At least 5 people were killed after a rocket hit a residential building in Azerbaijan's city Ganja, the press service of Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Emergency Situations said on Sunday. Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said in the early hours of Sunday that Ganja was shelled by Armenia.

"As a result of the rocket fire, a residential building was fully destroyed. As of now, the bodies of five dead have been recovered from the rubble; there are 17 wounded. Rescuers are working on the spot," the Sunday statement from the press service of Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Emergency Situations says.

Azerbaijan`s Prosecutor General`s Office said on Sunday that at least five people were killed and 28 others were injured in Ganja.&nbsp;

Armenia and Azerbaijan are accusing each of violating ceasefire in the conflict that has erupted over the region of Nagorno-Karabach.

Fresh explosions rocked the capital of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region on Saturday despite the ceasefire.

Armenia and Azerbaijan had agreed to a ceasefire after Russia mediated talks in Moscow. The talks in Moscow was first diplomatic contact between both sides since the hostilities erupted.

When the ceasefire collapsed, Armenian defence ministry accused Azerbaijan of shelling a settlement inside Armenia, while ethnic Armenian forces in Karabakh alleged that Azeri forces had launched a new offensive five minutes after the truce took hold and killed two civilians.

(With ANI inputs) 
&nbsp;

At least 5 people were killed after a rocket hit a residential building in Azerbaijan's city Ganja, the press service of Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Emergency Situations said on Sunday.

At least 5 people were killed after a rocket hit a residential building in Azerbaijan's city Ganja, the press service of Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Emergency Situations said on Sunday. Azerbaijan's Defense Ministry said in the early hours of Sunday that Ganja was shelled by Armenia. "As a result of the rocket fire, a residential building was fully destroyed. As of now, the bodies of five dead have been recovered from the rubble; there are 17 wounded. Rescuers are working on the spot," the Sunday statement from the press service of Azerbaijan`s Ministry of Emergency Situations says. Azerbaijan`s Prosecutor General`s Office said on Sunday that at least five people were killed and 28 others were injured in Ganja. Armenia and Azerbaijan are accusing each of violating ceasefire in the conflict that has erupted over the region of Nagorno-Karabach. Fresh explosions rocked the capital of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region on Saturday despite the ceasefire. Armenia and Azerbaijan had agreed to a ceasefire after Russia mediated talks in Moscow. The talks in Moscow was first diplomatic contact between both sides since the hostilities erupted. When the ceasefire collapsed, Armenian defence ministry accused Azerbaijan of shelling a settlement inside Armenia, while ethnic Armenian forces in Karabakh alleged that Azeri forces had launched a new offensive five minutes after the truce took hold and killed two civilians. (With ANI inputs)

Rocket destroys residential building in Azerbaijan's Ganja city, 5 dead

Under pressure from the federal government, Nevada health officials Friday rescinded a statewide order directing nursing homes to halt the use of two government-issued rapid coronavirus tests that the state had deemed to be inaccurate.

The reversal came shortly after the United States Department of Health and Human Services issued a threatening letter, dated Oct. 8, to Nevada officials. The federal document noted that swift punitive actions could be taken if the state did not promptly revoke its ban, which Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary of Health and Human Services, called “unwise, uninformed and unlawful” and a violation of the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act.

Outside health experts who reviewed the letter, which condemned the state’s actions as “based on a lack of knowledge or bias,” described its tone as “acid.”

In a statement released on Friday, Dr. Ihsan Azzam, Nevada’s chief medical officer, said that he and his colleagues were “very disappointed by the letter received today.” Nevada’s priorities, Azzam said, remained aligned with the federal government’s: to protect “those most vulnerable in our communities from COVID-19.”

The two brands of rapid tests, manufactured by Quidel and Becton, Dickinson and Company, had been shipped en masse to nursing homes around the country in August to address the delays and equipment shortages that for months had stymied laboratory testing. Both tests detect bits of coronavirus protein, or antigens.

In submitting applications to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency clearance, BD and Quidel reported no false positives from their products, and advertised these accuracy rates on their packaging.

But among a sample of 39 positive antigen test results collected from nursing homes across Nevada, 23 were found to be false positives when confirmed by a more accurate laboratory test. The discovery prompted state officials to issue their directive on Oct. 2, urging nursing homes to promptly pivot from antigen tests to other types of tests that look for viral RNA while the discrepancies were being investigated.

Dr. Valerie Fitzhugh, a pathologist at Rutgers University, said the number of false positives the state had reported was “significant” and worthy of scrutiny. “In the meantime, switching to an alternative, accurate method of testing would be the responsible thing to do,” Fitzhugh said. “Nevada was on the right track for trying to fix this issue.” 
&nbsp;

Under pressure from the federal government, Nevada health officials Friday rescinded a statewide order directing nursing homes to halt the use of two government-issued rapid coronavirus tests that the state had deemed to be inaccurate.

Under pressure from the federal government, Nevada health officials Friday rescinded a statewide order directing nursing homes to halt the use of two government-issued rapid coronavirus tests that the state had deemed to be inaccurate. The reversal came shortly after the United States Department of Health and Human Services issued a threatening letter, dated Oct. 8, to Nevada officials. The federal document noted that swift punitive actions could be taken if the state did not promptly revoke its ban, which Adm. Brett Giroir, assistant secretary of Health and Human Services, called “unwise, uninformed and unlawful” and a violation of the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act. Outside health experts who reviewed the letter, which condemned the state’s actions as “based on a lack of knowledge or bias,” described its tone as “acid.” In a statement released on Friday, Dr. Ihsan Azzam, Nevada’s chief medical officer, said that he and his colleagues were “very disappointed by the letter received today.” Nevada’s priorities, Azzam said, remained aligned with the federal government’s: to protect “those most vulnerable in our communities from COVID-19.” The two brands of rapid tests, manufactured by Quidel and Becton, Dickinson and Company, had been shipped en masse to nursing homes around the country in August to address the delays and equipment shortages that for months had stymied laboratory testing. Both tests detect bits of coronavirus protein, or antigens. In submitting applications to the Food and Drug Administration for emergency clearance, BD and Quidel reported no false positives from their products, and advertised these accuracy rates on their packaging. But among a sample of 39 positive antigen test results collected from nursing homes across Nevada, 23 were found to be false positives when confirmed by a more accurate laboratory test. The discovery prompted state officials to issue their directive on Oct. 2, urging nursing homes to promptly pivot from antigen tests to other types of tests that look for viral RNA while the discrepancies were being investigated. Dr. Valerie Fitzhugh, a pathologist at Rutgers University, said the number of false positives the state had reported was “significant” and worthy of scrutiny. “In the meantime, switching to an alternative, accurate method of testing would be the responsible thing to do,” Fitzhugh said. “Nevada was on the right track for trying to fix this issue.”

