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Security forces in the Kashmir valley have said that they had input about an infiltration bid by terrorists 15 days prior to the attempt which resulted in the killings of three terrorists and four forces personnel including a Capitan rank officer in Machil sector along the Line of Control in north Kashmir.&nbsp;

Border Security forces today paid tribute to the slain Constable in Budgam and laid a wreath while remembering the sacrifice made by him while fighting terrorists. &nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/three-terrorists-woman-killed-crpf-officer-injured-in-srinagar-encounter-328064">Three terrorists, woman killed, CRPF officer injured in Srinagar encounter</a>&nbsp;

Speaking to media after the wreath-laying ceremony of the slain BSF constable who was killed during the initial exchange of fire with the terrorists, Additional Director General of BSF Surinder Pawar said "a patrolling party spotted three shadows after which an exchange of fire took place. Constable Sudhir Kumar was leading from the front and got injured while facing the terrorist."

ADG said that then army reinforcement was called in and a hunt for the other two terrorists was launched. "In the exchange of fire with the terrorists, Captain Ashutosh Kumar and two other army men were martyred."

When asked about the status of infiltration this year, he said only 25 to 30 terrorists managed to enter the valley compared to 135 to 140 last year. &nbsp;"The operation is still on and we are sanitizing the area," he said adding that the troops are alert and ready to foil any more attempts.&nbsp;

Security forces in the Kashmir valley have said that they had input about an infiltration bid by terrorists 15 days prior to the attempt which resulted in the killings of three terrorists and four forces personnel including a Capitan rank officer in Machil sector along the Line of Control in north Kashmir.

Security forces in the Kashmir valley have said that they had input about an infiltration bid by terrorists 15 days prior to the attempt which resulted in the killings of three terrorists and four forces personnel including a Capitan rank officer in Machil sector along the Line of Control in north Kashmir. Border Security forces today paid tribute to the slain Constable in Budgam and laid a wreath while remembering the sacrifice made by him while fighting terrorists. Also read | Three terrorists, woman killed, CRPF officer injured in Srinagar encounter Speaking to media after the wreath-laying ceremony of the slain BSF constable who was killed during the initial exchange of fire with the terrorists, Additional Director General of BSF Surinder Pawar said "a patrolling party spotted three shadows after which an exchange of fire took place. Constable Sudhir Kumar was leading from the front and got injured while facing the terrorist." ADG said that then army reinforcement was called in and a hunt for the other two terrorists was launched. "In the exchange of fire with the terrorists, Captain Ashutosh Kumar and two other army men were martyred." When asked about the status of infiltration this year, he said only 25 to 30 terrorists managed to enter the valley compared to 135 to 140 last year. "The operation is still on and we are sanitizing the area," he said adding that the troops are alert and ready to foil any more attempts.

Operation on LoC in Machil sector still on, forces had inputs 15 days back: ADG BSF

As India and China continue to face off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday instructed officials to expedite the construction of the new USD 47.8 billion railway project connecting the country’s southwest Sichuan province to Linzhi in Tibet close to the Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh, saying it would play a key role in safeguarding stability in the border areas. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/beijing-doesnt-recognize-ladakh-union-territory-and-arunachal-pradesh-chinese-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-334959">Also read | Beijing doesn’t recognize Ladakh Union Territory and Arunachal Pradesh: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs</a> 
 
It will go through the southeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the world's most geologically active areas, according to the Chinese official media.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/wion-has-got-mail-from-china-337567">Also read | Wion has got mail. From China</a> 
 
The Sichuan-Tibet Railway starts from Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province and travels through Ya'an and enters Tibet via Qamdo, shortening the journey from Chengdu to Lhasa from 48 hours to 13 hours. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/china-dictates-terms-to-indian-press-protests-wions-interview-with-taiwan-foreign-minister-joseph-wu-see-letter-inside-337366">Also read |&nbsp;China dictates terms to Indian press, protests WION's interview with Taiwan foreign minister Joseph Wu - see letter inside</a> 
 
Linzhi, also known as Nyingchi, is located close to Arunachal Pradesh border. 
 
The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control, the de-facto border between the two countries. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of south Tibet which is firmly rejected by India. 
 
On October 13, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had said that Beijing doesn’t recognize "Ladakh Union Territory and Arunachal Pradesh." 
 
The Chinese MFA in a statement had said that Ladakh Union Territory is a region “illegally established by India". 
&nbsp; 
India and China are engaged in a border dispute for the last seven months in Eastern Ladakh. Despite several rounds of talks between the two countries, the dispute remains unresolved. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

As India and China continue to face off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday instructed officials to expedite the construction of the new USD 47.

As India and China continue to face off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday instructed officials to expedite the construction of the new USD 47.8 billion railway project connecting the country’s southwest Sichuan province to Linzhi in Tibet close to the Indian border in Arunachal Pradesh, saying it would play a key role in safeguarding stability in the border areas. Also read | Beijing doesn’t recognize Ladakh Union Territory and Arunachal Pradesh: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs It will go through the southeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the world's most geologically active areas, according to the Chinese official media. Also read | Wion has got mail. From China The Sichuan-Tibet Railway starts from Chengdu, capital of Sichuan province and travels through Ya'an and enters Tibet via Qamdo, shortening the journey from Chengdu to Lhasa from 48 hours to 13 hours. Also read | China dictates terms to Indian press, protests WION's interview with Taiwan foreign minister Joseph Wu - see letter inside Linzhi, also known as Nyingchi, is located close to Arunachal Pradesh border. The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488-km-long Line of Actual Control, the de-facto border between the two countries. China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of south Tibet which is firmly rejected by India. On October 13, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had said that Beijing doesn’t recognize "Ladakh Union Territory and Arunachal Pradesh." The Chinese MFA in a statement had said that Ladakh Union Territory is a region “illegally established by India". India and China are engaged in a border dispute for the last seven months in Eastern Ladakh. Despite several rounds of talks between the two countries, the dispute remains unresolved. (With inputs from agencies)

China orders advancing the construction of rail line in Tibet, close to Arunachal Pradesh

The National Green Tribunal on Monday ordered imposition of a total ban on sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in the national capital region or any other city or town across the country where the average ambient air quality from November 9-10 to the midnight of November 30-December 1 falls under the `poor` and above category. 
 
A bench of NGT Chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel passed the order on a batch of petition seeking remedial action against the use and sale of firecrackers amid the double whammy of pollution crisis and rising coronavirus infections. 
 
The green tribunal emphasised that citizens were entitled to breathe fresh air, a right cannot be defeated on the ground that enforcement of such right will lead to the closing of such business activity. 
 
It ordered, "There will be total ban against the sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in the NCR from midnight of November 9-10, 2020 to the midnight of November 30-December 1, 2020, to be reviewed thereafter." National capital region includes Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar, Bhiwani, Karnal, Sonipat, Meerut, Hapur, Charki Dadri, Panipat, Rohtak, Jind, Bhagpat and Bulandshahr. However, the Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday announced that people are allowed to sell and burst firecrackers for two hours on Diwali. 
 
These directions will also apply to all the cities and towns in the country where the average of ambient air quality during November, as per the available data of last year, falls under the `poor` and above category. 
 
"The cities or towns where air quality is `moderate` or below, only green crackers be sold and the timings for use and bursting of crackers be restricted to two hours during festivals, like Diwali, Chatt, New Year or Christmas Eve etc., as may be specified by the concerned state," the green court added. 
 
The bench, also comprising of Judicial Member S.K. Singh and Expert Members Dr. S.S. Garbyal and Dr. Nagin Nanda further ordered that if nothing is specified by the state, timing for imposition of ban will be 8 to 10 p.m. on Diwali and Gurpurb, 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Chatt and 11.55 p.m. to 12.30 a.m. during Christmas and New year eve. 
 
At other places, bans or restrictions are optional for the authorities but if there are more stringent measures under orders of the authorities, the same will prevail. 
 
All States, UTs, Pollution Control Boards and committees have been directed to initiate special drives to contain air pollution from all sources in view of the potential of aggravation of Covid-19. The Chief Secretaries and the DGPs have been asked to issue and circulate orders with appropriate enforcement guidelines. 
 
The Central Pollution Control Board and the State Pollution Control Board or Committees may regularly monitor the air quality during this period which may be uploaded on their respective websites. The CPCB has been asked to compile information on the subject, including the status of compliance of the order from all the states or UTs and file a consolidated report on December 1. 
 
Prior to the order, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Delhi and UT Chandigarh had prohibited sale and use of fire crackers to protect the vulnerable groups like elderly, children, persons with comorbidities and others considering the potentially harmful consequences of burning of crackers amidst Covid-19 pandemic situation and approaching winter.

The National Green Tribunal on Monday ordered imposition of a total ban on sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in the national capital region or any other city or town across the country where the average ambient air quality from November 9-10 to the midnight of November 30-December 1 falls under the `poor` and above category.

The National Green Tribunal on Monday ordered imposition of a total ban on sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in the national capital region or any other city or town across the country where the average ambient air quality from November 9-10 to the midnight of November 30-December 1 falls under the `poor` and above category. A bench of NGT Chairperson Adarsh Kumar Goel passed the order on a batch of petition seeking remedial action against the use and sale of firecrackers amid the double whammy of pollution crisis and rising coronavirus infections. The green tribunal emphasised that citizens were entitled to breathe fresh air, a right cannot be defeated on the ground that enforcement of such right will lead to the closing of such business activity. It ordered, "There will be total ban against the sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in the NCR from midnight of November 9-10, 2020 to the midnight of November 30-December 1, 2020, to be reviewed thereafter." National capital region includes Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad, Muzaffarnagar, Bhiwani, Karnal, Sonipat, Meerut, Hapur, Charki Dadri, Panipat, Rohtak, Jind, Bhagpat and Bulandshahr. However, the Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Sunday announced that people are allowed to sell and burst firecrackers for two hours on Diwali. These directions will also apply to all the cities and towns in the country where the average of ambient air quality during November, as per the available data of last year, falls under the `poor` and above category. "The cities or towns where air quality is `moderate` or below, only green crackers be sold and the timings for use and bursting of crackers be restricted to two hours during festivals, like Diwali, Chatt, New Year or Christmas Eve etc., as may be specified by the concerned state," the green court added. The bench, also comprising of Judicial Member S.K. Singh and Expert Members Dr. S.S. Garbyal and Dr. Nagin Nanda further ordered that if nothing is specified by the state, timing for imposition of ban will be 8 to 10 p.m. on Diwali and Gurpurb, 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Chatt and 11.55 p.m. to 12.30 a.m. during Christmas and New year eve. At other places, bans or restrictions are optional for the authorities but if there are more stringent measures under orders of the authorities, the same will prevail. All States, UTs, Pollution Control Boards and committees have been directed to initiate special drives to contain air pollution from all sources in view of the potential of aggravation of Covid-19. The Chief Secretaries and the DGPs have been asked to issue and circulate orders with appropriate enforcement guidelines. The Central Pollution Control Board and the State Pollution Control Board or Committees may regularly monitor the air quality during this period which may be uploaded on their respective websites. The CPCB has been asked to compile information on the subject, including the status of compliance of the order from all the states or UTs and file a consolidated report on December 1. Prior to the order, Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Delhi and UT Chandigarh had prohibited sale and use of fire crackers to protect the vulnerable groups like elderly, children, persons with comorbidities and others considering the potentially harmful consequences of burning of crackers amidst Covid-19 pandemic situation and approaching winter.

