Indian Sub-continent

New Delhi, Dec 16 (PTI) Ghaziabad is the most polluted city in north India and its annual average PM2.5 levels are much worse than those of Delhi, according to data from 137 continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations (CAAQMS) spread across 56 cities in the region.

The Centre for Science and Environment, which analysed the PM2.5 data from these CAAQMS from January 1, 2019, to November 30, 2021, also said PM2.5 levels in otherwise cleaner smaller towns can exceed the concentration reported in Delhi during smog episodes in early winters.

New Delhi, Dec 17 (PTI) The Congress on Friday hit out at the government, alleging that it was treating the Election Commission as its "subservient tool".

Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala charged that the government has fallen to a new low in destroying institutions in the country.

TIRIN KOT, Afghanistan, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- Two children have been confirmed dead and eight others injured as a blast ripped through a wedding party in southern Afghanistan on Wednesday, a local official said Thursday.

The blast took place at the wedding party in Khalach village of Gizab district in the country's Uruzgan province, according to the official who declined to be named.

No group or individual has claimed responsibility.

Police have yet to make any comment. 

ISLAMABAD, Dec. 16 (Xinhua) -- At least nine people were killed while eight others injured in separate road crashes in Pakistan on Thursday, local media and police said.

Three people were killed and seven others suffered injuries in two separate traffic accidents in the country's Faisalabad district of eastern Punjab province, police in the area told local media.

The accidents occurred due to poor visibility caused by dense fog, said police officials.

Following the crash, police and rescue teams reached the sites for rescue operations.

Kanpur: There has ensued war of words between BJP and SP on the 9-Km run of the metro rail first phase from IIT to Motijheel here from 28. It will have three coaches.

The SP claimed that it was their project. SP Spokesperson, Abdul Hafiz Gandhi said, "The proposal of metro in Kanpur was sent to Centre in April, 2016 by Samajwadi Party government. The proposal sent by the SP government was accepted and approved by the Centre.”

“The foundation stone was laid in October, 2016. So, the work of Kanpur Metro was started during the SP government.

Dehradun, Dec 15 (PTI) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said some forces want to spoil India's ties with Nepal, but asserted the government would not allow that to happen at any cost.

Addressing the ground breaking ceremony of Sainya Dham (martyrs memorial) here, he also said the country's armed forces are free to take their own decisions.

"There are some forces which want to spoil our ties with Nepal but I want to tell you as a representative of the government that we will not let that happen come what may," he said.

New Delhi, Dec 15 (PTI) After over a year, the Delhi Police on Wednesday allowed traffic movement as well as opened two carriageways at Singhu border after it dismantled all the barricades that were erected to prevent the protesting farmers from moving towards the national capital.

It has been decided that Singhu border be opened from Delhi side also. It has been opened for all vehicles, Deputy Commissioner of Police (outer north) Brijesh Yadav said.

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Jamia Masjid, the grand mosque of Srinagar, dominates its neighborhood with an imposing main gate and massive turrets. It can hold 33,000 worshippers, and on special occasions over the years hundreds of thousands of Muslims have filled nearby lanes and roads to offer prayers led from the mosque.

But Indian authorities see the mosque as a trouble spot — a nerve center for protests and clashes that challenge India’s sovereignty over the disputed Kashmir region.

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — The diesel fuel needed to produce oxygen for coronavirus patients has run out. So have supplies of dozens of essential drugs. The staff, unpaid for months, still shows up for work, but they are struggling to make ends meet at home.

Kohima, Dec 16 (PTI) The Naga Students' Federation (NSF) -- apex body of Naga youth and students -- will take out a rally on Friday demanding immediate repeal of AFSPA from the state.

The rally, which is expected to witness a large gathering, will commence from Old MLA Hostel Junction here around 11 am and culminate near Raj Bhavan, NSF president Kegwayhun Tep said.

The protesters will hand over a memorandum seeking immediate withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), 1958 to Governor Jagdish Mukhi for its submission to the Centre.