California firefighters, a trapped kitten and a collective 'aww' from the internet

Los Angeles Times - Sep 17, 2026

Ventura County firefighters rescued a black and white kitten from the clutches of an entertainment center and the internet went gaga.

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Sep 17, 2026

Sugar federation re-elects president for another 2 crop years

BACOLOD CITY—The Confederation of Sugar Producers Associations Inc. (Confed) unanimously re-elected Aurelio Gerardo Valderrama Jr. as president for Crop Years 2026-2027 and 2027-2028 during its annual membership meeting in Makati City on Wednesday, Sept. 16. The re-election marks Valderrama’s fifth and sixth crop years as Confed president, making him the longest-serving president in the federation’s

Sep 17, 2026

Top 30 in The Korea Times University Rankings 2027

As competition for international students intensifies worldwide, The Korea Times has expanded and refined its University Rankings 2027, evaluating 60 universities across four categories: education, research, student support and graduate outcomes. The rankings aim to assess how well Korean universities are building sustainable environments for international students and scholars, shifting the focus beyond enrollment numbers toward the quality and depth of internationalization. This year’s evaluation features 19 indicators worth a total of 200 points, with 65 percent of the score directly tied to globalization. The following tables present the top 30 universities overall, along with the top 30 in each category.

Sep 17, 2026

Korea Times University Rankings focus on universities' internationalization capabilities

The Korea Times University Rankings 2027 focus on universities’ internationalization capabilities rather than their overall institutional strength. Unlike comprehensive rankings such as QS and Times Higher Education (THE), which place greater emphasis on reputation and research, The Korea Times rankings evaluate the diverse resources and achievements of universities from an internationalization perspective. Through the assessment, The Korea Times aims to help international students considering studying in Korea make informed choices and promote healthy competition among universities to strengthen their internationalization capabilities. Differences in evaluation method The Korea Times excluded the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) and the Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) from its University Rankings, although both rank among Korea’s top universities in global rankings. The exclusion was based on a comprehensive consideration of the number of international students, institutional size and regional balance among Korean universities. In the QS

Sep 17, 2026

Evaluation criteria revised to better assess universities' internationalization

The Korea Times has revised the evaluation criteria for its University Rankings 2027 to provide a more comprehensive and rigorous assessment of the internationalization of Korean universities. This year’s evaluation expanded its coverage from 54 universities last year to 60, while increasing the total score from 190 points across 18 indicators to 200 points across 19 indicators. Notably, The Korea Times introduced a new indicator measuring the proportion of full-time international faculty. It also changed the calculation method for the academic retention rate of international students, focusing the measure on degree-seeking students, and refined the evaluation period for research performance. The new international faculty indicator, worth 10 points, is designed to strengthen the assessment of internationalization in the education and research environment, marking the biggest change in this year’s rankings. Accordingly, the education category’s score increased from 60 points to 70 points. The category now consists of seven indicators, including the ratio of degree-seeking internationa

Sep 17, 2026

New indicators sharpen focus on quality over quantity in university globalization

Academics and industry observers said revision to The Korea Times University Rankings 2027 represent a meaningful step forward, with updated indicators that offer a more comprehensive measure of university internationalization. This year’s revisions placed greater emphasis on faculty diversity, student success and sustained research collaboration. Shin Jang-sup, a professor of economics at the National University of Singapore, said the overall framework has improved from last year, highlighting the addition of an indicator measuring the proportion of international full-time faculty, as well as changes to the international student retention indicator. “Including the international student retention rate is a very desirable change,” Shin said. “It strengthens the rankings’ focus on evaluating universities from the perspective of international students.” Seo Myeong-seok, managing director of the Korea Advancing Schools Foundation, also emphasized that the revisions have strengthened the overall framework. He pointed to the introduction of the international full-time faculty ratio,

Sep 17, 2026

Universities need to do more to support international students

Internationalization is no longer an option for Korean universities but a necessity for their survival, as the nation’s higher education system faces an unprecedented structural transformation. Yet The Korea Times University Rankings 2027 reveal a stark reality: Korean universities still have a long way to go to achieve full-fledged internationalization. Universities have met the basic requirements for internationalization. But investment in faculty recruitment and student support has failed to keep pace with the increasing number of international students, while graduate outcomes remain weak. The Korea Times launched the university rankings last year to assess the level of internationalization among domestic universities. This year’s rankings covered 60 universities using 19 indicators in four categories: education, research, student support and graduate outcomes. Universities were assessed on a 200-point scale, with 70 points allocated to education, 50 points to research, 40 points to student support and 40 points to graduate outcomes. The education category saw the strongest overall

