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CNN Headlines: Passengers Describe Brush With Death On Flydubai Flight; Trump Steps Up Midterm Push Amid GOP Concerns; Letitia James To Oversee Probe Of Cornell Rape Allegations. Aired 5:30-6a ET
Aired October 02, 2026 - 05:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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[05:30:12]
BRAD SMITH, CNN ANCHOR: It is half past the hour. Let's hit the refresh button on our top stories.
Caleb Flynn, the former "AMERICAN IDOL" contestant who was convicted of murder, is now registered as a violent offender. Flynn was back in an Ohio courtroom yesterday for a hearing and earlier this week he was found guilty of murdering his wife, Ashley. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Monday and Flynn could face the death penalty or life in prison or -- with or without the possibility of parole.
Also, Christa Pike, the first woman who was set to be executed in Tennessee in 200 years, remains in the hospital after surviving a failed execution. Pike survived two doses of the lethal injection Wednesday night, an outcome that death penalty experts say is virtually unheard of. Witnesses say that she could be heard snoring loudly after the injections. Governor Bill Lee has suspended the state's remaining executions this year while an independent review gets underway. Pike's attorney is urging the governor to commute her sentence.
Well, if you're just waking up, we are hearing from the injured pilot of that Flydubai flight for the first time and here is what he told India's prime minister, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a video call.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SMIT MACHCHHAR, CAPTAIN, FLYDUBAI FLIGHT 1073 (through translator): Then I just opened it, sir, and then everybody came. And everybody else also played an equal role in this. I was telling, sir, that I was doing this for my life. But at the same time, I knew that I cannot let everybody else die.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Meanwhile, new video obtained by CNN shows the dramatic moments after passengers rushed into the cockpit and subdued the co-pilot. The co-pilot suspected of attacking and injuring the captain, who you just heard from, before the plane plunged 17,000 feet. One of the passengers who stepped in says his young daughters played a
key role in his decision not to go down without a fight. CNN's Jeremy Diamond spoke with that man and his family.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): It's hard to imagine, but this family just survived a dramatic brush with death. Twenty-four hours ago, they were aboard that harrowing Flydubai flight. Tali was taking her 6-year-old daughter to the bathroom when she says she suddenly heard strange noises coming from the cockpit.
TALI MANES, PASSENGER: (Speaking foreign language).
DIAMOND (voiceover): "I mainly heard banging on the door, something you're not supposed to hear, coming from the cockpit. Noises, a man's raised voice." Suddenly, she says, the cockpit door flung open, and she saw one of the pilots stabbing the other.
MANES: (Speaking foreign language).
DIAMOND (voiceover): "At that moment, I realized that was it. It was over. I couldn't imagine any way we were going to get out of there. I just screamed, 'they're stabbing the pilot, they're stabbing the pilot, help.' I screamed and screamed."
That's when Tzvika, seen here in a bloodied white shirt, jumped into action, grabbing his daughter from the bathroom before rushing to subdue the attacker.
TZVIKA MANES, PASSENGER: I heard my wife scream -- screaming, and I heard my daughters screaming, "We don't want to die. Father, we don't want to die." And this -- you know, this is -- and I'm getting emotional right now as well. When you hear that your daughters are crying for help you do whatever you can to help them and that's what -- that's the trigger that pushed me.
DIAMOND: Do you describe it as instinct?
TZVIKA MANES: It's absolutely instinct. We were, like, jumping on him -- three guys, and with hands, we were struggling with him.
DIAMON: And, I mean, this must have all been happening so fast.
TZVIKA MANES: It's so fast and the adrenaline is so high, and I didn't know where I was covered with blood from fighting with him. I don't know, maybe he was injured, I don't know how.
DIAMOND: It was his blood.
TZVIKA MANES: It was his blood, yeah. I was covered with blood. You know, I have some bruises here that I -- only today I just noticed that. This is the adrenaline, you know? When you are in this moment, you don't feel anything. You act like actually a machine trying to solve, trying to control, trying to be efficient as much as you can. DIAMOND (voiceover): Tzvika is one of three passengers who rushed toward the cockpit and took down the co-pilot before he could crash the plane. But they only managed to get in thanks to the quick thinking of the plane's captain, Smit Machchhar, who managed to open the cockpit door.
[05:35:00]
TZVIKA MANES: He's absolutely a hero. He's absolutely a hero. And due to his act, we're sitting here today.
DIAMOND: Have you ever been in a situation like this before?
TZVIKA MANES: Never.
DIAMOND: Never.
