NBI: 13 face raps over alleged P13-B smuggled cigarettes

Inquirer.net - Nov 9, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Monday filed an agricultural economic sabotage complaint against thirteen individuals allegedly involved in smuggling cigarettes worth P13 billion. READ: BOC seizes over P1.17-B suspected smuggled cigarettes in Cebu port According to NBI Director Melvin Matibag, the case stems from the 59 container vans seized by

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WATCH: Defense presents Davao City assessor as its first witness

Nov 9, 2026

WATCH: Defense presents Davao City assessor as its first witness

MANILA, Philippines — Davao City Assessor Engr. Jaime Adalin takes his oath as the first witness for Vice President Sara Duterte as her impeachment trial resumes on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026./dp WATCH: Escudero says Sara Duterte defense submits 24-witness list

Bato dela Rosa manhunt: PNP says it received at least 500 tips

Nov 9, 2026

Bato dela Rosa manhunt: PNP says it received at least 500 tips

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has received at least 500 pieces of information related to the manhunt for Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said. “As I mentioned, there are no less than 500 [pieces of] information. These were properly validated; we went to the locations

WATCH: Escudero says Sara Duterte’s defense submits 24-witness list

Nov 9, 2026

WATCH: Escudero says Sara Duterte’s defense submits 24-witness list

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate impeachment court has received a list of 24 witnesses from Vice President Sara Duterte’s defense team as the trial resumes on Monday, Nov. 9, 2026. Presiding officer Francis Escudero informed the chamber of the developments during the court’s recess, including matters involving the sub judice rule and the presentation of

250 kilos of oil waste recovered after NGCP cable leak in Leyte

Nov 9, 2026

250 kilos of oil waste recovered after NGCP cable leak in Leyte

TACLOBAN CITY – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) recovered 250 kilos of oil-contaminated materials from the shoreline of Barangay Tugas in Tabango, Leyte, following an oil leak involving an underwater submarine cable belonging to the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). The Marine Environmental Protection Unit-Western Leyte continued its shoreline cleanup operations on Monday,

VP Duterte trial: Defense presents Davao City assessor as first witness

Nov 9, 2026

VP Duterte trial: Defense presents Davao City assessor as first witness

MANILA, Philippines — The defense panel in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial on Monday called a Davao City assessor as its first witness to debunk allegations of Duterte’s unexplained wealth. Davao City Assessor Engr. Jaime Adalin is set to testify that Duterte’s property in Matina Crossing was disclosed in her statement of assets, liabilities

Over P27-B projects allegedly inserted for Romualdez — witness

Nov 9, 2026

Over P27-B projects allegedly inserted for Romualdez — witness

MANILA, Philippines — Over P27 billion worth of projects were allegedly inserted for former House Speaker Martin Romualdez upon the instructions of late Public Works Undersecretary Maria Catalina Cabral, a witness told the Sandiganbayan on Monday. READ: Cabral attempted suicide at home, says lawyer Peter Paul Cortez, chief of the Department of Public Works and

Disgraced stem cell scientist Hwang Woo-suk loses Korean citizenship after becoming UAE national

Nov 9, 2026

Disgraced stem cell scientist Hwang Woo-suk loses Korean citizenship after becoming UAE national

Hwang Woo-suk, the disgraced South Korean scientist dismissed from Seoul National University in 2005 over a stem cell research fabrication scandal, has lost his Korean citizenship after acquiring nationality in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it was belatedly revealed. His loss of Korean citizenship took effect in April. According to the government's electronic gazette on Monday, Hwang's name appeared on a list of individuals who had lost their Korean nationality, published by the Cheongju Immigration Office under the Ministry of Justice on Aug. 13. The list included a man named Hwang Woo-suk, born in 1953 in Buyeo, South Chungcheong Province. His birthplace and year of birth strongly suggest that he is the former Seoul National University professor. The notice listed April 9 as the date he lost his Korean citizenship, citing his acquisition of UAE nationality. Under Article 15 of Korea's Nationality Act, Korean citizens automatically lose their nationality upon voluntarily acquiring foreign citizenship. Hwang currently serves as CEO of the UAE Biotech Research Center in Abu Dhabi, which

How to celebrate Pepero Day, Korea's sweetest tradition

Nov 9, 2026

How to celebrate Pepero Day, Korea's sweetest tradition

If you happen to be in Korea on Nov. 11, you might notice store shelves overflowing with boxes of thin, chocolate-coated biscuit sticks. Welcome to Pepero Day, one of Korea’s most vibrant and fun informal holidays. First launched by Lotte Wellfood in 1983, Pepero has grown from a simple brand name into a household term representing all long, thin biscuit sticks here. Legend has it that the phenomenon started in the 1990s when middle school students in Yeongnam began exchanging the biscuit sticks with a sweet wish, "May we both grow tall and slender!" Today, the tradition has evolved into a nationwide celebration of friendship, romance and affection, where exchanging Pepero sticks is the ultimate way to show someone you care. Whether you are looking for a quick wallet-friendly treat or an over-the-top artisan gift, here is your complete guide to navigating Pepero Day. Convenience store favorites Participating in Korea’s most popular November tradition does not require breaking the bank. Ahead of Nov. 11, the country’s leading convenience store chains — CU, GS25, 7-Eleven and Emart24

