World No. 1 Elena Rybakina suffered a shock early exit on Tuesday, falling 3-6, 6-4, 6-3 to 118th-ranked Oksana Charaeva in a historic upset.
The victory marks the biggest win of the Russian-born Armenian’s career and her first over a top-20 opponent. Charaeva delivered a clinical performance, converting five of eight break points and winning 76 percent of her first-serve points to orchestrate the comeback.
CAREER DEFINING WIN 🤯
Alina Charaeva defeats the World No.1 Rybakina in three sets 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.
With the defeat, Rybakina became just the second top-ranked woman in WTA history to drop her opening match after reaching No. 1. Charaeva also made history as the lowest-ranked player to rally from a set down to defeat a World No. 1 since computer rankings were introduced in 1975.
Rybakina, who struggled with seven double faults throughout the match, later pointed to physical strain following the U.S. Open and an ongoing foot injury as key factors in her performance.
Smart Communications has opened pre-orders for Apple’s flagship lineup across its regular Smart Postpaid Plans+ and luxury Smart Infinity Plans. Pre-orders for the iPhone Duo will begin this October 16th, with the same plan offerings under the Smart Infinity Plans.
Smart Postpaid Plans+
Device Model
Base Plan
Monthly Fees
Included Benefits
iPhone 18 Pro (256 GB)
Plan+ 1499
₱3,713 / month total
Unlimited 5G for 12 months, 18 GB Open Access Data for 3 months, choice of Unli App Bundle, Open-Line handset option.
iPhone 18 Pro Max (256 GB)
Plan+ 1499
₱4,050 / month total
Unlimited 5G for 12 months, 18 GB Open Access Data for 3 months, choice of Unli App Bundle, Open-Line handset option.
iPhone Duo
Plan+ 1499 / Custom Tier
Custom Cash-out / Add-on
High-tier foldable tier pricing varies based on approved credit limits; eligible for charge-to-bill options up to 36 months for re-contracting subscribers.
It’s almost here… the iPhone 18 Pro is now available for pre-order!
You can pre-order yours today with Smart Postpaid Plans+ 1499 for only 3,713/mo at 0% credit card installment for up to 24 mos with select bank partners.
With your new device, you can also enjoy Smart’s exclusive offers!
To learn more, visit the Smart website https://t.co/tSyluZIPIK or drop by the nearest Smart store to pre-order.
For VIP members seeking unlimited data, dedicated relationship managers, and family sharing options:
Plan
Monthly fee
Data Allocation
Benefits
Line Only Plan 3500
₱3500/month
Unlimited 4G/5G data
Unlimited Calls and text to all local networks and landline, 500 MB roaming Data for 3 days, ₱1500 worth of consumables
Device Plan 3500
₱3500/month
Unlimited 4G/5G data
Unlimited Calls and text to all local networks and landline, 500 MB roaming Data for 3 days, ₱500 worth of consumables
Line Only Plan 5000
₱5000/month
Unlimited 4G/5G data
Unlimited Calls and text to all local networks and landline, 1GB roaming Data valid for 5 days, ₱2500 worth of consumables. Dedicated Infinity Relationship Manager
Device Plan 5000
₱5000/month
Unlimited 4G/5G data
Unlimited Calls and text to all local networks and landline, 1GB roaming Data valid for 5 days, ₱1500 worth of consumables. Dedicated Infinity Relationship Manager
Line Only Plan 8000
₱8000/month
Unlimited 4G/5G data
Unlimited Calls and text to all local networks and landline, 2GB roaming data valid for 7 days, ₱4500 worth of consumables. Dedicated Infinity Relationship Manager
Device Plan 8000
₱8000/month
Unlimited 4G/5G data
Unlimited Calls and text to all local networks and landline, 2GB roaming data valid for 7 days, ₱3000 worth of consumables. Dedicated Infinity Relationship Manager
Line Only Plan 9500
₱9500/month
Unlimited 4G/5G data
2 supplementary lines, Unlimited Calls and text to all local networks and landline, 2GB roaming Data for 7 days, ₱4500 worth of consumables. Dedicated Infinity Relationship Manager
Both the Smart Postpaid Plans+ and Infinity Plans comes with a 24 months contract.
Globe Telecom just announced that they are now accepting pre-order for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max. Globe Telecom offers the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max across both standard GPlan options and premium Platinum GPlans. No word as to when the iPhone Duo will be available.
Image: Iphone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max via Apple.com
The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be available in all 8 GPlan and Platinum GPlan with a corresponding cashout.
Standard GPlan (with Device)
Plan
Monthly Fee
Data Allocation
Perks
GPlan 799
₱799/mo
3GB all-access data
Unli Allnet Calls & Text + Unli landline calls. Globe Scam Protect for 12 months.
GPlan 999
₱999/mo
5GB all-access data
Unli Allnet Calls & Text + Unli landline calls. Globe Scam Protect for 12 months.
