The Supreme Court eased Delhi-NCR’s pollution curbs, allowing GRAP-2 implementation but mandating GRAP-4 if AQI exceeds 400. The court criticized delayed compensation for construction workers, threatening Delhi’s Chief Secretary with contempt for partial payment. The court demanded full payment and questioned the NCR states’ compliance with anti-pollution measures.

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s nominee for US Defense Secretary, expressed confidence in his confirmation despite GOP doubts. Speaking to journalists, Hegseth emphasized his commitment to prioritizing military effectiveness, as directed by Trump. He highlighted discussions with Senate leaders and Armed Services Committee members, focusing on aligning the Defense Department with global threats and fostering a strong “war fighting ethos.” Hegseth also underscored the importance of maintaining military lethality and removing distractions from the Pentagon’s mission. He recently spoke with Megyn Kelly for further details. n18oc_crux

Syrian rebels are said to have encircled the key city of Hama “from three sides”, a war monitor has said. Hama is strategically located in central Syria and, for the army, it is crucial to safeguarding the capital Damascus.The rebels are now present at a distance of three to four kilometres from Hama,” the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. The UK-based Observatory said that Assad’s forces were “left with only one exit towards Homs to the south.”Meanwhile, Assad’s forces and Iran-backed militias are trying to push back rebels from the edge of Hama, Syrian army sources told Reuters. It comes as Russian airstrikes hit civilian areas overnight in a bid to push back fighters gaining ground just kilometers away from Hama. Hama’s fall would put major pressure on President Bashar al-Assad after the capture of Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city, last week. n18oc_world n18oc_crux0:00 INTRODUCTION3:06 HTS CHIEF VISITS ALEPPO CITADEL4:18 REBELS SAID TO CAPTURE MiG-23 JET5:40 RUSSIA BLAMES “EXTERNAL FORCES” FOR SYRIA CRISIS