International
Toxic Smog Forces Emergency Measures in New Delhi
Published
4 years agoon
By
Lili Stenn
- A poisonous smog in New Delhi, India has caused the government to declare a public health emergency, shutting down schools and halting construction projects.
- As the city’s 20 million people battle respiratory problems, headaches, and burning eyes, the government has implemented vehicle restrictions that require people to alternate between days they can drive based on their license plate number.
- The pollution, which has become a reoccurring problem for New Delhi this time of year, is caused by a combination of farmers burning crops mixed with vehicle emissions and pollution from firework displays celebrating the Hindu holiday Diwali.
- As a result, many have criticized the government for not doing enough to deal with the pollution and argued that their proposals are only short-term fixes to a long-term problem.
Toxic Smog
Record levels of toxic smog have engulfed the Indian capital of New Delhi as government officials scramble to control the situation.
The poisonous smog, which the Delhi Chief Minister described as “unbearable pollution,” has taken over the city of more than 20 million people since late last week.
It is not currently clear how high the pollution levels are.
Over the weekend, it was reported that the levels were literally off the charts, with some people reporting that most areas in the city showed an air quality index of 999 because the meters can not record above that.
I think we are heading towards Delhi recording the most polluted day in the history of world!! Most of the Delhi areas are showing an AQI of 999 because the meters can't record above that. This is a DISASTER!#DelhiAirEmergency pic.twitter.com/5pY52i5QPw
— Varun Jhaveri (@Varun_Jhaveri) November 3, 2019
That number is three times higher than the “hazardous” level on the global air quality index.
According to other sources, the levels of dangerous particulates were more than 20 times higher than the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended safe daily maximum, which is the equivalent of smoking more than two packs of cigarettes a day.
Government Response
The Indian government responded on Friday by declaring a public health emergency, shutting down all primary schools, and halting construction projects for several days.
The government also said it would distribute masks to five million children in the city.
People have been encouraged to stay inside as much as they can as reports of respiratory problems, headaches, and burning eyes continue.
On Sunday, flights were delayed and diverted due to the fact that pilots could not see through the smog. The smog has also caused traffic and car accidents.
Officials in New Delhi on Monday started restricting the use of private vehicles to try to help lift the pollution.
New Delhi's 'gas chamber' smog reaches worst levels of the year with flights unable to land – Daily Mail https://t.co/7BaWkfxAy9 pic.twitter.com/7f0qoS71OA
— jamespch (@jamespechs) November 4, 2019
Under those restrictions, people can only use their cars on alternating days: Cars with odd-number license plates can drive on odd dates and cars with even-numbered plates can drive on even-numbered dates. Anyone found violating the restrictions will face a fine.
According to reports, the restrictions will not apply on Sunday. Additionally, the seven million motorbikes and scooters registered in the city are exempt from the restrictions, as are those taking public transportation and cars carrying only women.
Yearly Occurrence
While the dangerous smog in New Delhi is certainly significant, it is not something new.
In fact, this kind of air pollution is something that has been happening in New Delhi annually in recent years around this time. It is caused by a combination of a few things that all come together in especially bad timing.
One of the main causes of pollution is crop fires. Every winter, farmers in the surrounding areas of New Delhi in northern India burn old crops to make room to grow new crops.
The smoke and fumes from that process then drift to the suburbs and city, where they mix with construction dust and car emissions.
To make matters worse, that already toxic combination then mixes with smoke from fireworks displays during the Hindu holiday Diwali, which also happens at this time of the year.
However, because so much of the pollution comes from the crop burning, many have criticized the vehicle alternation restrictions, arguing that it will ultimately not do much.
Leaders in New Delhi— which in the past has been labeled the most polluted city in the world— have said any efforts they have made to clear up pollution have been undone by farmers burning crops in nearby states, and largely blamed the farmers.
