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Experts call for disability-inclusive climate reporting

Experts have called on journalists to promote accurate, inclusive and sustained reporting on the impact of climate change on women and girls with disabilities, saying greater media attention is crucial to ensuring their voices are reflected in climate action and policy decisions.

The call was made on Wednesday in Abuja during a media engagement on disability-inclusive climate action organised by organisations of persons with disabilities as part of efforts to secure the formal adoption of a National Guideline on Disability-Inclusive Climate Action by May 2027.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), between 13 and 17 million women and girls with disabilities in Nigeria face heightened climate risks. Globally, about 16 per cent of the population lives with a disability, while the mortality rate of persons with disabilities during disasters can be up to four times higher than that of the general population.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of Inclusive Friends Association, Grace Jerry, said women and girls with disabilities are disproportionately affected by climate-induced disasters such as floods, heatwaves and prolonged droughts, yet remain largely underrepresented in climate reporting and public discourse.

She noted that despite the provisions of Nigeria’s National Climate Change Policy (2021-2030) and the National Adaptation Plan, journalists need a better understanding of disability-inclusive climate action to accurately report the challenges, needs and contributions of women and girls with disabilities.

According to her, the media engagement was organised to strengthen journalists’ knowledge of disability-inclusive climate action, raise public awareness and equip media professionals with practical skills and evidence-based reporting techniques.

Jerry expressed hope that participants would adopt a disability-inclusive approach to climate reporting by reflecting the lived experiences, vulnerabilities and resilience of women and girls with disabilities.

She stressed that climate justice cannot be achieved without the meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities, urging governments and stakeholders to mainstream disability inclusion into climate policies, programmes and interventions.

CENTCOM: US targets Iranian missile sites, drones and air defenses

The United States military has concluded its 12th consecutive night of strikes against Iran, according to a statement released by the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), AzerNEWS reports.

CENTCOM said the latest wave of attacks targeted Iran’s maritime capabilities, facilities used to store missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), coastal surveillance sites, and air defense systems.

The command also stated that throughout this month, U.S. forces have carried out strikes against dozens of Iranian military installations on land while simultaneously re-establishing a naval blockade against Iran.

As of today, CENTCOM said it has redirected the routes of nine commercial vessels and disabled one ship as part of efforts to prevent maritime traffic from entering or departing Iranian ports.

Resilience, pride,dignity

Monday’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. should be one of the most substantial speeches of his six-year presidency which ends on June 30, 2028. It should summon time-honored values essential to nation-building – resilience, pride, dignity.

Resilience. Elected with the largest vote (31.6 million or 59 percent) ever for a president, Marcos Jr. has survived the most difficult years of his presidency, from 2024 til today.

The past three years have seen the most active and most blatant attempts to destabilize his government or overthrow him outright, with Vice President Sara Duterte announcing on at least three occasions she wants the President killed – either by strangulation which she imagined she herself would do and through hired assassin/s. Sara’s brother, Davao Mayor Baste Duterte, has publicly declared he wants the President’s head in a killing reminiscent of the end of the Romanovs (the ruling tsar family whose members were shot and bayoneted by the communists to death in 1918).

Resilience and pride. The economy grew by an average of 5.8 percent in the first four years of the Marcos Jr. presidency, one of the best economic growth rates in the region. Growth was broad-based, resulting in the Philippines achieving what it has failed to do in the past 40 years – become an upper-middle income country (UMIC).

The Philippines is now a member of the UMIC Club of 59 countries which make between $4,636 and $14,375 in per capita gross national income (GNI) per year. Our GNI per capita is $4,850 – only $120 below Vietnam’s per capita GNI of $4,970, meaning the Philippines is not that far behind the growth pace of Asia’s growth superstar, Vietnam, despite our rambunctious democracy (Vietnam is a one-party socialist republic and is run by its communist party) and our so-called corrupt governance (Vietnam kills its corrupt officials; in Manila, the big-time thieves and malcontents are given due process and a televised impeachment trial).

