"pollution problem."

#12871975

17 October 2025

A portion of Kathmandu, Nepal, is covered by a thin layer of smog that shrouds the atmosphere of the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley on October 17, 2025, with the Air Quality Index measuring above 100. The average readings of Kathmandu's pollution exceed the annual average concentrations of PM2.5 of 5 ug/m3, while 24-hour average exposures should not exceed 15 ug/m3 more than 3-4 days per year, as prescribed by the World Health Organization. PM2.5 refers to particulate matter (solid or liquid droplets) in the air less than 2.5 micrometres in diameter. It is among the most dangerous pollutants that can get past the nose and throat to penetrate the lungs and even the bloodstream. PM2.5 particles are small and are also likely to stay suspended in the air for long, increasing the chances of people inhaling them. According to Nepal's Environmental Protection Agency's air quality index, an air quality reading of 151-200 is considered unhealthy, causing everyone to experience problems and sensitive groups to feel more severe effects. When air quality reaches 201-300, it is considered a very unhealthy level, and health risks increase for everyone in the area. When it crosses 300, it becomes hazardous, meaning that the air is of extremely poor quality and poses serious health risks to everyone.

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#12868178

16 October 2025

Teenagers hold a large banner reading ''stop pollution in Gabes, stop pollution everywhere, save Gabes'' while shouting slogans during a mass protest that brings together thousands of residents in Gabes, Tunisia, on October 15, 2025, to protest and demand the dismantling of the units of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT). The mobilization comes after a surge in cases of respiratory problems, poisonings, and illnesses affecting students at a middle school located near the phosphate processing plant, sparking anger among a population exposed to chemical risks for more than fifty years. In 2017, Tunisian authorities promise the gradual dismantling of the polluting units of the Gabes chemical complex following strong protests against pollution. However, this decision is never fully implemented, and the population continues to suffer from massive pollution.

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#12868192

16 October 2025

Protesters hold up the Tunisian and anti-pollution flags as they head towards the Tunisian Chemical Group's plants (GCT) in Gabes, Tunisia, on October 15, 2025, to protest and demand the dismantling of the units of the GCT. The mobilization comes after a surge in cases of respiratory problems, poisonings, and illnesses affecting students at a middle school located near the phosphate processing plant, sparking anger among a population exposed to chemical risks for more than fifty years. In 2017, Tunisian authorities promise the gradual dismantling of the polluting units of the Gabes chemical complex following strong protests against pollution. However, this decision is never fully implemented, and the population continues to suffer from massive pollution.

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#12868165

16 October 2025

A young protester holds a placard reading in Arabic, ''Gabes is crying for help, stop the pollution,'' as others hold a large banner reading ''stop pollution'' during a mass protest that brings together thousands of residents in Gabes, Tunisia, on October 15, 2025, to protest and demand the dismantling of the units of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT). The mobilization comes after a surge in cases of respiratory problems, poisonings, and illnesses affecting students at a middle school located near the phosphate processing plant, sparking anger among a population exposed to chemical risks for more than fifty years. In 2017, Tunisian authorities promise the gradual dismantling of the polluting units of the Gabes chemical complex following strong protests against pollution. However, this decision is never fully implemented, and the population continues to suffer from massive pollution.

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#12868174

16 October 2025

Protesters wave a large Tunisian flag as they march through the streets, shouting slogans and holding a banner reading ''stop pollution'' during a mass protest that brings together thousands of residents in Gabes, Tunisia, on October 15, 2025, to protest and demand the dismantling of the units of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT). The mobilization comes after a surge in cases of respiratory problems, poisonings, and illnesses affecting students at a middle school located near the phosphate processing plant, sparking anger among a population exposed to chemical risks for more than fifty years. In 2017, Tunisian authorities promise the gradual dismantling of the polluting units of the Gabes chemical complex following strong protests against pollution. However, this decision is never fully implemented, and the population continues to suffer from massive pollution.

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#12868157

16 October 2025

Demonstrators shout slogans while raising placards reading ''dismantling of polluting units in Gabes'' during a mass protest that brings together thousands of residents in Gabes, Tunisia, on October 15, 2025, to protest and demand the dismantling of the units of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT). The mobilization comes after a surge in cases of respiratory problems, poisonings, and illnesses affecting students at a middle school located near the phosphate processing plant, sparking anger among a population exposed to chemical risks for more than fifty years. In 2017, Tunisian authorities promise the gradual dismantling of the polluting units of the Gabes chemical complex following strong protests against pollution. However, this decision is never fully implemented, and the population continues to suffer from massive pollution.

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#12868160

16 October 2025

A teenager holds up a placard that reads in Arabic, ''The chemical group is killing us and the state is doing nothing,'' during a mass protest that brings together thousands of residents in Gabes, Tunisia, on October 15, 2025, to protest and demand the dismantling of the units of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT). The mobilization comes after a surge in cases of respiratory problems, poisonings, and illnesses affecting students at a middle school located near the phosphate processing plant, sparking anger among a population exposed to chemical risks for more than fifty years. In 2017, Tunisian authorities promise the gradual dismantling of the polluting units of the Gabes chemical complex following strong protests against pollution. However, this decision is never fully implemented, and the population continues to suffer from massive pollution.

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#12868163

16 October 2025

A protester wears an oxygen mask and holds a sign in Arabic reading ''Gabes without oxygen,'' while another wears a gas mask during a mass protest that brings together thousands of residents in Gabes, Tunisia, on October 15, 2025, to protest and demand the dismantling of the units of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT). The mobilization comes after a surge in cases of respiratory problems, poisonings, and illnesses affecting students at a middle school located near the phosphate processing plant, sparking anger among a population exposed to chemical risks for more than fifty years. In 2017, Tunisian authorities promise the gradual dismantling of the polluting units of the Gabes chemical complex following strong protests against pollution. However, this decision is never fully implemented, and the population continues to suffer from massive pollution.

