The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) have rallied behind tennis phenom Alex Eala as she prepares to represent the country. Choosing patriotism over professional obligations, Eala has opted to compete in the Asian Games despite facing potential Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) sanctions for skipping a mandatory WTA 1000 event held during the same timeframe.
Both governing bodies are offering comprehensive support to ensure Eala can prioritize national duty without unmanageable career setbacks. PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio assured that the commission is coordinating closely with the POC and the Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) to appeal to the WTA for an official exemption. However, the WTA is expected to deny PHILTA’s petition for an exemption to skip the mandatory WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing. The penalties for skipping a mandatory WTA 1000 event include a fine of approximately $10,000 USD (₱627,340.00) and a mandatory “zero-point” score applied to her 52-week ranking breakdown.
Should these fines or administrative penalties be levied, Philippine sports leaders—backed by lawmakers—are committed to providing legal assistance and transparent financial backing to cover any monetary sanctions. By managing administrative hurdles, coordinating international appeals, and guaranteeing financial safeguards, the POC and PSC demonstrate that no elite athlete should bear the cost of representing the flag alone. This unified stance reinforces national sports development, allowing Eala to focus entirely on bringing home honors for the Philippines at the 2026 Asian Games, scheduled from September 27 to October 3 at the Nagoya City Higashiyama Park Tennis Center in Japan.
Television’s biggest night delivered unforgettable moments, historic wins, and massive celebrations across the industry. The 2026 Emmy Awards honored the best storytelling on screen, showcasing breakout hits alongside seasoned fan favorites. Drama series The Pitt and comedy powerhouse Widow’s Bay led the pack, taking home top program honors alongside standout wins for stars Noah Wyle, Rhea Seehorn, Matthew Rhys, and Jean Smart.
Here’s a list of winners at the 78th annual Primetime Emmy Awards.
Major Category Winners
Outstanding Drama Series: The Pitt
Outstanding Comedy Series: Widow’s Bay
Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series: DTF St. Louis
Outstanding Reality Competition Program: The Traitors
Outstanding Variety Talk Series: The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Drama Categories
Lead Actor: Noah Wyle – The Pitt
Lead Actress: Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus
Supporting Actor: Tom Pelphrey – Task
Supporting Actress: Allison Janney – The Diplomat
Directing: Saul Metzstein – Slow Horses
Writing: Vince Gilligan – Pluribus (“We Is Us”)
Comedy Categories
Lead Actor: Matthew Rhys – Widow’s Bay
Lead Actress: Jean Smart – Hacks
Supporting Actor: Stephen Root – Widow’s Bay
Supporting Actress: Kate O’Flynn – Widow’s Bay
Directing: Hiro Murai – Widow’s Bay (“Welcome to Widow’s Bay!”)
Writing: Katie Dippold – Widow’s Bay (“Welcome to Widow’s Bay!”)
Limited Series / Movie Categories
Lead Actor: Matthew Rhys – The Beast in Me
Lead Actress: Sally Field – Remarkably Bright Creatures
ABS-CBN Corporation announced a retrenchment program affecting approximately 200 employees, representing roughly 7% of its workforce.
In an official statement issued by ABS-CBN Corporate Communications, the media group attributed the difficult decision to ongoing economic pressures impacting the broader content industry. Key headwinds including inflation, sluggish economic growth, and global conflicts have weakened advertising revenue and reduced overall consumer spending. While recent strategic investments have provided a vote of confidence in the network’s long-term trajectory toward becoming a global storytelling platform, management emphasized that structural adjustments were required to maintain financial stability.
The company acknowledged the personal toll the job cuts will take on the affected workers and their families, committing to execute the transition with compassion and respect. ABS-CBN expressed deep gratitude to its employees for their dedication, service, and contributions to Filipino audiences worldwide as it continues navigating its recovery journey.
Nike just released a behind-the-scenes video about the design process for the Caitlin 1. In it, Caitlin Clark shares what she wanted in her debut signature shoe, alongside insights from Nike Basketball’s Alex Zerzan (Product Line Manager) and Ben Nethongkome (Footwear Designer) on bringing the vision to life.
In their official press release, Nike said “The Caitlin 1 is Nike athlete Caitlin Clark’s first signature shoe, built around the speed, range and unpredictability that make her extraordinary performances seem downright ordinary.”
There are currently at least 12 confirmed colorways for the Nike Caitlin 1, led by the “Racer Blue” and “Yellow Zest” debut pairs. The shoe launches in China on September 24 and globally on October 1 at nike.com and select retailers with a retail price of $140.
The Caitlin 1 is built for players who need reliable grip, a quick feel underfoot and a secure fit for creating space on indoor courts. Its cushioning, supportive upper and multidirectional outsole work together to help athletes move confidently through cuts, step-backs, takeoffs and landings.
Inspired by Caitlin Clark’s ability to stay one step ahead, her first signature basketball shoe was developed by studying the moves that make her elite and refining each detail alongside her. The result is a lightweight silhouette made for fast decisions and precise footwork.
Air Zoom Turbo helps players push off quickly and rise comfortably into a shot, while Cushlon foam softens impact without feeling unstable. The Nike Opticast upper holds the foot securely through sudden changes of direction while allowing airflow during extended play. Underfoot, a fanning traction pattern provides multidirectional grip for sharp cuts, step-backs and quick stops on indoor courts.