Sep 17, 2026

Top Korean universities hold firm as new contenders gain ground

Korea University retained the top spot in The Korea Times University Rankings 2027 for the second consecutive year, as the country’s leading universities largely held their ground while Sejong University emerged as the biggest mover in the top 10. First launched last year, The Korea Times University Rankings aim to look beyond the number of international students to assess how well universities are building the broader ecosystem needed for globalization. This year’s results suggest that while Korean universities have made progress in attracting and managing international students, many still lag in areas such as international faculty, financial support and post-graduation outcomes. The disparity was evident across the four evaluation areas. Universities performed strongest in education, while scores were lower in student support and lowest in graduate outcomes, underscoring the challenge of building an environment that supports international students not only upon arrival but throughout their studies and beyond graduation. Korea University topped the rankings with 149.52 points out o

Sep 17, 2026

Regional universities excel in student support category

Seoul-based universities dominate the top 30 of The Korea Times University Rankings 2027. Their dominance is, however, less evident in the student support category, where regional universities are investing more in helping international students find jobs and settle after graduation. Among the 60 universities evaluated nationwide, 18 of the 24 universities in Seoul made the top 30, reaffirming the capital’s long-standing dominance in internationalization. Five of nine schools in Gyeonggi Province and Incheon are included in the list, while four of 13 universities in metropolitan cities outside the capital region made the cut. Only three of the 14 universities in provincial areas made the top 30, showing that they still lag well behind major universities in Seoul and other metropolitan areas. Those figures indicate that internationalization capabilities remain concentrated in the capital region. The education, research and graduate outcomes categories showed a consistent regional pattern, with Seoul scoring highest, followed by Gyeonggi and Incheon, metropolitan cities outside the capita

Sep 17, 2026

Regional, smaller universities challenge hierarchy as globalization paths diverge

Some universities outside Seoul and the capital region demonstrated strong international competitiveness in specific areas in The Korea Times University Rankings 2027, despite the dominance of the country’s top-tier schools in the overall standings. This indicates that universities are strengthening their international capabilities in different ways across areas such as student recruitment, educational environments, international research, student support and graduate outcomes. Korea University, Seoul National University and Yonsei University — the country’s three leading institutions collectively known as “SKY” — held the top three spots in the overall top 30. However, regional and smaller universities including Handong Global University, Incheon National University, Woosong University and Kyungsung University performed strongly in categories such as education, student support and graduate outcomes. Handong Global University, based in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, stood out by ranking second in student support behind only Seoul National University, despite placing 23rd

Sep 17, 2026

New metrics reshuffle top 30 university rankings, expose globalization gaps

The top 30 of The Korea Times University Rankings 2027 remained largely stable — 28 of last year's 30 universities held their places — but beneath that continuity, a revised methodology reshaped individual positions and exposed widening gaps in the quality and depth of internationalization at Korean universities. Seoul-based private universities dominated the top 30, though seven universities outside the capital region also made the cut. They included regional flagship national universities — Pusan, Kyungpook, Jeonbuk and Chungnam — as well as private institutions known for their internationalization efforts, such as Woosong, Handong Global and Yeungnam universities. Yeungnam University and Kookmin University were the only newcomers, climbing three and four spots from 32nd and 34th last year to 29th and 30th, respectively. Yeungnam's rise was driven largely by its strong performance in international research. The private university in Gyeongsan, North Gyeongsang Province, ranked ninth among the 60 institutions in the research category with 30.95 points, placing first in the shar

Sep 17, 2026

Seoul's Jongno 3-ga rises to world's coolest neighborhood

Seoul’s Jongno 3-ga has gone from cool to coolest, taking the No. 1 spot on Time Out’s list of the world’s coolest neighborhoods in 2026 after ranking third five years ago. The historic downtown neighborhood was praised for its mix of old Seoul and new energy, from late-night food stalls, or "pocha," to independent businesses and traditional Korean houses, or "hanok." Time Out said Jongno 3-ga has only grown cooler since its previous appearance, citing the rise of late-evening outdoor dining, independent businesses and shops. The neighborhood’s appeal increasingly stretches across generations. Today, younger crowds are flocking to the area, drawn by its affordable food and relaxed, open-air atmosphere. "Jongno 3-ga thrives as a social intersection," Time Out wrote, describing a neighborhood where different generations and communities have long crossed paths. Nearby Ikseon-dong has become a magnet for cafes and boutiques tucked into century-old hanok, while Seosulla-gil offers another side of the neighborhood, with craft workshops, jewelry studios and bars. The ranking has put Jongn

