What's really under the counter at the vape shop: The elaborate hidden chambers dodgy shop owners use to stash illicit goods

Daily Mail - Sep 17, 2026

Alerted by a barking sniffer dog, the officers wrench off a wooden wall panel to find a secret compartment full of illegal tobacco.

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School governor sparks 'stranger danger' warning after innocent chat with pupils

Sep 17, 2026

School governor sparks 'stranger danger' warning after innocent chat with pupils

A school governor who had an innocent chat with two pupils was shocked to learn he had sparked a “stranger danger” warning.

‘This will help’: Council set to build second footpath at town centre car park

Sep 17, 2026

‘This will help’: Council set to build second footpath at town centre car park

A second pedestrian route from a town centre car park is set to be built after councillors ignored officers’ recommendation to refuse the plans.

Martin Romualdez co-accused Joselyn Serenio has left PH --BI

Sep 17, 2026

Martin Romualdez co-accused Joselyn Serenio has left PH --BI

The co-accused and personal assistant of Leyte Representative and former House Speaker Martin Romauldez in his plunder case has left the Philippines, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) said Thursday.

Australia to ban international students from bringing partners and children

Sep 17, 2026

Australia to ban international students from bringing partners and children

Australia will stop foreign students from bringing their partners and children to accompany them while they study and tighten rules for temporary migrants ​to switch visas, media reported on Thursday, ahead of a minister's ‌speech on immigration changes.

LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte

Sep 17, 2026

LIVE UPDATES: Impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte

Bookmark this page for Rappler's comprehensive coverage of Vice President Sara Duterte's impeachment trial at the Senate

Only 21 senators qualified to vote in Sara Duterte impeachment -- Carpio

Sep 17, 2026

Only 21 senators qualified to vote in Sara Duterte impeachment -- Carpio

For retired Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Antonio Carpio, only 21 senator-judges are qualified to vote in the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte.

16 or lower? Ex-SC justices guide impeachment court on conviction threshold issue

Sep 17, 2026

16 or lower? Ex-SC justices guide impeachment court on conviction threshold issue

The amici curiae give solicited advice to the impeachment court on the crucial issue

Unhealthy air quality recorded in 28 areas nationwide

Sep 17, 2026

Unhealthy air quality recorded in 28 areas nationwide

Perak seems to be the hardest-hit state today, with several areas recording in the 180 range.

Fed Raises Rates in First Major Step by Warsh to Contain Inflation

Sep 17, 2026

Fed Raises Rates in First Major Step by Warsh to Contain Inflation

The Federal Reserve’s first increase to interest rates since July 2023 comes less than two months before the midterm elections.

Part of donor's tax for Marcoleta's P75M campaign fund paid by his employee --witness

Sep 17, 2026

Part of donor's tax for Marcoleta's P75M campaign fund paid by his employee --witness

Part of the donor's tax for the P75 million worth of funds donated to Senator Rodante Marcoleta was paid by his employee, a witness told the Sandiganbayan on Thursday.

The Red Ribbon on the Earth | Seizing the Luding Bridge

Sep 17, 2026

The Red Ribbon on the Earth | Seizing the Luding Bridge

Held up on the banks of the Dadu River by a lack of ferries to carry its soldiers and equipment across, the Central Red Army was under imminent threat from a vast, rapidly-approaching enemy force. To open up an alternative route across the river, the Red Army's 4th Regiment was ordered to capture the Luding Bridge, 120 kilometers away.

The Long March History | Capturing Luding Bridge

Sep 17, 2026

The Long March History | Capturing Luding Bridge

In late May 1935, the Central Red Army reached the banks of the Dadu River in Sichuan Province. However, their attempts to cross were severely hampered by the limited number of boats available and the river's swift, turbulent current.

The Red Ribbon on the Earth | Held Up at the Dadu River

Sep 17, 2026

The Red Ribbon on the Earth | Held Up at the Dadu River

In late May 1935, the Central Red Army reached the banks of the Dadu River in Sichuan. However, the possibility of crossing it was complicated by a severe shortage of available ferries.

OpenAI’s rogue agents probed Hugging Face for weaknesses 2 months before major hack

Sep 17, 2026

OpenAI’s rogue agents probed Hugging Face for weaknesses 2 months before major hack

The newly uncovered malicious activity shows that the rogue agents' efforts to find a way into Hugging Face began earlier than was publicly known

Peninsula politicians should learn from Borneo, Anwar says as stony-faced Zahid looks on

Sep 17, 2026

Peninsula politicians should learn from Borneo, Anwar says as stony-faced Zahid looks on

Jabs in Malaysia Day address come amid tensions in Putrajaya.