Performance benefits in the Caitlin 1:
• Reliable grip through multidirectional movement.
• A quick, cushioned feel underfoot.
• A secure fit for cuts and changes of direction.
• Stable landings and confident transitions.
How the Caitlin 1 Helps You Play:
• Accelerate into open space with less impact underfoot.
• Stay planted when stopping or changing direction.
• Keeps your foot secure without adding unnecessary weight.
• Maintain grip through lateral cuts, step-backs and takeoffs.
Disney and ESPN Films have released the official trailer, embedded below, for Portrait of an Artist: Stephen Curry, an upcoming feature documentary debuting exclusively in IMAX theaters on October 9, 2026.
The film explores NBA superstar Stephen Curry’s historic journey to 4,000 career three-pointers — an unprecedented milestone he reached against the Sacramento Kings at the Chase Center. The record-breaking shot came off a pass from Moses Moody in the third quarter, just one day before Curry’s 37th birthday.
According to Unanimous Media, the documentary weaves together Curry’s game-day preparation with insights from other groundbreaking artists, including Viola Davis, Rick Rubin, Patti Smith, and Jon Batiste. Together, they reflect on the mindset, work ethic, and singular vision that transformed the game of basketball.
On the verge of his record-extending 4,000th career three-pointer, four-time NBA champion and two-time MVP Stephen Curry reflects on the upbringing, mindset, and work ethic that have made him among the most legendary artists of our time. The film captures Curry leading up to and throughout one remarkable game, weaving together his generational artistry with perspectives from other innovative artists – including Viola Davis, Rick Rubin, Patti Smith, and Jon Batiste – showcasing how his singular vision has permanently transformed the game of basketball.
“Portrait of an Artist: Stephen Curry” is produced and presented by IMAX, Religion of Sports, and Unanimous Media, in association with NBA Entertainment, and will be distributed by Disney. Directed by Religion of Sports co-founder Gotham Chopra, will be released exclusively in IMAX theaters October 9, 2026.
Netflix has officially set its sights on Sanctuary, confirming that an animated series based on Blizzard Entertainment’s iconic Diablo franchise is currently in development. The news broke directly from the official Diablo account on X (formerly Twitter), which posted: “We are thrilled to share that we are in development on a new animated series for Diablo with Netflix.”
This announcement marks another major step in Netflix’s strategy to adapt iconic gaming properties into acclaimed animated series. Following the massive success of adaptations like Castlevania, Arcane, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, expectations are immensely high for what a Diablo series could deliver.
We are thrilled to share that we are in development on a new animated series for Diablo with Netflix. pic.twitter.com/F7dKh73f12
Details regarding the showrunner, voice cast, and release window remain under wraps, the collaboration signals a strong commitment to expanding the franchise beyond the gaming screen. For fans who have spent decades slaying demons, this new adaptation promises a fresh, cinematic dive into one of gaming’s most celebrated universes.
Looking to avenge their heartbreaking semi-final loss from the previous Asian Games, a laser-focused Chinese squad asserted dominance early. Levering their massive size advantage, China controlled the paint and punished the Philippines’ defense to construct a commanding 66-30 lead by halftime.
A depleted Gilas roster—competing without star naturalized player Justin Brownlee and key frontline anchors like Kai Sotto and Dwight Ramos—struggled to match China’s physical execution on both ends of the floor. Despite brief offensive sparks in the second half led by Sedrick Barefield, the Philippines had no answer for Team Dragons’ relentless transition play and inside-outside scoring depth. China pushed their advantage to as high as 45 points in the final quarter, comfortably securing a 3-0 record to sweep Group C.
The 44-point defeat dropped the Philippines to 1-3 in group play, bringing an early and painful end to their Asian Games title defense.
Team USA asserted their international basketball dominance once again, overcoming an early 14-point deficit to defeat France 97–79 in Berlin and capture their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Gold.
Team USA asserted their international basketball dominance once again, overcoming an early 14-point deficit to defeat France 97–79 in Berlin and capture their fifth consecutive FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup Gold.
The French national team came out firing in the gold medal game, capitalizing on a hot shooting start to take a commanding 31–17 lead early in the second quarter. However, the Americans quickly found their rhythm. Behind a buzzer-beating three-pointer from Caitlin Clark before halftime, Team USA cut the deficit to 45–43. The second half belonged entirely to the U.S., as they unleashed a 30–12 surge in the third quarter to pull away permanently.
The game’s top performer was Team USA captain Breanna Stewart. Delivering a stellar double-double performance, Stewart dominated the court with a game-high 22 points and 10 rebounds. Her elite leadership and clutch scoring sparked the U.S. comeback, earning her tournament MVP honors for the second time in her decorated career. Jackie Young provided vital secondary scoring with 18 points, while Dominique Malonga led France with 21 points in their silver-medal effort.
Team USA will have four days to rest before players return to their respective teams to finish the remaining WNBA regular season games on September 18.
Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new flag carrier owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), officially expanded its Asian footprint following the successful completion of its inaugural flight, RX 0873, to Manila on September 9. The Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner departed King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh and landed smoothly at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), marking the official start of direct, non-stop service between the two capitals.
