Top five news of the day: Air India halts Tel Aviv route after missile hits Israeli airport; Owaisi slams 'failed nation' Pakistan

An Air India flight from Delhi to Tel Aviv (AI139) was diverted to Abu Dhabi on Sunday following a missile strike near the Israeli airport. The Boeing 787 aircraft was nearing its destination when the incident occurred, roughly an hour before landing. Air India has confirmed the flight will return to Delhi.
Amid heightened tensions after the terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam that killed 26, AIMIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi called Pakistan a "failed nation" and accused it of spreading terrorism. He also criticised attempts to stoke communal unrest in the wake of the attack.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar criticised Europe’s double standards on global issues, asserting that India seeks "partners, not preachers." Responding to questions about India's expectations from the European Union, he said Europe is undergoing a "reality check."
Meanwhile, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday, a day after the PM also held talks with Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, amid rising India–Pakistan tensions.
In another development, a video surfaced on May 3 showing Congress MP Rahul Gandhi being questioned by a Sikh student in the US on his party’s role in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The exchange reportedly took place on April 21 during his visit.
Air India diverts flight, suspends Tel Aviv route after missile strike near Israeli airport
An Air India Flight, en route from Delhi to Tel Aviv, was redirected to Abu Dhabi due to a missile strike near the Israeli city's airport on Sunday. Flight AI139, a Boeing 787 aircraft, was approaching its destination when the incident occurred, approximately an hour before its scheduled landing. The aircraft will return to Delhi, according to statement from Air India, quoted by news agency PTI. Read full story
'Failed nation, poor country': AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi tears into Pakistan
All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi launched a fresh attack on Pakistan, branding it a “failed nation” and accusing it of fuelling the “poison of terrorism.” He also slammed those trying to ignite communal tensions in the aftermath of the recent terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. Read full story
'India needs partners, not preachers': Jaishankar once again tears into EU
External affairs minister S Jaishankar once again tore into the European nations over their duplicitous stands on global matters, saying India needs "partners, not preachers".Responding to what New Delhi's expectations would be from an EU partnership, and the European bloc's stand in general, Jaishankar said: "Europe has entered a certain zone of reality check". Read full story
Air Chief Marshal meets PM Modi amid India-Pak tensions over Pahalgam attack
Air Chief Marshal A P Singh on Sunday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence amid escalated tensions between India and Pakistan over Pahalgam attack, which claimed 26 lives. This comes a day after PM Modi held meeting with Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi at his Lok Kalyan Marg residence in the national capital. Read full story
Sikh student confronts Rahul Gandhi on 1984 riots, Operation Blue Star; Congress leader responds
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, during his recent visit to the United States, faced pointed questions from a Sikh student regarding his party's historical relationship with the Sikh community, particularly concerning the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. While the exchange occurred on April 21, the video only emerged on May 3. Read full story