The Supreme Court has allowed the sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR from October 18 to 21. Fireworks can be burst only between 6-7 am and 8-10 pm. The court said this is a temporary measure to balance festive celebrations and environmental protection. Only certified green crackers with QR codes will be allowed, and smuggled or fake products are banned. Authorities will monitor air and water quality during this period. The court aims to protect clean air while respecting public sentiment and supporting the livelihood of the firecracker industry. (PC: HT)

Over 500 students were stranded for nearly 12 hours in a massive traffic jam on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway in Maharashtra's Palghar district. Twelve buses carrying students from Classes 5-10 and college students from Thane and Mumbai were trapped near Vasai from 5:30 pm Tuesday until early Wednesday morning. Children returning from a school picnic near Virar remained without food or water for hours. The gridlock resulted from heavy vehicle diversion due to Ghodbunder highway repairs in Thane, overloading the Mumbai-Ahmedabad route. Local social organizations distributed water and biscuits. Parents blamed poor planning and coordination. The last stranded bus reached its destination by 6 am Wednesday.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed temporary sale of green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR, setting specific date and time restrictions. A bench comprising Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran ruled that bursting green firecrackers would only be permitted from October 18-21, between 6 pm-10 pm. Sales will be allowed from October 18-25. The court cited industry concerns and noted the existing ban showed limited impact on air quality except during COVID-19. Police will patrol to ensure only QR-coded products are sold, with violation notices for offenders. E-commerce firecracker sales remain prohibited. The court questioned the blanket ban's effectiveness since 2018, seeking balanced approach. 

At least 20 people were killed and 16 others were critically injured after a bus caught fire near Thaiyat village in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district on Tuesday. The bus, carrying 57 passengers to Jodhpur, reportedly caught fire due to a short circuit. Locals and Army personnel helped in the rescue. The injured were taken to a hospital in Jodhpur. Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the site and took stock of the situation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced ₹2 lakh ex-gratia for the families of the deceased. President Droupadi Murmu expressed grief, calling the incident “extremely heartbreaking.” (PC: HT)

A devastating tragedy struck Rajasthan as a moving bus carrying 57 passengers burst into flames near Jaisalmer, killing at least 20 people. The sudden fire trapped several passengers inside the vehicle. Burn victims were rushed to Jodhpur for treatment, with many remaining in critical condition. Eyewitnesses and locals heroically pulled trapped passengers before rescue teams arrived. Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma visited the accident site, calling it "extremely heart-wrenching" and thanking Army personnel and residents for their swift response. He directed officials to ensure proper medical treatment for survivors and assistance for victims' families. Authorities launched investigations to determine the fire's cause. Governor Haribhau Bagade and political leaders expressed condolences.

Police have arrested the main accused in the Durgapur rape case — the survivor’s male friend. Officials said the medical student was raped by him when she went out with him. Her father had named the accused in his complaint. Police said this is the sixth arrest in the case but ruled out gang-rape after reviewing the survivor’s statement and evidence. The Asansol-Durgapur Police Commissioner confirmed that only one person assaulted her. Investigators have recovered the survivor’s phone and sent the accused’s clothes for forensic testing. The accused will be produced in court on Wednesday. The probe continues. (PC: India Today)

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met the family of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar in Chandigarh after his alleged suicide in Haryana. Calling the case a test of justice, Gandhi said, “Crores of Dalits are watching.” He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini to “act now.” The officer’s wife, IAS officer Amneet Puran Kumar, accused senior police officials of caste-based harassment and demanded an FIR under the SC/ST Act. Gandhi said the tragedy sends a “wrong message to Dalits” and called for accountability. The family has refused postmortem until a fair probe begins. (PC: HT)

All five men accused in the Durgapur gang-rape case have been arrested, police said on Tuesday. The sister of prime accused Safiq Sk helped officers locate him under Andal bridge, saying she wanted him to face the law. Police will now reconstruct the crime scene near Paranaganj Kali Bari cremation ground. The 23-year-old medical student from Odisha was allegedly raped by five men on Friday night near her college. The case has sparked widespread anger after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s remarks on women going out at night drew backlash. The NCW has demanded a fast-track trial and better campus safety. (PC: ANI Grab)

Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced India's first bullet train will begin operations in August 2027, running between Surat and Bilimora on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High Speed Rail corridor. The 508-km project, executed with Japanese technical and financial assistance, is expected to be fully completed by December 2029. Services will extend to Thane by 2028 and Mumbai by 2029. The corridor features 12 stations including Mumbai, Thane, Surat, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad. With a total estimated cost of ₹1,08,000 crore, Japan International Cooperation Agency funds 81% while the remaining comes from the Ministry of Railways and state governments. By June 2025, ₹78,839 crore had been spent.

The Indian Army killed two terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district after spotting suspicious movement near the Line of Control. The encounter took place in the Machhal Sector on Sunday night during a joint operation with Jammu and Kashmir Police. Officials said the terrorists opened fire first, and troops responded, killing both. A large quantity of weapons and equipment was recovered from the site. Search operations are still underway in the area. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has asked security forces to stay alert as winter nears to prevent infiltration along the border. (PC: HT)