The World Today - Ang Mundo Ngayon

11/01/2026

Paris, January 2026 — According to the latest data from UNESCO, the number of students enrolled in higher education (tertiary level) globally has reached a historic high of 264 million as of 2023, with figures continuing to reflect this record in recent updates. This represents more than double the approximately 100 million students enrolled at the start of the century in 2000, marking a dramatic expansion driven by increased access, population growth, and evolving educational demands.

The surge includes a notable increase of 25 million students since 2020 alone, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of higher education systems amid global challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing digital transformations. This rapid growth has fundamentally reshaped global labor markets by significantly elevating average skill levels across workforces. As more individuals gain advanced qualifications, economies benefit from a more skilled and adaptable labor pool, supporting innovation, productivity, and competitiveness in knowledge-based industries.

The global gross enrollment ratio (GER) in tertiary education has more than doubled over this period, rising from 19 percent in 2000 to 43 percent in 2023. This progress reflects broader access, particularly for women, who now outnumber men in higher education worldwide (with 113 women enrolled for every 100 men in 2023). However, stark regional disparities remain: Europe and North America boast a GER of around 79 percent, while sub-Saharan Africa lags at just 9 percent.

A key driver of this expansion has been the fastest growth in short-cycle tertiary and vocational programmes, which provide targeted, practical training for mid-level skills. These programmes have seen particularly strong uptake in regions facing large youth cohorts and urgent labor-market needs, such as parts of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. By offering quicker pathways to employment compared to traditional four-year degrees, short-cycle options help absorb young graduates into the workforce efficiently while addressing skill shortages in sectors like technology, healthcare, and manufacturing.

This trend aligns with a global shift toward diversified higher education pathways, including online degrees, hybrid learning models, micro-credentials, and increased academic mobility. The number of internationally mobile students has tripled since 2000, reaching nearly 6.9 million (with data pointing to 2022–2023 figures), as students seek opportunities abroad to enhance their qualifications and global perspectives.

UNESCO emphasizes that this unprecedented boom underscores the need for equitable recognition of qualifications worldwide, as highlighted in recent discussions around the Global Convention on the Recognition of Qualifications concerning Higher Education. With enrollment expected to continue rising — potentially doubling again in the coming decades — governments, institutions, and employers must prioritize inclusive policies to ensure that this educational surge translates into sustainable economic and social benefits for all.

This milestone reflects a transformative era in global education, where expanded access to higher learning is not only elevating individual opportunities but also redefining workforce capabilities on a planetary scale.

11/01/2026

PHILIPPINES-LANDSLIDE-RESCUE-CRANE

Cebu City, Philippines — A 50-ton crane was deployed Sunday to the collapsed Binaliw landfill, boosting retrieval operations after the structure’s collapse, officials said.

The heavy machinery is expected to clear debris and accelerate ground efforts, as rescue teams coordinate closely to maximize resources and ensure safe, efficient progress.

09/01/2026

Featuring a sci-fi-inspired spatial design and an extensive book collection, Zhongshuge Bookstore in Huai’an City, east China’s Jiangsu Province, offers book lovers an immersive reading environment with a distinctly futuristic flair.

06/01/2026

Texas teens invent ultrasound device to filter microplastics from water

THE WOODLANDS, United States, January 7, 2026 (AFP) - Two Texas high school students have developed a pen-sized device that uses ultrasonic waves to remove up to 94 percent of microplastics from water in a single pass, earning them a $50,000 prize and international recognition for tackling a major environmental pollutant.
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Justin Huang and Victoria Ou, both 17-year-olds from The Woodlands College Park High School, won the Gordon E. Moore Award for Positive Outcomes for Future Generations at the 2024 Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) for their prototype.

The device consists of a tube equipped with piezoelectric transducers that generate high-frequency sound waves, creating acoustic radiation forces. These forces push microplastic particles away from the main water flow, allowing clean water to pass through while trapping the contaminants.

Lab tests showed the system removed 84 to 94 percent of common microplastics such as polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyurethane in a single pass, with some configurations achieving higher rates.

Microplastics, fragments smaller than five millimetres, evade traditional filters and have been found in human blood, organs, and placentas, raising concerns over potential health impacts like inflammation and hormonal disruption.

Existing removal methods often involve expensive equipment, chemical additives that can alter water quality, or physical filters that clog easily.

The teens' portable, low-energy design could be applied in wastewater treatment plants, rural areas, disaster zones, household laundry systems -- where synthetic textiles contribute significantly to microplastic pollution -- and developing regions.

