WASHINGTON — South Korea and the United States have concluded a multinational maritime mine warfare exercise off Korea's southeastern port city of Busan with 15 partner nations, according to the U.S. Navy. The ninth Multi-National Mine Warfare Exercise 2026 concluded Friday after bringing together mine countermeasures vessels, explosive ordnance disposal personnel, clearance divers and autonomous underwater vehicles, the U.S. Navy said in a press release. The exercise was aimed at strengthening mine warfare capabilities and interoperability among participating navies through combined maritime operations. It included mine-hunting operations, harbor clearance and port-entry scenarios, mine detection and neutralization, and seabed surveys using unmanned underwater systems. The U.S. Navy deployed USS Chief, an Avenger-class mine countermeasures ship, alongside expeditionary mine countermeasures companies and diving detachments. The South Korean Navy participated with mine laying and hunting vessels, supported by specialized clearance divers and underwater disposal teams. The exercise also i

Representatives from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Laos will not participate in the 75th Miss Universe Competition amid an ongoing dispute over franchise rights.

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has marked one year in office still riding relatively high in public opinion polls – a heady position that few political analysts anticipated despite geopolitical tensions and persistent inflation. A poll by the conservative-leaning Yomiuri newspaper published on Monday indicated that Takaichi’s cabinet retains the support of 57 per cent of the Japanese public, down two percentage points from the previous survey on September 18 and significantly lower than...

CALAPAN CITY, ORIENTAL MINDORO, Philippines — Cases of flu-like illnesses have been on the rise across Oriental Mindoro as public health facilities in the province heighten preparations to manage an expected increase in heat-related cases brought about by the El Niño phenomenon. Dr. Cielo Ante, Provincial Health Officer, confirmed the upward trend, reporting that flu-like

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Labor and Employment (Dole) reminded employers that forcing employees to perform during company events, including Christmas parties, is a form of bullying. Dole-7 Regional Labor Information Officer III Roberto “Bob” M. Cabardo said that making employees participate in a dance or any presentation against their will for an event

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — The Quezon provincial government has activated its El Niño Task Force and stepped up preparations to mitigate the potential effects of prolonged dry conditions and extreme heat on agriculture, public health and community safety. “Our El Niño Task Force is now activated. We have already identified the measures we will undertake

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Wednesday it had rescued a 9-year-old child from alleged online sexual abuse and exploitation. The suspect, who is over 30 years old, was brought to NBI headquarters in Pasay City following his arrest. NBI Director Melvin Matibag said the bureau’s Anti-Human Trafficking Division conducted the

Holding on to a newspaper cutting for years reminded Sarah and Jeff Lee of whom to contact when the time came to renovate their 3,100 sq ft (288 square metre) 1980s Repulse Bay duplex. Several years ago, designer Peggy Bels answered that call. The couple, who have lived there for two-plus decades, told Bels they admired her work. They described their home as a place where conversation-fuelled dinner parties stretch well into the night and house guests are frequent. How could Bels improve...

This batch of new applicants is composed of big names, like COA chairperson Gamaliel Cordoba and Sandiganbayan chief Geraldine Faith Econg, among others

MANILA, Philippines — The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has designated five major cemeteries in Metro Manila as priority areas for traffic management during Undas 2026, the agency said on Wednesday, Oct. 21. MMDA Traffic Discipline Office Director Atty. Vic Nuñez identified the cemeteries as Manila North Cemetery, Manila South Cemetery, Loyola Memorial Park in

ILOILO CITY — Capiz Gov. Fredenil Castro has ordered the creation of a provincial El Niño Task Force and given it 15 days to prepare an action plan to address potential water shortages, agricultural losses and health risks caused by prolonged dry spells. Under Executive Order No. 31, signed Oct. 21, 2026, the task force

China on Wednesday condemned an arrest warrant issued in the US state of Florida for former Cuban president Raul Castro over the 1996 downing of two civilian planes, accusing the United States of using the courts to pressure Havana. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning was asked about the warrant by the state-run Global Times at a regular briefing in Beijing. She referred to the 95-year-old as “comrade Raul Castro”, a “venerated” leader held in high international esteem. Mao said China opposed...

From exploring historic landmarks to hearing ghost stories and local legends, there are plenty of after-dark experiences to try.

