The air pollution issue is expected to take center stage in the winter season between the AAP and the Centre. After the government announced GRAP- anti-pollution measures, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, in a press conference on Friday, announced a 15-point 'winter action plan' to deal with the yearly menace. Kejriwal said the city will be checking construction sites for enforcement of dust pollution norms, using anti-smog guns, mechanized sweeping, checking of PUC certificates, setting up a war room for monitoring, and focusing on action at the city’s 13 air pollution hotspots. Regarding the issue of stubble burning in Punjab, Kejriwal informed that the ruling AAP government in the neighboring state has taken steps to generate less stubble, and he expects to see reduced stubble burning this year.

The Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi announced Saturday night that it is ceasing its operations from October 1, citing a "lack of support from the host government", failure to meet expectations in serving Afghanistan's interests, and reduction in personnel and resources. In a statement, the Afghanistan Embassy in New Delhi said it regrets announcing the decision to cease its operations, effective October 1, 2023. "It is with profound sadness, regret, and disappointment that the Embassy of Afghanistan in New Delhi announces this decision to cease its operations," the statement said. The embassy said that this decision, while deeply regrettable, was made after careful consideration, taking into account the historic ties and long-standing partnership between Afghanistan and India. The embassy statement also listed key factors affecting its ability to continue the mission effectively and said that they were the primary reasons for the "unfortunate closure". The embassy cited a "lack of support from the host government", alleging that it has experienced a notable absence of crucial support from the host government, which it said hindered its ability to carry out duties effectively. The mission also cited "failure to meet expectations in serving Afghanistan's interests" as one of the reasons. "We acknowledge our shortcomings in meeting the expectations and requirements necessary to serve the best interests of Afghanistan and its citizens due to the lack of diplomatic support in India and the absence of a legitimate functioning government in Kabul," the mission said. It also said that due to unforeseen and unfortunate circumstances, there has been a significant reduction in both personnel and resources available to it, making it increasingly challenging to continue operations. "The lack of timely and sufficient support from visa renewal for diplomats to other critical areas of cooperation led to an understandable frustration among our team and impeded our ability to carry out routine duties effectively," the statement said. Given these circumstances, "it is with deep regret that we have taken the difficult decision to close all operations of the mission with the exception of emergency consular services to Afghan citizens till the transfer of the custodial authority of the mission to the host country," it said. The embassy has been headed by Ambassador Farid Mamundzay. Mamundzay was appointed by the previous Ashraf Ghani government and he has been operating as the Afghan envoy even after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021. In April-May, the embassy was rocked by a power struggle in the wake of reports of the Taliban appointing a charge d'affaires to head the mission, replacing Mamundzay.

Two of the three extremists who stopped Indian High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami from attending an event at a gurudwara in Scotland have been identified as Shamsher Singh and Ranveer Singh, both based in London. The Hindustan Times reported on October 1, 2023. Out of this Ranveer Singh is a supporter of Jagtar Singh Hawara, who was involved in the conspiracy to assassinate the 12th Chief Minister of Punjab, Beant Singh, on August 31, 1995, the report said. Convicted as a conspirator in the assassination, Hawara is serving life imprisonment in Delhi's Tihar jail.

The Glasgow Gurudwara in Scotland has personally apologised to the Indian High Commissioner to UK Vikram Doraiswami, who was confronted by London-based Sikh extremists on 29th September 2023 and prevented by them from entering the temple premises. In a letter, Glasgow gurdwara committee has assured the High Commissioner that the three persons involved in the unsavory incident were not part of their regular congregation and were unknown to the community, Hindustan Times reported. The committee has requested the High Commissioner to visit the Gurudwara again the report said.

The Graded Response Action Plan -- a set of anti-air pollution measures followed in the Delhi-NCR region in the winter season -- will come into force on Sunday. The Commission for Air Quality Management, an autonomous body tasked with improving air quality in Delhi and the adjoining areas, had made crucial changes to the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) last year and again in July this year. The new changes include strict restrictions on the plying of overaged vehicles and a complete ban on the use of coal and firewood in eateries, restaurants and hotels when the air quality index (AQI) breaches the 200 mark. BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers will be immediately banned in Delhi and Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar if the Air Quality Index (AQI) crosses the 400 mark. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), a statutory body formed under an Act in 2021, had amended the GRAP in July last year to ensure proactive implementation of anti-air pollution steps based on forecasts up to three days in advance. Earlier, the authorities would implement these measures, including banning construction and demolition works, entry of high-emission vehicles and the use of coal and firewood, only after the pollution level touched a particular threshold. The GRAP for the National Capital Region (NCR) is classified under four different stages of adverse air quality in Delhi: Stage I - 'Poor' (AQI 201-300); Stage II - 'Very Poor' (AQI 301-400); Stage III - 'Severe' (AQI 401-450); and Stage IV - 'Severe Plus' (AQI >450). The revised GRAP recommends strict enforcement of the orders of the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal on overaged diesel and petrol vehicles under Stage 1. It also calls for a complete ban on the use of coal and firewood in eateries, restaurants and hotels as soon as the AQI crosses the 200 mark. Earlier, the authorities would implement this measure under Stage 2 (AQI above 300). New steps suggested as part of the revised GRAP include "strict action to curb air pollution at all identified hotspots in the region under Stage 2". Under Stage 3, states will have to impose strict restrictions on the plying of BS III petrol and BS IV diesel four-wheelers in Delhi and Gurugram, Faridabad, Ghaziabad and Gautam Buddh Nagar. Authorities may discontinue physical classes in schools for children up to Class V in such a scenario, the CAQM suggested. At AQI above 450, four-wheelers registered outside Delhi, other than electric vehicles and those using CNG and BS-VI diesel, will not be permitted to enter Delhi. However, those carrying essential commodities or providing essential services are exempt. All other existing measures taken under different stages of GRAP will continue.Also watch: Ahead of winters, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announces action plan to curb pollution