Nevada revokes halt on rapid antigen testing in nursing homes

Restrictions on Pubs and bars in Scotland came into effect at 1700 GMT on Friday. The establishments shut their doors as they began 16-day closure imposed by the government. The decision has been taken to stem the spread of coronavirus.

Since mid-September, number of COVID-19 cases in Scotland has been increasing. 1054 new cases were reported on Wednesday (October 7). These were driven by infections in the central belt of Scotland. 3.4 million people stay in the central belt.

Beyond the central belt, pubs, restaurants and cafes will not be able to serve alcohol indoors, and can only serve food and non-alcoholic drinks between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. for the 16-day period.

They will be able to continue to serve alcohol outdoors until the existing curfew time of 10 p.m., First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said.

The UK Hospitality trade association said the new curbs were "a total catastrophe" for a sector already on the brink.

Sturgeon said she would provide an additional 40 million pounds ($52 million) to support affected businesses.

The areas where all licensed premises will have to close completely, with the exception of hotels for residents, are Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley.

More restrictions will be imposed in those regions for two weeks from Oct. 10, including on indoor group exercise for over 18s.

(With Reuters inputs)

Restrictions on Pubs and bars in Scotland came into effect at 1700 GMT on Friday. The establishments shut their doors as they began 16-day closure imposed by the government.

Restrictions on Pubs and bars in Scotland came into effect at 1700 GMT on Friday. The establishments shut their doors as they began 16-day closure imposed by the government. The decision has been taken to stem the spread of coronavirus. Since mid-September, number of COVID-19 cases in Scotland has been increasing. 1054 new cases were reported on Wednesday (October 7). These were driven by infections in the central belt of Scotland. 3.4 million people stay in the central belt. Beyond the central belt, pubs, restaurants and cafes will not be able to serve alcohol indoors, and can only serve food and non-alcoholic drinks between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. for the 16-day period. They will be able to continue to serve alcohol outdoors until the existing curfew time of 10 p.m., First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said. The UK Hospitality trade association said the new curbs were "a total catastrophe" for a sector already on the brink. Sturgeon said she would provide an additional 40 million pounds ($52 million) to support affected businesses. The areas where all licensed premises will have to close completely, with the exception of hotels for residents, are Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and Arran, Lothian and Forth Valley. More restrictions will be imposed in those regions for two weeks from Oct. 10, including on indoor group exercise for over 18s. (With Reuters inputs)

Scotland: Pubs and Bars close as coronavirus restrictions come into effect

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday weighed in on the ongoing standoff between India and China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Pompeo asserted that there was a need for closer ties between India and the US in order to counter China. He warned of China's growing might on India's doorstep.

"They absolutely need the United States to be their ally and partner in this fight," Pompeo said of his four-way meetings earlier this week in Tokyo with his counterparts from India, Japan and Australia. He said this in a radio interview with hot Larry O'Connor.

"The Chinese have now begun to amass huge forces against India in the north," Pompeo told radio host Larry O'Connor.

"The world has awakened. The tide's begun to turn. And the United States under President Trump's leadership has now built out a coalition that will push back against the threat," he said.

After his visit to Tokyo, Pompeo is due to travel to New Delhi with Defence Secretary Mark Esper for annual talks with Indian counterparts.

Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun will also travel to India next week to prepare the meeting, the State Department said.

Tensions have soared between India and China since violent hand-to-hand fighting in the Himalayan region of Ladakh in June that left 20 Indian troops dead.

China has acknowledged suffering casualties but has not revealed any figures.

Citing national security grounds, New Delhi has since banned dozens of Chinese apps including TikTok, the blockbuster video-sharing platform which had counted on India as its largest overseas market.

Despite wide concerns about China, India has historically shied away from formal alliances with outside powers under its doctrine of "strategic autonomy."

Asked at the conservative Heritage Foundation about tensions with China, India's ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, stressed that the Asian powers had historic linkages and welcomed each other's scholars.

US-India ties have been rapidly growing and "this relationship has a much wider perspective than simply China," Sandhu said.

But he said he expected India and the United States to discuss boosting defense ties during the visit by Pompeo and Esper.

"I would underline that there is a great further potential for our defense cooperation," he said.

(With AFP inputs)

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday weighed in on the ongoing standoff between India and China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Pompeo asserted that there was a need for closer ties between India and the US in order to counter China.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Friday weighed in on the ongoing standoff between India and China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Pompeo asserted that there was a need for closer ties between India and the US in order to counter China. He warned of China's growing might on India's doorstep. "They absolutely need the United States to be their ally and partner in this fight," Pompeo said of his four-way meetings earlier this week in Tokyo with his counterparts from India, Japan and Australia. He said this in a radio interview with hot Larry O'Connor. "The Chinese have now begun to amass huge forces against India in the north," Pompeo told radio host Larry O'Connor. "The world has awakened. The tide's begun to turn. And the United States under President Trump's leadership has now built out a coalition that will push back against the threat," he said. After his visit to Tokyo, Pompeo is due to travel to New Delhi with Defence Secretary Mark Esper for annual talks with Indian counterparts. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun will also travel to India next week to prepare the meeting, the State Department said. Tensions have soared between India and China since violent hand-to-hand fighting in the Himalayan region of Ladakh in June that left 20 Indian troops dead. China has acknowledged suffering casualties but has not revealed any figures. Citing national security grounds, New Delhi has since banned dozens of Chinese apps including TikTok, the blockbuster video-sharing platform which had counted on India as its largest overseas market. Despite wide concerns about China, India has historically shied away from formal alliances with outside powers under its doctrine of "strategic autonomy." Asked at the conservative Heritage Foundation about tensions with China, India's ambassador to the United States, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, stressed that the Asian powers had historic linkages and welcomed each other's scholars. US-India ties have been rapidly growing and "this relationship has a much wider perspective than simply China," Sandhu said. But he said he expected India and the United States to discuss boosting defense ties during the visit by Pompeo and Esper. "I would underline that there is a great further potential for our defense cooperation," he said. (With AFP inputs)

Pompeo bats for closer ties with India, says China amassing huge force

China on Friday said that US destroyer John McCain had entered waters around disputed island in South China Sea without its permission. The US destroyer had entered waters around the disputed Paracel islands.

"We demand the U.S. immediately stop such provocative actions, (and) strictly control and restrict military operations in the sea and air," the spokesperson said in a post on an official WeChat account.

The spokesperson also said it would take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security and to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea.

China has extensive claims in the South China Sea. It cites historical references to claim the entire sea. Nearly all of the energy-rich waters of the South China Sea are claimed by China, which has established military outposts on artificial islands in the area.

Chinese claims have created tension in the region as other nations have counterclaims that come in conflict.