GPlan 799
₱799/mo
3GB all-access data
Unli Allnet Calls & Text + Unli landline calls. Globe Scam Protect for 12 months.
GPlan 999
₱999/mo
5GB all-access data
Unli Allnet Calls & Text + Unli landline calls. Globe Scam Protect for 12 months.
GPlan 1299 / GPlan PLUS 1299
₱1,299/mo
8 GB
Unli Calls & Texts to All Networks, 12-mo Globe Scam Protect
Platinum offers provide higher or unlimited data allocations, priority network access, and VIP lifestyle perks.
Platinum Plan 3799: ₱3,799/mo | Unlimited All-Access Data, Globe Priority Network, Unli Calls/Texts, Local Airport Lounge Access, THEA Platinum Digital Concierge.
Platinum Plan 4999: ₱4,999/mo | Unlimited All-Access Data, Globe Priority Network, Free Gadget XChange up to ₱499/mo, DragonPass International & Local Airport Lounge Access.
Platinum Plan 7999: ₱7,999/mo | Unlimited All-Access Data, Globe Priority Network, 2 DragonPass International Lounge passes, maximum perks, and priority device allocation.
Both the Standard GPlan and Platinum GPlan comes with a 24 months contract. The pre-order will run until Oct 15th and the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be available on the 16th of October.
The 2026 WNBA postseason delivered an electric First Round, setting up thrilling Semifinals matchups.
In a shocking upset, the No. 8-seeded New York Liberty swept the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, punching their ticket to face the high-powered No. 4 Atlanta Dream, who sweeps the Washington Mystics in two games.
BRACKET UPDATE 🚨
The Semifinals are locked in for the 2026 WNBA Playoffs presented by Google Pixel.
The New York Liberty will take on the Atlanta Dream.
The Las Vegas Aces will face the Golden State Valkyries.
Semis tip off Sunday, October 4! https://t.co/PtmsV78DCh
On the other side of the bracket, the No. 3 Las Vegas Aces outlasted the Indiana Fever in a hard-fought three-game series. They advance to face the expansion No. 2 Golden State Valkyries, who edged out the Dallas Wings in Game 3.
The 2026 WNBA Semifinals will start Sunday, October 4th.
Marvel just release what appears to be the final trailer of VisionQuest. The video 2 mins and 30 seconds video shows us a glimpse of how Vision and a version of Ultron interact inside Vision’s head. We also see a lot of clips showing Ruaridh Mollica as Tommy Maximoff / Speed being reunited with Vision.
VisionQuest stars Paul Bettany, James Spader, Ruaridh Mollica, Todd Stashwick, T’Nia Miller, Lauren Morais, Orla Brady, Diane Morgan, Polly Frame, Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, with Emily Hampshire, and James D’Arcy. The series is directed by Christopher J. Byrne, Gandja Monteiro, Vincenzo Natali, Terry Matalas, and written by Terry Matalas, Cindy Appel, Christopher Monfette, Nicole Falsetti, and Matthew Okumura.
VisionQuest is the last of the trilogy of series that includes WandaVision and Agatha All Along. Both WandaVision and Agatha All Along are available in Disney +. VisionQuest will premiere on Disney+ on October 14th with a two-episode release.
The Las Vegas Aces beat the Indiana Fever 94-83 on Thursday night to win their first-round series 2-1.
The teams were tied 31-31 after one quarter. Las Vegas then outscored Indiana 23-17 in the second and 24-18 in the fourth. The Aces went 28-of-35 at the free-throw line, while the Fever shot just 38.5% from the field.
A’ja Wilson scored 36 points on 11-of-18 shooting, made 12 of 15 free throws, and grabbed 10 rebounds. Chelsea Gray added 23 points, and Jackie Young had 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. For Indiana, Kelsey Mitchell scored 23, and Aliyah Boston had 19 points and 10 rebounds. Caitlin Clark scored 18 but committed six turnovers.
Full game highlights;
The Aces open the semifinals against the winner of the Dallas Wings-Golden State Valkyries series, which was tied 1-1 as of this posting.
As previously mentioned, HONOR Philippines has now officially launch the HONOR 600S 5G in the country. The event was HONOR 600S 5G Grand Launch was live streamed via their social media account with special live performance by Gloc-9.
With the launch event, we now have the details regarding pricing or availability;
The HONOR 600S 5G are now available for pre-order, via HONOR PH’s Shopee store, TikTok Shop, Lazada store and HONOR Retail Store, and will ship by October 7, 2026.