Complete ban on crackers from midnight to Nov 30 in Delhi-NCR

India definitely binds both United States's president-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden </a>and vice-president-elect <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/kamala-harris">Kamala Harris </a>and specifically Chennai.&nbsp;

Interestingly, Harris has spoken about her connection with the southern Indian city of Chennai and it turns out that even Biden has had roots from this coastal city.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-and-team-spend-a-working-sunday-begin-transition-as-trump-refuses-to-concede-341759">Biden and team spend a working Sunday, begin transition as Trump refuses to concede</a>

Biden first made the claim of an Indian connection back in 2013.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/equities-rally-after-biden-is-declared-winner-of-us-vote-341830">Equities rally after Biden is declared winner of US vote</a>

After two years he described at length that he was descended from George Biden, his "great, great, great, great, great grandfather" who was a Captain in the East India Company.&nbsp;

Post retirement, George Biden settled in India and married an Indian woman.

Indian Council of Global Relations says that there is no record of George Biden working for East India Company but two Bidens, William Henry Biden and his older brother Christopher Biden, arrived in India in the 19th century.&nbsp;

"There are five Bidens in Mumbai, India," the president-elect said in 2015 at an event hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to mark the 10th anniversary of India-US civil nuclear deal.

In 2013, Biden narrated his story of receiving a letter from some "Biden from Mumbai" in Bombay Stock Exchange.&nbsp;

"It's an honour to be back in India and to be here in Mumbai. Off script for a second here, I was reminded I was elected to the United States Senate when I was a 29-year-old kid back in 1972, and one of the first letters I received and I regret I never followed up on it," Biden had said.&nbsp;

"Maybe, some genealogist in the audience can follow up for me, but I received a letter from a gentleman named Biden - Biden, my name - from Mumbai, asserting that we were related."&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

India definitely binds both United States's president-elect Joe Biden and vice-president-elect Kamala Harris and specifically Chennai. Interestingly, Harris has spoken about her connection with the southern Indian city of Chennai and it turns out that even Biden has had roots from this coastal city.

India definitely binds both United States's president-elect Joe Biden and vice-president-elect Kamala Harris and specifically Chennai. Interestingly, Harris has spoken about her connection with the southern Indian city of Chennai and it turns out that even Biden has had roots from this coastal city. Also read | Biden and team spend a working Sunday, begin transition as Trump refuses to concede Biden first made the claim of an Indian connection back in 2013. Also read | Equities rally after Biden is declared winner of US vote After two years he described at length that he was descended from George Biden, his "great, great, great, great, great grandfather" who was a Captain in the East India Company. Post retirement, George Biden settled in India and married an Indian woman. Indian Council of Global Relations says that there is no record of George Biden working for East India Company but two Bidens, William Henry Biden and his older brother Christopher Biden, arrived in India in the 19th century. "There are five Bidens in Mumbai, India," the president-elect said in 2015 at an event hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace to mark the 10th anniversary of India-US civil nuclear deal. In 2013, Biden narrated his story of receiving a letter from some "Biden from Mumbai" in Bombay Stock Exchange. "It's an honour to be back in India and to be here in Mumbai. Off script for a second here, I was reminded I was elected to the United States Senate when I was a 29-year-old kid back in 1972, and one of the first letters I received and I regret I never followed up on it," Biden had said. "Maybe, some genealogist in the audience can follow up for me, but I received a letter from a gentleman named Biden - Biden, my name - from Mumbai, asserting that we were related."

Did you know Mumbai has '5 Bidens'? President-elect himself claims

The national capital's air quality remained ''severe''&nbsp;for the fifth consecutive day on Monday, with calm wind speed exacerbating the effect of stubble burning.

V K Soni, the head of the India Meteorological Department's environment research centre, said a major improvement in Delhi-NCR's air quality was highly unlikely in the coming days.

''The air quality is likely to be recorded in the upper end of the 'very poor' category on Diwali if we discount firecrackers emissions. If people burst crackers, pollution levels can increase to 'severe' to 'severe plus' category (emergency),''&nbsp;he said.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday imposed a total ban on sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in the National Capital Region (NCR) from November 9 midnight to November 30 midnight, saying "celebration by crackers is for happiness and not to celebrate deaths and diseases".

An official said the newly-constituted Commission&nbsp;for Air Quality Management in?National?Capital Region and Adjoining Areas is likely to hold a review meeting on Monday considering the situation.

The city's air quality index (AQI) stood at 474 at 11 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board data. Its 24-hour average AQI was 416 on Sunday, 427 on Saturday, 406 on Friday, and 450 on Thursday, the highest since November 15 last year, when it was 458.

The neighbouring cities of Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, and Gurugram also recorded ''severe''&nbsp;air quality.

An AQI between zero 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".

PM10 levels in Delhi-NCR stood at 591 microgram per cubic meter (g/m3) at 10 am, the highest since November 15 last year, when it was 637 g/m3, according to CPCB data. PM10 levels below 100 g/m3 are considered safe in India.

PM10 levels are considered in the ''severe-plus''&nbsp;category if their concentration is more than 500 microgram per cubic meter, according to the Graded Response Action Plan for Delhi-NCR notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 2017.

PM10 is particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometers and is inhalable into the lungs. These particles include dust, pollen, and mold spores.

The levels of PM2.5&nbsp;finer particles that can even enter the bloodstream&nbsp;were 381 g/m3 at 11 am. PM2.5 levels up to 60 g/m3 are considered safe.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the wind speed was 3 to 4 kilometres per hour in the morning, and the minimum temperature 10 degrees Celsius. Calm winds and low temperatures trap pollutants close to the ground, while favourable wind speed helps in their dispersion.

There was shallow to moderate fog in the morning which led to smog. It reduced visibility to 600 meters at the Safdarjung Observatory, Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of the IMD's regional forecasting centre, said.

He said the situation is likely to continue till November 15 as the wind speed is not expected to pick up significantly.

The central government's Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi also said a ''significant improvement in air quality is not likely,&nbsp;owing to slow wind speed, particularly during night time, and contribution from farm fires.''

''The farm fire count over Punjab remains very high which is likely to impact the air quality of Delhi-NCR and other parts of northwest India,''&nbsp;it said.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality monitor, SAFAR, said surface winds have become calm and are predicted to remain so for the next two days.

''This is a major factor due to which no quick recovery is expected unless a drastic reduction in fire counts takes place,? it said. 
SAFAR said the share of stubble burning in Delhi's PM2.5 pollution was 29 percent on Sunday.

It was 42 percent on Thursday, the maximum this season so far.

Last year, the stubble contribution to Delhi's pollution had peaked to 44 percent on November 1, according to SAFAR data.

The national capital's air quality remained ''severe'' for the fifth consecutive day on Monday, with calm wind speed exacerbating the effect of stubble burning. V K Soni, the head of the India Meteorological Department's environment research centre, said a major improvement in Delhi-NCR's air quality was highly unlikely in the coming days.

The national capital's air quality remained ''severe'' for the fifth consecutive day on Monday, with calm wind speed exacerbating the effect of stubble burning. V K Soni, the head of the India Meteorological Department's environment research centre, said a major improvement in Delhi-NCR's air quality was highly unlikely in the coming days. ''The air quality is likely to be recorded in the upper end of the 'very poor' category on Diwali if we discount firecrackers emissions. If people burst crackers, pollution levels can increase to 'severe' to 'severe plus' category (emergency),'' he said. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Monday imposed a total ban on sale or use of all kinds of firecrackers in the National Capital Region (NCR) from November 9 midnight to November 30 midnight, saying "celebration by crackers is for happiness and not to celebrate deaths and diseases". An official said the newly-constituted Commission for Air Quality Management in?National?Capital Region and Adjoining Areas is likely to hold a review meeting on Monday considering the situation. The city's air quality index (AQI) stood at 474 at 11 am, according to the Central Pollution Control Board data. Its 24-hour average AQI was 416 on Sunday, 427 on Saturday, 406 on Friday, and 450 on Thursday, the highest since November 15 last year, when it was 458. The neighbouring cities of Faridabad, Ghaziabad, Noida, Greater Noida, and Gurugram also recorded ''severe'' air quality. An AQI between zero 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". PM10 levels in Delhi-NCR stood at 591 microgram per cubic meter (g/m3) at 10 am, the highest since November 15 last year, when it was 637 g/m3, according to CPCB data. PM10 levels below 100 g/m3 are considered safe in India. PM10 levels are considered in the ''severe-plus'' category if their concentration is more than 500 microgram per cubic meter, according to the Graded Response Action Plan for Delhi-NCR notified by the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 2017. PM10 is particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometers and is inhalable into the lungs. These particles include dust, pollen, and mold spores. The levels of PM2.5 finer particles that can even enter the bloodstream were 381 g/m3 at 11 am. PM2.5 levels up to 60 g/m3 are considered safe. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the wind speed was 3 to 4 kilometres per hour in the morning, and the minimum temperature 10 degrees Celsius. Calm winds and low temperatures trap pollutants close to the ground, while favourable wind speed helps in their dispersion. There was shallow to moderate fog in the morning which led to smog. It reduced visibility to 600 meters at the Safdarjung Observatory, Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of the IMD's regional forecasting centre, said. He said the situation is likely to continue till November 15 as the wind speed is not expected to pick up significantly. The central government's Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi also said a ''significant improvement in air quality is not likely, owing to slow wind speed, particularly during night time, and contribution from farm fires.'' ''The farm fire count over Punjab remains very high which is likely to impact the air quality of Delhi-NCR and other parts of northwest India,'' it said. The Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality monitor, SAFAR, said surface winds have become calm and are predicted to remain so for the next two days. ''This is a major factor due to which no quick recovery is expected unless a drastic reduction in fire counts takes place,? it said. SAFAR said the share of stubble burning in Delhi's PM2.5 pollution was 29 percent on Sunday. It was 42 percent on Thursday, the maximum this season so far. Last year, the stubble contribution to Delhi's pollution had peaked to 44 percent on November 1, according to SAFAR data.

Delhi's air quality severe, relief unlikely soon

A number of MoUs in the field of sports and on implementation of some high impact community development projects will be signed later today between Maldives and India in its national capital Malé. The signing comes during the visit of Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla to the country.

Earlier today, Maldivian Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed and his Indian counterpart held official discussions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with&nbsp;particular emphasis "on the recovery and resilience efforts to curb the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, including boosting tourism", Maldives foreign ministry readout said.

Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, India had sent relief to the Maldives in terms of food, medicine.

The focus was also on "accelerating" the implementation of the ongoing development cooperation projects across the Maldives.

During the visit, FS will also hand over $100 million for the &nbsp;Maldives--the Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP). India is overall providing funding of $500 million for the project, of which $100 million is a grant and $400 million is a Line of Credit (LOC). The biggest project of the country will connect capital Malé with Villingili, Thilafushi, and Gulhifalhu via bridges and causeways of a total length of 6.695 kilometers.

During the visit, Foreign Secretary will also call-on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and have talks with ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Finance, Economic Development, Planning, Home Affairs, Tourism, and Youth &amp; Sports. FS will also call-on Speaker Mohamed Nasheed and meet with other political leaders.

Ahead of the visit, the ministry of external affairs in a release said, "The Maldives occupies a special place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. This time-tested and enduring relationship with the Maldives strengthened and deepened even further in recent months."

Indian FS has been to Bangladesh, Myanmar, France, Germany, and UK as part of India's diplomatic outreach amidst the COVID pandemic.

A number of MoUs in the field of sports and on implementation of some high impact community development projects will be signed later today between Maldives and India in its national capital Malé.

