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The Indian pilot who fought off a savage attack by his copilot and helped prevent an apparent hijack of a Flydubai plane heading to Israel with more than 170 people on board is being hailed as a hero.Captain Smit Machchhar was stabbed while trying to fend off the attacker, leaving him badly wounded. During the struggle the cockpit door was opened, allowing other passengers to rush in, subdue his assailant, and take control of the plane that was enroute to Tel Aviv.Machchhar's actions have received widespread praise from political leaders, passengers who were onboard, and those who know him."Smit Machchhar is a talented, soft spoken, kind-hearted and a person with good nature," said Jinat Shah, who used to live next door to him in Mumbai before the pilot moved to Dubai. "He is an incredible person, and I hope for his fast recovery," Shah told Indian news agency ANI.Passengers who were on flight FZ1073 described those chaotic moments, during which the plane plummeted 17,400 feet in less than 120 seconds. One told CNN: "I was just sure I was going to die."But after the attacker was restrained, the flight was diverted to Saudi Arabia, where it was safely landed by two standby pilots who happened to be flying as passengersHis heroics came at a huge personal cost for Machchhar, reported to be a 39-year-old father of two.Images show showed a gruesome scene onboard following the attack, with blood splashed across the cockpit and the seriously wounded pilot lying on the floor, his pained face partially covered with a mask.Machchhar had suffered "massive blood loss" and was "severely wounded," dentist Shota Musaev, a passenger on the flight who helped treat him, told CNN."I think that if we had waited even a few more moments, we would have lost him; his blood pressure had plummeted, he suddenly lost consciousness, and there was blood everywhere," he said.His bravery "managed to prevent a 9/11 disaster," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told CNN.Machchhar is now receiving medical care at a hospital in Saudi Arabia, according to the Indian embassy in Riyadh, and is in stable condition.Celebrated as a heroBorn into a family in the textile business, becoming a pilot wasn't Machchhar's "childhood dream," he told the Bona-Fide Banter podcast in 2025.Initially, he'd enrolled in a textile engineering course after school."I finished the entire course, I still was young so wanted to (do) a little more studies," he said.Once he decided on flying, training took him to New Zealand, where he arrived aged around 19, in the southern city of Dunedin."He was always sort of a jovial young man and he tried hard," his instructor at the time Philip Kean told CNN.In a group photograph Kean shared from those days, Machchhar is easy to pick out. "He definitely got a smile of his own… he's sort of a happy, happy chap," said Kean, CEO of Mainland Air in Dunedin.Before joining Flydubai, Machchhar spent 11 years with Indian carrier SpiceJet, rising to the position of Senior Commander, according to his LinkedIn profile.Before Wednesday's incident, one of the most unusual situations he had faced during his over 15 years of flying was the birth of a baby on board.A woman on the plane, who was not at term, had started experiencing labor pains, Machchhar told the Bona-Fide Banter podcast. "Within 7-10 minutes, she was like, 'captain this is now advancing toward a delivery.'"Machchhar said he and the first officer started to check for the nearest airfields and conditions to make a safe landing. "Both the mother baby were fine, he added.Watching the news of Machchhar's heroic actions on the Flydubai flight from New Zealand, his former instructor Kean was full of praise for the young man he had once taught."It was an amazing feat," he told CNN."There could have been a whole airplane load of people wiped out in a matter of seconds, and luckily they got the door open… luckily he could hang on and save the day. Another half a minute would have been all over.""I'm very proud," he said. "I'm very proud that he handled that situation… It's great the way it turned out."Machchhar has become a national hero for two nations -- Israel, where most of the passengers hailed from, and his own home country, India."The pilot from Mumbai who proved to be a hero," wrote the Times of India."Viewers, if 166 Israelis go home tonight without a scratch, it is all down to the bravery of one single Indian, Captain Smit Machchhar," a CNN News-18 anchor said during his primetime program.Speaking on the podcast last year how it feels to be a pilot, Machchhar's answer was simple: "Blessed."Source: CNN

