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Delhi gasps for breath as toxic haze engulfs city

A blanket of haze shrouded the national capital on Thursday, with people complaining of eye irritation and cough, as air quality stood close to the "severe" level. Experts blamed meteorological conditions that trap pollutants near the surface for the rise in the pollution level. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said the haze is expected to persist during early morning and late evening hours through the week, as particulate matter continues to accumulate near ground level. Delhi, which has been witnessing a fall in air quality since Diwali, recorded 'very poor' air quality with an AQI of 373, a sharp rise from 279 a day earlier. Smog significantly reduced visibility, with the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) recording PM 2.5 levels at 184.4 and PM 10 at 301.9. Out of the 38 monitoring stations in the city, 37 recorded "very poor" air quality with readings above 300, the CPCB said. Vivek Vihar (426), Anand Vihar (415), Ashok Vihar (414), Bawana (411), Wazirpur (419) and Sonia Vihar (406) saw "severe" category air quality. Experts said the yellowish smoke enveloping the city is smog -- a mixture of fog and pollutants that reduces visibility and poses serious health risks, especially for vulnerable groups.

Women constitute 51% of Sri Lanka's 21.7 million population

Women constitute over 51 per cent of Sri Lanka's 21.7 million population according to the results of the 2024 Census of Population and Housing released on Thursday. “The total population was reported to be 21,781,800 of which 51.7 per cent is female and 48.3 per cent is male,” the Department of Census and Statistics said. “In the urban sector, 51.9 per cent of the population is female, while 48.1 per cent is male. In the rural and estate rural sectors, the percentages of females are 51.7 per cent and 51.4 per cent, and the percentages of males are 48.3 per cent and 48.6 per cent.” “The population under 15 years of age in the country decreased by 4.5 percentage units, from 25.2 per cent to 20.7 per cent, during the census period from 2012 to 2024. Further, the population aged 65 and above increased from 7.9 per cent to 12.6 per cent, and shows an increase of 4.7 percentage points during this period,” it said. On the ethnic composition, 74.1 per cent of the population are Sinhalese, 12.3 per cent Sri Lankan Tamils, 10.5 per cent Muslim, and 2.8 per cent Indian-origin Tamil.

Looking at diverse sources to meet energy security: India on crude oil procurement

India on Thursday said its crude oil purchases are based on securing energy security from "diverse" sources at affordable prices and it is studying the implications of the latest US sanctions on Russian oil companies Lukoil and Rosneft. The remarks by External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal came amid indications that Indian refiners are slowly reducing procurement of subsidised Russian crude oil and looking at imports of petroleum products from the US. Jaiswal also said that India and the US remained engaged to conclude a trade deal. His remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump said in South Korea that the US is "doing a trade deal with India". The external affairs ministry spokesperson, responding to questions on American sanctions on the two Russian oil giants at his weekly media briefing, said New Delhi is studying the implications. People familiar with the matter said India's procurement of crude oil from Russia is witnessing a decline following the latest wave of US sanctions on the two Russian oil producers.

Goa to host Acrobatic Gymnastics Asian Championships

India is all set to host the Acrobatic Gymnastics Asian Championships for the first time with Goa staging the event from October 31 to November 2. Organised by the Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) in collaboration with the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, Goa, and the Sports Authority of Goa, the championship will bring together top acrobatic gymnasts from across Asia for three days of high-level competition and artistic display. Aigul Dukenbayeva, Asian Gymnastic Union (AGU) Technical President, described the event as a "historic milestone". He said that hosting the Asian Championships for the first time marks a major boost for India's growing presence in international gymnastics. Dukenbayeva said the event "represents the spirit of unity, artistry and athletic excellence that defines our sport," adding that India's hosting "will inspire young gymnasts and strengthen acrobatics across Asia".