commands as part

Wednesday, 21 October 2026

India advises nationals in France to remain vigilant amid unrest, curfews

A woman walks past a building with graffiti that reads "The ultra-rich against everyone" and "No justice, no peace. RIP El Hacen" after the weekend protests over the cost of living turned into rioting and looting across France, in Paris, Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026.(Photo | AP)

Updated on:

22 Oct 2026, 9:27 am

2 min read

Amid continuing unrest, violent clashes and localised curfews in parts of France, India has advised its nationals living in the European nation and those travelling to the country to remain vigilant and exercise caution.

In an advisory issued on Wednesday, the Embassy of India in France urged Indian nationals to avoid large gatherings and crowded places where protests are taking place and follow instructions issued by local authorities.

"In view of the recent developments and localised curfews imposed in France, please remain vigilant and exercise due caution," it said.

The advisory comes as France grapples with widespread protests and riots, triggered by student demonstrations over high school conditions and expanding into mass anti-government anger over inflation and living costs. The unrest has been marked by incidents of looting, arson and clashes between demonstrators and police.

The Indian mission asked nationals to stay informed through local news reports and official updates on the French government's website, gouvernement.fr.

They are also advised to check public transport updates on the website of RATP, the state-owned public transport operator serving the Paris region.

In case of an emergency, Indian nationals can contact the Embassy of India in Paris or the Consulate General of India in Marseille, the advisory said.

Advisory for Indian Nationals in France and Those Travelling to France In view of the recent developments and localised curfews imposed in France, please remain vigilant and exercise due caution. Please avoid large gatherings and crowded places where protests are taking place, and follow the instructions and advisories issued by the local French authorities. Please also stay informed through local news, follow official updates (https://t.co/mmCApj3WkV) and check for public transport disruptions (https://t.co/iyq6LLm83T). In case of any emergency, Indian nationals can contact: Embassy of India, Paris: +33 6 48 34 00 63 | cons.paris@mea.gov.in Consulate General of India, Marseille: +33 7 43 16 25 59| cgo.marseille@mea.gov.in @PMOIndia @MEAIndia @IndianDiplomacy @CGIMarseille @PIB_India @mygovindia
— India in France (@IndiaembFrance) October 21, 2026

The protests, which began in late September over underfunded and overcrowded schools, have since swelled into massive nationwide marches over inflation, the cost of living and concerns over public services.

Violence erupted on the sidelines of demonstrations on October 17, prompting authorities to impose localised curfews in parts of Paris and other cities, including Lille, Lyon and Nice. Marseille also imposed restrictions on gatherings and demonstrations.

According to media reports, more than 2,400 people were arrested during the weekend unrest, while nearly 1,000 police officers were injured.

President Emmanuel Macron has vowed to prevent a recurrence of the violence as protest groups prepare further demonstrations.

France's main student union and the 'Yellow Vest' movement, a grassroots protest movement whose agitations over fuel prices shook the country in 2018 and 2019, have called for rallies on Saturday.

Trade unions have also announced a strike on November 5 over the cost of living and cuts to public services.

Saturday, 17 October 2026

Want To Increase Daily Fibre Intake? Nutritionist Recommends One Teaspoon Of Isabgol

If we want to increase our daily intake of dietary fibre, the easiest thing we do is add more fruits and vegetables to our diet. Be it a bowl of fruits as a snack or extra salad with lunch, we think eating more fruits and vegetables can easily improve our fibre intake.

As per nutritionist Lovneet Batra, our intake may not be enough.

In a new post, the nutritionist speaks about the daily quantity of fruits and vegetables we need to increase our fibre intake. She explains that while vegetables like bottle gourds and cucumbers are incredible for hydration, they do not provide adequate roughage.

One of the easiest ways to increase fibre intake, according to Batra, is consuming isabgol or psyllium husk.