Manila, the first of many hellos 🇵🇭✈️
Our inaugural flight has officially landed, marking the start of daily flights between Riyadh and Manila. pic.twitter.com/3olQcT6ioA
Manila represents Riyadh Air’s 13th global destination and 7th in Asia. The route bridges one of the Middle East’s most vital labor, commerce, and tourism corridors with a modern, high-comfort widebody product.
Strategic Significance of the Corridor
Saudi Arabia is home to over one million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) spanning healthcare, engineering, construction, hospitality, and domestic services. For decades, travel between the two capitals relied heavily on third-country Gulf hubs or established legacy carriers. By introducing direct flights, Riyadh Air delivers a seamless, point-to-point journey that saves hours of travel time while facilitating bilateral trade, business partnerships, and tourism.
This route directly supports the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s National Transport and Logistics Strategy under Vision 2030, aimed at enhancing the Kingdom’s international connectivity to over 250 global destinations.
Route Operations & Flight Schedule
The route operates using a state-of-the-art, dual-class Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Initially running four times weekly, the route will ramp up to daily frequencies to handle peak year-end travel demand:
Flight Number
Departure Airport
Departure Time
Arrival Airport
Arrival Time
Frequency
RX 0873
Riyadh (RUH)
01:05 AST
Manila (MNL)
15:55 PHT
Daily
RX 0874
Manila (MNL)
17:25 PHT
Riyadh (RUH)
22:15 AST
Daily
Note: Initial launch operations run four times weekly, scaling up to daily frequencies to meet peak year-end travel demand.
Onboard Passenger Experience
Riyadh Air’s 787-9 fleet brings a modern passenger experience tailored for long-haul travel across Asia and Europe:
Cabin Layout: Configured across Business Elite, Business, Premium Economy, and Ergonomic Economy class sections.
In-Flight Entertainment: Panasonic Avionics’ Astrova OLED screens featuring wireless audio pairing and fast mobile device charging.
Connectivity & Hospitality: High-speed inflight Wi-Fi, curated dining menus fusing authentic Saudi hospitality with international flavors, and integration with the carrier’s Sfeer loyalty ecosystem.
Apple has officially announced the AirPods 5, delivering meaningful upgrades across sound architecture, active noise control, and overall wearability. Powered by the all-new H2 audio processing chip, the AirPods 5 offer richer base response, crisp treble, and real-time computational audio optimization tailored dynamically to the structure of your ear.
A key highlight of the lineup is the dual-tier design model, offering users a choice between an ultra-light open-ear fit and a premium Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) variant equipped with Adaptive Audio and Conversation Awareness. Redesigned acoustic vents and refined stem angles provide improved ergonomic balance, ensuring secure comfort for prolonged listening sessions. Wireless case charging now comes standard across models alongside universal USB-C connectivity and full Precision Finding support via Apple’s Find My network.
Up to 4 hours of battery life on a single charge with Active Noise Cancellation enabled
Charging & Case
USB-C, MagSafe/Qi wireless charging, integrated Find My speaker
Sensors
Dual beamforming microphones
Inward-facing microphone
Optical in-ear sensor
Motion-detecting accelerometer
Speech-detecting accelerometer
Force sensor
Force sensor with volume swipe (AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case)
Durability
Dust, sweat, and water resistant (IP57)
You can checkout the full specs of the new Apple AirPods 5 here.
With seamless ecosystem integration, lossless audio streaming capability via Apple Vision Pro connection, and responsive touch stem controls, the AirPods 5 establish a new baseline for everyday personal audio. Apple AirPods 5 is now available for pre-order and will be available in September 9, 2026 in over 65 countries and regions. The AirPods 5 will retail for $129 and the AirPods 5 with Wireless Charging Case will be $149.
Filipina tennis star Alex Eala will lead the Philippine tennis delegation at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, set to run from September 19 to October 4, 2026. Fresh off a career-high ranking inside the world’s top 20, the 21-year-old will represent the nation in both Women’s Singles and Mixed Doubles alongside veteran Francis Casey Alcantara.
Eala’s participation comes with high stakes. The Asian Games tennis schedule (September 27 to October 3) directly overlaps with the mandatory WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing. Under WTA Tour rules, qualified top-tier players are contractually required to compete in mandatory WTA 1000 tournaments. Because Eala chose to prioritize representing her country in Japan over the event in China, she faces strict tour enforcement.
The penalties for unexcused absences from mandatory WTA 1000 events are two-fold: a financial late-withdrawal fine of around $10,000 USD and a mandatory “zero-point” score applied to her 52-week ranking breakdown. This zero-point penalty locks up a valuable tournament slot on her ranking tally that would otherwise be occupied by points earned from another WTA event, dealing a minor blow to her ranking progress.
The Philippine Tennis Association (PHILTA) formally petitioned the WTA for an official exemption on national representation grounds. However, her chances of being granted a waiver are virtually zero. The WTA recently denied an identical exemption request submitted by Indonesian star Janice Tjen, forcing Tjen to withdraw from the Asian Games to avoid penalties. Because the WTA Rulebook strictly limits non-penalty exemptions to medical injuries and specific personal hardship, the tour maintains a firm policy against waiving penalties for non-ITF multi-sport events.
