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Pathum acquire Quintana to bolster porous defence

BG Pathum United have moved to shore up their fragile defence with the signing of Uruguayan Yeferson Quintana from Brazilian side Paysandu, the club confirmed.

The towering 196cm centre-back, who began his career at boyhood club Penarol in 2016, has since had loan spells at San Jose Earthquakes, Cerro Largo, Danubio and Racing Ferrol before joining Defensor Sporting in 2022. He moved to Brazil in 2024, turning out for Portuguesa before Paysandu.

“I am very happy to join the team and have the opportunity to wear this shirt,” Quintana, 30, said. “I can’t wait to get on the pitch and fight for everyone, and for this club’s crest. I will do my absolute best to take this club to its destination. See you at the stadium — I will wear this shirt and play with immense pride.”

Elsewhere, PT Prachuap FC have completed a striking coup, securing former England international Andros Townsend from Kanchanaburi Power.

Prachuap head coach Sasom Pobprasert admitted the move had come as a surprise even within the club.

“It is quite a surprising deal, because we are not a big team that a player of his calibre would ordinarily consider,” he said. “Credit must go to our chairman, Songkiat Limarunrak, who negotiated with the player’s agent just a week before the deal was finalised.”

Sasom added that Townsend’s experience would benefit Prachuap’s younger players. Townsend, who recently worked as a pundit at the 2026 World Cup, is expected to join the squad around July 25.

Meanwhile, the Football Association of Thailand has confirmed the fixture list for the 2026-27 Thai League 2 season, which begins on Sept 4. The campaign comprises 34 matches per club.

The opening match will see Uttaradit host Muang Thong United, while Kanchanaburi Power — now under former Vietnam coach Park Hang-Seo — travel to face PT Satun on Sept 6.

CV construction value falls 12.8% despite more permits

Construction activity in Central Visayas weakened in the first quarter 2026 despite an increase in building permits, as higher material and fuel costs, rising logistics expenses and global economic uncertainty dampened project values.

Data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed approved building permits in the region rose 7.4 percent in the January-to-March period.

However, the total value of approved construction projects fell 12.8 percent to P6.47 billion from P7.42 billion a year earlier, indicating developers remained cautious amid rising costs.

Cebu Province remained the region’s largest construction market, accounting for P2.83 billion in approved projects. Bohol followed with P1.53 billion, although its construction value declined 22.8 percent from a year earlier.

Among the highly urbanized cities, Cebu City posted the largest construction value at P902.6 million, despite a 50.8 percent decline. Lapu-Lapu City saw construction value fall 57.7 percent to P376.8 million.

In contrast, Mandaue City emerged as the region’s fastest-growing construction market. Total construction value surged 439.3 percent, while approved floor area expanded 442.4 percent, driven by strong residential, commercial and industrial developments.

Mandaue City’s residential sector recorded a 314.6 percent increase in construction value, the highest in Central Visayas, reflecting robust demand for housing and condominium projects.

Commercial construction grew even faster. Non-residential construction value climbed 494.3 percent to P454 million, bucking the regional trend as investments continued to flow into commercial and industrial facilities.

Across Central Visayas, approved non-residential construction value fell 21.2 percent to P3.01 billion, signaling weaker investment in business establishments.

Cebu Province accounted for the largest share at P1.53 billion, while Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City posted declines of 73.2 percent and 67.9 percent, respectively. Bohol’s non-residential construction value also dropped 47.1 percent.

Residential construction also slowed across the region. The number of approved residential permits declined 4.5 percent, while construction value fell 9.3 percent.

Cebu Province remained the largest residential market with P1.16 billion in approved construction value despite a 21.9 percent decline. Bohol, however, posted a 7.3 percent increase to P976.3 million, while residential floor area expanded 48.5 percent, suggesting a shift toward larger and higher-value housing projects.

Cebu City and Lapu-Lapu City recorded declines in residential construction value of 33.6 percent and 29 percent, respectively.

