France reports arrests and injuries as protests continue
Authorities reported at least 290 arrests as more than 320,000 people demonstrated across France, including 70,000 in Paris. Gasoline bombs set a police officer and buses on fire in the capital. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez called the attack on the officer an "attempted murder" and said the officer sustained minor injuries.
Four police officers and one gendarme were injured in Paris, with three of them suffering burns from Molotov cocktails, according to AFP. About 70,000 police and gendarmes were deployed nationwide, AFP and AP reported. Authorities also warned that rioters could use Halloween masks to hide their identities.
AFP reported that a curfew was imposed in the central Paris neighborhoods of Republique and Chatelet-Les Halles, running from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
The demonstrations marked the third consecutive weekend of nationwide protests over soaring living costs and education, according to AFP. The movement began in late September, when students in suburban Paris protested cuts to school budgets, staff shortages and deteriorating infrastructure.
The unrest came less than six months before France's presidential elections, with far-right leader Marine Le Pen leading opinion polls, AFP reported.
India advances an additional tax payment to states
India's central government released ₹109,019 crore to states on October 31, 2026, in addition to their regular monthly tax transfers. The Finance Ministry said this second additional installment of fiscal year 2027 would support capital spending, infrastructure projects and welfare needs ahead of the festive season.
Uttar Pradesh received the largest allocation, ₹19,208 crore, while Bihar received the second-largest amount, ₹10,845 crore, according to the ministry.
The payment follows nearly ₹7 lakh crore in cumulative tax devolution during the first half of FY27, according to Controller General of Accounts data. Under the Sixteenth Finance Commission's recommendation, states receive 41% of the divisible pool of central taxes through 14 installments each year.
Tamil Nadu raises DA as gold and silver prices fluctuate
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay announced that Dearness Allowance for state government employees, teachers, pensioners and family pensioners would rise from 60% to 63% ahead of Diwali. The increase applies retroactively from July 1, 2026, and will benefit about 16 lakh people, an official release said.
Meanwhile, IBJA data showed sharp fluctuations in Indian gold and silver prices ahead of Dhanteras and Diwali. Gold ended Friday more than ₹2,200 per 10 grams lower, after moving through a range exceeding ₹2,600 per 10 grams during the week. Silver finished Friday down more than ₹9,100 per kilogram; its price range over the week was ₹13,135 per kilogram.
Pilots identified after Flydubai emergency landing
A local Israeli channel identified Henson Steven and Rowan Tooth as the two pilots who safely landed a Flydubai aircraft after its Indian captain, Smit Machchhar, was attacked by his co-pilot. Tooth's father was former South African cricketer Barry Tooth, who died last year.
The attack took place on September 30, 2026, on flight FZ1073, a Boeing 737 MAX traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv, according to The Times of Israel and The Indian Express. The co-pilot, Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, attacked Machchhar with an emergency axe. The aircraft descended 16,000 feet (4,900 meters) in 30 seconds before being diverted to Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia.
The UAE awarded Machchhar, Steven and Tooth the First Class Order of Zayed II. Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum presented the awards on October 27, 2026, The Times of Israel reported. Steven previously worked for Fiji Airways, while Tooth worked for South African airline Airlink.
Diwali: checking sweets and reviewing fire coverage
FSSAI describes home tests that can flag possible adulteration in sweets. To check for starch, add iodine to a mixture of the sweet and water: a blue or purple result indicates starch. Dense lather after vigorous shaking may indicate detergent. Heating decorative foil can also help distinguish silver from aluminum.
Home insurance may cover fire damage to a building's walls, ceilings, floors and doors, as well as loss or damage to furniture, appliances, electronics and clothing, according to Livemint. Some policies also pay for temporary accommodation or lost rent when a fire leaves the home uninhabitable.
