News Highlights: Delhi air quality worsens, AQI worst in country at 382

Catch all the major news updates from around the globe here

Union Home Minister Amit Shah released Bharatiya Janata Party Sankalp Patra (Manifesto) for Jharkhand Assembly elections in Ranchi today. Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Ministers Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Sanjay Seth, and BJP Jharkhand president Babulal Marandi were present during the launch. He will also address three rallies in poll-bound Jharkhand on Sunday. Shah arrived in Jharkhand capital Ranchi on Saturday night. “Union Home Minister Amit Shah will release the “Sankalp Patra” for Jharkhand assembly elections in Ranchi on Sunday. He will also address three rallies at Ghatshila, Barkatha and Simaria assembly constituencies during the day,” the BJP said.

 

Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump zeroed in on the Sun Belt on Saturday as they embarked on one last weekend quest to sway every undecided voter in the battleground states. They pitched rival agendas on the economy — and more — that each insisted is what Americans want. “We have overcome every attack, every abuse and even two assassination attempts,” Trump said at a rally in Gastonia, North Carolina, outside Charlotte. “And now it all comes down to this.”

 

In a significant blow to Hezbollah, Israel announced the elimination of Jaafar Khader Faour, commander of the Nasser Unit's Missiles and Rockets Array, in southern Lebanon's Jouaiyya area. Sharing a post on X, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) wrote, "The Commander of the Hezbollah Nasser Unit's Missiles and Rockets Array, Jaafar Khader Faour, was eliminated in the area of Jouaiyya in southern Lebanon."

   

11:01 PM

Punjab stubble burning: Show cause notices issued to two SDMs, two SHOs in Moga

The Moga district administration in Punjab on Sunday issued show cause notices to several officials including two sub-divisional magistrates and two station house officers over farm fire incidents. Deputy Commissioner Vishesh Sarangal in a statement said 87 fire incidents have been reported in Moga so far. SDM (Moga) Sarangpreet Singh Aujla and SDM (Baghapurana) Beant Singh Sidhu were served the show cause notices.

10:02 PM

UP CM Adityanath meets PM Modi, Nadda

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi here for a meeting, which comes amid the state government's preparations for the Mahakumbh in January and the November 13 assembly bypolls there. There was no official word on the meeting's agenda. Adityanath also met BJP president JP Nadda.

9:21 PM

Air pollution: Over 54k vehicles fined, 56 construction sites shut in Delhi-NCR

The Centre's panel to improve air quality in Delhi-NCR on Sunday said it ordered the closure of 56 construction and demolition sites and imposed fines on 597 sites for failing to comply with pollution control norms between October 15 and 31. In a statement, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) said over 54,000 vehicles were penalised for lacking a valid pollution-under-control certificate, and 3,900 overage vehicles were impounded during the period.

9:08 PM

Delhi air quality worsens, AQI worst in country at 382

Delhi's air quality was on the brink of the 'severe' category on Sunday with an overall AQI reading of 382 the worst recorded in the country for the day. Fifteen monitoring stations of the city recorded air quality levels in the 'severe' zone, having AQI readings over 400, data showed. The city also recorded its lowest nighttime temperature so far, as thick smog and haze shrouded it in a dense cover during the morning and evening hours.

8:56 PM

Maharashtra Assembly polls: Will support two candidates in Parvati and Daund, says Jarange

Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange on Sunday said he would support two candidates from Parvati and Daund in the November 20 assembly polls, though he said their names will be disclosed later. The two seats are currently held by the Bharatiya Janata Party, which Jarange has often accused of opposing Maratha reservations.

8:37 PM

Telangana govt to come up with new energy policy soon, says Deputy CM

Telangana Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Sunday said that the state government will soon bring out a new energy policy and has formulated plans to generate 20,000 MW of green energy as part of conservation and protection of the environment. He also announced that the ongoing work on Yadadri Thermal Power plant will be completed by May 2025 to connect 4,000 MW of power to the grid.

8:11 PM

Farm fires cross 4,000 mark in Punjab after 216 fresh cases

Farm fire cases crossed the 4,000 mark in Punjab with the state witnessing 216 fresh such incidents on Sunday. From September 15 to November 3, Punjab has seen a total of 4,132 active fire events, according to the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre data. The state reported 1,779 farm fire cases in the last five days.

 

7:48 PM

Terror associate arrested in Pulwama; arms, ammo seized

Security forces have arrested a terrorist associate linked with the proscribed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen in Jammu and Kashmir's Pulwama district and seized arms and ammunition from him, police said on Sunday. They identified the man as Sajad Ahmed Dar, a resident of Pulwama's Tahab area.

6:53 PM

Need people's support to defeat BJP, ensure 'good work' continues in Delhi: Kejriwal

AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said he needed the support of the people to defeat the BJP and ensure that the "good work" continued in Delhi.  The former chief minister resumed his 'padyatra' following a break for the festivals and urged the people of Delhi to vote for AAP in the assembly elections while accusing the BJP of halting development work.

6:05 PM

CPI(ML) Liberation promises to fight for free power for agriculture in Jharkhand manifesto

The CPI(ML) Liberation released its manifesto for the Jharkhand assembly elections on Sunday, promising to fight for free electricity for agriculture and a better healthcare system. The CPI(ML) Liberation, which is a part of the INDIA bloc, has fielded candidates in four constituencies in the 81-seat assembly. It was allotted three seats as part of the alliance and is having a friendly fight with the JMM in the Dhanwar constituency.

5:44 PM

Maharashtra Assembly polls: BJP rebel withdraws nomination from Udgir in support of NCP candidate

BJP rebel Vishwajit Gaikwad on Sunday said he has decided to withdraw his nomination as an independent candidate from the Udgir assembly seat, where the Mahayuti has fielded NCP's Sanjay Bansode. Speaking at a press conference, Gaikwad said he followed the directive of Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to withdraw his candidacy.

 

5:27 PM

Vaishnaw reviews railway infrastructure and redevelopment projects in Aluva, Kozhikkode

Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw reviewed railway infrastructure and redevelopment projects in Aluva and Kozhikkode on Sunday. Thiruvananthapuram Divisional Railway Office said, "Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw conducts a window trailing inspection from Aluva, reviewing railway infrastructure and redevelopment projects."

5:11 PM

India and China made 'some progress' in disengagement, says Jaishankar

India and China have made "some progress" in disengagement, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday, describing the development as a "welcome" step. His comment comes days after Indian and Chinese troops completed disengagement at two friction points at Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh. The Indian Army commenced verification patrolling at Depsang, while patrolling at Demchok had begun on Friday.

4:41 PM

India wants to grow with world: EAM Jaishankar

India, which is on the path of growth, wants to grow with the world, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Sunday, stressing that there is genuine goodwill and desire among nations to work with India. Jaishankar arrived here earlier in the day on the first leg of his two-nation tour which will also take him to Singapore.

4:27 PM

Protecting Constitution is India's primary battle, says Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday emphasised that the primary struggle in the country today is to protect and preserve the Constitution. He said the Constitution of the country was not written with hatred, but with humility and love.