Other construction categories provided some support. The value of approved building additions jumped 462 percent to P65 million, led by Cebu Province. ‘Other construction’ projects, which include demolition and landscaping works, rose 256 percent to P163.3 million, with Mandaue accounting for the largest share.

Meanwhile, alteration and repair works remained concentrated in Cebu Province and Cebu City, partly driven by reconstruction efforts following the Northern Cebu earthquake and Typhoon Tino.

The PSA said construction activity could weaken further in the coming quarters as higher steel, cement and fuel prices continue to raise development costs.

It also warned that geopolitical tensions, extreme heat linked to El Niño and the possibility of higher interest rates could slow investment in capital-intensive projects.

INQToday: Signal No. 1 in 13 Luzon areas due to Tropical Depression Kiyapo

The state weather bureau raises Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 over 13 areas in Northern Luzon due to Tropical Depression Kiyapo on Thursday, July 23.

Lacson flags ‘double appropriation’ for same Taguig slope project

Sen. Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson flagged a possible ‘double appropriation’ involving two P100-million allocations that appeared to cover the same slope protection project in Taguig City.

‘From P2.085B as earlier reported, we found three P100-M additional slope protection projects for a new total of P2.385B insertions under the 2025 GAA. Two items appear to be double appropriations, involving two (2)-P100M for the same slope protection project. One of the two must be ghost,’ Lacson said Wednesday in a post on X.

CDN Digital strengthens lead as Cebu’s top news website in first half of 2026

CDN Digital widened its lead as Cebu’s most visited news website during the first half of 2026, capturing nearly half of the market’s total traffic and outperforming its closest competitors across all major traffic sources, according to data from digital intelligence platform Similarweb.

The report showed that CDN Digital generated 2.814 million visits from January to June, equivalent to a 46.77 percent market share among the four leading Cebu-based news websites.

Navy hands rescued trafficking victims to NAPTIP

The Nigerian Navy has transferred two victims rescued from suspected human trafficking activities to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons, reaffirming its determination to combat organised crime across the country’s maritime domain.

The victims were handed over to NAPTIP’s Lagos Zonal Command in Ikeja after they were intercepted during an intelligence-led operation carried out by the Forward Operating Base, Badagry.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Director of Naval Information, Navy Captain Abiodun Folorunsho, said the victims were rescued on July 17 before being formally transferred to the anti-trafficking agency on July 19.

The statement said, ‘The Nigerian Navy has reaffirmed its commitment to combating human trafficking and other transnational organised crimes with the successful handover of two rescued human trafficking victims to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP).

‘The handover, conducted by Forward Operating Base (FOB) BADAGRY on 19 July 2026 at the Agency’s Lagos Zonal Command in Ikeja, followed the victims’ rescue during a targeted anti-human trafficking operation on 17 July 2026.’

According to the Navy, the victims were first taken to the Western Naval Command Maritime Crime Investigation Desk, where officials completed all required documentation and biometric registration before they were transferred to NAPTIP.

It stated, ‘In line with the Harmonised Standard Operating Procedures (HSOP) for the handling of victims of trafficking, the rescued individuals were first taken to the Western Naval Command Maritime Crime Investigation Desk, where they underwent comprehensive documentation, biometric capture, and other necessary administrative procedures before being formally transferred to NAPTIP for rehabilitation, protection, and further investigation.’

The Navy described the exercise as another demonstration of its resolve to protect vulnerable persons while working closely with other security and law enforcement agencies to dismantle trafficking networks.

It added, ‘The successful rescue and seamless handover underscore the Nigerian Navy’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s maritime and territorial corridors from transnational organised crime while ensuring the protection and dignity of vulnerable persons.

‘It also reflects the Service’s continued collaboration with relevant government agencies in dismantling human trafficking networks and strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture.’

The statement concluded by stressing that the Navy would sustain intelligence-led operations and deepen cooperation with relevant agencies to prevent human trafficking and other organised crimes.

‘The Nigerian Navy remains resolute in sustaining intelligence-driven operations and inter-agency cooperation aimed at preventing human trafficking, disrupting criminal syndicates, and promoting a safe and secure maritime environment in support of national security objectives.’

