QUICK NEWS

The final stage or Phase IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been imposed in the National Capital Region as the Air Quality Index (AQI) dipped to the "severe" category. This phase is meant to be activated at least three days before the AQI surpasses the 450 mark in the capital.

The restrictive actions in the phases implemented before this continue to be in effect, along with the measures imposed after GRAP 'severe plus' category is invoked. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), a statutory body responsible for formulating strategies to combat pollution in the region, has asked Delhi and NCR states to implement all emergency measures, news agency PTI reported.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Sunday. This is the top American diplomat’s first trip to the West Bank since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war.

This was Blinken's high-security surprise visit to the Israeli-occupied West Bank and the top US diplomat met with Abbas in Ramallah, according to photographs released by the Palestinian Authority.

In a move aimed at strengthening bilateral relations and boosting the capabilities of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), the Indian government has offered at least seven helicopters for use in the Philippines' rescue and humanitarian efforts during disasters.

The deal is still under discussion between the two sides. This offer was discussed during a courtesy call between Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr and Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Shambhu Kumaran last week.

India on Sunday provided 11 tonnes of emergency relief materials to Nepal to assist the victims of a devastating earthquake last week that killed more than 150 people.

The first consignment of relief materials worth ₹10 Crore was flown to Nepalgunj by a C-130 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force.

The materials included tents, tarpaulin sheets, blankets, sleeping bags, essential medicines and medical equipment such as portable ventilators, according to a statement from the Indian embassy in Kathmandu.

As the war between Israel and Hamas approaches its one-month mark with no ceasefire in sight, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the US's call for a ceasefire and stated that his country is "going full steam ahead" unless the hostages held by Palestinian groups are released.

The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, who met Netanyahu in Tel Aviv on his third visit since the beginning of the war, said he discussed a humanitarian pause to provide aid to Gaza. However, it was rejected by Israel.