How smart will Hong Kong’s ‘AI city brain’ be?

South China Morning Post - Oct 20, 2026

When Severe Typhoon Dolphin approached eastern China in August, more than 110,000 delivery riders across Hangzhou received automatic alerts and personalised safety guidance on their mobile phones every minute. With a few taps, Hangzhou’s “riders’ code” system navigated them to the nearest shelters, which authorities said had reduced their occupational risks under extreme weather. Behind the tailored and quick support was Hangzhou’s artificial intelligence (AI) urban management system, which had...

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Japan’s dilemma over frosty ties with Russia deepens after reporter’s arrest

Oct 20, 2026

Japan’s dilemma over frosty ties with Russia deepens after reporter’s arrest

The arrest of a Japanese journalist in Russia has finally woken Tokyo up to the fact that Moscow is playing hardball in their diplomatic relationship, and the country’s apparent unwillingness to push back with commensurate force could encourage the Kremlin to test its neighbour’s resolve, analysts say. Japan lodged an official protest with the Russian ambassador in Tokyo on Wednesday, a day after Moscow announced the arrest of Yuki Imai from the Hokkaido Shimbun Press on suspicion of espionage....

Should women serve? Korea's female conscription debate is back as troop pool shrinks

Oct 20, 2026

Should women serve? Korea's female conscription debate is back as troop pool shrinks

South Korea’s decade-old debate over female conscription resurfaced during a National Assembly audit this month, amid growing concerns that a shrinking draft-eligible population could undermine military readiness. During a National Assembly defense committee audit on Oct. 12, opposition lawmakers raised the issue, arguing that the time has come for a public discussion as the eligible male population continues to fall. Defense ministry data shows the pool of 20-year-old men eligible for service dropped from 332,000 in 2019 to 257,000 in 2022, and is projected to fall further to 228,000 by 2035 and 120,000 by 2043. Rep. Yoo Yeong-ha of the main opposition People Power Party said, "Now, we must officially put female conscription on the table. This will also require broad societal consensus." Rep. Chun Ha-ram of the Reform Party used the term “gender-equal conscription” — meaning mandatory service for both men and women — to call for a broader discussion on reforming the system. “If we continue wringing a dry towel without even considering gender-equal conscription as an option,

Seoul Hiking Week to offer unique autumn trail experiences

Oct 20, 2026

Seoul Hiking Week to offer unique autumn trail experiences

A special hiking festival will take place in Seoul, inviting locals and tourists to experience the capital’s stunning fall foliage through unique mountain adventures. From sunrise treks and night views to meditation and costume themed hikes, a wide variety of programs will showcase the rich charm of Seoul's natural landscape. The Seoul Tourism Organization (STO) announced that it will host "2026 Seoul Hiking Week: Autumn" over three weeks, from Oct. 26 to Nov. 15, centered around three Seoul Hiking Tourism Centers: Mount Bukhan, Mount Bugak and Mount Gwanak. This year’s Seoul Hiking Week is set to be the largest yet. The festival has expanded its offerings beyond traditional mountain climbing by blending nature and wellness with culture and tourism. The event will shift its central hub each week. The first week runs from Oct. 26 to Nov. 1, focusing on Mount Gwanak. The second week runs from Nov. 2 to Nov. 8 around Mount Bukhan. The final week runs from Nov. 9 to Nov. 15 and will be centered around Mount Bugak. The main activities are categorized into four distinct themes — Extreme,

Pope Leo to hold Wednesday audience for first time since cancer surgery

Oct 20, 2026

Pope Leo to hold Wednesday audience for first time since cancer surgery

Pope Leo pledges that he would slowly resume his usual activities as the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics

France in turmoil: What might follow a weekend of riots?

Oct 19, 2026

France in turmoil: What might follow a weekend of riots?

Elections next year will see President Emmanuel Macron step down after a decade in power. The unrest is likely to give a boost to far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen, the frontrunner in polls who has long talked tough on law and order.

Detained Suu Kyi receives royal package from UK’s King Charles: Myanmar government

Oct 19, 2026

Detained Suu Kyi receives royal package from UK’s King Charles: Myanmar government

Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi received a package from Britain’s King Charles on Monday, authorities said, releasing the first pictures of the detained Nobel laureate in two months and describing her as a “special female prisoner”. It is the first time Myanmar authorities have used the term to describe Suu Kyi, who was deposed in a military coup in 2021, triggering a civil war that has killed more than 100,000 people, according to monitor ACLED. The coup leader and former junta chief Min Aung Hlaing...

How to prevent osteoporosis, from strength training to eating calcium-rich food

Oct 19, 2026

How to prevent osteoporosis, from strength training to eating calcium-rich food

Osteoporosis is a stealthy condition. The disease, which weakens bones by making them thinner, less dense and more likely to break, advances slowly and silently, says Dr Edith Lau, founding president of the Asian Pacific Osteoporosis Foundation (APOF), and for most people the first sign is a broken bone. That break can follow something that does not seem serious – a minor fall, lifting something heavy, even a bout of coughing or sneezing. Sufferers most commonly break their forearm, spine or...

INQToday: DFA summons Chinese envoy for ‘may easily win’ remark

Oct 19, 2026

INQToday: DFA summons Chinese envoy for ‘may easily win’ remark

DFA summons Chinese envoy over ‘may easily win’ West PH Sea remark The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday summoned Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan over his remarks that China “may easily win” in a confrontation in the West Philippine Sea. Marcos prefers diplomacy over declaring Chinese envoy persona non grata President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Money manager eyes Asia-Pacific property for growth, but tells investors to keep bet on US

Oct 19, 2026

Money manager eyes Asia-Pacific property for growth, but tells investors to keep bet on US

US-based money manager Principal Asset Management says it is poised to become more active in Asia-Pacific property markets, believing investors have been “underweight” in the region’s office property segment. Richard Hill, its senior managing director and head of global real estate research and strategy, said the group was also seeing continued interest from institutional investors in the Asia-Pacific region looking to access opportunities in US commercial real estate as it was “too big to...

Do beauty queens need to have an advocacy? Ahtisa Manalo, Gazini Ganados answer

Oct 19, 2026

Do beauty queens need to have an advocacy? Ahtisa Manalo, Gazini Ganados answer

Ahtisa Manalo and Gazini Ganados shared their thoughts on the practice of beauty queens to promote an advocacy during their pageant journeys.

Envoy’s remarks not his own; reflect Beijing’s position – Teodoro

Oct 19, 2026

Envoy’s remarks not his own; reflect Beijing’s position – Teodoro

MANILA, Philippines — Chinese Ambassador Jing Quan’s statement about the use of force, which was viewed by Philippine government officials as a threat, was not merely his personal opinion but reflected the position of the Chinese government. “They act very deliberately. Hindi pag-uugali ng ambasador ’yan, pag-uugali ng gobyerno nila ’yan (That’s not the ambassador’s

Ombudsman clears Santa Maria, Laguna mayor in poll-related raps

Oct 19, 2026

Ombudsman clears Santa Maria, Laguna mayor in poll-related raps

MANILA, Philippines — The Office of the Ombudsman on Sunday said it dismissed all administrative charges against a Santa Maria town mayor which stemmed from alleged lapses in securing ballot boxes from the 2022 elections. Santa Maria Mayor Ma. Rocelle “Cindy” Carolino was cleared of grave misconduct, gross neglect of duty, and serious dishonesty. On

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