Delhi's air quality dips further, likely to persist till Wednesday

The national capital's air quality plummeted to the upper end of the 'very poor' category, with a 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) of 382, according to the Central Pollution Control Board's (CPCB) daily bulletin. 

Delhi's air quality is expected to remain in the 'very poor' category until Wednesday, and may even deteriorate to 'severe' in the subsequent six days, according to the Centre's Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi. 

The primary cause of pollution in the city is attributed to extreme meteorological conditions, which have reduced the dispersion of pollutants. Additionally, stubble burning in neighbouring States has contributed significantly to the poor air quality. 

Mixed bag for SC Collegium in judicial appointments

Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud headed a Supreme Court Collegium which soldiered on to fill judicial vacancies but was not always successful with its recommendations.

Though the Chandrachud Collegium's resolutions backed online free speech and dignity based on sexual orientation and integrity in judicial appointments in its two years, it did not recommend even a single woman to the top court Bench. 

This was despite Chief Justice Chandrachud's view that one of the missions of the collegium was to ensure a diverse court.

The collegium saw its reiteration of advocate Saurabh Kirpal, who is openly gay, for elevation as a judge of the Delhi High Court stuck with the government.

The BRICS Summit boosts to India-Iran ties

At the 16th BRICS Summit hosted by Russia in Kazan, there were a few meetings on the sidelines which created a buzz. 

One such meeting was between India and Iran, both close civilisational friends and looking to strengthen a stagnating partnership. 

Iran, which is now embroiled in the war in Gaza, is looking for Indian support in de-escalating the crisis. 

India, too, has supported having a ceasefire and de-escalation at the earliest. 

Globally, India is being widely sought after to facilitate a peaceful resolution to the conflict as it enjoys trust and goodwill across both ends of the conflict, with Israel and Iran. 

On the new coastal zone plan of Kerala

Kerala has a coastline of around 590 km and 10 of its 14 districts are located on the coast of the Arabian Sea. The 2011 Census put the population density of Kerala at 859 persons per square kilometre, which is more than double the national average of 382 people per square kilometre.

The new regime will see the No Development Zone (NDZ) the area which has to be left untouched around the tidal-influenced water bodies reduced to 50 metres from the earlier 100 metres from the High Tide Line in at least 122 local bodies in the State.

The new regime has also taken away the mandatory buffer zone around mangrove vegetation located in private holdings. 

What are the major challenges faced by Indian cities?

The world's urban population has reached an estimated 4.7 billion, or 57.5% of the world's total population, with projections to double by 2050.

India's urbanisation trajectory differs from the cities in the Global North. In Western countries, urbanisation followed industrialisation, which created jobs that absorbed rural labour.

The main challenges Indian cities face include inadequate spatial planning, climate change, massive migration, growing inequality and social segregation, and governance limitations. 

'India and China made some progress in disengagement'

India and China have made "some progress" in disengagement, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said, describing it as a "welcome" move that opens up the possibility. 

Indian and Chinese troops completed disengagement at two friction points in Demchok and Depsang Plains in eastern Ladakh. 

Amid plans to upgrade Su-30 jets, IAF focusing on Al-based solutions

The financial aspects of the comprehensive upgrade to the first batch of Su-30MKI jets are being worked out and the process will start as soon as it is approved, a senior official of the Indian Air Force said recently. 

It can take five to seven years to update the batch of 84 jets, and the IAF has taken up pilot projects with the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay concerning Artificial Intelligence- based engine and asset maintenance solutions, as well as for spares and inventory optimisation, he added. 

"The financial aspects are being worked on. Once that is sorted out and the government authorises it, the upgrade will commence. If the government clears it, say by early next year, we should start straight away. 

They have to do their due diligence for such a big project," Air Marshal C.R. Mohan, Air Officer Maintenance told The Hindu ahead of his retirement from service on October 31. 

The first science result from Aditya L1, ISRO's sun mission, is out

The first science result from the Aditya-L1 mission, India's first scientific mission dedicated to studying the sun, is out.

The sun is an active object and often spews vast quantities of plasma in violent eruptions called coronal mass ejections (CMEs). 

"These are the most powerful explosions happening in our solar system," the IIAp team involved with VELC said in a statement. 

"When a CME blows past the earth, it can damage the electronics in satellites in near-earth space and disrupt radio communication networks on the earth." 

The first Asian Buddhist Summit in New Delhi from tomorrow

The Government of India, in collaboration with the International Buddhist Confederation, is holding the first Asian Buddhist Summit in Delhi. 

The summit themed "Role of Buddha Dhamma in strengthening Asia" is a manifestation of India's Act East Policy, which is principled on the collective, inclusive, and spiritual development of Asia, the Union Culture Ministry said in a statement.

It will bring together Buddhist 'Sangha' leaders, scholars, experts and practitioners from various traditions across Asia to foster dialogue, promote understanding and address contemporary challenges faced by the Buddhist community.