Pride and dignity. The Philippines has become an economic, security and strategic partner of world powers. Manila marches with these powers as an equal and a reliable partner.

The Philippines expanded its network of security alliances beyond traditional partners to counter regional maritime threats. On top of its core defensive arrangement under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty with the US, Manila has formalized Visiting Forces Agreements with France and Japan, and strategic trilateral partnerships with the United States and Japan.

A historic Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA) with France enables joint military training and expanding European security engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

The Philippines elevated its bilateral relations with Japan to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the highest level. The milestone reflects exceptional mutual trust and deepening cooperation amid evolving Indo-Pacific challenges, with key focus on defense, maritime security, economic growth and investments, in strategic areas like AI, green industries and semiconductors.

The Philippines has joined the US-led Pax Silica coalition of 13 countries to secure supply chains for artificial intelligence, semiconductors and critical minerals, and to reduce reliance on Chinese rare-earth tech. For this, the Philippines is building a 1,600-hectare AI industrial hub in New Clark City.

Resilience and pride. Despite the much talked about economic slowdown, the Philippine economy produced its first Filipino trillionaire, Enrique Razon. The college dropout is worth P1.26 trillion ($20.45 billion) because of rising market values of his companies engaged in port operations, casino, utilities and energy.

Resilience and pride. The Philippines has produced its first Filipino global tennis star, Alexander ‘Alex’ Eala, 21. She has a career high singles WTA ranking of World No. 28. She became the first Filipino to reach the fourth round (Round of 16) of a Grand Slam singles tournament. At Wimbledon, she defeated the world No. 1 and defending champion Iga Swiatek.

Not many people realize it but BBM’s presidency has seen the largest ever campaign launched against the most corrupt species of public officials and private contractors ever to strut in the islands of this benighted archipelago.

One popular ex-senator, Bong Revilla, is in jail. Two incumbent senators are in jail – Jinggoy Estrada and Rodante Marcoleta. All three for the non-bailable charge of plunder – defined as a series of acts involving the stealing of P50 million or more, whether the money is tax money or private money. The Office of the Ombudsman is preparing to file non-bailable plunder and money laundering charges against former House Speaker Martin Romualdez, ranking senators and a dozen other lawmakers. The National Bureau of Investigation is looking into fund anomalies that attended the construction of the P50-million cauldron and other facilities for the 2019 SEAGames under then foreign secretary Alan Peter Cayetano. Since the amounts involved reached billions, is Alan destined for jail for plunder too? He feels threatened though he has not been named by the NBI as a suspect.

Not many people realize it but famous people who otherwise would be gallivanting around the world spending stolen money or money tainted with blood are in jail for various offenses. The Philippines’ most popular president Rodrigo Duterte has been in jail in The Hague since March 11, 2025. He is accused of killing between 6,200 and 30,000 civilians in the largest mass execution ever waged by a presidency. Apollo Quiboloy, the self-proclaimed ‘appointed son of God’ is in jail for sex trafficking and other sex offenses. Former Negros Oriental congressman Arnolfo Teves is in jail for the 2023 assassination of Negros Oriential governor Noel Degamo.

What about Sara Duterte? She threatened to kill President Marcos Jr., First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez. That shows character defect and unfitness to be in public office. She accumulated billions in her bank accounts despite having earned only P30 million in her years as a public official. That is unexplained wealth. By law, unexplained wealth is proof of corruption. That shows unfitness to be in public office and to run for the highest position in the land.

Pagasa: Wind Signal No. 1 raised over parts of N. Luzon due to Kiyapo

Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 was hoisted over several areas over Northern Luzon due to tropical depression Kiyapo, formerly a low-pressure area, the state weather bureau said.

Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) weather specialist Chenel Dominguez reported during a 5 a.m. weather advisory on Thursday that Wind Signal No. 1 was placed over the following areas:

Batanes

Cagayan

Babuyan Islands

Isabela

Apayao

Abra

Kalinga

Eastern and central portions of Mountain Province

Eastern and central portions of Ifugao

Ilocos Norte

Northern portion of Ilocos Sur

Northern portion of Aurora

‘We have raised Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 with a 36-hour lead time before the strong winds brought by Typhoon Kiyapo are felt, to allow everyone time to prepare,’ Dominguez said.

As of 3 a.m., Kiyapo was estimated 950 kilometers east of Central Luzon with maximum sustained winds of 45 kilometers per hour near the center and gustiness of up to 55 kilometers per hour, according to Pagasa.

Throughout the passage of Kiyapo, it is expected to intensify into a tropical storm category on Friday with the highest wind signal being raised is Wind Signal No. 2, Dominguez said.

‘It is still far from our landmass. We anticipate that it could intensify into a full-fledged tropical storm by tomorrow, at which point the highest tropical cyclone wind signal raised would be Wind Signal No. 2,’ she stated.

She added that the weather disturbance is forecast to closely approach or make landfall over Babuyan Islands. However, based on Pagasa’s cone of probability, the chances of Kiyapo making landfall over Cagayan is still high.

‘It is possible that it will make a close approach or landfall here in the Babuyan Islands. But we can see from the track that Cagayan is within our cone of probability. So we are not ruling out the possibility that it will make landfall here,’ she explained.

Kiyapo is forecast to exit the Philippine area of responsibility on Saturday as a severe tropical storm.

‘By Saturday, it will exit the Philippine area of responsibility, and we foresee it intensifying into a severe tropical storm,’ Dominguez said.

The trough of Kiyapo is expected to bring gloomy skies with scattered rains over Bicol Region, Eastern Visayas, and Romblon on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the southwest monsoon, or habagat, is expected to continue affecting the western section of Southern Luzon, Visayas, and the rest of Mindanao.

Localized thunderstorms may prevail over Metro Manila and the rest of Luzon, according to Pagasa

Plans in place to evacuate Thais in Middle East

There are contingency evacuation plans in place for Thai citizens living in the Middle East amid a new round of the US-led war against Iran, said Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

Mr Sihasak was speaking from the Philippines where he attended the Asean foreign ministers’ meeting in Manila.

He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) held a meeting to monitor and assess the tense situation in the Middle East following the end of the ceasefire and the renewed fighting there.

During during previous clashes, Thais were evacuated from Iran safely.

“The MFA has to prepare to handle all scenarios and assess our readiness, especially if another evacuation of Thai citizens is necessary. I can confirm that we are prepared for any eventuality,” he said.

Eksiri Pintaruchi, the ministry’s permanent secretary, on Tuesday chaired the meeting to monitor the situation in the Middle East, which was attended by representatives of all Thai embassies and consulates in the Middle East region via teleconference.

Attendants exchanged information and followed the progress in caring for and providing assistance to Thai people in each country. They also reviewed the readiness of plans to assist and evacuate Thai nationals if the situation changes according to the context of each area, the ministry said.

Embassies and consulates general in the turbulent region have informed Thai nationals there to closely follow news dispensed by them and to also strictly follow the announcements and warnings of their host country.

Currently, there are no reports of Thai nationals in the Middle East region being severely affected by the conflict, the ministry said.

Meanwhile, Mr Sihasak said the Asean ministers’ meeting has discussed the central role Asean plays in fostering global peace and security.

The situation in Myanmar remains concerning, he said, adding Thailand’s policy emphasises dialogue and interaction, without abandoning Asean’s five-point consensus.

However, Thailand has to acknowledged its interests in border security, he said.

This encompasses numerous issues including border trade, transnational organised crime, drug trafficking, and pollution, which requires dialogue with the Myanmar government.

Thailand has urged the new Myanmar government to continue the dialogue process towards peace and reconciliation, and expressed Thailand’s readiness to facilitate talks, involving both ethnic minorities and the Myanmar government.

