Fugitive child sex offender found dead in a California riverbed, officials say

Los Angeles Times - Oct 21, 2026

Authorities had been searching for Merle Wakefield, 69, for nearly a month after he cut off his GPS monitor in Rancho Bernardo and fled.

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

Oct 22, 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

Kentucky bourbon master eyes global expansion with Korean bartenders

Oct 22, 2026

Kentucky bourbon master eyes global expansion with Korean bartenders

Jefferson’s Bourbon founder Trey Zoeller was in Seoul last week for a special event in Korea, offering a unique opportunity to introduce his Kentucky-based brand to Korean consumers. It marked the finale of a six-month program involving 40 Korean bartenders who explored the brand and developed their own cocktails using its bourbon. Zoeller, who founded the brand with his father, Chet Zoeller, in 1997, came to Korea to recognize the bartenders whose cocktails for the Camp Jefferson program sold the most and best reflected his vision for the brand. In 2023, Zoeller and his late father were inducted into the Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame. During the event, he shared insights into the brand with the participating bartenders, explaining how his passion for outdoor adventure helped shape its identity beyond bourbon-making traditions. Zoeller said he was surprised to see his bourbon transformed into a variety of creative cocktails he had never imagined before. “I loved it. There was so much creativity that came through so many different variations of products that I never had. I tasted every

Korea, US conclude multinational maritime mine warfare exercise off Busan

Oct 22, 2026

Korea, US conclude multinational maritime mine warfare exercise off Busan

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

Cuba seeks closer ties with S. Korea amid prolonged US embargo: envoy

Oct 22, 2026

Cuba seeks closer ties with S. Korea amid prolonged US embargo: envoy

Cuba is seeking to deepen economic ties with South Korea as it has been grappling with the economic and energy crises exacerbated by decadeslong U.S. sanctions on Havana, the Cuban ambassador to Seoul has said. Ambassador Claudio Raul Monzon Baeza made the remarks in an interview with Yonhap News Agency in Seoul on Monday, ahead of next week's vote at the U.N. General Assembly on Cuba's annual resolution calling for an end to the U.S. embargo. "There has been a constant trickle of new measures and sanctions that affect both the public and private sectors," Monzon said. "This is an unprecedented offensive aimed at causing a humanitarian crisis by strangling the economy." The ambassador said intensified U.S. sanctions have had far-reaching effects on Cuba's trade, fuel supplies and public services, including healthcare. "If not the worst, it's at least one of the worst situations we've been through," he said. Cuba has submitted an annual resolution against the U.S. embargo since 1992, and this year will be no exception, with a vote scheduled for Oct. 27-28. "There is a clear and unquestiona

NK leader's sister warns of border countermeasures, loudspeakers to be ready within days

Oct 22, 2026

NK leader's sister warns of border countermeasures, loudspeakers to be ready within days

Kim Yo-jong, the powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, warned Thursday of "new counter means" along the inter-Korean border, adding propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts against South Korea will be ready within days. Kim's warning came a day after she visited key locations along the southern border and threatened to take military action against what the North called South Korean troops' provocations against its border fortification work. "Our new counter means will get into the alert for duty at all the southern border line and the loudspeakers against the ROK will be on standby in a matter of days," Kim said in a statement carried by the North's Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). ROK is the acronym for South Korea's official name, the Republic of Korea. Kim warned Wednesday that Pyongyang would resume propaganda loudspeaker broadcasts toward South Korea later this month, as South Korea has vowed to respond sternly to North Korean troops crossing the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) during border fortification work. "Within the territory where our sovereignty is exercised, the p

Chinese firm unveils ‘guardian’ robot that can disarm attackers, lift cars

Oct 22, 2026

Chinese firm unveils ‘guardian’ robot that can disarm attackers, lift cars

A knife-wielding intruder is confronted. A car is lifted to free a trapped victim. A pedestrian is pulled from the path of an oncoming vehicle. The scenes described are not from a Hollywood blockbuster, but a promotional clip for a new “guardian” robot created by the Chinese technology firm Unitree Robotics. The footage for the H2-X model, released on Wednesday, underscores a wider shift in strategy by the Hangzhou-based firm, as it focuses on finding practical, real-world uses for its athletic...

Flu-like illnesses up in Oriental Mindoro

Oct 21, 2026

Flu-like illnesses up in Oriental Mindoro

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

Forcing employees to perform in Christmas parties a form of bullying

Oct 21, 2026

Forcing employees to perform in Christmas parties a form of bullying

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

Quezon activates task force as El Niño threatens farms, water supply

Oct 21, 2026

Quezon activates task force as El Niño threatens farms, water supply

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

NBI rescues child from alleged online sexual abuse, exploitation

Oct 21, 2026

NBI rescues child from alleged online sexual abuse, exploitation

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

Part 1: New candidates in the running to be Marcos’ 2nd SC justice

Oct 21, 2026

Part 1: New candidates in the running to be Marcos’ 2nd SC justice

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

MMDA flags 5 major cemeteries for Undas traffic management

Oct 21, 2026

MMDA flags 5 major cemeteries for Undas traffic management

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

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