Wednesday, January 08, 2025 | 02:25 AM ISTEN Hindi

New updates: Delhi's air quality again turns 'poor', likely to remain same for next 2 days

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BS Web Team New Delhi

Photo: PTI

A day after recording 'moderate' AQI, Delhi's air quality slipped into 'poor' category on Tuesday, with forecast suggesting it will remain the same for the next couple of days. The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city was recorded at 234 at 4 pm on Tuesday, marking a drop from Monday's 'moderate' reading of 186. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classifies AQI between 0 and 50 as 'good', between 51 and 100 as 'satisfactory', between 101 and 200 as 'moderate', between 201 and 300 as 'poor', between 301 and 400 as 'very poor', and above 400 as 'severe'. Of the 38 air quality monitoring stations in the capital, two reported AQI in 'very poor' category on Tuesday. While 27 stations recorded 'poor' AQI, the rest were in the 'moderate' category, according to the Sameer app which provides hourly data.

Faiz Hameed, the former chief of Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency, has been formally indicted on “charges of engaging in political activities”, the Pakistan military’s media affairs wing announced today. This comes almost four months after the army announced the arrest of Hameed on allegations of violating the Army Act. The Supreme Court took note of the controversial remarks made by Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, a sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court, at an event organized by the legal cell of right-wing organisation Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The top court on the administrative side has called for details and particulars from the High Court in this regard. Sanjay Malhotra, who currently serves as the secretary in the Department of Revenue, is set to replace Shaktikanta Das at the helm of the Reserve Bank of India. During his six-year term as RBI governor, Das had to navigate a tough path strewn with challenges. However, RBI’s refusal to cut key rates citing inflation came under criticism from some sections.

Indian-American lawyer Harmeet K Dhillon was nominated as assistant attorney general for civil rights at the department of justice by US President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday. “I am pleased to nominate Harmeet K. Dhillon as Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights at the US Department of Justice. Throughout her career, Harmeet has stood up consistently to protect our cherished Civil Liberties, including taking on Big Tech for censoring our Free Speech, representing Christians who were prevented from praying together during COVID, and suing corporations who use woke policies to discriminate against their workers,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. Nominated for the powerful position of the Director of National Intelligence, former Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard met key Senators on Capitol Hill and supported President-elect Donald Trump's views on Syria. "I stand in full support and wholeheartedly agree with the statements that President Trump has made over these last few days regarding the developments in Syria," Gabbard, 43, told reporters at Capitol Hill where she Monday met top US Senators on her nomination. If confirmed by the US Senate, Gabbard would be the first-ever Hindu American to head the powerful body in charge of US' all intelligence agencies, including the CIA and FBI.

Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan has allegedly received a death threat from an unidentified individual, the JanaSena Party said. The unidentified man made calls to his office and issued threats to "kill" him. The anonymous caller also sent offensive text messages targeting Kalyan, the party said on Monday.

9:18 PM

Journalists' rights group says 104 media workers killed this year. Gaza stands out for 2nd year

9:08 PM

Cold wave grips Himachal, Lahaul-Spiti's Tabo coldest at minus 12.7 deg C

9:07 PM

Govt approves collaboration between GSI and Italy's CNR-IRPI for landslide forecasting

9:06 PM

PM urges more senior citizens to take advantage of Ayushman Vaya Vandana Card

9:05 PM

UN urges Taliban to embrace human rights obligations for Afghanistan's protection, prosperity

8:53 PM

Russian lawmakers advance bill removing terrorist designation for Taliban

8:52 PM

Employability among Indian graduates improves to 54.81 pc: Report

As the demand for talent continues to rise, a report on Tuesday revealed that employability among Indian graduates has seen a steady rise, reaching 54.81 per cent as per a recent test.

The employability among graduates for the year is calculated from the Global Employability Test (GET) in the previous year.

In the previous test, employability among Indian graduates stood at 51.25 per cent, according to Wheebox ETS India Skills Report 2025.

8:32 PM

Post of chief commissioner for persons with disabilities vacant since 2019: Govt

The post of chief commissioner for persons with disabilities, a key position within the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, has remained vacant for nearly six years, the government said on Tuesday.

Responding to a question in the Lok Sabha, Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Virendra Kumar said the department secretary had been holding additional charge since January 2019 and the tenure was extended until January 31, 2025.

Despite repeated attempts to fill the position, the government has not been able to appoint a suitable candidate, he said.

Advertisements for the role have been published four times, beginning in November 2018 and most recently on December 3.

However, no eligible candidate has been deemed suitable for the position after shortlisting by the selection committee, Kumar said in his written response.