Nutritionist Explains How Isabgol Increases Fibre Intake

Batra says that watermelons or cucumbers can fail to meet our required daily fibre requirements.

"To get just 5 grams of fibre, you would have to chew through 6-7 full cups of diced watermelon or 2.5 large cucumbers (with peel)," she adds.

Isabgol provides an easy alternative. One teaspoon can provide five grams of dietary fibre, as per Batra.

If we compare it with different fruits and vegetables, we need to eat three medium tomatoes, seven-and-a-half cups of chopped lettuce, two cups of chopped pumpkin or six-seven cups of chopped watermelon to get the same amount of fibre.

She says that isabgol also offers several other benefits. It can relieve constipation, regulate bowel movements, and act as a natural probiotic for feeding good gut bacteria.

If the goal is to increase your daily fibre intake, isabgol "can actually prove to be one of the best supplements for you," Batra mentions.

Is Isabgol Alone Effective?

While isabgol has several benefits, it does not mean we should stop eating fruits and vegetables completely, the nutritionist cautions.

Eating fruits and vegetables is non-negotiable for our health. The items are essential sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

When it comes to increasing dietary fibre intake, isabgol is an effective alternative to endless bowls of fruits and vegetables, as per Batra.

The supplement should not replace the role of these items in your daily diet.

President Trump wants 60-day pause to analyse global impact of sanctions and tariffs: Marco Rubio

UNITED STATES: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that President Donald Trump's waiver of sweeping sanctions and tariffs on Russia would be a 60-day pause to "analyze" their impact on the global economy.

"The president wants to take the 60-day period of time to sort of analyze what imposing both sanctions and tariffs will mean to the global economy and even to the US economy," Rubio said, noting that the economic restrictions involved a number of countries, not just Russia.

He said various conflicts were impacting global energy prices, including the US war on Iran and attacks on Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthis.

"These conflicts around the world are starting to crash into each other, and they're having an impact not just on global oil and diesel prices" but on economies as well, Rubio said.

Trump said late Saturday his decision would benefit the US, though it was unclear if he had actually made up his mind on the matter.

"We'll figure it out, and you'll figure it out," he said. "It's a very good decision, and it's going to be a decision that's good for the country, and I think good for the world."

US lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle have sharply criticized Trump after he signed an executive order Friday that waived sweeping sanctions and tariffs targeting Russia -- measures adopted by Congress last month.

The law passed in September, and signed by Trump, included sanctions targeting Russian officials, oligarchs and financial institutions, and provided Trump with the authority to impose sanctions on major buyers of Russian oil and gas.

The idea was to cut off sources of funding to supporters of Russian President Vladimir Putin, as well as his war on Ukraine.

But late Friday, two days before the law was due to take effect, Trump exempted Russia from those economic restrictions.

"Beyond irresponsible," Republican Senator Thom Tillis, a frequent Trump critic who will leave office in January, said in a post on X.

"If the President wants to actually bring down energy prices, he can do it by solving the Iran problem, not by doing a solid for Vladimir Putin."

Ted Cruz, a senior Republican senator from Texas, called the move "a mistake" in comments aired on Fox News.

Trump's executive order came after he struck a deal with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to allow exports of Russian diesel in exchange for the easing of sanctions.

The impact of steep diesel price hikes due to the Iran war are beginning to filter into the US economy, and cost of living worries are top of mind for voters ahead of key midterm elections next month.

Polls show Trump's Republicans are likely to receive a drubbing at the polls.

"The diesel that Putin was going to sell, they were (going to) make it available to the global market one way or the other. The only difference is how much of it the United States was going to get," Rubio said, underscoring the importance of the vital fuel powering US road hauling, agriculture and construction.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said he feared the United States would lift more sanctions on Russia and that Trump's action "rewards" Putin.

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.

Mr. Adhikari said an investigation would be conducted under a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court to determine the circumstances that led to the incident. The Kolkata Police have obtained CCTV footage from Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durgotsab and will investigate the role of those responsible for crowd management on Saturday (October 17) evening.

