Post-Diwali Smog Affects Northern India and Air Quality

Thick post-Diwali smog has enveloped northern India, significantly impacting air quality. Satellite images reveal that air quality in Chennai has deteriorated to 'very poor' levels, with the AQI surpassing 300. Additionally, Delhi has experienced a 44% delay in flight departures due to the toxic haze. In other news, political discussions continue, with Sonia Gandhi commenting on Manmohan Singh's experience as Prime Minister. The Meghalaya government is urging the Centre to compensate landowners along the Bangladesh border. Rescue operations were also conducted in Himachal Pradesh after a paraglider got stuck in high-tension wires. On the international front, tensions are rising as the US withdraws military aircraft from a UK base amid threats from Iran.