DBM-Ombudsman pact can hasten graft probes

Inquirer.net - Oct 1, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Investigators from the Office of the Ombudsman may no longer face unnecessary delays when they need to examine data on the Philippine Government Electronic Procurement System (PhilGEPS) and check government contracts in real time for possible irregularities. An agreement with the Procurement Service-Department of Budget and Management (PS-DBM) grants the Ombudsman “faster

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Oct 1, 2026

Dengue outbreak declared in Agusan del Sur

SAN FRANCISCO, AGUSAN DEL SUR, Philippines — Health authorities in Agusan del Sur have declared a dengue outbreak after the number of reported cases in the province reached 674 in just over seven months this year. In a public advisory on Tuesday, the Provincial Health Office (PHO) said the province is “experiencing an increasing burden

Oct 1, 2026

DepDev: Ifugao emerging as Cordillera ‘growth pole’

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Ifugao, home of the World Heritage-inscribed rice terraces, has been designated as an emerging “growth pole” alongside Cordillera region’s rice granary Kalinga province, because of their improved economic performance, the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DepDev) said during a briefing on Tuesday. The province has been in the spotlight recently

Oct 1, 2026

Agri losses from dry spell in Agusan del Sur hit P3.5B

SAN FRANCISCO, AGUSAN DEL SUR, Philippines — Agusan del Sur is now under a state of calamity as prolonged El Niño conditions resulted in P3.5 billion worth of agricultural damage amid reduced water supply, officials said. Gov. Santiago Cane Jr. approved the state of calamity declaration across the province on Sept. 24, after its approval

Oct 1, 2026

Japan Raises Residency Fees 2,000 Percent Amid ‘Anxiety’ Over Foreigners

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is making it harder for immigrants to stay in the country. Critics say she is hurting Japan’s ability to address labor shortages.

Oct 1, 2026

Who Is Captain Smit Machchhar, the Pilot Hailed as a Hero After FlyDubai Cockpit Stabbing?

Capt. Smit Machchhar from India suffered stab wounds while fending off an attack from his co-pilot, saving the lives of around 170 people on board, officials said.

Oct 1, 2026

INSPIRE revamps OASIS Gourmet Village with Korean, other Asian cuisines

INSPIRE Entertainment Resort is betting on familiar Korean flavors and casual Asian dining as it reopens its OASIS Gourmet Village with five in-house restaurant brands this week. The Incheon resort began rolling out its revamped food court Thursday, with all five brands scheduled to be operating by Saturday as part of a broader push to create a more relaxed dining destination for domestic and international visitors. Chusu Sotbab, specializing in Korean pot rice, and Italian pizza restaurant Pizza Piazza opened Thursday, offering dishes including Hanwoo Grade 1++ pot rice, scallop pot rice, seafood pizza and steak pizza. Chinese casual restaurant Hongmiru is scheduled to open Friday with dishes including seafood jjampong (noodles in spicy broth), uni jajangmyeon (black bean noodles) and tangsuyuk (sweet and sour pork). Jinji, which focuses on Korean soup-based dishes, and Japanese restaurant Tontonya will join the lineup Saturday, completing the five-brand roster. Jinji will offer special Hanwoo beef soup, Hanwoo and abalone seaweed soup and pork kimchi stew, while Tontonya will serve dish

Oct 1, 2026

Korea's new K-Tour pass offers foreign travelers gateway beyond Seoul

Stepping beyond the glittering skyscrapers of Seoul to explore Korea's scenic southern coast just became easier and cheaper for foreign tourists. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in partnership with the Korea Tourism Organization, rolled out the K-Tour Pass in the southern port city of Busan, Thursday. The pilot initiative, designed for tourists traveling independently rather than with tour groups, combines intercity transit discounts with admission perks for regional attractions into a single, unified digital and physical travel pass. According to ministry surveys, while over three-quarters of foreign tourists visit the Korean capital, only about 16 percent venture south to Busan. By bundling transit savings with entrance tickets, government officials hope to disperse tourist traffic away from Seoul and encourage visitors to explore regional cultural hubs. Available through international online travel agencies such as Klook and WebBaggage, the K-Tour Pass is priced at 15,000 won ($11). Travelers can choose between a single-leg pass, which offers up to a 40 percent discount

Oct 1, 2026

Immersive program offers foreign professionals portal into Korean heritage

Beyond the fast-paced pulse of high-tech city life, foreign diplomats, executives and journalists living in Korea are being offered an immersive window into the country's ancient seasonal rhythms and cultural legacy. The Korea National University of Heritage said Thursday that it is opening enrollment for its 2026 K-Heritage Leadership Program, a tailored five-week weekend course designed to connect expatriate professionals directly with master craftspeople, UNESCO-listed treasures and centuries-old customs. Running every Saturday from Oct. 24 through Nov. 21, the initiative pairs interactive academic lectures with hands-on cultural immersion across historic venues in Seoul and the university’s principal campus in Buyeo, a city in South Chungcheong Province steeped in ancient Baekje history. Set against the theme "Korean Traditional Culture Met Through the Four Seasons: Wisdom and Elegance of the Ancestors Found in Nature," the course explores how traditional lifestyle practices, architecture and aesthetics harmonized with nature’s shifting climates throughout history. Rather than re

Oct 1, 2026

DBM-Ombudsman pact can hasten graft probes

MORE NEWS

Dengue outbreak declared in Agusan del Sur

DepDev: Ifugao emerging as Cordillera ‘growth pole’

Agri losses from dry spell in Agusan del Sur hit P3.5B

Japan Raises Residency Fees 2,000 Percent Amid ‘Anxiety’ Over Foreigners

Who Is Captain Smit Machchhar, the Pilot Hailed as a Hero After FlyDubai Cockpit Stabbing?

INSPIRE revamps OASIS Gourmet Village with Korean, other Asian cuisines

Korea's new K-Tour pass offers foreign travelers gateway beyond Seoul

Immersive program offers foreign professionals portal into Korean heritage

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