Knowing the consequences, Eala remains steadfast in her decision, accepting the financial fine and ranking hit to chase Asian Games glory for the Philippines.
Filipina tennis sensation Alex Eala is set to headline the 2026 Singapore Tennis Open, scheduled for September 21–27 at the OCBC Arena in Kallang. Fresh off a third-round exit at the US Open, world No. 18 Alex Eala shifts her focus to Asia as one of the featured stars in the upgraded WTA 500 hard-court event.
The tournament boasts a competitive 17-player singles field, headlined by top-10 mainstays including World No. 3 Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva (No. 5), and Amanda Anisimova (10). Entering as the sixth seed, Eala aims to carry her momentum from a breakout season—highlighted by her landmark WTA 500 title in Washington—into the Asian swing.
Returning to Singapore holds special personal significance for Eala, who previously competed in the city-state during her junior career at the WTA Future Stars event. Beyond offering crucial ranking points and world-class competition, the hard-court tournament serves as Eala’s primary tune-up ahead of representing the Philippines at the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Southeast Asian fans are eager to watch the 21-year-old push for another deep WTA run on regional soil.
Elena Rybakina produced a masterclass in composure and ball-striking to claim her maiden US Open title, defeating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 in a dramatic final at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The victory also secures Rybakina the world No. 1 ranking, ending Sabalenka’s 99-week reign at the top.
The showdown highlighted one of modern tennis’s fiercest rivalries. Rybakina drew first blood by breaking in the fifth game of the opening set, leveraging her formidable serve to secure the lead. Sabalenka mounted a fierce rally in the second set, utilizing her trademark explosive power to break late and force a deciding third set.
However, Rybakina quickly regained control in the final set. Winning 85.4% of her first-serve points and unleashing 12 aces throughout the match, the Kazakh dictating play from the baseline and broke Sabalenka twice to close out the victory in two hours and 21 minutes.
Adding Flushing Meadows to her Australian Open crown earlier this season, Rybakina now holds three Grand Slam singles titles. Her triumph cements her status at the peak of women’s tennis.
Aryna Sabalenka vs. Elena Rybakina 2026 US Open Final Highlights
Alongside the Apple Watch Series 12, Apple announced the Apple Watch Ultra 4—a more rugged, high-performance counterpart designed for extreme environments and off-grid exploration.
The Ultra 4 features a refined Grade 5 titanium enclosure and a brighter LTPO3 OLED display. Powered by the S11 chip, it improves battery performance, accelerates Siri processing, and expands satellite connectivity for messaging and location sharing without cellular service. Health features gain non-invasive blood pressure trend detection, while the Oceanic+ app integration offers deeper tracking for divers and water sports enthusiasts.
Specification
Details
Case Size
49mm (Grade 5 Titanium)
Display
Sapphire Crystal, LTPO3 OLED (Up to 3,000 nits)
Processor
S11 SiP with 4-core Neural Engine
Battery Life
Up to 42 hours (72 hours in Low Power Mode)
Durability
100m Water Resistance (ISO 22810), EN13319 Dive Certified (40m), IP6X, MIL-STD 810H
The Apple Watch Ultra 4 positions Apple to better compete for the hardcore athletic market, directly challenging screenless trackers like Whoop and dedicated sport watches from Garmin. Like the Apple Watch Series 12, pre-orders for the Apple Watch Ultra 4 are now open, and it will be available in stores and at retailers starting Friday, September 18th
Along with the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone Duo, Apple has unveiled the Apple Watch Series 12, focusing on advanced health tracking, enhanced durability, and refined performance.
At the center of Series 12 is the upgraded Health Sensing System powered by the S11 chip, enabling 5-second heart rate interval readings and continuous recovery HRV tracking. This real-time data powers the new Readiness feature, which converts daily activity, sleep, and vitals into an actionable daily readiness score.
Durability sees a substantial upgrade with Ceramic Shield 2 glass on aluminum models. Connectivity steps forward with 5G RedCap support on cellular models, while charging speeds improve—reaching 80% in roughly 30 minutes. On the software side, the watch leverages Audio Intelligence for privacy-focused features like on-device conversation review.
Apple Watch Series 12 has the most accurate heart rate sensing in a wearable. Unlock new features like high-frequency heart rate tracking, heart rate variability in daytime vitals, and a readiness score that lets you know when to rest or put yourself to the test. And now every day feels more effortless with Siri Al and Audio Intelligence.
Apple Watch is the ultimate device for a healthy life, with features like sleep score, cycle tracking, and in-depth workout metrics. It’s built to go all day with up to 24-hour battery life, a wide-angle Always-On Retina display, and superdurable Ceramic Shield 2 on aluminum cases.
Specification
Details
Case Sizes:
42mm and 46mm
Materials:
Aluminum, Titanium, Ceramic
Display:
Always-On LTPO3 OLED (Up to 2,000 nits)
Processor:
S11 SiP with 4-core Neural Engine
Storage:
64GB
Battery Life:
Up to 24 hours (38 hours in Low Power Mode)
Connectivity:
5G RedCap, Wi-Fi 4, Bluetooth 5.3, Ultra Wideband (UWB 2)
Water Resistance:
50m (ISO 22810:2010), depth gauge to 6m
Price:
Starting at $399
Pre-orders for the Apple Watch Series 12 are now open, and it will be available in stores and at retailers starting Friday, September 18th.
