INDIA

India's top court ordered a complete halt to stubble burning around Delhi as a lethal smog blanketed the capital

India's Top Court Orders Halt To Stubble Burning As Delhi Chokes

India's top court has ordered a complete halt to stubble burning around Delhi, a major contributor to lethal smog that on Tuesday kept the metropolis of 20 million people choking in air rated "very poor".The Supreme Court said the capital's residents were "losing precious years" of their lives, adding "people are dying, this just cannot happen in a civilised country".In a ruling following petitions filed by activists, the court's judges ordered an immediate halt to the practice of farmers burning crop stubble in the states surrounding the capital.
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India Gate in New Delhi is pictured through a choking smog that has blanketed the capital

Indian Capital Delhi Gasps Under Choking Smog

India's capital New Delhi was enveloped in heavy, toxic smog Sunday -- the worst levels in recent years -- with hundreds of flights diverted or delayed as politicians blamed each other for failing to tackle the crisis.Every winter, the megacity of 20 million people is blanketed by a poisonous smog of car fumes, industrial emissions and smoke from stubble burning at farms in neighbouring states.Concentrations of fine particles (2.5 microns or less in diameter) in the air hit the highest level of this season, India's state-run System of Air Quality Weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) said.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel thanked India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the 'very warm and gracious welcome'

Maskless Merkel Braves Severe Delhi Smog

German Chancellor Angela Merkel got a toxic welcome to India on Friday as Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed her in air so polluted that authorities declared a public health emergency.Ignoring medical advice to the choking megacity's 20 million inhabitants, the pair did not wear pollution masks as they inspected troops at the presidential palace in New Delhi.Merkel, 65, sat for the national anthems, as during similar ceremonies following a series of shaking spells earlier this year.
As more consumers in Asia get reliable internet access on smartphones and tablets, myriad platforms -- including US outfits such as Netflix and Amazon -- are vying to sign them up

Asian Video Streamers Battle Western Giants

In such a crowded market, industry insiders believe only companies with deep enough pockets to sustain losses for years and those offering really innovative products will survive

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