Oct 18, 2026
The number of inmates released on parole before serving 60 percent of their full sentence has increased due to prison overcrowding, a lawmaker said Sunday. A total of 634 inmates who had served less than 60 percent of their full sentence were granted early parole in the January-August period, Rep. Joo Jin-woo of the main opposition People Power Party said, citing justice ministry data. The figure is around 3.7-fold bigger than the annual total of 172 in 2025, according to the lawmaker. The number of inmates who were released before fulfilling 60 percent of their sentence remained below 40 between 2022 and 2024 but sharply jumped last year. The increase was attributed to overcrowding at prisons across the country. As of the end of August, correctional facilities were operating at 126.2 percent of their capacity, compared with 122.1 percent in 2025, the data showed, according to Joo. To lower the rate, the justice ministry has been expanding early paroles for elderly and sick inmates who were deemed to have a low risk of reoffense. The ministry has said it plans to increase the number of ear
Police have apprehended a Kazakh man suspected of carrying out an ambush-style attack on a car at night in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, in an incident captured on dashcam footage that went viral recently. The Gyeonggi Nambu Provincial Police Agency and Icheon Police Station said Saturday that they detained the suspect, 21, on suspicion of aggravated intimidation and property damage. He and a fellow Kazakh national, 25, allegedly pursued and blocked a car carrying a driver in his 30s and a passenger on a road in Majang township on July 29. They allegedly left their own vehicle to threaten the occupants and kick the front of the vehicle. The case drew public attention after the footage was featured on the YouTube channel Han Moon-chul TV last month, garnering hundreds of thousands of views. As the footage spread, politicians such as Rep. Na Kyung-won of the opposition People Power Party questioned the state of public safety and called on police to mobilize all available investigative resources to catch the suspects. Police reopened the probe last month, and forensic specialists recovered som
Students from Jeonbuk National University’s Department of Sociology won top honors in an academic presentation competition for projects examining urban history, youth anxiety and changes in university life from a sociological perspective. The department said Friday that Kim Min-seo and Jang Eun-seong won the grand prize in a presentation competition organized by the Korean Sociological Association for supporters of the 2027 ISA World Congress of Sociology. Organized by the International Sociological Association (ISA), the congress will be held in Gwangju from July 4-10 next year. Two other teams received excellence awards. They were Bae Sol and Seon Hwa-pyeong, and Kim Se-jeong and Kim Yong-man. The grand prize-winning team explored the theme “How We Remember Gwangju,” examining the city’s history and urban spaces through a sociological lens to highlight the significance of hosting the World Congress of Sociology in Gwangju. The team examined a diverse range of historical sites and everyday spaces, including the former South Jeolla Provincial Office and Jeonil Building 245, artist
SINGAPORE, LONDON, SEOUL — Artificial intelligence (AI) is rewriting the rules across industries and higher education is no exception. While Korean universities are racing to establish AI departments and expand enrollment in advanced technology fields, some of the world’s leading institutions are taking different approach in adapting to the rapidly evolving technology. Rather than focusing solely on expanding AI-related education, these universities are rethinking the fundamentals of higher education, from what students should learn and how their abilities should be assessed to which academic strengths will remain valuable as AI takes on tasks once performed exclusively by humans. At Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, AI education is no longer limited to engineering and computer science majors. The university is working to make AI part of learning across every discipline, including the arts and humanities. The university aims to integrate AI into 40 percent of courses across all 52 undergraduate degree programs by 2030, up from just 5 percent today. Under the initiat
Megaworld Lifestyle Malls enters a new chapter under Javier Hernandez
The Philippines and the United States are looking to expand their cooperation on energy security and diversify energy sources following a meeting in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 15.
As of Sunday morning, October 18, Super Typhoon Champi is located 2,090 kilometers east of southeastern Luzon, still outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility
Turning vacant land into a resort can be a daunting undertaking, particularly for landowners concerned about the time and cost involved in traditional construction. Solora Philippines offers an alternative through glamping domes, modular cabins and safari-style tents designed for tourism and hospitality ventures. The company supplies accommodation structures intended to help landowners and property developers establish glamping sites without relying entirely on conventional concrete construction. As travelers seek nature-oriented getaways and distinctive accommodation experiences, glamping has emerged as an option for property owners looking to develop tourism destinations. Solora’s range of structures allows developers to explore different accommodation concepts, from geodesic domes to modular cabins and safari-style tents. Compared with conventional construction, prefabricated and modular structures may offer a more flexible approach to developing a property. Depending on site conditions, project requirements and installation needs, these options may also allow businesses to introduce accommodations in phases rather than commit to a full-scale development from the outset. This approach can give landowners the option to expand their facilities as demand grows, subject to available resources, site capacity and applicable regulations. Solora Philippines also offers turnkey solutions, according to the company, providing guidance on selecting accommodation models suited to a property's terrain, as well as delivery and on-site setup assistance. Whether the planned destination is a mountain retreat or a beachfront getaway, glamping structures offer property owners another option for developing land into a tourism-oriented business. For more information about Solora Philippines' glamping domes and tents, visit the company's official Facebook page.
“Amir,” “Los Salvajes Bravos,” and “A Perfect Marriage” depict war through a child’s eyes, colonial exploitation, and the struggle for parenthood
MANILA, Philippines — Using a cartoon, Sen. Erwin Tulfo lamented how “backstabbing” peers who sit on the Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) continued to support a move to unseat him. While he did not outrightly name them, Tulfo on Saturday took a swipe at his fellow senators who he said continued to seek his ouster over
Backpackers and young independent travelers can experience a five-star resort without paying for a conventional hotel room through Youth Pods by the Bay, a capsule accommodation concept operating in partnership with Plantation Bay in Mactan, Cebu. Rates start at P3,500 per pod per night for stays of at least two nights, while a one-night stay costs P4,500. All bookings are nonrefundable. The concept allows guests to save on accommodations while enjoying the facilities of Plantation Bay, an 11-hectare resort known for its lagoons, swimming pools, leisure activities and Mogambo Springs spa. Youth Pods by the Bay was developed by restaurateur Brian Noel, a longtime business partner of Plantation Bay shareholders. The concept is aimed at travelers who want to explore Cebu while keeping accommodation costs manageable. The property offers capsule-style sleeping quarters in a secure environment, with air conditioning and Internet access. Dedicated communal areas are also available for lounging, dining, meeting fellow travelers and drying laundry. Beyond the accommodations, guests can access Plantation Bay's resort facilities, including its lagoons and pools, leisure activities and four restaurants serving a range of cuisines. They may also dine at the resort's restaurants or book treatments at Mogambo Springs. Plantation Bay has received recognition in readers' polls by Condé Nast Traveller and Travel + Leisure. It is known for its tropical village-inspired setting and landscaped surroundings. Youth Pods by the Bay operates as a separate entity in partnership with Plantation Bay. The concept offers an alternative for travelers who prefer to spend less on sleeping arrangements and more on exploring their destination and enjoying resort amenities. For bookings and more information, visit plantationbay.com/youthpods.
MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman on Saturday said it had initiated a preliminary investigation of Cagayan Rep. Joseph Lasam Lara and members of his family over alleged financial interests in construction companies that bagged billions of pesos worth of government contracts. In a statement, the Ombudsman said the Laras were being investigated
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