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)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly moving between heavily guarded palaces equipped with bunkers as Houthi attacks on the kingdom intensify, according to a Wall Street Journal report cited by NDTV. The crown prince has not appeared publicly since Tuesday, when he participated in a blood donation drive. The developments follow a missile strike on Riyadh’s international airport that killed at least 13 people and injured more than 300, according to reports. The airport has remained closed since the weekend attack. Saudi Arabia is considering its response as regional tensions rise and security concerns grow. (PC: NDTV)

The Supreme Court Registry has flagged 14 defects in a petition filed by Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders against the Election Commission of India over alleged electoral irregularities. The objections include missing documents, incomplete authorisations for 9 petitioners, a blurred copy of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s identity card and a court fee shortfall of Rs 220. The case can be listed for hearing after the defects are corrected. The petition seeks an interim stay on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and 10 forms of relief over the poll process. Opposition leaders have also demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. (PC: News18)

Fighting between Yemen’s pro-government forces and Houthi rebels is intensifying near Bab al-Mandab, a strategic waterway linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. The conflict threatens global shipping and oil supplies, with Saudi Arabia also facing Houthi attacks. Government forces claim to have regained 85% of recently captured territory, while around 200,000 people have fled their homes since the latest escalation began in September, according to the International Organization for Migration. Hospitals in Aden are treating growing numbers of wounded fighters and civilians, including a 12-year-old boy injured in a drone strike. (PC: BBC)

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval held a phone conversation with Iranian security chief Mohsen Rezaei on Monday to discuss regional developments and bilateral relations, according to Iran’s embassy. The call came as hostilities in West Asia continued to affect shipping and Indian nationals in the region.   The discussion covered the latest regional and international developments and issues of mutual interest. However, India did not issue an official readout of the conversation.   The call followed attacks on merchant vessels near the Strait of Hormuz, with 2 Indian seafarers reported missing after a drone attack on the MT Petrol Dolphin. India has called for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the conflict. (PC: HT)