LIVE: Air quality likely to worsen; Grap stage 2 enforced in Delhi

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12:18 PM

Faded monuments, neglected water body in south Delhi revived; LG says more in offing

A group of monuments and a historic water body in a sprawling archaeological park in south Delhi, which earlier lay neglected, have received a new lease of life under a revival and restoration project.

The conserved monuments, some of which had graffiti scrawled on their walls earlier, and the revived water body, which till six or seven months ago was filled with silt and garbage, was unveiled by Lieutenant Governor (LG) V K Saxena on Friday evening at the Mehrauli Archaeological Park.

The park neighbours the Qutub Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

11:09 AM

174 candidates file nominations for Mizoram assembly polls

Altogether 174 candidates, including 16 women, have filed nominations for the 40-member Mizoram assembly polls on November 7, officials said on Saturday.

Scrutiny of nomination papers will be undertaken during the day and the last date for withdrawal of candidature is October 23.

All nominees of the ruling Mizo National Front (MNF), the opposition Zoram People's Movement (ZPM) and the Congress have filed their nomination papers, the officials said.

11:07 AM

UNSC facing 'crisis of credibility,' says India in renewed call for reform

Reiterating the need for reforms in the United Nations, India said that the world was unable to reach a peaceful resolution of disputes through the global organisation because its core body the UN Security Council has been "rendered ineffective."

Addressing a UNSC debate on October 20, India's permanent ambassador at the UN, Ruchira Kamboj called for reforms to the world body overcome the crisis of 'credibility'.

Unless we undertake comprehensive reforms and get this house in order, we will continue to face a continuing crisis of credibility. The New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism, which we advocate, flows from the idea that there cannot be genuine solidarity without trust," Kamboj said.

10:57 AM

2 Naxals killed in encounter with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Kanker

Two Naxals were killed following an exchange of fire with security forces in Chhattisgarh's Kanker district on Saturday morning, a top police official said.

The official further said that the District Reserve Guards recovered two bodies of Naxals, along with arms and ammunition, in the Gome Jungle of Koylibeda police station limits today at 8:00 am.

"Kanker DRG recovered two male naxal dead bodies along with an INSAS rifle, one 12-bore rifle, and other arms and ammunition after an escalation of force (EoF)," said P Sunderraj Inspector-General, Bastar.

10:30 AM

The purpose of this mission was to demonstrate crew escape system for Gaganyaan programme: ISRO chief

10:14 AM

Three main parachutes of Gaganyaan TV-D1 deployed after successful test vehicle launch

9:41 AM

Former PM Nawaz Sharif set to return to Pakistan after 4-year exile in UK

Pakistan's former prime minister Nawaz Sharif is set to arrive here on Saturday after a four-year self-imposed exile in the UK, months ahead of general elections.

The 73-year-old Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supremo will fly in from Dubai to Islamabad on a chartered plane, former finance minister and PML-N stalwart Ishaq Dar said.

After staying an hour or so in Islamabad, he will leave for Lahore to address a rally at Minar-i-Pakistan, Dar told journalists on Friday.

9:33 AM

PM Modi to attend Scindia School event at Gwalior in MP

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in a programme marking the celebration of 125th foundation day of the Scindia School in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior on Saturday.

The Scindia School was established in 1897 by the then Gwalior royalty and is located atop the historic Gwalior fort.

PM Modi will lay the foundation stone of a multipurpose sports complex in the school and present its annual awards to distinguished alumni and top achievers, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has said.

9:27 AM

Police nabs aide of gangster Ravi Pujari from Mumbai International Airport

A close aide of gangster Ravi Pujari, Vijay Purushottam Salvi, who is wanted in an extortion case, was arrested by the Anti-Extortion Cell of Thane Crime Branch on Saturday.

According to Thane police, Vijay Purushottam Salvi alias Vijay Tambat was arrested at Mumbai International Airport and an extortion case was registered against him at Kasarvadavali Police station

Gangster Ravi Pujari is wanted in several cases including ones related to heinous crimes like murder and extortion.

On December 15, 2018, two bike-borne assailants fired from a pistol outside a beauty parlour run by actor Leena Maria Paul at Panampilly Nagar in Kochi. Pujari is the third accused in this case.

9:16 AM

Police of our nation has always proved itself on every point: Amit Shah

9:12 AM

"We will come back soon after analysing what has triggered the Automatic Launch Sequence," says ISRO chief

9:10 AM

Delhi's air quality continues to remain in 'moderate' category with AQI of 173

The air quality in the national capital on Saturday morning was recorded in the 'moderate' category with the Air Quality Index (AQI) at 173.

However, several parts of Delhi recorded air quality in the 'poor' category.

According to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR), the air quality in Anand Vihar was recorded at 239. New Moti Bagh in South Delhi almost breached the very poor category (301-400), with AQI at 293. Meanwhile, ITO recorded an AQI of 199.

9:03 AM

Engine ignition has not happened in the nominal course: ISRO Chief Somanath on Gaganyaan

Engine ignition has not happened in the nominal course, said ISRO Chief Somanath on Gaganyaan mission test vehicle launch.
We have to find out what went wrong; vehicle is safe, said Somanath on Gaganyaan test vehicle launch.

8:42 AM

Justin Trudeau booed in Canada mosque over Israel-Hamas war

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was booed during his visit to a mosque in Toronto over his response to the Israel-Hamas war, The Toronto Sun reported.

According to The Toronto Sun, Liberal MPs in Canada are joining calls by Muslim groups for Canada to push for a ceasefire in the region, while major Canadian Jewish groups have demanded Trudeau retract an earlier comment as lending credence to the claim by Hamas that Israel was responsible for an attack on a hospital in Gaza city.

8:42 AM

Joaquin Phoenix to Mahershala Ali: 55 US celebs urge President Biden to call for ceasefire in Gaza

Over 50 celebrities in the US have written an open letter to President Joe Biden, urging for a call for a ceasefire in Gaza and Israel.

Celebrities such as Joaquin Phoenix, Cate Blanchett, Jon Stewart, Kristen Stewart, Susan Sarandon, Mahershala Ali, Riz Ahmed, Ramy Youssef and Quinta Brunson have signed the letter, Variety reported.

"We urge your administration, and all world leaders, to honour all of the lives in the Holy Land and call for and facilitate a ceasefire without delay - an end to the bombing of Gaza, and the safe release of hostages," the letter read.