The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) Department of Education has implemented temporary half-day school schedules to combat the severe, localized impacts of the ongoing El Niño weather pattern across the region.Authorized under Secretary’s Circular Instruction No. 11/2026, schools in North Bougainville will temporarily operate only from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM noon, effective September 28, 2026.ABG Education Secretary Dorothy Kenneth emphasized that these urgent measures are designed to safeguard the health of students and teachers while ensuring academic continuity.The Department noted that environmental challenges vary significantly by district across Bougainville:North Bougainville: Experiencing severe drought conditions and critical water shortages.South Bougainville: Reporting continuous rainfall and localized flooding.Central Bougainville: Monitoring the situation closely, though no severe impacts have been reported yet.The Bougainville Education Board granted the Secretary emergency authority to approve half-day classes during a special meeting on September 26, following formal safety requests from heavily affected schools.New Operational GuidelinesEarly Dismissal: Students must vacate school grounds by 12:00 PM daily. They will be provided with take-home learning activities to sustain their studies.Teacher Support: Afternoons are reserved for teachers to source and organize essential water supplies for their households.Flexible Expansion: Affected schools in South and Central Bougainville may also adopt this half-day structure, subject to verified assessments from Head Teachers, District Education Officers, or Church Agencies.Activity Suspensions: All outdoor activities during school hours—including Physical Education, Practical Agriculture, and work parades—are suspended. School carnivals, bazaars, and fetes are also deferred.To remain open, schools must establish a dedicated School El Niño Committee to execute Standard Operating Procedures. Minimum health requirements include:Water Supply: Ensuring a minimum of two liters of water per student each day.Hygiene & Comfort: Maintaining functional, clean toilets and identifying shaded, cool assembly areas.First Aid: Securing access to oral rehydration salts and standard first aid kits.Reporting: Submitting weekly updates to the Department via District Education Officers.These emergency measures are slated to remain in place for one month and will be re-evaluated as updated school reports come in. The Circular Instruction is officially scheduled to expire at 5:06 PM on October 28, 2026, unless environmental conditions warrant an extension.The Department of Education urges all School Boards, administrations, teachers, parents, and partner agencies to strictly comply with these temporary directives.

The National Airports Corporation (NAC) announced today that the K51.70 million Hoskins Airport Upgrade Project in West New Britain Province is now 78% complete and progressing steadily toward a late-2026 completion.Following formal approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority of Papua New Guinea (CASA PNG), the NAC has successfully opened Method of Work Plan (MOWP) Stages 9 and 10. This expansion increases the available runway length to 1,580 metres, allowing the aerodrome to safely accommodate larger aircraft types, including the Q400 and ATR-72. Construction on Stage 11 commenced on 27 September 2026.The infrastructure upgrade is being delivered under the Civil Aviation Development Investment Project II (CADIP II), co-funded by the Government of Papua New Guinea and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The project aims to significantly improve safety, security, and operational reliability for regional air services.NAC apologises for any temporary inconveniences caused by the ongoing airside restrictions and extends its sincere gratitude to airline operators, the business community, and the travelling public for their continued patience and cooperation.

The Bougainville Constituent Assembly (BCA) has advanced its deliberations on the draft Constitution for the proposed new nation, the Republic of North Solomons.The recent session marked the sixth convening of the BCA since the Bougainville House of Representatives (BHOR) received the final draft Constitution in 2025 and officially transitioned into the Constituent Assembly.Chaired by BCA Chairman Hon. Simon Pentanu, the meeting was attended by all elected members of the BHOR—including the President—alongside six appointed commissioners from the Bougainville Constitutional Planning Commission (BCPC) representing Bougainville’s three core regions.Hon. Ezekiel Masatt, Vice President, Minister for Bougainville Independence Mission Implementation, and Attorney General, stated that the meeting provided members with a crucial opportunity to review the draft via a specialized workshop with the legal team ahead of formal parliamentary debate.Chapter Progression: Having previously completed discussions on the first three chapters, this workshop successfully focused on the remaining seven chapters of the draft document.Secretariat Support: The review was facilitated by the BCA Secretariat, which includes the Clerk and Deputy Clerk of the Bougainville Parliament, alongside the Secretaries of the ABG Department of Justice and the Department of Bougainville Independence Mission.Technical Input: BCPC Commissioners provided essential technical explanations and contextual background on the remaining constitutional chapters.The interactive workshop allowed assembly members to raise questions, clarify clauses, and propose targeted improvements or additions to refine the text.The BCA resolved to adjourn and reconvene at a later date to commence its formal debate on the draft Constitution. This progressive constitution-making framework remains a central pillar of the Autonomous Bougainville Government's (ABG) broader strategy to fulfill its political aspirations for independence.