AI transforming, not cutting PH outsourcing jobs–study

Sep 17, 2026

AI transforming, not cutting PH outsourcing jobs–study

The artificial intelligence (AI) boom has not yet caused a decline in the Philippines’ service-export revenues or employment, ING Bank N.V. said, arguing that AI is so far changing what gets outsourced rather than reducing demand for outsourced work. In a report, Deepali Bhargava, head of Asia-Pacific research at ING, said there was evidence that

Gov’t spending yet to pick up pace

Sep 17, 2026

Gov’t spending yet to pick up pace

MANILA, Philippines — Government budget releases remained slightly behind last year’s pace by end-August, putting greater pressure on agencies to accelerate spending in the remaining months of 2026. Latest data from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) showed that allotment releases had reached 94.1 percent, or P6.391 trillion of the P6.793-trillion budget in the

DBS bets on strong PH growth rebound but flags energy risk

Sep 17, 2026

DBS bets on strong PH growth rebound but flags energy risk

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines has the potential to grow by an average of 5.8 percent a year from 2026 through 2035, according to DBS Bank Ltd., though it warned that the country’s heavy reliance on imported energy could weigh on that expansion. In a report copublished with Bain & Company and Vriens & Partners,

Toyota protests exclusion of hybrid cars from TNVS slots

Sep 17, 2026

Toyota protests exclusion of hybrid cars from TNVS slots

MANILA, Philippines — Toyota Motor Philippines Corp., is questioning the exclusion of hybrid electric vehicles (EVs) from the 7,500 new ride-hailing slots in Metro Manila opened by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB). Under Memorandum Circular No. 2026-084, which took effect on Aug. 27, the LTFRB allocated additional Transport Network Vehicle Service (TNVS) slots

Lower rice, corn harvests expected in Q3

Sep 17, 2026

Lower rice, corn harvests expected in Q3

MANILA, Philippines — Production of palay (unmilled rice) and corn could post double-digit declines this third quarter, according to the latest estimates of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), with smaller harvest areas expected to gnaw on output. Based on standing crops as of Aug. 1, the PSA estimated palay production in the July-to-September period at 3.19

Excise tax hikes seen to push 2027 inflation to 4.5%

Sep 17, 2026

Excise tax hikes seen to push 2027 inflation to 4.5%

MANILA, Philippines — An increase in excise tax on sweetened beverages, alcohol and tobacco could push inflation to as high as 4.5 percent in 2027, adding to price pressures as the country continues to grapple with the oil shock fallout. This is according to Chinabank Research’s latest commentary, which said the tax increases proposed by the

BSP to tighten disciplinary actions vs erring banks, officials

Sep 17, 2026

BSP to tighten disciplinary actions vs erring banks, officials

MANILA, Philippines — The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) is proposing a more streamlined process for disciplining errant banks and their directors, officers and employees, with penalties ranging from reprimands and fines to suspension, removal from office and disqualification. The BSP is collecting comments from stakeholders on a draft circular that will spell out how the

‘Kiss’ for substandard steel bars 

Sep 17, 2026

‘Kiss’ for substandard steel bars 

The expression “Keep it simple, stupid (Kiss)” has been the advocacy of the Federation of Philippine Industries (FPI) in addressing the dangerous problem of substandard products, especially steel bars. Given climate change, this has become urgent; though some at the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) favor this, such as Assistant Secretary Regino Mallari, others

GCash IPO success goes beyond P10 price point, expert says

Sep 17, 2026

GCash IPO success goes beyond P10 price point, expert says

MANILA, Philippines — The success of GCash parent Mynt Inc.’s blockbuster initial public offering (IPO) should not be judged by whether it fetches the maximum P10-per-share price, as the quality of investors and demand after listing may prove more important. Capital market expert Jonathan Ravelas said the P10 maximum offer price in Mynt’s regulatory filing

Intl. media outlets highlight China's role in BRICS cooperation

Sep 17, 2026

Intl. media outlets highlight China's role in BRICS cooperation

Intl. media outlets highlight China's role in BRICS cooperation

Alternergy eyes P2B from maiden notes issuance

Sep 17, 2026

Alternergy eyes P2B from maiden notes issuance

MANILA, Philippines — Alternergy Holdings Corp., a listed renewable energy company, is making its debut in the debt market to raise P2 billion, as it rolls out more clean power facilities. The company on Wednesday said its board of directors had given the go-ahead to issue green fixed-rate notes worth P2 billion. READ: Alternergy inks

Standard Chartered sizes up Clark investment opportunities

Sep 17, 2026

Standard Chartered sizes up Clark investment opportunities

MANILA, Philippines — The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) is bringing in one of Asia’s oldest banks to scout investment and financing opportunities across its Clark properties, which form part of the foreign-backed Luzon Economic Corridor. Under a memorandum of understanding, Standard Chartered Bank Philippines—the first foreign bank established in the country—will jointly study with