Below is the pricing for the 3 variants of HONOR 600S 5G;
Dual Camera Setup: • Main: 50 MP, f/1.8 aperture, 8x Digital Zoom • Auxiliary: Depth/Auxiliary lens, f/3.0 aperture Rear single LED flash, Portrait mode, Night mode, Time-lapse, Pro mode with Up to 1080p @ 30fps video playback
Front Camera:
5 MP, f/2.2 aperture Video: Up to 1080p @ 30fps Image: 2592×1944 Video: 1920×1080 Features: Portrait mode, Beauty mode, Face Recognition, Screen Flash
Battery & Charging:
8,100 mAh (typical value) / 7,900 mAh (rated) Lithium-ion polymer battery Wired Charging: 45W HONOR Super Charge
Operating System:
MagicOS 10 (Based on Android 16)
Durability:
IP68 / IP69 / IP69K dust & water resistance rating, 2.5m drop resistance
In a thrilling semifinal clash at the 2026 Asian Games, China’s Wang Xiyu staged a remarkable come from behind win to defeat top seed Alex Eala of the Philippines, earning a spot in the women’s singles gold medal match.
Eala came out strong in the opening set, controlling the tempo from the baseline to capitalize on early opportunities and take the first set 6-3. However, the fourth-seeded Wang quickly change her strategy, leaning into her powerful left-handed serve and aggressive forehand to dictating play. Elevating her precision, Wang broke Eala early in the second set to claim it 6-3 to force a decider 3rd set.
BACK-TO-BACK BRONZE FOR ALEX 🥉🇵🇭
Alex Eala secures another women’s singles bronze medal at the Asian Games after falling to China’s Wang Xiyu in the semifinals, matching her podium finish from the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games and adding another medal to Team Philippines’ haul in… pic.twitter.com/5KCZUs5gow
Carrying momentum into the final set, Wang dominated the long exchanges and capitalized on crucial break points to seal a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory. With this hard-fought win, Wang advances to the finals to compete for the gold medal, while Eala finishes her campaign with a bronze medal.
Alex Eala kept her golden campaign alive while securing at least a bronze medal, beating Chinese Taipei’s Joanna Garland 7-5, 6-0 in the women’s singles quarterfinals of the 2026 Asian Games on Wednesday.
The first set was a grind. Garland, the eighth seed and world No. 143, put Eala under pressure early, trading breaks with the Filipino as neither player established sustained control. The set stretched past an hour before Eala broke Garland and then held serve to close it out.
The second set was a different story. Eala raced to a 2-0 lead, broke again, then broke to love for 3-0. Garland never won a game. Eala answered every threat with service winners and an ace, and closed on her second match point after Garland sent a shot wide.
The world No. 18 and top seed had opened her campaign with a 6-1, 6-0 win over Thailand’s Patcharin Cheapchandej. She also withdrew from the China Open in Beijing, a mandatory WTA 1000 event, to play in Nagoya, a decision she said she did not take lightly. Wednesday’s result suggests it was worth it.
LEXGO TO THE SEMIS! 🔥🇵🇭
Filipina tennis ace Alex Eala powers past Chinese Taipei’s Joanne Garland, 7-5, 6-0, to book her spot in the women’s singles semifinals at the 20th Asian Games! | 🎥 POC Media
Cignal is the official broadcaster of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026.… pic.twitter.com/xmJc6gZSCQ
Lenovo has officially announced the Lenovo Googlebook 15, its first entry into AI-integrated laptop computing.
Starting at $1,099.99, it pairs built-in Gemini Intelligence with a 15.3-inch 2.8K 120Hz OLED touchscreen. Under the hood, it packs an Intel Core Ultra 5 processor, 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, and a 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD. Key software features include deep Gemini integration—highlighted by Magic Pointer, Rambler smart dictation, and seamless Android syncing—plus 1 year of Google AI Pro.
The Lenovo Googlebook 15 launches on October 4, 2026.
New York Liberty just completed one of the biggest upset in WNBA Playoff history as they sweep the top seeded Minnesota Lynxs (87 – 71). New York became the first No. 8 seed to eliminate a No. 1 seed in the league’s 30-year history.
The Liberty set the tone early, leading wire-to-wire behind dominant performances from their frontcourt core. Jonquel Jones delivered a monster double-double with 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Breanna Stewart added 21 points to anchor New York’s relentless offense. Sabrina Ionescu chipped in 18 points, orchestrating a balanced attack that kept Minnesota on its heels all evening.
The Lynx, coming off an impressive regular season, struggled to establish momentum against New York’s physical defense. Courtney Williams led Minnesota with 18 points, while Napheesa Collier and Kayla McBride contributed 14 points each. However, Minnesota could not close a late gap after Stewart sank key free throws following a flagrant foul in the second half.
The sixth-seeded Indiana Fever evened their first-round series with the third-seeded Las Vegas Aces at 1-1, winning Game 2 by 99-89 at home on Tuesday night after a sluggish start.
Las Vegas led 26-18 after the first quarter, but Indiana flipped the script with a 30-17 second quarter and added a 24-17 third to take control of the game.
Caitlin Clark was the top performer, finishing with 27 points, 15 assists and seven rebounds, including five three-pointers. Kelsey Mitchell added 26 points, and Aliyah Boston scored 22 on 10-of-15 shooting. Indiana outscored Las Vegas 58-26 in the paint.