India air pollution reported at “unbearable levels”. Last week New Delhi recorded an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 999, beyond which reading is not possible – that’s 16 times worse than the prescribed level!!!😳😳😳Who said, "Honey, I've killed the planet", again? pic.twitter.com/7FDY0RbY1e
— Charles Onyango-Obbo (@cobbo3) November 3, 2019
But others have noted that New Delhi frequently does not meet air quality guidelines even when it is not crop-burning and firework season, arguing that the capital has a major issue with traffic pollution.
According to scientists at India’s state-run weather monitor SAFAR, crop burning in nearby states only contributes to just over 40% of Delhi’s pollution.
Taking that data into account, it appears that not just the farmers are responsible, prompting accusations that the politicians are just trying to scapegoat them.
In fact, back in September, even before the recent pollution crisis, government officials had already announced that they would implement the alternating odd-even car rule in early November.
Those restrictions have also been applied before, most recently in 2016.
Broader Problem
While the pollution crisis in Delhi right now is extreme, it is part of a much bigger problem for India as a whole.
In May 2018, a study by the World Health Organization found that out of the top 10 most polluted cities in the world, nine of them were in India.
As a result, many have called on the government to take more accountability and actually do something, arguing that short-term band-aid solutions are not going to change anything.
On Saturday, people in New Delhi protested the lack of government action outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence.
On Monday, India’s Supreme Court criticized both national and state governments for not doing anything to curb the pollution.
“This can’t go on,” the high court said in a report. “People aren’t safe even inside their houses and rooms.”
See what others are saying: (CNN) (The New York Times) (Al Jazeera)
International
95-Year-Old Woman Dies After Police Tases Her in Nursing Home
Published
1 week agoon
May 24, 2023By
Chris Tolve
The officer involved was suspended with pay and charged with assault.
A 95-year-old Australian woman whom police tasered in a nursing home last week has reportedly died from her injuries.
Clare Nowland, who had dementia and required a walking frame to stand up and move, was living at the Yallambee Lodge in Cooma in southeastern Australia.
At about 4:15 a.m. on May 17, police and paramedics responded to a report of a woman standing outside her room with a steak knife.
They encountered Nowland, then reportedly tried to negotiate with her for several minutes, but she didn’t drop the knife.
The five-foot-two, 95-pound woman walked toward the two officers “at a slow pace,” police said at a news conference, so one of them tasered her.
She fell to the floor and reportedly suffered a fractured skull and a severe brain bleed, causing her to be hospitalized in critical condition.
Nowland passed away in a hospital surrounded by her family, the New South Wales police confirmed in a statement today.
After a week-long investigation, the police force also said that the senior constable involved would appear in court next week to face charges of recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and common assault.
NSW police procedure states that tasers should not be used against elderly or disabled people absent exceptional circumstances.
Following the incident, community members, activists, and disability rights advocates expressed bewilderment and anger at what they called an unnecessary use of force, and some are now questioning why law enforcement took so long to prosecute the officer involved.
See what others are saying: (Reuters) (The New York Times) (CNN)
International
U.K. Police Face Backlash After Arresting Anti-Monarchy Protesters
Published
3 weeks agoon
May 8, 2023
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that some of the arrests “raise questions” and “investigations are ongoing.”
The Public Order Act
A controversial protest crackdown law in the U.K. is facing criticism after dozens of anti-monarchy protesters were arrested during the coronation ceremony in London over the weekend.
The law, dubbed the “Public Order Act” was passed roughly a week ahead of the coronation for King Charles III. It gives police more power to restrict protesters and limits the tactics protesters can use in public spaces. It was condemned by human rights groups upon its passing, and is facing a new round of heat after 52 people were arrested over coronation protests on Saturday.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said protesters were arrested for public order offenses, breach of the peace and conspiracy to cause a public nuisance. The group said it gave advance warning that its “tolerance for any disruption, whether through protest or otherwise, will be low and that we would deal robustly with anyone intent on undermining the celebration.”
