An old podcast video of Indian Flydubai captain Smit Machchhar has resurfaced after he was injured in a cockpit attack aboard a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight on September 30. In the 2025 conversation with Bona-Fide Banter, Machchhar explained why cabin crew training is vital during emergencies. He said, “When we are up there and if something happens, you know, who’s gonna save you? You’ll be lucky enough to have a doctor on board, but if not, then they are trained. I’m not saying they are trained to do surgeries and stuff, but then they can save your life.” (PC: India Today)

A Naga student group in Manipur has warned that residents may seek help from neighbouring countries, including China, if the Centre and state government fail to protect them. Tangkhul Aze Katamnao Long (TAKL), also known as the Southern Tangkhul Students’ Union, raised concerns over recent killings of Naga civilians in Tamenglong, Senapati and Kamjong districts. Its president, Yarchuiso Kashung, said residents felt neglected by both governments. The group called for urgent action to ensure public safety and accountability. Kashung also urged the Manipur chief minister to resign if he could not protect the state and its people. (PC: X)

Former Mumbai neighbour Dr Janit Shah has praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his character and courage after an alleged mid-air attack aboard a flydubai flight. Speaking to ANI, Shah described Machchhar as a “talented, soft-spoken, and good man” who lived next door to him for 10–15 years before moving to Dubai. Machchhar was reportedly stabbed by his co-pilot while flying from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Despite his injuries, he managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to restrain the attacker. Shah expressed hope for the captain’s speedy recovery. (PC: HT)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar for his courage after a co-pilot allegedly tried to sabotage a flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv and stabbed him. Modi also spoke to Machchhar’s wife and parents, assuring them of all possible assistance from Indian missions. Despite being seriously injured, Machchhar resisted the attacker and opened the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to overpower him. Two relief pilots then diverted the aircraft to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, where it landed safely. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also praised Machchhar’s bravery. (PC: NDTV)

The RSS has called for a nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC), saying identifying citizens is necessary to address what it describes as “population imbalance” and protect India’s unity, integrity and security. RSS publicity in-charge Sunil Ambekar said the NRC should identify people “wrongly included” in electoral rolls and help ensure citizenship for eligible people covered by the Citizenship Amendment Act. He linked demographic change to national security and cultural identity, and criticised successive governments for lacking a population policy. The RSS has long supported a nationwide NRC, but the issue had receded after protests over the CAA and proposed NRC. There is currently no government notification announcing a nationwide NRC.

The Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) has clarified that its protest scheduled for October 2 will take place only at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park. The organisation issued the clarification amid reports and discussions surrounding the planned demonstration. CJP said there was no other location scheduled for the protest, seeking to clear confusion over the event’s venue. The October 2 programme is expected to focus on the organisation’s stated concerns and demands. The clarification comes as authorities and the public prepare for the event, with attention on arrangements and the possibility of crowd movement around Shivaji Park. 

The Delhi High Court on September 30, 2026, refused bail to former JNU scholar Umar Khalid and activist Sharjeel Imam in the case concerning the alleged larger conspiracy behind the February 2020 Northeast Delhi riots. A Division Bench of Justices Prathiba M. Singh and Dinesh Bhatt passed the order. This was the third time the High Court had rejected their bail pleas. The court noted that the Supreme Court had earlier denied them relief while allowing fresh bail applications subject to conditions concerning protected witnesses or the passage of one year. Khalid and Imam are facing charges under the UAPA in the case. (PC: The Hindu)

Nearly one-fifth of children worldwide without access to school sanitation in 2025 were in India, according to a WHO-UNICEF report. The report said around 5 crore Indian children lacked sanitation services at school, out of 24.4 crore globally. Nigeria followed with 3.4 crore children, while Ethiopia had 2.6 crore. India reduced the number of schools without sanitation services by 14 per cent during the period assessed. Around 2 crore Indian children also lacked school hygiene services, while 1.2 crore lacked drinking-water services. The report said India is among 28 countries on track for universal basic drinking-water coverage in schools by 2030. (PC: India Today)

Bollywood actor Hrithik Roshan has reacted with surprise to BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj’s challenge to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over Vande Mataram. The actor commented, “Huh? Is this real. Wow,” on an Instagram post shared by Congress social media leader Ruchira Chaturvedi. In August, Swaraj challenged Gandhi to sing the complete national song after he urged women to “smash the patriarchy” at an event in Pune. Swaraj questioned the connection between Gandhi’s remarks and the song. She also referred to the Congress Working Committee’s 1937 decision to sing only the first two stanzas at national gatherings. 

The Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) have seized around 526 kg of drugs worth over ₹3,000 crore from an Iranian boat in the Arabian Sea. Five Pakistani nationals aboard the vessel were detained during the operation on September 25. The seized consignment included heroin and methamphetamine, according to reports. The boat was intercepted west of Lakshadweep following intelligence inputs and surveillance by sea and air. The vessel, its crew and the seized drugs were later taken to Mumbai for further investigation. Authorities are examining the consignment’s origin, intended destination and possible links to an international smuggling network.