The Delhi Police has assured the Delhi High Court that it will take “all possible measures” to regulate a protest called by Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke at Connaught Place on Friday, October 16. The protest is planned at Central Park, where Dipke has urged supporters to gather with the national flag. He called the demonstration after CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were sent to 5 days of judicial custody following their detention over an incident at Jantar Mantar. The High Court recorded the police’s assurance but did not stop the proposed protest. (PC: HT)

The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notices to the Centre and Delhi Police over a petition challenging the removal of Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. The court said the law would take its own course if the responses did not satisfy it. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that the decision followed a committee’s recommendation. A Delhi Police order dated October 11 designated Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi as alternative venues for demonstrations. The police said separate standard operating procedures for protests at these locations would be issued. The move has sparked debate over access to protest spaces in the national capital. (PC: NDTV)

Nepal Prime Minister Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen Shah, is expected to visit India for 3 days in November, marking his first official bilateral trip abroad since taking office in March. The visit, likely in the third or fourth week of November, will include delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and meetings with senior Indian ministers. The agenda is expected to cover border disputes, hydropower projects, trade, air routes and reconstruction after devastating August floods. Both countries are also discussing agreements and memorandums of understanding. However, the official dates of the visit have not yet been announced. (PC: India Today)

Amnesty International has urged Indian authorities to release Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, who were sent to 5 days of judicial custody after entering Jantar Mantar on October 13. In a statement on October 14, Amnesty raised concerns over restrictions on peaceful protests after Delhi Police removed Jantar Mantar from its list of authorised protest sites. CJP member Ajinkya Shinde was released on a personal bond. Amnesty said public spaces must remain accessible for peaceful demonstrations and called for an end to the crackdown on dissent. (PC: X)

3 Indians from Kerala were killed in a suspected arson attack at a residential building in Bochum, Germany. The victims were identified as Nova Sabu, 25, a part-time gym trainer; Anjali Sheela Joy, 25, a warehouse worker; and Sivin Johny, 26, who had recently arrived for higher studies. German police have arrested a 41-year-old Romanian national who lived in the same building on suspicion of murder. Investigators suspect the fire was deliberately set on the ground floor. Five others were injured, including an Indian student reportedly in critical condition. Indian authorities are working to bring the victims’ remains home. (PC: NDTV)

The Congress has reached out to Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke, inviting him to a high tea hosted by Rahul Gandhi for INDIA bloc leaders, civil society representatives and student leaders. The move signals a possible shift in the party’s approach towards CJP, which has led protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral irregularities. Congress leaders had earlier maintained distance from the group, with some viewing it as linked to the Aam Aadmi Party. Rahul Gandhi recently condemned the arrest of CJP leaders during protests at Jantar Mantar.  (PC: The Indian Express)

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra met the parents of Ankita Bhandari at their sit-in protest near India Gate in Delhi on Wednesday. The family is opposing the appointment of Uttarakhand BJP leader Dushyant Gautam as Sikkim governor and has demanded that the move be halted until the investigation is completed. Ankita, a receptionist at Vanantra Resort in Uttarakhand’s Pauri district, was murdered in 2022. Her family has alleged Gautam’s involvement, an allegation reported by the Congress. Rahul Gandhi said the family had been waiting for justice for 4 years. (PC: HT)

Indonesia’s worst wildfire season in a decade has spread toxic haze across Southeast Asia, raising health concerns in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia. An unusually strong El Niño has intensified fires, which have burned around 900,000 hectares of land, according to Nusantara Atlas. Many fires are linked to land clearance for agriculture, including commercial plantations. Greenpeace has identified companies connected to areas where fires were recorded, although the firms deny responsibility for illegal burning. Indonesian authorities have suspended 26 companies’ operating licences and launched investigations. Meanwhile, residents face hazardous air, breathing difficulties and growing pressure for government action. (PC: BBC)

Actor Imran Khan, nephew of Aamir Khan, has been asked to leave India by October 28 following his participation in a Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protest in Mumbai on October 10. The Mumbai Police issued the notice under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, citing his participation despite not being an Indian citizen. Khan reportedly holds US citizenship and an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. He was detained alongside his partner, actor Lekha Washington, and cousin Zayne Marie Khan during the protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. All 3 were later released. (PC: NDTV)

Following the alleged attempted hijacking of Flydubai flight FZ1073 by an Omani co-pilot, who reportedly tried to crash the aircraft while stabbing Indian captain Smit Machchhar during a mid-air cockpit brawl, Air France has reportedly agreed to comply with new Israeli nationality-based flight restrictions. According to French investigative publication Mediapart, nationals of 31 Muslim-majority countries are barred from flying aircraft into Israeli airspace. The countries reportedly include Pakistan, Algeria, Tunisia, Iran, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Niger. The restrictions concern who can fly to and over Israel. The report also states that Smartwings and Air France confirmed compliance with Israel’s new rules affecting pilots and cabin crew. (PC: AP)