Morning Wrap: Aarey Protests Intensify, US Lawmaker Questions Govt Over Kashmir & Other Top Stories

US Lawmaker Questions India After Being Denied Permission To Visit Kashmir

US Senator from the Democratic Party who wanted to visit Kashmir to see the situation ‘first-hand’ has been denied permission by the authorities. Chris Van Hollen is the first US Congressman to have been denied the permission. Hollen was part of a congressional delegation that discussed India-U.S. bilateral relations, trade ties and defence purchases with authorities in India. Read more…

Dozens Of Protesters Detained, Hundreds Of Trees Cut In Mumbai’s Aarey

Hours after the Bombay High Court dismissed petitions opposing tree-felling in Aarey Colony in north Mumbai, a prime green lung of the city, for Metro work, activists alleged that authorities have started hacking trees. Of over 2,600 trees which are to be felled, about 300 had been cut by Friday night, activists alleged. Videos of tree-felling went viral on social media, though it could not be confirmed from Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation officials if indeed tree cutting for the planned metro car shed in Aarey had begun. Read more…

'Shameful And Disgusting': Aaditya Thackeray Slams Mumbai Metro On Aarey Tree-Cutting

Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray on Saturday slammed Mumbai Metro for cutting of trees in Mumbai's Aarey Colony area where authorities are planning to build a car shed for its trains. Aaditya Thackeray, who is making his poll debut in upcoming assembly elections, extended his support to activists opposing the cutting of trees. In a series of tweets, Thackeray termed cutting of trees "in cover of night" as "shameful and disgusting". Read more…

Petrol, Diesel Prices Today: Huge Fall In Fuel Prices- Check Latest Rates In India On October 5

Petrol and diesel prices saw one of the biggest fall on Saturday, October 5. This is the third straight day that petrol and diesel prices have come down after days of upward movement. On Saturday, the petrol rate decreased by 29-31 paise while diesel rate decreased by 19 to 20 paise accorss India today. The petrol and diesel prices are expected to cool down over the coming weeks as global petroleum product prices are also easing according to Indian Oil. Read more…

Unsure Of Cooperation With Congress On Impeachment, Says Donald Trump

A defiant President Donald Trump refused to confirm Friday that he will cooperate with an impeachment investigation in the US Congress. “I don’t know, that’s up to the lawyers,” he said at the White House. Donald Trump has come the closest to being impeached after US Democrats opened a formal inquiry into allegations that he sought help from a foreign power - Ukraine - to damage a political rival. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the formal impeachment inquiry into Trump saying said the president "must be held accountable". Trump has denied any impropriety and called the efforts "breaking news Witch Hunt garbage". Read more…