A total of 79 applications were received in 2018, followed by 51 in 2020, and 28 in 2023. However, despite these responses, the selection process has not concluded successfully, he said.

8:32 PM

Trial in 28% money laundering cases pending before courts: Govt

Trial is pending in about 28 per cent of money laundering chargesheets filed by the Enforcement Directorate before designated courts over the last six years, the government informed Parliament on Tuesday.

In a written reply, Minister of State for finance Pankaj Chaudhary informed the Rajya Sabha that the federal anti-money laundering agency filed 911 chargesheets between 2019 and October 2024 with the maximum 239 being placed before the courts last year.

"Out of the 911 prosecution complaints (chargesheets) which have been filed (during this six year period), as on date, trial is pending in 257 cases," he said.

"Conviction has been secured in 42 cases for offence of money-laundering wherein 99 accused have been sentenced and proceeds of crime have been confiscated," he added.

The minister added that as of December 4, a total of 106 special courts are "functioning under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act for trial of offences related to money laundering across the country.

8:28 PM

Fire at under-construction building in Delhi's Paschim Vihar

A fire broke out at an under-construction building in Outer Delhi's Paschim Vihar on Tuesday evening, an official of the Delhi Fire Services said.

The department received an emergency call about the blaze at 5 pm, he said.

"We immediately dispatched six fire tenders to the site," he said, adding that the fire was doused within 50 minutes.

8:27 PM

No water supply in parts of South Delhi on Thursday morning

There will be no water supply in parts of South Delhi on December 12 morning due to maintenance work, the Delhi Jal Board said.

According to a statement, the affected areas include Tughlakabad village, Tughlakabad Extension, Northern Camp Basti, Air Force Station on MB Road, Sangam Vihar, Tigri village, Tigri DDA flats, and Khanpur Village.

Khan Pur Extension, JJ Colony Khan Pur, Duggal Colony, Jawahar Park, Raju Park, Shiv Park, Bihari Park, Krishna Park and Devli Village are also among the affected areas.

Due to some maintenance work, the water supply will be stopped on the morning of December 12. Residents of the affected areas are advised to make judicious use of water, it said.

Water tankers will be available on demand from the DJB help line or the central control room, it added.

8:26 PM

Vikas Khanna's New York restaurant wins Michelin 2024 Bib Gourmand Award

Renowned chef Vikas Khanna has made Indians proud again, as his restaurant, 'Bungalow', in New York has won the Michelin 2024 Bib Gourmand Award.

Taking to Instagram, Vikas shared his picture with the Tricolor and wrote, "260 days of Bungalow and today we received the Michelin 2024 Bib Gourmand Award. While I've previously received the Michelin Star 8 times, today felt different. I felt that it was for some higher purpose, it was like a tribute, it was like a promise to my land and to my people. To my sister."

8:26 PM

People in Dharamshala hold protest march against Bangladesh, show solidarity with Hindu community

Hundreds of people gathered in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamshala to protest against Bangladesh and show their solidarity with the Hindu community. They held a protest march and urged the international community, including the United Nations, to pressurize Bangladesh.

People called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to pressurize Bangladesh to take action to protect Hindus in Bangladesh. Various organisations including Vishav Hindu Parishad, RSS and BJP have jointly organised this protest march on Tuesday.

Speaking to ANI, Ramnik, a resident said, "Hindus are facing atrocities and brutality in Bangladesh and I have seen many videos in this regard. So, all of us have gathered here to protest against Bangladesh and to stand in solidarity with the Hindu community. We want to request PM Modi to take action to protect Hindus in Bangladesh."

Protesters carried posters which read, "Save Bangladesh Hindu Society," "Hindu Lives Matter," and "Protect our temples in Bangladesh" and shouted slogans.

8:22 PM

Delhi's air quality again turns 'poor', likely to remain same for next 2 days

A day after recording 'moderate' AQI, Delhi's air quality slipped into 'poor' category on Tuesday, with forecast suggesting it will remain the same for the next couple of days.

The 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) of the city was recorded at 234 at 4 pm on Tuesday, marking a drop from Monday's 'moderate' reading of 186.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) classifies AQI between 0 and 50 as 'good', between 51 and 100 as 'satisfactory', between 101 and 200 as 'moderate', between 201 and 300 as 'poor', between 301 and 400 as 'very poor', and above 400 as 'severe'.

Of the 38 air quality monitoring stations in the capital, two reported AQI in 'very poor' category on Tuesday.

While 27 stations recorded 'poor' AQI, the rest were in the 'moderate' category, according to the Sameer app which provides hourly data.

8:10 PM