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Danish Prime Minister questions Finland and Norway’s calls with Putin

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has expressed skepticism about reported ‘uncoordinated’ telephone conversations between the leaders of Finland and Norway and Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to media reports published on Tuesday.

Frederiksen made the remarks during a visit to Finland.

‘I am very skeptical of this initiative by Norway and Finland. It has not been coordinated with any of us,’ she said.

Denmark’s public broadcaster DR reported that Frederiksen saw no signs that Russia wanted peace with Europe and accused Moscow of continuing its daily hybrid warfare.

‘I think we should ensure European solidarity rather than engage in these conversations individually,’ the Danish prime minister added.

Her remarks followed media reports that Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre had held what were described as ‘frank and open’ telephone conversations with Putin concerning Ukraine.

Last week, the two leaders hosted US-Ukrainian talks in Oslo.

Frederiksen’s comments highlight differences among European leaders over how to approach diplomatic contacts with Moscow amid the continuing war in Ukraine. Her emphasis on coordination reflects concerns about maintaining a common European position in any engagement with the Russian leadership.

NSI spotlights government achievements, rejects automatic recognition

The Nigeria Stability Index (NSI) is highlighting the importance of evidence-based assessment of government performance, with its monthly State and Institution Spotlights recognising selected public-sector achievements supported by verifiable information.

A review of the index’s monthly publications shows that some state governments and public institutions have been featured for specific initiatives, while other months have had no spotlight selections.

Among the achievements previously highlighted was the Federal Ministry of Education’s ?2.25 billion Student Venture Capital Grant, designed to support 45 student innovators and promote entrepreneurship in tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) was also featured for progress on the River Niger crossing of the Obiafu-Obrikom-Oben (OB3) gas pipeline, a major component of the country’s gas infrastructure development.

The initiatives demonstrate the range of developments considered by the index, spanning education, energy and infrastructure.

However, the spotlight recognition is not automatic. In May 2026, the NSI featured neither a state government nor a public institution in its monthly spotlight.

The absence of a selection does not necessarily mean that no positive developments occurred during the month. Rather, it reflects the index’s approach of highlighting achievements based on the information available and the evidence supporting them.

The approach also draws a distinction between government announcements and measurable outcomes. While proposed reforms and newly unveiled projects often attract public attention, their actual impact may take time to establish.

Similarly, commissioning a facility does not automatically guarantee improved public services, just as recognition of a particular initiative does not constitute an endorsement of an entire administration.

The State and Institution Spotlights complement the NSI’s monthly public-sentiment surveys, which assess perceptions across five areas: security, social stability, foreign exchange and the economy, governance, and investor confidence.

While the surveys capture respondents’ views on conditions affecting national stability, the spotlights focus on specific developments attributed to public institutions.

By separating sentiment assessments from the recognition of individual achievements, the index offers a framework for examining government performance without relying solely on official announcements or political claims.

The approach raises a broader question about accountability in Nigeria: how can citizens distinguish genuine progress from publicity when government initiatives are frequently announced before their results can be independently assessed?

For the NSI, the emphasis on verifiable information suggests that recognising progress and maintaining scrutiny need not be mutually exclusive.

Azerbaijan, Chinese companies discuss renewable energy and energy storage cooperation [PHOTOS]

Azerbaijan and Chinese companies have discussed opportunities for cooperation in renewable energy and battery energy storage systems (BESS).

The State Agency for Renewable Energy Sources under Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Energy announced the discussions.

According to the agency, Deputy Director Fagan Abdurahmanov and Senior Adviser Habil Abdullayev attended the Connectivity Investment Conference on Energy Storage, held in Beijing, China, from October 20 to 22.

The conference focused on the economic viability of energy storage systems, investment opportunities, financing models, and policy and regulatory frameworks governing the sector. Presentations on the development and deployment of energy storage technologies were also delivered by Chinese companies and representatives from various countries.

On October 22, Abdurahmanov delivered a presentation titled ‘Renewable Energy and BESS Development in Azerbaijan’ during the session ‘Developing Markets – Part 2.’

