6 Asian delegates to skip Miss Universe 2026 amid franchise dispute

GMA Network - Oct 22, 2026

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.

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Publishers seek safeguards over suspected AI book-buying spree

Oct 21, 2026

Publishers seek safeguards over suspected AI book-buying spree

Korean publishers are calling for stronger copyright protections and compensation as bulk book purchase requests suspected of being linked to artificial intelligence (AI) training raise concerns over intellectual property theft. Publishing groups are investigating suspicious orders and seeking a coordinated response. However, authors and publishers face a fundamental obstacle: they often cannot know for sure whether their books are being used to train AI systems. Kyobo Book Centre, a bookstore chain in Korea, said on Wednesday that 10 overseas companies, including businesses in the United States and Britain, had approached it since early this year, each seeking only one copy of roughly 100,000 titles. “Many introduced themselves as book wholesalers,” a Kyobo official was quoted as saying by Yonhap News Agency Tuesday. The official added that some denied an AI training purpose but identified data-related companies as the final recipients. The bookseller declined the request because it could not rule out the use of AI training. Yes24, another bookstore, also reportedly received an inqui

Korea's int'l student boom puts universities to new test

Oct 21, 2026

Korea's int'l student boom puts universities to new test

SINGAPORE, LONDON, SEOUL — Korea reached its goal of attracting 300,000 international students ahead of schedule. Now comes the harder part. As the government shifts its focus from quantity to quality, universities face a tougher test of whether they can turn rising enrollment into quality education, meaningful career opportunities and long-term talent retention. Under its Study Korea 300K initiative launched in 2023, the government set a target of attracting 300,000 international students by 2027. It reached that milestone early, with enrollment climbing to 307,464 this year, according to the Ministry of Education. Yet the gap between recruitment and retention remains wide, raising questions about whether universities are equipped to deliver on the government's new priorities. Despite a surge in international enrollment, Korea continues to struggle to retain foreign graduates. Of the 36,271 international students who graduated from Korean universities between August 2023 and February 2024, 42.9 percent left Korea, while fewer than 5,000 secured employment in the country. The problem is

Negros police to mobilize over 3,000 personnel for ‘Undas’

Oct 21, 2026

Negros police to mobilize over 3,000 personnel for ‘Undas’

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

PCSO lotto results Oct. 21: ₱291.39-M jackpot unwon

Oct 21, 2026

PCSO lotto results Oct. 21: ₱291.39-M jackpot unwon

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 Water keeps system losses below 15% for El Niño readiness

Oct 21, 2026

Manila Water keeps system losses below 15% for El Niño readiness

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

Pakistan and the US factor as China looks to sell its J-35 stealth jets

Oct 21, 2026

Pakistan and the US factor as China looks to sell its J-35 stealth jets

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...

Pakistan and the US factor as China looks to sell its J-35 stealth jets

Oct 21, 2026

Pakistan and the US factor as China looks to sell its J-35 stealth jets

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...

Kapunan: Pursuing grave threat issue vs VP might have diverted trial

Oct 21, 2026

Kapunan: Pursuing grave threat issue vs VP might have diverted trial

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

Walang pasok: Oct. 22 classes suspended in some areas due to Rosal

Oct 21, 2026

Walang pasok: Oct. 22 classes suspended in some areas due to Rosal

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

INQToday: Super Typhoon Rosal slightly weakens off Aparri, Cagayan

Oct 21, 2026

INQToday: Super Typhoon Rosal slightly weakens off Aparri, Cagayan

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 says it allowed Philippines to resupply warship amid diplomatic tensions

Oct 21, 2026

China says it allowed Philippines to resupply warship amid diplomatic tensions

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...

Shark Returns to Sea After Over a Month Stuck in a South Korean Port Canal

Oct 21, 2026

Shark Returns to Sea After Over a Month Stuck in a South Korean Port Canal

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

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