The announcement of the Afghanistan embassy shutting down its operations in India from 1st October comes months after a power struggle at the Afghan embassy in Delhi. According to a report in The Indian Express on 29th September, Ambassador Farid Mamundzay, appointed by the previous Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, was battling to stay in office in defiance of the Taliban-run Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kabul. Aware of the infighting at the embassy that erupted at the end of April 2023, the MEA had not taken sides. The Indian Express, quoting sources, said it had conveyed to both sides that it was an internal matter they needed to settle themselves. India had closed its embassy after the Taliban took over the country, and the Ashraf Ghani government collapsed in August 2021. It now has a technical team to coordinate humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.

After Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami was allegedly stopped from entering a gurudwara in Scotland, India issued a statement calling the incident disgraceful. The High Commission of India in London said that three persons deliberately disrupted a planned interaction organized by the Gurudwara Committee for the community. "On September 29, 2023, three persons-- all from areas outside Scotland--deliberately disrupted a planned interaction organized by the Gurudwara Committee for the community, the High Commissioner and the Consul General of India. The organizers included senior community leaders, ladies and Committee members, and a member of the Scottish Parliament. They were threatened and abused by these elements. In an effort to prevent any potential altercation, the HC and CG decided to leave the premises shortly upon their arrival," said the statement. As per the statement, one of the non-local extremist elements attempted to violently force open the diplomat's car door but the organisers intervened. "One of the non-local extremist elements attempted to violently force open the HC's car door - a matter that will require suitable police consideration. It is due to the quick reaction of one of the organizers, who physically intervened at the car door, that a bigger incident was avoided. Multiple community organizations including the organizers have formally regretted the incident and have urged the authorities to take action against the culprits," added Indian High Commission to London. Also watch: India-Canada diplomatic row| High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami stopped from visiting gurudwara

A woman and her sick child were stuck inside an ambulance in Patna for about an hour as they were stopped to allow Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's convoy to pass. The police did not allow the ambulance that was stuck in heavy traffic to pass despite the woman's request. The woman broke down as the child fell unconscious. Nitish Kumar was returning to Patna after inaugurating an ethanol factory in Nalanda. The ambulance driver said he told the policeman that they were going to Patna from Fatuha but despite seeing the condition of the child, they were not allowed to pass. A similar incident was reported a month ago when an ambulance was stopped in Patna to allow the Chief Minister's convoy to pass through. Also Watch: ₹2000 notes: RBI extends deadline for deposits, exchange of notes until 7th October

A tin roof of a shop collapsed after several people climbed on it to watch the air show in Bhopal on Saturday. Several people were left injured in the incident. A video of the incident has gone viral on social media. The air show was conducted by the Indian Air Force to mark its 91st anniversary. The venue saw a huge crowd even before the event began. During the fly-past programme, IAF helicopters and fighter jets showcased a series of aerobatic performances. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan, who presided over the event, shared visuals on X with the IAF’s motto “Nabha Sparsham Deeptam” (Touch the sky with Glory). Also watch: Indian Air Force inducts C-295, Rajnath Singh takes aircraft tour

Congress slammed the central government after a PTI report claimed that Delhi's National Museum will likely be vacated by the end of 2023 as part of the Central Vista redevelopment project. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said the move is simply barbarism. "A historic building of immense architectural importance is to be demolished and replaced by a cookie-cutter government building! And in the meantime there will be no National Museum for two years at least. This is barbarism, pure and simple," said Tharoor on X. The party's general secretary Jairam Ramesh said that the nation would lose not just a majestic structure but also a piece of its recent history which is the target of a systematic erasure campaign of the Prime Minister. "Yet another majestic building that combines finely the modern with the traditional is to vanish by the end of this year. The National Museum designed by G B Deolalikar and inaugurated in December 1960 is being demolished. Incidentally, he also designed the main block of the Supreme Court which hopefully will survive," Ramesh said. "The nation loses not just a majestic structure but also loses a piece of its recent history which is the target of a systematic erasure campaign of the Prime Minister. It has over 2,00,000 priceless exhibits and there is no guarantee that this national treasure will survive the supposed relocation," he added. Also watch: Central Vista Avenue inauguration: All you need to know about the mega revamp project