DUBAI, Dec 03 (AFP): Dubai's glitzy skyline was obscured by a blanket of smog rated as "unhealthy" on Sunday as thousands of delegates attended a COP28 conference dedicated to the harmful effects of air pollution.
The air quality index reached 155 micrograms per cubic metre of PM2.5 pollution-the fine particulate matter that is most harmful, as it can enter the bloodstream-according to WAQI.info, a real-time pollution tracker.
In "unhealthy" air quality, "everyone may begin to experience health effects; members of sensitive groups may experience more serious health effects," the website warns.
Hazy conditions have been noticeable over the first few days of the UN's COP28, where negotiators are trying to hammer out a global agreement to reduce emissions and curb climate change.
About 80,000 people are registered to take part in the biggest edition yet of the UN climate talks in the United Arab Emirates, one of the world's biggest oil producers.
Sunday is designated as "health" day at COP28, where topics under discussion include air quality and the unhealthy effects of climate change.
Outdoor air pollution driven by fossil fuel emissions kills more than four million people a year, according to the World Health Organization, as it increases the risk of respiratory diseases, strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, diabetes and other problems.
The damage is caused partly by PM2.5 microparticles, which mostly come from fossil fuels burned in transportation and industry.
COP28 is unfolding about 11 kilometres (seven miles) from the Jebel Ali Power and Desalination Complex, the world's biggest gas-fuelled power station.
Other polluters nearby include Jebel Ali port and Al Maktoum international airport, while about 200 kilometres (124 miles) west lies Abu Dhabi's Bab oil field.
Animal' emerges
as box office
success
MUMBAI, Dec 03 (PTI): Ranbir Kapoor's violent crime drama 'Animal' has raised Rs 236 crore gross at the global box office, the makers said on Sunday.
Directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga of 'Kabir Singh' fame, 'Animal' released on Friday in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Kannada and Malayalam.
Production banner T-Series shared the two-day collection of the family crime drama, which was given A certificate by the CBFC ahead of its release.
"Rewriting the script of success. 2-day worldwide gross Rs 236 crore," T-Series posted on X.
The pan-India movie also features Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Rashmika Mandanna and Triptii Dimri.
It showcases a violent world set against the backdrop of a troubled relationship between Ranbir's Ranvijay Singh and his father Balbir Singh, played by Anil Kapoor.
'Animal' is produced by Bhushan Kumar and Krishan Kumar's T-Series, Murad Khetani's Cine1 Studios and Pranay Reddy Vanga's Bhadrakali Pictures.