The United States national team secured a hard-fought 76-66 victory over Spain in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, advancing to its fifth consecutive championship game.
Spain came out aggressive, leaping to a 11-4 lead in the opening quarter and utilizing a physical, high-pressure defense that disrupted the American offense throughout the first half. Led by standout performances from María Conde and Iyana Martín—who each scored 17 points—Spain kept pace with the four-time defending champions, forcing a 58-58 deadlock entering the final quarter.
The U.S. turned the tide in the fourth quarter with an intense defensive push, holding Spain to just eight points while scoring 18. Head coach Kara Lawson’s squad launched a decisive 12-2 run to build a 10-point lead with five minutes remaining, creating enough of a cushion to secure the victory.
Full Game highlights;
Breanna Stewart led the Americans with 16 points, while Kahleah Copper added 13 off the bench. The win extended the U.S. World Cup winning streak to 35 consecutive games and set up a gold-medal matchup against France. Spain will face Germany for the bronze medal.
Proclamation No. 1427, signed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on September 8, 2026, officially establishes the Philippine national holiday calendar for 2027.
Here is the breakdown of the holidays categorized under the proclamation:
Regular Holidays
January 1 (Friday): New Year’s Day
March 25: Maundy Thursday
March 26: Good Friday
April 9 (Friday): Araw ng Kagitingan
May 1 (Saturday): Labor Day
June 12 (Saturday): Independence Day
August 30 (Monday): National Heroes Day (Last Monday of August)
November 30 (Tuesday): Bonifacio Day
December 25 (Saturday): Christmas Day
December 30 (Thursday): Rizal Day
Special Non-Working Days
August 21 (Saturday): Ninoy Aquino Day
November 1 (Monday): All Saints’ Day
December 8 (Wednesday): Feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary
December 31 (Friday): Last Day of the Year
Additional Special Non-Working Days
February 6 (Saturday): Chinese New Year
March 27: Black Saturday
November 2 (Tuesday): All Souls’ Day
December 24 (Friday): Christmas Eve
Special Working Day
February 25 (Thursday): 41st EDSA People Power Revolution Anniversary
Note on Islamic Holidays: The official observances for Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha will be issued in separate proclamations following recommendations from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos based on the Islamic lunar calendar.
Team USA continued its march toward a fifth consecutive title at the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, delivering a clinical 108–56 quarterfinal victory over Hungary in Berlin.
From the opening tip, head coach Kara Lawson’s squad set an uncompromising pace. Breanna Stewart opened the scoring with a signature fadeaway jumper, sparking an early 13–7 run. The Americans never looked back, putting together a 15–0 run in the first half to establish complete control. Behind an incredible 20-for-26 shooting display early on, Team USA built a 59–30 halftime lead—marking the highest-scoring quarterfinal half in FIBA Women’s World Cup history.
Hungary, competing in the World Cup top eight for the first time in 40 years behind Minnesota Lynx standout Dorka Juhász, struggled to handle the Americans’ overwhelming depth and high-pressure defense. Team USA set two tournament quarterfinal records on the day: most points scored (108) and most total assists (31).
Napheesa Collier anchored the victory with an efficient performance on both ends of the floor, earning Player of the Game honors. She scored a game-high 19 points and set the early tempo by pouring in 10 of those points in the first quarter alone. Collier spearheaded a balanced American attack that featured all 12 roster members on the scoresheet, supported by strong outings from Caitlin Clark (10 points, 9 assists) and Kahleah Copper (10 points).
Full game highlights:
With the quarterfinal win secured, Team USA advances to its 11th straight FIBA Women’s World Cup semifinal. They will take on Spain, who secured their spot after defeating Australia 89–66 in their quarterfinal clash. The marquee semifinal matchup takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at 09:00 PM local time.
Together with the iPhone Duo, Apple has officially release the pricing information of the next generation iPhone the Philippines and here are the pricing of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max.
Storage Variant
iPhone 18 Pro
iPhone 18 Pro Max
256GB
₱94,990.00
₱99,990.00
512GB
₱110,990.00
₱115,990.00
1TB
₱142,990.00
₱147,990.00
2TB
₱189,990.00
₱194,990.00
Similar to the iPhone Duo, there is no word yet on when the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will be available locally—even though pre-orders in other markets begin this Friday, September 12, with in-store availability starting September 18.
iPhone 18 Pro is Apple’s most powerful iPhone yet. It features the A20 Pro chip, which has exceptional AI capabilities and is cooled by a next-generation vapor chamber. It delivers the longest battery life ever in an iPhone — 6 more hours of video playback on iPhone 18 Pro Max compared with iPhone 17 Pro Max. A Pro camera system with variable aperture, greater depth of field, and better-quality low-light photos. And Siri AI, your more personal, more powerful AI assistant.