Jackie Young led all scorers with 31 points for the Aces, going 13-of-13 at the free-throw line, and A’ja Wilson added 22 points and nine rebounds. But Las Vegas shot just 42 percent from the field.
Full game higlights;
The best-of-three series now comes down to a decisive Game 3 in Las Vegas on Thursday, October 1, at 9 p.m. ET (4 a.m. Friday in Riyadh). The Aces carry a 61.5 percent win probability, but Indiana has the momentum. The winner advances to the semifinals.
The Minnesota Lynx received two major WNBA awards on Monday: Olivia Miles was named Rookie of the Year, and Cheryl Reeve was named Coach of the Year for a league-record fifth time.
Miles, the second overall pick out of TCU, was a unanimous selection after setting the WNBA rookie scoring record. She broke the mark with 790 points. She averaged 19.8 points, 6.0 assists and 4.7 rebounds while shooting 49.2% from the field. She also set a rookie record with eight three-pointers in a single game, a June 4 win over the Valkyries. She is the sixth Lynx player to win the award.
Reeve received 40 of 74 votes from the media panel, and Golden State’s Natalie Nakase finished second with 20. Reeve led the Lynx to a 33-11 record and the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs, and became the league’s all-time winningest coach on July 8.
The awards came just before the Lynx traveled to New York for an elimination game in their best-of-three first-round series, after losing the opener at home to the Liberty.
Indiana Fever Superstar Guard Caitlin Clark has been selected as the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year.
Indiana Fever wrote, “After missing 31 of the team’s 44 regular season games in 2025 and the entirety of the Fever’s playoff run due to injury, Clark returned to the court, setting both career and league records in the 2026 season. This past year Clark averaged 22.3 points per game, the third highest average in the league, and 8.3 assists per game, the second-most in the league becoming the first player in league history to finish in the top three for both points and assists. Her 41.2 points per game created are also a new league record.
With 891 total points scored and 333 assists, Clark became the first player in league history to record 800+ points and 300+ assists in a single season. Clark’s five 30+ points and 10+ assists games this season are more than every other player in the history of the league combined. Additionally, her 13 games with 20+ points and 10+ assists this season alone are more than double what any other player has in the entirety of their careers. This season, Clark also became the first player in league history to record 40+ points and 10+ assists in a single game.
Clark’s 22.3 points per game average set a new career high, while marking the second-highest points per game average in franchise history, behind only Mitchell this year. This year Clark joined Mitchell as the only other player in franchise history to record 20+ points per game.”
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has issued Show Cause Orders against the country’s top telecommunications providers—Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, and DITO Telecommunity—imposing a fine of ₱100,000 per day on each operator. The financial penalty will remain active until the companies rectify persistent service deficiencies and meet the required Quality of Service (QoS) standards.
The regulatory action follows performance audits conducted in September 2026, which revealed that mobile broadband speeds and signal reliability in several key Metro Manila locations failed to show noticeable improvement from earlier evaluations. Despite prior warnings issued throughout the year, follow-up tests confirmed weak coverage and sluggish internet connections in designated areas across the National Capital Region.
Alongside the daily fines, the regulator has required each telecom company to submit a technical corrective action plan detailing targeted infrastructure upgrades and explicit implementation timelines. To ensure strict compliance, the NTC plans to conduct re-validations every two weeks while expanding its quality checks nationwide. This regulatory crackdown highlights growing government pressure on service providers to deliver stable, high-speed mobile internet to Filipino consumers.
On September 28, 2026, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) successfully turned back Chinese Maritime Militia Vessel (CMMV) 9622 and 24 small boats (“sampans”) operating illegally within the territorial sea of Kota Island in the Kalayaan Island Group.
At approximately 10:00 AM, PCG personnel spotted CMMV 9622 positioned 1.2 nautical miles northwest of Kota Island as it deployed 24 two-man sampans. The smaller craft spread out to conduct fishing activities within 300 yards of the shore. A five-man PCG team launched a rubber boat at 11:00 AM to confront the intrusion. Although CMMV 9622 ignored radio calls, the Chinese crews acknowledged instructions via hand signals and immediately withdrew upon the PCG team’s approach. The Philippine personnel returned safely without further incident.
The launch of multiple small boats from a single mothership serves as a civilian-clad force multiplier to project Chinese presence without overt military coercion. Because Kota Island is part of Palawan’s Kalayaan municipality, unauthorized foreign fishing violates Philippine sovereignty, national fisheries laws, and UNCLOS. In alignment with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to firmly resist coercive actions, the PCG reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining patrols, challenging illegal foreign operations, and informing the public.
HONOR Philippines confirmed that the HONOR 600S 5G will officially launch locally on October 1, 2026. The announcement was made thru the HONOR Philippines’ official FB Page @HonorPhilippines. The device features 5G connectivity, AI-driven creativity tools, and an 8,100mAh battery.
HONOR has not officially announced pricing or availability. Pricing, availability, and launch promos are expected to be revealed during the launch event, which will be streamed live via the official Facebook page of HONOR Philippines.
