India’s government has expanded cancer drug price controls, targeting 137 anti-cancer medicines to make treatment more affordable. Announced by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, the measure caps trade margins at 30% of the maximum retail price, with reductions of up to 70% expected from November 9, 2026. The medicines include immunotherapy drugs used to treat more than 20 cancer types, including breast, prostate, colon, ovarian and cervical cancers. The initiative builds on a 2019 programme covering 42 cancer drugs, which reduced prices by up to 90%. 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on October 18, 2026, intensified his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar during the party’s Goy Rakhon Yatra in Margao, Goa. Gandhi accused them of being responsible for alleged electoral manipulation, describing it as “vote chori” and an attack on the Constitution. He alleged Modi masterminded the plan, Shah implemented it and Gyanesh Kumar executed it. Gandhi vowed that Congress would continue its fight for electoral transparency and accountability, insisting those responsible would ultimately face justice. 

France witnessed widespread violence on October 17 as nationwide protests against rising living costs, inflation and declining public services escalated into clashes with police. Around 550,000 people participated, according to the Interior Ministry, while organisers estimated 800,000. Nearly 1,800 people were arrested, and more than 500 police officers and emergency personnel were injured. Shops were looted in Paris, Marseille and other cities, while Limoges’ historic town hall was severely damaged by fire. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence. The unrest began with student grievances over poor school conditions and teacher shortages. 

A stampede at Kolkata’s Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal on Saturday evening, October 17, killed at least 19 people and injured several others. Kolkata Police suspect that a microphone announcement warning that the pandal might collapse triggered panic among visitors. Heavy rain, overcrowding, narrow entry and exit routes, and inadequate security may have worsened the situation. Investigators are examining CCTV footage, eyewitness accounts and the deployment of police personnel, including allegations of insufficient staffing. Authorities are investigating possible lapses by organisers and security agencies. The exact sequence of events remains under investigation. (PC: AP)

US President Donald Trump has waived key provisions of a law that threatened tariffs of up to 100% on countries buying Russian oil, offering temporary relief to India. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump wants 60 days to assess the economic impact of sanctions and tariffs on global and US markets. Rubio acknowledged that India has diversified its energy sources but remains heavily dependent on Russian supplies. The waiver comes amid global energy disruptions linked to conflicts involving Iran and Russia’s war in Ukraine. Washington has not ruled out further action after reviewing the economic impact. (PC: News18)

France faced widespread damage on Sunday after protests over rising fuel prices, living costs and poor public services turned violent in several cities. Around 550,000 people joined Saturday’s demonstrations, most of which were peaceful, while police arrested about 1,800 people. Rioters set vehicles and buildings on fire, looted shops and clashed with police in Paris, Marseille and Lille. More than 500 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured, the interior ministry said. The Retail and Trade Federation reported damage to around 1,500 shops and retailers. Fires also damaged public buildings in Lyon and Limoges. (PC: BBC)

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke said the group would restrategise its protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar after members Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka are released from custody. The protests concern alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.   “Once Saurav and Ashu come, we will gather, restrategise, and determine how to move forward,” Dipke said. He alleged that recent arrests and detentions were intended to intimidate the group and said it would not back down. Dipke was granted conditional bail on Saturday. Das and Ranka remain in judicial custody after breaching the de-notified Jantar Mantar protest site. (PC: X)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said India cannot shift away from Russian energy overnight, explaining Washington’s decision to waive certain sanctions and tariff provisions. US President Donald Trump has allowed a 60-day review to assess the economic impact of imposing sanctions on Russia and tariffs on countries buying its energy. The measures could have exposed India and other major buyers to tariffs of up to 100% on goods exported to the US. Rubio described India as an important American partner and said global energy pressures must be considered before deciding the next steps. The waiver offers temporary relief to India.

Protests over rising living costs and declining public services turned violent across France on Saturday, with more than 1,200 people arrested and 150 police officers injured. Around 550,000 people took to the streets nationwide, including 110,000 in Paris, according to the Interior Ministry. Demonstrators and masked groups clashed with police, while shops were looted and buildings set ablaze in several cities. In Limoges, a fire severely damaged the historic town hall, while Lyon’s tourist office also caught fire. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence and vowed legal action against those responsible. The protests began over school conditions before expanding into wider economic grievances. 

A delegation of European diplomats was attacked by masked Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, prompting Belgium to demand accountability. The diplomats, from Belgium, France, Poland and the Catholic Church, were visiting the Christian village of Taybeh near Ramallah to assess repeated settler attacks on Palestinians during the olive harvest. Belgium said a consulate car’s window was smashed, while French mayor Bernard Baudoux was reportedly assaulted. Israel’s military condemned the violence and launched an investigation. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office urged caution, saying the available footage did not establish the full sequence of events or individual responsibility. (PC: BBC)