Papua New Guinea’s top swimmers will gather in Lae this weekend for the 2026 FedEx PNG National Short Course Swimming Championships.The two-day competition will be held from October 3 to 4 at the Lae International School Senior Campus, also known as the Coronation School Pool on Coronation Drive.PNG Swimming Inc. expects 61 swimmers from the Boroko Amateur Swimming Club and Lae Amateur Swimming Club to compete across the weekend.Among those taking part will be PNG representatives who competed at this year’s Oceania Championships and Commonwealth Games, giving emerging swimmers the chance to race against some of the country’s leading athletes.The 25-metre championships will also serve as an important selection meet as PNG Swimming Inc. begins identifying Train-On Squads for future international competitions.Performances from the championships will contribute to the selection pathway for the 2027 Pacific Games in Tahiti (24 July - 8 August), French Polynesia, and the 2027 Commonwealth Youth Games in Malta (29 October - 4 November).The championships will also provide swimmers with a chance to achieve qualifying performances and gain valuable competition experience ahead of the World Aquatics Swimming Championships (25m), scheduled for December 1 to 6 in Beijing, China.According to PNG Swimming Inc., the competition is being delivered with the support of technical officials, coaches, athletes, volunteers and the Lae Amateur Swimming Club.“PNGSI acknowledges the outstanding work of its technical officials under the direction of World Aquatics Swimming officials John Agovai, Gilbert Camillus and Albert Vigil, together with the Lae Amateur Swimming Club executives and members, who are working to ensure the competition is delivered to international standards.”PNG Swimming Inc. has also acknowledged PNG Air Freight, through its FedEx brand, for its continued sponsorship and in-kind support of the National Short Course Championships.“Their contribution provides valuable resources that support the participation of athletes and officials and the successful delivery of this important national competition.”The championships are expected to provide a weekend of competitive racing while helping identify swimmers who could form part of PNG’s future international representation.“We extend our best wishes to all swimmers, coaches, officials, volunteers and supporters attending the 2026 FedEx PNG National Swimming Championships.”

The East New Britain (ENB) Provincial Health Authority (PHA) is currently undergoing a comprehensive audit of its accounting books and records dating from 2019 to 2025.Because PHA accounts have remained outstanding, this audit is being conducted in accordance with the mandate of the Auditor General, relevant legislation, and applicable auditing standards.Chief Executive Officer Dr Ako Yap, who requested the audit early this year, explained that the process is designed to uphold the integrity and good governance of the organization.“PHA will fully cooperate and assist the audit process to ensuring transparency, accountability of public finances and commitment to good governance over the Public Health Authority,” Dr Yap said.The auditing exercise is being led by Mark Kila, Regional Director of Audits for the New Guinea Islands, who recently held a briefing with Dr Yap and the relevant parties responsible for preparing the financial operating statements.Mr. Kila emphasized that the final report must provide a complete picture of the PHA's operations across its three primary accounts: the operating account, the Health Services Improvement Program (HSIP) Trust account, and the Rabaul Provincial Hospital User Fee account.“The report statement must show full complete affairs of PHA operations,” Mr. Kila stated. “Over the years, PHA has not reported on the trust account, so I am encouraging those preparing the reports, as much as possible, to get the affairs of HSIP for financial reports.”To complete the review, the audit team requires a full list of accounting records to be presented, which includes financial statements, general accounting records, budgetary controls, financial delegations, collections of public monies, cash books, bank accounts and bank reconciliation statements, accountable forms, payment records, asset registers, advances management, payroll, and transport documentation.

With Tuberculosis (TB) at an incidental rate of 661 per 1, 000, the Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL), which operated under the National Department of Health (NDoH), facilitated refresher trainings across the 22 provinces.Last week saw East New Britain Province (ENBP) health professionals from the 16 Basic Management Units (BMU) underwent a refresher training on microscopy and GeneXpert.With new technology, algorithms, software updates, protocols, molecular testing guidelines, and assay versions like GeneXpert Ultra, the training was considered important for upskilling.Speaking at the opening of the week-long refresher training, CPHL Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) representative Jennifer Dume stated that the identified health professionals in BMUs were upskilled to a level to meet the high number of TB incidental rates.“We are just upskilling their knowledge and their practical skills to keep laboratory skills sharp and ensure accurate, reliable results and also to reduce error and contamination rates.”Every effort driven by the PNG National TB Program had the goal of detecting at least 70% of infectious cases and curing at least 85% of newly detected cases of smear-positive TB.Further still, the program aimed to reduce the prevalence of deaths due to TB.The one-week refresher training kept staff aligned with current WHO and national standards.