A number of MoUs in the field of sports and on implementation of some high impact community development projects will be signed later today between Maldives and India in its national capital Malé. The signing comes during the visit of Indian Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla to the country. Earlier today, Maldivian Foreign Secretary Abdul Ghafoor Mohamed and his Indian counterpart held official discussions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs with particular emphasis "on the recovery and resilience efforts to curb the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, including boosting tourism", Maldives foreign ministry readout said. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, India had sent relief to the Maldives in terms of food, medicine. The focus was also on "accelerating" the implementation of the ongoing development cooperation projects across the Maldives. During the visit, FS will also hand over $100 million for the Maldives--the Greater Malé Connectivity Project (GMCP). India is overall providing funding of $500 million for the project, of which $100 million is a grant and $400 million is a Line of Credit (LOC). The biggest project of the country will connect capital Malé with Villingili, Thilafushi, and Gulhifalhu via bridges and causeways of a total length of 6.695 kilometers. During the visit, Foreign Secretary will also call-on President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and have talks with ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defence, Finance, Economic Development, Planning, Home Affairs, Tourism, and Youth & Sports. FS will also call-on Speaker Mohamed Nasheed and meet with other political leaders. Ahead of the visit, the ministry of external affairs in a release said, "The Maldives occupies a special place in India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. This time-tested and enduring relationship with the Maldives strengthened and deepened even further in recent months." Indian FS has been to Bangladesh, Myanmar, France, Germany, and UK as part of India's diplomatic outreach amidst the COVID pandemic.

With focus on development projects, India-Maldives to sign MOUs; discuss COVID crisis

The eighth round of military talks on the Ladakh standoff with the Chinese PLA was candid, in-depth and constructive, the Indian Army said on Sunday, amid no signs of a concrete breakthrough on disengagement of troops in the high-altitude region.

In a joint statement, the two armies said it was agreed to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and ensure that the frontline troops exercise restraint and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation.

The statement released both in Beijing and New Delhi said both sides agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels, and take forward the discussions for the settlement of outstanding issues.

The Indian Army and China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) held the eighth round of talks in Chushul on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh on Friday. The talks lasted for around ten-and-half hours.At the talks, the two armies also agreed to have another round of meeting soon.

The statement said the two sides had a candid, in-depth and constructive exchange of views on disengagement along the LAC in the Western Sector of India-China border areas.

"Both sides agreed to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, ensure their frontline troops exercise restraint and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation," the statement said.

"Both sides agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels, and, taking forward the discussions at this meeting, push for the settlement of other outstanding issues, so as to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas," it added

Government sources said the Indian Army, at the talks, strongly insisted on early disengagement of troops by China from all the friction points in eastern Ladakh, adding there was no breakthrough on the resolution of the row.

Nearly 50,000 Indian Army troops are currently deployed in a high state of combat readiness in various mountainous locations in eastern Ladakh in sub-zero conditions as multiple rounds of talks between the two sides have not yielded concrete outcome to resolve the standoff. China has also deployed an equal number of troops, according to officials.

The standoff between the two sides erupted in early May.

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat on Friday said India will not accept any shifting of the LAC, and noted that the possibility of transgressions and confrontations on the border spiralling into a larger conflict cannot be ruled out.

The Indian delegation at the eighth round of military talks was led by Lt Gen PGK Menon, the newly-appointed Commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps.

Naveen Srivastava, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs, was also part of the Indian delegation.

At the seventh round of talks too, both sides had agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution for disengagement "as early as possible".

India has all along been maintaining that the onus is on China to carry forward the process of disengagement and de-escalation at the friction points in the mountainous region.

Following the sixth round of military talks, the two sides announced a slew of decisions including not to send more troops to the frontline, refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground and avoid taking any actions that may further complicate matters.

The sixth round was held with a specific agenda of exploring ways to implement a five-point agreement reached between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at a meeting in Moscow on September 10 on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) conclave.

The pact included measures like quick disengagement of troops, avoiding action that could escalate tensions, adherence to all agreements and protocols on border management and steps to restore peace along the LAC.

When asked about the six-month-long military standoff, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said at a media briefing on Friday that both sides continue to maintain close communication at the military and diplomatic levels to achieve complete disengagement along the LAC.

The eighth round of military talks on the Ladakh standoff with the Chinese PLA was candid, in-depth and constructive, the Indian Army said on Sunday, amid no signs of a concrete breakthrough on disengagement of troops in the high-altitude region.

The eighth round of military talks on the Ladakh standoff with the Chinese PLA was candid, in-depth and constructive, the Indian Army said on Sunday, amid no signs of a concrete breakthrough on disengagement of troops in the high-altitude region. In a joint statement, the two armies said it was agreed to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and ensure that the frontline troops exercise restraint and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation. The statement released both in Beijing and New Delhi said both sides agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels, and take forward the discussions for the settlement of outstanding issues. The Indian Army and China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) held the eighth round of talks in Chushul on the Indian side of the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh on Friday. The talks lasted for around ten-and-half hours.At the talks, the two armies also agreed to have another round of meeting soon. The statement said the two sides had a candid, in-depth and constructive exchange of views on disengagement along the LAC in the Western Sector of India-China border areas. "Both sides agreed to earnestly implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, ensure their frontline troops exercise restraint and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation," the statement said. "Both sides agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels, and, taking forward the discussions at this meeting, push for the settlement of other outstanding issues, so as to jointly maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas," it added Government sources said the Indian Army, at the talks, strongly insisted on early disengagement of troops by China from all the friction points in eastern Ladakh, adding there was no breakthrough on the resolution of the row. Nearly 50,000 Indian Army troops are currently deployed in a high state of combat readiness in various mountainous locations in eastern Ladakh in sub-zero conditions as multiple rounds of talks between the two sides have not yielded concrete outcome to resolve the standoff. China has also deployed an equal number of troops, according to officials. The standoff between the two sides erupted in early May. Chief of Defence Staff Gen Bipin Rawat on Friday said India will not accept any shifting of the LAC, and noted that the possibility of transgressions and confrontations on the border spiralling into a larger conflict cannot be ruled out. The Indian delegation at the eighth round of military talks was led by Lt Gen PGK Menon, the newly-appointed Commander of the Leh-based 14 Corps. Naveen Srivastava, Joint Secretary (East Asia) in the Ministry of External Affairs, was also part of the Indian delegation. At the seventh round of talks too, both sides had agreed to maintain dialogue and communication through military and diplomatic channels to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution for disengagement "as early as possible". India has all along been maintaining that the onus is on China to carry forward the process of disengagement and de-escalation at the friction points in the mountainous region. Following the sixth round of military talks, the two sides announced a slew of decisions including not to send more troops to the frontline, refrain from unilaterally changing the situation on the ground and avoid taking any actions that may further complicate matters. The sixth round was held with a specific agenda of exploring ways to implement a five-point agreement reached between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at a meeting in Moscow on September 10 on the sidelines of a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation(SCO) conclave. The pact included measures like quick disengagement of troops, avoiding action that could escalate tensions, adherence to all agreements and protocols on border management and steps to restore peace along the LAC. When asked about the six-month-long military standoff, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said at a media briefing on Friday that both sides continue to maintain close communication at the military and diplomatic levels to achieve complete disengagement along the LAC.

Indian and Chinese armies term 8th round of military talks as candid, constructive

Indian Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday congratulated Joe Biden and Kamala Harris after Biden was declared winner of US Presidential Election 2020 by news networks in the USA. The former Indian National Congress president expressed the pride he felt owing to USA's first woman vice-president having roots in India. Gandhi said that he was confident that Biden would 'unite America'.

"Congratulations to President-elect @JoeBiden. I’m confident that he will unite America and provide it with a strong sense of direction," tweeted Rahul Gandhi

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Congratulations to President-elect <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeBiden</a>. I’m confident that he will unite America and provide it with a strong sense of direction.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1325123569240559617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

For Kamala Harris, Rahul Gandhi had these words.

"Congratulations, Vice-President-elect @KamalaHarris! It makes us proud that the first woman to serve as Vice President of the USA traces her roots to India,"

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Congratulations, Vice-President-elect <a href="https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KamalaHarris</a>! It makes us proud that the first woman to serve as Vice President of the USA traces her roots to India.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) <a href="https://twitter.com/RahulGandhi/status/1325128340693397506?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964 in Oakland, California to a Jamaican father and Indian mother. Her mother Shyamala Gopalan carved out a career as a cancer researcher while her father Donald Harris taught Economics at Stanford University. Kamala Harris' younger sister Maya is a public policy advocate.

Kamala Harris has her family roots in Thulasethirapuram in Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The villagers have been proud of Kamala Harris ever since she was picked as a running mate of Joe Biden.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-changes-twitter-bio-to-president-elect-within-minutes-of-declared-victory-341470">Joe Biden changes Twitter bio to President-Elect within minutes of declared victory</a> 
 
A few days ago the villagers even prayed for Kamala Harriss' victory. Large posters were erected in the vicinity of the village with Kamala Harris on it.

Villagers gathered in Sri Dharmasastha temple in the village and prayed for her victory.

Kamala Harris is not just first woman to assume Vice-Presidential office but she is also first non-white woman to win Vice-Presidential ticket of a major political party in the USA.

Indian Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday congratulated Joe Biden and Kamala Harris after Biden was declared winner of US Presidential Election 2020 by news networks in the USA.

Indian Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Saturday congratulated Joe Biden and Kamala Harris after Biden was declared winner of US Presidential Election 2020 by news networks in the USA. The former Indian National Congress president expressed the pride he felt owing to USA's first woman vice-president having roots in India. Gandhi said that he was confident that Biden would 'unite America'. "Congratulations to President-elect @JoeBiden. I’m confident that he will unite America and provide it with a strong sense of direction," tweeted Rahul Gandhi Congratulations to President-elect @JoeBiden. I’m confident that he will unite America and provide it with a strong sense of direction. — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 7, 2020 × For Kamala Harris, Rahul Gandhi had these words. "Congratulations, Vice-President-elect @KamalaHarris! It makes us proud that the first woman to serve as Vice President of the USA traces her roots to India," Congratulations, Vice-President-elect @KamalaHarris! It makes us proud that the first woman to serve as Vice President of the USA traces her roots to India. — Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) November 7, 2020 × Kamala Harris was born on October 20, 1964 in Oakland, California to a Jamaican father and Indian mother. Her mother Shyamala Gopalan carved out a career as a cancer researcher while her father Donald Harris taught Economics at Stanford University. Kamala Harris' younger sister Maya is a public policy advocate. Kamala Harris has her family roots in Thulasethirapuram in Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The villagers have been proud of Kamala Harris ever since she was picked as a running mate of Joe Biden. Also Read | Joe Biden changes Twitter bio to President-Elect within minutes of declared victory A few days ago the villagers even prayed for Kamala Harriss' victory. Large posters were erected in the vicinity of the village with Kamala Harris on it. Villagers gathered in Sri Dharmasastha temple in the village and prayed for her victory. Kamala Harris is not just first woman to assume Vice-Presidential office but she is also first non-white woman to win Vice-Presidential ticket of a major political party in the USA.

Proud that first woman Vice President of USA has Indian roots: Rahul Gandhi

Delhi reported 7,745 coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours - the highest number of cases since the pandemic reached the city earlier this year.&nbsp;

The highest single-day spike came out of the 50,754 tests conducted the previous day, and the positivity rate stood at 15.26 per cent amid the festive season and rising pollution, according to a health bulletin.

There are 41,857 active cases and the total number of infections climbed to 4,38,529. Seventy-seven new fatalities took the death toll to 6,989, it added.

This was the second time the number of per day COVID-19 cases in Delhi breached the 7,000-mark; the first was on November 6 with 7,178 cases.

(With inputs from agencies)

Delhi reported 7,745 coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours - the highest number of cases since the pandemic reached the city earlier this year. The highest single-day spike came out of the 50,754 tests conducted the previous day, and the positivity rate stood at 15.