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#12868166

16 October 2025

A female protester holds a placard reading in Arabic ''climate justice is a right, not a favor'' while shouting slogans, and another placard reading ''stop the genocide'' is raised during a mass protest that brings together thousands of residents in Gabes, Tunisia, on October 15, 2025, to protest and demand the dismantling of the units of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT). The mobilization comes after a surge in cases of respiratory problems, poisonings, and illnesses affecting students at a middle school located near the phosphate processing plant, sparking anger among a population exposed to chemical risks for more than fifty years. In 2017, Tunisian authorities promise the gradual dismantling of the polluting units of the Gabes chemical complex following strong protests against pollution. However, this decision is never fully implemented, and the population continues to suffer from massive pollution.

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#12868167

16 October 2025

A teenager holds up a placard reading in Arabic, ''The people demand the dismantling of the polluting units,'' while shouting slogans during a mass protest that brings together thousands of residents in Gabes, Tunisia, on October 15, 2025, to protest and demand the dismantling of the units of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT). The mobilization comes after a surge in cases of respiratory problems, poisonings, and illnesses affecting students at a middle school located near the phosphate processing plant, sparking anger among a population exposed to chemical risks for more than fifty years. In 2017, Tunisian authorities promise the gradual dismantling of the polluting units of the Gabes chemical complex following strong protests against pollution. However, this decision is never fully implemented, and the population continues to suffer from massive pollution.

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#12868169

16 October 2025

A protester wearing an oxygen mask holds a sign in Arabic reading ''Gabes without oxygen'' while others shout slogans during a mass protest that brings together thousands of residents in Gabes, Tunisia, on October 15, 2025, to protest and demand the dismantling of the units of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT). The mobilization comes after a surge in cases of respiratory problems, poisonings, and illnesses affecting students at a middle school located near the phosphate processing plant, sparking anger among a population exposed to chemical risks for more than fifty years. In 2017, Tunisian authorities promise the gradual dismantling of the polluting units of the Gabes chemical complex following strong protests against pollution. However, this decision is never fully implemented, and the population continues to suffer from massive pollution.

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#12868171

16 October 2025

Protesters wave a large Tunisian flag as they march through the streets during a mass protest that brings together thousands of residents in Gabes, Tunisia, on October 15, 2025, to protest and demand the dismantling of the units of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT). The mobilization comes after a surge in cases of respiratory problems, poisonings, and illnesses affecting students at a middle school located near the phosphate processing plant, sparking anger among a population exposed to chemical risks for more than fifty years. In 2017, Tunisian authorities promise the gradual dismantling of the polluting units of the Gabes chemical complex following strong protests against pollution. However, this decision is never fully implemented, and the population continues to suffer from massive pollution.

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#12868172

16 October 2025

Protesters wave a large Tunisian flag as they march through the streets while shouting slogans during a mass protest that brings together thousands of residents in Gabes, Tunisia, on October 15, 2025, to protest and demand the dismantling of the units of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT). The mobilization comes after a surge in cases of respiratory problems, poisonings, and illnesses affecting students at a middle school located near the phosphate processing plant, sparking anger among a population exposed to chemical risks for more than fifty years. In 2017, Tunisian authorities promise the gradual dismantling of the polluting units of the Gabes chemical complex following strong protests against pollution. However, this decision is never fully implemented, and the population continues to suffer from massive pollution.

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#12868175

16 October 2025

A young Tunisian woman holds a doll wearing an oxygen mask during a mass protest that brings together thousands of residents in Gabes, Tunisia, on October 15, 2025, to protest and demand the dismantling of the units of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT). The mobilization comes after a surge in cases of respiratory problems, poisonings, and illnesses affecting students at a middle school located near the phosphate processing plant, sparking anger among a population exposed to chemical risks for more than fifty years. In 2017, Tunisian authorities promise the gradual dismantling of the polluting units of the Gabes chemical complex following strong protests against pollution. However, this decision is never fully implemented, and the population continues to suffer from massive pollution.

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#12868176

16 October 2025

A young Tunisian woman holds a doll wearing an oxygen mask during a mass protest that brings together thousands of residents in Gabes, Tunisia, on October 15, 2025, to protest and demand the dismantling of the units of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT). The mobilization comes after a surge in cases of respiratory problems, poisonings, and illnesses affecting students at a middle school located near the phosphate processing plant, sparking anger among a population exposed to chemical risks for more than fifty years. In 2017, Tunisian authorities promise the gradual dismantling of the polluting units of the Gabes chemical complex following strong protests against pollution. However, this decision is never fully implemented, and the population continues to suffer from massive pollution.

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#12868177

16 October 2025

A woman holds a sign in Arabic reading ''Kais Saied, you must hold all those responsible for this crime accountable'' during a mass protest that brings together thousands of residents in Gabes, Tunisia, on October 15, 2025, to protest and demand the dismantling of the units of the Tunisian Chemical Group (GCT). The mobilization comes after a surge in cases of respiratory problems, poisonings, and illnesses affecting students at a middle school located near the phosphate processing plant, sparking anger among a population exposed to chemical risks for more than fifty years. In 2017, Tunisian authorities promise the gradual dismantling of the polluting units of the Gabes chemical complex following strong protests against pollution. However, this decision is never fully implemented, and the population continues to suffer from massive pollution.

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