Seoul subway stations turn into farmers markets selling regional produce

Nov 9, 2026

Seoul subway stations turn into farmers markets selling regional produce

Five Seoul subway stations will host farmers markets through Nov. 28, where people can buy regional farm products at prices up to 30 percent below retail, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Monday. The pop-up market, named Seoro Itda Local Market, is run with five local governments: Ganghwa County in Incheon, Hongcheon County in Gangwon Province, the city of Gongju in South Chungcheong Province and Uiseong and Cheongsong counties in North Gyeongsang Province. In the name, “seoro” combines the first letters of Seoul and “local” and also means “each other” in Korean. “Itda” means “to connect” and plays on the English word “eat.” The market is linked to Seoul Pick, a program run by Seoul Metro, the city’s subway operator, that turns unused space in stations into pop-up shops for regional farmers. Because farmers sell directly to shoppers, the middlemen are cut out, which lets them offer lower prices. A preview market with 14 farms from all five regions runs Monday and Tuesday at Gwanghwamun Station on Seoul Metro Line 5. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and the heads of

Seoul district boosts crowd control at historic Namdaemun Market amid surge in shoppers

Nov 9, 2026

Seoul district boosts crowd control at historic Namdaemun Market amid surge in shoppers

District authorities in central Seoul are stepping up crowd control and safety inspections across Namdaemun Market, where a social media phenomenon has driven an unprecedented influx of foreign tourists and young domestic shoppers into the historic commercial district. Jung District Office said Monday that it has intensified monitoring and field patrols across the expansive open-air market to manage heavy foot traffic, remove physical hazards blocking narrow corridors and position safety marshals during peak shopping hours. Long known as one of Korea's premier traditional markets, Namdaemun is seeing renewed popularity among younger shoppers and international visitors seeking bargains. The recent surge in congestion has centered largely around Hanyangsa, a small shop selling scarves whose proprietor gained widespread online fame for his witty sales pitch. The resulting influx of onlookers and buyers briefly forced the merchant to suspend operations due to severe crowding. In response to potential safety hazards in the market's tight alleyways, district officials met with local shop owner

Seoul Autumn Festa offers cultural escape to students finishing college entrance exams

Nov 9, 2026

Seoul Autumn Festa offers cultural escape to students finishing college entrance exams

Once college entrance exams are behind them, students in Seoul will have more than textbooks and university applications to think about, as Seoul’s autumn arts festival offers performances, discounts and cultural events to mark the end of the academic year. The Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture said Monday that its 2026 Seoul Autumn Festa is offering special ticket discounts and events linking performances with local businesses, particularly targeting students finishing the College Scholastic Ability Test on Nov. 19. Running through Nov. 29, the 73-day festival began Sept. 18 under the theme “Autumn in Seoul, City Becomes Art,” bringing performances and cultural events to venues across the capital. Among the featured programs is the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra’s performance of Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet,” conducted by Hannu Lintu, at Lotte Concert Hall on Nov. 19 and 20. Students interested in theater can also catch “Your Letter,” a musical based on the popular Naver Webtoon, at Plus Theater in Daehangno through Nov. 29. Another recommendation is Gongnori Club’

Hangang Bus tops 800,000 passengers, cuts winter trips to 32 per day

Nov 9, 2026

Hangang Bus tops 800,000 passengers, cuts winter trips to 32 per day

Cumulative ridership on the Hangang Bus, Seoul’s ferry service on the Han River, has surpassed 800,000, and the city will reduce daily trips and simplify the timetable for the winter season, the Seoul Metropolitan Government said Sunday. As of Oct. 31, the service had carried 802,117 passengers, a rise the city attributed to added trips and expanded night operations. From Dec. 1 last year through Feb. 28, the number of daily trips will drop from 40 to 32, as earlier sunsets allow passengers to see the river’s night views earlier in the evening. The eastern route will run from 11 a.m. to 9:04 p.m., instead of 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., while the western route will operate from 11:22 a.m. to 8:42 p.m., instead of 11:20 a.m. to 9:39 p.m. Intervals between boats, which had ranged from 20 minutes to 90 minutes, will be standardized at one hour, and the transfer wait between the eastern and western routes will be fixed at 18 minutes. Seoul Forest Pier will be added to the regular route, and boats will stop at both Oksu and Apgujeong piers rather than alternating between them. The city also plans

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