Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar suffered a life-threatening skull fracture after his co-pilot allegedly attacked him with an emergency axe aboard a FlyDubai flight on September 30. Neurosurgeons examining photographs of his injuries said damage to a major vein near the fracture could have caused severe bleeding during surgery. One doctor warned that similar injuries can carry more than a 40% risk of death or disability, though this was not an estimate of Machchhar’s personal risk. Despite heavy bleeding, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers and crew to restrain the attacker and prevent a possible disaster. (PC: India Today)

A video showing the sky turning red in parts of Chhattisgarh has gone viral on social media amid concerns over Cyclone Arnab. The unusual colour has drawn attention as the cyclone affects weather conditions across parts of India. However, the visual appearance of the sky alone does not establish that the phenomenon was caused by the cyclone. Changes in cloud cover, atmospheric particles and the scattering of sunlight can sometimes create striking red or orange skies. Residents have shared the footage online, prompting questions about the possible link to the storm. Official meteorological confirmation is needed to establish the cause.   Reports from Dantewada and Kirandul in Chhattisgarh describe an unusual reddish sky, with videos circulating widely online amid Cyclone Arnab. The possible link to the cyclone remains unconfirmed. (PC: X)

Brazilian Senator Flávio Bolsonaro has denied fleeing the country after arriving in Miami following his defeat in Sunday’s presidential election against left-wing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. “I did not flee Brazil; I left for the sake of Brazil,” he said in his first statement after leaving. The United States granted visas to Bolsonaro and his family after Brazilian authorities cancelled their passports amid a criminal investigation. US President Donald Trump confirmed that Washington allowed him to enter. Bolsonaro, who denies wrongdoing, alleged political persecution and electoral fraud without providing evidence. Lula criticised his departure, saying those with nothing to hide should not fear scrutiny. (PC: BBC)

Students at Jamia Millia Islamia in New Delhi are continuing their protest demanding the restoration of the students’ union and a clear schedule for elections. The union was dissolved in 2006, and polls have not been held since. Protesters have also called for the release of detained students and the resignation of the university’s chief proctor. Meanwhile, the university has extended online classes until November 24 and shifted odd-semester examinations online amid campus tensions. The administration has said elections will be held within 15 days of approval of the union constitution. However, students want a firm timeline for the process. (PC: India Today)

The body of former Bangladesh Air Force Flight Lieutenant Tahsif Souri was recovered from the Turag River in Dhaka on Wednesday, a day after he went missing. River police recovered the body near Tongi Bandar Ghat after receiving information through Bangladesh’s national emergency helpline, 999. Souri came to public attention over a video reportedly showing former prime minister Sheikh Hasina leaving Bangladesh by aircraft on August 5, 2024. He was said to have recorded the footage. His identity was established using his mobile phone and wristwatch. The body was sent to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital for an autopsy. Police said the cause of death remains undetermined. (PC: The Daily Star)

Spain has begun 3 days of national mourning after a train collision killed at least 68 people and injured dozens on Wednesday. The crash occurred near Urda in Toledo when a Renfe high-speed train struck a stationary Iryo train carrying 147 passengers. The Renfe train had 397 passengers on board, and several carriages fell down an embankment after the impact. Emergency teams worked overnight to recover victims and identify the dead. Authorities are investigating the cause, including reports of a system failure and a decision to allow trains to move. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed condolences to grieving families. (PC: BBC)

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has criticised veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah after he voiced support for protesting students at Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi. Rijiju called Shah a “dangerous urban Naxal” and a “subversive intellectual” in a post on X. The remarks followed a video in which Shah wore a badge reading “Dimagi Naxal” and questioned the Centre’s handling of student protests and educational institutions. He also referred to protests at Jawaharlal Nehru University and the Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute. Jamia students are demanding a clear timeline for student union elections, which have not been held since 2006. (PC: NDTV)

Israeli police have rejected allegations of election fraud made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, saying there is no supporting evidence. Likud accused Arab parties of irregularities and demanded investigations by the police, Shin Bet and Central Elections Committee. With around 91% of votes counted, Netanyahu’s bloc was leading with 53–54 seats, while the opposition bloc led by Gadi Eisenkot had 48. Arab-led parties, the Joint List and Ra’am, held a combined 19 seats. However, neither bloc had secured the 61 seats needed for a parliamentary majority. Counting of double-envelope ballots is continuing, with final results expected by October 30. (PC: HT)

Nearly Rs 35 crore has allegedly gone missing from savings accounts and fixed deposits at a Punjab National Bank (PNB) branch in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Several customers claim that money was transferred without their consent and that they received no transaction alerts. The affected accounts include funds received as compensation for acquired land. One farmer said his account balance fell from around Rs 88 lakh to just Rs 1 lakh. Another customer reported that Rs 39 lakh had disappeared. Following complaints, PNB suspended several employees, including the branch manager. Police have registered a case, and investigations are underway. (PC: News18)

Nallamala Akshitha, a 25-year-old woman from Telangana, died of a suspected cardiac arrest in Albany, New York, on Friday. She had recently completed her Master of Science (MS) degree and secured a job, according to reports. Akshitha had moved to the United States around 4 years ago for higher studies. She was reportedly walking outside her residence after dinner when she suddenly collapsed. Her brother, Akshay, later found her unconscious and rushed her to a nearby hospital with help from neighbours. Doctors declared her dead on arrival. Her family in Khammam district is arranging to bring her remains to India. (PC: India Today)