Sep 17, 2026

Mimaropa tops 2025 PSA Awards

CALAPAN CITY, ORIENTAL MINDORO, Philippines — The Philippine Statistics Authority Regional Statistical Services Office (PSA RSSO) Mimaropa placed first among the agency’s regional statistical offices in the 2025 PSA Awards held in Quezon City on Thursday, Sept. 17. In a post on Thursday, PSA Mimaropa said this recognition marked the second time the regional office

Sep 17, 2026

Vigan City celebrates heritage, tourism week through the arts

VIGAN CITY, Ilocos Sur — Vigan celebrated its heritage, arts, and living traditions through a cultural and heritage exhibit held as part of the World Heritage Cities Solidarity and Cultural Celebration and Tourism Week 2026. Held at Balay Bigueño along Calle Crisologo, the exhibit featured artworks, traditional crafts, and other expressions of Vigan’s cultural identity.

Sep 17, 2026

2 alleged rebels surrender in Oriental Mindoro

CALAPAN CITY, Oriental Mindoro — Two alleged members of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) separately surrendered to authorities in Oriental Mindoro, with one turning over a .38-caliber firearm and two rounds of ammunition, police said Thursday. Police said one of the surrenderers, who was listed in the National Peace and Security Registry (NPSR), surrendered around

Sep 17, 2026

Lotto results: No jackpot winners in Sept. 17 draws

MANILA, Philippines—No bettor won the jackpots in the SuperLotto 6/49 and Lotto 6/42 draws on Thursday, Sept. 17, according to the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office. The SuperLotto 6/49 winning combination was 23-31-25-15-16-36 for a jackpot of ₱25.22 million. No ticket matched all six numbers. For Lotto 6/42, the winning combination was 08-31-32-19-24-06 for a jackpot

Sep 17, 2026

Woman was high when she plowed her SUV into a Metro bus, killing 2, prosecutors say

The woman accused of being behind the wheel of an SUV in a deadly crash involving a Metro bus was charged with two counts of murder Thursday, as families and friends mourn the victims of the crash and a subsequent helicopter crash that killed three others.

Sep 17, 2026

JV Ejercito: No more delays in NSCR, Metro Manila subway

MANILA, Philippines — Senate finance committee chair Senator JV Ejercito on Thursday said he is ensuring there will be no more delays in the construction of the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) and the Metro Manila Subway. Ejercito and Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez inspected the NSCR’s West Valenzuela Station and its Operations Control Center, as well

Sep 17, 2026

2027 budget: Congress’ spending plan should be scrutinized – watchdog

MANILA, Philippines — Budget watchdog People’s Budget Coalition (PBC) on Thursday said Congress’ spending plan should have faced greater scrutiny after budget discussions for the legislature were terminated without any questions on the floor. “Scrutiny should be even higher when Congress is deliberating its own budget,” PBC co-coordinator Gybel Agregado told the Inquirer in a

Sep 17, 2026

BFAR distributes 100,000 tilapia fry in Ilocos

SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur— The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Ilocos distributed 100,000 tilapia fry to fisherfolk across the region during the 70th Fishery Industry Forum held Wednesday (Sept. 16) at the Dingras Civic Center in Dingras, Ilocos Norte. The distribution was part of the forum’s efforts to boost fish production and provide

Sep 17, 2026

Duero mayor steps down after Ombudsman dismissal order

TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol — Duero Mayor Al Cadorniga Taculad stepped down from office on Sept. 16 after the Office of the Ombudsman ordered his dismissal for grave misconduct arising from his financial interest in municipal projects awarded to his construction firm. Vice Mayor Hernes Bajao assumed the mayoralty following Taculad’s departure. In a Sept. 1

Sep 17, 2026

California firefighters, a trapped kitten and a collective 'aww' from the internet

Ventura County firefighters rescued a black and white kitten from the clutches of an entertainment center and the internet went gaga.

Sep 17, 2026

OnlyFans model probed for possibly drugging Beverly Hills billionaire with ketamine, warrant says

An LAPD search warrant affidavit revealed that Beverly Hills police are investigating whether OnlyFans model Adva Lavie drugged her onetime fiancé Steve Cloobeck with ketamine.

