This election is turning into a Carnaval.
Page T2From§Eachthe midnight edition — 4 October 2026
Co-pilot grounded by Oman Air as a security risk in 2024 was flying 174 people toward Tel Aviv with a crash axe; the president's response was to offer the plumber who stopped him a job.
As it ran on the front
Who stopped the plane.
I put that question to a fellow Wednesday night and he answered it, and I apologize, because here I am asking it again. The answer came back Friday in a different shape, and when an answer changes shape I start to think I wrote the question down wrong. Hold on. It's in the notebook. The pocket's torn, everything slides to the bottom — ah. Here.…
…(cont) Wednesday, September 30th, the Washington Examiner. The pilot who unlocked the cockpit door "after getting stabbed to allow passengers to storm the cockpit" is Smit Machchhar, an Indian national. Named first in Indian media, then confirmed by Prime Minister Netanyahu, then confirmed again by the Indian Embassy. One identification and two confirmations, all in the one day. That was Wednesday's answer, and it held up fine.
Friday morning the same question gets answered again. The Hill: the president thanked Israeli plumber Yaniv Hayoun in a video message on Truth Social, said he "did an amazing job," said "He's my kind of guy." The New York Post carries the rest of it — "he can be my plumber." The Post says Hayoun saved 170 lives. The Examiner on Friday says the flight carried 174 passengers. Two counts from two outlets; I make nothing of it, I only mention it because I wrote both of them down.
So a man on a plane is offered work. That's a fine story. Here is where I get stuck, and it is my own fault for reading Saturday's wire.
ABC News, Saturday: the co-pilot "was previously suspended by Oman Air as a security risk," according to officials. Fox News puts a year on it — Hamam al-Hammami, 29, an Omani national, grounded by Oman Air in 2024. The Examiner had it Friday from a Wall Street Journal report: barred from flying by Oman over radical beliefs. And on Wednesday he is in the right-hand seat of a Tel Aviv-bound flight with 174 people behind him, and the UAE attorney general says he tried to "take control of the aircraft" and carry out a "terrorist act," using the cockpit's crash axe.
Now, my car. The one that wants a fan belt and announces it at every light. In 2024 it went through a toll plaza with a transponder that didn't read, and there is still a notice about it in my glovebox. Two years on, the arm at that plaza comes down slow for me. A machine the size of a mailbox, bolted to a pole in the weather, holds onto one dollar-fifty and my license plate across two years and a state line, and it never loses the file. That's the thing I keep setting beside the clipping. A mailbox on a pole remembers 2024. So when a country's own airline grounds a man in 2024, who does that follow him to?
Two more from the notebook, because the week kept going. Thursday, CBS: Netanyahu told them the motive of the co-pilot is still unknown, too early to determine. That same Thursday, the New York Post: Netanyahu credits the plumber with preventing "another 9/11" and vows to find out whether Iran was behind the attack. If the motive is still unknown on Thursday, what is the thing he is vowing to find out whether Iran was behind?
And back on Wednesday the Examiner writes that the hijacking has become a flashpoint in Israel's politics, with the prime minister claiming credit for alerting the opposition while rivals say he is exploiting the situation for campaign purposes. An election season. I put a star next to that one.
Oh — excuse me, you've got your coat on already. One small thing and I'll let you go. Friday's job offer went to the passenger, and the passenger earned it. But there was a hiring before Friday's, and it's the one I can't get out of the notebook. Who flew him on Wednesday, and who had grounded him previously?
The receipts
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his main challenger Flavio Bolsonaro wrapped up their campaigns on Saturday in the powerhouse state of Sao Paulo, where a fifth of the nation's vote is based, seeking to rally supporters and convince the undecided on the eve of Sunday's nail-biter election.
Israel leader Benjamin Netanyahu says the FlyDubai co-pilot who allegedly stabbed the captain and tried to crash the plane had undergone "Islamist radical indoctrination."
Brazilian officials, pro-democracy advocates, and US lawmakers are growing increasingly concerned about apparent efforts by President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to interfere in the Latin American country's upcoming election. Reuters reported Wednesday that Brazil's spy agency "confirmed the existence of interference…
The first round of Brazil’s presidential election on Sunday pits two well-known names in the political ring: Lula vs. Bolsonaro. But it’s not former president Jair Bolsonaro facing off against the incumbent head of state – it’s his eldest son, Flavio Bolsonaro.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated to CBS News that the motive of the Flydubai co-pilot accused of stabbing his fellow pilot on a flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv is still unknown.
The ICJ ordered Israel in January 2024 to preserve evidence of alleged genocide in Gaza ICJ provisional measures order, 26 January 2024 (via ASIL)
Mamdani says it was 'strange' getting called out by Netanyahu after calling for his arrestNew York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani told Theo Von he was stunned when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called him out by name during a United Nations General Assembly address.