His presentation outlined the development of renewable energy sources in Azerbaijan, the prospects for integrating battery energy storage systems into the country’s power grid, and opportunities for cooperation with international financial institutions in this field.

Abdurahmanov also answered questions from participants during a panel discussion following the presentation.

Military kills 16 ISWAP fighters in air, artillery strikes in Lake Chad

The Nigerian military says troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed 16 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters in coordinated air and artillery strikes on three suspected terrorist locations in the Tunbunma area of southern Lake Chad.

The operation was carried out between 1am and 2am on Monday, October 26, 2026, following intelligence reports indicating the presence of key terrorist leaders and fighters in the area.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Acting Military Information Officer at the Headquarters of the Joint Task Force (North East), Captain Mohammed Goni, said the operation involved coordinated engagements using air and ground weapon systems.

According to the military’s battle damage assessment, 16 fighters were killed across the three targeted locations.

Among those reportedly killed were Abu Zubiru, described by the military as an Arab national, and two associates identified as Baana Nglewa and Jindullah Sadiq.

The military also reported that Abu Saleem, identified as the Wali, or leader, of Tunbunma, sustained severe injuries alongside seven other individuals during the strikes.

The latest operation forms part of Operation Hadin Kai’s ongoing campaign against insurgent groups operating in the North-East and the Lake Chad Basin, where security forces continue to target suspected militant hideouts and leadership networks.

The military said it remained committed to intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and restoring peace and normalcy to affected communities.

It also urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing counter-terrorism efforts.

Sewage discharge pollutes Danube River in Budapest for several days

Sewage water flowed into the Danube River in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, for several days, raising concerns about water pollution and potential health risks.

The contamination was discovered on October 21 in the city’s District III, near the entrance to Hajógyári Island, in the area around Bridge K on Mozaik Street.

Witnesses reported that cloudy water with a strong sewage smell was flowing into the river from a drainage outlet. Preliminary estimates suggest that several dozen liters of water per second may have been entering the Danube.

Local residents notified the company responsible for Budapest’s sewage network. The company’s staff inspected the site and stopped the discharge. However, the exact cause of the pollution has yet to be established.

Experts have suggested that the incident may have resulted from a damaged sewage pipeline or the improper connection of certain facilities to the public sewerage system.

Untreated wastewater can contain various disease-causing pathogens, experts have warned. The actual health risks associated with the incident have yet to be assessed, and the investigation is ongoing.

Embassy of Pakistan in Baku observes Jammu and Kashmir Black Day [PHOTOS]

The Embassy of Pakistan in Baku solemnly observed Jammu and Kashmir Black Day on 27 October 2026 to commemorate the events of 27 October 1947, when Indian troops landed in Srinagar and forcibly occupied Jammu and Kashmir against the will of its people.

The event was attended by representatives of civil society, think tanks, print and electronic media, members of the Pakistani community, Azerbaijani intellectuals and students.

Messages of the President of Pakistan, Honorable Asif Ali Zardari, the Prime Minister, Honorable Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Honorable Mohammad Ishaq Dar, were read on the occasion.

In her address, Chargé d’ affaires, Embassy of Pakistan in Baku, Mrs. Sara Ijaz, reaffirmed Pakistan’s unwavering solidarity with the Kashmiri people and their inalienable right to self-determination. She highlighted the continuing human rights violations in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), particularly following the revocation of Articles 370 and 35-A of the Indian Constitution on 5 August 2019. She drew attention to arbitrary arrests, extrajudicial killings, restrictions on media and communications, and attempts to alter the demographic composition of the territory.

She underscored that Jammu and Kashmir remains an internationally recognized dispute and that unilateral actions cannot change its disputed status or undermine the legitimate right of the Kashmiri people to self-determination, in accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions and international law. She also appreciated Azerbaijan’s principled and consistent support for the Jammu and Kashmir cause.

A photo exhibition highlighting the human rights situation in IIOJK was also organized. Members of the Pakistani community, representatives of Azerbaijani intelligentsia, students and Azerbaijani friends of Pakistan expressed their solidarity with the people of Kashmir.

