A look at the headlines today:
1. Top Jammu and Kashmir brass apprise EU MPs delegation of situation in state
The top police and civil officials of the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday told a delegation of 23 EU MPs that people have been yearning for peace, but the terrorists have been continuously threatening them by firing bullets. During an interaction with the law makers from different European countries, DGP Dilbag Singh said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir has been peaceful and the security forces have been handling the law and order effectively and "most importantly in a humane manner". In the last 84 days, not a single life has been lost, he told the EU parliamentarians, who are on a two-day visit to assess the ground situation in the state. The team of EU MPs also interacted with members of the public, including the newly-elected panchayat members and councillors, at a five-star hotel.
2. WhatsApp sues Israeli firm over cyberespionage on journalists, human rights activists
WhatsApp on Tuesday sued Israeli technology firm NSO Group, accusing it of using the Facebook-owned messaging service to conduct cyberespionage on journalists, human rights activists and others. The suit filed in a California federal court contended that NSO Group tried to infect approximately 1,400 "target devices" with malicious software to steal valuable information from those using the messaging app. WhatsApp head Will Cathcart said the lawsuit was filed after an investigation showed the Israeli firm's role the cyberattack, despite its denials. "NSO Group claims they responsibly serve governments, but we found more than 100 human rights defenders and journalists targeted in an attack last May. This abuse must be stopped," Cathcart said on Twitter.
3. Smriti Irani on 2-day visit to Amethi from today
Union Minister Smriti Irani will be on a two-day visit to her Lok Sabha constituency Amethi from today. She will take part in a series of programmes. During her visit, the Union textiles minister will interact with party leaders and workers, BJP district unit chief Durgesh Tripathi said. She will also take part in 'Gandhi Sankalp Sandesh Padyatra', he added. The 'padyatra' (foot march) was launched by Union Home Minister and BJP president Amit Shah on the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi on October 2. The four-month-long 'padyatra' is aimed at spreading Mahatma Gandhi's thoughts among people. Irani had also visited Amethi on October 20 and 22.
4. Environmentalists urge BCCI to shift India-Bangladesh T20 outside Delhi
Environmentalists wrote to BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, requesting him to consider moving the first India-Bangladesh T20 outside Delhi as the rapidly deteriorating air quality could prove a health risk for the players and thousands of spectators. The rapid spike in the pollution level after Diwali has become a cause for concern ahead of the international match at Feroz Shah Kotla Ground on November 3. In December 2017, the Sri Lankan cricket team was left gasping for breath during a Test match at the Kotla, forcing most of their players to wear protective masks even as some fell ill. "In the light of extreme pollution in Delhi, we would like to request you to consider shifting the venue for the first T20 outside of Delhi. Making our cricketers play a physically demanding sport for 3-4 hours in Delhi's toxic air will end up doing more damage to our cricket team's health in the long run," Jyoti Pande of Care For Air and Ravina Raj Kohli of My Right To Breathe said in the letter.
5. Air quality plunges to 'severe' in Delhi
The skies over the national capital were a smoky grey as the sun struggled to shine through the haze with the air quality deteriorating and slipping into the "severe" category in the city and the adjoining areas. At 8 pm, the city's overall air quality index was 414—worse than Monday's AQI of 397 at 8pm, according to the Central Pollution Control Board. Twenty-six of the 37 air quality monitoring stations in the capital recorded AQI's in the "severe" category. Anand Vihar was the most polluted area in the capital with an AQI of 464 and Wazirpur following with an AQI of 430. Other areas of the city were no better. Pollution levels in the satellite towns of Ghaziabad (465), Greater Noida (440), and Noida (450) were worse.
6. WhatsApp sues Israeli firm over cyberespionage on journalists, human rights activists
WhatsApp on Tuesday sued Israeli technology firm NSO Group, accusing it of using the Facebook-owned messaging service to conduct cyberespionage on journalists, human rights activists and others. The suit filed in a California federal court contended that NSO Group tried to infect approximately 1,400 "target devices" with malicious software to steal valuable information from those using the messaging app. WhatsApp head Will Cathcart said the lawsuit was filed after an investigation showed the Israeli firm's role the cyberattack, despite its denials. "NSO Group claims they responsibly serve governments, but we found more than 100 human rights defenders and journalists targeted in an attack last May. This abuse must be stopped," Cathcart said on Twitter.
7. PM leaves for home after concluding visit to Saudi Arabia
Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his visit to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, during which he held extensive talks with the top Saudi leadership and addressed a key financial forum. Modi, who arrived here Monday night, held wide-ranging talks with Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, during which a Strategic Partnership Council was established to coordinate on important issues. A memorandum of under standing was also signed to roll out RuPay card in the Kingdom—making Saudi Arabia the third country in the Persian Gulf after the UAE and Bahrain to introduce India's digital payment system. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted, "Leaving with a marked upswing in bilateral relations. PM Narendra Modi departs from Riyadh after steering the India-Saudi relationship on a upward trajectory pointing towards greater collaboration in future."
8. ISL: Chennaiyin FC eyes first win of season as it takes on ATK
Chennaiyin FC takes on ATK in a clash of former champions in an ISL game at the Marina Arena today, eyeing its first win of season-6. However, the task is easier said than done as the Kolkata team is coming off a 5-0 thrashing of Hyderabad FC at home on Friday. Chennaiyin FC, to its credit rallied from 0-3 hammering at the hands of FC Goa in the opener, to pick up its first point courtesy a goalless draw against Mumbai City FC on Diwali day (October 27). Though CFC kept a clean sheet, head coach John Gregory would be concerned with the fact that the defence appeared shaky at times. Also, he would be hoping that the forward line getscracking and finds the net. It was a night of missed opportunities as CFC and Mumbai City muffed chances with the former getting a lion's share of attempts.