Delhi reported 7,745 coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours - the highest number of cases since the pandemic reached the city earlier this year. The highest single-day spike came out of the 50,754 tests conducted the previous day, and the positivity rate stood at 15.26 per cent amid the festive season and rising pollution, according to a health bulletin. There are 41,857 active cases and the total number of infections climbed to 4,38,529. Seventy-seven new fatalities took the death toll to 6,989, it added. This was the second time the number of per day COVID-19 cases in Delhi breached the 7,000-mark; the first was on November 6 with 7,178 cases. (With inputs from agencies)

Biggest one-day spike, Delhi reports 7,745 coronavirus cases

India's coronavirus cases crossed the 8.5 million mark on Sunday as 45,674 new cases and 559 more COVID-19 deaths were reported, official data showed.

While the country's total tally reached 8,507,754, its COVID-19 death toll totalled 126,121, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) data.

India's active cases now add up to 5,12,665 whereas cured cases total 78,68,968 as 49,082 more patients were discharged in the last 24 hours.

While its recovery rate stands at 92.49 per cent, the fatality rate is 1.48 per cent, the data showed.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) tested 1,113,209 more samples in a single day on Saturday, taking the total tests so far to 116,542,304.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-fears-the-worst-amid-smog-cloud-and-coronavirus-wave-341610" hreflang="en">Delhi fears the worst amid smog cloud and coronavirus wave</a>

Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit Indian state with 1,714,273 total cases, including 45,115 deaths, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi.

The national capital on Saturday witnessed a slight drop in new coronavirus cases as it logged 6,953 more infections, taking its overall tally to 4,30,784.

On Friday, the capital city had recorded 7,178 new cases — its highest single-day tally since the pandemic struck.

Delhi has been recording more than 6,000 new cases daily for the last five days.

According to the Delhi government data, 6,338 more patients recovered while 79 others died of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. Till now, 383,614 patients in Delhi have recovered, 40,258 cases are active, and 6,912 deaths recorded so far. The fatality rate stands at 0.85 per cent.

India's coronavirus cases crossed the 8.5 million mark on Sunday as 45,674 new cases and 559 more COVID-19 deaths were reported, official data showed. While the country's total tally reached 8,507,754, its COVID-19 death toll totalled 126,121, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) data.

India's coronavirus cases crossed the 8.5 million mark on Sunday as 45,674 new cases and 559 more COVID-19 deaths were reported, official data showed. While the country's total tally reached 8,507,754, its COVID-19 death toll totalled 126,121, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) data. India's active cases now add up to 5,12,665 whereas cured cases total 78,68,968 as 49,082 more patients were discharged in the last 24 hours. While its recovery rate stands at 92.49 per cent, the fatality rate is 1.48 per cent, the data showed. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) tested 1,113,209 more samples in a single day on Saturday, taking the total tests so far to 116,542,304. Also read| Delhi fears the worst amid smog cloud and coronavirus wave Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit Indian state with 1,714,273 total cases, including 45,115 deaths, followed by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi. The national capital on Saturday witnessed a slight drop in new coronavirus cases as it logged 6,953 more infections, taking its overall tally to 4,30,784. On Friday, the capital city had recorded 7,178 new cases — its highest single-day tally since the pandemic struck. Delhi has been recording more than 6,000 new cases daily for the last five days. According to the Delhi government data, 6,338 more patients recovered while 79 others died of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. Till now, 383,614 patients in Delhi have recovered, 40,258 cases are active, and 6,912 deaths recorded so far. The fatality rate stands at 0.85 per cent.

India's COVID-19 tally crosses 8.5 million mark; 559 deaths reported

A steady stream of patients is coming out of New Delhi's brownish atmosphere for treatment at the Breathe Better clinic, where lung specialist Davinder Kundra is confronting what he calls the "double whammy" of deadly smog and the coronavirus.

Kundra is among a growing number of doctors who are worried as the capital's notorious air again hits peak pollution levels while a new pandemic wave is battering hospitals.

Every winter pollution season, demand for beds spikes in the world's most polluted capital because of an increase in lung diseases and chronic bronchitis.

Now the coronavirus has come back after a lull, new cases reaching a record 7,000 a day. Some official predictions say the figure could soon exceed 12,000.

India already has the world's second-highest number of cases -- 8.5 million -- behind the United States.

With studies strongly linking air pollution to increased coronavirus deaths, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said the intense annual smog from farm fires, cars and industry was worsening the pandemic crisis.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/isro-launches-pslv-c49-earth-imaging-satellite-into-space-341393" hreflang="en">ISRO launches PSLV-C49 earth imaging satellite into space</a>

As he fretted over the x-ray of one pneumonia patient, Kundra said he spots at least one coronavirus suspect a day in his small clinic and orders them to get tested.

"Tiny microscopic pollutants act as carriers for the virus and go deep into the lungs. So Delhi is facing a double whammy because of pollution and coronavirus cases," he said.

"Patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and are exposed to increased pollution are prone to have more severe forms of the infection."

Smog guns

With more residents on the streets ahead of India's main holiday, Diwali -- the festival of light -- on Saturday, doctors fear dark days ahead for the city of 20 million people.

Kejriwal has banned Diwali firecrackers and launched legal action to get private hospitals to set aside more beds for Covid-19 patients.

The city has deployed smog guns, which blast out clouds of water intended to bring pollution particles to the ground.

But environmental activists such as Vimlendu Jha say the authorities are not serious about the problem, and have demanded suspensions on construction and even some power stations.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-india-records-50356-cases-recovery-rate-stands-at-9241-341357" hreflang="en">COVID-19: India records 50,356 cases; recovery rate stands at 92.41%</a>

Every winter, Delhi residents carefully scan pollution indexes, which measure tiny but deadly PM 2.5 particles, up to 2.5 microns in width.

A Harvard University study released last month said an increase of just one micron per cubic metre of PM 2.5 causes an 11 percent jump in Covid-19 mortality.

Other studies indicate the problem is particularly bad for poorer people -- such as slum dwellers -- who tend to live nearer pollution sources.

With no respite in sight, Delhi doctors have little choice but to recommend face masks and air purifiers at home, though few in slums can afford such luxuries.

Navjot Kaur, who had started riding her scooter to her job as a lab technician to avoid public transport and the risk of Covid-19, said taking to two wheels had left her exposed to the smog: "Now I get off and my eyes sting, I have to splash water on them."

"The pollution has come quicker this year and seems worse,” she said.

Other Delhi inhabitants such as software engineer Naveen Malhotra, who suffers from a respiratory condition, want to leave the city altogether because "coronavirus attacks the lungs".

He said: "I am just waiting for an opportunity to shift to a place where there is less pollution."

A steady stream of patients is coming out of New Delhi's brownish atmosphere for treatment at the Breathe Better clinic, where lung specialist Davinder Kundra is confronting what he calls the "double whammy" of deadly smog and the coronavirus.

A steady stream of patients is coming out of New Delhi's brownish atmosphere for treatment at the Breathe Better clinic, where lung specialist Davinder Kundra is confronting what he calls the "double whammy" of deadly smog and the coronavirus. Kundra is among a growing number of doctors who are worried as the capital's notorious air again hits peak pollution levels while a new pandemic wave is battering hospitals. Every winter pollution season, demand for beds spikes in the world's most polluted capital because of an increase in lung diseases and chronic bronchitis. Now the coronavirus has come back after a lull, new cases reaching a record 7,000 a day. Some official predictions say the figure could soon exceed 12,000. India already has the world's second-highest number of cases -- 8.5 million -- behind the United States. With studies strongly linking air pollution to increased coronavirus deaths, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said the intense annual smog from farm fires, cars and industry was worsening the pandemic crisis. Also read| ISRO launches PSLV-C49 earth imaging satellite into space As he fretted over the x-ray of one pneumonia patient, Kundra said he spots at least one coronavirus suspect a day in his small clinic and orders them to get tested. "Tiny microscopic pollutants act as carriers for the virus and go deep into the lungs. So Delhi is facing a double whammy because of pollution and coronavirus cases," he said. "Patients who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and are exposed to increased pollution are prone to have more severe forms of the infection." Smog guns With more residents on the streets ahead of India's main holiday, Diwali -- the festival of light -- on Saturday, doctors fear dark days ahead for the city of 20 million people. Kejriwal has banned Diwali firecrackers and launched legal action to get private hospitals to set aside more beds for Covid-19 patients. The city has deployed smog guns, which blast out clouds of water intended to bring pollution particles to the ground. But environmental activists such as Vimlendu Jha say the authorities are not serious about the problem, and have demanded suspensions on construction and even some power stations. Also read| COVID-19: India records 50,356 cases; recovery rate stands at 92.41% Every winter, Delhi residents carefully scan pollution indexes, which measure tiny but deadly PM 2.5 particles, up to 2.5 microns in width. A Harvard University study released last month said an increase of just one micron per cubic metre of PM 2.5 causes an 11 percent jump in Covid-19 mortality. Other studies indicate the problem is particularly bad for poorer people -- such as slum dwellers -- who tend to live nearer pollution sources. With no respite in sight, Delhi doctors have little choice but to recommend face masks and air purifiers at home, though few in slums can afford such luxuries. Navjot Kaur, who had started riding her scooter to her job as a lab technician to avoid public transport and the risk of Covid-19, said taking to two wheels had left her exposed to the smog: "Now I get off and my eyes sting, I have to splash water on them." "The pollution has come quicker this year and seems worse,” she said. Other Delhi inhabitants such as software engineer Naveen Malhotra, who suffers from a respiratory condition, want to leave the city altogether because "coronavirus attacks the lungs". He said: "I am just waiting for an opportunity to shift to a place where there is less pollution."

Delhi fears the worst amid smog cloud and coronavirus wave

Exactly after four years of demonetization, today Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended it by saying the measure helped reduce black money.

"Demonetisation helped reduce black money, increase tax compliance and formalisation and gave a boost to transparency. These outcomes have been greatly beneficial towards the national progress," Modi tweeted.

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Demonetisation has helped reduce black money, increase tax compliance and formalization and given a boost to transparency. 
 
These outcomes have been greatly beneficial towards national progress. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DeMolishingCorruption?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#DeMolishingCorruption</a> <a href="https://t.co/A8alwQj45R">pic.twitter.com/A8alwQj45R</a>
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1325356770416611333?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The Prime Minister said India had turned into a lesser cash-based economy with better tax compliance. He said self-assessment tax of more than Rs 13,000 crore was paid by targeted non-filers and 3.04 lakh persons who deposited cash of Rs 10 lakh or more but had not filed their income tax returns were identified.

Modi also said that 2.09 lakh such identified non-filers had responded and paid self- assessment tax of Rs 6,531 crore.

On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Modi had announced the decision to ban all currency notes of higher denomination of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 from midnight.

(With inputs from agencies)

Exactly after four years of demonetization, today Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended it by saying the measure helped reduce black money. "Demonetisation helped reduce black money, increase tax compliance and formalisation and gave a boost to transparency.

Exactly after four years of demonetization, today Prime Minister Narendra Modi defended it by saying the measure helped reduce black money. "Demonetisation helped reduce black money, increase tax compliance and formalisation and gave a boost to transparency. These outcomes have been greatly beneficial towards the national progress," Modi tweeted. Demonetisation has helped reduce black money, increase tax compliance and formalization and given a boost to transparency. These outcomes have been greatly beneficial towards national progress. #DeMolishingCorruption pic.twitter.com/A8alwQj45R — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 8, 2020 × The Prime Minister said India had turned into a lesser cash-based economy with better tax compliance. He said self-assessment tax of more than Rs 13,000 crore was paid by targeted non-filers and 3.04 lakh persons who deposited cash of Rs 10 lakh or more but had not filed their income tax returns were identified. Modi also said that 2.09 lakh such identified non-filers had responded and paid self- assessment tax of Rs 6,531 crore. On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Modi had announced the decision to ban all currency notes of higher denomination of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 from midnight. (With inputs from agencies)

Demonetisation helped reduce black money: PM Narendra Modi

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Sunday advised all its supporters to maintain 'restraint, simplicity and courtesy' and warned its workers against indulging in celebratory firing and “uncivil behaviour” towards rivals on the day of the counting of votes on November 10, irrespective of the results.

