New Delhi topped global pollution charts Friday as Diwali firecracker celebrations worsened air quality to hazardous levels, despite a ban. Seasonal crop burning further compounded the smog, leaving the city blanketed in thick, dense pollution.
New Delhi ranked as the world's most polluted city on Friday after Diwali celebrations involving firecrackers, despite a ban, pushed air quality to hazardous levels. Thick smog enveloped the city, obscuring landmarks like the presidential palace and nearby gardens frequented by joggers and cyclists following Thursday's festivities. According to Swiss firm IQ Air, Delhi's air quality index (AQI) hit 348, classifying pollution as hazardous and placing the city at the top of a real-time global pollution ranking.
Although local authorities have banned firecrackers during Diwali and the winter months for several years, in line with Supreme Court orders, enforcing the ban remains challenging, despite penalties. Some Hindu groups argue the ban infringes on festival observance, while the Delhi government maintains it is intended to protect public health. Friday’s smog was further intensified by seasonal crop residue burning in northern India, which worsens air quality each winter as colder air traps pollutants from various sources.
The Sydney opera house, and other iconic national monuments round the world turned off their lights at 8:30pm local time to commemorate earth hour.
Glaciers around the world are melting at an alarming rate, with the last three years seeing the largest mass loss on record, according to a UNESCO report. The accelerated ice loss, driven by climate change, is contributing to rising sea levels.
The world’s leading banking climate coalition is reassessing its membership rules following the departure of major banks and slower-than-expected progress on climate goals, its chair told Reuters.
Torrential rain that began on Monday has led to widespread flooding in and around Indonesia's capital, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes.
Almond trees in northeastern Spain started to bloom in late January, nearly three weeks earlier than usual.
Brazil has named automotive industry executive Dan Ioschpe as its official “climate champion” for the COP30 summit, to be held in Belém this November.
Within hours of Trump’s “Liberation Day” speech, a chorus of global voices began responding — some cautiously, others furiously. While the U.S. president promised to rebalance what he called “decades of economic exploitation,” world capitals began drawing their own red lines.
Standing in the White House Rose Garden, President Donald Trump declared what he called “Liberation Day”, announcing a raft of tariffs on U.S. trading partners — the most expansive use of trade powers in modern American history.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has firmly pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, declaring that the Arctic island “belongs to the Greenlanders.”
U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed new tariffs on UK and EU imports, warning foreign “cheaters” as he promises to restore American jobs and economic dominance.
Aid groups in Myanmar’s worst-hit areas urgently need shelter, food, and water after a devastating 7.7 magnitude earthquake killed over 2,700 people. Rescue efforts face challenges due to ongoing civil war, damaged infrastructure, and restricted aid access, with the toll expected to rise.
Russian forces carried out a drone attack on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, late Wednesday, injuring at least twenty one people and causing structural damage, according to Ukrainian officials.
French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was banned from running for public office for five years after being convicted of embezzlement, ruling her out of the 2027 presidential race. She received a four-year prison sentence, with two years suspended, and a €100,000 fine. Le Pen plans to appeal.
Apple marked its 49th anniversary by reaching a market capitalization of $3.3 trillion. Despite recent tech stock volatility, Apple's shares surged 28% in 2024.
The Armenian armed forces attempted three reconnaissance drone flights over Azerbaijan Army positions near Gerenzur, but all were successfully intercepted. Meanwhile, Armenian units repeatedly fired on Azerbaijani positions from multiple regions, escalating tensions in the area.
Brazil has named automotive industry executive Dan Ioschpe as its official “climate champion” for the COP30 summit, to be held in Belém this November.
Belgium and Vietnam have signed agreements to collaborate on green hydrogen production during King Philippe’s historic visit to Hanoi.
The World Bank reported that air pollution leads to approximately 5.7 million deaths each year, with 95% of fatalities occurring in low- and middle-income nations. It also causes economic losses amounting to 5% of global GDP due to health impacts, productivity decline, and reduced life expectancy.
France, Italy, and Slovakia have urged the EU to simplify its carbon border levy rules this year, calling for reduced red tape and standardized emissions calculations to ease the burden on businesses.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) officially confirmed that 2024 was a record year for renewables additions to global power capacity. Renewables represented more than 92 per cent of all new electricity generation capacity installed last year.
Brazil has named automotive industry executive Dan Ioschpe as its official “climate champion” for the COP30 summit, to be held in Belém this November.
Within hours of Trump’s “Liberation Day” speech, a chorus of global voices began responding — some cautiously, others furiously. While the U.S. president promised to rebalance what he called “decades of economic exploitation,” world capitals began drawing their own red lines.
Standing in the White House Rose Garden, President Donald Trump declared what he called “Liberation Day”, announcing a raft of tariffs on U.S. trading partners — the most expansive use of trade powers in modern American history.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has firmly pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed interest in acquiring Greenland, declaring that the Arctic island “belongs to the Greenlanders.”
U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed new tariffs on UK and EU imports, warning foreign “cheaters” as he promises to restore American jobs and economic dominance.
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