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Delhi Closes Primary Schools Amidst Severe Smog Crisis
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All primary schools in Delhi are set to close due to a significant deterioration in air quality, officials have confirmed. Chief Minister Atishi Marlena Singh announced the move on X, stating that classes will be conducted online until further notice as a dense smog blankets the city.
The Indian capital, along with nearby regions, is grappling with hazardous air pollution levels that pose serious health risks. On Thursday, the concentration of fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) exceeded 50 times the safe limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO). The seasonal smog in Delhi and northern states is exacerbated by colder temperatures, stagnant air, emissions from vehicles, industrial activities, and the widespread practice of burning crop stubble.
According to data from IQAir, a Swiss-based air quality monitoring group, Delhi recorded an average PM 2.5 level of 254 micrograms per cubic meter on Thursday, while the WHO’s recommended safe threshold is just 15 over 24 hours. These tiny particles, capable of penetrating deep into the lungs, can impact various organs and contribute to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, with potential developmental impacts on children.
Larger particulate matter (PM 10) levels were also alarmingly high, reaching an average of 495 micrograms per cubic meter—more than 10 times the daily safe level advised by the WHO.
The crisis extends beyond Delhi; cities such as Gurugram, Noida, and Chandigarh are also experiencing similarly hazardous air conditions. Residents have reported eye irritation and respiratory difficulties, as noted in local news reports. A study published in The Lancet in July highlighted that approximately 7.2% of daily deaths in Delhi could be linked to PM 2.5 exposure.
Although forecasts indicate a slight decrease in pollution levels in the coming days, they are expected to remain in the unhealthy range. Delhi’s authorities have implemented various measures to combat the crisis, such as spraying roads with dust-suppressant water and halting non-essential construction. Residents have also been advised to reduce coal burning.
However, critics argue that these interventions have shown limited success. The severity of the smog is so pronounced that it has been captured in satellite imagery shared by NASA, which shows the pollution stretching across northern India and into Pakistan.
Earlier this month, Lahore in Pakistan faced a similar situation, prompting officials to temporarily shut down its primary schools due to dangerous air quality levels.
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Australian Nurses Suspended Over Antisemitic Video Amid National Crackdown on Hate Speech
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Two Australian nurses have been suspended after a video surfaced showing them making violent antisemitic remarks, including threats to harm Israeli patients. The incident, which allegedly took place at a hospital in Sydney, has sparked outrage and is now under police investigation.
New South Wales (NSW) Health Minister Ryan Park confirmed that the two individuals had been stood down immediately and would never work in the state’s healthcare system again. Authorities are conducting a thorough review of hospital records to ensure no patients were harmed, though a rapid preliminary check found nothing unusual.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the video as “sickening and shameful,” emphasizing that antisemitism has no place in Australia. His comments come just days after the country passed stricter hate crime laws in response to a surge in antisemitic incidents.
The video, shared online by Israeli content creator Max Veifer, appears to have been recorded in a hospital setting. In the footage, a man claiming to be a doctor tells Veifer he has “beautiful eyes” but adds, “I’m sorry you’re Israeli,” before making a throat-slitting gesture and stating he sends Israelis to “Jahannam” (an Islamic concept of hell). A woman later appears on screen, saying she refuses to treat Israelis and will “kill them” instead.
Despite the video being edited with emojis and censoring certain comments, authorities have not questioned its authenticity. NSW Police stated they have identified the individuals involved and are investigating whether criminal charges should be pursued.
Albanese vowed that anyone found guilty of committing hate crimes will “face the full force of our laws.” Park echoed this sentiment, apologizing to the Jewish community and reassuring them that NSW hospitals remain committed to providing “first-class” healthcare to all patients, regardless of background.
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Coca-Cola May Increase Plastic Bottle Use Due to Trump’s Aluminium Tariffs
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Coca-Cola has warned that it may have to increase the use of plastic bottles in the U.S. if President Donald Trump’s new tariffs make aluminium cans too expensive. The announcement was made by Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey during a call with investors.
Trump’s recent order imposes a 25% import tax on all steel and aluminium entering the U.S., a move expected to raise costs for canned food and beverage manufacturers. Quincey acknowledged that Coca-Cola could shift more emphasis to PET plastic bottles to manage affordability.
“If aluminium cans become more expensive, we can put more emphasis on PET bottles,” he said, while noting that packaging costs are only a small fraction of the company’s overall expenses.
This shift comes shortly after Coca-Cola scaled back its sustainability goal of using 50% recycled materials in its packaging by 2030, adjusting the target to 35-40% by 2035. The beverage giant has been under pressure from environmental groups, which have labeled it the world’s “top global plastic polluter” for six years in a row.
Aluminium cans, despite being pricier, are far more recyclable than plastic bottles. The U.S. imports nearly half of its aluminium, according to the United States Geological Survey, making the tariffs a significant factor in production costs. Unlike in 2018, when some can-makers received exemptions from similar tariffs, Trump has now ruled out any exceptions for products or countries.
In a separate move, Trump also signed an executive order rolling back efforts to replace plastic straws with paper alternatives in government facilities—undoing a policy introduced by former President Joe Biden, who had called plastic pollution a “crisis.”
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U.S. Justice Department Orders Prosecutors to Drop Corruption Case Against NYC Mayor
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The U.S. Justice Department has directed federal prosecutors to drop the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams, citing concerns that the indictment was hindering his ability to address illegal immigration and crime.
The directive came from Acting Deputy Attorney General Emil Bove, a former defense attorney for President Donald Trump, who stated in a memo that no further investigative steps should be taken until after the 2025 mayoral election. The memo also instructed prosecutors to work toward restoring Adams’ security clearance.
Adams, a Democrat, has recently forged a closer relationship with Trump and ordered city law enforcement to cooperate with federal immigration raids—a move that critics argue undermines New York’s sanctuary city policies. However, he denies having discussed his case with Trump.
Adams was indicted in September on five charges related to accepting over $100,000 in illegal gifts and campaign contributions from Turkish officials in exchange for political favors, including allegedly assisting with safety regulation exemptions for a Turkish consulate in New York. He has pleaded not guilty.
Despite the Justice Department’s order, prosecutors have not yet confirmed whether they will comply. Any decision to drop the case must be formally submitted to the court and approved by a judge.
The move has sparked concerns about political influence in the justice system. While Bove’s memo states that the decision does not assess the strength of the evidence against Adams, it acknowledges that his past criticism of immigration policies under the Biden administration “cannot be ignored.”
Adams, who attended Trump’s presidential inauguration and recently met with him in Florida, has faced backlash from Democratic leaders for aligning with the Republican president. Meanwhile, Trump has previously claimed that both he and Adams were “persecuted” for opposing Biden’s immigration policies.
The Justice Department’s decision to delay potential future prosecution until after the next mayoral election raises questions about the case’s trajectory and whether it may be revisited under a new administration.