Follow Kolkata pandal stampede LIVE updates

“We are looking at the CCTV when the accident occurred at the Durga Puja Pandal. Those who failed to control the crowd, we will take action against them,” he said.

Mr. Adhikari said the police had granted permission for the pandal. He added that he would write to the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court seeking the appointment of a sitting judge to oversee a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the incident. According to preliminary reports, the stampede broke out after the organisers allegedly made a misleading announcement over a microphone asking people to leave the pandal, claiming that the structure could collapse at any moment. Private security personnel engaged by the organisers also allegedly blew whistles, adding to the panic. A large number of people had taken shelter inside the pandal after it began to rain.

The Kolkata Police are questioning 12 people detained in connection with the incident, including organisers and volunteers. The police said the stampede occurred around 7.40 p.m. on Saturday (October 17) at the exit gate of the Chorbagan pandal amid a heavy rush of visitors during the rain.

The State government has announced compensation of ₹25 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased person and a job for one member of each bereaved family. Those injured will receive financial assistance of ₹5 lakh. Of the deceased, 13 were women, three were men and one was a child, according to doctors. Two of those killed were from Bihar. Around 24 people were injured in the stampede, several of whom were shifted to private healthcare facilities.

The Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal, themed ‘Arava’ (‘Beyond Sound’), had been attracting large crowds but has been closed following the stampede.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who arrived in Kolkata on Saturday evening, cancelled his scheduled programmes and was likely to visit the injured. In a social media post, Mamata Banerjee-backed Trinamool Congress alleged that a relative of Chief Minister Debdeep Adhikari was associated with the Chorbagan Durga Puja committee where the stampede occurred.

Mr. Adhikari urged Durga Puja organisers to ensure adequate safety arrangements and proper lighting inside pandals for the remaining days of the festival.

Durga Puja will continue until Wednesday (October 21). According to the West Bengal Government, around 57,400 Durga Pujas are being organised across the State.

Friday, 16 October 2026

India takes a step towards US-style integrated military logistics

The Indian military is actively developing an integrated logistics structure to support its planned theatre commands as part of its effort to transform the service-specific logistics architecture into an integrated defence framework, The Indian Express has learnt.

Additionally, emerging AI and machine learning technologies are being incorporated for logistics optimisation, with predictive maintenance analytics already deployed in limited applications by the defence forces. Moreover, legacy financial architecture and procurement framework are also being revised to facilitate joint logistics.

The Department of Military Affairs is spearheading the move.

WHY IT MATTERS

Each of India’s armed services still tracks its stores on separate systems, so finding spares or fuel can mean checking three inventories. The planned Tri-services Logistics Management Application would give one real-time view across the Army, Navy and Air Force, a building block for the unified theatre commands being planned.

These points were outlined in a letter from Rear Admiral Kunal Singh Rajkumar, a joint secretary in the department, to Rajya Sabha MP Dr Ajeet Madhavrao Gopchade.

The response followed Gopchade’s letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking consideration of a unified defence logistics and fuel management framework modelled on the United States Defence Logistics Agency (DLA).

According to the letter, a triservices logistics management application (TLMA) is under development to provide real-time inter-service inventory visibility and to integrate service-specific enterprise resource planning software.

Additionally, work is underway to establish a National Defence Codification System -analogous to Nato’s stock number system – while joint logistics nodes, and subsequently joint ammunition depots, air stores supply parks, and material organisations are also being planned across India.

PM Gati Shakti Defence Portal

The department further stated that the PM Gati Shakti Defence Portal is also under development for alignment with the national logistics policy and the Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) for providing a defence-equivalent “joint logistics interface” across Services and theatre boundaries.

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The armed forces have already constituted the joint operations logistics committee, joint services study groups, joint working groups, and inter-service maintenance working groups at various levels to integrate logistics processes and procedures among the services.