Countries like Japan have often stood up to China. US also asserts freedom of navigation in international waters in South China Sea.

Meanwhile, Japan's Maritime Self-defense Force conducted anti-submarine drills in the South China Sea on Friday (October 9).

deploying three vessels including a helicopter aircraft carrier and a submarine, according to the Japanese defence ministry.

The purpose of the exercise was "to boost their tactical capability", the ministry said in a statement, without giving more details on the geographical location of the drills.

The three vessels will stop at Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam over the weekend to replenish supplies, the statement said.

The ministry could not be immediately reached for further comment.

(With Reuters inputs)

China on Friday said that US destroyer John McCain had entered waters around disputed island in South China Sea without its permission. The US destroyer had entered waters around the disputed Paracel islands.

China on Friday said that US destroyer John McCain had entered waters around disputed island in South China Sea without its permission. The US destroyer had entered waters around the disputed Paracel islands. "We demand the U.S. immediately stop such provocative actions, (and) strictly control and restrict military operations in the sea and air," the spokesperson said in a post on an official WeChat account. The spokesperson also said it would take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and security and to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. China has extensive claims in the South China Sea. It cites historical references to claim the entire sea. Nearly all of the energy-rich waters of the South China Sea are claimed by China, which has established military outposts on artificial islands in the area. Chinese claims have created tension in the region as other nations have counterclaims that come in conflict. Countries like Japan have often stood up to China. US also asserts freedom of navigation in international waters in South China Sea. Meanwhile, Japan's Maritime Self-defense Force conducted anti-submarine drills in the South China Sea on Friday (October 9). deploying three vessels including a helicopter aircraft carrier and a submarine, according to the Japanese defence ministry. The purpose of the exercise was "to boost their tactical capability", the ministry said in a statement, without giving more details on the geographical location of the drills. The three vessels will stop at Cam Ranh Bay in Vietnam over the weekend to replenish supplies, the statement said. The ministry could not be immediately reached for further comment. (With Reuters inputs)

China protests US Navy's 'provocative actions' in South China Sea

Bangladesh government is considering introduction of a death penalty for those convicted of rape. A government minister confirmed this on Friday following angry protests that erupted this week over online video. The video showed a group of men sexually assaulting a woman. Currently, the maximum punishment for rape is life imprisonment.

A proposal for an urgent amendment to current rape legislation is being prepared. The review is to be submitted on Monday.

"We need to ensure that those who are proven guilty get the punishment they deserve... this is being drafted on behalf of the prime minister's instructions," Law Minister Anisul Huq told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Women's rights activist are demanding stricter implementation of law instead of solely making them stricter.

More than 950 women were raped in Bangladesh in the first nine months of this year, according to rights group Ain o Salish Kendra. That was similar to the number of rapes reported during the same period last year, but up from 2018.

Campaigners, however, say the real number is much higher, with many women reluctant to report sexual assaults.

Hundreds of Bangladeshis took to the streets of Dhaka and other cities this week to protest, demanding safe spaces for women and the arrest of rapists after the video circulated on social media.

An investigation by the country's National Human Rights Commission - an autonomous state body - found that the woman in the video had been threatened and raped repeatedly by one of the men in the group over the last year.

Police have arrested at least 10 suspects in connection with the video, said Alamgir Hossain, police superintendent in Noakhali, the southeastern city where the footage was shot.

Two weeks earlier, the alleged gang rape of a woman in a student hostel in the northeastern city of Sylhet sparked similar street protests and calls for the government to take steps to tackle sexual violence.

"The Bangladesh government needs to listen to women," said Meenakshi Ganguly, from Human Rights Watch, on Friday. "The government should ensure that all sexual assault survivors are treated with dignity."

Salma Ali, president of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association, said tougher penalties would not be enough.

"Focusing solely on capital punishment won't work... Our Women and Children Repression Prevention tribunals are overburdened. The number of courts need to increase," she said.

"We also need to focus on victim protection. Several other aspects related to this law need to be updated," she added.

(With Reuters inputs)

Bangladesh government is considering introduction of a death penalty for those convicted of rape. A government minister confirmed this on Friday following angry protests that erupted this week over online video.

Bangladesh government is considering introduction of a death penalty for those convicted of rape. A government minister confirmed this on Friday following angry protests that erupted this week over online video. The video showed a group of men sexually assaulting a woman. Currently, the maximum punishment for rape is life imprisonment. A proposal for an urgent amendment to current rape legislation is being prepared. The review is to be submitted on Monday. "We need to ensure that those who are proven guilty get the punishment they deserve... this is being drafted on behalf of the prime minister's instructions," Law Minister Anisul Huq told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Women's rights activist are demanding stricter implementation of law instead of solely making them stricter. More than 950 women were raped in Bangladesh in the first nine months of this year, according to rights group Ain o Salish Kendra. That was similar to the number of rapes reported during the same period last year, but up from 2018. Campaigners, however, say the real number is much higher, with many women reluctant to report sexual assaults. Hundreds of Bangladeshis took to the streets of Dhaka and other cities this week to protest, demanding safe spaces for women and the arrest of rapists after the video circulated on social media. An investigation by the country's National Human Rights Commission - an autonomous state body - found that the woman in the video had been threatened and raped repeatedly by one of the men in the group over the last year. Police have arrested at least 10 suspects in connection with the video, said Alamgir Hossain, police superintendent in Noakhali, the southeastern city where the footage was shot. Two weeks earlier, the alleged gang rape of a woman in a student hostel in the northeastern city of Sylhet sparked similar street protests and calls for the government to take steps to tackle sexual violence. "The Bangladesh government needs to listen to women," said Meenakshi Ganguly, from Human Rights Watch, on Friday. "The government should ensure that all sexual assault survivors are treated with dignity." Salma Ali, president of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association, said tougher penalties would not be enough. "Focusing solely on capital punishment won't work... Our Women and Children Repression Prevention tribunals are overburdened. The number of courts need to increase," she said. "We also need to focus on victim protection. Several other aspects related to this law need to be updated," she added. (With Reuters inputs)

Bangladesh considers introducing death penalty for rape after protests against online video

Dr Anthony Fauci, Director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and member of White House's coronavirus task force said on Saturday that the White House ceremony to unveil judicial nominee Amy Coney Barrett was a 'super spreader' event for coronavirus infection.

US President Donald Trump officially nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court in a White House ceremony. The event was held in the Rose Garden of the White House. The event was attended by number of White House aides and allies of Donald Trump. Attendees were not seen wearing masks in a close gathering.

The event was held on September 26, and Trump himself got infected with coronavirus on October 2. Number of other aides of Trump were subsequently found to be positive for the infection.

Dr Anthony Fauci said that data (of mask-wearing) spoke for itself.