Inspired by a visit to a local water treatment facility that revealed no specific regulations for microplastics, Huang and Ou hope to refine and scale their invention for broader impact.

"The talent and potential of young innovators like these students highlight how practical science can address urgent global challenges," said Maya Ajmera, president of the Society for Science, which organises ISEF.

06/01/2026

The claim is true.

Leandro de Souza, a Brazilian photographer from Bagé (Rio Grande do Sul), was widely recognized as Brazil's "most tattooed man," with over 170 tattoos covering 95% of his body (including his face, often designed to resemble a skull). He received this title at the Santa Rosa International Tattoo Expo in 2023.

After converting to evangelical Christianity about two years ago (around 2023–2024), he experienced a profound personal transformation. This included overcoming drug and alcohol addiction "overnight," quitting ci******es, and seeking to align his external appearance with his new faith and identity. He began a painful laser tattoo removal process, starting with his face, and has documented it on Instagram (), where he shares his testimony, preaches the Gospel, and credits Jesus Christ for his changes.

He has described feeling like a "circus attraction" before and now views the removal as part of repentance and restoring his dignity. The treatments (often provided for free by a clinic moved by his story) require multiple sessions (up to 8–10 planned), and progress photos show dramatic changes, especially on his face.

This story has been consistently reported across numerous sources since 2024, including:

- Brazilian outlets (G1, O Globo, Guiame, Pleno.News)
- International media (People, Daily Mail, The Mirror, Men's Journal, LADbible)

No conflicting reports were found.

05/01/2026

Perfect Photography

After six years of patience and precision, Italian photographer Valerio Minato finally captured a once-in-a-lifetime shot — the Moon 🌙 perfectly aligned with the Superga Basilica and the majestic Monviso Mountain in the background.

A dream he’s chased since 2017 has now become a breathtaking reality, proving that passion and perseverance can create pure magic in a single frame.

📸 Credit: Valerio Minato

04/01/2026

Philippines Senate Pushes for Nationwide Nursing Homes Amid Aging Population Crisis

Manila, Philippines – 4 January 2026

The Philippine Senate is considering landmark legislation that would require every city and province to establish at least one government-run nursing home, as the country faces a growing crisis in elderly care.

Senator Robinhood "Robin" Padilla has taken the lead in championing Senate Bill No. 20, also known as the "Nursing Home for Senior Citizens Act," which aims to provide safe, affordable, and comprehensive care for the nation’s aging population—particularly those who are abandoned, neglected, or without family support.

A Personal and National Urgency

Speaking during a Senate session and public hearing in September 2025, Padilla underscored the bill’s importance, stating, "This measure seeks to ensure that every senior citizen has access to shelter, food, and personal care." The proposal includes provisions for medical and healthcare services, recreational activities to combat isolation, and counseling support.

Padilla’s advocacy is deeply personal. He has publicly shared his family’s struggle in caring for his mother, who suffers from advanced dementia, highlighting the broader challenges faced by Filipino families as the population ages.

An Aging Nation Under Pressure

The Philippines is experiencing a demographic shift, with over 12.3 million Filipinos aged 60 and above as of 2020, according to the Philippine Statistics Authority. This number is expected to rise, placing increasing strain on traditional family-based care systems.

While Filipino culture has long relied on families to care for the elderly, economic hardship, overseas migration, and health issues have left many seniors vulnerable to abandonment or neglect. Existing public facilities, managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), are overwhelmed and unable to meet demand. Private nursing homes, though available, remain costly and largely confined to urban centers, leaving rural and low-income seniors with few options.

Experts warn of critical gaps in long-term care, including limited health insurance coverage for the elderly and a shortage of trained geriatric professionals.

How the Bill Would Work

If passed, SB 20 would mandate the DSWD and local government units (LGUs) to establish and operate nursing homes, funded through the General Appropriations Act. These facilities would provide accommodation, healthcare, social engagement, and emotional support—services advocates say are essential to improving seniors’ quality of life.

The bill has received backing from the National Commission of Senior Citizens (NCSC), as well as support from senators including Risa Hontiveros, Alan Peter Cayetano, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, and Lito Lapid, who have filed similar proposals.

A Call for Action

Current elderly care options, such as private residences like RainTree Care and La Verna Aged Care, as well as religious-run homes, remain insufficient to address the scale of the need. Advocates argue that government intervention is necessary to ensure equitable access.

"This bill aims to give our senior citizens the comprehensive care they deserve—so they feel valued, protected, and cared for," Padilla said, urging swift legislative action.

