great Warrior Prime Minister, and an even greater Partner for Peace in combatting the Islamic Republic of Iran,” Trump wrote.

The US president also issued a warning to Tehran, claiming that Iran had suffered significant military and financial damage.

“It would have been only a question of time until Iran would have put that ominous phrase into effect, but they have been systematically destroyed, both Militarily and Financially, and unless they change their ways, rapidly, we will soon finish the job,” Trump said.

Trump signals strong support for Netanyahu

Trump suggested that Netanyahu’s continued leadership was important to Washington’s regional security objectives, particularly in relation to Iran.

“If Israel has the wrong Leader, which would be anyone other than Bibi, America will have to do this work ourselves, and I am not inclined to do so,” he wrote.

The remarks underline Trump’s preference for maintaining close cooperation with Netanyahu as the US and Israel confront ongoing security challenges in the Middle East.

Trump also praised the Israeli leader’s resilience amid domestic political opposition, describing him as “Strong, Brave, and Brilliant”.

“I have watched Bibi under the most trying of times. Normal men or women in such situations would have wilted under the pressure — But Bibi did not wilt, he actually got stronger, and maintains that same Strength today,” Trump wrote.

Concluding his message, Trump offered an explicit endorsement of Netanyahu’s bid to remain Israel’s prime minister.

“Please let this Letter serve to represent my Complete and Total Endorsement of Bibi Netanyahu in his upcoming Race for Re-Election as Prime Minister of Israel,” he stated.

He ended the post by declaring: “BIBI NETANYAHU WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”

The endorsement represents a direct intervention by the US president in Israeli electoral politics and reinforces the close political relationship between the two leaders.

Trump’s remarks also place Iran at the centre of his support for Netanyahu, signalling that cooperation on regional security and efforts to counter Tehran remain key considerations in Washington’s relationship with Israel.

Dubai Municipality has completed more than 107 projects worth a combined Dhs1.6bn in 2026, covering public beaches, parks, landscaping, neighbourhood facilities and community infrastructure.

The projects, delivered through the municipality’s Public Facilities Agency, form part of Dubai’s wider efforts to expand public amenities and upgrade spaces used by residents and visitors.

Read more: Inside Dubai’s new worker markets serving more than 640,000 people

The completed developments span recreational destinations, community facilities and infrastructure supporting other government entities, including educational and social facilities.

Beaches, parks and neighbourhoods receive investment

The project portfolio includes developments at Al Mamzar Beaches, schools, neighbourhood majlis facilities, Hewi Dubai in Nad Al Sheba, new neighbourhood parks and projects in Dubai’s countryside and rural areas.

The programme also covers landscaping, urban beautification and agricultural development across the emirate, a WAM report said.

Public beaches accounted for 36 per cent of the total project investment, while 22 per cent went towards beautification, landscaping and agriculture, according to Dubai Municipality.

Together, these categories represented 58 per cent of the overall investment, equivalent to approximately Dhs928m. The remaining investment was allocated to other projects within the programme.

The developments are intended to expand access to outdoor recreation and community facilities while improving the quality of public spaces across established neighbourhoods and developing areas.

Focus on public facilities and community needs

The Public Facilities Agency is responsible for projects spanning planning, design, construction and operations. Its approach covers both the development of new destinations and the upgrading of existing facilities to address changing urban and population needs.

The municipality also draws on community feedback, visitor insights and operational data when planning improvements to public facilities. These inputs help inform decisions about how spaces are designed and adapted for different age groups and patterns of use.

The programme extends beyond parks and beaches to include facilities developed for other government entities, adding educational, social and community infrastructure to the municipality’s portfolio.

The investment comes as Dubai continues to develop its public realm alongside its expanding population and evolving urban landscape. Maintaining access to recreational areas and neighbourhood amenities remains an important consideration as new residential communities and public destinations emerge.

Municipality highlights long-term value of infrastructure

Bader Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency at Dubai Municipality, said the impact of public infrastructure should be assessed by how it serves communities over time, in addition to the projects completed.

“The value of public infrastructure is measured by what we build, as well as by how it improves people’s everyday lives and contributes to the city’s long-term development,” Anwahi said.

He added that the agency considers the full lifecycle of public spaces, from identifying community needs and planning developments to ensuring facilities continue to operate efficiently and sustainably.

The completion of more than 107 projects marks the latest phase of Dubai Municipality’s public facilities programme, with investment distributed across recreational, community and environmental improvements.