India's supreme court bans Diwali fireworks in Delhi to tackle pollution

Ruling made in effort to halt spike in toxic smog that led to closure of schools, power stations and construction sites last year

India's supreme court has banned the sale of fireworks in Delhi during the upcoming Diwali festival, hoping to prevent the usual spike in toxic air pollution levels that accompany the holiday.

Last year's Hindu festival of lights, in which tens of thousands of firecrackers are burst in Delhi over several days, left the city sheeted in toxic smog that forced the closure of schools, power stations and construction sites.