Delhi Air Quality Plummets Ahead Of Diwali, AQI Over 400 In Some Areas

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• 'Everything is available': SC flags open sale of firecrackers in Delhi despite restrictions

  Justices MM Sundresh and Prasanna B Varale confronted the central government over rampant non-compliance with judicial safety directives across Delhi markets ahead of Diwali. The bench directed the Additional Solicitor General to examine reports of widespread availability of uncertified and unlicensed pyrotechnics. This failure in local enforcement threatens court-mandated environmental safeguards intended to mitigate severe seasonal air pollution.

  1 min read
• Charity warns about damage of over-foraging fungi

  Conservationists are seeing natural habitats trampled as commercial crews and casual collectors strip wild mushrooms from protected forest floors. The intensive harvesting deprives creatures like deer, badgers, and insects of a vital autumn food supply. Authorities warn that while personal gathering is permissible in select areas, unauthorized commercial harvesting violates criminal law.

  2 min read
• AI data centres could undermine UK's emissions goals

  Recent policy shifts allow tech developers facing decade-long grid connection delays to construct private, on-site energy facilities to run massive computing hubs. These off-grid infrastructure arrangements heavily favor natural gas power, directly threatening national net zero commitments while imposing localized environmental costs. Ministers view the sector as economically vital, but critics argue the resulting emissions spike sets back broader climate targets.

  5 min read