Air pollution is a major health concern worldwide, yet most cities experience poor air conditions. According to the World Health Organisation, 99 per cent of the world's population live in areas that do not meet the recommended air quality levels. The latest World Air Quality Report by the Swiss company IQAir shows that 12 out of the 138 countries analysed (fewer than 10 per cent) have concentrations of PM2.5 fine particulates below the WHO guideline 5.0 µg/m³ (micrograms per cubic metre).
Most and least polluted regions
The World Air Quality Report ranks cities and countries according to their average PM2.5 concentration. These fine particles or chemicals in the atmosphere threaten the environment and the health of living organisms. New Delhi in India and N'Djamena in Chad have the highest PM2.5 concentrations, with 91.8 and 91.6 µg/m³, while the highest ranking countries are Chad and Bangladesh, with 91.8 and 78 µg/m³ PM2.5 concentrations, respectively.
Chad was also found to be the most polluted country in 2022 and 2024. Due to a lack of data in 2023, a direct comparison for that year is not available. Most of the nation's pollutants come from the Sahara, vehicle emissions, uncontrolled crop burning and pollutants from heavy industry.
Seven Caribbean countries are among the 12 with the lowest PM2.5 concentration. The Bahamas, and its capital, Nassau, have the lowest with 2.3 µg/m³.
The Middle East in 2024 “showed moderate improvements, with PM2.5 levels dropping in each country across the region”, the report states. Iraq and the UAE continue to be among the region's most polluted countries, with Iraq in 13th position and the Emirates 17th worldwide. However, the UAE experienced one of the most notable reductions in PM2.5 concentrations in the Middle East, a 22 per cent drop compared to 2023.
Risks from air pollution
PM2.5 refers to fine particulate matter that is less than or equal to 2.5 microns in diameter. To give an idea of the size, a single human hair is 50 to 180 microns. These particles are so small they can penetrate the lungs and, in some cases, enter the bloodstream.
Children are considered particularly vulnerable to air pollution because of their activity levels and behaviour, for example, the amount of time they spend outside. They are also susceptible because their breathing rates are higher than those of adults and they take in more air per kilogram of body weight.
What can governments and people do?
There is no one-size-fits-all solution but a series of actions can help reduce the problem. These include integrating WHO air quality guidelines into future standards, dedicating funding to renewable energy projects and increasing the number of government-operated air quality monitoring stations.
Individual actions include supporting air quality projects, reducing outdoor activities during times of high air pollution and improving indoor air quality with filtration and purification systems.
Pakistan World Cup squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez(subject to fitness), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Junaid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain
Two additions for England ODIs: Mohammad Amir and Asif Ali
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
The Gandhi Murder
- 71 - Years since the death of MK Gandhi, also christened India's Father of the Nation
- 34 - Nationalities featured in the film The Gandhi Murder
- 7 - million dollars, the film's budget
Results:
Men's 100m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 15 sec; 2. Rheed McCracken (AUS) 15.40; 3. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 15.75. Men's 400m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 50.56; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 50.94; 3. Henry Manni (FIN) 52.24.
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Pharaoh's curse
British aristocrat Lord Carnarvon, who funded the expedition to find the Tutankhamun tomb, died in a Cairo hotel four months after the crypt was opened.
He had been in poor health for many years after a car crash, and a mosquito bite made worse by a shaving cut led to blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Reports at the time said Lord Carnarvon suffered from “pain as the inflammation affected the nasal passages and eyes”.
Decades later, scientists contended he had died of aspergillosis after inhaling spores of the fungus aspergillus in the tomb, which can lie dormant for months. The fact several others who entered were also found dead withiin a short time led to the myth of the curse.
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Monster
Directed by: Anthony Mandler
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., John David Washington
3/5
WWE Evolution results
- Trish Stratus and Lita beat Alicia Fox and Mickie James in a tag match
- Nia Jax won a battle royal, eliminating Ember Moon last to win
- Toni Storm beat Io Shirai to win the Mae Young Classic
- Natalya, Sasha Banks and Bayley beat The Riott Squad in a six-woman tag match
- Shayna Baszler won the NXT Women’s title by defeating Kairi Sane
- Becky Lynch retained the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Charlotte Flair in a Last Woman Standing match
- Ronda Rousey retained the Raw Women’s title by beating Nikki Bella
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Rock in a Hard Place: Music and Mayhem in the Middle East
Orlando Crowcroft
Zed Books
Five expert hiking tips
- Always check the weather forecast before setting off
- Make sure you have plenty of water
- Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon
- Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
- Take your litter home with you
The years Ramadan fell in May
The five pillars of Islam
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Chatham House Rule
A mark of Chatham House’s influence 100 years on since its founding, was Moscow’s formal declaration last month that it was an “undesirable
organisation”.
The depth of knowledge and academics that it drew on
following the Ukraine invasion had broadcast Mr Putin’s chicanery.
The institute is more used to accommodating world leaders,
with Nelson Mandela, Margaret Thatcher among those helping it provide
authoritative commentary on world events.
Chatham House was formally founded as the Royal Institute of
International Affairs following the peace conferences of World War One. Its
founder, Lionel Curtis, wanted a more scientific examination of international affairs
with a transparent exchange of information and ideas.
That arena of debate and analysis was enhanced by the “Chatham
House Rule” states that the contents of any meeting can be discussed outside Chatham
House but no mention can be made identifying individuals who commented.
This has enabled some candid exchanges on difficult subjects
allowing a greater degree of free speech from high-ranking figures.
These meetings are highly valued, so much so that
ambassadors reported them in secret diplomatic cables that – when they were
revealed in the Wikileaks reporting – were thus found to have broken the rule. However,
most speeches are held on the record.
Its research and debate has offered fresh ideas to
policymakers enabling them to more coherently address troubling issues from climate
change to health and food security.
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets