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Delhi’s air quality continues to be in ‘very poor’ category

Delhi air quality
File Photo

New Delhi (NVI): Delhi’s air quality continued to deteriorate today with the rise of pollutants in the atmosphere and remained in the ‘very poor’ category as the overall air quality index (AQI) was recorded at 349.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the air quality index (AQI) recorded in Anand Vihar was 405, which falls in the ‘severe’ category.

The AQI recorded in several other areas including Rohini, ITO and Dwarka was in the ‘very poor’ category.

In addition to this, Noida registered air quality in the ‘poor’ category with an AQI of 382, while Ghaziabad recorded ‘severe’ air with an AQI of 416, as per the CPCB data.

The rise in pollution levels is related to the burning of crackers to some extent on the occasion of Dusshera yesterday, apart from stubble burning which has been a matter of concern for weeks now.

Notably, the concentration of pollutants (PM2.5, PM10) doubled at five monitoring stations — Patparganj, India Gate, Dwarka, Najafgarh and Mundka on Sunday evening.

During the week, PM10 pollutants are expected to reduce to the figure of 272, which falls under the ‘poor’ category and PM2.5 pollutants are expected to reach the figure of 165, which falls under the ‘very poor’ category.

Moreover, the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) said that the AQI is predicted to remain in the ‘very poor’ range, but without further deterioration.

It added that some locations in the national capital had entered the ‘severe’ zone but that will be temporary as winds are expected to increase slightly.

-RJV

Coronavirus cases exceed 42.9 million worldwide

Coronavirus cases surge past 85 million mark worldwide
(File/Representational image)

New Delhi (NVI): More than 42.9 million people around the world have been confirmed to have the coronavirus, while the death toll rises to 11,53,625, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.

Over 28.8 million patients have been cured and recovered from the deadly contagion globally.

In the United States, the total number of coronavirus cases have reached more than 8.6 million while the total number of fatalities have surpassed 2,25,200 in the country.

Brazil second only to the US, registered 13,493 COVID-19 cases within past 24 hours and surpassed 5.38 million mark. The country’s death toll stands at 1,56,903.

Russia is the fourth worst-affected country from the novel coronavirus with 15,03,652 COVID-19 cases and 25,875 deaths.

Mexico’s health ministry has reported 4,360 new cases of coronavirus and 181 more deaths in the country, bringing the total caseload to 8,91,160 and the death toll to 88,924.

Australia’s coronavirus hot spot of Victoria has reported zero cases of the new coronavirus for the first time since June, The country has so far recorded just over 27,500 COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has declared a nationwide state of emergency and imposed a night-time curfew in an effort to control a new spike in COVID-19 cases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) chief, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, called for solidarity in the rollout of future coronavirus vaccines, as the number of cases continues to surge across the world.

-RJV

India’s COVID tally surpasses 79-lakh mark; recovery rate over 90%

India’s COVID tally tops 10.34 million with 16,505 new cases
(File/ Representational image)

New Delhi (NVI): India’s coronavirus tally crossed the 79-lakh mark and stands at 79,09,960 with a single-day rise of 45,149 fresh cases in the last 24 hours, Union Health Ministry confirmed.

More than 71 lakh people have been cured of the disease since the beginning of the pandemic, pushing the recovery rate over 90 per cent in the country.

The country’s death toll has reached to 1,19,014 with 480 fatalities reported in the past 24 hours.

In worst-affected Maharashtra, the COVID-19 cases climbed to 16,45,020, followed by Andhra Pradesh with 8,07,020 cases, and Karnataka with 8,02,817 positive cases.

Other states with a high virus hit included Tamil Nadu (7,09,005), Uttar Pradesh (7
4,70,470) and Delhi (3,56,656).

Meanwhile, of the total deaths, Maharashtra tops the tally with 43,264 fatalities, followed by Tamil Nadu with 10,924 deaths.

The death toll in the national capital surpassed to 6,258 while 3,23,654 patients have been cured and recovered so far, the healthy ministry data shows.

As per the Indian Council Medical Research (ICMR) data, a total of 10,34,62,778 samples tested for COVID-19 up to October 25. Of these, 9,39,309 samples were tested yesterday.

Furthermore, the third phase human trial of indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine ‘Covaxin’ will soon commence at the Institute of Medical Sciences (IMS) and SUM Hospital in Odisha.

-RJV

Pakistani troops lacked weapons, food during Kargil war: Sharif

Islamabad (NVI): Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tonight said the troops of his country had faced shortage of food as well as weapons during the Kargil war of 1999, which was started by the then Pakistan Army Chief General Musharraf and his “few associates”.

Addressing a rally of 11 opposition parties in Quetta via video conference from London, the chief of Pakistan Muslim League (N) said his country was pushed into a war “where there could be no benefit” for the nation.

“Behind the Kargil operation were those very characters who wanted to avoid punishment and hence on October 12,1999, they staged a coup and imposed martial law (in Pakistan),” he said.

Sharif was referring to the coup in which his government was toppled by Gen Musharraf, who imprisoned the Prime Minister and imposed military rule in Pakistan.