The proposal aligns with constitutional provisions that recognize the state’s responsibility to support the elderly, potentially reshaping elderly care in the Philippines for future generations.

What happens next?
The bill is now undergoing committee deliberations, with supporters hoping for progress in the coming months.

03/01/2026

Philippines' Net External Liabilities Rise 7.1% in Q2 2025, BSP Data Show

Manila, Philippines — The Philippines' net external liability position widened to 3.7 trillion pesos in the second quarter of 2025, a 7.1% increase from 3.5 trillion pesos in the first quarter, according to preliminary data from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas' Balance Sheet Approach.

The rise reflected increased external financing needs among non-financial corporations and the general government, the central bank said in its latest BSA presentation.

Non-financial corporations saw a wider net debtor position due to higher equity holdings by foreign investors and sustained reliance on loans, primarily from abroad and domestic banks. The general government's net liabilities also expanded amid greater issuance of securities held by foreign investors and increased foreign borrowings.

Overall, the domestic economy's gross financial assets rose 1.6% quarter-on-quarter to 97.9 trillion pesos, while liabilities grew 1.8% to 101.6 trillion pesos.

The BSA, a financial stability tool that maps sectoral interconnections on a from-whom-to-whom basis, highlighted shifts in net positions across sectors. Households remained the largest net creditor at 15.3 trillion pesos, while other financial corporations posted the biggest net debtor position.

By instrument, debt securities and equity shares dominated both assets and liabilities in Q2 2025.

02/01/2026

Devastating Fire at Crans-Montana Ski Resort Claims Around 40 Lives on New Year's Eve

A joyous New Year's Eve celebration turned into a national tragedy in the upscale Swiss Alpine resort of Crans-Montana when a fierce fire ripped through the popular Le Constellation bar shortly after 1:30 a.m. on January 1, 2026. Authorities report approximately 40 people killed and 115 injured, many severely with serious burns requiring treatment across Switzerland and neighboring countries.

The blaze erupted in the crowded venue, a favorite among younger locals and tourists, as hundreds of revelers—many teenagers and young adults ringing in the new year—danced and toasted with champagne. Eyewitness accounts and social media footage suggest the fire may have started when indoor sparklers, commonly attached to champagne bottles for festive "fountain" effects, ignited flammable material on the low ceiling, causing flames to spread rapidly in a flashover. Waitresses carrying sparkling bottles close to the ceiling have been described in reports, leading to a sudden inferno that engulfed the basement-level dance area.

Desperate scenes unfolded as trapped partygoers pounded on windows and attempted to smash glass with chairs to escape. One 18-year-old survivor outside the bar recounted seeing "real flames" pouring out and shadows of people running through the fire. Another witness described chaos as crowds fought to exit, with some narrowly escaping while others were overcome by smoke and heat.

In the aftermath, heartbroken parents flooded hospitals and helplines searching for missing children, many of whom were 15 to 19 years old enjoying holiday festivities. One couple from Lausanne spoke of their anguish over their 16-year-old son, who had joined friends at the bar and has not been heard from since. Makeshift memorials with flowers, candles, and silent vigils quickly formed near the cordoned-off site, contrasting with the resort's usual holiday bustle of skiers and tourists.

Emergency response was massive: 150 responders, 13 helicopters, 42 ambulances, and a no-fly zone facilitated evacuations. Injured victims, including severe burn cases as young as 15, overwhelmed local facilities, prompting transfers to specialized units in Lausanne, Zurich, Geneva, Milan, Paris, and Lyon. International victims include French, Italian, and possibly others, with France reporting eight missing and Italy noting up to 16 unaccounted for.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin, on his first day in office, called it "one of the worst tragedies our country has experienced," announcing five days of national mourning with flags at half-mast. Investigations are underway to confirm the cause—arson and terrorism have been ruled out—but identification of victims may take weeks due to the severity of injuries.

Crans-Montana, a luxurious Valais canton destination known for World Cup skiing and golf with stunning Matterhorn views, now grapples with profound shock. What began as a night of hip-hop music, dancing, and champagne has become a somber reminder of how quickly celebration can turn to heartbreak.

02/01/2026

It's not about the coffee.

30/12/2025

Japan Installs 100kW Fiber Laser Weapon on JS Asuka Test Ship, Prepares for 2026 Sea Trials

Japan has deployed a 100-kilowatt high-power fiber laser system on the 6,200-ton (6.3 million kg) JS Asuka, a test ship of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, marking a major milestone in its naval directed-energy weapon development, the Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency (ATLA) confirmed on December 2, 2025.

