Indian Air Force Chief AP Singh joked about the US talking of selling F-35 fighter jets to India while keeping Indian officials away from the aircraft. Speaking alongside US Pacific Air Forces chief General Kevin Schneider in Jodhpur, Singh said, “Your people don't even let us go near the aircraft.” He later clarified that his remark was a joke. Six US F-35 jets took part in the Tarang Shakti-2026 air exercise for the first time in India. Indian personnel could fly near the jets but were not allowed into their cockpits. Singh also discussed Russia’s Su-57 fighter jet offer.  

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee alleged that he was “kidnapped” after being released from police detention late Saturday. He was detained from his home in Gurugram ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. In a video posted on X, Rathee questioned the police action and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government of weakening democracy. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and other leaders were also detained, along with nearly 500 protesters. Police had denied permission for the protest, citing a lack of notice and concerns over rule compliance. Security was tightened across Delhi.  

Nepal has ordered thousands of people to evacuate after a flash flood swept away homes and bridges in Gorkha district on Sunday. The flood began when a landslide blocked the Budhi Gandaki River, causing water and debris to surge downstream. Officials said around a dozen houses and two suspension bridges were destroyed. A highway bridge linking Gorkha and Dhading districts was also washed away. The Nepal Army rescued six people from Jagat village. Eighteen workers at a damaged hydropower camp escaped safely. Authorities warned people living along the river to move to safer areas.  

Delhi Police have apprehended four men linked to the right-wing group Hindu Raksha Dal over an alleged assault on protesters in central Delhi. The incident took place on DDU Marg and involved protesters, including women. A video of the alleged assault went viral on social media. Police identified the men as Raman Saini, Vivekanand, Kapil Kumar and Ravinder Singh. Officials said the Kamla Market police station took action on its own after seeing the video. No formal complaint had been filed when the police began their investigation. Further legal action is underway.  

Delhi Police detained not only protesters but also journalists and office workers during Saturday’s security crackdown in central Delhi. The action came as the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) held protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Several journalists carrying press IDs were put on police buses while covering the events. Some were later released far from the protest sites. An office support worker was also detained despite saying he was not a protester. Heavy security, barricades, transport restrictions and mobile data disruptions left many people struggling to move around the city and reach their destinations.  

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has criticised Elon Musk’s Starlink amid a growing dispute over the satellite internet service’s entry into India. Dubey said India would not change its security policy under pressure. He added that a parliamentary panel had studied the risks posed by Starlink. “India is a healthy democratic, sovereign nation; it does not change its security policy under pressure or social media,” Dubey wrote on X. He claimed Starlink raised concerns for security agencies, the Defence Ministry and the Home Ministry. The dispute grew after Musk accused Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani of supporting a monopoly.  

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke attacked the Centre after being released from preventive detention on Sunday. He was detained at Delhi airport on Saturday along with party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka ahead of a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. After his release, Dipke wrote on X, “October 10 will go down as the beginning of the end of this dictatorship.” The three leaders were released by a magistrate’s court after nearly 24 hours. They must maintain peace and good behaviour for one year. The CJP is protesting alleged voter list irregularities.  

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated a 15-km stretch of Chennai Metro Phase II, built at a cost of around Rs 4,900 crore. He also took a train ride with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay. The new section connects Poonamallee Bypass and Vadapalani. It has 11 elevated stations and is expected to reduce travel time for commuters. The stretch also features a 3.7-km double-decker structure and advanced systems for driverless trains. Passenger services began at 4 pm on Sunday. Modi is also inaugurating and launching development projects worth over Rs 13,000 crore across Tamil Nadu.  

The Supreme Court on Sunday ordered normal metro and railway services in Delhi. It also directed authorities to keep internet services running and restore free movement. The court said peaceful, unarmed protesters cannot be detained except under the law. It stressed that the “right to protest cannot be beyond the legal framework”. The directions came after police detained around 7,000 people during Saturday’s protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Around 41,000 security personnel were deployed across the capital. The court also ordered the removal of restrictions near court complexes to ensure access to justice.  

Yemen’s Saudi-backed government forces have claimed to recapture key areas near the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait from Houthi rebels as fighting intensifies across the country. The military offensive reportedly regained control of Dhubab, Bab and Hadeid, with support from Saudi air power. However, the Houthis have disputed some government claims, and independent verification of territorial control remains limited. The strait connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is a crucial route for international shipping. Meanwhile, clashes around Taiz and Houthi attacks on Saudi targets have heightened regional security concerns. (PC: EPA)