President Trump on Friday morning thanked the Israeli plumber, Yaniv Hayoun, who intervened after a pilot stabbed his co-pilot and attempted to crash a Flydubai flight this week. In a video message shared on Truth Social, the president praised Hayoun, saying he “did an amazing job.” “He’s my kind of guy,”
Antisemitic incidents in 2025: 6,274 - the third-highest year since tracking began in 1979, with assaults at a record high ADL, 2025 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents
"Grotesque": Ex-Israeli Negotiator Daniel Levy on Netanyahu's U.N. Speech & Israel's ImpunityIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a half-empty chamber at the United Nations General Assembly on Thursday, after dozens of delegations walked out in protest at the start of his speech. Netanyahu assailed his critics as “antisemites,” defended his country’s conduct in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon and Syria, and lavished…
The Latin American country will vote for its next president, as Lula da Silva and Bolsonaro clash over sovereignty, security and ties with Washington.
The ICJ ordered Israel in January 2024 to "prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence" of alleged genocide in Gaza ICJ provisional measures order, 26 January 2024 (via ASIL)
Mamdani calls for US to join ICC, arrest Netanyahu during Theo Von podcast appearance: ‘Architect of a horrific genocide’“If I had my say, the US government would have joined the ICC and honored every single warrant that they've issued,” Mamdani declared on Theo Von's podcast, "This Past Weekend."
Just two days before Brazil's closely watched presidential election, the campaign of its left-wing president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, has asked the nation's top election court to examine the sudden shutdown of US consular services as part of a broader investigation into alleged election "interference" by the Trump administration. On…
The U.S. halted consular services in Brazil Friday due to rising security concerns ahead of the country’s presidential election on Sunday. “Consular Services in the U.S.
The co-pilot who hijacked a Flydubai flight carrying 174 passengers and stabbed his captain on Wednesday was previously banned from flying by Oman over his radical beliefs. Israeli officials identified the hijacker as an Omani national, but according to a Wall Street Journal report, the individual was banned from operating an aircraft by…
Eliran Almog, a former Israeli pilot and aviation cybersecurity CEO, explains why FlyDubai flight 1073's emergency landing was nearly impossible.
The Flydubai co-pilot accused of attacking the captain of a Tel Aviv-bound flight earlier this week allegedly used the cockpit’s “crash axe” in the assault and has been identified as a 29-year-old Omani national. The co-pilot attempted to “take control of the aircraft”
Donald Trump praised Israeli plumber Yaniv Hayoun, who saved 170 lives by subduing a co-pilot trying to crash a Flydubai flight to Tel Aviv.
The ICJ ordered Israel in January 2024 to "prevent the destruction and ensure the preservation of evidence" of alleged genocide in Gaza ICJ provisional measures order, 26 January 2024 (via ASIL)
Mamdani rips Netanyahu’s UN jab as Gaza distraction: ‘Not about me and him’New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was trying to distract the world from the humanitarian crisis in Gaza when Netanyahu openly criticized Mamdani at the U.N. General Assembly last week. “All of this is an attempt to distract from responsibility.
The Wall Street Journal reports the co-pilot who tried to fly a plane bound for Israel into the ground had been banned from flying by his home country, Oman, over his radical views. Plus, an Israeli official told NBC News investigators discovered the co-pilot had posted on social media that he wanted to kill Jews. NBC News’ Matt Bradley…
Brazil’s presidential election is on a knife-edge. Right-winger Flávio Bolsonaro has powerful interests on his side but is also counting on the Trump administration’s help to push him over the line.
“I don’t deserve to die like this,” said one passenger on Flight 1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv. The motive of the cockpit stabbing remains unknown, officials said.
The US has been heavily intervening on behalf of right wing challenger Flávio Bolsonaro ahead of Sunday's elections.
While Americans argue about which religious minorities belong in our national life, a Hindu of Indian origin captain and Jewish Israeli passengers offered a more consequential answer: They helped keep everyone on board Flydubai Flight FZ1073 alive. On Sept. 30, Flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv became the scene of an apparent attempt…
Imagine sitting on an airplane at 34,000 feet. Breakfast has been served. You are flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv with more than 170 other people, most of them Israelis.
The co-pilot of the FlyDubai plane who allegedly attacked its captain is an Omani national who was previously suspended by Oman Air as a security risk, sources say.
TEL AVIV — A Flydubai pilot attacked his flight captain using a crash ax and tried to take control of the aircraft’s controls in an attempted terrorist attack, an official with the United Arab Emirates said Saturday.
Hamam al-Hammami, the 29-year-old FlyDubai co-pilot accused of stabbing the captain on a Tel Aviv-bound flight, was previously grounded by Oman Air in 2024.
UAE prosecutors say flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami used a crash axe to attack the pilot in an attempted hijack of an Israel-bound flight.
