LAFD acknowledges missteps involving Palisades fire following independent investigation

Los Angeles Times - Oct 2, 2026

A new investigation detailed L.A. Fire Department missteps leading up to the Palisades fire and in its initial response to the blaze. "We accept those findings," the LAFD said.

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Step inside this healing spot inside Civilian Control Line in Paju

Oct 3, 2026

Step inside this healing spot inside Civilian Control Line in Paju

“Please prepare for a brief security check.” As the bus doors open, a soldier in combat gear boards and collects the identification cards of each passenger. The soldier looks to be in his early 20s, but the scene, reminiscent of something from a movie, is enough to make passengers slightly tense. After collecting all the IDs from the roughly 10 passengers, the soldier gets off the bus. “The IDs will be returned when we come back,” the guide explains, putting everyone at ease again. This is a checkpoint on the Civilian Control Line, the northernmost point that civilians can freely travel to. If you see a chartered bus crossing the line into the Civilian Control Zone and assume that the passengers are taking part in a security tour or academic research, you would be wrong. They are vacationers. They are heading into the forest beyond the Civilian Control Line to relax and recharge — walking on moss, picking up fresh chestnuts and meditating to the sounds of insects and birds. A new opportunity is opening for individuals to visit the Civilian Control Zone for leisure, a place that h

Filipinos turn Hongdae venue into home away from home

Oct 3, 2026

Filipinos turn Hongdae venue into home away from home

In western Seoul’s vibrant Hongdae neighborhood, a celebration of Filipino music and culture transformed a live music venue into a space where the community felt closer to home. Filipinos across Seoul gathered at Rabbit Hall, the basement live music venue at White Rabbit bistro and wine bar in Mapo District on Sept. 26 for its first Filipino Night. Home to frequent open mics, the stage was set for something a bit different. The show opened with a traditional Mindanaoan dance called “Pangalay,” performed by Filipino artist Nicky Juanite, the brains behind the event, accompanied by Kyle Abraham, a Filipino American dancer and choreographer. “We wanted to bless this space before we start the show,” Juanite said after the opening performance that set the tone for the evening. What followed was a quintessentially Filipino sight — and sound. Performers treated the audience to English and Tagalog karaoke favorites, as well as Korean ballad songs. The audience, as one may expect from a typical karaoke session in the Philippines, sang the lyrics right back with as much volume and soul

[MORNING CALM TALES] The irresistible appeal of Korea's 'pojangmacha' food tents

Oct 3, 2026

[MORNING CALM TALES] The irresistible appeal of Korea's 'pojangmacha' food tents

Had I not gotten lost in Jamsil one cold December night, I might never have discovered the soul of Seoul. It was the early 1990s, and I decided to be adventurous and find a different way back to my apartment. Somewhere in the maze of Jamsil 2-danji, I got twisted around and ended up on a street I had never taken before. Getting lost there was surprisingly easy. At night, the apartment buildings all looked alike, row after row of concrete towers rising into the darkness. I knew the subway station was somewhere behind me and my apartment somewhere ahead. Beyond that, I was guessing. The December air had a bite to it. I shoved my hands deeper into my coat pockets and kept walking. Then I saw the orange glow. On the side of the street stood a rectangular tent, glowing in the darkness. Light filtered through thick orange plastic, turning it into a giant lantern. Shadows moved behind the vinyl. Every so often, someone lifted a flap, releasing a burst of steam and noise into the cold before ducking inside. I stopped. What was this place? There was no sign or name that I could see, yet people kep

Cheong Wa Dae holds emergency security meeting on N. Korea's missile launch

Oct 3, 2026

Cheong Wa Dae holds emergency security meeting on N. Korea's missile launch

The presidential National Security Office (NSO) has held an emergency meeting to discuss North Korea's firing of at least one ballistic missile, Cheong Wa Dae said Saturday. The NSO said the North's firing of a ballistic missile is in violation of U.N. Security Council resolutions and urged Pyongyang to immediately stop such provocative action. South Korea's military said the North fired at least one ballistic missile earlier in the day, a day after Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, again rejected blame for the recent mine blast inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and mocked Seoul's call to reduce tensions.