New PSE trading engine goes live by November

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE)’s new trading engine is set to go live by November as part of a broader effort to modernize and improve the local stock market.

The PSE has invested P241.03 million for the new trading engine and another P45.83 million for its back office.

The PSE is upgrading its trading engine to ensure that the infrastructure is in place for efficient, expanded trading.

In terms of capacity and capabilities, the new trading engine is more than equipped to handle the potential growth in transactions of the local market.

The system can facilitate five million orders and 450,000 trades and run an 11-hour trading session.

Further, it has the capacity for a maximum of 10,000 securities, 15 million client trading accounts, 1,000 brokers and 1,200 market data connections.

In May last year, the PSE announced the official execution of an agreement to adopt Nasdaq Eqlipse, a strategic move aimed at significantly enhancing its market infrastructure and integrating advanced technology in its new trading platform.

The PSE’s adoption of Nasdaq Eqlipse Trading was part of a significant expansion of its technology partnership with Nasdaq.

The transition is designed to future-proof the PSE’s current capabilities and facilitate the introduction of new financial instruments, such as derivatives.

To promote greater market efficiency and liquidity, the trading platform is engineered to standardize order execution by implementing a single lot size.

It likewise allows PSE to develop and launch new market data products, offering investors improved investment insights and enhancing market transparency.

Pax Silica seen drawing up to $70-B investments

THE Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) said it expects the planned Pax Silica development in New Clark City to generate as much as $70 billion in investments over the long term, while creating hundreds of thousands of jobs and positioning the Philippines as a hub for advanced technology industries.

During a Pax Silica press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday, BCDA President and Chief Executive Officer Joshua Bingcang said the project is targeting an initial investment of $10 billion to finance core infrastructure, establish industrial zones and attract anchor locators.

Once the 1,620-hectare development reaches full buildout and becomes integrated into global supply chains for artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, total investments are projected to reach $40 billion to $70 billion, according to the BCDA presentation.

The agency also projects the development will generate between 130,000 and 190,000 direct jobs, with an additional 500,000 to 800,000 indirect and induced jobs expected across supporting industries and supply chains.

Over a 25-year period, the project is projected to generate P60 billion in lease income, while annual withholding tax collections are estimated at P68 billion to P75 billion. Export potential is projected to reach $200 billion annually once the development is fully operational.

The project is being positioned as a technology-focused economic hub anchored on industries such as AI, semiconductor manufacturing and other advanced industries.

In a Facebook post published on Wednesday, the BCDA quoted Trade Undersecretary Ceferino Rodolfo as saying the project could help the country capture more value from emerging technology industries.

‘Do we want to just be observers? Do we want to just be recipients of technology, of gadgets, of computer programming capacity? Or do we want the Philippines to be there participating actively in this ecosystem?’ Rodolfo said.

‘We are open to partnering with all countries [on this]. What’s important for our Philippine interest is defined by this: being able to add more value to the resources we have. Value adding, job creation and knowledge creation,’ he added.

The BCDA also cited comments previously made by American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines Executive Director Ebb Hinchliffe, who said the Luzon Economic Corridor accounts for about 50 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

‘As we continue to develop it, the impact on the country’s economy will be significant,’ Hinchliffe said. ‘Looking at New Clark City, for example, plans are underway to build an aerotropolis.’

‘This initiative goes beyond infrastructure such as railways, seaports, and airports-it also encompasses agriculture, food security, digital connectivity, power and power distribution, and critical minerals.’

Earlier this week, Malacañang said it supports the Pax Silica project while emphasizing that the administration will continue to uphold Philippine sovereignty.

Similarly, during the unveiling of the marker for the planned AI hub in New Clark City on May 18, Bingcang also said the government rejected proposals that would have placed portions of the project outside Philippine jurisdiction.