SM Prime, WWF enter 5th phase of conservation project

Sep 17, 2026

SM Prime, WWF enter 5th phase of conservation project

MANILA, Philippines — SM Prime Holdings Inc. has renewed its nearly two-decade partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines (WWF-Philippines) to strengthen marine conservation efforts at Hamilo Coast in Nasugbu, Batangas. SM Prime said on Wednesday that, through leisure resort residences developer Costa del Hamilo Inc. (CDHI), it entered the fifth phase of the Hamilo Coast

Meralco unit tapped for Filinvest’s EV needs

Sep 17, 2026

Meralco unit tapped for Filinvest’s EV needs

MANILA, Philippines — Filinvest Group has tapped the green mobility subsidiary of Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) to equip its properties with solutions supporting electric vehicles (EVs). In a statement on Wednesday, Movem Electric Inc. said the partnership would cover the deployment of EV requirements across Filinvest’s commercial, residential and office developments. READ: Toyota cautious but

Grab takes the reins of fintech Atome Financial

Sep 17, 2026

Grab takes the reins of fintech Atome Financial

MANILA, Philippines — Grab is deepening its push into financial services with a $1.49-billion deal to acquire a controlling stake in Atome Financial, the Singapore-based buy now, pay later (BNPL) fintech that operates in the Philippines and four other Southeast Asian markets. On Tuesday, Grab said it would acquire a 60-percent equity interest in Atome Financial

Trump vows Iran war is almost FINISHED and threatens massive new target for tariffs after ploy by Canada: 'I think it's laughable'

Sep 17, 2026

Trump vows Iran war is almost FINISHED and threatens massive new target for tariffs after ploy by Canada: 'I think it's laughable'

President Donald Trump expressed his hope that the war in Iran is nearly over as he threatened implementing new tariffs should Canada join the European Union on Wednesday.

Rodrigo Duterte's ICC appearance indicates he is fit for trial, Colmenares says

Sep 17, 2026

Rodrigo Duterte's ICC appearance indicates he is fit for trial, Colmenares says

Rodrigo Duterte"s ICC appearance indicates he is fit for trial, Colmenares says

Aussies slam motorists over 'selfish' driveway parking practice that could attract a $339 fine: 'That's a big no'

Sep 17, 2026

Aussies slam motorists over 'selfish' driveway parking practice that could attract a $339 fine: 'That's a big no'

After Transport for NSW reminded motorists about the rule in a Facebook post, users in the comments were quick to call out those who break it.

San Francisco landlord searches for new tenant to live in sage-colored townhouse after he allegedly murdered his last renter

Sep 17, 2026

San Francisco landlord searches for new tenant to live in sage-colored townhouse after he allegedly murdered his last renter

A three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in San Francisco can be rented for $6,300, but its last tenant was killed outside of it just months ago by the landlord, according to prosecutors.

Chris Brown torches Texas Democrat who joined Jasmine Crockett to honor him on stage and then APOLOGIZED

Sep 17, 2026

Chris Brown torches Texas Democrat who joined Jasmine Crockett to honor him on stage and then APOLOGIZED

Chris Brown lashed out after Texas state Rep. Venton Jones apologized for helping honor the singer during a concert appearance alongside Rep. Jasmine Crockett.

Another huge blow for Gavin Newsom's California as iconic movie studio Paramount is set to LEAVE Hollywood for a new home

Sep 17, 2026

Another huge blow for Gavin Newsom's California as iconic movie studio Paramount is set to LEAVE Hollywood for a new home

David Ellison, Paramount's CEO, threatened to abandon their Hollywood home of if official's didn't abandon their attempts to block the company's merger with Warner Bros Discovery.

Third victim named in fiery Los Angeles helicopter crash that killed NBC journalist as officials probe live footage to find out what went wrong

Sep 17, 2026

Third victim named in fiery Los Angeles helicopter crash that killed NBC journalist as officials probe live footage to find out what went wrong

Edy Fernando Gutiérrez Mejia, 29, better known as Pichi, was killed on the ground when News Chopper 4 went down in a parking lot in Chatsworth just before 7pm on Tuesday night.

Two Brits among three dead in Swiss Alps plane crash as Foreign Office issues statement

Sep 17, 2026

Two Brits among three dead in Swiss Alps plane crash as Foreign Office issues statement

The small plane crashed high in the mountains in Switzerland on Tuesday

Houthi blitz leaves Saudi Arabia exposed, Iran emboldened

Sep 17, 2026

Houthi blitz leaves Saudi Arabia exposed, Iran emboldened

The lack of international military support for Saudi Arabia, particularly from the US, has emboldened Iran and its allies, complicating the geopolitical landscape in the region

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