UPDATED: Nov 3, 2026 18:13 ISTThe Supreme Court has mandated that only certified green firecrackers can be burst during specified hours over two days for Diwali. Developed by CSIR-NEERI without barium, green crackers reduce particulate pollution by an estimated 30 percent and lower noise levels, but remain polluting rather than pollution-free.

Concerns persist over widespread violations of time limits, fake or missing QR codes, and the sheer volume of crackers wiping out potential emissions gains. Studies from Delhi Technological University and IIT Roorkee also detected high levels of ultrafine particles from green crackers, raising health concerns across Delhi NCR.

Read MoreVIDEOS FROM OTHER SECTIONSLATEST VIDEOSDelhi Air Quality Worsens to Very Severe Category; GRAP 2 Imposed Amid Punjab Farm Fire PoliticsDelhi's air quality has deteriorated sharply into the very severe category with the Air Quality Index breaching the 300 mark, triggering the enforcement of GRAP 2 and the Delhi government's winter action plan. The capital's worsening air condition has escalated a political blame game between Delhi and Punjab regarding stubble burning.

While farm fire instances in Punjab have dropped from 2,600 cases by early November last year to just over 1,600 this season, farm fires continue to raise concerns alongside baseline city emissions and cross-border smoke from Pakistan. Despite advisories promoting work from home and restrictions on specific vehicle categories, a dense layer of smog persists across Delhi NCR, creating severe respiratory hazards for residents and children during the festival season.Vote Chori Row: Smriti Irani Slams Rahul Gandhi, Cites Congress Defeats Before SIRBharatiya Janata Party leader and former Union minister Smriti Irani launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his allegations of vote chori.

Irani stated that the Congress Party had lost 57 elections even before the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) was conducted, asserting that SIR is not the reason for the party's electoral setbacks. Accusing the Congress leadership of being in denial over poll defeats, she highlighted that the opposition was questioning the mandate delivered by 90 crore voters across the country.MEA Fact-Checks Deepfake Clip Shared by Prashant Bhushan on Russian Foreign MinisterThe Ministry of External Affairs has fact-checked and discredited a digitally manipulated deepfake video shared by senior Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan.

The AI-generated video falsely showed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticising India over internal affairs and oil purchases. Official clarification from the Ministry of External Affairs followed a denial by the Russian Embassy, confirming the clip was entirely fabricated.

Both Indian and Russian authorities cautioned against the growing challenge of digital disinformation and AI-generated misinformation impacting international relations.Delhi Air Quality Turns Severe Ahead of Diwali; CAQM Enforces GRAP 2 Curbs Across NCRAir quality across Delhi and the National Capital Region deteriorated significantly ahead of Diwali, with average Air Quality Index levels crossing 300 and several areas entering the severe category above 400. In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management enforced Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan.

Restrictions include regulations on diesel generator sets, higher parking charges to curb private vehicle usage, and bans on burning wood or coal in restaurants and hotels. The Delhi Metro announced 20 additional daily trips on weekdays to encourage public transport use.

Ground reports highlighted smog across border regions like Rohini, Bawana, and the Delhi-Noida border.