Prime Minister James Marape has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Daulo MP Ekime Gorosahu, remembering him as a committed public servant who continued to stand by his people despite his battle with illness.Prime Minister Marape said he received news of Gorosahu’s passing with great sadness this morning, describing his death as a significant loss to his family, the people of Daulo, Eastern Highlands Province and Papua New Guinea.“On behalf of the Pangu-led Government and the people of Papua New Guinea, I extend my heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, relatives, the people of Daulo, the United Resources Party, and all those who knew and worked with him,” Marape said.He said Gorosahu’s commitment to his electorate remained evident until his final days, despite the challenges posed by his illness.“Up until his final days, he demonstrated great resilience and remained committed to serving his people and Papua New Guinea despite battling illness,” he said.Marape said this reflected the responsibility Gorosahu felt towards the people who had entrusted him with representing them in Parliament.The Prime Minister also acknowledged Gorosahu’s role as a senior member of the United Resources Party and a valued partner within the Pangu-led coalition Government.“Hon. Gorosahu was a steadfast member of the United Resources Party and a valued colleague within our coalition Government,” he said.“He contributed to the stability of our Government and to the work we are undertaking to advance Papua New Guinea.”Marape said Gorosahu’s service would be remembered not only by his political colleagues, but most importantly by the people of Daulo whom he represented.As the family comes to terms with the loss, the Prime Minister urged the public to respect their grief and allow them the privacy and space needed to mourn.“At this difficult hour, our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they come to terms with this great loss,” he said.“No position or public responsibility can take away from the fact that, first and foremost, a family has lost a loved one.”Marape said the State was working closely with Gorosahu’s family and the leadership of the United Resources Party to ensure the necessary arrangements and processes were followed.He said further information on arrangements to honour Gorosahu’s life and service would be provided in due course.“To his family, his relatives, the people of Daulo and Eastern Highlands Province, and the United Resources Party, please know that Papua New Guinea mourns with you,” Marape said.“We thank Hon. Gorosahu for his service to his people and our nation."“May Almighty God comfort his family and all those mourning his passing, and may his soul rest in eternal peace.”

The Department of Education has clarified that the Kerevat National School of Excellence in East New Britain has not been renamed, following public concerns over a plaque unveiled during the opening of its new infrastructure.Education Secretary Dr Uke Kombra said the institution’s official name remains as Kerevat National School of Excellence, with its history and legacy intact."Kerevat is an iconic institution with a proud, historic legacy deeply rooted in Papua New Guinea’s educational history. That name and identity have not been altered in any way.”The newly unveiled plaque is specifically for the school’s new 16-classroom block, which has been named the James Marape Legacy Campus.  Dr Kombra said the decision to name the new facility was made independently by the Kerevat National School of Excellence Governing Council.The Department said the naming recognizes Prime Minister James Marape’s role in conceptualising the National Schools of Excellence initiative and his contribution, as a former Education Minister, to securing the initial funding for the classroom project.Dr Kombra acknowledged the strong attachment former students, landowners and people of East New Britain have to Kerevat’s history.He said the new infrastructure is intended to enhance the school’s facilities and support quality education and STEM learning for future generations, while preserving Kerevat’s longstanding identity and heritage.Additionally, The Department of Education remains committed to transparency and maintaining the integrity and proud heritage of all national educational institutions.

Australia has partnered with Samaritan Aviation to improve access to lifesaving health care and practical support for remote communities across Papua New Guinea.Under the new partnership, Australia will support Samaritan Aviation’s work in some of the country’s most isolated areas, enabling communities to access essential services, including emergency medical care, medical supplies and disaster relief assistance.Australia and Papua New Guinea share a longstanding partnership focused on improving lives and strengthening access to essential services. Australia’s support for Samaritan Aviation reflects a shared commitment to practical, community-focused solutions that help people living in remote areas access health care, emergency assistance and other vital services.Samaritan Aviation uses seaplanes to provide emergency medical flights and deliver medical supplies to communities in East Sepik and Gulf Provinces, where rivers are often the main transport routes, meaning travel to hospitals can take several days.The aircraft can land directly on waterways, reducing dangerous journeys to much shorter emergency flights.Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Samaritan Aviation, Mark Palm, said Australia’s support will help Samaritan Aviation keep PNG’s most remote communities connected.“Our planes are a vital lifeline. Australia’s support helps us keep flying to reach the furthest corners of PNG, providing essential services and saving lives.”This new initiative with Samaritan Aviation builds on the Australian Government’s existing partnerships with Adventist Aviation Services and Mission Aviation Fellowship PNG, reflecting Australia’s strong commitment to supporting these essential services across the country.