The weapon, developed by Kawasaki Heavy Industries with development dating back to 2018 and a prototype delivered to ATLA in February 2023, combines 10 individual 10kW fiber laser modules into a single concentrated beam of over 100kW. As a fiber laser, it amplifies light within a solid-state optical fiber doped with rare-earth elements, offering safer operation, easier maintenance, and better scalability compared to older chemical laser systems. Packed into two 40-foot (12-meter) domed modules on the ship's deck, the system includes optics, a beam control system, and powerful cooling circuits.

Designed to counter lightweight airborne threats such as small drones and mortar rounds, the laser has already demonstrated success in ground tests earlier this year, destroying targets by overheating hulls, damaging wings, or triggering munition detonation in mid-flight. Officials highlight its "unlimited magazine depth" – with engagements limited only by available electricity – and a substantially lower cost-per-shot than conventional air-defense systems, with the marginal cost of each firing amounting to just a few hundred yen in electricity fees, in contrast to the roughly 4 billion yen per shot of an SM-3 Block 2A missile.

Sea trials are scheduled to begin after February 27, 2026, to test the laser's performance in real maritime conditions, including wind, rain, sea fog, and the challenges of maintaining aim on a pitching deck amid atmospheric scattering and reflections. Despite progress, developers note hurdles remain, including high electrical demand (with fiber lasers operating at 25-35% efficiency), cooling requirements, and recharge time between sustained firings, meaning operational deployment is still years away.

Japan joins a growing list of nations developing directed-energy weapons, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, China, Russia, India, Israel, and Pakistan, while Iran and Turkey claim to have such systems in active service. The deployment aligns Japan with key allies the U.S. and U.K., which are also accelerating naval laser integration to address emerging threats like massed drone attacks and saturation missile strikes in the Indo-Pacific region.

30/12/2025

The Emerging "Super Flu": Influenza A(H3N2) Subclade K in the 2025-2026 Season

A variant of influenza A(H3N2) known as subclade K (also called J.2.4.1) has rapidly become the dominant strain driving the current flu season, earning the media nickname "super flu" due to its fast spread and partial mismatch with this year's vaccine. This subclade emerged in mid-2025 with several genetic mutations (around seven key changes in the hemagglutinin protein), allowing it to evade some existing immunity more effectively than prior H3N2 strains.

Global and U.S. Spread
- Subclade K first gained prominence in the Southern Hemisphere, extending flu seasons in Australia and New Zealand.
- It spread to the Northern Hemisphere, causing early and intense outbreaks in Japan, the UK (starting 4-5 weeks earlier than usual), parts of Europe, Canada, and now the U.S.
- In the U.S., as of mid-December 2025, subclade K accounts for about 89-90% of characterized H3N2 viruses, making it the predominant strain. CDC estimates at least 4.6 million illnesses, 49,000 hospitalizations, and 1,900 deaths so far this season, with activity rising nationwide and "very high" levels in states like New York, Colorado, Louisiana, and others.
- It has been detected in over 34 countries, though not yet significantly in South America.

Severity and Symptoms
H3N2 strains historically tend to cause more severe seasons, especially in older adults and children, with higher hospitalization rates. However, current data from the WHO, CDC, and experts indicate no evidence that subclade K itself is inherently more virulent or severe than other recent H3N2 variants—severity indicators remain within expected ranges.

Symptoms are typical of seasonal flu but can feel more intense:
- High fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, fatigue
- Cough, sore throat, runny nose
- Some reports of shortness of breath, chest pain, gastrointestinal issues, or prolonged weakness

The perceived "super" aspect comes more from its rapid dominance and early timing rather than increased lethality.

Vaccine Effectiveness
The 2025-2026 flu vaccine was formulated before subclade K emerged, leading to antigenic drift and a partial mismatch. Protection against infection may be reduced (potentially lower than the usual 40-60% efficacy).

Early real-world data (e.g., from the UK) show it still provides meaningful protection against severe outcomes:
- ~70-75% effective against hospitalization in children
- ~30-40% in adults

Experts strongly recommend vaccination anyway, as it reduces severe illness, hospitalization, and death, even against drifted strains. Antivirals like Tamiflu (oseltamivir) or Xofluza remain fully effective if started early.

This season may be challenging due to the mismatch, early start, and potentially lower vaccination rates, but subclade K represents normal flu evolution—not a novel "superbug." Public health measures like hand hygiene, masking when sick, and staying home remain key to curbing spread.