Morning Digest: Kerala rain death toll rises to 27; two more migrant workers shot dead in Kashmir, and more

A select list of stories to read before you start your day

Scarred State: An aerial view of the landslip-hit area of Koottikkal in Kottayam district, Kerala, on Sunday

Kerala rain death toll at 27; Kottayam, Idukki hit hard

The death toll in rain-related incidents in Kerala rose to 27 on October 17, with the recovery of more bodies from the landslip-ravaged areas of Kottayam and Idukki districts.

Two more migrant workers shot dead in Kashmir

Terrorists shot dead two more migrant labourers and injured another on October 17 in Kulgam district of south Kashmir, prompting the police to direct that all migrant labourers in the Valley be brought to nearest security camps “immediately” for safety, officials said.

Global Hunger Index | Only 3.9% children malnourished, says government

The value of a key indicator used in the

Global Hunger Index is ‘inflated’ as there are only 3.9% anganwadi children found to be undernourished, the Government said on Sunday.

Singhu border murder | 3 accused sent to police custody

The three men arrested in connection with the

murder at the Singhu border of a man over alleged desecration of holy Sikh scripture, were remanded to six days in police custody by the local court here on Sunday. Led by accused Narain Singh, the three confessed before the court to having committed the murder, said Haryana Police.

UAVs, Aviation unit boost Army surveillance in eastern sector

The Army Aviation has recently got control of the Heron-I Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) in the Eastern sector, which were earlier with the Artillery, bringing all aviation assets under one roof and augmenting its ability to keep an eye on Chinese activities across the border. The move comes just months after the raising of a new Aviation Brigade at Missamari, strengthening the Army’s response as well as firepower.

Navjot Singh Sidhu touts his Punjab Model in letter to Sonia Gandhi

Days after meeting top party leaders including former party chief Rahul Gandhi in Delhi, Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu on Sunday made public his letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, in which he listed priorities for the State government to deliver upon and claimed that it was “Punjab’s last chance for resurrection and redemption”.

Priyanka Gandhi will be face of Cong’s election campaign in UP, says P.L. Punia

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will be the face of the Congress’ election campaign in Uttar Pradesh, party’s newly-appointed campaign committee chief P L Punia said on Sunday, asserting the AICC general secretary is the most popular political figure in the state at present.

Afghanistan, Indo-Pacific on agenda of British Foreign Secretary, CDS

British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss and outgoing Chief of Defence Staff General Nick Carter will visit India this week even as the Indo-U.K. naval exercises involving the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) in the Bay of Bengal gets under way from October 21-27, and ahead of a pending visit by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, sources said here.

Dip in air quality prompts Delhi CM to seek action

As Delhi’s air quality deteriorates with several areas recording “very poor” air quality, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to the Governments of Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh to understand their responsibilities towards reducing stubble burning and controlling pollution.

Jumma Namaz: Efforts to find amicable solution in Gurugram prove to be futile

Offering of Jumma Namaz at an open commercial space in upscale Sector 47 here near Bakhtawar Chowk has been in the eye of controversy for almost a month now. The protests by the local residents have been growing with each passing Friday and the administration’s efforts to find an amicable solution by bringing both parties to a negotiation table have proved to be futile so far.

India-U.S. Yudh Abhyas 2021 gets under way

The 17th edition of the India-U.S. bilateral exercise, Yudh Abhyas 2021, got under way at the Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska, U.S., with the two sides set to hone their skills in counter-terror operations in mountainous terrain and cold climate conditions.

ICC Twenty20 World Cup | Scotland stuns Bangladesh by 6 runs on first day

Scotland stunned fancied Bangladesh by six runs after Chris Greaves' magnificent all-round display for a dream start in the ICC T20 World Cup on an eventful on October 17 night in Al Amerat.