Mustapha Abdullahi Empowers Young Nigerians Through Maiden Energy Leadership Fellowship

The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Energy Commission of Nigeria (ECN), Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi, has empowered more than 80 young Nigerians through the maiden edition of the Mustapha Abdullahi Energy Leadership Fellowship (MAELF) 2026, a week-long leadership and capacity-building programme designed to equip participants with leadership skills, mentorship, professional networks and startup support for Nigeria’s energy sector and broader national development.

The week-long residential fellowship, initiated and fully sponsored by Dr. Abdullahi through the DAM Foundation in partnership with the APC National Youth Wing, brought together carefully selected young Nigerians from across the country for an intensive programme focused on leadership, energy policy, entrepreneurship, innovation, governance and sustainable development.

The fellows arrived in Abuja on Sunday and commenced activities on Monday, participating in six days of lectures, policy dialogues, mentorship sessions, panel discussions, innovation workshops, team projects and networking engagements before the programme culminated in a colourful graduation ceremony on Friday.

Mustapha Abdullahi Empowers Young Nigerians Through Maiden Energy Leadership Fellowship

Designed to bridge the gap between leadership potential and national development, the fellowship exposed participants to practical knowledge and emerging opportunities within Nigeria’s energy ecosystem while equipping them with the skills, values and networks required to drive innovation, promote sustainable development and provide responsible leadership in their various fields.

Throughout the programme, participants interacted with senior government officials, policymakers, development experts, academics and private sector leaders who shared practical insights on leadership, governance, innovation, public service, youth development and Nigeria’s evolving energy landscape.

Among the distinguished personalities who delivered lectures and participated in interactive sessions with the fellows were the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Dr. Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh, SAN; the Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande Wisdom; former President of the Senate and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Rural Electrification Agency, Engr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu; and the National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Dayo Israel, alongside other accomplished professionals, public officials and development experts.

The fellowship climaxed on Friday with the presentation of certificates and an empowerment package valued at over ?17 million, including startup grants ranging from ?500,000 to ?5 million awarded to outstanding fellows to support innovative ideas, enterprise development and community-based initiatives.

Speaking at the closing ceremony, Abdullahi said the vision behind the fellowship was to nurture a new generation of ethical, competent, innovative and visionary leaders capable of advancing Nigeria’s energy transition and contributing meaningfully to national development.

‘As I look around this hall today, I see not just graduates of a fellowship programme; I see ambassadors of hope, innovators in waiting, solution providers and future architects of Nigeria’s energy future,’ he said.

He commended the fellows for their discipline, resilience, commitment to learning and ability to build friendships across regional, ethnic and religious divides throughout the programme.

‘You came here with curiosity. You embraced learning with humility. You challenged ideas respectfully, built friendships across regions and backgrounds, collaborated with one another and demonstrated that the Nigerian youth, when given the right opportunity, possess limitless potential,’ he said.

Abdullahi urged the participants to make integrity, excellence and service the defining principles of their leadership journey.

‘Certificates may open doors, but character sustains leadership. Knowledge may create opportunities, but integrity preserves them. Influence may attract followers, but service is what builds lasting legacies,’ he stated.

He stressed that the energy sector extends beyond electricity generation and infrastructure, describing it as a critical driver of social and economic transformation.

‘The energy sector is not merely about electricity, solar panels, gas, hydrogen, batteries or infrastructure. It is fundamentally about people. It is about improving lives, reducing poverty, creating opportunities, empowering industries, strengthening healthcare, enhancing education and securing a better future for generations yet unborn,’ he said.

According to Abdullahi, Nigeria’s energy transition requires courageous leadership, innovation, ethical professionals and strategic thinkers willing to place national interest above personal ambition.

‘I therefore charge each of you to become advocates of sustainable development, ambassadors of clean energy, champions of innovation, and examples of transformational leadership wherever life takes you. This Fellowship must never become a certificate that gathers dust on your shelf. It must become a responsibility you carry in your heart,’ he said.

He also encouraged the participants to sustain the relationships established during the fellowship, collaborate across disciplines and continue developing practical solutions to national challenges, noting that the conclusion of the programme marked the beginning of a lifelong network of leaders committed to national transformation.