TZVIKA MANES: Never. There were moments we thought that this is the end of our life, and I'm glad that we succeeded making the change.
DIAMOND (voiceover): Tzvika's daughters are still processing their ordeal. But Millie's opinion is set on her father.
MILLIE MANES, DAUGHTER OF TZVIKA MANES: (Speaking foreign language).
DIAMOND (voiceover): "He's a hero," she says, "and I love him."
Jeremy Diamond, CNN, Tel Aviv.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Thank you, Jeremy.
President Trump is hitting the campaign trail as Republicans try to turn around some warning signs ahead of the midterms. Early voting and recent polling suggest that Democrats may have the edge, and now leaked audio has surfaced of a key Republican candidate questioning whether Trump's support is actually helping his campaign.
CNN's Maddie Gannon has the latest from the White House.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MADDIE GANNON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is now officially October, and that means we are in the last full month until November's midterm elections.
President Donald Trump is out on the campaign trail to market. The president is appearing at events in both Texas and Oklahoma Thursday. And officials say it's all a part of the White House's larger strategy to send Trump out on the campaign trail frequently in October in the hopes that it will help boost GOP turnout, as Trump this week appeared to acknowledge a Republican messaging problem.
DONALD TRUMP, (R) PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: I'm going out because nobody's selling it. I'm doing -- we're doing an extremely poor job of promotion.
GANNON: CNN's early voting tracker shows more than half a million people have already voted in at least 29 states and signs so far are positive for Democrats in several states with competitive statewide races. More Democratic voters have requested ballots this election than they did at the same point in the 2024 presidential race when Republicans won the White House and both chambers of Congress.
And it comes as The New York Times this week reported on the Republican Senate candidate in Texas, Attorney General Ken Paxton, expressing doubt to conservative donors and lobbyists about the effectiveness of the GOP midterm convention Trump held in Dallas last month.
KEN PAXTON, (R) CANDIDATE FOR U.S. SENATE IN TEXAS: To be honest with you, the numbers in case -- when we did that convention, it dropped our numbers. Everybody's numbers dropped. Right now, yeah -- no, not good.
GANNON: In a statement, a senior advisor to Paxton called this "Manipulated nonsense from The New York Times.
Trump said Wednesday that he hadn't heard the leaked audio from Paxton but praised the convention as amazing.
At the White House, I'm Maddie Gannon.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: Thank you, Maddie.
The New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, says that she's appointing State Attorney General Letitia James as the special counsel -- well, special prosecutor, rather, in the Cornell University sexual assault investigation. Hochul says that she's lost faith in the ability of the Tompkins County District Attorney to fairly oversee the case.
For more, here's our CNN's Jason Carroll.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
CORNELL UNIVERSITY STUDENT: We as a campus community stand with victims of sexual violence.
JASON CARROLL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voiceover): A public hearing at Cornell University, where students reacted to the alleged sexual assault at the Chi Fi fraternity house.
CORNELL UNIVERSITY STUDENT: I'm also speaking as a fellow Jane Doe. I was -- I was sexually assaulted almost two years ago.
CARROLL (voiceover): Jane Wang, a sophomore, shared her own experience.
JANE WANG, CORNELL UNIVERSITY STUDENT: Hearing any story from, you know, another student here on campus that they've experienced something similar is so heartbreaking.
CARROLL (voiceover): Cornell continues to face scrutiny following a New York Times report that a crucial part of the school's internal investigation omitted Jane Doe's statement. "I can say with 100 percent confidence I was raped." That allegation not included in what the university handed over to the District Attorney.
SAM BELLIVEAU, CORNELL UNIVERSITY STUDENT: The common sentiment is that there's, like, a moral failing.
LESLIE BAKER, CORNELL UNIVERSITY STUDENT: People are just, like, really frustrated that it's taking a whole lawsuit for these people to be held accountable and that for the survivor to get the justice that she deserves.
CARROLL (voiceover): Students reacting to a New York Times report, which revealed the school gathered more than 1,000 pages of materials from an internal investigation in 2024, which included a transcript of campus police interviews with Jane Doe, interviews with Chi Phi fraternity members accused of sexually assaulting her, along with emails and text messages.
The Times report says Jane Doe spoke for hours to a Cornell police investigator, as well as an investigator for the school's Title IX office. According to the Times, "The transcript of their conversation stretches about 120 pages."
[05:40:03]
The D.A. telling CNN Wednesday, "We never received it and still don't have it. It was not part of what Cornell provided to us. We got the six-page statement and nothing more except the Snapchat video." The Snapchat was allegedly sent from Chi Phi members asking others to join in on the alleged assault.