Sharif was the Prime Minister during the three-month-long Kargil war with India in 1999 which started in May after Pakistani troops crossed the Line of Control and occupied mountain peaks in Drass and Kargil sectors of Ladakh.

“Pervez Musharraf and his few associates used the institution of army for vested interests and defamed it,” the former Prime Minister said.

“Pakistan was defamed by some Generals who had vested interests. They pushed the country into such a war where there could be no benefit,” he said.

“I felt very troubled when I came to know that our soldiers at far off mountain peaks pleaded that they should be provided with weapons, if not food. Those soldiers had no idea about real motives behind the war. They were forced into the war and lives were lost,” Sharif said and asked “What benefit did it bring to the country?”

Pakistan: Massive anti-govt rally held despite security threats

New Delhi (NVI): Despite security threats, major Opposition parties in Pakistan today held a joint rally to oust Imran Khan, in occupied Balochistan province’s capital Quetta that was rocked by a deadly blast this afternoon.

Today’s crucial rally took place even as four people were killed in the explosion that took place in a market in Hazarganji area of Quetta. The place of blast is about 35 to 40 minutes away from the rally site.

Pertinent to mention here that the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a coalition of 11 Opposition parties formed on September 20, had earlier held two massive back-to-back gatherings in Gujranwala and Karachi this month.

According to report in local media, an improvised explosive device (IED) was planted in a motorcycle.

PDM president Maulana Fazlur Rehman was also in attendance at the rally in Ayub Stadium, along with other political leaders who are part of the alliance.

However, Pashtun Tahaffuz Movement (PTM) leader Mohsin Dawar, who detained yesterday, received full support from other Opposition leaders who protested against his detention at the rally.

“I want to congratulate organizers of #PDMJalsaQuetta for such a spectacular turnout. I also want to thank all those who protested against my detention, especially PTM Quetta. Quetta is my home & keeping me away from my home makes my resolve even stronger. I will not give up,” Mohsin Dawar said in a tweet.

PML-N vice president Maryam Nawaz in her speech said that the time has come to change the fate of Pakistan — and Balochistan.

“No longer will husbands and brothers go missing, people of Balochistan,” she was quoted as saying by The Dawn.

PML-N supremo and three-time former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, who addressed the rally via video link from London, blamed Army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa and ISI Director General Lt Gen Faiz Hameed for Pakistan’s current situation.

“Gen Bajwa, you will have to answer for record rigging in the 2018 elections, for horse-trading in the Parliament, for making Imran Niazi prime minister against people’s wishes and [by] tearing apart the Constitution and laws, for pushing people towards poverty and hunger,” Sharif said.

Earlier, the Opposition leaders of PDM were warned by Balochistan authorities about threats in the city by terrorists prior to the rally.

Mobile and internet services in Quetta city were shut down due to the rally, creating problems for residents wanting to contact each other, Samaa TV reported.

-ARK

4 killed as deadly blast rocks Pakistan’s Quetta ahead of anti-govt rally

New Delhi (NVI): At least four people were killed as a deadly explosion rocked Quetta city in Pakistan’s occupied Balochistan province, just hours before a major anti-government rally to oust Imran Khan, who has been accused of being installed by the military in a rigged 2018 election.

The Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), a coalition of 11 parties, held its third anti-government rally at Ayub Ground in Quetta. According to Samaa TV, several people have been injured, besides four dead in the deadly blast that took place in a market in Hazarganji area of Quetta.

A graphic video shared by a Baloch journalist and activist showed a damaged vehicle in flames and dead bodies on ground.

Three bodies were taken to Civil Hospital while one is at Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Samaa TV reported. The rally site is, however, 35 to 40 minutes away from the blast site.

Earlier, the Opposition leaders of PDM were warned by Balochistan authorities about threats in the city by terrorists prior to the rally.

Meanwhile, mobile and internet services in Quetta city were shut down due to the rally, creating problems for residents wanting to contact each other, the Pakistan news website reported.

Last month, nine major opposition parties had formed a joint platform called the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) to begin a nationwide agitation against the government.

-ARK

Rajnath Singh inaugurates BRO-made strategic road in Sikkim

New Delhi (NVI): In a strategic development in the North East in the wake of India-China border tensions, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today inaugurated 19.85 km long Alternate Alignment of the National Highway 310 Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in East Sikkim.

The road serves as an important link to bolster defence preparedness in the Nathula Sector in particular and in whole of East Sikkim in general, the Defence Wing of PIB said in a release.

The development of the road was necessitated due to the previous alignment having seen extensive damages due to sinking and other natural hazards.

As the Defence Minister’s visit to Sikkim was canceled due to inclement weather, the inauguration ceremony was held through video conference from the Indian Army’s 33 Corp Headquarters in Sukhna.

While addressing the gathering on the occasion, Rajnath Singh complimented the BRO for this achievement and said it is upgrading to double-lane most border roads in Sikkim.

Singh also emphasised the Central Government’s drive towards progressing infrastructure development in far flung areas not only to enhance defence preparedness but also for fostering socio-economic development of the region.

