An Air India flight from Frankfurt to Delhi was diverted to Jaipur on Wednesday after the pilot issued a hijacking alert. Flight AI 2030, operated by a Boeing 787-9, landed safely at Jaipur International Airport and was moved to an isolation bay for security checks. All passengers and crew members were evacuated safely. DGCA sources said the aircraft had transmitted code 7500, used internationally to indicate a hijacking. However, police sources said the emergency landing followed a bomb threat. Security agencies, local police and the Anti-Terrorism Squad conducted checks. The DGCA is investigating the incident. (PC: HT)

Pope Leo XIV has been diagnosed with lung cancer after undergoing successful surgery to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, the Vatican said. The 71-year-old underwent a 90-minute operation at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital on Tuesday, with no complications reported. Doctors identified the condition as lung adenocarcinoma after examining a growth detected during routine checks. The Pope is expected to remain in hospital for about a week while he recovers. His schedule has been cleared until October 20. Despite the diagnosis, the Vatican has said he showed no symptoms of infection or illness. (PC: BBC)

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka have been sent to Tihar Jail for 5 days over their entry into Jantar Mantar without authorisation. Police said they violated peace bonds and could disturb public order. Their associate, Ajinkya Shinde, was allowed to leave after signing a peace bond. Delhi Police registered a case against the 3 over trespassing, violating prohibitory orders and obstructing public servants. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke criticised the action, saying the leaders were detained for unfurling the national flag. The party alleges illegal detention and denial of access to lawyers. (PC: India Today)

India’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports remained robust in September despite disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz crisis, while Oman replaced the United States as the country’s top supplier, according to the report. The US had been India’s largest LNG source in recent months after the West Asia conflict began, but European buyers increased competition for American cargoes. Over the five-month period, US supplies totalled 3.41 million tonnes, accounting for 28.7% of India’s LNG imports. Strong demand pushed Indian importers to purchase spot-market cargoes at unusually high prices, while some Asian buyers cut imports. India also sought suppliers less dependent on Hormuz, prioritising availability over cost for several key sectors. (PC: AP)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned the arrest of Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, calling it “an act of cowardice.” In a post on X, Gandhi said peacefully waving the national flag at Jantar Mantar was not a crime and described the site as belonging to the people of India. He vowed that it would be reclaimed. Gandhi said students, young people, journalists and the INDIA bloc were united in demanding constitutional rights despite representing different banners. A Delhi court remanded Das and Ranka to five days of judicial custody on Wednesday over trespassing at Jantar Mantar. Police argued they had disturbed public peace and breached bond conditions. (PC: X)

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly discussed renewed strikes on Iran last week, Axios reported, citing four sources. A US official said Netanyahu wants to resume attacks and raised the idea with Trump, who reportedly told him to “get ready” without committing to a timeline. An Israeli official said Netanyahu was concerned by intelligence suggesting Iran was rebuilding its nuclear programme. Trump said the United States would not attack Iran before November’s midterm elections. However, both militaries remain on alert and are preparing for a change in policy. The White House denied they discussed restarting the war, while Netanyahu’s office declined to comment on their conversations. (PC: X)

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar humorously added Japan to a moderator’s list of India’s foreign policy priorities during a panel discussion. The moderator had described the strategy as engaging America, managing China, cultivating Europe and reassuring Russia. Jaishankar pointed out that Japan was missing, saying, “You forgot a fifth country: Japan.” He joked that he had to mention it or he would be “in trouble at home with my wife.” His wife, Kyoko Jaishankar, is Japanese, and the couple met while he was serving as a diplomat in Tokyo. The exchange drew laughter. Japan’s wider strategic importance to India includes Indo-Pacific cooperation, Quad membership, trade, infrastructure and regional security.

A Saudi national employed by OpenAI was arrested after allegedly planting a recording device inside the company’s San Francisco office, according to OpenAI and federal prosecutors. OpenAI said its security team discovered a sophisticated hidden recording device late last month and referred the matter to the FBI. The US Justice Department said Abdulrahman Alfozan, a 35-year-old Saudi engineer who joined OpenAI in July 2025, was arrested on October 9. According to the department, Alfozan allegedly wrapped a USB device in toilet paper and inserted it into a television in an executive conference room. He was reportedly captured on camera near the room multiple times, despite lacking authorisation to attend meetings there.

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) conveners Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were sent to five days of judicial custody on Tuesday following the Jantar Mantar incident, triggering reactions. The two leaders allegedly entered the protest site without authorisation and raised the national flag. Police said protesters had entered by jumping over locked gates. The action came a day after Jantar Mantar was removed from Delhi’s designated protest venues. Opposition leaders accused the Narendra Modi government of “dictatorship,” describing the developments as an “unofficial emergency.” Meanwhile, US singer Mary Millben expressed support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, praising his leadership. The custody decision has intensified debate over protest rights and the government’s response.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has described India-US relations as a strategic “partnership, not an alliance”, saying countries must reassess their engagement with Washington as its global approach changes. His remarks come amid differences between New Delhi and Washington over trade, tariffs and other bilateral issues, even as both continue cooperating on shared interests. Jaishankar said the shift in US policy was not directed at any single country and required governments to reconsider their relationships with Washington. His comments precede US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s scheduled five-day India visit beginning October 17, during which energy cooperation and broader strategic ties are expected to feature prominently on the agenda.