Goodbye Plastics and welcome Garbage management

AFTER the flooding problems everywhere, I could just encourage affected people with this: Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain. I am aware that those affected cannot laugh about this recommendation.

While it is good to see that quite a number of companies have responded to the call for sustainability in terms of changing their business model to address natural resource consumption, raw material selection, product packaging design, we certainly want more companies and organization to join the sustainability movement and help the country win the war against plastics.

Today I would like to highlight companies and organizations that have recently taken the plastic issue seriously, and site recommendations to address the garbage issue:

The BSP takes out the trash the green way. The BSP is promoting proper waste segregation and educating employees on recycling practices.

The DOST called for prioritizing national efforts and initiatives on research and development of seaweed-derived bioplastics, that can be broken down into harmless materials through natural processes. Seaweed farming needs to be extended to sustain seaweed supplies.

The DepEd will teach solid waste management in schools.

Environmental groups have called on government to focus on waste-to-energy and avoid the unchecked flood of single-used plastics-sachets, Styrofoam and plastic bags. The government must also fully implement the country’s solid waste management laws.

The National Police (PNP) offered its assistance (after the garbage flooding in Paranaque) to local governments (LGU) enforcing their respective ordinances on waste disposal, including the provision of trash bins for biodegradable and non-biodegradable garbage.

The DENR has ordered 155 companies to explain the failure to recover and recycle plastics.

Without action from the LGUs, this waste disposal problem will become even more unmanageable. Per the DENR, at least 48 percent of the 65,000 tons of waste generated daily nationwide ends up in waterways, bodies of water, and streets.

The future of sustainability-as can be seen by the above examples-is not driven by regulation alone. It may not be driven by activism, investor pressure, or corporate commitments alone. The real catalyst may be something much simpler. Sustainability gains momentum when companies discover that doing the right thing also happens to be good for business. In contrast, if companies do not focus on sustainability, they will fall behind! I look forward to seeing more organizations following those as listed above.

In conclusion, here are some prohibited acts to address the garbage issues:

Littering, throwing waste matters in public places such as roads, sidewalks, canals, esteros or parks.

Unsanitary collecting and trucking, open burning of solid waste, causing or permitting the collection of non-segregated or unsorted wastes.

Squatting in open dumps and land-fills. Open dumping, burying of biodegradable or nonbiodegradable materials in flood-prone areas.

Importing toxic wastes misrepresented as ‘recyclable’.

As I said in a previous column: make sustainability a purpose of business and society. And politics, please create and implement attractive policies that will strengthen these initiatives.

And let’s learn how to dance in the rain.

Let me have your reactions; contact me at hjschumacher59@gmail.com

Napolcom, PCCR vow stricter screening of future policemen

THE National Police Commission (Napolcom) is pushing for stricter screening of aspiring police officers and criminologists, emphasizing character, values, and fitness to serve of police applicants.

At a news conference held at the Napolcom Central Office in Quezon City on Monday, following the presentation of a criminology intern who was photographed riding a motorcycle without a helmet, the Commissioner Rafael R. Calinisan warned applicants against committing abuse early their careers.

‘It is our job to screen and provide the best police officers to the Filipino nation. Just anyone cannot be a police officer. In fact, we should expand the screening process,’ he said.

He warned that inadequate screening and values formation can become problems for the National Police (PNP).

‘Hindi ito tungkol lang sa traffic violation. Tungkol ito sa character ng isang tao, sa values niya, at sa fitness niyang maglingkod at magprotekta sa taumbayan,’ Calinisan stressed.

He questioned why authorities should wait for an abusive individual to become a police officer before acting on warning signs that could have been identified during background investigations.

‘Are we going to wait for an abusive person to become a police officer before we take action? Or should we act now and teach them what needs to be taught? Make them complete, not just in the mind, but also in soul,’ he said, calling for stronger values formation in criminology schools and closer scrutiny of review centers.

He also warned against aspiring law enforcers who mistake the uniform, rank insignia, and firearm for symbols of power rather than reminders of responsibility.

