Kolkata Durga Puja stampede toll rises to 19; sitting HC judge to probe incident
The death toll in the stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata rose to 19 on Saturday (October 17, 2026), with two more deaths reported. West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said 17 people were brought dead to Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, while a child died at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital and another person died while being taken to a private healthcare facility.
Congress says nothing can save CEC, demands SIR be suspended forthwith as ECI agrees to share ‘readable’ voter rolls
Jairam Ramesh said the ECI’s October 15, 2026, order to share “readable” electoral rolls with parties — after refusing the demand since 2018 — came because “the whole nation is on the streets against the Vote Chors.” He said CEC Gyanesh Kumar, acting on instructions from PM Modi and Home Minister Shah, “simply has to go,” and the SIR, which he said put 13 crore Indians’ voting rights at risk, must be suspended immediately.
Seven, including Chorbagan Durga Puja organisers, arrested for pandal stampede in Kolkata: Police
Seven people, including the secretary and vice president of the Chorbagan Sarbajanin Durga Puja committee, have been arrested in connection with the pandal stampede that killed at least 19 people, said the Kolkata Police on Sunday (October 18, 2026). Two security in-charges and one person who was in charge of construction work have also been arrested, among others, the officials said.
Adhikari orders independent probe, promises compensation for victims’ families
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendhu Adhikari, after meeting the victims of the stampede in the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata, said that the Government will take responsibility for the tragedy and launch an independent probe by a fact-finding team, headed by a sitting judge.
14 killed, 40 injured as truck hits devotees near temple in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior
At least 14 people, including two women and two teenagers, were killed in Madhya Pradesh’s Gwalior after an out-of-control truck entered a prohibited zone and rammed into a crowd of devotees near a famous temple in the early hours of Sunday (October 18, 2026), officials said. More than 40 people were injured in the accident.
Opposition parties protest Dushyant Gautam’s appointment as Sikkim Governor
Opposition parties in Sikkim have opposed the appointment of Dushyant Kumar Gautam as the State’s Governor. The Sikkim unit of the Congress and the Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) said President Droupadi Murmu should recall Mr. Gautam until the Central Bureau of Investigation completes its probe into the Ankita Bhandari murder case.
India bars sugar-based ethanol in 2026-27 tender, cuts maize incentive
State-run oil marketing companies have barred ethanol made from sugarcane juice, sugar syrup and B-heavy molasses from their latest procurement tender for the 2026-27 supply year for blending in petrol, as the government seeks to protect domestic sugar supplies while sustaining its nationwide petrol-blending programme.
Menstrual hygiene: Supreme Court expresses displeasure over States, UTs not responding to Centre
The Supreme Court has expressed displeasure that States and Union Territories have not responded to the Centre on how it is implementing its judgment declaring menstrual hygiene a part of the fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution.
CJI Surya Kant to inaugurate Ladakh’s first permanent High Court Bench in Leh
Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant will inaugurate the permanent bench of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh in Leh on Sunday (October 18, 2026), a senior official said.
Cockroach effigy at Delhi Ramlila event triggers queries; organisers say promoting cleanliness
A 30-foot effigy of a cockroach is to be burnt alongside those of Ravan, Meghnad and Kumbhkaran at a Ramlila event in the capital on Sunday (October 18, 2026), prompting some social media users to question its propriety at a religious celebration, even as organisers maintain the initiative aims to promote cleanliness.
India urges nationals in Saudi Arabia to follow safety directives amid security concerns
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh on Sunday (October 18, 2026), urged Indian nationals in Saudi Arabia to follow updated safety directives issued by the Saudi authorities for people receiving emergency alerts through the National Early Warning Platform for Emergencies, amid heightened security concerns following attacks by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
Indian refiners’ fuel exports to West surge 43% amid Russian crude imports
Refineries in India and two other countries that run on Russian crude shipped 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) of oil products to sanctioning countries in September, up 43% from August, according to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
U.S. President wants 60 days to analyse impact of Russia sanctions law, says Marco Rubio
U.S. President Donald Trump wants to take a 60-day period to analyse what imposing sanctions on Russia and tariffs on other countries would mean for the global economy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in Washington. Mr. Rubio was responding to questions on Saturday (October 17, 2026) evening ahead of his departure for a week-long tour of Uzbekistan and India.
Vice-President Vance faces tough questions on Iran war, immigration and more in CBS town hall
Vice President J.D. Vance faced tough questions from voters about the Trump administration’s policies on data centres, high costs, immigration and his own rhetoric in a town hall on 71599458that aired Saturday (October 17, 2026) night.