Authorities in New Delhi closed primary schools and imposed vehicle and construction restrictions on Friday, as air pollution levels in the Indian capital remained “severe”.
The government-run Central Pollution Control Board said air quality readings in parts of the city were above 400, the threshold to be considered "severe". Swiss technology company IQAir, which analyses global pollution data, reported a score of 856.
Thick toxic smog has blanketed the city in recent weeks, with visibility dropping to 400 metres in at least two areas. New Delhi's satellite cities, including Noida, Ghaziabad, Faridabad and Gurgaon, were also affected by the smog.
Experts say an air quality reading between 400 and 500 on the government's scale is equal to smoking 25 cigarettes a day. Authorities said the level of PM 2.5 – fine particles in the air blamed for lung and heart diseases – reached 494 microns per cubic metre, almost 100 times more than the World Health Organisation's safe limit.
Pollution in the Indian capital reached severe levels on Thursday, prompting authorities to impose restrictions. Delhi interim Chief Minister Atishi announced that in-person lessons at primary schools were suspended until further notice.
“Due to rising pollution levels, all primary schools in Delhi will be shifting to online classes, until further directions,” she said on X.
The Commission for Air Quality Management, the federal air pollution monitoring agency, announced a ban on construction and demolition activities and imposed restrictions on the use of certain petrol and diesel vehicles in New Delhi and its satellite cities. Those found to have breached the order faced fines of 20,000 rupees ($236).
The use of diesel generators, except in emergencies, has also been halted. Authorities will also increase road sweeping and spray water on major routes to suppress dust levels.
New Delhi struggles with toxic air pollution throughout the year, with smog created by vehicle emissions, dust from construction work and industrial pollution. Research by the Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi found that vehicle emissions generate half of the city’s air pollution.
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'Saand Ki Aankh'
Produced by: Reliance Entertainment with Chalk and Cheese Films
Director: Tushar Hiranandani
Cast: Taapsee Pannu, Bhumi Pednekar, Prakash Jha, Vineet Singh
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
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Six large-scale objects on show
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- The 17th Century Agra Colonnade, from the bathhouse of the fort of Agra in India
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- Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1930s Kaufmann Office
- A full-scale Frankfurt Kitchen designed by Margarete Schütte-Lihotzky, which transformed kitchen design in the 20th century
- Torrijos Palace dome
Company%20Profile
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LILO & STITCH
Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Rating: 4.5/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Strait of Hormuz
Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.
The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.
Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
Four tips to secure IoT networks
Mohammed Abukhater, vice president at FireEye in the Middle East, said:
- Keep device software up-to-date. Most come with basic operating system, so users should ensure that they always have the latest version
- Besides a strong password, use two-step authentication. There should be a second log-in step like adding a code sent to your mobile number
- Usually smart devices come with many unnecessary features. Users should lock those features that are not required or used frequently
- Always create a different guest network for visitors
Jeff Buckley: From Hallelujah To The Last Goodbye
By Dave Lory with Jim Irvin
