French President Emmanuel Macron has said there is “no place for violence” after protests over falling education standards and the rising cost of living turned violent across France.   Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said around 550,000 people joined the protests, including 110,000 in Paris. About 400 people were arrested, and 60 police officers were injured. Two officers were taken to hospital unconscious.   Protesters damaged public buildings in several cities. A tourism office in Lyon was set on fire, while town halls in Lille, Marseille and Limoges faced damage or arson. Shops were also looted in several cities.  

A Supreme Court-appointed panel has launched an online portal to collect complaints and evidence about violence during the July protests at Jantar Mantar and other places. The portal allows affected people, including police personnel, to submit complaints, photos, videos and medical reports.   The panel will give priority to complaints about pellet gun use, violence against protesters and harassment of women. People can also submit information anonymously to protect their identities.   The five-member panel, led by former Supreme Court judge R Subhash Reddy, was formed to investigate allegations of excessive force and violence during the protests.  

US President Donald Trump has waived several sanctions against Russia, drawing criticism from US lawmakers and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The sanctions were approved by Congress and signed into law in September. Trump said suspending some measures was in the US national interest.   Zelensky called the decision unfortunate and said the sanctions could have put pressure on Russia to end the war. He also reported Russian attacks on 15 Ukrainian energy facilities, causing power cuts. At least nine people were killed and around 60 injured in Russian strikes across Ukraine over 24 hours, Ukrainian authorities said.  

Actor Imran Khan has approached the Bombay High Court to challenge a notice asking him to leave India by October 28. The notice was issued after his detention at a protest in Mumbai on October 10. The protest called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.   Khan’s petition seeks an urgent stay and cancellation of the notice. He argued that authorities failed to explain the alleged violations and ignored his Overseas Citizen of India status. Khan said he has lived in India since he was two years old. The court hearing is expected on Monday.  

At least 17 people were feared dead and several others injured in a stampede at Kolkata’s Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal on Saturday evening. The incident took place around 7 pm amid heavy rain and lightning.   A large crowd reportedly rushed towards the pandal to escape the rain. Several people fell, triggering the stampede. Around 25 injured people were taken to Kolkata Medical College and Hospital.   Senior police officials and rescue teams reached the spot. The West Bengal government launched a toll-free helpline, 18003455678, to provide information about the incident. Police had yet to confirm the death toll.  

Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke was released on Saturday after a Delhi court ordered his conditional release. He was detained and arrested on Friday while planning to join a march at Connaught Place against alleged electoral fraud. The court directed him to sign a Rs 50,000 bond and promise to maintain peace.   All India Students' Association president Neha Bora, who was also detained, was released earlier on Saturday. Police said around 150 people were detained to maintain law and order and control traffic. Protests continued despite the detentions, with participants carrying the national flag.  

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized expired and damaged food products worth Rs 48 lakh during raids in Thane and Pune. Police have filed an FIR against 10 people linked to Reliance, Blinkit, Zomato Hyperpure and disposal agencies.   The FDA suspects that food meant for destruction was diverted and sold to consumers. Officials found expired and leaking products at an unlicensed shop in Bhiwandi. They also found problems in disposal records.   The FDA suspended the licences of five establishments and shut down four unlicensed premises following inspections.  

The Calcutta High Court has quashed a criminal case over a dispute between two women over a rescued street dog. The court urged them to “work together for the welfare of poor, voiceless animals”. Both women claimed to have rescued the dog in November 2024 and cared for it. The court noted that the dog was now around two years old and in good health. After reviewing a police report and medical records, the court found no reason to continue the case. It also allowed the complainant to visit the dog once a month, with prior permission from its current custodian.  

Odisha Vigilance officials seized ₹21.88 lakh in suspected unaccounted cash from Prasanjit Das, Superintending Engineer of the Mahanadi Northern Division in Jagatpur, Cuttack. Acting on information about alleged bribe collection from contractors, officials intercepted Das near AG Chowk in Bhubaneswar on Friday night, October 16, and recovered ₹7.28 lakh from his vehicle. Subsequent searches at his rented flat uncovered another ₹14.60 lakh. A search was also conducted at his ancestral residence in Bargarh. Das was detained for questioning, and a case was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act. The investigation continues. (PC: ANI)

Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke and fellow leaders Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das were released by a Delhi Executive Magistrate on October 11 after preventive detention. The three furnished surety bonds of ₹50,000 each and were directed to maintain peace and good behaviour for one year. Police had detained them ahead of a planned protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists. CJP leaders criticised the detention, while police maintained that preventive action was necessary to avert potential disturbances. (PC: X)