World goes dark in commemoration of 'Earth hour'
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.
To combat the decline in air quality during the past three weeks, authorities in the capital and surrounding cities of India fined thousands of car owners and construction sites for violating pollution regulations.
As the city struggles with a sharp drop in air quality over the last three weeks, authorities in New Delhi and the neighbouring districts have fined thousands of car owners and construction sites for breaking pollution laws. The Swiss group IQAir claims that New Delhi is currently the most polluted major metropolis in the world.
Nearly 60,000 cars and more than 7,500 construction sites have been fined, according to officials. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) declared the air quality to be "very poor," with an index score of 373. Unhealthy circumstances are indicated by scores greater than 300. Nearly 3,900 older vehicles were seized, and another 54,000 vehicles were discovered to be missing their pollution under control (PUC) certificates.
Environmental compensation has been mandated for 597 construction sites, with 56 sites ordered to cease operations. New Delhi faces significant pollution challenges every winter, as cold air traps emissions and smoke from agricultural burning in neighbouring states like Punjab and Haryana. Due to this persistent problem, construction operations have been restricted and schools have been closed.
Forecasts indicate that the region's air quality will continue to range from "very poor" to "severe" for the next six days, with the status remaining "very poor". There are major health hazards associated with a "severe" rating, which the CPCB defines as a score between 401 and 500, especially for people who already have health issues.
For four years running, IQAir has ranked New Delhi as the most polluted capital in the world; air quality problems are also common throughout South Asia. Rising pollution levels can shorten life expectancy in the area by more than five years, according to research from the University of Chicago's Energy Policy Institute.
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.
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.
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