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)

Noida Police have registered a case against 2 identified X users and other unidentified accounts for allegedly spreading false claims that YouTuber Dhruv Rathee had been arrested. The posts circulated on October 16, claiming that Rathee was taken into custody over his videos. Police clarified that he had not been arrested by Noida Police and described the claims as false and misleading. The case was registered at Sector 39 police station under Sections 197 and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 67 of the Information Technology Act. Police said the posts could create panic and disturb law and order, and urged users to verify information before sharing it. (PC: X)

Police have arrested 7 people, including members of the organising committee, after a stampede at Kolkata’s Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal killed 19 people and injured around 25 on Saturday evening. The incident occurred around 7:40 pm on October 17 amid heavy crowds and rain. Eyewitnesses cited narrow entry and exit gates and poor lighting as possible concerns. The pandal was closed, and a case was registered to investigate the tragedy. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 5 lakh for each injured person. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also announced financial assistance. (PC: X, India Today)

US Vice-President JD Vance has defended his controversial description of H-1B visa workers as “foreign indentured servants”, while acknowledging that his wording may have been imperfect. Referring to his Indian in-laws, Vance said he respected immigrants who contribute to the United States. However, he argued that companies should prioritise American workers when suitable candidates are available. His remarks follow the suspension of several companies from the employment-based green card process, including Infosys, TCS, Wipro and Microsoft. India’s Foreign Ministry criticised his earlier description as “unwarranted and deeply offensive”, highlighting Indian professionals’ contributions to the US economy. (PC: News18)

Protests have erupted across several countries as people express anger over rising living costs, housing prices, education funding and public services. In France, demonstrations over fuel prices and education cuts have drawn large crowds, while Belgium has seen student protests over rising university fees. Thousands marched in Portugal over low wages and unaffordable housing. Italy and Albania have also witnessed protests over economic pressures and education conditions. In the United States, rallies targeted President Donald Trump, while demonstrations in India focused on alleged voter-list irregularities. The protests reflect growing public frustration with government policies and economic inequality. (PC: NDTV)

The Centre has capped trade margins at 30% for 137 anti-cancer medicines, a move expected to reduce their prices by up to 70%. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) approved the measure to curb excessive mark-ups and make cancer treatment more affordable. The revised prices will come into effect on November 9, 2026. The cap applies to non-scheduled cancer medicines, which were previously outside government-fixed ceiling prices. The government aims to reduce the financial burden on patients while ensuring continued supplies. Drug manufacturers have been directed to maintain production levels to prevent shortages of these essential medicines. (PC: HT)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah and West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited Apollo Hospital in Kolkata on Sunday, October 18, to meet survivors of the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal. The two leaders met people injured in the incident and were briefed on their condition. The stampede occurred during Durga Puja celebrations, raising concerns over crowd management and public safety at large gatherings. The hospital visit came a day after the incident, as authorities continued to assess the situation and provide medical care to those injured. Further details about the victims’ conditions were awaited.  

Neha Bora, president of the All India Students’ Association (AISA), was released early on October 17, 2026, while Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke was granted conditional bail later that evening following their detention ahead of a proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ march at Connaught Place, New Delhi. Bora was released after completing formalities under Section 65 of the Delhi Police Act. Dipke was detained under preventive provisions after police alleged he had violated an earlier peace bond. The detentions sparked criticism from activists, who questioned the police action and raised concerns about the handling of protests. (PC: File)

Kolkata Police have arrested seven people in connection with the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata, where 19 people died and several others were injured on October 17, 2026. Those arrested include the puja committee’s secretary Raj Kumar Sewda, vice-president Santanu Dubey, a pandal construction worker, crowd-control personnel and private security officials. Police registered a case at Girish Park police station under Sections 105, 110 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigators are examining alleged lapses in crowd management, safety arrangements and structural preparedness. Further inquiries continue.