Pollution levels in the Indian capital have soared to their highest levels this year, forcing schools and offices to close and cloaking the city in thick brown smog. In some parts of the city, a live air quality ranking by IQAir put pollution levels at more than 30 times the maximum level deemed healthy. The catastrophic levels of pollution have led to numerous emergency measures, including most schools being closed and lessons moved online. The smog arrives annually as the weather in the north of India gets colder, trapping toxic pollutants from the tens of millions of cars on the road, as well as from rubbish fires, construction and factory emissions. Experts say the toxic air quality is reducing life expectancy in the city by an average of seven years

‘The first time we opened up Ludstone Hall to the public, there was a lady who said to me that she had waited all her life to see inside the house,” Steve Smith says. This majestic Jacobean manor has been described as one of the most historically important houses in the West Midlands, but to Steve, 61, it was simply his parents’ home for 27 years. He remembers viewing the house with his father, Keith, with whom he co-founded the retailer Poundland in 1990. His parents were returning to the UK following a number of years living in Mallorca and they were looking for a country pile in which to spend their twilight years. Steve described the house as “derelict” when Keith bought it from

Children and adults alike were treated to an afternoon of outrageous science experiments. The Corn Hall in Diss welcomed the return of Mark Thompson with his award-winning, spectacular science show on Saturday. The TV and radio show presenter and podcaster wowed the audience with a variety of fun experiments exploring the strange and magical properties of matter, with exploding elephant’s toothpaste, vortex-generating dustbins and howling jelly babies. Lee Johnson, the general manager of The Corn Hall, said: “Mark’s show really was spectacular on Saturday. “We love having Mark’s shows here at The Corn Hall as they are always fascinating and fun in equal measure.”As a reader, we know the value you place on trusted local journalism.

'Controlled explosion' at US Embassy in London, Gatwick Airport's South Terminal evacuatedLondon’s Metropolitan Police confirmed that a controlled explosion was carried out on Friday near the US Embassy in Nine Elms.This came following reports of a suspicious package in the area. "Meanwhile, in another "security incident" a large part of the South Terminal of UK's Gatwick airport has been evacuated. "A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident. "A security cordon is in place around the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport following discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage. The South Terminal is reopening to staff and will be open to passengers shortly.

The S&P Global flash UK composite purchasing managers’ index dropped to 49.9 in November (PA)Activity across the UK’s private sector contracted in the first weeks of November, amid a slump in business optimism and in the period following the Budget. The S&P Global flash UK composite purchasing managers’ index (PMI) reported a reading of 49.9 for November, down from 51.8 in October and a 13-month low. It came in behind expectations of economists, who had pencilled in a reading of 51.8 for the latest survey. “Businesses have reported falling output for the first time in just over a year while employment has now been cut for two consecutive months. “Companies are giving a clear ‘thumbs down’ to the policies announced in the Budget, especially the planned increase in employers’ national insurance contributions.”

Hamilton fastest in both Vegas practice sessionsAndrew BensonBBC F1 correspondent in Las VegasImage source, Getty ImagesMercedes driver Lewis Hamilton headed both Friday practice sessions at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. The seven-time champion led team-mate George Russell in the first session and McLaren’s Lando Norris in the second. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who can clinch his fourth world title this weekend, had a difficult day and ended up 17th fastest. The Dutchman will win the title as long as he does not lose more than two points to Norris in the race on Saturday (06:00 GMT Sunday). Hamilton was 0.011 seconds quicker than Norris in the second session, and 0.396secs clear of Russell in third.

The international criminal court has issued arrest warrants for the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel's former defence minister Yoav Gallant and the late Hamas military leader Mohammed Deif over alleged war crimes committed in Gaza. The US, which is not an ICC member, has previously welcomed ICC war crimes warrants against Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials for atrocities committed in Ukraine

Patients with anorexia nervosa would qualify for assisted suicide under Kim Leadbeater’s proposals, a leading eating disorder charity has warned. According to the National Institute for Health and Care and Excellence, over 725,000 people suffer from eating disorders in the UK. According to the study, US patients with eating disorders were prescribed lethal drugs based on the controversial “pseudo-diagnostic” label of “terminal anorexia”. In Belgium and the Netherlands, patients with eating disorders were considered eligible for euthanasia or assisted suicide on the grounds that their condition was deemed by medics to be ‘hopeless’ or ‘untreatable’. Signatories to the joint statement against assisted suicide for eating disorders said: “We categorically reject the argument that assisted suicide is a form of compassionate care for individuals with eating disorders.