Via a tweet today, the party said there should be no use of firecrackers or rowdy behaviour and civility must be maintained towards the rival parties.

“Whatever the election results are on November 10, it has to be accepted with absolute restraint, simplicity and courtesy. Improper fireworks, celebratory firing and uncivil behaviour towards our rivals or their supporters will not be accepted at any cost,” Rashtriya Janata Dal’s official Twitter handle tweeted.

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राजद के सभी कार्यकर्ता स्मरण रखें- 
 
10 नवम्बर को चुनाव परिणाम कुछ भी हों उसे पूरे संयम, सादगी और शिष्टाचार से स्वीकारना है। 
 
अनुचित आतिशबाज़ी, हर्ष फायरिंग, प्रतिद्वंदियों अथवा उनके समर्थकों के साथ अशिष्ट व्यवहार इत्यादि किसी कीमत पर स्वीकार नहीं होगा।
— Rashtriya Janata Dal (@RJDforIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/RJDforIndia/status/1325345801720115200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 8, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The votes will be counted on November 10, a day after RJDs chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav celebrates his 32nd birthday.

The instructions to the party workers to behave decently on the counting day is part of Tejashwi’s efforts to do away with “rowdy behaviour” prevalent on such occasions in the past and establish a new culture.

Multiple exit polls released Saturday evening have predicted the Mahagathbandhan to win a majority in the 243- strong Bihar assembly.

RJD’s Bihar unit president Jagdanand Singh said the partymen have been told to accept the results of the polls with “all humility.” Praising Tejashwi, Singh said, “while Lalu Prasad is the centre of ‘astha’ (faith), Tejashwi is the centre of ‘wyavastha’ (arrangements) of the party.”

Singh, a close confidante of Lalu Prasad, told the party that Tejashwi laboured hard to win people’s faith in the party and its duty of everybody to maintain it.

RJD spokesman Mrityunjay Tiwari said the party's own assessment from their sources on the ground suggests that it will win more seats than predicted in exit polls.

“There is a wave in support of Mahagathbandhan and Tejashwi Yadav. We will win with a two-thirds majority,” he said.

The RJDs election campaign was centred on Tejashwi Yadav's promise of providing 10 lakh governments jobs to youths in Bihar.

Its rival kept attacking the party over its record on and law and order, and also be rated as “jungle raj” during the 15-year rule of Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi.

In a rally during the polls, BJP chief JP Nadda had assailed the RJD over its reputation of preferring muscle power to ideology, saying the party has a history of conducting ‘Tail Piyawan, Danda Bhanjan (dipping lathis in oil and wielding them to assert power)’ rally.

Naddas reference to Tel Piyawan, Danda Bhanjan was a throwback to an RJD rally in 2003, and two years before the party was ousted from power in Bihar.

As the name suggests, the party workers and supporters carrying ‘lathi’ (stick) had participated in that rally at Gandhi maidan in the state capital.

In its second tweet on Sunday, the RJD asked its workers to keep in mind that irrespective of the results “at the centre of your politics is public upliftment and their convenience”.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Sunday advised all its supporters to maintain 'restraint, simplicity and courtesy' and warned its workers against indulging in celebratory firing and “uncivil behaviour” towards rivals on the day of the counting of votes on November 10, irrespective of the results.

The Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) on Sunday advised all its supporters to maintain 'restraint, simplicity and courtesy' and warned its workers against indulging in celebratory firing and “uncivil behaviour” towards rivals on the day of the counting of votes on November 10, irrespective of the results. Via a tweet today, the party said there should be no use of firecrackers or rowdy behaviour and civility must be maintained towards the rival parties. “Whatever the election results are on November 10, it has to be accepted with absolute restraint, simplicity and courtesy. Improper fireworks, celebratory firing and uncivil behaviour towards our rivals or their supporters will not be accepted at any cost,” Rashtriya Janata Dal’s official Twitter handle tweeted. राजद के सभी कार्यकर्ता स्मरण रखें- 10 नवम्बर को चुनाव परिणाम कुछ भी हों उसे पूरे संयम, सादगी और शिष्टाचार से स्वीकारना है। अनुचित आतिशबाज़ी, हर्ष फायरिंग, प्रतिद्वंदियों अथवा उनके समर्थकों के साथ अशिष्ट व्यवहार इत्यादि किसी कीमत पर स्वीकार नहीं होगा। — Rashtriya Janata Dal (@RJDforIndia) November 8, 2020 × The votes will be counted on November 10, a day after RJDs chief ministerial candidate Tejashwi Yadav celebrates his 32nd birthday. The instructions to the party workers to behave decently on the counting day is part of Tejashwi’s efforts to do away with “rowdy behaviour” prevalent on such occasions in the past and establish a new culture. Multiple exit polls released Saturday evening have predicted the Mahagathbandhan to win a majority in the 243- strong Bihar assembly. RJD’s Bihar unit president Jagdanand Singh said the partymen have been told to accept the results of the polls with “all humility.” Praising Tejashwi, Singh said, “while Lalu Prasad is the centre of ‘astha’ (faith), Tejashwi is the centre of ‘wyavastha’ (arrangements) of the party.” Singh, a close confidante of Lalu Prasad, told the party that Tejashwi laboured hard to win people’s faith in the party and its duty of everybody to maintain it. RJD spokesman Mrityunjay Tiwari said the party's own assessment from their sources on the ground suggests that it will win more seats than predicted in exit polls. “There is a wave in support of Mahagathbandhan and Tejashwi Yadav. We will win with a two-thirds majority,” he said. The RJDs election campaign was centred on Tejashwi Yadav's promise of providing 10 lakh governments jobs to youths in Bihar. Its rival kept attacking the party over its record on and law and order, and also be rated as “jungle raj” during the 15-year rule of Lalu Prasad and Rabri Devi. In a rally during the polls, BJP chief JP Nadda had assailed the RJD over its reputation of preferring muscle power to ideology, saying the party has a history of conducting ‘Tail Piyawan, Danda Bhanjan (dipping lathis in oil and wielding them to assert power)’ rally. Naddas reference to Tel Piyawan, Danda Bhanjan was a throwback to an RJD rally in 2003, and two years before the party was ousted from power in Bihar. As the name suggests, the party workers and supporters carrying ‘lathi’ (stick) had participated in that rally at Gandhi maidan in the state capital. In its second tweet on Sunday, the RJD asked its workers to keep in mind that irrespective of the results “at the centre of your politics is public upliftment and their convenience”. (With inputs from agencies)

No celebratory firing, ‘uncivil behaviour’ on result day: RJD warns its workers 

When US President-elect Joe Biden was in India's financial capital in 2013, he had told an audience that his distant relatives live in Mumbai.

Mr Biden reiterated his claim two years later at an event in Washington, saying there are five Bidens living in Mumbai.

With the 77-year-old Democrat set to take oath as the 46th US President in just over two months, nobody in Mumbai has so far turned up to claim that he is Mr Biden's relative.

Decades after he received a letter from someone by the last name of Biden from Mumbai, soon after becoming a senator, Joe Biden learned that his "great, great, great, great, great grandfather" had worked in the East India Company.

"There are five Bidens in Mumbai, India," Mr Biden, then Vice President told a Washington audience in 2015 at an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of India-US civil nuclear deal.

In 2013, when Mr Biden travelled to Mumbai on his first vice presidential trip to India, he spoke about this letter he received when he became the senator for the first time several decades ago.

In his address to the Bombay Stock Exchange on July 24, 2013, Joe Biden narrated his story of the "Biden from Mumbai".

"It's an honour to be back in India and to be here in Mumbai. Off script for a second here, I was reminded I was elected to the United States Senate when I was a 29-year-old kid back in 1972, and one of the first letters I received and I regret I never followed up on it.

"Maybe, some genealogist in the audience can follow up for me, but I received a letter from a gentleman named Biden - Biden, my name - from Mumbai, asserting that we were related," Joe Biden had told the Mumbai audience seven years ago.

In his 2015 speech in Washington, the President-elect had claimed that his "great, great, great, great, great grandfather" George Biden was a Captain in the East India Trading company and after retirement, decided to settle in India and married an Indian woman.

Mr Biden had also said someone provided him with the details including the phone numbers of the Bidens in Mumbai.

He had informed the audience that he was yet to call his Mumbai relatives but was planning to do so.

It is not clear if Joe Biden did manage to contact them as the five Bidens he spoke of have not "surfaced" yet.

When US President-elect Joe Biden was in India's financial capital in 2013, he had told an audience that his distant relatives live in Mumbai. Mr Biden reiterated his claim two years later at an event in Washington, saying there are five Bidens living in Mumbai.

When US President-elect Joe Biden was in India's financial capital in 2013, he had told an audience that his distant relatives live in Mumbai. Mr Biden reiterated his claim two years later at an event in Washington, saying there are five Bidens living in Mumbai. With the 77-year-old Democrat set to take oath as the 46th US President in just over two months, nobody in Mumbai has so far turned up to claim that he is Mr Biden's relative. Decades after he received a letter from someone by the last name of Biden from Mumbai, soon after becoming a senator, Joe Biden learned that his "great, great, great, great, great grandfather" had worked in the East India Company. "There are five Bidens in Mumbai, India," Mr Biden, then Vice President told a Washington audience in 2015 at an event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry and Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of India-US civil nuclear deal. In 2013, when Mr Biden travelled to Mumbai on his first vice presidential trip to India, he spoke about this letter he received when he became the senator for the first time several decades ago. In his address to the Bombay Stock Exchange on July 24, 2013, Joe Biden narrated his story of the "Biden from Mumbai". "It's an honour to be back in India and to be here in Mumbai. Off script for a second here, I was reminded I was elected to the United States Senate when I was a 29-year-old kid back in 1972, and one of the first letters I received and I regret I never followed up on it. "Maybe, some genealogist in the audience can follow up for me, but I received a letter from a gentleman named Biden - Biden, my name - from Mumbai, asserting that we were related," Joe Biden had told the Mumbai audience seven years ago. In his 2015 speech in Washington, the President-elect had claimed that his "great, great, great, great, great grandfather" George Biden was a Captain in the East India Trading company and after retirement, decided to settle in India and married an Indian woman. Mr Biden had also said someone provided him with the details including the phone numbers of the Bidens in Mumbai. He had informed the audience that he was yet to call his Mumbai relatives but was planning to do so. It is not clear if Joe Biden did manage to contact them as the five Bidens he spoke of have not "surfaced" yet.

‘5 Bidens in Mumbai’: When Joe Biden spoke of distant relatives in India 

The Border Security Force (BSF) has apprehended thirteen Bangladeshi nationals in the border points of West Bengal's north 24 Parganas district while trying to crossover to India on Sunday.

All 13 were nabbed by the border guards in separate incidents on Friday.

While five Bangladeshis were apprehended at Bithari border outpost, six nationals of the neighbouring country were nabbed near Hakimpur border outpost, the statement said.

In the third incident, two Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended at Tarali border outpost, the statement said.

Earlier in the month of October, the Border Security Force (BSF) had handed over eight Bangladeshi nationals to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) as a “goodwill gesture as well as symbolising existing cordial relations between the two countries and border guarding forces.”

(With inputs from agencies)

The Border Security Force (BSF) has apprehended thirteen Bangladeshi nationals in the border points of West Bengal's north 24 Parganas district while trying to crossover to India on Sunday.

