NEW DELHI — Two Indian cities joined New Delhi to be among the world’s worst 10 for pollution on Monday morning, with smoke heavy in the air a day after revelers let loose with firecrackers for Diwali – the annual Hindu festival of light. It had an air quality index (AQI) figure of 420, putting it the ‘hazardous’ category, according to Swiss group IQAir. An AQI level of 400-500 impacts healthy people and is dangerous to those with existing diseases, while a level of 150-200 brings discomfort to people with asthma, lung and heart problems. ADVERTISEMENTEvery year authorities impose bans on firecrackers in the capital, but only rarely do those bans appear to be enforced. Air quality in India deteriorates every year ahead of winter, when cold air traps pollutants from vehicles, industry, construction dust and agricultural waste burning.

Rescue workers in northern India said Monday they had made contact with 40 workers trapped for over 24 hours after the road tunnel they were building collapsed. "All the 40 workers trapped inside the tunnel are safe," Karamveer Singh Bhandari, a senior commander in the National Disaster Response Force told AFP, from the site in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. The collapse occurred early Sunday morning, with rescue teams using heavy excavators to clear piles of debris in desperate efforts to reach the 40 men. Rathodi said excavators had removed about 20 metres (65 feet) of heavy debris, but the men were 40 metres beyond that point. "Contact has been made with the workers trapped in the tunnel through a walkie-talkie," he said.

BEIRUT: The olives massively planted in southern Lebanon are ripening in time following a sun-soaked summer, awaiting to be harvested in bulk. "With drones flying over our heads, olives-picking is fraught with danger," Adel Khoury, a farmer from the southern Lebanese village of Rachaya al-Foukhar, told Xinhua. BAD FOR BUSINESS This Oct. 17, 2018 file photo shows a farmer harvesting olives in the district of Koura in north Lebanon. Olive harvest in Lebanon is hampered by Israeli attacks. The oil-rich fruit sustains the livelihood of more than 80 percent of people in the border areas, Adel Yahya, a Lebanese farmer from the southeastern village of Halta, told Xinhua.

LUCKNOW, India: Millions of Indians celebrated Diwali on Sunday with a Guinness World Record number of bright earthen oil lamps as concerns about air pollution soared in the South Asian country. Across the country, dazzling multicolored lights decked homes and streets as devotees celebrated the annual Hindu festival of light symbolizing the victory of light over darkness. After counting the lamps, Guinness Book of World Records representatives presented a record certificate to Yogi Adityanath, the state's top elected official. Air pollution level is expected to soar again after celebrations ended on Sunday night because of the fireworks used. Authorities deployed water sprinklers and anti-smog guns to control the haze and many people used masks to escape the air pollution.

Earth is nearly certain to experience its hottest year after October smashed temperature records, with the UN secretary-general blaming governments for "runaway climate carelessness" by failing to cut fossil fuel production. The Copernicus European Earth observation agency said temperatures in October were 0.85C above the long-term average for the month.

MANILA, Philippines —A coalition of human rights advocates has criticized what it describes as multiple instances of assault against human rights advocates in the Philippines. “The international community must oppose these,” he added. ADVERTISEMENTICHRP cited “extra-judicial killings, disappearances, and the intensifying suppression of civil liberties” as ongoing human rights and international humanitarian law violations happening in the state. The statement was given during a three-day conference held by ICHRP in Bangkok, Thailand from November 6 to 9. It was attended by more than 100 human rights advocates from over 30 organizations across the globe.

SpaceX hopes for second Starship flight test next weekWASHINTON, United States — SpaceX is hoping to re-launch Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, next week, the company said, after an attempt in April ended in a spectacular explosion. "Starship preparing to launch as early as November 17, pending final regulatory approval," SpaceX said on X Friday evening. SpaceX foresees Starship as a next-generation, fully reusable spaceship that will eventually carry both crew and cargo to Mars. The Federal Aviation Administration needs to issue a launch license for a second test to be attempted. After separation, Starship is to continue to an altitude "a scooch below orbit," according to Musk, completing a near-circle of the Earth before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii.

Marcos attends Partido Federal oathtakingPresident Marcos graces the oath-taking ceremony for 32 newly inducted members of Partido Federal ng Pilipinas on Friday. Also in photo are Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., some members of the House of Representatives and elected local government officials. MANILA, Philippines — Thirty-two political personalities, including Interior and Local Government Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr., have joined the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP), the party that carried President Marcos in the race for the presidency last year. Abalos confirmed to The STAR that he has joined the political party of President Marcos. Dakila Carlo Cua, Cabanatuan City Mayor Myca Elizabeth Vergara, Meycauayan Mayor Henry Villarica, Pasay Mayor Imelda Calixto-Rubiano, Mandaluyong Vice Mayor Carmelita Aguilar-Abalos and South Cotabato Vice Mayor Antonio Bendita.