Cornell's investigation also revealed Jane Doe documented her injuries. Two weeks after the 2024 incident she went to an emergency room for a pelvic exam. She also went to the school's health clinic for treatment of a urinary tract infection, telling a doctor, "she had contracted the infection in a traumatic way."
The material reviewed by the time showing Jane Doe went to police after she saw online comments about what happened to her that night at the Chi Phi house, saying members were gangbanging. Jane Doe saying, "That's kind of when I came to the realization that I had been gang raped, gang assaulted, whatever you want to call it, that's what happened."
Cornell's investigation revealed Jane Doe planned to go back to the Chi Phi house the following week after the alleged assault for a Halloween party. Her attorney telling CNN, "It was all part of processing what had happened. She was still in the denial stage. She could not accept what happened to her."
Cornell declined to comment about the Times report. No one from the administration spoke at tonight's student assembly. Jane Wang still has a message for them.
WANG: Future cases of sexual violence or sexual harassment on campus cannot only be treated with urgency when it's something that reaches national headlines or national news.
CARROLL (voiceover): Jason Carroll, CNN, Ithaca, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SMITH: All right. Thank you, Jason.
And if you or anyone you know is struggling after a sexual assault, know that you are not alone. Free, confidential 24/7 support is online at RAINN.org, with two Ns. In the U.S., you can call or text 64673. Text HOPE to 64673, or you can call 800-656-HOPE.
Next up on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, some 700 prisoners get early release to ease overcrowded jails. We've got details on that story coming up.
And nearly 70 vehicles involved in a massive pileup on a bridge on one of the busiest East Coast interstates. What went wrong straight ahead?
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[05:46:55]
SMITH: Let's go around the globe to see what else is making headlines today, and we begin in the UK. That's where another man is now under arrest in connection to an alleged plot linked to an air base in England. A British-Iranian dual national was taken into custody in London yesterday on suspicion of "preparation of terrorist acts" at the Fairford base. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said earlier this week there are strong indications of Iran's involvement. The base has been used by U.S. bombers to conduct strikes on Iran, but Tehran denies any role in the alleged plot.
Staying in the U.K., around 700 inmates in England and Wales were released early in the latest phase of a plan to ease prison overcrowding. The system is operating close to full capacity. The plan allows some offenders serving fixed-term sentences to be released after serving a smaller proportion of their term. But those convicted of rape, manslaughter, and serious sexual offenses are excluded.
And in France, violent student protests over deteriorating schools and teacher shortages are growing. Students say schools are falling apart and that educators often aren't replaced when they leave. According to police, they're dealing with hundreds of demonstrations and blockades across the country. And hundreds of students have been detained since the protests began. France's interior minister says authorities are stepping in when situations turn violent or damage is caused.
And in Spain, people brought pots, pans, keys, whatever else they could find to help demonstrate against a housing crisis there.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP) Demonstrators in Madrid's protesting housing crisis.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: This is in Madrid's main square. The demonstrations have been fueled by the eviction of an 87-year-old woman who lived in her home for decades. Parliament has been looking at new measures such as banning evictions of vulnerable tenants and ways to stop abusive rent hikes.
All right, it's time for Buzz Express, the stories that have people talking.
And first up, rapper Rick Ross is out on bond after being arrested in Miami on domestic violence-related charges. The charges come just days after Ross's former girlfriend and -- had accused him on social media of physically assaulting her -- physical assault there.
Our affiliate, WV -- WSVN, excuse me, caught up with the rapper right after he was released, and here's what he said about the allegations.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
RICK ROSS, RAPPER, AKA WILLIAM LEONARD ROBERTS II: I am totally innocent of these fabricated allegations made against me. I'll be in Dubai tomorrow, Paris Saturday, and I plan on having a bowl of rigatoni with heavy marinara Sunday.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Now there's a viral moment from inside the courtroom as well involving Rick Ross' lawyer and judge. The rapper's attorney asked if his client could be released more quickly because he's famous. Here's how the judge responded.
[05:50:05]
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BRAD HORENSTEIN, RICK ROSS' ATTORNEY: Mr. Roberts is a celebrity, so I don't know --
JUDGE MINDY GLAZER, MIAMI-DADE CIRCUIT JUDGE: So what does that mean?
HORENSTEIN: I don't know whatever degree Your Honor can, but I'd ask that his release be expedited. He's in a red jumpsuit and for purposes of his safety I don't know what Your Honor can do.