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — A 33-year-old man described by authorities as a former communist rebel and ranked as the Caraga region’s 10th most wanted person was arrested during a joint police and military operation in Trento, Agusan del Sur, on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Brig. Gen. Rolindo Suguilon, director of Police Regional Office 13

KABACAN, Cotabato – Classes in a school in Barangay Lower Paatan here were suspended following Wednesday’s attack that led to the killing of a village councilman and his brother. Lower Paatan Punong Barangay Abdulracid Dima ordered the temporary suspension of classes at Lower Paatan Elementary School, effective Wednesday, as a precaution for the safety of

LUCENA CITY, Quezon — The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) suspended small-vessel operations in northern Quezon on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 21, as rough seas generated by Super Typhoon Rosal threatened sea travel. In a public advisory, the PCG station in Real, Quezon, cited the 5 p.m. weather bulletin issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical

BACOLOD CITY, NEGROS OCCIDENTAL, Philippines — The Police Regional Office Negros Island Region (PRO NIR) will mobilize some 3,119 personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP), partner agencies, and force multipliers from Oct. 30 to Nov. 3, to strengthen security, intensify crime prevention, and safeguard the public during the observance of All Saints’ Day and

MANILA, Philippines — No jackpot winner emerged in the Grand Lotto 6/55 and MegaLotto 6/45 draws on Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026, according to results provided for the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO). The Grand Lotto 6/55 draw produced the winning combination 13-08-42-14-30-12, carrying a jackpot prize of ₱291.39 million. No ticket holder matched all six

MANILA, Philippines — As Manila Water strengthens its preparations for the anticipated impacts of a looming strong El Niño, the company continues to maximize every available drop of treated water by keeping its non-revenue water (NRW), or system losses, below 15 percent, a performance level comparable to that achieved by many utilities in developed countries. In

Last month, the US published the fine print of a US$686 million upgrade deal for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets. The deal is for data link systems, new encryption gear and a refit that keeps the jets flying until 2040. The notice says Pakistan can protect the technology to “substantially the same degree” as the US government. The Pakistan Air Force is also the only declared interested buyer of China’s J-35 stealth fighter, a generational leap in technology. The Chinese jet first flew at the Zhuhai...

Last month, the US published the fine print of a US$686 million upgrade deal for Pakistan’s F-16 fighter jets. The deal is for data link systems, new encryption gear and a refit that keeps the jets flying until 2040. The notice says Pakistan can protect the technology to “substantially the same degree” as the US government. The Pakistan Air Force is also the only declared interested buyer of China’s J-35 stealth fighter, a generational leap in technology. The Chinese jet first flew at the Zhuhai...

MANILA, Philippines — The grave threats impeachment article filed against Vice President Sara Z. Duterte could have diverted attention away from the charges against her, as it would have allowed her to revisit allegations involving threats to her own life — thus prolonging the trial. That was the reason the prosecution dropped the fourth impeachment

MANILA, Philippines — Classes and work in government offices were suspended in some areas on Thursday, Oct. 22, due to the expected impact of Super Typhoon Rosal. As of 9 p.m. on Oct. 21, classes at all levels in public and private schools in Batanes were suspended for Oct. 22. Work in government offices in

Super Typhoon Rosal slightly weakens off Aparri, Cagayan Super Typhoon Rosal slightly weakened on Wednesday afternoon, Oct. 21, as it moved west-northwestward east of Aparri, Cagayan, the state weather bureau said. Solgen to appeal SC ruling on 2024, 2025 budgets The Office of the Solicitor General will file a motion for reconsideration to the Supreme

China has allowed the Philippines to resupply a grounded warship on a disputed South China Sea reef, the coastguard said on Wednesday, as tension remains high over the Chinese ambassador’s controversial comment. The Philippines delivered necessities to its warship BRP Sierra Madre grounded at the Second Thomas Shoal on Wednesday, “with permission from the Chinese side”, the China Coast Guard said in a statement. “The China Coast Guard conducted confirmation checks and maintained full supervision...

The 10-foot-long dusky shark, nicknamed “Bukangi,” was successfully guided back to the open ocean after a third rescue attempt.

Just two weeks before the US midterm elections, Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said he did not believe America would maintain its lead over China in frontier AI indefinitely, describing restrictions on advanced chips as Washington’s key leverage. “I don’t believe for one second that we’re going to maintain a lead over Chinese frontier models forever. But we should for as long as we can,” said Himes at a Brookings Institution event in Washington. “And the one...

MANILA, Philippines—The Commission on Audit (COA) said it found P397.45 million worth of “duplicate, multiple and overlapping” payments to beneficiaries of the Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situation (AICS) program implemented by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD). In its 2025 annual audit report, COA noted that some beneficiaries of the AICS program

MANILA, Philippines — The House prosecution will question the authenticity of any alleged prenuptial agreement between Vice President Sara Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio, will be questioned. House private prosecutor Lorna Kapuna made that statement in an interview with anchor Pinky Webb during her show, “On Point,” on Bilyonaryo News Channel. Kapunan was

ILIGAN CITY — The city government of Iligan is moving to modernize its solid waste management system through a proposed 23-hectare integrated “circular economy” facility aimed at reducing landfill waste, boosting recycling, and converting organic discards into useful resources. The initiative took a step forward on Tuesday with the signing of a memorandum of agreement