Dual Camera Setup: • Main: 50 MP, f/1.8 aperture, 8x Digital Zoom • Auxiliary: Depth/Auxiliary lens, f/3.0 aperture Rear single LED flash, Portrait mode, Night mode, Time-lapse, Pro mode with Up to 1080p @ 30fps video playback
Front Camera:
5 MP, f/2.2 aperture Video: Up to 1080p @ 30fps Image: 2592×1944 Video: 1920×1080 Features: Portrait mode, Beauty mode, Face Recognition, Screen Flash
Battery & Charging:
8,100 mAh (typical value) / 7,900 mAh (rated) Lithium-ion polymer battery Wired Charging: 45W HONOR Super Charge
Operating System:
MagicOS 10 (Based on Android 16)
Durability:
IP68 / IP69 / IP69K dust & water resistance rating, 2.5m drop resistance
Top seed Alex Eala began her Asian Games gold bid with a dominant win. She beat Thailand’s Patcharin Cheapchandej 6-1, 6-0 at the Higashiyama Park Tennis Center’s Indoor Court C on Monday.
The highly anticipated matchup faced early complications as heavy rainfall disrupted outdoor scheduling, forcing a delay of nearly five hours before tournament officials moved the contest inside to Indoor Court C. The wait didn’t bother the world No. 18. Eala broke early in the second set, went up 5-0, and finished with an ace.
Alex Eala for dominates her first match at the 20th Asian Games vs Patcharin Cheapchandej, 6-1, 6-0 👏 https://t.co/24yVhOBK0D
The result was expected. Eala, seeded first, had a first-round bye, and she had already beaten Cheapchandej 6-3, 6-4 at a 2022 ITF event. It also helps her recover from a Round of 16 exit at the Singapore Tennis Open.
Her next match will be against Chinese Taipei’s Joanna Garland in the quarterfinals.
The opening salvo of the WNBA postseason did not disappoint. Game 1 across the First-Round matchups set an intense baseline for the rest of the series. With early-series momentum on the line, home-court advantages were defended, high-profile road upsets delivered early drama, and championship contenders laid down explicit statements.
Here is a full breakdown of how Game 1 unfolded across the league.
New York Liberty 91, Minnesota Lynx 75
Location: Target Center (Minneapolis, MN)
Series State: New York leads 1–0
In one of the most compelling matchups on the schedule, the New York Liberty delivered a dominant performance on the road to silence the crowd in Minneapolis. New York controlled the pace from the early going, utilizing crisp ball movement and structured perimeter defense to disrupt Minnesota’s rhythm.
Key Performers & Turning Point
Execution Breakdown: The Liberty pulled away after half-time, capitalized on transition opportunities, and restricted high-efficiency looks inside.
Impact: Stealing Game 1 away from home puts immense pressure on Minnesota heading into Game 2.
The championship-caliber Las Vegas Aces put on an offensive clinic at home, breaking the 100-point threshold to handle a spirited Indiana Fever squad. Las Vegas used their veteran playoff experience to weather an early perimeter push from Indiana before pulling away in the second half.
Key Performers & Turning Point
Execution Breakdown: The Aces’ inside-out offensive balance proved too much to contain, generating high-percentage paint points and baseline cuts.
Impact: Indiana showcased flashes of rapid transition scoring, but costly turnovers prevented them from keeping pace with Las Vegas’ relentless firepower down the stretch.
Atlanta Dream 92, Washington Mystics 77
Location: State Farm Arena (Atlanta, GA)
Series State: Atlanta leads 1–0
The Storyline
After falling behind 41–36 at half-time following a sluggish opening two quarters, the Atlanta Dream exploded in the third quarter to completely upend the Washington Mystics. Atlanta flipped the switch defensively and dominated the second half.
Key Performers & Turning Point
Rhyne Howard & Allisha Gray: Gray led all scorers with 17 points, while Howard took control in the third period by scoring 12 of her 16 points to anchor the game-altering run. Dewanna Bonner added 11 third-quarter points to solidify the surge.
Turning Point: Atlanta forced 7 third-quarter turnovers, converting them into 14 quick points while holding Washington to just 20% shooting in the period.
Golden State Valkyries 104, Dallas Wings 80
Location: Chase Center (San Francisco, CA)
Series State: Golden State leads 1–0<
The Storyline
Making their mark on the playoff stage at Chase Center, the Golden State Valkyries made quick work of the Dallas Wings in a 24-point blowout. Golden State establish early tempo, crashing the glass aggressively and running the floor at every opportunity.
Key Performers & Turning Point
Execution Breakdown: Golden State scored effortlessly in transition, building an early double-digit lead that Dallas could never meaningfully chip away at.
Impact: The Valkyries set a firm defensive blueprint, limiting Dallas’ primary interior options and taking full advantage of home-court momentum.
Strategic Takeaways Ahead of Game 2
Protecting Home Court Isn’t Guaranteed: New York showed that home advantage can vanish quickly if road teams strike early with intense defensive game plans.
