US Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited Kolkata’s Durga Puja pandals and praised the creativity, community spirit and warmth of the celebrations.   “I can see why this celebration is so special,” Gor said in a post on X on October 12. He said he was happy to be back in Kolkata and had visited some of the city’s beautiful pandals.   Gor also wished everyone celebrating a happy Durga Puja. The festival is one of West Bengal’s biggest cultural events, bringing people together through artistic pandals, traditional rituals and community celebrations. (PC: X)

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke questioned the detention of party leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar on Tuesday, asking whether waving the national flag had become illegal.   According to PTI, Dipke said a team led by Ranka, Das and Ajinkya Shinde had reached the protest site and waved the Tricolour. He questioned the police action and demanded strict action over the detentions.   Police detained Das and Ranka after they climbed over a gate and attempted to enter Jantar Mantar, which has been denotified as a protest site. (PC: HT)

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised India’s economic growth forecast for FY27 to 7%, up from 6.4%, citing strong domestic demand and services activity. In its October World Economic Outlook, the IMF also increased its FY28 growth projection to 7% from 6.7%. The revision follows India’s stronger-than-expected economic performance, with GDP growing 7.8% year-on-year in the first quarter of FY27. However, rising crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions pose risks. The IMF expects India’s inflation to average 5% in FY27, while global economic growth is projected at 3.1% in 2026. (PC: News18)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the criminal defamation trial against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his 2018 “Commander-in-Thief” remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the Rafale fighter jet deal controversy. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Aparesh Kumar Singh issued notice on Gandhi’s plea and sought a response within 4 weeks. Gandhi had challenged a September 8 Bombay High Court order that refused to quash the case. The complaint was filed by BJP worker Mahesh Shrishrimal, who alleged that Gandhi’s remarks harmed Modi’s reputation. The trial will remain on hold pending further proceedings. (PC: India Today)

Residents on Indonesia’s Batam island have protested against water shortages, raising concerns about the growing demand from data centres. Around 300 people reportedly gathered at Nongsa Digital Park, carrying empty bottles and containers. Some residents say their taps have remained dry for months, forcing families to depend on water tankers. Authorities have blamed a prolonged dry spell and denied claims that household water is being diverted to data centres. Batam has approved 10 data centres as investment exceeds $6.7 billion. Officials have instructed new projects to build desalination plants, while residents demand reliable water supplies for local communities. (PC: BBC)

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained by Delhi Police on Tuesday after climbing over the locked gates of Jantar Mantar. The incident came a day after authorities removed the site’s status as a designated protest venue. The leaders, accompanied by at least 10 people, raised slogans demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. CJP members said they had reclaimed the venue to defend the right to protest. Police detained the group, including national organisation in-charge Ajinkya Shinde. Authorities have designated Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as alternative protest sites. (PC: HT)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has invited INDIA bloc leaders, civil society members and student organisations for a high tea at his Delhi residence at 4 pm on Tuesday, a day after the Opposition’s march to the Supreme Court over alleged electoral irregularities. The Opposition is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and challenging the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. INDIA bloc leaders have filed a joint petition naming the CEC and 2 Election Commissioners. The move follows Chief Justice Surya Kant’s refusal to meet Opposition leaders, citing the matter as sub judice. (PC: India Today)

A 19-year-old man has been arrested after his speeding Mini Cooper rammed into a scooter near Nedumbassery in Kerala’s Ernakulam district, killing 3 young people. Police identified the accused as Suhail Sajeev and registered a case of culpable homicide. The victims, Devika, 21, Gopika, 22, and Ijaz, 21, died after the crash early on Sunday near Kochi airport. An old social media video, reportedly linked to the accused, shows the car reaching 220 kmph. Police are examining the footage and investigating whether the driver was under the influence of alcohol. 

US Senator Bernie Sanders has criticised Elon Musk over his political spending, accusing the billionaire of using his wealth to influence American elections. The remarks came after Musk accused powerful Indian business interests of blocking Starlink’s entry into India to protect their market dominance. Sanders said Musk spent $290 million supporting Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign and is now spending $366 million to help Republicans retain control of Congress. Musk has also questioned Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani’s influence. India’s government has rejected claims of regulatory bias, saying satellite internet operators face the same approval framework.

The Kerala Congress has removed the staff member responsible for a controversial social media post targeting Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. The post, published on the party’s official X account, demanded his resignation after he said law and order was not his responsibility. It was deleted following criticism from the BJP and others. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph said the post was published without the knowledge or approval of the state leadership. He clarified that the party respects judicial impartiality and said the committee would examine how the message was posted. (PC: HT)