"We had a super-spreader event in the White House and it was in a situation where people were crowded together and were not wearing masks. So the data speak for themselves," Dr Fauci was quoted by CBS News as saying.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-he-is-medication-free-describes-coronavirus-battle-334171">Trump says he is 'medication-free,' describes coronavirus battle</a>

By Thursday, these White House aides of Donald Trump were on the list of those infected with coronavirus. 
&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>Counselor to the President Hope Hicks: Tested positive on October 1.</li>
	<li>Senior Adviser Stephen Miller: Tested positive on October 6.</li>
	<li>Director of Oval Office Operations Nick Luna: Tested positive on October 3.</li>
	<li>Assistant Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: Tested positive on October 6.</li>
	<li>Assistant Press Secretary Jalen Drummond: Tested positive on October 6.</li>
	<li>Assistant Press Secretary Chad Gilmartin: Tested positive over the weekend of October 3/4.</li>
	<li>White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany: Tested positive on October 5.</li>
	<li>Assistant Press Secretary Harrison Fields: Tested positive, confirmed Thursday, October 8.</li>
</ul>

 
Donald Trump was on the receiving end as soon as he tweeted on October 2 that him and his wife Melania Trump were coronavirus positive. He has faced criticism for his handling of coronavirus pandemic in the US. He has been denounced for downplaying the outbreak in its early days.

Dr Anthony Fauci, Director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and member of White House's coronavirus task force said on Saturday that the White House ceremony to unveil judicial nominee Amy Coney Barrett was a 'super spreader' event for coronavirus infection.

Dr Anthony Fauci, Director of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and member of White House's coronavirus task force said on Saturday that the White House ceremony to unveil judicial nominee Amy Coney Barrett was a 'super spreader' event for coronavirus infection. US President Donald Trump officially nominated Judge Amy Coney Barrett to Supreme Court in a White House ceremony. The event was held in the Rose Garden of the White House. The event was attended by number of White House aides and allies of Donald Trump. Attendees were not seen wearing masks in a close gathering. The event was held on September 26, and Trump himself got infected with coronavirus on October 2. Number of other aides of Trump were subsequently found to be positive for the infection. Dr Anthony Fauci said that data (of mask-wearing) spoke for itself. "We had a super-spreader event in the White House and it was in a situation where people were crowded together and were not wearing masks. So the data speak for themselves," Dr Fauci was quoted by CBS News as saying. Also Read | Trump says he is 'medication-free,' describes coronavirus battle By Thursday, these White House aides of Donald Trump were on the list of those infected with coronavirus. Counselor to the President Hope Hicks: Tested positive on October 1. Senior Adviser Stephen Miller: Tested positive on October 6. Director of Oval Office Operations Nick Luna: Tested positive on October 3. Assistant Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt: Tested positive on October 6. Assistant Press Secretary Jalen Drummond: Tested positive on October 6. Assistant Press Secretary Chad Gilmartin: Tested positive over the weekend of October 3/4. White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany: Tested positive on October 5. Assistant Press Secretary Harrison Fields: Tested positive, confirmed Thursday, October 8. Donald Trump was on the receiving end as soon as he tweeted on October 2 that him and his wife Melania Trump were coronavirus positive. He has faced criticism for his handling of coronavirus pandemic in the US. He has been denounced for downplaying the outbreak in its early days.

White House ceremony for Amy Coney Barrett was a 'superspreader' event: Dr Fauci

The White House moved aggressively on Friday to revive stimulus talks that President Donald Trump had called off just days earlier, putting forward its largest offer for economic relief yet as administration officials and embattled Republican lawmakers scrambled to avoid being blamed by voters for failing to deliver needed aid before the election.

The new proposal’s price tag of $1.8 trillion, which Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin presented to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a roughly 30-minute phone call, was nearly double the original offer the administration put forward when talks began in late summer.

It was the latest indication that the White House was eager to backtrack from Trump’s decision Tuesday to abruptly halt negotiations, and it reflected a growing sense of dread both at the White House and among vulnerable Senate Republicans facing reelection about the political consequences of his actions. The offer also highlighted the deep and persistent divisions among Republicans — most of whom have balked at a large new federal infusion of pandemic aid — that have complicated the negotiations for months.

Now, with Trump pressing to “Go Big,” as he put it in a tweet Friday, he has raised the prospect of pushing through a plan that his own party refuses to accept, giving Pelosi and Democrats fresh leverage to dictate the terms of any deal.

On Friday, she was continuing to hold out for more concessions. While Mnuchin’s latest offer “attempted to address some of the concerns Democrats have,” Drew Hammill, a spokesperson for Pelosi, said it did not include an agreement on a national strategy for testing, tracing and other efforts to contain the spread of the virus, which the speaker has pushed for in recent weeks. “For this and other provisions, we are still awaiting language from the administration as negotiations on the overall funding amount continue.”

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/election-less-than-a-month-away-trump-leans-on-barr-and-pompeo-for-a-lift-334254">Election less than a month away, Trump leans on Barr and Pompeo for a lift</a>

“I do hope we will have an agreement soon but, as you say, they keep changing,” Pelosi said on MSNBC. Referring to Trump’s tweets that temporarily ended the negotiations, she added that the president “got a terrible backlash from it, including in the stock market, which is what he cares about. And so then he started to come back little by little, and now a bigger package.”

Speaking on right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh’s show, Trump conceded that he had changed his position on approving additional coronavirus aid before Election Day, declaring “I would like to see a bigger stimulus package, frankly, than either the Democrats or Republicans are offering.” (Alyssa Farah, the White House communications director, later contradicted Trump’s assertion, telling reporters at the White House that the administration wanted a final package to remain below $2 trillion, which is less than the $2.2 trillion measure Pelosi pushed through the House this month.)

Such sums are deeply alarming to most Republicans, who are increasingly contemplating their party’s future after Trump departs the political scene and are determined to reclaim the mantle of the party of fiscal restraint. Sen. Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, warned Trump in a phone call this week that most Republican senators would not embrace a stimulus measure as large as Pelosi wanted, an assessment that appeared to play a role in the president’s decision to tweet an end to the talks.

Speaking to reporters in Kentucky on Friday, McConnell continued to cast doubt on the chances of a deal in the coming weeks, saying political divisions remained too deep.

“The situation is kind of murky and I think the murkiness is a result of the proximity to the election and everybody kind of trying to elbow for political advantage,” McConnell said. “I’d like to see us rise above that like we did back in March and April, but I think that’s unlikely in the next three weeks.”

Privately though, McConnell has come under renewed pressure to allow a deal to go forward.

Multiple rank-and-file Republicans, including some in tough reelection contests, like Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Cory Gardner of Colorado and David Perdue of Georgia, pressed McConnell during a phone call Thursday for him to act on a stimulus measure, according to two people familiar with the discussion who asked for anonymity to disclose details of a private conversation.

Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa said on Twitter that she had spoken with Trump and “relayed to him what I’ve heard from folks across the state: Iowans need additional COVID-19 relief.”

“I’m hopeful Congress can come together once again — Rs and Ds — and provide more support to hardworking Americans,” Ernst added.

Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., one of the senators who was on the call with McConnell, said in an interview that he had pushed for a compromise with Democrats, noting that “if you really want to pass something, it has to be bipartisan, right?”

“We’re constitutionally required to work on the nation’s problems, and this is something we should work on,” he added.

But other Republicans are wary of the liberal provisions that Mnuchin may agree to in order to win Pelosi’s support. Many of them opposed the original $1 trillion offer McConnell presented in July, after days of haggling with the White House, in part because they were concerned about adding to the national debt. Top Republicans scaled back the offer considerably, proposing a $350 billion plan that drew objections from Democrats, who called it inadequate.

Pelosi’s $2.2 trillion plan is “not going to fly very far over here, at least on the Republican side, so we’ll see,” Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., told reporters Friday on Capitol Hill. “Maybe it’ll have to be after the election — if anybody can calm down after that.”

In the House, vulnerable Republicans have also raised concerns about facing voters without a stimulus deal.

“There is still room for bipartisan agreement on the next stimulus package, and I am committed to show up to vote at any hour to support legislation that will help American families and small businesses,” said Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., chair of the House Suburban Caucus, who is facing a tough reelection battle in her district in the suburbs of St. Louis. “These priorities should not be politicized, and we must come to an agreement that helps America’s families at what is an incredibly difficult moment.”

With less than a month before Election Day, it also remains unclear if there is enough time for Congress to push through a stimulus agreement as Senate Republicans also move to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.

In his series of tweets Tuesday, Trump instructed Senate Republicans “to instead focus full time on approving my outstanding nominee to the United States Supreme Court.” 
&nbsp;

The White House moved aggressively on Friday to revive stimulus talks that President Donald Trump had called off just days earlier, putting forward its largest offer for economic relief yet as administration officials and embattled Republican lawmakers scrambled to avoid being blamed by voters for failing to deliver needed aid before the election.

The White House moved aggressively on Friday to revive stimulus talks that President Donald Trump had called off just days earlier, putting forward its largest offer for economic relief yet as administration officials and embattled Republican lawmakers scrambled to avoid being blamed by voters for failing to deliver needed aid before the election. The new proposal’s price tag of $1.8 trillion, which Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin presented to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a roughly 30-minute phone call, was nearly double the original offer the administration put forward when talks began in late summer. It was the latest indication that the White House was eager to backtrack from Trump’s decision Tuesday to abruptly halt negotiations, and it reflected a growing sense of dread both at the White House and among vulnerable Senate Republicans facing reelection about the political consequences of his actions. The offer also highlighted the deep and persistent divisions among Republicans — most of whom have balked at a large new federal infusion of pandemic aid — that have complicated the negotiations for months. Now, with Trump pressing to “Go Big,” as he put it in a tweet Friday, he has raised the prospect of pushing through a plan that his own party refuses to accept, giving Pelosi and Democrats fresh leverage to dictate the terms of any deal. On Friday, she was continuing to hold out for more concessions. While Mnuchin’s latest offer “attempted to address some of the concerns Democrats have,” Drew Hammill, a spokesperson for Pelosi, said it did not include an agreement on a national strategy for testing, tracing and other efforts to contain the spread of the virus, which the speaker has pushed for in recent weeks. “For this and other provisions, we are still awaiting language from the administration as negotiations on the overall funding amount continue.” Also Read | Election less than a month away, Trump leans on Barr and Pompeo for a lift “I do hope we will have an agreement soon but, as you say, they keep changing,” Pelosi said on MSNBC. Referring to Trump’s tweets that temporarily ended the negotiations, she added that the president “got a terrible backlash from it, including in the stock market, which is what he cares about. And so then he started to come back little by little, and now a bigger package.” Speaking on right-wing radio host Rush Limbaugh’s show, Trump conceded that he had changed his position on approving additional coronavirus aid before Election Day, declaring “I would like to see a bigger stimulus package, frankly, than either the Democrats or Republicans are offering.” (Alyssa Farah, the White House communications director, later contradicted Trump’s assertion, telling reporters at the White House that the administration wanted a final package to remain below $2 trillion, which is less than the $2.2 trillion measure Pelosi pushed through the House this month.) Such sums are deeply alarming to most Republicans, who are increasingly contemplating their party’s future after Trump departs the political scene and are determined to reclaim the mantle of the party of fiscal restraint. Sen. Mitch McConnell, the majority leader, warned Trump in a phone call this week that most Republican senators would not embrace a stimulus measure as large as Pelosi wanted, an assessment that appeared to play a role in the president’s decision to tweet an end to the talks. Speaking to reporters in Kentucky on Friday, McConnell continued to cast doubt on the chances of a deal in the coming weeks, saying political divisions remained too deep. “The situation is kind of murky and I think the murkiness is a result of the proximity to the election and everybody kind of trying to elbow for political advantage,” McConnell said. “I’d like to see us rise above that like we did back in March and April, but I think that’s unlikely in the next three weeks.” Privately though, McConnell has come under renewed pressure to allow a deal to go forward. Multiple rank-and-file Republicans, including some in tough reelection contests, like Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, Cory Gardner of Colorado and David Perdue of Georgia, pressed McConnell during a phone call Thursday for him to act on a stimulus measure, according to two people familiar with the discussion who asked for anonymity to disclose details of a private conversation. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa said on Twitter that she had spoken with Trump and “relayed to him what I’ve heard from folks across the state: Iowans need additional COVID-19 relief.” “I’m hopeful Congress can come together once again — Rs and Ds — and provide more support to hardworking Americans,” Ernst added. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., one of the senators who was on the call with McConnell, said in an interview that he had pushed for a compromise with Democrats, noting that “if you really want to pass something, it has to be bipartisan, right?” “We’re constitutionally required to work on the nation’s problems, and this is something we should work on,” he added. But other Republicans are wary of the liberal provisions that Mnuchin may agree to in order to win Pelosi’s support. Many of them opposed the original $1 trillion offer McConnell presented in July, after days of haggling with the White House, in part because they were concerned about adding to the national debt. Top Republicans scaled back the offer considerably, proposing a $350 billion plan that drew objections from Democrats, who called it inadequate. Pelosi’s $2.2 trillion plan is “not going to fly very far over here, at least on the Republican side, so we’ll see,” Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., told reporters Friday on Capitol Hill. “Maybe it’ll have to be after the election — if anybody can calm down after that.” In the House, vulnerable Republicans have also raised concerns about facing voters without a stimulus deal. “There is still room for bipartisan agreement on the next stimulus package, and I am committed to show up to vote at any hour to support legislation that will help American families and small businesses,” said Rep. Ann Wagner, R-Mo., chair of the House Suburban Caucus, who is facing a tough reelection battle in her district in the suburbs of St. Louis. “These priorities should not be politicized, and we must come to an agreement that helps America’s families at what is an incredibly difficult moment.” With less than a month before Election Day, it also remains unclear if there is enough time for Congress to push through a stimulus agreement as Senate Republicans also move to confirm Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court. In his series of tweets Tuesday, Trump instructed Senate Republicans “to instead focus full time on approving my outstanding nominee to the United States Supreme Court.”