Third-Quarter Adjustments: Half-time adjustments were the deciding factor in games like Atlanta vs. Washington, where forcing live-ball turnovers completely re-routed the series trajectory.
Elimination Pressure: With the short First-Round format, every trailing team now faces an immediate high-stakes Game 2 where season survival is on the line.
It’ll be interesting to see what adjustments the losing teams make in Game 2. If no adjustments are made, this will be a short series.
A’ja Wilson delivered an MVP-worthy performance as the third-seeded Las Vegas Aces beat the sixth-seeded Indiana Fever 102-85 in Game 1 of their first-round series on Sunday, taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three.
Wilson finished with 38 points on 15-of-19 shooting, including 2-of-2 from three and 6-of-7 at the line. She also grabbed 16 rebounds, blocked four shots and had two steals. The Aces shot 59.4 percent as a team and stretched their lead to as many as 27 points, outscoring Indiana 35-24 in the second quarter to lead 62-47 at halftime.
Jackie Young added 21 points and 10 assists, and Chelsea Gray had 14 points and eight assists. Las Vegas scored 28 points off turnovers, and Indiana never led by more than two.
For the Fever, Aliyah Boston led the way with 18 points and eight rebounds. Caitlin Clark had 15 points and 10 assists but shot 6-of-17 with six turnovers, and Kelsey Mitchell managed 12 points on 4-of-16 shooting. Indiana rallied to win the fourth quarter 20-16, but the deficit was too large.
Full game highlights;
The Fever will head back to Indiana in a must win Game 2 to extend the series to game 3. Game 2 tips off Tuesday, September 29, at 6:30 PM ET in Indianapolis (1:30 AM Wednesday in Riyadh).
With just hours before their game against the Las Vegas Aces, Caitlin Clark unveil the newest colorway of her signature shoes, the Caitlin 1 Berry Fade.
The Caitlin 1 Berry Fade features an eye-catching mismatched layout blending hot coral, bright pink, plum, and deep purple tones. Bubble-like textures along the upper and tongue nod toward Gatorade’s Rain Berry—one of Clark’s favorite drinks. Under the hood, it packs a forefoot Air Zoom Turbo unit, responsive Cushlon foam, and a lightweight Nike Opticast upper built for sharp cuts and quick step-backs.
Microsoft has announced the next generation of its portable Copilot+ PCs: the Surface Pro 12-inch and Surface Laptop 13-inch. Unveiled at the Snapdragon Summit, both ultra-portable devices feature Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Plus processor, bringing upgrades to performance, battery efficiency, and local AI processing.
Alongside the refreshed PCs, Microsoft also introduced the new Surface Mouse, featuring integrated haptic feedback.
The core update for both devices is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X2 Plus chip. Built in close collaboration with Surface engineering teams, the six-core processor is optimized for thin, fanless chassis, balancing sustained workload capabilities with low power draw.
The integrated Qualcomm Hexagon Neural Processing Unit (NPU) delivers 80 TOPS of local processing power. Compared to the prior Snapdragon X Plus generation, Microsoft claims:
95% faster local AI inferencing on the NPU.
Over 60% faster graphics performance via the updated Adreno GPU.
Up to 17% faster performance in Office productivity workloads.
Up to 18% better energy efficiency.
Surface Pro 12-Inch
Image: Surface Pro 12-inch
The Surface Pro 12-inch maintains its 2-in-1 form factor with a fanless design, weighing 686g (1.51 lbs) without the keyboard.
Key Specifications:
Display: 12-inch PixelSense LCD touchscreen (2196 × 1464 resolution, 90 Hz refresh rate). Display brightness has been increased by 25% to 500 nits.
Memory & Storage: 16GB or 24GB LPDDR5x RAM; 256GB or 512GB UFS storage.
Battery Life: Rated for up to 15.5 hours of local video playback or 13 hours of active web browsing.
Cameras & Audio: 1080p Full HD front-facing camera and a 10-megapixel Ultra HD rear-facing camera.
Software Features: Introduces Microsoft Ink Canvas, an AI-assisted environment for sketching, annotating, and summarizing text using the Surface Slim Pen.
Connectivity: Dual USB-C / USB 3.2 ports, Wi-Fi 7, and an optional 5G configuration for enterprise users.
Surface Laptop 13-Inch
Image: Surface Laptop 13-inch
The Surface Laptop 13-inch retains its traditional clamshell footprint in a fanless aluminum chassis weighing 1.23 kg (2.7 lbs).
Key Specifications:
Display: 13-inch 3:2 PixelSense touchscreen with a 500-nit peak brightness. (Note: Screen does not support pen input).
Memory & Storage: 16GB or 24GB LPDDR5x RAM; removable 256GB or 512GB UFS storage.
Battery Life: Delivers up to 22.5 hours of local video playback or up to 18 hours of active web usage.
I/O Ports: Two USB-C / USB 3.2 ports, one USB-A 3.2 port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Inputs: Full-size backlit keyboard and precision touchpad.