The Australian Government has congratulated Bel isi PNG for its leadership in helping workplaces prevent and respond to family and sexual violence (FSV).Held on the United Nations International Day of Peace, a recent Leadership Forum brought together leaders from business, government, civil society and the diplomatic community to discuss how organisations can turn gender-based violence (GBV) and FSV policies into practical workplace action.Family and sexual violence remains a significant challenge in Papua New Guinea, affecting individuals, families, communities, workplaces and the broader economy.As employers increasingly recognise the impact of violence on staff wellbeing, productivity and workplace culture, there is growing momentum to strengthen prevention, support and accountability measures.Bel isi PNG works with subscribing businesses to connect survivors with specialist services, including case management, safe accommodation and referral support, while helping employers strengthen workplace responses to family and sexual violence.Through Australia’s support for Bel isi PNG, workplaces are strengthening systems that prioritise survivor safety, dignity and access to essential services.Bel isi PNG Executive Director Pansy Taueni-Sialis said the forum highlighted the importance of leadership in translating commitments into meaningful action.“Bel isi PNG is grateful for the continued support of the Australian Government and our partners. The 2026 Leadership Forum called for leadership that turns GBV and FSV commitments into visible, trusted and measurable action, including a proposal to recognise 21 September as Bel isi Day, an annual National Day of Action for peace, safety, equality, and freedom from violence,” Ms Taueni-Sialis said.The proposal was formally received by NCD Governor Hon. Powes Parkop, Chair of the Permanent Parliamentary Committee on Gender Equality, Women’s Empowerment and GBV.Panellists discussed PNG CORE’s Gender Equality, Social Inclusion and Safeguarding Policy, BSP’s governance and leadership response to GBV, and a renewed focus on the National GBV Strategy 2026–2035.Discussions highlighted how leaders can turn commitments into day-to-day practice through resourcing, implementation, staff engagement and accountability.Australia continues to support PNG-led efforts that promote gender equality, women’s safety and inclusive economic participation.

U.S. President Donald Trump declared that he will officially refer to artificial intelligence (AI) as “Super Intelligence (Super Intelligence·SI)” from now on. He stated that U.S. government documents will use the term SI instead of AI.Trump said during his address at the 81st UN General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York on the 22nd (local time), “We will officially call it ‘Super Intelligence’ from now on,” adding, “We will change the terminology.” He continued, “We will use this term in all U.S. government documents, and I hope the world will also adopt a much more accurate term.”Trump emphasized, “Welcome to the new world of Super Intelligence,” and repeatedly stressed, “SI is a much better and more accurate expression.” He added, “Let’s see if I have the power to do so. Maybe I don’t, but we’ll find out soon.” However, no executive orders or specific implementation plans for the actual name change were disclosed that day.“Super Intelligence” is not a term coined by Trump. In the AI industry, it generally refers to a hypothetical artificial intelligence that surpasses human intellectual capabilities in all aspects. This differs from Trump’s usage, which aims to refer to all currently developed AI technologies as SI.Trump also expressed opposition to international efforts to control AI. He said, “The United States completely rejects any globalist agenda aimed at controlling artificial intelligence.” While acknowledging, “All important new technologies come with challenges, and Super Intelligence is no exception,” he drew a line against concerns that AI could destroy humanity or that robots might attack humans.Trump stated, “The country that wins the AI race will emerge victorious,” and added, “Currently, the U.S. is far ahead of China.” He also said, “We will not suppress the growth of a technology that could bring about a greater change than the Industrial Revolution or the internet,” and emphasized, “If necessary, we will control it through the Department of Justice and other law enforcement agencies, but fundamentally, we will encourage rather than suppress Super Intelligence.”Source: THE CHOSUN Daily