The successful conclusion of the maiden edition of the Mustapha Abdullahi Energy Leadership Fellowship marks a significant milestone in the DAM Foundation’s commitment to youth empowerment, leadership development and human capital investment.

The initiative is expected to pave the way for future editions as Dr. Mustapha Abdullahi continues to invest in raising a new generation of ethical, innovative and solution-driven leaders equipped to advance Nigeria’s energy transition and contribute meaningfully to national development.

CRICKET-HUNDRED-Matthews stars but MI London go down in opener

West Indies Women’s captain Hayley Matthews topscored for MI London Women, but her team still went down by seven wickets to Sunrisers Leeds Women in the opening match of the Women’s Hundred here on Tuesday.

Matthews hit 33 off 22 balls with four fours and one six in her side’s below par score of 107 for eight after they were sent in to bat at Kennington Oval.

Matthews and fellow opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge, who scored 29 off 20 balls, shared an opening stand of 56 off 37 balls, but once Deepti Sharma got the breakthrough by holding on to a return catch to dismiss Matthews, MI London’s batting faltered, with Melie Kerr, who scored 13, the only other batter to get into double digits.

Fellow West Indian, Chinelle Henry made just six off 11 balls.

Hannah Baker (2-16), Dani Gibson (2-17), and Sharma (2-20), all took two wickets.

Phoebe Litchfield then scored a quickfire 43 off 26 balls, while Annabel Sutherland hit an unbeaten 30 off 23 balls to lead Leeds Women to 109 for three with 31 balls to spare.

The two added 57 runs for the third wicket off 36 balls, following the early losses of Bryony Smith and Jess Jonassen, that reduced them to 24 for two.

Both Henry and Matthews went wicketless in their 15-ball spells.

Exam leaks, job crisis ignite biggest protest against Modi’s third term in India

Thousands of students and young people have taken to the streets across India in the biggest public challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government since he secured a third term, with protests initially sparked by a medical entrance examination scandal but now reflecting broader anger over unemployment, governance and the country’s education system.

The protesters are demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan after authorities cancelled the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), India’s highly competitive medical entrance examination, following the discovery of a question paper leak. Nearly two million students sat for the exam in May before it was scrapped, throwing admission plans into uncertainty and fuelling nationwide outrage. Several student suicides have also been linked to the examination crisis, intensifying calls for accountability.

What began as anger over the NEET scandal has evolved into a wider youth movement known as the ‘Cockroach’ movement, with demonstrators arguing that repeated examination leaks expose deep-rooted corruption and inefficiency in India’s recruitment and education systems. Protesters say years of cancelled examinations, paper leaks and delayed recruitment have robbed millions of young Indians of fair opportunities for education and employment.

Another major driver of the protests is India’s worsening youth unemployment. While the country remains one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, many graduates struggle to find quality jobs. Demonstrators say economic growth has failed to translate into employment opportunities, leaving educated young people frustrated about their future. The movement has therefore broadened its demands beyond education reforms to include greater transparency, job creation and improved governance.

The protests gained further momentum after activist Sonam Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike in support of students, was removed by police and taken to hospital ahead of a planned march to Parliament. Thousands of supporters subsequently converged on New Delhi despite authorities denying permission for the demonstration. Clashes broke out when police used batons and tear gas to disperse crowds attempting to breach barricades, leaving scores of protesters and security personnel injured.

Opposition parties have backed the demonstrations, accusing the Modi administration of failing India’s youth and demanding sweeping reforms to the examination system. The government has pledged action against those responsible for the paper leak and promised reforms, but protesters insist cosmetic measures will not address systemic failures that have undermined public confidence.

Political analysts say the movement has become a symbol of wider discontent among India’s young population, who account for more than half of the country’s 1.4 billion people. With Parliament in session and key state elections approaching, the protests are expected to keep pressure on the Modi government as demands grow for accountability, educational reforms and better employment prospects for millions of young Indians.