Surface Mouse with Haptic Feedback
Image: Surface Mouse
Microsoft also debuted the Surface Mouse ($79.99). Designed with an ambidextrous shape, it incorporates subtle physical haptic prompts to confirm digital UI actions—such as snapping windows into place or selecting objects. It connects via Bluetooth 6.0 and includes a customizable action button dedicated to Copilot and shortcut navigation.
Pricing and Availability
Feature / Model
Surface Pro 12-inch
Surface Laptop 13-inch
Starting Price
$1,149.99
$1,199.00
Release Date
October 13, 2026
October 13, 2026
Color Options
Platinum, Black, Violet
Platinum, Black, Violet
Form Factor
Detachable 2-in-1
Clamshell Laptop
Display Brightness
500 nits (25% brighter)
500 nits (25% brighter)
Weight
686 g (tablet only)
1.23 kg
Both devices are scheduled for release on October 13, 2026 in select markets, with pre-orders now available.
Apple Philippines just announced pre-order dates for the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and iPhone Duo. On the Apple Store Philippines, the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will be available for pre-order starting October 2nd, while the iPhone Duo can be pre-ordered on October 16th.
There is no official word yet on when the new iPhone 18 Pro models and iPhone Duo will hit physical stores and authorized retailers, but they are expected to arrive within the month of October.
As for pricing, you can check out the tables below. Image: Iphone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max via Apple.com
At Meta Connect 2026, CEO Mark Zuckerberg showcased the next evolution in the company’s wearable technology lineup, introducing the Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) smart glasses. Building on the popular foundation laid by previous generations, the new iteration offers key hardware improvements alongside expanded design choices.
The Gen 3 generation focuses on enhanced comfort, refined hardware, and aesthetic variety:
Bold New Styles: Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) comes in two bold new styles, Aviator and Zena, which join the collection alongside the iconic Wayfarer.
Refined Design & Audio: The new generation features a slimmer design, a more comfortable fit, and a 6-mic array for clearer audio.
Extended Power: The longer battery life provides up to 9 hours on a single charge.
Assignable Action Button: A new assignable action button enables quick access to Meta AI or your favorite feature.
With these additions, Meta is broadening the visual and functional appeal of its wearable tech, offering over 100 different AI glasses style combinations across its smart eyewear portfolio.
The Ray-Ban Meta (Gen 3) smart glasses are available starting at $449 and are now available for purchase.
The 2026 WNBA regular season has officially concluded, setting up a high-stakes first round of the postseason starting Sunday, September 27. With a competitive 44-game slate in the books, eight teams now advance to battle in the best-of-three quarterfinal series.
The spots are locked and the teams are ready to go 🚨
Check out the official bracket for the 2026 WNBA Playoffs presented by @madebygoogle.
The top-seeded Minnesota Lynx (33-11) lead the postseason field after locking up the league’s best record, driven by stellar rookie playmaker Olivia Miles and forward Napheesa Collier. Minnesota faces a dangerous opening-round challenge against the No. 8 New York Liberty (26-18), who boast Championship-caliber star power in Breanna Stewart and Sabrina Ionescu.
In the second seed, the expansion Golden State Valkyries (32-12) cap off a historic inaugural run powered by the WNBA’s top-rated defense. They host Paige Bueckers and the No. 7 Dallas Wings (27-17).
Meanwhile, the two-time champion Las Vegas Aces (31-13) hold the No. 3 seed and square off against Caitlin Clark and the No. 6 Indiana Fever (28-16) in a blockbuster matchup featuring two of the league’s premier offenses. Rounding out the bracket, the No. 4 Atlanta Dream host the No. 5 Washington Mystics in a tightly contested 4-vs-5 clash. Game 1 action tips off this Sunday, across ABC, Prime, and USA Network.
The Minnesota Lynx wrapped up their 2026 WNBA regular season with an authoritative 86-66 victory over the Indiana Fever on Thursday night at Target Center.
Minnesota set a commanding tone right from the opening tip. Capitalizing on crisp ball movement and aggressive defense, the Lynx surged to a 32-13 lead by the end of the first quarter. By halftime, Minnesota held a dominant 62-32 advantage, effectively putting the game out of reach. Kayla McBride led all scorers with 22 points, sinking six three-pointers, while Natasha Howard added 21 points, eight rebounds, and three blocks. Point guard Courtney Williams efficiently orchestrated the offense, dishing out 10 assists alongside nine points and seven rebounds.
The Fever struggled to break down Minnesota’s defense, shooting just 34.2% from the field and committing 15 turnovers. Caitlin Clark and Kelsey Mitchell were held to a combined 12 points as Indiana’s high-powered offense faltered under relentless pressure.
With the victory, Minnesota carries strong momentum into the postseason. Despite the loss, Indiana concludes its campaign as the highest-scoring offense in WNBA history (96.0 PPG) and locked in as the No. 6 seed, setting up an intriguing first-round playoff series against the Las Vegas Aces.