Trump raises stimulus offer to USD 1.8 trillion days after halting negotiations

President Donald Trump forced the State Department on Friday to commit to releasing at least some of Hillary Clinton’s emails before next month’s election, resurrecting a 4-year-old issue in hopes that it would prove as helpful to his political prospects as it was when he defeated her in 2016.

Trailing badly in the polls and eager to change the subject from the coronavirus, Trump succeeded in compelling Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to announce that he would make public the emails even as Attorney General William Barr resisted pressure from the president to prosecute Democrats like former Vice President Joe Biden, this year’s Democratic nominee.

Still recovering from his own coronavirus infection, Trump made plans to host hundreds of supporters on the South Lawn of the White House on Saturday for his first in-person event since he tested positive last week, according to three people familiar with the schedule. The rally that he had previously said he wanted to hold Saturday in Florida will instead be held Monday, his campaign announced, as the president insisted on getting back on the road despite his illness.

The burst of activity and machinations reflected a president grasping for a way to make up a double-digit polling deficit against Biden with 25 days left before the election on Nov. 3. Biden’s lead has remained stable for months and, if anything, expanded in recent days, despite every effort by the president to shift the momentum of the race.

He lost one of the few obvious opportunities to transform the dynamics of the campaign Friday when the Commission on Presidential Debates formally canceled Thursday’s second showdown between Trump and Biden after the president refused to participate remotely.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-raises-stimulus-offer-to-usd-18-trillion-days-after-halting-negotiations-334269">Trump raises stimulus offer to USD 1.8 trillion days after halting negotiations</a>

Battered by an October surprise that Trump did not anticipate — his hospitalization from a virus that he had played down even as it has killed 213,000 people in the United States — the president appeared intent Friday on creating an October surprise more to his liking, in this case tarring Democrats by using the instruments of government power at his disposal.

He publicly badgered Barr this week to indict Democrats connected to the original investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and any ties to Trump’s campaign, naming specifically Biden and former President Barack Obama. But Barr has told Republicans and others that he planned no major moves in his reexamination of the Russia investigation before Election Day.

Three government officials briefed on the investigation said that they had been told that it was unlikely that John Durham, the prosecutor tapped by Barr to lead the inquiry, would produce indictments or any other developments that could affect the trajectory of the election before Nov. 3.

“If that’s the case, I’m very disappointed,” Trump said Friday during a two-hour phone conversation with radio host Rush Limbaugh. “I think it’s a terrible thing, and I’ll say it to his face.”

The president has been consumed for months with the hope that the Durham investigation would provide him evidence that the Russia inquiry was an effort to smear him. He has told advisers he hoped for indictments of top former Obama administration national security officials or even Obama or Biden themselves. Short of that, he hoped for a report with the imprimatur of the Justice Department detailing their actions in 2016, according to people briefed on the conversations.

Beyond his public comments, the president has also conveyed to Barr, directly and through surrogates, that he wanted “scalps,” according to two government officials familiar with the conversations.

The Justice Department declined to comment on the president’s remarks.

While Barr defied the president’s desire for preelection action, Pompeo bowed to Trump’s wishes a day after he publicly chastised the secretary of state for not cooperating. Pompeo told Fox News that he would release at least some of Clinton’s emails from when she was secretary of state and using a private server.

“We’ve got the emails,” Pompeo said. “We’re getting them out. We’re going to get all this information out so the American people can see it.”

He made no effort to suggest that releasing them was unconnected to the political campaign. “We’re doing it as fast as we can,” he added. “I certainly think there’ll be more to see before the election.”

Neither Trump nor Pompeo explained why they would release the emails now, in the final weeks of a hotly contested presidential campaign, given that they could have done so at any point in the past four years. Nor did they explain why they would seek to prove that Clinton was too casual with emails containing classified information by releasing emails containing classified information.

But Pompeo said he did not expect Trump to declassify any documents that might include sensitive information that would be damaging to U.S. interests once it is made public. “We’ll get the information out that needs to get out,” Pompeo said. “We’ll do it in a way that protects the intelligence sources that we need to protect.”

While Pompeo made a name for himself as a Republican congressman from Kansas excoriating Clinton over the email issue, the State Department under his leadership concluded just last year that while she had risked compromising classified information, she did not systematically or deliberately mishandle it.

The FBI declined to recommend charges against Clinton in 2016 but made its decision public, contributing to the political liability for her. It ultimately cost her in the final days of the campaign when the investigation was briefly reopened after the discovery of emails on the laptop of an aide’s estranged husband and then quickly closed again when no further evidence of wrongdoing was found.

President Donald Trump forced the State Department on Friday to commit to releasing at least some of Hillary Clinton’s emails before next month’s election, resurrecting a 4-year-old issue in hopes that it would prove as helpful to his political prospects as it was when he defeated her in 2016.

