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Stark before and after images have revealed how air pollution has visibly dropped after half the world's population were placed under strict lockdown orders due to coronavirus.

In Italy - the first European country to enact a full lockdown - a haze hanging over Milan cleared away while Venice's Grand Canal was free of smog as tourists were forced to stay at home.

New Delhi, in India, frequently ranks among the most polluted cities in the world, and images taken two years ago show a thick pall of smoke hanging over the city.

But new images show blue skies visible as local celebrated the 'alpine weather' after people were ordered to stop working and stay at home.