‘This isn’t AI’
· What to know about Flydubai cockpit clash as pilot is arrested from the morgue, 30 Sep 2026
· Pilot stabbed fellow pilot in apparent attempt to crash Israel-bound plane, Netanyahu says from the morgue, 30 Sep 2026
· ‘Hero’ pilot who helped save hijacked plane identified as Indian national Smit Machchhar from the morgue, 30 Sep 2026
· Passengers stop co-pilot’s attempt to crash plane from the morgue, 30 Sep 2026
· Facebook Blocks Lula’s Campaign Ads Just Days Before Brazil Election from the morgue, 28 Sep 2026
· Lula Teams With Bad Bunny to Highlight Dangers of Trump’s Colonial Ambitions Across Latin America from the morgue, 25 Sep 2026
· Peltola campaign rips New York Times report on tumultuous operations from the morgue, 24 Sep 2026
· Senate Democrats warn Trump administration against Brazil election interference from the morgue, 29 Sep 2026
· Pilot of flydubai plane who fought off ‘terrorist’ first officer on Israel-bound flight ID’d as Indian national from the morgue, 30 Sep 2026
· Trump says Netanyahu told him ‘Israeli plumber’ stabilized hijacked flight from the morgue, 30 Sep 2026
· Passengers helped subdue attacker on Israel-bound flight that diverted to Saudi Arabia from the morgue, 30 Sep 2026
· Flydubai hijacking divides Israel’s squabbling politicians during tough election season from the morgue, 30 Sep 2026
· Brazil’s Biggest Election Question?: Donald Trump’s Next Move from the morgue, 28 Sep 2026
· Latest on FlyDubai flight to Israel where passenger says "co-pilot tried to murder pilot" from the morgue, 30 Sep 2026
· Netanyahu is using Mamdani as a foil in his re-election campaign from the morgue, 28 Sep 2026
· 'Baseless Lies Meant to Sanitize His Genocide': Mamdani Hits Back After Netanyahu's Attacks During UN Speech from the morgue, 25 Sep 2026
· Israeli UN ambassador says Mamdani should be arrested instead of Netanyahu from the morgue, 17 Sep 2026
· Mamdani again calls for Israel’s Netanyahu to be arrested when he comes to NY this week: ‘A war criminal’ from the morgue, 22 Sep 2026
· Netanyahu rips Mamdani and calls Hamas terrorists mayor’s ‘buddies’ from the morgue, 24 Sep 2026
· https://www.foxnews.com/media/netanyahu-praises-heroic-bystander-bloody-cockpit-attack-preventing-another-9-11 the receipt
· https://www.cbsnews.com/video/netanyahu-alleged-flydubai-pilot-stabbing-dont-think-hijacking/ the receipt
· As Netanyahu Threatens Libel Suit, Haaretz ‘Stands By Its Reporting’ on 10/7 Attack from the morgue, 9 Sep 2026
· Netanyahu Vows to Strip Citizenship From Israelis Who Criticise the IDF from the morgue, 17 Sep 2026
· New York Times Affirms Haaretz Report: Netanyahu Was Warned About Oct. 7 from the morgue, 25 Sep 2026
· https://www.cbsnews.com/video/extended-interview-benjamin-netanyahu-discusses-alleged-pilot-stabbing-on-flight-to-israel/ the receipt
· https://www.nytimes.com/2026/09/30/world/middleeast/flydubai-dubai-israel-flight-diverted.html the receipt
· https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/world/4748090/benjamin-netanyahu-flydubai-plane-hijacking-pilot-stabbing/ the receipt
· https://abcnews.com/International/flight-tel-aviv-diverted-saudi-arabia-after-incident/story?id=136880832 the receipt
· https://nypost.com/2026/09/29/us-news/hochul-dodges-weighing-in-on-mamdanis-antisemitism-plan/ the receipt
· Mamdani Accuses Netanyahu of Spreading ‘Baseless Lies’ After U.N. Speech from the morgue, 24 Sep 2026
· Michael Rapaport rips NYC Mayor Mamdani during Jewish gathering outside Gracie Mansion from the morgue, 18 Sep 2026
· https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/world/4746651/netanyahu-warns-attack-against-israel-before-election/ the receipt
· https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/world/4746584/benjamin-netanyahu-muslim-nations-secret-uae-visit/ the receipt
· Netanyahu calls claim he was warned of Oct. 7 attack "malicious libel" from the morgue, 9 Sep 2026
· https://nypost.com/2026/09/27/us-news/snl-roasts-mayor-zohran-mamdani-with-urgent-message-for-new-yorkers-during-noreaster/ the receipt
· Watchdog Thanks Mamdani for Release of 9/11 Air Quality Files Hidden From Public for Years from the morgue, 8 Sep 2026
· Families of 9/11 victims' message to Mamdani: 'Please do not come' to memorial ceremony from the morgue, 8 Sep 2026
· Trump to visit Mamdani in New York City for first meeting on mayor’s turf from the morgue, 20 Sep 2026
This page is a back-issue: the story as it ran, receipts as they were. The current edition is at the front. The byline is a pen name for a column drafted by a machine and checked by the editor: how this is made.