GLAZER: I don't know. Hi, Mr. Roberts. I have no idea who you are except as somebody here in the court who's going to be treated fairly just like everybody else here.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: Rick Ross will be back in court later this month. All right, Russell Wilson and Ciara are donating a quarter of a
million dollars to the Salvation Army in Spokane. That money will go to families hit hard by the recent wildfires. The donation was made through the couple's Why Not You Foundation. Wilson's connection to the area goes back to his years with the Seattle Seahawks.
And Elton John returns to Mexico City this weekend for his first shows there in 14 years. He will perform today and tomorrow, and the concerts are not part of his farewell tour. Instead, Elton John has created an exclusive set list for his Mexican fans, including and featuring career-spanning hits and fan favorites.
Well, people are saying that Johnny Depp is unrecognizable in his new role as Ebenezer Scrooge.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
Clip from YouTube/Paramount Pictures "Ebenezer."
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SMITH: Yeah, I certainly didn't guess that that was him. That's the new trailer for "Ebenezer" based on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." It also stars Ian McKellen and Rupert Grint of Harry Potter fame. This will be Johnny Depp's first movie by a major U.S. studio since that high-profile legal fight with his ex-wife, Amber Heard. "Ebenezer" comes out next month.
All right, still to come on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS, you'll soon be able to get your passport entirely online. The change is being made to make travel out of the country easier for you. That story and more straight ahead on CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS.
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[05:56:27]
SMITH: In today's Money Express, finally some relief at the pump for drivers. We're seeing gas prices dip a bit following those record- setting prices last month.
Maribel Aber joins us from the NASDAQ MarketSite with more details. Hey Maribel. This is good --
MARIBEL ABER, CNN CORRESPONDENT, MONEY MATTERS: Hey, Brad.
SMITH: -- to hear on a Friday.
ABER: Well, it is great to hear on Friday, right? It's going to be slightly cheaper to hit the road this weekend. The national gas average price for a gallon of gas is down eight cents from last week. It's at $4.40. It's still a huge jump of $1.25 from a year ago. It's also a record high for this time of year.
Hey, mortgage rates continue going up. The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage rose a quarter percentage point this week to 7.28 percent. It's the sixth-straight week of increases. That's making alternatives like adjustable rate mortgages more popular. Now they are riskier because the rates can go up remember, but if you think interest rates will come back down, they'll also track that movement.
And the days of printing out your passport mugshot are almost over. Passport applications are going entirely online next year. People renewing their passports have been able to upload digital pics for a while now, but a first-time application still required printed copies. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed earlier this week that sending. Kids under age 16 will still need to apply in person.
Brad, I was thrown when I could take my own photo with my phone and submit it to renewal.
SMITH: Just a nice little selfie, but it's got to be at the right angle still though, right?
ABER: That's right.
SMITH: OK, OK. Got to make sure that I get all the cheekbones in there but still got to satisfy all the parameters that they're putting forward.
Maribel Aber, thank you.
All right, now to some other stories that we are tracking across the country.
We start in Missouri with incredible video showing an off-duty police detective heading home from work when he rescued a 70-year-old from a burning truck. Take a look.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We good? Anyone else with the truck?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
SMITH: All right. That bodycam video was from a deputy who saw what was happening and he worked with the Kansas City police officer to pull the man from the burning pick-up. Authorities say the truck later exploded. The driver went to the hospital with serious burns to his legs.
And take a look at this. In South Carolina, dense fog and low visibility caused a massive pileup on the I-95 interstate Thursday morning. Officials say 69 vehicles crashed, wow, leaving at least a dozen people hurt. Eleven were treated and released at a fire station. One was airlifted and four others had to be rescued from their vehicles. There were no deaths reported, thankfully.
And more than 600 stolen vehicles have been recovered at the Port of Newark over the past year. Customs officials say that they're worth more than $36 million and were headed to markets overseas. Authorities say that organized crime rings are behind many of the thefts and are urging drivers to use anti-theft devices.
[06:00:00]
All right. And in North Carolina, have you ever seen a sofa on wheels? Police here in Charlotte said that they stopped two men who were taking a couch for a spin -- pretty creative there -- sharing this image of furniture on wheels. I mean, this may bring a new meaning to couch surfing here. But perhaps even more impressive, let's just think about the physics that this takes to prop up a couch on two Lime scooters. I don't know. I think that deserves some type of commendation or award. We'll see.
That does it for CNN HEADLINE EXPRESS. I'm Brad Smith. "CNN THIS MORNING WITH AUDIE CORNISH" starts right now.