Technical Specifications for iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max
Feature
iPhone 18 Pro
iPhone 18 Pro Max
Display
Super Retina XDR ProMotion (1-120Hz), 2868-by-1320-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
Super Retina XDR ProMotion (1-120Hz), 2868-by-1320-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
Processor
A20 Pro (2nm, 6-Core CPU, 7-core GPU with Neural Accelerators)
A20 Pro (2nm, 6-Core CPU, 7-core GPU with Neural Accelerators)
Neural Engine
Dual 16-Core Neural Engine (32 Cores total)
Dual 16-Core Neural Engine (32 Cores total)
Main Camera
48MP Fusion Main Ultra Wide with variable aperture with Ultra Wide 48MP Fusion Telephoto
48MP Fusion Main Ultra Wide with variable aperture with Ultra Wide 48MP Fusion Telephoto
Just hours after the Apple Sept. 9 ‘Surprise and Shine’ Event, information about the iPhone Duo became available in the Apple’s Philippines Store and as expected the price for the iPhone Duo in the Philippines is on the highest of the high end.
Storage Variant
iPhone Duo
256GB
₱ 159,990.00
512GB
₱ 175,990.00
1TB
₱ 207,990.00
2TB
₱ 254,990.00
No word yet on when it will become available in the country, since pre-orders for the iPhone Duo in other markets will start on Friday, October 16, and will be in-store and online availability on Friday, October 23.
iPhone Duo Specs
Feature
Official Specification
Inner Display
7.6-inch Flexible OLED, Super Retina XDR (1-120Hz ProMotion)
Outer Cover Display
5.4-inch OLED, Super Retina XDR (1-120Hz ProMotion)
Build Materials
Polished Grade 5 Titanium Chassis, Ceramic Shield
Processor
A20 Pro (2nm architecture, 6-core CPU, 7-core GPU)
Neural Engine
Dual 16-Core Neural Engine (32 Cores total)
Main Cameras
Dual 48MP Fusion Camera System (Main + Ultra Wide)
Front Cameras
– (Outer) 12MP Center Stage Camera – (Inner) Under-display FaceTime camera
Stylus Support
Apple Pencil compatible (Inner and Outer Display)
Wireless Silicon
Apple N1 (Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread) + C2 Cellular Modem
Battery Endurance
Up to 44 hours video playback (outer display) / Up to 31 hours (inner display)
Apple has officially announce the next generation iPhone and for those living in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia here are the pricing of the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max.
Storage Variant
iPhone 18 Pro
iPhone 18 Pro Max
256GB
SAR 5,699
SAR 6,099
512GB
SAR 6,699
SAR 7,099
1TB
SAR 8,699
SAR 9,099
2TB
SAR 11,699
SAR 12,099
iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max will be available for Pre-order this Friday, Sept. 12th and will be available in stores and retailers starting 18th of September.
Apple has officially introduced the iPhone Duo, marking the most significant evolution in the iPhone’s physical design since its inception. Unveiled on stage by Apple CEO John Ternus, the device enters the foldable market with a refined book-style form factor. Crafted from mirror-polished Grade 5 titanium, the iPhone Duo folds into a compact passport-sized shell while opening into a expansive tablet-class canvas. The hardware is available in two distinct finishes: Star White and Night Sky.
Image: iPhone Duo in folded and unfolded form
The physical design centers on two displays. The cover interface uses a 5.4-inch outer panel for quick single-handed tasks. Unfolding the device reveals a 7.6-inch Ultra Retina XDR inner display engineered with a multi-pivot magnetic hinge, resulting in a near-invisible crease across the foldable screen.
The hinge allows the phone to flex across multiple positions. It can sit in Laptop Mode—splitting apps with controls on the bottom half and content on top—or stand independently in Tent Mode for hands-free video playback. A camera utility called Duo Preview projects live viewfinders onto both screens simultaneously, letting photography subjects see their framing in real time.
Under the hood, the device is powered by the 2nm A20 Pro silicon, backed by a 6-core CPU, 7-core GPU, and Dual 16-Core Neural Engines designed for complex Apple Intelligence workflows. On-device software support includes true side-by-side app multitasking and full support for the Apple Pencil on the inner display. The rear housing features a dual 48MP Fusion system, paired with the custom C2 cellular modem and N1 wireless chip for efficient network management.
Image: iPhone Duo in Star White and Night Sky Colors
Feature
Official Specification
Inner Display
7.6-inch Flexible OLED, Super Retina XDR (1-120Hz ProMotion)
Outer Cover Display
5.4-inch OLED, Super Retina XDR (1-120Hz ProMotion)
Build Materials
Polished Grade 5 Titanium Chassis, Ceramic Shield
Processor
A20 Pro (2nm architecture, 6-core CPU, 7-core GPU)
Neural Engine
Dual 16-Core Neural Engine (32 Cores total)
Main Cameras
Dual 48MP Fusion Camera System (Main + Ultra Wide)
Front Cameras
– (Outer) 12MP Center Stage Camera – (Inner) Under-display FaceTime camera
Stylus Support
Apple Pencil compatible (Inner and Outer Display)
Wireless Silicon
Apple N1 (Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, Thread) + C2 Cellular Modem
Battery Endurance
Up to 44 hours video playback (outer display) / Up to 31 hours (inner display)
Storage Configurations
256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB
Color Finishes
Star White, Night Sky
iPhone Duo Intro Video
iPhone Duo is a foldable iPhone with the largest iPhone display ever and reimagined iOS experiences for unprecedented versatility, including side-by-side apps for multitasking, hands-free FaceTime calls, and flexible viewing. It features an inner display that’s 50 percent larger than iPhone 18 Pro Max, a titanium frame, a 48MP Dual Fusion camera, all-new ways to shoot, the A20 Pro chip, a dual-battery system for all-day power, and Siri AI, your more personal, more powerful AI assistant.