President Donald Trump forced the State Department on Friday to commit to releasing at least some of Hillary Clinton’s emails before next month’s election, resurrecting a 4-year-old issue in hopes that it would prove as helpful to his political prospects as it was when he defeated her in 2016. Trailing badly in the polls and eager to change the subject from the coronavirus, Trump succeeded in compelling Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to announce that he would make public the emails even as Attorney General William Barr resisted pressure from the president to prosecute Democrats like former Vice President Joe Biden, this year’s Democratic nominee. Still recovering from his own coronavirus infection, Trump made plans to host hundreds of supporters on the South Lawn of the White House on Saturday for his first in-person event since he tested positive last week, according to three people familiar with the schedule. The rally that he had previously said he wanted to hold Saturday in Florida will instead be held Monday, his campaign announced, as the president insisted on getting back on the road despite his illness. The burst of activity and machinations reflected a president grasping for a way to make up a double-digit polling deficit against Biden with 25 days left before the election on Nov. 3. Biden’s lead has remained stable for months and, if anything, expanded in recent days, despite every effort by the president to shift the momentum of the race. He lost one of the few obvious opportunities to transform the dynamics of the campaign Friday when the Commission on Presidential Debates formally canceled Thursday’s second showdown between Trump and Biden after the president refused to participate remotely. Also Read | Trump raises stimulus offer to USD 1.8 trillion days after halting negotiations Battered by an October surprise that Trump did not anticipate — his hospitalization from a virus that he had played down even as it has killed 213,000 people in the United States — the president appeared intent Friday on creating an October surprise more to his liking, in this case tarring Democrats by using the instruments of government power at his disposal. He publicly badgered Barr this week to indict Democrats connected to the original investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election and any ties to Trump’s campaign, naming specifically Biden and former President Barack Obama. But Barr has told Republicans and others that he planned no major moves in his reexamination of the Russia investigation before Election Day. Three government officials briefed on the investigation said that they had been told that it was unlikely that John Durham, the prosecutor tapped by Barr to lead the inquiry, would produce indictments or any other developments that could affect the trajectory of the election before Nov. 3. “If that’s the case, I’m very disappointed,” Trump said Friday during a two-hour phone conversation with radio host Rush Limbaugh. “I think it’s a terrible thing, and I’ll say it to his face.” The president has been consumed for months with the hope that the Durham investigation would provide him evidence that the Russia inquiry was an effort to smear him. He has told advisers he hoped for indictments of top former Obama administration national security officials or even Obama or Biden themselves. Short of that, he hoped for a report with the imprimatur of the Justice Department detailing their actions in 2016, according to people briefed on the conversations. Beyond his public comments, the president has also conveyed to Barr, directly and through surrogates, that he wanted “scalps,” according to two government officials familiar with the conversations. The Justice Department declined to comment on the president’s remarks. While Barr defied the president’s desire for preelection action, Pompeo bowed to Trump’s wishes a day after he publicly chastised the secretary of state for not cooperating. Pompeo told Fox News that he would release at least some of Clinton’s emails from when she was secretary of state and using a private server. “We’ve got the emails,” Pompeo said. “We’re getting them out. We’re going to get all this information out so the American people can see it.” He made no effort to suggest that releasing them was unconnected to the political campaign. “We’re doing it as fast as we can,” he added. “I certainly think there’ll be more to see before the election.” Neither Trump nor Pompeo explained why they would release the emails now, in the final weeks of a hotly contested presidential campaign, given that they could have done so at any point in the past four years. Nor did they explain why they would seek to prove that Clinton was too casual with emails containing classified information by releasing emails containing classified information. But Pompeo said he did not expect Trump to declassify any documents that might include sensitive information that would be damaging to U.S. interests once it is made public. “We’ll get the information out that needs to get out,” Pompeo said. “We’ll do it in a way that protects the intelligence sources that we need to protect.” While Pompeo made a name for himself as a Republican congressman from Kansas excoriating Clinton over the email issue, the State Department under his leadership concluded just last year that while she had risked compromising classified information, she did not systematically or deliberately mishandle it. The FBI declined to recommend charges against Clinton in 2016 but made its decision public, contributing to the political liability for her. It ultimately cost her in the final days of the campaign when the investigation was briefly reopened after the discovery of emails on the laptop of an aide’s estranged husband and then quickly closed again when no further evidence of wrongdoing was found.

Election less than a month away, Trump leans on Barr and Pompeo for a lift

New Delhi Municipal Council on Saturday, removed posters near Chinese embassy that gave wishes of Taiwan's national day. The posters -- bearing the words "Taiwan Happy National Day October 10" -- were issued by Delhi BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga. The posters were removed within hours. The posters were put up on Friday night

The posters were stuck on the sidewalk of Shanti Path close to the embassy of China in Chankyapuri, New Delhi's diplomatic enclave.

"We have removed the posters which were put up close to Chinese embassy," an NDMC official said Saturday.

China does not recognise Taiwan and considers it part of the country.

Earlier, the Chinese embassy here had issued guidelines to the Indian media to not violate New Delhi's ''One-China'' policy during the national day of Taiwan.

"All countries that have diplomatic relations with China should firmly honor their commitment to the One-China policy, which is also the long-standing official position of the Indian government," the letter dated October 7 said.

"We hope Indian media can stick to Indian government's position on Taiwan question and do not violate the One-China principle," it said.

The letter was issued in the wake of advertisements put out by the Taiwan government in a couple of leading newspapers in India ahead of Taiwan's national day on October 10.

India Thursday took oblique potshots over the guidelines, saying there is a "free media" in this country.&nbsp;

New Delhi Municipal Council on Saturday, removed posters near Chinese embassy that gave wishes of Taiwan's national day. The posters -- bearing the words "Taiwan Happy National Day October 10" -- were issued by Delhi BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga.

New Delhi Municipal Council on Saturday, removed posters near Chinese embassy that gave wishes of Taiwan's national day. The posters -- bearing the words "Taiwan Happy National Day October 10" -- were issued by Delhi BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga. The posters were removed within hours. The posters were put up on Friday night The posters were stuck on the sidewalk of Shanti Path close to the embassy of China in Chankyapuri, New Delhi's diplomatic enclave. "We have removed the posters which were put up close to Chinese embassy," an NDMC official said Saturday. China does not recognise Taiwan and considers it part of the country. Earlier, the Chinese embassy here had issued guidelines to the Indian media to not violate New Delhi's ''One-China'' policy during the national day of Taiwan. "All countries that have diplomatic relations with China should firmly honor their commitment to the One-China policy, which is also the long-standing official position of the Indian government," the letter dated October 7 said. "We hope Indian media can stick to Indian government's position on Taiwan question and do not violate the One-China principle," it said. The letter was issued in the wake of advertisements put out by the Taiwan government in a couple of leading newspapers in India ahead of Taiwan's national day on October 10. India Thursday took oblique potshots over the guidelines, saying there is a "free media" in this country.

Taiwan National Day posters come up near Chinese embassy, NDMC removes them

Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi dropped slightly on Friday morning representing improved air quality in the national capital. The city recorded an AQI of 198. On Thursday, the average AQI was recorded to be 208. AQI of 198 falls in 'moderate' category.

Delhi's air quality had turned poor on Wednesday, the first time in since June 29, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recording a 24-hour average AQI of 215. The AQI was 230 on June 29.

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'.

Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality monitor SAFAR said that AQI may improve by Saturday.

A gradual increase in farm fires around Punjab, Haryana and other areas has been seen. Wind direction and speed are favourable for transport of pollutants toward Delhi. However, a shift in wind direction is expected.

High levels of air pollution in Delhi is a year-round problem, which can be attributed to unfavourable meteorological conditions, farm fires in neighbouring regions and local sources of pollution.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/crowds-throng-delhis-small-eatery-baba-ka-dhaba-as-emotional-video-goes-viral-333520">Crowds throng Delhi's small eatery 'Baba Ka Dhaba' as emotional video goes viral</a>

According to an analysis by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, a Delhi-based think tank, transportation contributes the most -- 18 to 39 per cent -- to Delhi's air pollution.