Sep 17, 2026

Crypto shifts focus to Trump regulators after coming up short in Senate

A cryptocurrency regulation bill appears to have little momentum left in the Senate after it came up short in a floor vote Tuesday, with the industry now turning its attention to Trump administration regulators to set the rules of the road. The Clarity Act failed to secure enough support to clear a procedural hurdle Tuesday...

Sep 17, 2026

Tinio questions P500 Pera hike, calls for budget realignment

MANILA, Philippines — Deputy Minority Leader and ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio on Thursday, Sept. 17, described the P500 increase in monthly allowance received by state workers in 2027 “woefully inadequate” after nearly 17-year impasse. Tinio said the P500-hike to the Personnel Economic Relief Allowance (Pera) was not enough, primarily amid rising commodity costs. He

Sep 17, 2026

House passes anti-spying bill amid civil rights concerns

MANILA, Philippines — The House of Representatives on Thursday passed on final reading a bill modernizing the country’s anti-espionage laws, despite concerns from some lawmakers that its broad definition of spying could be used to crack down on dissent. With 224 lawmakers voting for House Bill No. 9642 and 10 against, the lower chamber approved

Sep 17, 2026

Haaland backs data center moratorium in New Mexico

New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Deb Haaland (D) on Thursday backed a moratorium on the construction of data centers in her state, citing environmental and workforce-related concerns. In a policy framework on her website, Haaland backed “open, transparent, and meaningful” conversations within communities about the impacts of AI data centers. She also called for requiring data...

Sep 17, 2026

Victims' counsels to ICC: Declare former President Duterte fit for trial

The lawyers of the drug war victims have asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to declare former President Rodrigo Duterte fit for trial.

Sep 17, 2026

Antonio Tinio calls out Marcos alleged inaction on transboundary haze

MANILA, Philippines — ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio on Thursday criticized President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on what he described as the latter’s inaction on the issue of transboundary haze that originated from Indonesia, which also affected the air quality in parts of the Philippines. Tinio made this remark during the House sponsorship and plenary

Sep 17, 2026

Senate Democrat blocks House-passed bill on data center electricity costs

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) blocked Sen. Jon Husted’s (R-Ohio) Thursday effort to unanimously pass a bill that seeks to force states to consider making tech companies cover their data centers’ electricity price impacts. The New Mexico Democrat blocked the Ohio Republican’s effort to pass the Ratepayer Protection Act through unanimous consent, arguing that the bill...

Sep 17, 2026

Marcoleta’s press conference inside Sandiganbayan is allowed – BJMP

[Updated Sept. 17, 2026, 8:04 p.m.] MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s press conference on Thursday was well within what is being allowed by the Sandiganbayan. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said the forum between the senator and reporters today inside the premises of the anti-graft court was alright with the justices.

Sep 17, 2026

WATCH: Romualdez’s co-accused in plunder case, out of country | INQToday

MANILA, Philippines – Here are INQToday’s top stories this evening: A former staff member of ex-House Speaker Martin Romualdez, who is also a co-accused in the P7.4-billion plunder case, is out of the country; a witness says Sen. Rodante Marcoleta allegedly solicited money from a donor linked to his P75-million plunder case; and a House

Sep 17, 2026

Almost 2 in 3 say AI development a bad thing: Survey

A poll released by Marquette University Law School on Thursday found that almost two-thirds of Americans say they think the development of AI is a bad thing. In the poll, 64 percent of respondents said AI is bad for society, and 36 percent said it's a good thing, according to a release. This marked a...

Sep 17, 2026

What the U.S. Fed hiking rates means for the loonie and for borrowers

The U.S. Federal Reserve hiked interest rates for the first time in three years on Wednesday, and several economists say this could add pressure on the Bank of Canada.

Sep 17, 2026

Army: Civilian tips thwart NPA bid to establish foothold in Agusan

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur — The Philippine Army’s 4th Infantry Division (4ID) said information from residents helped government forces respond to the presence of the New People’s Army (NPA), leading to encounters in Barangay Bakingking, Esperanza, Agusan del Sur, last Sept. 10. The Joint Task Force Diamond and the 4ID said the incident highlighted

Sep 17, 2026

Overcast skies, rains to prevail over PH due to LPA

MANILA, Philippines — The low-pressure area (LPA) off Palawan is forecast to continue bringing rains over Southern Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao until Friday, Sept. 18, the state weather bureau said. In its weather advisory issued at 4 p.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said that gloomy skies with scattered rains and

