Commentary on the Political Situation: Flood-Control Corruption in the Philippines

1. The Scale and Stakes of the Crisis In recent months, allegations of massive corruption in flood-control infrastructure have destabilized public trust in government. According to the Department of Finance, the Philippines may be losing as much as ₱118.5 billion annually (2023–2025) to fraudulent or poorly executed flood projects. Reports suggest that up to 70 percent of flood-budget allocations may be siphoned off through various irregularities. This is not just about misspent money. Climate-adaptation funds — funds meant to protect vulnerable communities from worsening typhoons and floods — are allegedly…

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Consular Outreach in Split Delivers 500+ Services

13 November 2025, Vienna – Filipinos in Split, Croatia received more than 500 consular and migrant worker services during the outreach mission of the Philippine Embassy in Vienna held from 7 to 8 November 2025. The Embassy team delivered passport processing, civil registry work, and notarial services. The Migrant Workers Office in Vienna supported the mission with contract verification, OWWA membership processing, and labor consultations for overseas Filipino workers from Split, Zagreb, and nearby areas. Pag-IBIG and SSS representatives also assisted through dedicated virtual offices set up for the outreach.…

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Heating: What happens when you turn it off once a day

In recent days, many people have turned on their heating for the first time this year to warm up their homes. Especially if the utility bill for 2024, which tenants will receive in 2025, is high, it’s worth taking a look at the costs. The question of whether to turn off the heating at night to save money therefore seems quite logical at first glance Turn off the heating at night? These rules must be observed The myth is that turning off the heating at night saves money. After all,…

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Cold front brings pre-winter weather this week

This week, the weather will start rainy, then turn sunny and noticeably colder than in recent days. The snow line will drop significantly, according to forecasts by Geosphere Austria. On Monday, thick clouds will dominate, and there will be frequent rain, some of it heavy. In the afternoon, the precipitation in the north and on the northern side of the Alps will turn into showers, with occasional breaks. The snow line will drop from north to south between 500 and 1,200 meters by the evening. Temperatures will range from one…

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Studies show: This ingredient makes coffee even healthier for your brain

For many people, the day doesn’t really start until the coffee machine has made its last hissing sound. Coffee is more than just a morning routine—for many, it is an indispensable lifeline. But did you know that you can make your coffee even better with a teaspoon of cocoa? In fact, it’s a minor, almost magical upgrade that not only rounds out the flavor, but can also have positive effects on your mood and brain. This is reported by Express, citing Kuchnia. This somewhat unexpected combination has received a lot…

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Expired tea: drink it or throw it away?

Expired tea: usually still drinkable even after the best-before date – tips on storage, taste, and health benefits. When it gets colder outside, a hot cup of tea provides warmth and comfort. But, like spices, teas often end up in the back of the pantry, where they are forgotten for months. When a packet is finally dug out again, few people think about how long it has been there – or whether the tea is still edible. It is essential to distinguish between the use-by date and the best-before date.…

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Headaches: Three billion people affected

According to a new study, three billion people worldwide suffer from headaches—a figure that has remained virtually unchanged over the past 30 years. This results in a significant loss of quality of life and high costs for social welfare systems. Thanks to new therapies, the prognosis is favourable, at least for migraines. They can be sharp and stabbing or dull and throbbing, affecting the whole head or just part of it: there are more than 200 types of headaches, the most common being tension headaches and migraines. According to the…

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Up to 9.4 million: Austria’s population grows due to migration

By 2040, Austria’s population will grow to 9.4 million. After that, a decline is expected. The growth is due to migration. Austria’s population is expected to continue growing until 2040. Statistics Austria announced this on Wednesday morning at a press conference at the APA Press Center. “The peak will then be reached with around 9.4 million inhabitants, before the population is expected to decline to 9.1 million by 2080,” said Manuela Lenk, Director General of Statistics. This trend is accompanied by progressive ageing, she said. By 2040: Proportion of people…

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United Nations Women’s Guild Elects New Board for 2026

Vienna, 12 November 2025 – The United Nations Women’s Guild (UNWG) held its Annual General Meeting today at the United Nations in Vienna, during which members elected the new Board for 2026. Among those re-elected was Filipina leader Maria Zelda (Marizel) Rojas, who will serve a second term as First Vice President of the UNWG. Rojas is a well-known figure in Vienna’s international and Filipino communities. She currently serves as Chairperson of the European Network of Filipino Diaspora (ENFiD), Board Member of the United Nations Correspondents Association Vienna (UNCAV), and…

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