Wounded Pilot, Passenger Save Flydubai Flight; Hegseth Shares Updates at ‘State of the Force’ | NTD Good Morning (Oct. 1)

The leaders of Israel and India are hailing Indian pilot Smit Machchhar as a hero for saving passengers after he was allegedly stabbed by his colleague. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says an Israeli passenger, hearing the commotion, rushed into the cabin to help. A second pair of flydubai pilots were on board and were able to land the jet in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after it plunged nearly 14,000 feet in less than 30 seconds after the stabbing. The alleged attacker has been arrested and was being questioned by Saudi authorities. Israeli officials say his motive remains under investigation.

War Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke to junior officers and enlisted leaders during Wednesday’s State of the Force address at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. He announced the establishment of a new drone command and a reduction of the nation’s generals and admirals by 20 percent.

California’s gubernatorial candidates, Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton, held a heated debate Wednesday night. California’s high cost of living surfaced as the top issue. Hilton argued for lowering income taxes and cutting the gas tax, with Becerra arguing that his proposed cuts would hurt the state. The latest Real Clear Politics polling average results based on September surveys show Becerra in the lead with 56.8 percent of the vote and Hilton with 35 percent.