The ban for Discord has now been lifted, according to the statement released by the Philippines’ Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC).
In their statement, “The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) have lifted the temporary ban on Discord following the platform’s commitment to concrete measures to strengthen online safety and protect Filipino children.”
The decision to lift the ban was made after a meeting between Philippine government officials and senior Discord representatives, including its Regional Director for APAC Public Policy and Government Affairs and its Senior Public Policy Advisor for the Asia-Pacific region.
DICT Secretary Henry R. Aguda emphasized that the government’s actions are grounded in the responsibility to protect Filipino children while ensuring that digital platforms remain accountable for the safety of their users.
“We respect freedom of expression, but these rights must never become a shield for predators and groomers. If you operate in the Philippines, Filipino children are your responsibility too. Do not mistake distance for immunity. We welcome innovation, but access comes with a responsibility,” Aguda added.
The temporary ban was imposed to protect Filipino children and communities and to ensure that the serious concerns raised by the government were met with concrete action. With Discord now committing to the measures discussed with the government, the DICT and CICC have lifted the ban.
CICC also had a press conference regarding their meeting with Discord Representative and Online Child Safety;
In a thrilling round-of-16 marathon at the Singapore Open, world No. 180 Tatiana Prozorova delivered a career-defining upset, overcoming third-seeded Alex Eala 4-6, 7-5, 6-3 in a grueling three-hour-plus clash.
Eala, ranked No. 18 in the world, seemed firmly in control early on. After snatching the opening set 6-4, the Filipina star surged to a 4-2 lead in the second, looking poised for a straightforward victory. However, Prozorova refused to yield. Relying on relentless, aggressive shot-making, the 22-year-old Russian unleashed 52 winners—more than double Eala’s 24—shifting the momentum by claiming five of the next six games to force a decisive third set.
In the final set, Prozorova maintained her composure through long, punishing baseline exchanges. She secured a crucial late break before serving out the match. The victory marks Prozorova’s first-ever win over a top-20 opponent and earns her a spot in her debut WTA tour-level quarterfinal.
Following her exit from Singapore, Eala will shift her focus to representing the Philippines at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan. Demonstrating her dedication to national duty, the top-ranked Filipina has elected to skip the WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing to wear her country’s colors on the international stage. While Prozorova celebrates a sensational main-stage breakthrough, Eala turns her sights toward chasing national glory.
Philippine telecommunications providers Globe Telecom (and its subsidiary GOMO) alongside DITO Telecommunity have begun enforcing DNS-level blocks on Discord. The disruptions leave millions of Filipino gamers, esports teams, and remote workers abruptly unable to access the messaging service without using custom DNS or VPN workarounds.
The service restrictions stem from a crackdown by the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), which issued a 24-hour directive ordering social platforms to set up local representatives and tighten child-safety mechanisms following recent school violence.
Web version of discord in the PH is now down by Globe, unsure on other ISP's I'll check
Notably, the block occurred despite initial reports of a granted extension. While the CICC later clarified that an official extension was granted only to Reddit after it made specific local commitments, Discord had engaged with authorities by offering briefings on its safety tools. Nevertheless, telecom providers moved forward with site restrictions pending formal compliance agreements.
The sudden blockade has drawn heavy criticism from tech advocates, legal observers, and industry leaders. Critics point out that blanket network blocks disproportionately penalize legitimate freelancers and community groups while doing little to stop bad actors who easily circumvent basic DNS filters.
Netflix just release the official trailer of Ray Gunn, a retro-futuristic animated film from Netflix and Skydance Animation.
Brad Bird, who is known for “The Incredibles”, “Ratatouille” and “The Iron Giant” returns with Ray Gunn, will direct the animated film – a blend of detective noir and sci-fi adventure. Pitch-described by Bird as “The Maltese Falcon meets Buck Rogers,” the project is a passion project three decades in the making.
The premise of the film, “In Metropia, a gigantic city in an alternate future as seen from 1939, private eye Raymond Gunn (Sam Rockwell) is drawn into a case involving aliens, murder and a multimedia star named Venus Nova (Scarlett Johansson).”
Sam Rockwell as Raymond Gunn, the gritty, down-on-his-luck gumshoe.
Scarlett Johansson as Venus Nova, the enigmatic celebrity at the center of the mystery.
Tom Waits as Eyera, Gunn’s trusted one-eyed alien partner.
Supporting Cast: Featuring Matt Berry, Patton Oswalt, Alan Tudyk, Bobby Cannavale, Kathryn Hunter, and frequent Brad Bird collaborator John Ratzenberger.
Music:Scored by long-time Bird collaborator Michael Giacchino (Up, The Incredibles), featuring original songs written by Kimbra and performed by Scarlett Johansson.
Movie Poster
Image: Ray Gunn Movie Poster
Release Schedule
Ray Gunn is scheduled for a limited theatrical run starting on December 4, 2026, before launching globally on Netflix on December 18, 2026.