Road dust is the second-largest source of air pollution in the city (18 to 38 per cent), followed by industries (2 to 29 per cent), thermal power plants (3 to 11 per cent) and construction (8 per cent).

The Delhi government on Monday launched a massive anti-air pollution campaign.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he himself will review the situation daily.

A "green" war room was also inaugurated by Environment Minister Gopal Rai at the Delhi Secretariat to monitor the steps being taken to deal with high levels of air pollution in winters.

The government will also start the spraying of 'Pusa bio-decomposer' solution in non-Basmati rice fields in the national capital, starting October 11.

The solution, experts say, can turn stubble into manure in 15 to 20 days and therefore, can prevent stubble burning.

Starting October 15, stricter measures to fight air pollution will also come into force in Delhi and its neighbourhood as part of the Graded Response Action Plan, which was first implemented in Delhi-NCR in 2017.

These measures include increasing bus and metro services, hiking parking fees and stopping use of diesel generator sets when the air quality turns poor.

When the situation turns "severe", GRAP recommends closure of brick kilns, stone crushers and hot mix plants, sprinkling of water, frequent mechanised cleaning of roads and maximising power generation from natural gas.

The measures to be followed in the "emergency" situation include stopping entry of trucks in Delhi, ban on construction activities and introduction of the odd-even car rationing scheme.&nbsp;

(With PTI inputs)

Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi dropped slightly on Friday morning representing improved air quality in the national capital. The city recorded an AQI of 198. On Thursday, the average AQI was recorded to be 208.

Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi dropped slightly on Friday morning representing improved air quality in the national capital. The city recorded an AQI of 198. On Thursday, the average AQI was recorded to be 208. AQI of 198 falls in 'moderate' category. Delhi's air quality had turned poor on Wednesday, the first time in since June 29, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recording a 24-hour average AQI of 215. The AQI was 230 on June 29. 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'. Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality monitor SAFAR said that AQI may improve by Saturday. A gradual increase in farm fires around Punjab, Haryana and other areas has been seen. Wind direction and speed are favourable for transport of pollutants toward Delhi. However, a shift in wind direction is expected. High levels of air pollution in Delhi is a year-round problem, which can be attributed to unfavourable meteorological conditions, farm fires in neighbouring regions and local sources of pollution. Also Read | Crowds throng Delhi's small eatery 'Baba Ka Dhaba' as emotional video goes viral According to an analysis by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water, a Delhi-based think tank, transportation contributes the most -- 18 to 39 per cent -- to Delhi's air pollution. Road dust is the second-largest source of air pollution in the city (18 to 38 per cent), followed by industries (2 to 29 per cent), thermal power plants (3 to 11 per cent) and construction (8 per cent). The Delhi government on Monday launched a massive anti-air pollution campaign. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he himself will review the situation daily. A "green" war room was also inaugurated by Environment Minister Gopal Rai at the Delhi Secretariat to monitor the steps being taken to deal with high levels of air pollution in winters. The government will also start the spraying of 'Pusa bio-decomposer' solution in non-Basmati rice fields in the national capital, starting October 11. The solution, experts say, can turn stubble into manure in 15 to 20 days and therefore, can prevent stubble burning. Starting October 15, stricter measures to fight air pollution will also come into force in Delhi and its neighbourhood as part of the Graded Response Action Plan, which was first implemented in Delhi-NCR in 2017. These measures include increasing bus and metro services, hiking parking fees and stopping use of diesel generator sets when the air quality turns poor. When the situation turns "severe", GRAP recommends closure of brick kilns, stone crushers and hot mix plants, sprinkling of water, frequent mechanised cleaning of roads and maximising power generation from natural gas. The measures to be followed in the "emergency" situation include stopping entry of trucks in Delhi, ban on construction activities and introduction of the odd-even car rationing scheme. (With PTI inputs)

Air quality in Delhi improves slightly, stubble burning continues in neighbour states

WhatsApp's 5 new features Update -&nbsp;WhatsApp needs no introduction. The omnipresent messaging app has occupied space in our personal as well as professional lives. It keeps on bringing new features. Continuous WhatsApp update means users can get to experience new features.

WhatsApp's 5 new features are sure to make it more popular than it already is

These are WhatsApp's Top 5 new features:

Always mute

We can block an undesirable person but what to do when you can't block a person but still want tp ignore his/her messages?

WhatsApp has rolled out Always Mute option for its beta users on Android and iOS. While muting a chat, this option lets us 'Always mute' it instead of just 1 year. This option was spotted on WhatsApp's 2.20.197.3 update

&nbsp; 
WhatsApp new features: Storage usage section redesign

A better UI was spotted in the section that dealt with storage usage. This was spotted in Android Beta version v2.20.201.9

The better UI offered more visual cues to manage the storage in a much better way.

 
WhatsApp new features: Expiring media

This is an extension of 'expiring messages'. When a user sends an expiring media (Image, GIF, Video etc) It will get deleted from the recipient's phone as soon as he/she leaves the chat.

 
WhatsApp new features Update: Multi-device support

This feature lets a user use a single WhatsApp account on different devices. This was spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.20.199.5

 
New wallpaper feature

This was spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.20.199.5&nbsp;

This allows user to choose a different wallpaper based on the theme used in the app.

WhatsApp's 5 new features Update - WhatsApp needs no introduction. The omnipresent messaging app has occupied space in our personal as well as professional lives.

WhatsApp's 5 new features Update - WhatsApp needs no introduction. The omnipresent messaging app has occupied space in our personal as well as professional lives. It keeps on bringing new features. Continuous WhatsApp update means users can get to experience new features. WhatsApp's 5 new features are sure to make it more popular than it already is These are WhatsApp's Top 5 new features: Always mute We can block an undesirable person but what to do when you can't block a person but still want tp ignore his/her messages? WhatsApp has rolled out Always Mute option for its beta users on Android and iOS. While muting a chat, this option lets us 'Always mute' it instead of just 1 year. This option was spotted on WhatsApp's 2.20.197.3 update WhatsApp new features: Storage usage section redesign A better UI was spotted in the section that dealt with storage usage. This was spotted in Android Beta version v2.20.201.9 The better UI offered more visual cues to manage the storage in a much better way. WhatsApp new features: Expiring media This is an extension of 'expiring messages'. When a user sends an expiring media (Image, GIF, Video etc) It will get deleted from the recipient's phone as soon as he/she leaves the chat. WhatsApp new features Update: Multi-device support This feature lets a user use a single WhatsApp account on different devices. This was spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.20.199.5 New wallpaper feature This was spotted in WhatsApp beta for Android 2.20.199.5 This allows user to choose a different wallpaper based on the theme used in the app.

WhatsApp Update: Top 5 new features in the messenger app

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