Meanwhile, Calinisan welcomed Philippine College of Criminology (PCCR) President Lei Bautista’s support for reforms, saying their discussions in recent months had focused on improving criminology education, school policies, curricula, and values formation.

‘I’m very happy that the PCCR is here, that the PCCR President has been espousing reforms. Sa totoo lang, for the past months, wala kaming pinag-usapan ni President Lei Bautista kundi reporma sa criminology, reporma sa eskwelahan, reporma sa dapat ituro, at pati ang values kasama.’

Describing the incident as a minor setback, Calinisan urged students to obey the law even before entering law enforcement.

‘Let this be a reminder to the students: If you want to be a police officer, follow the law. Don’t be mischievous and act like a troublemaker while you’re still young.’ he said, emphasizing that Napolcom would scrutinize applicants from the recruitment stage. ‘I think we owe it to the Filipino people,’ he added.

Bautista affirmed PCCR’s commitment to reform and collaboration with Napolcom. She said the school has policies to address student violations, including the helmet requirement in its student handbook, and acts promptly when incidents arise.

‘If you want to join law enforcement, you should really practice obeying the law as early as school,’ she said, as she reminded students that obedience to the law must begin in school.

The intern, meanwhile, has expressed remorse and urged fellow criminology students, particularly those who resist discipline, to change their ways.

New FG programme targets dangerous gas cylinders in Nigerian homes

Nigeria has launched a new programme aimed at improving the safety of cooking gas cylinders and making it easier for consumers to access properly maintained cylinders.

The Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), in partnership with government agencies and industry stakeholders, launched the National Cylinder Recirculation Programme (NCRP) to strengthen safety standards in the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) sector.

The programme, which involves the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the National Council on Climate Change (NCCC) and other industry groups, is designed to improve cylinder safety, digital tracking and access to cleaner cooking energy.

It will introduce a system for registering, inspecting, testing and tracking gas cylinders throughout their lifespan. The initiative is expected to address safety risks caused by expired, damaged, uncertified and poorly maintained cylinders.

Beyond improving public safety, the programme is expected to support the Federal Government’s Decade of Gas initiative, encourage local manufacturing, attract private investment and create jobs across the gas industry.

Speaking on the initiative, SON Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ifeanyi Chukwunonso Okeke, said safe cooking gas use required more than access to gas.

He stressed the importance of quality standards, proper handling and effective tracking of cylinders.

Okeke said the NCRP would bring quality control and digital tracking together to protect lives and property while building public confidence in cooking gas as a cleaner energy source.

A major part of the programme is the National Cylinder Registry, which will give each cylinder a unique digital identity.

The system will allow authorities and industry operators to track registration, inspection, requalification, filling, distribution and exchange.

Under the programme, existing cylinders will be taken to authorised requalification facilities for safety checks. Cylinders that meet the required standards will be approved for continued use, while those that fail the checks will be withheld for repairs or proper disposal.

Consumers will also be able to exchange their existing cylinders through approved retailers. The collected cylinders will then be inspected and requalified where possible. The process is expected to gradually remove unsafe cylinders from circulation and make access to compliant cylinders easier.

Dr Bekeme Olowola, Lead Programme Director of the NCRP Secretariat and Managing Director of FuelTree, said the initiative went beyond placing digital codes on gas cylinders.

She explained that the programme would connect regulators, manufacturers, marketers, retailers and requalification facilities through a common digital system.

According to her, this would improve safety, encourage investment, create jobs and help Nigeria attract international climate funding.

Olowola added that the programme could support the expansion of domestic cooking gas use while making it easier to measure and verify its environmental benefits.

The NCRP is also expected to support Nigeria’s climate commitments by encouraging households to move away from traditional cooking fuels such as firewood, charcoal and kerosene.

Greater use of LPG could reduce exposure to harmful smoke in homes, ease pressure on forest resources and reduce some emissions associated with traditional cooking methods.

The programme’s digital system could also help Nigeria generate carbon credits, subject to approved methodologies, independent verification and regulatory approval. Revenue from such credits could help make gas cylinders more affordable, particularly for low-income households, and encourage wider adoption of cleaner cooking options.