But despite the rich symbolism and the palpable warmth between two centrist leaders, the visit was overshadowed by Donald J. Trump’s victory in the American presidential election a week earlier. With his history of antagonism toward the European Union, Mr. Trump’s return complicates Mr. Starmer’s intention to “turn a corner on Brexit” and pursue what he called a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to rebuild ties with the rest of Europe. What could have been an economically profitable, if politically delicate, bridge-building exercise for Britain’s Labour government now threatens to become more of a binary choice between the E.U. and the United States. Closer British trade ties with Europe, warn diplomats and people in Mr. Trump’s orbit, could come at the expense of relations with the incoming American president, who is a confirmed Brexiteer and cheered when his last British counterpart, Boris Johnson, picked fights with the E.U.

The hundreds of thousands of retail investors who own shares in BT have had a decent year so far, with the stock shooting up from a low of around 105p in April by more than 40 per cent to 148p. The market has lapped up the telecom group’s plans to slim down, cut costs and keep ramping up its dividend. So is it time to revisit the shares in this former state monopoly? BT makes most of its money from its infrastructure arm Openreach and the EE mobile network, which resides in its consumer division. Together these two businesses made up more than 80 per cent of the group’s total £2.2 billion operating profit in its financial year ended in March.

Nov 22, 2024 12:00:00An 'AI Christ' that talks to believers and forgives their sins is born, and two-thirds of those who confess their sins say it was a 'spiritual experience'In Christianity, there is a ritual called 'confession ' to receive forgiveness of sins. 'We considered theologians, laypeople, saints, and so on, but ultimately we came to the conclusion that the best avatar would be Christ himself. After that, Deus in Machina will accept questions and confessions from believers, generate answers in real time, and provide them to believers. Of the more than 230 participants who provided feedback, two-thirds said it was a spiritual experience. Deus in Machina is indeed a machine, but it gave me a lot of good advice from a Christian perspective.

A Children in Need spokesman said: "Nothing is more important to us than the safety of all children and young people. Children in Need suspended grants to the charity in May 2024, after Millard says she alerted them to his case. However, Millard, who used to be an arts correspondent for BBC News, criticised Children in Need for what she said was a lack of due diligence. She accused chief executive Simon Antrobus of failing to respond “with the necessary level of seriousness” and hesitating to take action. Antrobus, who has been chief executive of Children In Need since 2016 and previously held senior positions at Parkinson's UK and Scope, has not publicly commented.

Wondering when Spotify Wrapped 2024 will be coming out? When does Spotify Wrapped 2024 come out? How to get your Spotify Wrapped when it dropsIt’s easy to find your Spotify Wrapped, but you need to be a Spotify subscriber, have the app installed on your phone and be signed in. Alternatively, head to Spotify’s website and Spotify Wrapped should be there. Read more:AdvertisementCheck out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to see what's on tonight.

Read our privacy policyDonald Trump has announced he’s going to nominate former Florida Republican congressman Matt Gaetz to serve as attorney general. Here’s what you need to know about Gaetz, who was once dubbed the “Trumpiest Congressman” in Washington:Who is Matt Gaetz? Gaetz, an attorney by trade, was elected to Congress in 2016 to represent Florida’s first district, after previously serving in the Florida House. Why was Matt Gaetz investigated? How are leaders reacting to Matt Gaetz being suggested?

Sometimes you can give an event a quite different colour by switching its date only a few weeks. Sherelle Jacobs, one of the Telegraph’s libertarian columnists, reflected on the economic consequences of assisted suicide with refreshing candour: “Assisted dying will leave society financially better off. “Assisted dying will also help people protect their family wealth. Society may soon be faced with a large number of very old people eking out miserable and painful lives. How fortunate the country is to have in the Church of England an example of real moral depravity on which to fix its eyes as it votes on assisted dying.