Arise TV goofs, no burning of any motor parks in Osun, Police, press go round parks

A viral video clip of Arise TV Morning show claiming that there were violent attacks and razing of some motor parks in Osogbo, Osun State for ‘two consecutive days’ has ended up being a fake news.

The newscaster claims in the video that violence, allegedly orchestrated by NURTW members loyal to the All Progressives Congress, raged in the motor parks throughout Monday and Tuesday, July 21 and 22 respectively. It also shows a fire scene which must have been deceitfully embedded in the video by whoever generated it to give an impression that fire was set on some of the parks.

Shocked by the wrong report, the Osun State Police Command invited journalists on Wednesday morning to visit all the motor parks so the public would be availed of the truth to avoid unnecessary tension among residents of the state.

The command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, led the press crew which included this reporter to the motor parks across Osogbo. Drivers, commuters and traders alike in and around the motor parks were seen going about their normal businesses. They also debunked the rumours that there were disturbances in the parks.

The fact-finding team’s first port of call was the Stadium Motor Parks. The park was calm without any sign of recent fracas. The vulcanizer at the park, Olawale Olagunju, and others spoken with said the garage has ever been peaceful.

Olagunju, who spoke in Yoruba Language, said: ‘Nobody burned down this park. I’m always here, nobody set any fire here. Either yesterday or any day, nobody burnt anywhere here. There wasn’t any fighting or crisis here. I’ve always been here. So, there’s no truth in the report.’

Another resident of the area whose shop is behind the garage said the park has always been peaceful and said there was no iota of truth in the report of violence.

The team moved from there to Ilesa Garage, Osogbo where the NURTW members and commuters were seen in joyous mood and the traders in the garage spoken to denied knowledge of any disturbance.

One of the traders who also spoke in Yoruba, Mrs Matthew, said: ‘There wasn’t even a smoke, let alone fire. There was nothing like that. Nobody fought here. No anywhere was burnt. If anywhere was burnt, you too would have seen the traces.’

From Ilesa Garage, the team moved to Aregbe Garage which was bubbling with activities. Traders in the garage also denied occurrence of any such incident. Madam Oluwatoyin simply said ‘This is Aregbe Garage, nothing happened here at all.’

The last garage visited by the team was the Old Garage at the center of Osogbo. The place was also calm and the Police Armored Personnel Carrier and patrol vehicles stationed there since the NURTW’s Monday protest in the area to maintain peace were seen on ground.

Adebayo Adeyinka who spoke with the journalists said: ‘There is no problem in this place. We are selling our market normally. Nobody has created any crisis here at all. No fire here o. You can see that everything is normal here. We are okay here at Old Garage, Oju Irin. It was only protest that took place here on Monday and police came to settle it immediately.’

At the end of the exercise, PPRO Ojelabi spoke with the journalists to assure residents of the state that there was no any iota of truth in the report by the television station. He urged all to go about their normal businesses and warned purveyors of fake news to desist from creating unnecessary tension.

Ojelabi, while speaking with the press, said: ‘This visit was necessitated by what we heard yesterday going round that some parks have been set on fire within the state. We’ve gone round the parks and we’ve seen that there is nothing of such. Presently we are at Old Garage, Oju-Irin. As you can see, nothing of such. There is no sign of fire anywhere, not to talk of setting anywhere ablaze. Everywhere is beautiful. The people are going about their lawful business.’

However, Ojelabi urged all transport workers in the state to remain peaceful and that they should always use appropriate channels to resolve any grievances when they occur.

‘My message to transport workers is that they should remain peaceful and if there are any grievances, they should go to the appropriate authorities to settle the differences. There are rules and regulations guiding parks management. So, they should follow the rules and let peace reign.

‘To those who are spreading falsehood and misleading information, they should be very careful. The Cybercrime Act is still very active and we are going to make use of it against those spreading falsehood,’ the PPRO warned.