Reiterating the Centre’s resolve to speed up infrastructure development in align with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Act North East policy, Rajnath highlighted the pace at which construction of the alternate alignment, which had been held up since commencement in 2009, was facilitated over the last two years.

On the occasion, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang brought out the positive impact of the new alignment on boosting tourism as well as the socio-economic development of the state. Emphasising that tourism is the main bulwark of the state’s economy, the Chief Minister was highly appreciative of the BRO and the Central Government for completing the road expeditiously.

The BRO, over the last some years, has undertaken an unprecedented expansion of its capabilities through technology infusion in material, equipment and construction techniques, PIB’s Defence Wing said.

The Atal Tunnel, DS-DBO Road, the new alignment of the National Highway 310 are examples of high quality, fast paced results delivered by the BRO towards strategic and operational preparedness, it said.

Rajnath Singh also highlighted the future works that the BRO is to undertake and expressed confidence that the mission of Aatmanirbhar Bharat will progress by leaps and bounds in the years ahead.

-ARK

Delhi air quality remains in ‘very poor’ category, ‘severe’ levels in some areas

Delhi Air
(File photo)

New Delhi (NVI): The air quality in national capital further deteriorated today with some places falling under ‘severe’ category as the level of pollutants rose in the atmosphere.

According to Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) data, the air quality index (AQI) stood at 422 in Bawana, 423 in Mundka and 416 in Jahangirpuri, all three under “severe” category.

Vivek Vihar and Bawana also recorded “severe” levels of air pollution. Apart from that, the national capital witnessed a thin layer of smog this morning.

However, as per System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), winds are expected to increase slightly and air quality may improve in some locations that entered the “severe” zone.

The air pollution levels in Delhi has shot up to severe levels mostly due to stubble burning in Haryana, Punjab and neighbouring regions.

In addition to this, PM2.5 has now become the lead pollutant instead of PM10 as a characteristic of wintertime.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”.

Delhi government has launched a new campaign recently to tackle pollution in the national capital- ‘Red light on, gaadi off’. People are being appealed to turn off their vehicles while waiting on a traffic signal across the capital.

The poor air quality is likely to affect people’s health. As people gasp for breath, air pollution can lower children’s immune system. Elderly citizens may face also face breathing and other health-related issues. The toxic air increases the risks of cancer, epilepsy, diabetes and even adult-onset diseases like multiple sclerosis.

US President Donald Trump, during his second and final presidential debate with Democratic rival Joe Biden on Friday, used the word “filthy” to describe the air quality in India, China and Russia while justifying the United States’ decision to walk out of Paris climate agreement.

-ARK

Key al-Qaeda operative killed by Afghan forces in Ghazni province

New Delhi (NVI): Abu Muhsen Almisry, a key al-Qaeda leader for Indian sub-continent, has been killed by Afghan security forces during a special operation in Ghazni province, reports Khaama Press.

“As a result of NDS special force unit operation in Ghazni province an al-Qaida key member for Indian sub continent, Abu Muhsen Almisry were killed,” Afghanistan’s National Directorate of Security (NDS) tweeted.


The Afghan security forces killed the senior al-Qaeda commander assigned for the Indian subcontinent, during a special operation in Ghazni province last night, Khaama Press reported.

He is reportedly one of the most wanted individuals on the list of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

According to reports in international media, Almisry has been charged in the US with having provided material support and resources to a foreign terrorist organisation, and conspiracy to kill US nationals.

Last month, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had said that fewer than 200 al Qaeda operatives remain in Afghanistan.

Al-Qaeda have not yet commented over the killing of their key operative.

Almisry’s killing takes place amid the ongoing intra-Afghan peace process that began in Doha last month. Despite the talks, fighting between Taliban and Afghan government forces has continued in recent weeks.

-ARK

Light a lamp at home for soldiers, celebrate festivals with patience: PM in Mann Ki Baat

Mann Ki Baat

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today urged the people to light a lamp in honour of brave soldiers while celebrating festivals as they are “firmly stationed on our borders in the line of duty,” so that the country lives in peace.

“I would also like to assure our brave soldiers that despite they being away at the borders, the entire country is with them, wishing well for them. I also salute the sacrifice of those families, whose sons and daughters are on the border today. I express gratitude to each and every person who is away from home and family on account of discharging duty to the country in one way or the other,” PM said in his monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio address to the nation.

The PM’s comments came on a day when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh performed Shastra Puja (worshipping of weapons) in Sikkim near China border with the soldiers of Indian Army on the occasion of Dussehra. Singh embarked on a two-day visit to West Bengal and Sikkim yesterday.

India is locked in a standoff with China for over five months now. The India army has deployed troops along the nearly 3,500 km-long border with China, including Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh sectors. There is no sign of easing of tensions despite several rounds of military and diplomatic level talks.

The PM, in his address, also pointed out that people should show patience and follow Covid-19 guidelines while celebrating during the festive season which includes festivals like Diwali, Valmiki Jayanti, Eid and Guru Nanak Jayanti in the coming days.

He said Dussehra was the victory of good over evil and also of fortitude over adversities. While reiterating his ‘Vocal for Local’ pitch, PM said the farm laws have opened up new avenues for farmers.

-ARK

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