A Texas police officer was killed early Saturday in a shooting that left the shooter dead, a second officer wounded, authorities said. “SWAT officers arrived on scene and forced entry into the residence ... to rescue the victims,” Henderson said. “Two apparent victims of the suspect were located inside of the residence with fatal injuries” and were dead at the scene, Henderson said. “This event jarringly brings home that truth.”The Austin Police Retired Officers Association asked for prayers for both the slain and the wounded officer. Greg Abbott also issued a statement calling for prayers for the family of the slain officer, for the wounded officer and for the city's police department.

At least 40 construction workers were trapped Sunday after the road tunnel they were building collapsed in northern India, with rescuers scrambling to reach them beneath piles of debris. The collapse occurred early Sunday morning in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand when a group of workers were moving out and replacement workers were going in. "About 200 metres (218 yards) of the tunnel have collapsed," Durgesh Rathodi, a state disaster response official, told AFP from the site. "About 40 to 41 workers are trapped inside. "Pray to god that those workers trapped inside the tunnel are brought out safely," Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami wrote on social media platform X.

Thousands of students, along with teachers and school personnel, were reportedly traumatized by the sound of gunfire exchanged between rebels and soldiers. During a recent conference, Unesco highlighted a strong link between school violence and mental health and called for urgent action to foster safe learning environments. It seems notable that Mrs. Duterte was also dropping the request for confidential and intelligence funds for the Office of the Vice President. Some, including Mrs. Duterte herself, seem to prefer ignoring the political factor for now. As Mrs. Duterte said, young Filipinos are the future of this country.

I AM not sure if you share the observation that social media platforms today are swarmed with announcements of seminars and online conferences on the topic of "strategy," whether they are schools offering programs like MBAs or companies promoting courses or training on entrepreneurship and strategic marketing. This is quite understandable since we live in a world that demands competitiveness in all fields, whether in business or education. This made me think of how much or how little I know about strategy. When we try to go back to some important principles or concepts concerning strategy, we need to cite the Harvard Business School's foremost professor, Michael Porter, whose authority on the subject gravitates toward the theory of "competitive advantage."

This is why a monicker says: “The reward for good work is more work.”Asking for help and being labeled by untrained and insensitive bosses as “weak and inefficient is so old-school.” But going back to the helpless and distraught leader asking for advice, there is a lot of cognitive reframing required to understand leadership and the power of asking for help. However, there are moments in a leader’s journey when they yearn for someone to step in and help carry the load. Admitting that you need help may be difficult, but asserting, “I am no Marvel or DC superhero, and I cannot do everything alone” is liberating. It’s acceptable to say, “I need help.” Mark Johnson says: “Leadership is not a solitary journey; it’s a shared expedition, where asking for help is a sign of wisdom, not weakness.”The leadership experience and journey are paved with the willingness to acknowledge one’s limitations and seek help when necessary. Don’t be afraid to say, “I need help,” because in doing so, you inspire greatness in yourself and those you lead.

MANILA, Philippines — This year’s barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) are poised to be the most violent village polls in the past 13 years, according to the latest data from the Philippine National Police. ADVERTISEMENTThese validated ERIs led to the killing of 26 persons and the wounding of 96 others. The figure was 174.3 percent higher than the 35 confirmed ERIs recorded during election day on Oct. 30. This year’s figure was almost equal to the 97 validated ERIs recorded during the 2010 village polls. In 2010 there were 97 ERIs, in 2013 there were 57 and in 2018, it was down to 40 ERIs.

More intelligence funds sought after latest Ayungin water cannon incidentThis photo taken on Nov. 10, 2023 shows China coast guard personnel sailing aluminum hulled boats at Second Thomas Shoal in the disputed South China Sea. "This incident should push Congress to finally approve a higher budget for the intelligence funds for agencies that defend our territories. "We must also upgrade the capabilities of our Philippine Coast Guard and the Philippine Navy to maneuver past the Chinese blockade of our troops on Ayungin Shoal. This move occurred despite Ayungin Shoal being well within Manila's 200-nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The CCG last August also utilized water cannons against Philippine vessels delivering provisions to the military outpost in Ayungin Shoal.