The Border Security Force (BSF) has apprehended thirteen Bangladeshi nationals in the border points of West Bengal's north 24 Parganas district while trying to crossover to India on Sunday. All 13 were nabbed by the border guards in separate incidents on Friday. While five Bangladeshis were apprehended at Bithari border outpost, six nationals of the neighbouring country were nabbed near Hakimpur border outpost, the statement said. In the third incident, two Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended at Tarali border outpost, the statement said. Earlier in the month of October, the Border Security Force (BSF) had handed over eight Bangladeshi nationals to Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) as a “goodwill gesture as well as symbolising existing cordial relations between the two countries and border guarding forces.” (With inputs from agencies)

13 Bangladeshis apprehended while crossing over to India: BSF

Four jawans of Indian army and three terrorists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, an Indian Defence Ministry spokesperson said, in the bloodiest gun battle in the disputed region since April this year.&nbsp;

The terrorists made an abortive bid during the night to infiltrate into the Indian side of the LoC in Machil sector in north Kashmir's Kupwara district, they added.

The infiltrators were challenged and three of them were killed, the officials said.

However, three Army soldiers, including an officer, and a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan were also killed during the operation, they added.

"A BSF soldier was killed in action (KIA) and the firefight stopped at 0400 hours," Col Kalia said in a statement.

He said more troops were rushed to the area and the movement of the militants was tracked with the help of surveillance devices.

"Contact was re-established at 1020 hours when the heavy fire was drawn by own search parties approximately 1.5 km from the LoC. In the ensuing firefight, two more terrorists were killed. Own troops suffered three KIA and two injured," Col Kalia said.

This is the highest number of army casualties along the Line of Control in Kashmir since April this year. Five Indian troops and an equal number of militants were killed in April this year when armed militants were challenged by Indian troops in the area.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Four jawans of Indian army and three terrorists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, an Indian Defence Ministry spokesperson said, in the bloodiest gun battle in the disputed region since April this year.

Four jawans of Indian army and three terrorists were killed in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, an Indian Defence Ministry spokesperson said, in the bloodiest gun battle in the disputed region since April this year. The terrorists made an abortive bid during the night to infiltrate into the Indian side of the LoC in Machil sector in north Kashmir's Kupwara district, they added. The infiltrators were challenged and three of them were killed, the officials said. However, three Army soldiers, including an officer, and a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan were also killed during the operation, they added. "A BSF soldier was killed in action (KIA) and the firefight stopped at 0400 hours," Col Kalia said in a statement. He said more troops were rushed to the area and the movement of the militants was tracked with the help of surveillance devices. "Contact was re-established at 1020 hours when the heavy fire was drawn by own search parties approximately 1.5 km from the LoC. In the ensuing firefight, two more terrorists were killed. Own troops suffered three KIA and two injured," Col Kalia said. This is the highest number of army casualties along the Line of Control in Kashmir since April this year. Five Indian troops and an equal number of militants were killed in April this year when armed militants were challenged by Indian troops in the area. (With inputs from agencies)

Four soldiers killed in action in Jammu and Kashmir’s Machil sector

There's no saying what may help investigation officials as they try and solve a crime. Smallest of details can lead to a major revelation. The official just needs to be clever enough to spot the detail. UP Police cracked a murder case in Hardoi due to weak spelling skill of the accused.

The accused Ram Pratap Singh had kidnapped and 8-year-old boy from his grandmother's house on October 26 and murdered him. The same day however, he sent a message to the boy's father through a stolen phone and demanded 200,000 rupees for the release of the boy.

In the message sent to the boy's father, Singh wrote '"Do lakh rupay Seeta-Pur lekar pahuchiye. Pulish ko nahi batana nahi to hatya kar denge (Reach Sitapur with Rs 2 lakh. Don`t inform the police or your son will be murdered)."

"When the boy`s family lodged a missing complaint, we formed teams to trace him. We called back on the mobile phone number but it was switched off. The cyber-surveillance cell was roped in and we detained a person in whose name the SIM was issued, but he said his phone had been stolen," said Anurag Vats, Superintendent of Police in Hardoi.

On the basis of CCTV footage and tip-offs, police picked up 10 suspects including Ram Pratap Singh.

Now the real task was to nab the real killer from the crowd.

Police asked all suspects to write: "Main police main bharti hona chahta hoon. Main Hardoi se Sitapur daud kar ja sakta hoon (I want a police job. I can run from Hardoi to Sitapur)."

Ram Pratap Singh fell into the trap as he wrote police as 'pulish' and Sitapur as 'Seeta-pur', just as he had done in the ransom message to the boy's father.

He was arrested on Saturday and later confessed to the crime.

(With IANS inputs)

There's no saying what may help investigation officials as they try and solve a crime. Smallest of details can lead to a major revelation. The official just needs to be clever enough to spot the detail.

There's no saying what may help investigation officials as they try and solve a crime. Smallest of details can lead to a major revelation. The official just needs to be clever enough to spot the detail. UP Police cracked a murder case in Hardoi due to weak spelling skill of the accused. The accused Ram Pratap Singh had kidnapped and 8-year-old boy from his grandmother's house on October 26 and murdered him. The same day however, he sent a message to the boy's father through a stolen phone and demanded 200,000 rupees for the release of the boy. In the message sent to the boy's father, Singh wrote '"Do lakh rupay Seeta-Pur lekar pahuchiye. Pulish ko nahi batana nahi to hatya kar denge (Reach Sitapur with Rs 2 lakh. Don`t inform the police or your son will be murdered)." "When the boy`s family lodged a missing complaint, we formed teams to trace him. We called back on the mobile phone number but it was switched off. The cyber-surveillance cell was roped in and we detained a person in whose name the SIM was issued, but he said his phone had been stolen," said Anurag Vats, Superintendent of Police in Hardoi. On the basis of CCTV footage and tip-offs, police picked up 10 suspects including Ram Pratap Singh. Now the real task was to nab the real killer from the crowd. Police asked all suspects to write: "Main police main bharti hona chahta hoon. Main Hardoi se Sitapur daud kar ja sakta hoon (I want a police job. I can run from Hardoi to Sitapur)." Ram Pratap Singh fell into the trap as he wrote police as 'pulish' and Sitapur as 'Seeta-pur', just as he had done in the ransom message to the boy's father. He was arrested on Saturday and later confessed to the crime. (With IANS inputs)

Weak spelling skills of murderer help police arrest him

Kamala Harris made history on Saturday with her election as Joe Biden's vice president, becoming the first woman, first Black American and first Asian American to win the second highest US office.

Edison Research and the major US television networks on Saturday projected their victory, based on unofficial final results, even though the incumbent president, Republican Donald Trump, vowed to continue fighting in courts.

A US senator from California, Harris has a track record of shattering glass ceilings. She served as San Francisco’s first female district attorney and was California's first woman of colour to be elected attorney general.

Harris, whose mother and father emigrated from India and Jamaica, respectively, had her sights set on becoming the first woman US president when she competed against Biden and others for their party's 2020 nomination.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/slated-to-be-first-woman-us-vice-president-harris-vows-will-not-be-the-last-341555">Also read |&nbsp;Slated to be first woman US vice-president, Harris vows 'will not be the last'</a>

Biden looked beyond some of the harsh words Harris had for him in that campaign to name her his running mate in August. She has proven to be a valuable and polished stand-in, appealing especially to women, progressives and voters of colour, all critical to the party’s election hopes.

Kamala Harris' aunt Dr Sarala Gopalan has only wonderful things to say about her.

"She has always been a nice and caring child. She was fond of everybody. I am very happy and thrilled that she has scripted history. We all are very happy," she told WION, in an exclusive conversation,&nbsp;on Sunday.

Harris has always been vocal about the kind of impact her mother's upbringing had had on her. Dr Gopalan too sees the same streak of rebellion she saw in her sister, Shyamala.

"My sister was a rebel. At the age of 18, she applied for a scholarship at Berkeley [University] without telling anyone. It was only after she got a full paid scholarship that she told our parents. She was a strict mother; she taught Kamala values. She taught her to fight for everything. I see the same streak of rebellion in Kamala. Shyamala would have been very happy to see Kamala rise to this position. Unfortunately, she died very young," she said, adding, "I was in California when Kamala had decided to contest for the post of DA. I knew then she wanted to get somewhere. She then became an attorney general, then a senator, and now this [vice president-elect]."

Harris has shown herself to be a team player, taking on a lower-profile role and holding virtual and in-person political events that sometimes drew little news coverage, while often speaking in terms of what Biden would do for the country if elected and making an impassioned case against Trump.

Kamala is a diamond, her aunt told WION.

"When she became a senator, I went to her and told her she was a diamond in the family. And she said to me, 'Chitti, I am not a diamond in the family. I am a diamond among diamonds,'" Dr Gopalan said.

Kamala Harris' maternal grandfather also had a major impact on how she perceived ambition.

"My father was a wonderful man. In 1958, he could send his 18-year-old daughter to America -- which no South Indian father would think of doing," Dr Gopalan told WION.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kamala-harris-once-asked-aunt-in-india-to-break-coconuts-for-her-good-luck-at-hindu-temple-321157">Also read |&nbsp;Kamala Harris once asked aunt in India to break coconuts for her good luck at Hindu temple</a>

Asked on "60 Minutes" last month why, given Biden's age, he believed Harris would be ready to step into the presidency if something happened to him, the presidential candidate rapidly fired off five reasons.

"Number one, her values. Number two, she is smart as a devil, and number three, she has a backbone like a ramrod. Number four, she is really principled. And number five, she has had significant experience in the largest state in the Union in running the justice department that’s only second in size to the United States Justice Department. And obviously, I hope that never becomes a question," he said.

Harris is widely seen as an obvious candidate for the Democratic Party nomination in 2024 should Biden, who will be 78 at their inauguration on January 20, decide not to seek a second term.&nbsp;

Kamala Harris is married to attorney Douglas Emhoff, who has been a fixture on the campaign trail. His two children from a previous marriage refer to their stepmother as "Momala."

(with information from Reuters)

Kamala Harris made history on Saturday with her election as Joe Biden's vice president, becoming the first woman, first Black American and first Asian American to win the second highest US office.

Kamala Harris made history on Saturday with her election as Joe Biden's vice president, becoming the first woman, first Black American and first Asian American to win the second highest US office. Edison Research and the major US television networks on Saturday projected their victory, based on unofficial final results, even though the incumbent president, Republican Donald Trump, vowed to continue fighting in courts. A US senator from California, Harris has a track record of shattering glass ceilings. She served as San Francisco’s first female district attorney and was California's first woman of colour to be elected attorney general. Harris, whose mother and father emigrated from India and Jamaica, respectively, had her sights set on becoming the first woman US president when she competed against Biden and others for their party's 2020 nomination. Also read | Slated to be first woman US vice-president, Harris vows 'will not be the last' Biden looked beyond some of the harsh words Harris had for him in that campaign to name her his running mate in August. She has proven to be a valuable and polished stand-in, appealing especially to women, progressives and voters of colour, all critical to the party’s election hopes. Kamala Harris' aunt Dr Sarala Gopalan has only wonderful things to say about her. "She has always been a nice and caring child. She was fond of everybody. I am very happy and thrilled that she has scripted history. We all are very happy," she told WION, in an exclusive conversation, on Sunday. Harris has always been vocal about the kind of impact her mother's upbringing had had on her. Dr Gopalan too sees the same streak of rebellion she saw in her sister, Shyamala. "My sister was a rebel. At the age of 18, she applied for a scholarship at Berkeley [University] without telling anyone. It was only after she got a full paid scholarship that she told our parents. She was a strict mother; she taught Kamala values. She taught her to fight for everything. I see the same streak of rebellion in Kamala. Shyamala would have been very happy to see Kamala rise to this position. Unfortunately, she died very young," she said, adding, "I was in California when Kamala had decided to contest for the post of DA. I knew then she wanted to get somewhere. She then became an attorney general, then a senator, and now this [vice president-elect]." Harris has shown herself to be a team player, taking on a lower-profile role and holding virtual and in-person political events that sometimes drew little news coverage, while often speaking in terms of what Biden would do for the country if elected and making an impassioned case against Trump. Kamala is a diamond, her aunt told WION. "When she became a senator, I went to her and told her she was a diamond in the family. And she said to me, 'Chitti, I am not a diamond in the family. I am a diamond among diamonds,'" Dr Gopalan said. Kamala Harris' maternal grandfather also had a major impact on how she perceived ambition. "My father was a wonderful man. In 1958, he could send his 18-year-old daughter to America -- which no South Indian father would think of doing," Dr Gopalan told WION. Also read | Kamala Harris once asked aunt in India to break coconuts for her good luck at Hindu temple Asked on "60 Minutes" last month why, given Biden's age, he believed Harris would be ready to step into the presidency if something happened to him, the presidential candidate rapidly fired off five reasons. "Number one, her values. Number two, she is smart as a devil, and number three, she has a backbone like a ramrod. Number four, she is really principled. And number five, she has had significant experience in the largest state in the Union in running the justice department that’s only second in size to the United States Justice Department. And obviously, I hope that never becomes a question," he said. Harris is widely seen as an obvious candidate for the Democratic Party nomination in 2024 should Biden, who will be 78 at their inauguration on January 20, decide not to seek a second term. Kamala Harris is married to attorney Douglas Emhoff, who has been a fixture on the campaign trail. His two children from a previous marriage refer to their stepmother as "Momala." (with information from Reuters)