Israeli official says direct clash with Turkish military ‘could happen tomorrow’

Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli has warned that a direct military confrontation between Israel and Trkiye is a possible scenario, citing growing tensions between the two countries, AzerNEWS reports.

Speaking at a conference in Jerusalem on Wednesday, Chikli said there “could be direct contact with the Turkish army at sea,” adding that such a development “is not an impossible scenario” and “could happen as early as tomorrow morning.”

His remarks come amid increasingly strained relations between Israel and Trkiye, with both governments exchanging sharp criticism over regional issues.

Chikli also criticized Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over his rhetoric toward Israel, accusing him of “bigotry” despite what he described as Israel’s past humanitarian assistance to Trkiye.

“The State of Israel sent a huge delegation to rescue Turkish citizens after the country’s devastating earthquake,” Chikli said, adding that Trkiye’s current attitude toward Israel was “beyond imagination.”

The minister further claimed that Israel had previously helped save Erdogan’s life by sending an Israeli doctor to treat him for cancer, though he did not provide evidence to support the assertion.

Avaricio keeps pressure on leader as Lee charges in weather-hit Singha Open

Chanelle Avaricio stayed firmly in the title hunt despite cooling off from her opening-round fireworks. She carded a one-under 71, while Tiffany Lee positioned herself for a strong finish before play was suspended due to a lightning storm in the second round of the Singha-NDSF Ladies Open 2026 at Windson Park Golf Club in Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday.

Avaricio, who opened with a sizzling 67, settled for a more measured round but still posted a 36-hole total of six-under 138 to remain well within striking distance, even as Thailand’s Jaravee Boonchant threatened to pull away before weather halted play.

Boonchant, after a frontside 33, stood at a provisional 11-under overall, five strokes ahead of Avaricio, while compatriot Parinda Phokan reached eight-under through 12 holes. Nattarika Sensai completed her round with a 69 for a clubhouse-leading 137, though Boonchant and Phokan are expected to continue their charge when play resumes late in the afternoon.

Focus will also be on Lee, who ignited her round with a four-under 32 highlighted by a three-birdie burst from Nos. 2 to 4. The young Korean, one of the standout performers on the Ladies Philippine Golf Tour, was tied with Avaricio at a provisional six-under and will have an opportunity to sustain her momentum over the back nine when play resumes.

Avaricio appeared headed for another low round after birdies on Nos. 3 and 4, but found it difficult to maintain the pace. She bogeyed the par-3 fifth, recovered with a birdie on No. 8, then struggled to convert several birdie chances coming home. A closing bogey resulted in a 34-37 card, yet her six-under aggregate kept her firmly in contention entering the final round.

While Avaricio held her ground near the top, Yvon Bisera produced the day’s most impressive comeback.

After opening with a disappointing 75 that left her flirting with the cut line, the multi-titled LPGT campaigner and last year’s Thai Ladies Masters champion fired a brilliant 66 to surge into a share of 14th at 141.

The power-hitting Davaoeña sparked her rally with birdies on Nos. 3 and 4 before a bogey on the par-5 sixth briefly stalled her charge. She caught fire on the back nine, stringing together four straight birdies from No. 11 to thrust herself back into a possible Top 10 finish.

Bisera added another birdie on the par-5 16th before closing with pars on the last two holes for a 35-31 effort.

While Avaricio continues to keep the leaders within reach and Lee remains poised to make an even stronger push once play resumes, Bisera heads into the final round carrying the hottest momentum among the Philippine contingent, albeit with significant ground still to make up.

Harmie Constantino also made her move after a backside 36, then birdied Nos. 2 and 4 to climb to four-under overall before consecutive bogeys from No. 5 stalled her charge prior to the suspension of play.

Meanwhile, Daniella Uy battled to a 71 for a 145 total and secured a spot in the weekend at joint 45th, while Princess Superal turned in a backside 38 before play was halted.

Mafy Singson stood at one-under for the round and two-over overall with six holes left to complete.

Marvi Monsalve, however, appeared headed for an early exit after reaching 10-over overall following a two-over round with three holes still to play.