It is currently unclear how many of those arrested were detained specifically for violating the Public Order Act, however, some of those arrested believe the new law was used against them.
I’m now out of the police station. Still waiting for my colleagues.
— Graham Smith 🇺🇦 🏳️🌈 (@GrahamSmith_) May 6, 2023
Make no mistake. There is no longer a right to peaceful protest in the UK.
I have been told many times the monarch is there to defend our freedoms. Now our freedoms are under attack in his name.
“Make no mistake. There is no longer a right to peaceful protest in the UK,” Graham Smith, the CEO of anti-monarchy group Republic tweeted after getting arrested. “I have been told many times the monarch is there to defend our freedoms. Now our freedoms are under attack in his name.”
An Attempt to “Diminish” Protests
During a BBC Radio interview, Smith also said he believes the dozens of arrests were premeditated.
“There was nothing that we did do that could possibly justify even being detained and arrested and held,” Smith claimed.
“The whole thing was a deliberate attempt to disrupt and diminish our protest.”
Yasmine Ahmed, the U.K. Director of Human Rights Watch, also tweeted that the arrests were “disgraceful.”
All the while people are being arrested on the streets of London for peacefully protesting against the monarchy. @RishiSunak ppl in 🇬🇧 also take pride in our democracy & democratic rights. These are scenes you’d expect to see in Russia not the UK. It’s disgraceful not dazzling! https://t.co/2Ukd4gIKPS
— Yasmine Ahmed (@YasmineAhmed001) May 6, 2023
“These are scenes you’d expect to see in Russia not the UK,” she wrote.
When asked about the controversy, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told reporters officers should do “what they think is best” in an apparent show of support for the Metropolitan Police.
For his part, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he is looking into the matter.
Some of the arrests made by police as part of the Coronation event raise questions and whilst investigations are ongoing, I've sought urgent clarity from Met leaders on the action taken. 2/2
— Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan (@MayorofLondon) May 7, 2023
“Some of the arrests made by police as part of the Coronation event raise questions and whilst investigations are ongoing, I’ve sought urgent clarity from Met leaders on the action taken,” Khan tweeted.
See what others are saying: (The Guardian) (CNN) (The Washington Post)
International
Foreign Nationals Make Mad Dash out of Sudan as Conflict Rages
Published
1 month agoon
April 24, 2023By
Chris Tolve
The conflict’s death toll has surpassed 420, with nearly 4,000 people wounded.
As the 10-day-long power struggle between rival generals tore Sudan apart, foreign governments with citizens in the country scrambled to evacuate them over the weekend.
On Sunday, U.S. special forces landed in the capital Khartoum and carried out nearly 100 American diplomats along with their families and some foreign nationals on helicopters.
An estimated 16,000 Americans, however, remain in the country and U.S. officials said in a statement that a broader evacuation mission would be too dangerous.
Christopher Maier, the assistant secretary of defense for special operations and low-intensity warfare, said in a statement that the Pentagon may assist U.S. citizens find safe routes out of Sudan.
“[The Defense Department] is at present considering actions that may include use of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to be able to observe routes and detect threats,” he said.
Germany and France also reportedly pulled around 700 people out of the country.
More countries followed with similar efforts, including the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Canada, China, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Indonesia.
Yesterday, a convoy carrying some 700 United Nations, NGO, and embassy staff drove to Port Sudan, a popular extraction point now that the airport in Khartoum has closed due to fighting.
Reports of gunmen prowling the capital streets and robbing people trying to escape, as well as looters breaking into abandoned homes and shops, have persuaded most residents to stay indoors.
Heavy gunfire, airstrikes, and artillery shelling have terrorized the city despite several proposed ceasefires.
Over the weekend, the reported death toll topped 420, with nearly 4,000 people injured, though both numbers are likely to be undercounted.
See what others are saying: (The Guardian) (The New York Times) (The Washington Post)

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