'Very happy and thrilled that she has scripted history': Kamala Harris' aunt tells WION

With a fresh spike of 50,356 coronavirus infections and 577 deaths in 24 hours, India's tally on Saturday rose to 8,462,080, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Out of the total COVID-19 cases in the country, 516,632 are currently active, 78,19,886 have been discharged, and 1,25,562 lost the battle against the pandemic.

While the recovery rate stands at 92.41 per cent, the fatality rate is 1.48 per cent, the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare showed.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conducted 1,113,209 sample tests in a single day on Friday, taking the total number of samples tested so far to 1,165,42,304.

Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit with a total of 1,710,314 cases, including 44,965 deaths; followed by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhis-air-quality-severe-likely-to-remain-so-on-diwali-341346" hreflang="en">Delhi's air quality 'severe', likely to remain so on Diwali</a>

The national capital logged the highest-ever cases of COVID-19 on Friday since the pandemic struck the city. It reported 7,178 new infections, taking Delhi's overall coronavirus tally to 428,831, even as the positivity rate stood at 12.19 per cent amid the festive season and rising pollution levels in the city.

Delhi has been recording more than 6,000 COVID-19 cases daily for the last four days. It had earlier witnessed its highest-spike two days ago on Wednesday where it reported 6,842 cases, following which Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal admitted that a `third wave` of infections had hit the national capital.

The overall number of global coronavirus cases has topped the 49 million mark, while the deaths have surged to more than 12,41,360, according to Johns Hopkins University.

As of Saturday morning, the total caseload and death toll stood at 49,228,536 and 1,241,366, respectively, the University`s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed in its latest update.

The US is the worst-hit country with the world`s highest number of cases and deaths at 97,27,345 and 2,36,025, respectively, according to the CSSE. India comes in second place in terms of the total cases.

With a fresh spike of 50,356 coronavirus infections and 577 deaths in 24 hours, India's tally on Saturday rose to 8,462,080, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

With a fresh spike of 50,356 coronavirus infections and 577 deaths in 24 hours, India's tally on Saturday rose to 8,462,080, said the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Out of the total COVID-19 cases in the country, 516,632 are currently active, 78,19,886 have been discharged, and 1,25,562 lost the battle against the pandemic. While the recovery rate stands at 92.41 per cent, the fatality rate is 1.48 per cent, the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare showed. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) conducted 1,113,209 sample tests in a single day on Friday, taking the total number of samples tested so far to 1,165,42,304. Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit with a total of 1,710,314 cases, including 44,965 deaths; followed by Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. Also read| Delhi's air quality 'severe', likely to remain so on Diwali The national capital logged the highest-ever cases of COVID-19 on Friday since the pandemic struck the city. It reported 7,178 new infections, taking Delhi's overall coronavirus tally to 428,831, even as the positivity rate stood at 12.19 per cent amid the festive season and rising pollution levels in the city. Delhi has been recording more than 6,000 COVID-19 cases daily for the last four days. It had earlier witnessed its highest-spike two days ago on Wednesday where it reported 6,842 cases, following which Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal admitted that a `third wave` of infections had hit the national capital. The overall number of global coronavirus cases has topped the 49 million mark, while the deaths have surged to more than 12,41,360, according to Johns Hopkins University. As of Saturday morning, the total caseload and death toll stood at 49,228,536 and 1,241,366, respectively, the University`s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed in its latest update. The US is the worst-hit country with the world`s highest number of cases and deaths at 97,27,345 and 2,36,025, respectively, according to the CSSE. India comes in second place in terms of the total cases.

COVID-19: India records 50,356 cases; recovery rate stands at 92.41%

The national capital's air quality was recorded in the "severe" category on Saturday morning as farmers in Punjab and nearby regions continued to set their fields on fire to clear crop residue.

The central government's Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi said the city's air quality is likely to remain "severe" on Diwali as well.

Experts said while meteorological conditions were "moderately" favourable for dispersion of pollutants, a "very high" number of farm fires in Punjab was the primary reason for "severe" air quality.

According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality monitor, SAFAR, Delhi's overall air quality index (AQI) was 443 this morning.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/indian-govt-relaxes-it-sector-guidelines-to-facilitate-work-from-home-341047" hreflang="en">Indian govt relaxes IT sector guidelines to facilitate 'work from home'</a>

An AQI between zero 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".

PM10 levels in Delhi-NCR stood at 486 microgram per cubic meter (g/m3) at 9 am, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

PM10 is particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometers and inhaled into the lungs. These particles include dust, pollen and mold spores. PM10 levels below 100 ?g/m3 are considered safe in India.

The levels of PM2.5 — finer particles which can even enter the bloodstream — were 292 g/m3 at 9 am. PM2.5 levels up to 60 g/m3 are considered safe.

Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi said the number of farm fires in Punjab remains very high (around 4,000) which is likely to impact the air quality in Delhi-NCR and other parts of northwest India.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-reopen-universities-at-50-capacity-ugc-issues-guidelines-341040" hreflang="en">India to reopen universities at 50% capacity; UGC issues guidelines</a>

It said the AQI is likely to remain in the "upper end of 'very poor' category on November 13 and 'severe' category on November 14 (Diwali)".

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum wind speed was 14 kilometres per hour on Friday and the minimum temperature 11.8 degrees Celsius.

Calm winds and low temperatures trap pollutants close to the ground, while favourable wind speed helps in their dispersion.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/2000-farmers-booked-for-stubble-burning-in-up-341001" hreflang="en">2,000 farmers booked for stubble burning in UP</a>

V K Soni, head of IMD's environment monitoring research centre, said, "A very large number of farm fires over Punjab is the primary reason for the severe air quality in the region."

SAFAR said the share of stubble burning in Delhi's PM2.5 pollution was estimated at 21 per cent on Friday. It was 42 per cent on Thursday, the maximum so far this season.

Last year, the contribution of stubble burning to Delhi's pollution had peaked to 44 per cent on November 1, according to SAFAR data.

The national capital's air quality was recorded in the "severe" category on Saturday morning as farmers in Punjab and nearby regions continued to set their fields on fire to clear crop residue.

The national capital's air quality was recorded in the "severe" category on Saturday morning as farmers in Punjab and nearby regions continued to set their fields on fire to clear crop residue. The central government's Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi said the city's air quality is likely to remain "severe" on Diwali as well. Experts said while meteorological conditions were "moderately" favourable for dispersion of pollutants, a "very high" number of farm fires in Punjab was the primary reason for "severe" air quality. According to the Ministry of Earth Sciences' air quality monitor, SAFAR, Delhi's overall air quality index (AQI) was 443 this morning. Also read| Indian govt relaxes IT sector guidelines to facilitate 'work from home' An AQI between zero 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". PM10 levels in Delhi-NCR stood at 486 microgram per cubic meter (g/m3) at 9 am, according to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data. PM10 is particulate matter with a diameter of 10 micrometers and inhaled into the lungs. These particles include dust, pollen and mold spores. PM10 levels below 100 ?g/m3 are considered safe in India. The levels of PM2.5 — finer particles which can even enter the bloodstream — were 292 g/m3 at 9 am. PM2.5 levels up to 60 g/m3 are considered safe. Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi said the number of farm fires in Punjab remains very high (around 4,000) which is likely to impact the air quality in Delhi-NCR and other parts of northwest India. Also read| India to reopen universities at 50% capacity; UGC issues guidelines It said the AQI is likely to remain in the "upper end of 'very poor' category on November 13 and 'severe' category on November 14 (Diwali)". According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the maximum wind speed was 14 kilometres per hour on Friday and the minimum temperature 11.8 degrees Celsius. Calm winds and low temperatures trap pollutants close to the ground, while favourable wind speed helps in their dispersion. Also read| 2,000 farmers booked for stubble burning in UP V K Soni, head of IMD's environment monitoring research centre, said, "A very large number of farm fires over Punjab is the primary reason for the severe air quality in the region." SAFAR said the share of stubble burning in Delhi's PM2.5 pollution was estimated at 21 per cent on Friday. It was 42 per cent on Thursday, the maximum so far this season. Last year, the contribution of stubble burning to Delhi's pollution had peaked to 44 per cent on November 1, according to SAFAR data.

Delhi's air quality 'severe', likely to remain so on Diwali

In the wake of his questioning by the NIA and ED, Kerala Higher Education Minister KT Jaleel has been directed by the Customs to appear before the agency officials on Monday.

Jaleel has has been questioned for several hours by the National Investigation Agency and the Enforcement Directorate in the past in connection with the gold smuggling case and alleged distribution of the holy Quran received through the diplomatic route, allegedly on his directions.

After the Customs notice, Jaleel said that he would appear before the officials and explain to them what all had transpired.

The Customs unearthed the gold smuggling case when PS Sarith, a former employee of the UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram, was arrested on July 5 while he was allegedly facilitating the smuggling of 30 kg gold in diplomatic baggage to the state capital from Dubai.

The name of Swapna Suresh, a former employee of the Consulate and later employed with the IT Department, too surfaced in the case. Later, her links with the now-suspended and arrested IAS officer M Sivasankar, then posted as Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and also the IT Secretary, also came to light. The call records of Jaleel and Swapna had revealed that they were in touch in the past.

Earlier, the Minister had admitted that a consignment containing the holy Quran had been received from the UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram, which a top Customs official had referred to as "prima facie violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act".

Officials had said Jaleel was under the scanner after he allegedly claimed that the consignments brought to Thiruvananthapuram during Ramzan month contained holy Quran for distribution in his constituency.

The opposition Congress and BJP have been demanding Jaleel`s resignation, but he has got the full support of Vijayan who has strongly defended him.

In the wake of his questioning by the NIA and ED, Kerala Higher Education Minister KT Jaleel has been directed by the Customs to appear before the agency officials on Monday.

