Pet Welfare: Philippine animal groups and owners asked the National Bureau of Investigation to pursue the alleged dumping of 29 deceased dogs and cats by a pet crematorium. Fireworks Safety: With Guy Fawkes and Diwali celebrations underway, experts advise bringing pets indoors early, setting up a quiet hideaway and masking loud bangs with music or TV. Books & Language: An Indigenous literature festival in Nepal brought writers, artists and community leaders together to discuss language, traditional knowledge and rights, as organizers warned that several languages and cultures are at risk. Reading: DuBois Area High School’s Spinebreakers and Bookish Beauties placed third and fourth in a regional contest testing students on 24 books. Culture: The Silk Road cultural expo opened in Dunhuang, China, drawing about 1,200 participants from more than 50 countries for exhibitions, performances and cross-cultural dialogue. Webtoons: South Korea named 10 winners of its 2026 World Webtoon Awards, with the Grand Prize and other special honors to be announced at the Dec. 3 ceremony.