Hong Kong leader apologizes for deadly Tai Po fire, pledges reform

Rappler - Oct 29, 2026

John Lee also announces the resignation of Hong Kong's Housing Secretary Winnie Ho — the first official to resign over the inferno

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Witness: 25% of infra project budget given as ‘proponents’ commitment’

Oct 29, 2026

MANILA, Philippines—A former Public Works and Highways official on Thursday said 25 percent of the budget allocated for infrastructure projects in the 2025 General Appropriations Act (GAA) are given as “commitments” to certain proponents, including senators. This was according to former Public Works and Highways Regional Director Gerard Opulencia, who testified as a prosecution witness

Davao de Oro military ready to help police hunt Bato dela Rosa

Oct 29, 2026

CAYAN DE ORO CITY — The Philippine Army’s 10th Infantry Division (10ID) said on Thursday it is ready to help police arrest Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, whose one-week ultimatum to surrender ends on Friday. The former national police chief is wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for alleged crimes against humanity during the

Marcos urges firms to invest in PH electric vehicle industry

Oct 29, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Thursday urged foreign manufacturers to invest in the Philippines’ electric vehicle (EV) industry as the government aims to have EVs account for 50% of the country’s vehicle fleet by 2040. He made the call during a visit to the manufacturing and assembly plant of Sazgar Philippines Inc. in

Anwar’s ex-rival backs Malaysia’s budget. Will Muhyiddin become PM’s election partner?

Oct 29, 2026

The former prime minister who helped bring down Anwar Ibrahim’s political alliance six years ago has now agreed to back his government in parliament, in a surprise deal struck just before the passage of Malaysia’s 2027 budget at its first voting stage on Thursday. Muhyiddin Yassin, who governed Malaysia from 2020 to 2021, joined 12 other opposition and independent lawmakers in pledging support for Anwar’s administration, hours before parliament approved the government’s 459.8 billion ringgit...

Japanese boy's drowning at Vietnam 5-star resort avoidable with proper pool outlets, inspectors find

Oct 29, 2026

A Vietnamese company's director has been accused of designing unsafe pool suction outlets that led to an 11-year-old Japanese boy's death at the five-star Centara Mirage Resort Mui Ne in 2022.

LGU employee killed, child bystander wounded in Pampanga ambush

Oct 29, 2026

MABALACAT CITY — A 54-year-old male employee of the Arayat municipal government died while a 10-year-old bystander was wounded in an early morning ambush at the town’s Gatiawin village on Wednesday. The municipal government employee was riding a motorcycle when a still unidentified assailant shot him several times at 7:20 a.m., the Pampanga police said.

WATCH: Hegseth-Teodoro talks, Undas 2026 updates top INQToday newscast

Oct 29, 2026

MANILA, Philippines — Here are INQToday’s top stories this afternoon. The United States will increase its security cooperation funding to help speed up the modernization of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), following talks between US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in Cebu. Meanwhile, Vice President Sara Duterte’s

SC clears ex-principal of grave misconduct for cutting trees: No proof

Oct 29, 2026

MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court has reduced the offense and the penalty meted on a former public school principal in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro over an unauthorized cutting of trees. The high tribunal, in a decision on June 2 released only on Thursday, partially granted the petition sought by Melencio Corpuz. Corpuz was found guilty of

Dad nabbed in Pampanga for allegedly taking ex-partner’s 2 kids

Oct 29, 2026

MABALACAT CITY — Police arrested a 37-year-old man for allegedly taking his former partner’s two children without her consent in Pasay City and bringing them to San Fernando City in Pampanga. In a statement, the Philippine National Police Public Information Office (PNP-PIO) said the children, aged 11 and three, were taken without their mother knowing

Laoag launches Dulang Festival to promote Ilocano cuisine

Oct 29, 2026

SAN ILDEFONSO, Ilocos Sur — The Laoag City government had launched the first Dulang Festival to promote Ilocano cuisine and boost food tourism by showcasing the city’s traditional dishes and local food industry. The two-day festival, which ends on Thursday, brought together city officials, the Liga ng mga Barangay, residents, and food businesses to celebrate