Sep 17, 2026

DOE aims to install 7,000 EV charging points nationwide before 2028

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Energy (DOE) targets installing 7,000 electric vehicle (EV) charging points before 2028, a DOE official told the Senate finance subcommittee on Thursday. The agency’s goal is in line with its commitment to expand and promote the adoption of EVs in the Philippines, reduce the country’s greenhouse gas emissions, and

Sep 17, 2026

‘Balutin mo ako’: Pangilinan lightens up DAR budget talk with Sharon hit

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Kiko Pangilinan brought some levity to the Senate committee on finance’s budget deliberations for the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) on Thursday, breaking into a song with a line from his wife Sharon Cuneta’s hit “Bituing Walang Ningning.” After discussing how better-organized farmers could help boost food supply and reduce hunger,

Sep 17, 2026

Pansipit River siltation among factors in Taal Lake water rise

LUCENA CITY — Siltation at the Pansipit River is among the top factors behind the continuing rise in Taal Lake’s water level, according to a multi-agency consultation organized by the Batangas government on Wednesday, Sept. 16. Accumulated soil and sand have slowed waterway discharges. The consultation aimed to establish a unified government response and develop

Sep 17, 2026

US sanctions boost China’s science-driven innovation by over 70%, study finds

US-sanctioned Chinese companies are increasingly turning to open-source research to innovate and reverse-engineer restricted foreign technology, with a 72 per cent surge in scientific literature citations in their patent applications, according to a new study. While the United States said it expanded its Entity List to safeguard national security and preserve its technological edge, an analysis of Chinese patent filings over the 12 years until 2022 showed that US restrictions on access to...

Sep 17, 2026

DOE seeks rules on boarding EVs on ships after MV June Aster tragedy

MANILA, Philippines — Following the fire on a Palawan ferry that carried an electric vehicle (EV), the Department of Energy (DOE) has sought new guidelines on boarding EVs and hybrids onto vessels from the Maritime Industry Authority (Marina). On Wednesday last week (September 9), M/V June Aster caught fire at sea while on its way

California firefighters, a trapped kitten and a collective 'aww' from the internet

MORE NEWS

Sugar federation re-elects president for another 2 crop years

Top 30 in The Korea Times University Rankings 2027

Korea Times University Rankings focus on universities' internationalization capabilities

Evaluation criteria revised to better assess universities' internationalization

New indicators sharpen focus on quality over quantity in university globalization

Universities need to do more to support international students

Top Korean universities hold firm as new contenders gain ground

Regional universities excel in student support category

Regional, smaller universities challenge hierarchy as globalization paths diverge

New metrics reshuffle top 30 university rankings, expose globalization gaps

Seoul's Jongno 3-ga rises to world's coolest neighborhood

Mimaropa tops 2025 PSA Awards

Vigan City celebrates heritage, tourism week through the arts

2 alleged rebels surrender in Oriental Mindoro

Lotto results: No jackpot winners in Sept. 17 draws

Woman was high when she plowed her SUV into a Metro bus, killing 2, prosecutors say

JV Ejercito: No more delays in NSCR, Metro Manila subway

2027 budget: Congress’ spending plan should be scrutinized – watchdog

BFAR distributes 100,000 tilapia fry in Ilocos

Duero mayor steps down after Ombudsman dismissal order

California firefighters, a trapped kitten and a collective 'aww' from the internet

OnlyFans model probed for possibly drugging Beverly Hills billionaire with ketamine, warrant says

Crypto shifts focus to Trump regulators after coming up short in Senate

Tinio questions P500 Pera hike, calls for budget realignment

House passes anti-spying bill amid civil rights concerns

Haaland backs data center moratorium in New Mexico

Victims' counsels to ICC: Declare former President Duterte fit for trial

Antonio Tinio calls out Marcos alleged inaction on transboundary haze

Senate Democrat blocks House-passed bill on data center electricity costs

Marcoleta’s press conference inside Sandiganbayan is allowed – BJMP

WATCH: Romualdez’s co-accused in plunder case, out of country | INQToday

Almost 2 in 3 say AI development a bad thing: Survey

What the U.S. Fed hiking rates means for the loonie and for borrowers

Army: Civilian tips thwart NPA bid to establish foothold in Agusan

Overcast skies, rains to prevail over PH due to LPA

DOE aims to install 7,000 EV charging points nationwide before 2028

‘Balutin mo ako’: Pangilinan lightens up DAR budget talk with Sharon hit

Pansipit River siltation among factors in Taal Lake water rise

US sanctions boost China’s science-driven innovation by over 70%, study finds

DOE seeks rules on boarding EVs on ships after MV June Aster tragedy

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