Pricing and Availability
The iPhone Duo starts at $1,999 for the base 256GB storage variant, with higher storage tiers extending up to 2TB.
Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo open on Friday, October 16, at 5:00 a.m. PT. Official in-store and online availability begins one week later, on Friday, October 23.
Apple has officially revealed its latest flagship flagship lineup: the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Unveiled during Apple’s keynote event, the new smartphones mark a major step forward in mobile photography, thermal engineering, custom silicon performance, and deep OS-level artificial intelligence integration.
Spec-wise, the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max are the same device with the difference in just their size and battery life; the iPhone 18 Pro features a 6.3-inch while the iPhone 18 Pro Max is clocks in at 6.9-inches, both are Super Retina XDR display with ProMotion technology. As for the battery life, the iPhone 18 Pro will have 36 hours of video playback, while the larger iPhone 18 Pro Max will have up to 45 hours of video playback.
As for the specs that both iPhone shares are; Inside, the 2nm A20 Pro chip delivers 20% faster CPU speeds, 40% better graphics, and dedicated AI acceleration, backed by an expanded vapor chamber that improves cooling by 40%.
Apple’s new N1 and C2 custom chips bring Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6, and reliable cellular performance, while optimized designs boost battery life up to 36 hours on the Pro and 45 hours on the Pro Max. Finally, iOS 27 upgrades Apple Intelligence with context-aware Siri features and a smaller Dynamic Island that handles up to three Live Activities at once.
Image: Apple iPhone 18 Pro Color Lineup from Apple.com
Technical Specifications for iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max
Feature
iPhone 18 Pro
iPhone 18 Pro Max
Display
Super Retina XDR ProMotion (1-120Hz), 2868-by-1320-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
Super Retina XDR ProMotion (1-120Hz), 2868-by-1320-pixel resolution at 460 ppi
Processor
A20 Pro (2nm, 6-Core CPU, 7-core GPU with Neural Accelerators)
A20 Pro (2nm, 6-Core CPU, 7-core GPU with Neural Accelerators)
Neural Engine
Dual 16-Core Neural Engine (32 Cores total)
Dual 16-Core Neural Engine (32 Cores total)
Main Camera
48MP Fusion Main Ultra Wide with variable aperture with Ultra Wide 48MP Fusion Telephoto
48MP Fusion Main Ultra Wide with variable aperture with Ultra Wide 48MP Fusion Telephoto
iPhone 18 Pro is Apple’s most powerful iPhone yet. It features the A20 Pro chip, which has exceptional AI capabilities and is cooled by a next-generation vapor chamber. It delivers the longest battery life ever in an iPhone — 6 more hours of video playback on iPhone 18 Pro Max compared with iPhone 17 Pro Max. A Pro camera system with variable aperture, greater depth of field, and better-quality low-light photos. And Siri AI, your more personal, more powerful AI assistant.
Pricing and availability;
The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199 for 256GB of base storage, while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at $1,299 for the 256GB model. Through Apple Installments, customers can purchase the iPhone 18 Pro starting at $49.95 per month or the Pro Max at $54.12 per month over a 24-month period, with trade-in discounts offering up to $1,200 off eligible devices.
Pre-orders for both models begin on Friday, September 12, followed by the official in-store launch on Friday, September 18th.
In a rare shift at the top, FIBA dropped Team USA to the No. 2 spot in FIBA’s latest Women’s World Cup Power Rankings; Volume 5, ceding the top position to an surging French national team.
The slight drop for the Americans serves as a reaction to their tightest tournament test yet—a narrow 55–52 victory over Italy. Marking the program’s lowest scoring tally since the introduction of the three-point line in 1984, the defensive grind highlighted lingering chemistry adjustments for the star-studded squad. Meanwhile, France climbed to No. 1 behind dominant defensive displays and record-setting offensive efficiency from beyond the arc.
Despite dropping one spot, Team USA remains the formidable tournament favorite to capture gold in Berlin. Headlined by elite talent and deep rotation options, the Americans bounced back immediately with a 105–64 blowout win over Czechia to close out group play.
Here are the top 10 of the Women’s World Cup Power Rankings; Volume 5;
France
United States
Belgium
Spain
Australia
Germany
China
Japan
Hungary
Italy
While FIBA’s subjective rankings focus on current momentum, Team USA’s unmatched two-way depth makes them the gold standard heading into the knockout stage. This drop in ranking could motivate a squad that has held FIBA World Cup gold since 2010. The quarter-finals of the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup kick off tomorrow, September 10, when Team USA faces Hungary—with a potential rematch against Italy looming in the semi-finals.
