Australian authorities investigating Flydubai co-pilot's links to country

Australian authorities are investigating potential links between Australia and Flydubai co-pilot Hamam al-Hammami, accused of attempting to take control of a passenger aircraft traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Multiple outlets, including Reuters, CNN and The New York Times, identify him as al-Hammami. The alleged attack involved Hamam striking the captain with a crash axe about two and a half hours into the 30 September flight, prompting the aircraft to plunge 17,000 feet (5,200 meters), according to the UAE’s prosecutor general. Passengers overpowered him, while reserve pilots later landed the plane safely in Saudi Arabia. Australia’s Federal Police confirmed an investigation into his “links to Australia,” including student-visa history and whether he was radicalized there.