The initiative is engaging gas marketers, cylinder manufacturers, retailers, filling plants, requalification facilities, technology providers and distribution companies to establish a nationwide cylinder exchange system.

Better Gas is among the companies participating in the programme. The company operates a cylinder exchange model and micro-distribution network designed to improve access to cooking gas.

Bolaji Orofinlu, General Manager of Better Gas, said reliable supply systems and strong retail partnerships were essential to reaching consumers. He added that the programme could support cylinder requalification and increase the availability of safe cylinders in the market.

The Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers (NALPGAM) has also stressed the need to remove old and unsafe cylinders from circulation.

Its Executive Secretary, Bassey Essien, said some cylinders in use had exceeded their expected lifespan. He cited a 60-year-old cylinder kept at the association’s secretariat as an example of the need to withdraw obsolete cylinders from the market.

The programme is based on the SON Act No. 14 of 2015 and relevant government directives on cylinder safety, quality control and tracking. It also supports policies of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources, the Federal Ministry of Environment, NMDPRA, NCCC and the Decade of Gas Secretariat.

Following a press conference in Lagos, the programme will begin onboarding stakeholders, integrating its digital registry and introducing the system in phases across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

The national unveiling is scheduled for October 28 and 29, 2026, in Abuja, alongside the Nigeria Clean Cooking Forum 2026. The event is expected to bring together policymakers, industry operators and potential implementation partners.

The programme will also be presented at the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Trkiye, at the Nigerian Pavilion of the National Council on Climate Change.

The presentation is expected to showcase Nigeria’s approach to improving cylinder safety through digital technology, expanding access to clean cooking and attracting international climate finance.

Through the NCRP, the government hopes to strengthen gas safety, encourage private-sector investment, support local businesses and make cleaner cooking energy more accessible to Nigerians.

Tinubu seeks Senate approval for $20.52bn, pound 1.05bn foreign loans

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve a fresh external borrowing plan of $20.52 billion and pound 1.05 billion for 2026 and 2027 to fund infrastructure and development projects across Nigeria.

The request was contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during plenary on Tuesday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

Tinubu said the proposed loans would support key sectors, including power, transportation, healthcare, agriculture, education, water supply, security and job creation. The funds would also support reforms aimed at improving public financial management.

The President explained that the borrowing was necessary to address Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit and provide funds for projects expected to boost economic growth and improve living conditions.

Loans to fund projects across Nigeria

Tinubu said the proposed projects were selected after technical and economic assessments to determine their importance to national development.

According to him, most of the projects would be carried out across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

He added that Nigeria needed substantial investment to tackle its infrastructure challenges and close the funding gap.

‘In light of the need for significant infrastructure investment in the country and the vast financial resources needed to address this gap, it has become essential to pursue prudent external borrowings to close the financing shortfall,’ the President said.

He urged the Senate to consider the request quickly, saying approval would enable the government to release funds on time and ensure effective implementation of the projects.

Senate refers request to committees

Akpabio said the borrowing plan had been included in the Federal Government’s previously approved borrowing programme.

He noted that the external borrowing plan had been approved as far back as 2025 for the 2025 to 2027 period.

The Senate President referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for further consideration, alongside the Committees on Appropriations and Finance.

The committees are expected to examine the proposal before the Senate takes further action.

Nigeria’s public debt rises to N166.79 trillion

The latest borrowing request comes as Nigeria’s public debt continues to increase.

Data from the Debt Management Office showed that the country’s total public debt rose to N166.79 trillion as of June 30, 2026, up from N159.35 trillion at the end of March.

Domestic debt accounted for N91.59 trillion, representing 54.91 per cent of the total debt.

Nigeria’s debt has also increased significantly since Tinubu became president in 2023. The country’s total public debt stood at N87.38 trillion as of June 30, 2023.

External debt rose from $42.49 billion in December 2023 to $51.86 billion by December 2025, while domestic debt increased from N59.1 trillion to N89.4 trillion over the same period.