BOC vows crackdown on smuggling after Zambales cigarette haul

Inquirer.net - Oct 25, 2026

IBA, Zambales — The Bureau of Customs (BOC) vowed to intensify its campaign against smuggling after seizing four shipping containers loaded with untaxed cigarettes worth an estimated P175 million at BNB Pier in Sitio Luan, Barangay Lipay, Palauig, Zambales. “We will not allow shipments that evade taxes to slip through. With the help of our

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The Belgian musician fusing Western, Chinese instruments for ‘something totally different’

Oct 25, 2026

The Belgian musician fusing Western, Chinese instruments for ‘something totally different’

Johan Famaey is considered the only professional yangqin player in Belgium. When he returned to Belgium from Qingdao, China, in 2009, most people in his home country had never heard of the instrument and knew little about Chinese culture. The 47-year-old musician, who is primarily a pianist, performs with a yangqin in Belgium and beyond, showcasing both Western and Eastern music traditions in his compositions. “Whether it’s a piano, whether it’s a yangqin, we all have this in common that we try...

‘Really terrified’: how a blood test could spare cancer patients an agonising wait

Oct 25, 2026

‘Really terrified’: how a blood test could spare cancer patients an agonising wait

In the second of a four-part Health Matters wellness series on frontier medicine in Hong Kong, Fiona Sun looks into how a new PCR system can detect cancer, infections and birth defects within hours, and what it will take to bring such laboratory breakthroughs to patients. Part one can be found here. It began with a pimple-like lump on Audrey Kwan’s neck. Within a month, it had swollen to the size of a table tennis ball. But it took blood tests, a biopsy and CAT scans before the Hongkonger, then...

Teodoro to PMAers: Reject defeatism, pursue ambitious defense plans

Oct 25, 2026

Teodoro to PMAers: Reject defeatism, pursue ambitious defense plans

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. has urged future military leaders at the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) to pursue more ambitious defense plans and “defeat defeatism,” saying the Philippines cannot afford complacency when its sovereignty and territory are at stake. Speaking at the PMA’s founding anniversary on Saturday, Teodoro said the country must

Hong Kong seeks bigger role for yuan in regional trade, treasury chief says

Oct 25, 2026

Hong Kong seeks bigger role for yuan in regional trade, treasury chief says

Hong Kong officials held discussions with finance ministers and representatives from economies such as Brunei during last week’s Apec meeting on reducing reliance on the US dollar and expanding the use of local currencies and the yuan for bilateral trade settlement, the city’s treasury chief has said. Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury Christopher Hui Ching-yu on Sunday also shared lighthearted but telling anecdotes about the intangible gains made by the city from hosting the...

2 PCG personnel injured in Zamboanga explosion

Oct 25, 2026

2 PCG personnel injured in Zamboanga explosion

PAGADIAN CITY, Zamboanga del Sur — Two Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) personnel were injured Saturday night in an alleged accidental explosion inside their barracks at the Zamboanga City International Pier, the PCG said on Sunday. The incident occurred at around 10:39 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit-Southwestern Mindanao barracks within the

Father, son shot dead over land dispute in Quezon

Oct 25, 2026

Father, son shot dead over land dispute in Quezon

LUCENA CITY — A father and his son were shot dead on Saturday, Oct. 24, allegedly over a long-standing land dispute in Catanauan, Quezon. In a report on Sunday, Calabarzon police said the suspect confronted the 37-year-old victim over an old grudge stemming from a land dispute involving the victim’s father. The confrontation occurred at

4 ways US foreign policy could change if Democrats win in November

Oct 25, 2026

4 ways US foreign policy could change if Democrats win in November

Here are some ways a Democratic Congress could hem in Trump's foreign policy

5 PH dams see slight rise in water levels

Oct 25, 2026

5 PH dams see slight rise in water levels

MANILA, Philippines — Water levels at five of the nine monitored dams across the country slightly increased in the past 24 hours, according to the state weather bureau. In its latest update issued at 8 a.m., the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) said the dams were La Mesa, Ambuklao, Binga, Pantabangan and

Firefighters battle hill fire near residential area in Tuen Mun

Oct 25, 2026

Firefighters battle hill fire near residential area in Tuen Mun

Hong Kong firefighters continued to battle a hill fire near a residential area in Tuen Mun on Sunday afternoon, several hours after it broke out. No injuries were reported, but the flames were spreading along the hillside near Shan King Estate, not far from two secondary schools, sending thick clouds of smoke billowing into the air. The blaze, reported at about 1.30pm, broke out in a patch of grass measuring about 10 metres by 20 metres (33 feet by 66 feet) on Por Lo Shan near a freshwater...

DOH logs 8% rise in flu-like illnesses; vaccines to roll out next week

Oct 25, 2026

DOH logs 8% rise in flu-like illnesses; vaccines to roll out next week

The Department of Health (DOH) recorded an increase in influenza-like illness (ILI) cases this week and will begin rolling out influenza vaccines next week, Health Secretary Edwin Mercado said Sunday.

5 feared dead as fire guts Sorsogon City public market

Oct 25, 2026

5 feared dead as fire guts Sorsogon City public market

SORSOGON CITY — Five people are feared dead after a fire gutted the Sorsogon City Public Market late Saturday night, Oct. 24, with authorities struggling to identify the possible victims because their remains were severely burned. “The fatalities were believed to be stall owners or bystanders, but authorities have yet to establish their identities, as

How China’s regional leadership changes offer clues to the future of the Communist Party

Oct 25, 2026

How China’s regional leadership changes offer clues to the future of the Communist Party

China’s five-year leadership cycle is getting under way at a provincial level, with new teams being installed in a process that offers important clues to the future of the Communist Party at a national level. Last week, four provinces – Anhui, Henan, Shanxi and Xinjiang – wrapped up their respective party congresses and appointed new standing committees for the next five years. The meetings were held a week before a key party gathering in Beijing – known as the fifth plenum – that runs from...

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