In the wake of his questioning by the NIA and ED, Kerala Higher Education Minister KT Jaleel has been directed by the Customs to appear before the agency officials on Monday. Jaleel has has been questioned for several hours by the National Investigation Agency and the Enforcement Directorate in the past in connection with the gold smuggling case and alleged distribution of the holy Quran received through the diplomatic route, allegedly on his directions. After the Customs notice, Jaleel said that he would appear before the officials and explain to them what all had transpired. The Customs unearthed the gold smuggling case when PS Sarith, a former employee of the UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram, was arrested on July 5 while he was allegedly facilitating the smuggling of 30 kg gold in diplomatic baggage to the state capital from Dubai. The name of Swapna Suresh, a former employee of the Consulate and later employed with the IT Department, too surfaced in the case. Later, her links with the now-suspended and arrested IAS officer M Sivasankar, then posted as Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and also the IT Secretary, also came to light. The call records of Jaleel and Swapna had revealed that they were in touch in the past. Earlier, the Minister had admitted that a consignment containing the holy Quran had been received from the UAE Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram, which a top Customs official had referred to as "prima facie violation of Foreign Contribution Regulation Act". Officials had said Jaleel was under the scanner after he allegedly claimed that the consignments brought to Thiruvananthapuram during Ramzan month contained holy Quran for distribution in his constituency. The opposition Congress and BJP have been demanding Jaleel`s resignation, but he has got the full support of Vijayan who has strongly defended him.

Kerala Minister Jaleel asked to appear before Customs on Monday

Diversification of supply chains was the top focus of India-Italy virtual summit on Friday, the 5th such virtual summit of Indian Prime Minister amidst the COVID pandemic. The virtual summit between Indian PM Narendra Modi and Italian PM Giuseppe Conte also saw both sides discussing the COVID crisis and G20 summit, given Italy will host the summit next year and India in 2022.

Sandeep Chakravorty, Secretary (Europe West) at the MEA presser, after the virtual summit said, "Italy is very keen to diversify its supply chains &amp; investment to have a more substantive economic partnership with India. Bilateral economic cooperation was focused on diversification of supply chains".

India, Australia and Japan are working on alternate supply chains, and focus is that more countries join the initiative. In fact, one was the virtual summit was with Denmark's PM and the focus on the diversified supply chain. &nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/foreign-envoys-welcome-meas-covid-briefing-india-to-show-its-vaccine-facility-341260">Foreign envoys welcome MEA's COVID briefing; India to show its vaccine facility</a>

Currently, global supply chains are China dominated and amidst the covid pandemic, an aggressive Beijing necessitated alternate supply chains by like-minded countries such as India, US, Japan, Australia.

Interestingly, the Joint statement after the summit saw both sides stressing on the "importance of the Indo-Pacific region as a fundamental area" for connecting Asia and Europe and stated their Countries’ willingness to support"all connectivity initiatives based on internationally recognized norms and standards, good governance, rule of law, inclusiveness, transparency and a level playing field."

All in all 15 MoU were signed between the two sides, on trade, technology, shipping, energy.

Diversification of supply chains was the top focus of India-Italy virtual summit on Friday, the 5th such virtual summit of Indian Prime Minister amidst the COVID pandemic.

Diversification of supply chains was the top focus of India-Italy virtual summit on Friday, the 5th such virtual summit of Indian Prime Minister amidst the COVID pandemic. The virtual summit between Indian PM Narendra Modi and Italian PM Giuseppe Conte also saw both sides discussing the COVID crisis and G20 summit, given Italy will host the summit next year and India in 2022. Sandeep Chakravorty, Secretary (Europe West) at the MEA presser, after the virtual summit said, "Italy is very keen to diversify its supply chains & investment to have a more substantive economic partnership with India. Bilateral economic cooperation was focused on diversification of supply chains". India, Australia and Japan are working on alternate supply chains, and focus is that more countries join the initiative. In fact, one was the virtual summit was with Denmark's PM and the focus on the diversified supply chain. Also read| Foreign envoys welcome MEA's COVID briefing; India to show its vaccine facility Currently, global supply chains are China dominated and amidst the covid pandemic, an aggressive Beijing necessitated alternate supply chains by like-minded countries such as India, US, Japan, Australia. Interestingly, the Joint statement after the summit saw both sides stressing on the "importance of the Indo-Pacific region as a fundamental area" for connecting Asia and Europe and stated their Countries’ willingness to support"all connectivity initiatives based on internationally recognized norms and standards, good governance, rule of law, inclusiveness, transparency and a level playing field." All in all 15 MoU were signed between the two sides, on trade, technology, shipping, energy.

Diversification of supply chains top focus at India-Italy virtual summit

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated ISRO and India's space industry for the successful launch of PSLV-C49/EOS-01 mission today.&nbsp;

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/isro-successfully-launched-10-satellites-simultaneously-341415/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"In the time of COVID-19, our scientists overcame many constraints to meet the deadline," PM Modi said in a tweet.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/isro-launches-pslv-c49-earth-imaging-satellite-into-space-341393">Also Read:&nbsp;ISRO launches PSLV-C49 earth imaging satellite into space</a>

The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C49/EOS-01) blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Saturday afternoon after a 26-hour countdown.

"Nine satellites, including four each from the US and Luxembourg and one from Lithuania, have also been launched in the Mission," the prime minister informed.

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I congratulate <a href="https://twitter.com/isro?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ISRO</a> and India's space industry for the successful launch of PSLV-C49/EOS-01 Mission today. In the time of COVID-19, our scientists overcame many constraints to meet the deadline.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1325027914656608257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"The liftoff was originally scheduled for 3.02 pm, but was delayed by 10 minutes due to debris on the path of the vehicle," ISRO said in a statement.

It is the first satellite launch by India's space agency this year which was disrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"EOS-01 is intended for applications in agriculture, forestry and disaster management support," ISRO said.

The customer satellites include one from Lithuania, four from Luxembourg and four from the United States.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated ISRO and India's space industry for the successful launch of PSLV-C49/EOS-01 mission today. Watch: "In the time of COVID-19, our scientists overcame many constraints to meet the deadline," PM Modi said in a tweet.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday congratulated ISRO and India's space industry for the successful launch of PSLV-C49/EOS-01 mission today. Watch: "In the time of COVID-19, our scientists overcame many constraints to meet the deadline," PM Modi said in a tweet. Also Read: ISRO launches PSLV-C49 earth imaging satellite into space The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV-C49/EOS-01) blasted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Saturday afternoon after a 26-hour countdown. "Nine satellites, including four each from the US and Luxembourg and one from Lithuania, have also been launched in the Mission," the prime minister informed. I congratulate @ISRO and India's space industry for the successful launch of PSLV-C49/EOS-01 Mission today. In the time of COVID-19, our scientists overcame many constraints to meet the deadline. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 7, 2020 × "The liftoff was originally scheduled for 3.02 pm, but was delayed by 10 minutes due to debris on the path of the vehicle," ISRO said in a statement. It is the first satellite launch by India's space agency this year which was disrupted due to the coronavirus pandemic. "EOS-01 is intended for applications in agriculture, forestry and disaster management support," ISRO said. The customer satellites include one from Lithuania, four from Luxembourg and four from the United States.

PM Modi congratulates ISRO on successful PSLV-C49 launch

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday launched PSLV-C49/EOS01 mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota.

PSLV-C49 is carrying nine foreign satellites. It was ISRO's first satellite launch of this year.

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Watch Live: Launch of EOS-01 and 9 customer satellites by PSLV-49 <a href="https://t.co/H4jE2fUhNQ">https://t.co/H4jE2fUhNQ</a>
— ISRO (@isro) <a href="https://twitter.com/isro/status/1324999896479363072?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle in its 51st mission of the PSLV-C49&nbsp;is an earth observation satellite meant for applications in agriculture, forestry and disaster management support.

PSLV-C49&nbsp;is carrying customer satellites from Luxembourg, USA and &nbsp;Lithuania.

All nine customer satellites have been successfully separated and injected into their intended orbit, ISRO informed.

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I congratulate <a href="https://twitter.com/isro?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ISRO</a> and India's space industry for the successful launch of PSLV-C49/EOS-01 Mission today. In the time of COVID-19, our scientists overcame many constraints to meet the deadline.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1325027914656608257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"This mission is very special and unusual for ISRO. The space activity cannot be done from 'work from home'. Each engineer has to be present at the lab. When talking about missions like these, each technician, employee has to work together," ISRO chief K Sivan said.

The ISRO chief applauded the work of the engineers who worked through the pandemic as per COVID-19 guidelines, without compromising on quality.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday launched PSLV-C49/EOS01 mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota. PSLV-C49 is carrying nine foreign satellites.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Saturday launched PSLV-C49/EOS01 mission from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota. PSLV-C49 is carrying nine foreign satellites. It was ISRO's first satellite launch of this year. Watch Live: Launch of EOS-01 and 9 customer satellites by PSLV-49 https://t.co/H4jE2fUhNQ — ISRO (@isro) November 7, 2020 × India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle in its 51st mission of the PSLV-C49 is an earth observation satellite meant for applications in agriculture, forestry and disaster management support. PSLV-C49 is carrying customer satellites from Luxembourg, USA and Lithuania. All nine customer satellites have been successfully separated and injected into their intended orbit, ISRO informed. I congratulate @ISRO and India's space industry for the successful launch of PSLV-C49/EOS-01 Mission today. In the time of COVID-19, our scientists overcame many constraints to meet the deadline. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 7, 2020 × "This mission is very special and unusual for ISRO. The space activity cannot be done from 'work from home'. Each engineer has to be present at the lab. When talking about missions like these, each technician, employee has to work together," ISRO chief K Sivan said. The ISRO chief applauded the work of the engineers who worked through the pandemic as per COVID-19 guidelines, without compromising on quality.

ISRO launches PSLV-C49 earth imaging satellite into space

ISRO successfully launched its latest earth observation satellite (EOS-01), as well as nine satellites from customer nations from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

ISRO successfully launched 10 satellites simultaneously

Taiwan is set to host mega Diwali celebration that is being sponsored by the Taiwanese government and will see the participation of representation by government. The Diwali celebration will take place in the Taiwanese capital Taipei and is being organised by Taipei India Music and culture centre and Indians in Taiwan group. Deputy Taiwan Foreign Minister Tien Chung Kwang will be present at the celebrations.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-urges-who-chief-to-invite-taiwan-to-a-key-meeting-341119">Also read|&nbsp;US urges WHO chief to invite Taiwan to a key meeting</a>

Recently engagement between India and Taiwan have increased in terms of societal interaction. On Taiwan National Day, strong support was seen in India angering Chinese Embassy. Taiwanese president Tsai ing-wen had tweeted about Indian dishes and said her favourite food being Chana Masala and Naan. She also recalled her India visit, what she termed as "memories of a vibrant, diverse &amp; colorful country."

The increased societal interaction comes even as China has been aggressive with both India and Taiwan this year. With India, the line of actual control row has been the worst Chinese build-up while with Taiwan, Chinese jets have been breaching the Taiwan strait median line that separates Taiwan from China.

Taiwan is set to host mega Diwali celebration that is being sponsored by the Taiwanese government and will see the participation of representation by government.

Taiwan is set to host mega Diwali celebration that is being sponsored by the Taiwanese government and will see the participation of representation by government. The Diwali celebration will take place in the Taiwanese capital Taipei and is being organised by Taipei India Music and culture centre and Indians in Taiwan group. Deputy Taiwan Foreign Minister Tien Chung Kwang will be present at the celebrations. Also read| US urges WHO chief to invite Taiwan to a key meeting Recently engagement between India and Taiwan have increased in terms of societal interaction. On Taiwan National Day, strong support was seen in India angering Chinese Embassy. Taiwanese president Tsai ing-wen had tweeted about Indian dishes and said her favourite food being Chana Masala and Naan. She also recalled her India visit, what she termed as "memories of a vibrant, diverse & colorful country." The increased societal interaction comes even as China has been aggressive with both India and Taiwan this year. With India, the line of actual control row has been the worst Chinese build-up while with Taiwan, Chinese jets have been breaching the Taiwan strait median line that separates Taiwan from China.

Taiwan government to host mega Diwali celebration

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