Open AI just announced the ChatGPT Images 2.5, an image generation engine powered by the GPT-Image-2.5 model family.
Images 2.5 produces more natural lighting and richer textures, is better at preserving the subjects in your reference photos, and follows editing instructions more reliably across multiple turns. We’ve also reduced image generation latency by up to 50% compared with Images 2.0, so you can generate images and refine your concepts more quickly.
In ChatGPT, we’re introducing product features that give you more control over the creative process. Sketch(opens in a new window) is a new feature that lets you draw directly in ChatGPT as a reference for your final image. Templates make it easier to start creating across some of the most popular image formats, like flyers and product photos. You can also now place comments directly on images for more focused editing, and you can share prompts you’ve used to let others try your ideas with their own photos and details.
Images 2.5 is available to all ChatGPT, ChatGPT Work, and Codex users across desktop, mobile, and web.
For developers, we’re introducing two new models in the API. GPT‑Image‑2.5 Flare brings the same improvements in quality, editing, and speed, and GPT‑Image‑2.5 Sunburst offers an extra level of precision for detailed creative work with longer generation times.
Pricing and availability
Model
Modality
Input
Cached input
Output
gpt-image-2.5-sunburst
Image
$8.00
$2.00
$30.00
Text
$5.00
$1.25
–
gpt-image-2.5-flare
Image
$8.00
$2.00
$30.00
Text
$5.00
$1.25
–
Intro video for ChatGPT Images 2.5;
Say hello to ChatGPT Images 2.5—faster, sharper, smarter, with better tools for creating whatever you can dream of.
Faster image generation to keep your ideas flowing
Improved fidelity for more natural, recognizable images
Consistent details across multiple edits
Comment-based edits to change only what you want
Apple’s highly anticipated “Surprise and Shine” keynote takes center stage today at Apple Park. Marking CEO John Ternus’s first major product unveiling, the presentation promises a historic shift in Apple’s hardware roadmap.
Apple’s First Foldable Device
The headline act is expected to be the long-rumored iPhone Ultra—Apple’s foray into foldable devices. Featuring a custom liquid-metal hinge engineered to minimize screen creasing, the passport-style foldable opens into a seamless 7.8-inch display, driven by the next-generation 2nm A20 Pro chip and C2 5G modem.
iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max
Alongside the foldable flagship, Apple will showcase the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Key hardware upgrades include a mechanical variable aperture primary camera system, advanced vapor-chamber cooling, and a refined Dynamic Island footprint.
Smart Wearables & OS Rollouts
As with previous September Apple events, the company will most likely announce its next-generation wearables: the Apple Watch Series 12 and Ultra 4 with continuous background health tracking, alongside AirPods 5 powered by the new H3 chip. Official release dates for iOS 27 and watchOS 27 will also be included in the presentation.
Other Devices & Services
While Apple’s September event is usually reserved for new iPhones and wearables, it wouldn’t be surprising if the company also announces updates to its various services and platforms, including Apple TV+, iCloud, Apple Arcade, and visionOS for the Vision Pro.
With baseline iPhone models shifted to spring 2027, today’s event firmly spotlights Apple’s high-end, futuristic design vision.
Where and How to Watch
The Apple “Surprise and Shine” event will stream live on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM PT via:
Filipina Tennis star Alexandra “Alex” Eala appeared as an in-studio guest to discuss her performance at the 2026 US Open, managing the pressures and privilege of high-level athletic competition, sharing the court with legends like Venus Williams and peers like Coco Gauff, as well as sharing who she is rooting for to win the tournament following her third-round exit.
You can watch the full interview below.
Filipino tennis star Alexandra Eala, who achieved a career-best run at a Grand Slam tournament after reaching the third round of the U.S. Open and losing to Iva Jovic, joins “CBS Mornings” to discuss her performance and how her tennis career began.
During a high-level session at the Seoul Defense Dialogue on September 8, Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. turned a standard diplomatic encounter into a masterclass in public pushback.
After receiving a note from a Chinese delegate reiterating Beijing’s rejection of the landmark 2016 arbitral ruling—which invalidated China’s expansive territorial claims in favor of Philippine sovereign rights—Teodoro dismantled the argument line by line. Addressing the room, he delivered a sharp, unscripted quip: “Of course, because you lost.”
He went on to accuse Beijing of systemic coercion and bullying before the international forum hosted by South Korea. In an emotional shift, Teodoro switched to Filipino to urge a standard of basic decency, noting that he planned to keep the physical note as a permanent memento of China’s desperation. The room erupted into strong applause from the international audience.
MAHIYA NAMAN KAYO | Secretary of National Defense Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr. responded to a note from the Chinese side during the Seoul Defense Dialogue (SDD) 2026 in Seoul, Republic of Korea.#DNDPHL#DiKaPasisiil#SDD2026pic.twitter.com/fsCRVphkgf
— Department of National Defense – Philippines (@dndphl) September 8, 2026
Defense analysts and diplomatic observers view the exchange as an extraordinarily candid stand against Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. Rather than letting standard diplomatic talking points slide, Teodoro’s swift rebuttal reinforced Manila’s commitment to international law and demonstrated a growing willingness to challenge Beijing openly on the global stage.
