Damascus Court Sentences Assad Brothers In Absentia for War Crimes

SC: Govt has wide powers to compulsorily retire staffer, improve efficiency

Bona fide appraisal, P 13

Delhi air pollution spikes to worst levels in five years on Diwali

Air quality in Delhi reportedly deteriorated sharply around Diwali, reaching its worst level in five years. The article notes that several air monitoring stations did not provide AQI data, which limits the completeness of the picture. Firecracker use during the festival is typically linked to such spikes in pollution. The reporting highlights both the severity of the air quality dip and gaps in the city's monitoring coverage. Further details beyond the headline and monitoring gap were not available in the provided text.

Kerala Government Follows Karnataka in Ethanol Testing Move

The Congress-led Kerala government has reportedly adopted a measure similar to one introduced by Karnataka concerning ethanol testing. The article's excerpt also carries a statement from a Union Minister warning that those creating controversies for political purposes will face consequences. The provided text is limited, so specifics on the ethanol testing rules, their rationale, and their timeline are not available. Further details on the policy and the reaction to the Union Minister's remarks would be needed to complete the report.

'Unusual, disturbing': Lawyers' boycott makes man stay in jail despite bail