In Taiwan, Sean Ramos failed to gain ground on Moving Day, settling for a one-under 71 and a 214 total to share 36th place through 54 holes at the HCT ADT Open at Hsin Feng Golf Country Club.

Meanwhile, local ace Lu Wei-chih surged ahead with a blistering 63 to reach 15-under 201, opening up a commanding four-stroke lead. Overnight leader and fellow Taiwanese Mako Shapiyate cooled off with a 69 for a 205 total, while Chang Wei-lun also carded a 69 to sit at 206 – setting up an all-local showdown for the final round.

Azerbaijan’s companies take next step from regional players to global businesses

When considering the position of the Azerbaijani economy on the global map, the picture that naturally came to mind for many years was one of incoming foreign investment, transnational corporations operating in the Caspian Sea, and massive oil and gas pipelines stretching westward from Baku. Situated at the crossroads of East and West, the country was primarily characterized as a hub for attracting international capital and exporting resources. However, fundamental shifts in recent years show that this tectonic landscape is being completely reshaped right before our eyes. Azerbaijan is rapidly transcending the role of a nation that merely absorbs foreign capital and sells its natural resources. Today, our national brands, including both state-owned and private corporations, are transforming into multinational entities that export capital, acquire global assets, and become direct players in the world’s most competitive markets. This is not just routine business expansion; it is a clear manifestation of Azerbaijan’s strategy to carve out a new and ambitious position within the global economic architecture.

At the forefront of this historic process are the well-known international achievements of the state giant, SOCAR. Crossing regional borders, the company has built a vast empire spanning from oil refining and petrochemical complexes in Turkey to extensive logistics and retail fueling networks across Europe. Yet, its recent moves deepen SOCAR’s operational reach even further. Acquiring stakes in strategic gas fields in Israel to partner in offshore resource extraction, followed by an expansion into Africa with an entry into a massive oil and gas project in Ivory Coast, demonstrates that our state corporation is no longer just a regional refiner and trader. It has evolved into a global producer holding subsurface resource rights across oceans and continents. This strategy diversifies the country’s revenue streams while extending Azerbaijan’s geoeconomic influence beyond Asia and Europe into Africa.

The most exciting and fresh chapter in our national economy’s global expansion is undoubtedly being written by the private sector. Until recently, acquiring large-scale energy assets abroad seemed to be the exclusive domain of state enterprises. However, GL Group’s entry onto the international stage broke this tradition once and for all. The company’s initial acquisition of a participating interest in a natural gas project in Turkey provided valuable operational experience, paving the way for a historic milestone: entering the United States, the world’s most competitive, technologically demanding, and strictly regulated oil and gas market. The complete acquisition of four oil and gas fields in Texas’s famed Permian Basin, managed directly through Azerbaijani private capital and engineering expertise, proves the maturity achieved by local business. Operating as a direct producer and operator in a market as prominent as North America clearly demonstrates that Azerbaijan’s private sector is fully equipped for global competition and ready to manage large-scale international projects.

This global expansion is by no means limited to the energy sector. In logistics and transport, Azerbaijan is leaving behind the closed-basin mindset of the Caspian Sea. Having operated primarily in regional waters for decades, Azerbaijan Caspian Shipping Company (ASCO) has set sail for the open oceans following strategic structural and fleet modernizations in recent years. By adding high-capacity Handysize dry bulk vessels to its fleet and deploying them directly into global ocean trade, ASCO ensured that the Azerbaijani flag and capital wave across waters from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. Too large to navigate the Volga-Don Canal, these vessels generate foreign currency revenues in international charter markets while establishing our country as a full-fledged partner on the global maritime shipping map.

Ultimately, this emerging landscape is not a series of accidental successes, but the logical outcome of accumulated capital, technical expertise, and management experience built over the years. Spanning a vast geography from North America to Africa, and from the Mediterranean to the world’s oceans, these developments confirm that Azerbaijan is no longer just a resource exporter. It has firmly established itself as a hub of global capital, innovative business approaches, and ambitious international strategies. Whether under state or private banners, these companies stepping onto the global stage strengthen national economic resilience, diversify foreign currency inflows, and elevate the prestige of the “Made in Azerbaijan” brand to a whole new level worldwide.