[COVER STORY] North Korea's border fortification raises questions over DMZ buffer role

Oct 3, 2026

[COVER STORY] North Korea's border fortification raises questions over DMZ buffer role

North Korea’s continued construction of minefields, fences and barriers along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) is raising questions over whether its border fortification campaign is changing the role of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which has served as a military buffer between the two Koreas since the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement. The risks are becoming more apparent as North Korea builds fortifications close to the MDL in areas where Seoul, Pyongyang and the United Nations Command (UNC) do not always agree on the exact location of the line. North Korean troops have repeatedly crossed the MDL during construction work, prompting warning broadcasts and warning shots from the South Korean military. North Korea began clearing land, laying mines and building fences, barriers and tactical roads along the MDL in 2024, after leader Kim Jong-un defined inter-Korean relations as those between “two hostile states.” The South Korean military expects the project to be completed around 2028. As of August, land-clearing work was about 90 percent complete, while construction of fences and m

N. Korea fires ballistic missile amid tensions over DMZ mine blast

Oct 3, 2026

N. Korea fires ballistic missile amid tensions over DMZ mine blast

North Korea fired a ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Saturday, South Korea's military said, as tensions heightened over a recent mine blast along the inter-Korean border that injured three South Korean soldiers. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch at about 6:30 a.m. from the Wonsan area, without elaborating on the type of missile launched. The missile flew over 700 kilometers before landing at sea, the JCS said, adding it is analyzing the exact specifications of the launch with the U.S. side. South Korean and U.S. intelligence authorities had tracked the launch since its early stage and shared relevant information, the JCS said in a notice. "Our military is closely monitoring various movements by the North under a robust South Korea-U.S. combined defense posture and maintaining the capability and readiness to respond decisively to any provocations," it added. While the military did not specify the type of missile, it is reportedly analyzing its specifications while leaving open the possibility that it may have been a medium-range ballistic missile (MRBM) or

Meet Sarah Jane Lim, the mother leading Philippine pickleball

Oct 3, 2026

Meet Sarah Jane Lim, the mother leading Philippine pickleball

Even after climbing to the No. 1 spot in Philippine pickleball and getting drafted into Major League Pickleball Australia, Sarah Jane Lim prioritizes her role as a mother above all sports demands

ICC grants prosecution's request to include prior testimony of witness in Rodrigo Duterte case

Oct 3, 2026

ICC grants prosecution's request to include prior testimony of witness in Rodrigo Duterte case

The International Criminal Court Trial Chamber has granted the Prosecution"s request to admit into evidence the previously recorded testimony of a key witness in the crimes against humanity case against former president Rodrigo Duterte.

From Pasil to the world: Indigenous rice champion wins global food award

Oct 3, 2026

From Pasil to the world: Indigenous rice champion wins global food award

In Kalinga, the Pasil community grows indigenous rice varieties with the vital preservation support and knowledge of Rowena Gonnay

North Korea's border fortification raises questions over DMZ buffer role

Oct 3, 2026

North Korea's border fortification raises questions over DMZ buffer role

North Korea’s continued construction of minefields, fences and barriers along the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) is raising questions over whether its border fortification campaign is changing the role of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), which has served as a military buffer between the two Koreas since the 1953 Korean Armistice Agreement. The risks are becoming more apparent as North Korea builds fortifications close to the MDL in areas where Seoul, Pyongyang and the United Nations Command (UNC) do not always agree on the exact location of the line. North Korean troops have repeatedly crossed the MDL during construction work, prompting warning broadcasts and warning shots from the South Korean military. North Korea began clearing land, laying mines and building fences, barriers and tactical roads along the MDL in 2024, after leader Kim Jong-un defined inter-Korean relations as those between “two hostile states.” The South Korean military expects the project to be completed around 2028. As of August, land-clearing work was about 90 percent complete, while construction of fences and m

N. Korea fires ballistic missile toward East Sea amid tensions over DMZ blast

Oct 3, 2026

N. Korea fires ballistic missile toward East Sea amid tensions over DMZ blast

North Korea fired at least one ballistic missile toward the East Sea on Saturday, South Korea's military said, after Pyongyang has denied responsibility for last week's mine blast along the inter-Korean border. The Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said it detected the launch at about 6:30 a.m. from the Wonsan area, without elaborating. "The South Korean military has stepped up surveillance for potential additional launches and is maintaining an all-out readiness posture while sharing relevant information with the United States and Japan," the JCS said in a notice. The latest launch came amid heightened inter-Korean tensions following the Sept. 21 blast of North Korean land mines inside the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas. The incident left three South Korean soldiers injured, two of them seriously. The South Korean military has blamed North Korea for the mine blast, calling it a "blatant violation" of the armistice agreement. Seoul has also demanded apology from Pyongyang and urged it to halt border fortification work. North Korea denied its involvement in a statement issued

[Vantage Point] GCash at P6.60: Did investors finally get their price?

Oct 3, 2026

[Vantage Point] GCash at P6.60: Did investors finally get their price?

Millions of Filipinos already trust GCash to move their money. The IPO asks whether they should trust it with their investment capital.

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