P5.5-M shabu, smuggled cigarettes seized in Lanao del Sur

Some P5.5 million worth of suspected shabu (methamphetamine hydrochloride) and smuggled cigarettes were seized by the Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) in two separate law enforcement operations in Lanao del Sur on Wednesday, July 22.

Two suspects were arrested.

In a buy-bust operation conducted in Barangay Lalabuan, Balindong (Wato), authorities arrested a suspected drug pusher identified only by the alias ‘Khalid.’

Confiscated from him were approximately 500 grams of suspected shabu with an estimated value of P3.4 million, along with the buy-bust money and other pieces of evidence related to the operation.

Authorities are preparing to file charges against the suspect for violation of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

In a separate checkpoint operation in Barangay Rebokun, Malabang, another suspect was arrested after police intercepted 2,400 reams of smuggled cigarettes with an estimated total value of P2,053,632.

The suspect, alias ‘Al,’ attempted to flee by speeding past the police detachment in Barangay Rebokun at past 10 p.m.

He was eventually arrested when police from Malabang and Calanogas towns jointly launched pursuit operation that led to his apprehension on board a Toyota Hi-Ace van with license plate NKT-8925.

The arrested suspect, confiscated vehicle, and alleged smuggled cigarettes are now under the custody of the Malabang police station for proper documentation and will be turned over to the Bureau of Customs for appropriate disposition and further legal proceedings.

‘I commend our operating units for their swift coordination, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to law enforcement. This successful operation reflects our firm commitment to combating smuggling and other illegal activities,’ Brig. Gen. Christopher Abecia, PRO-BAR director, said.

‘The public can be assured that we will continue to intensify our operations to protect the welfare of our people, uphold the integrity of our borders, and safeguard our nation’s economy,’ he added.

Villars willing to donate land for LRT extension project, DoTR says

THE Villar family is willing to donate land for the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 Cavite Extension, effectively clearing the right-of-way hurdle that has stalled the project’s completion, Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez said on Wednesday.

‘The Villar family wants to donate their land,’ Lopez said, dismissing reports that right-of-way acquisition remains a problem for the rail line’s southern extension.

The commitment removes what had been considered a major obstacle to the timely delivery of the project, which the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) has committed to complete before the end of the Marcos administration’s term in 2028.

However, Lopez said a proposal to dismantle the C-5 Quirino flyover to fast-track construction still requires a traffic study before any decision is made.

‘Meron ding mga suggestion kung kailangan bang tanggalin ang flyover na iyan. Kapag tinanggal natin iyan, sabi ko, traffic study [ang kailangan muna] diyan,’ he said.

The transportation chief also raised the possibility that the flyover may co-exist with the elevated rail line, sparing the government from demolition works.

Phase 1 of the extension connects Baclaran Station in Pasay City to Dr. Santos Station in Parañaque City through five new stations: Redemptorist-Aseana, Mia Road, PITX, Ninoy Aquino Avenue, and Dr. Santos. This segment began operations earlier.

The Cavite leg, covering Phases 2 and 3, includes the three remaining stations yet to be constructed: Las Piñas, Zapote, and Niog.

Earlier, House of Representatives Assistant Majority Leader Mark Anthony Santos warned that Filipino taxpayers could shoulder even higher costs for the long-delayed P64.9-billion LRT-1 Cavite Extension, revealing that more than P4 billion has already been incurred due to years of setbacks.

Santos, who represents Las Piñas, cautioned that a proposed realignment of the railway would only drive costs higher, despite significant public funds already invested in the original route.

‘Abandoning the original alignment after taxpayers have already funded right-of-way acquisitions would only waste public resources and require even greater government spending,’ Santos said.

He noted that the government has already disbursed more than P926 million for right-of-way acquisition settlements covering the planned Las Piñas and Zapote stations, underscoring that the original alignment has long been backed by public investment.