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President of Bulgaria awards state honour to Cypriot Ambassador

President of Bulgaria Iliana Iotova has awarded the Order of the Madara Horseman, First Class, to Cyprus Ambassador to Bulgaria Haralambos Kafkarides, in recognition of his significant contribution to strengthening and developing bilateral relations. The ceremony took place on Thursday at the Presidency.

President Iotova said Bulgaria and Cyprus have maintained diplomatic relations for 66 years, built on solidarity, mutual trust and friendship, and marked by a shared ambition to further develop them.

She added that Bulgaria would continue to support a settlement of the Cyprus issue within the framework of the United Nations, in accordance with UN Security Council resolutions and the values shared by the two countries as members of the European Union.

Iotova also expressed gratitude for the care shown to Bulgarians living in Cyprus, which she described as particularly important in the difficult and deeply divided times people are living through.

Ambassador Kafkarides thanked the President and the Bulgarian people for the honour.

‘I accept this primarily as a sign of friendship between the two countries,’ he said.

Kafkarides said his connection with Bulgaria began long before he arrived in the country as a diplomat.

He recalled that 60 years ago his parents were students in Sofia, where they met and fell in love. They learned the language, discovered the culture and later returned to Cyprus with fond memories of Bulgaria.

The Ambassador added that he was conceived before his parents left Bulgaria for Cyprus, joking that he considers himself a ‘product of Bulgaria’.

FCCISL hails National Business Facilitation Centre

The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Sri Lanka (FCCISL), under the leadership of President Dr. Rohitha Silva, together with State Affairs Committee Chairman and Director Ruwan De Silva, and the Board of Directors, has welcomed Cabinet approval to establish the National Business Facilitation Centre (NBFC).

In a statement FCCISL expressed its sincere gratitude to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, the Cabinet of Ministers, Members of Parliament, the Presidential Secretariat, public officials and stakeholders supporting this initiative.

Special appreciation is extended to Senior Additional Secretary to the President Seevali Arukgoda, and his team for consulting the business community on longstanding issues, experiences and practical proposals.

Rebuilding business capacity

FCCISL highlights the cumulative strain on enterprises from the Easter Sunday attacks, COVID-19 and its aftermath, the sudden economic collapse, the economic crisis, continuing recessionary pressures on businesses, Cyclone Ditwah, global conflicts, trade wars, geopolitical rivalries and climate change impacts.

These successive shocks have weakened financial capacity and human capital, constrained investment in machinery and equipment, delayed digitalisation and AI adoption, and disrupted manufacturing and production. They have also affected service reliability, quality standards and businesses’ ability to fulfil contractual and performance obligations.

Against this background, the NBFC represents a major opportunity to establish the coordinated facilitation platform that entrepreneurs have eagerly awaited for decades. Its proposed functions include investor and industry support, inter-agency mediation, faster administrative processes, regulatory simplification, trade facilitation and a technology-enabled single window for local businesses.

FCCISL business resurgence and reform proposals

Building on the PwC-FCCISL Business Resurgence Study, FCCISL developed a five-chapter strategic initiative and submitted five proposals to the President and the Finance Ministry for National Budget and policy consideration:

1.Integrated Strategic Framework for Data-Driven Governance – GovData-SL: Connecting public institutions through integrated data, digital systems and evidence-based decision-making.

2.Public Service Transformation Fund: Reskilling and upskilling public officials to strengthen efficient, digitally competent and citizen-centred service delivery.

3.National Business Recovery and Entrepreneurial Resurgence Framework: Establishing national and district-level mechanisms to resolve business difficulties, facilitate finance, support distressed enterprises and protect employment.

4.National Public-Private Consortium for Infrastructure and Economic Development: Mobilising private capital, professional expertise and technology for infrastructure and economic development.

5.Galle District Strategic Development Plan: A regional business resurgence and diversification pilot, adaptable for replication across other districts.

PwC-FCCISL Business Resurgence Study Project Chairman Ruwan De Silva, led the research and consolidation of the interconnected reform framework. These proposals reflect the longstanding need for coordinated institutional support and practical business recovery mechanisms.

Connecting NBFC Delivery with B-READY

FCCISL has also prepared and submitted ‘Sri Lanka’s Path to Inclusion in the World Bank’s Business Ready (B-READY) Index,’ supporting coordinated business-environment reforms.

B-READY’s three pillars-Regulatory Framework, Public Services and Operational Efficiency-provide a practical basis for linking policy improvements with actual business experience. Its ten topics cover Business Entry, Business Location, Utility Services, Labour, Financial Services, International Trade, Taxation, Dispute Resolution, Market Competition and Business Insolvency.

Working with ministries, regulators, district and provincial institutions, FCCISL and other chambers, the NBFC could map business constraints against these pillars, coordinate responsible agencies, introduce clear service standards and deadlines, and monitor implementation through measurable indicators.

Individual business issues should enter an accessible registration and tracking process, with appropriate escalation for institutional or policy resolution. District-level feedback can identify recurring barriers, while digital services and transparent reporting can demonstrate whether reforms reduce delays, costs and uncertainty.

This collaboration could support effective engagement with World Bank B-READY assessments and stronger international benchmarking. Participation and assessment outcomes remain subject to World Bank processes. The objective should be practical improvements that enable enterprises to compete effectively in domestic and global markets.

‘The NBFC offers a significant opportunity to rebuild enterprise capacity and strengthen the relationship between the State and the business community. FCCISL is committed to contributing practical experience, research and implementable proposals to support regional and national business recovery, expansion and integration into economic value chains,’ stated Ruwan De Silva.

FCCISL looks forward to constructive collaboration to make the NBFC an accessible, accountable and results-oriented platform serving entrepreneurs across Sri Lanka.

BFAR distributes 100,000 tilapia fry in Ilocos

The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Ilocos distributed 100,000 tilapia fry to fisherfolk across the region during the 70th Fishery Industry Forum held Wednesday (Sept. 16) at the Dingras Civic Center in Dingras, Ilocos Norte.

The distribution was part of the forum’s efforts to boost fish production and provide fisherfolk with support to improve their livelihoods.

The forum, themed ‘Masaganang Pangisdaan, Tungo sa Maunlad na Ekonomiya,’ brought together fisherfolk, fishery stakeholders, aquapreneurs and representatives from various local governments.

Henry Canlas Jr., BFAR Ilocos OIC-chief of the Fisheries Production and Support Services Division, led the forum in partnership with Dingras Mayor Joemelle Ernesti Saguid-Go Sy.

Discussions covered market linkages, access to credit institutions, aquaculture farm registration, new technologies and innovations, and regulatory standards in the fisheries sector.

A one-stop shop was also held, featuring services and information from Kadiwa, the Philippine Statistics Authority, Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Science and Technology.

The activity aimed to strengthen sustainable fisheries production by expanding access to opportunities, government services, technology, knowledge and other support for fisherfolk and aquapreneurs

Marcoleta’s press conference inside Sandiganbayan is allowed – BJMP

Sen. Rodante Marcoleta’s press conference on Thursday was well within what is being allowed by the Sandiganbayan.

The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) said the forum between the senator and reporters today inside the premises of the anti-graft court was alright with the justices.

‘The BJMP is simply implementing the directives of the Sandiganbayan,’ BJMP spokesman Jail Superintendent Jayrex Bustinera said in a text message.

Earlier, Marcoleta appeared before the Sandiganbayan Third Division for his bail hearing.

The senator is facing a plunder charge in connection with the alleged P75 million campaign donation he received while he was a sitting party-list representative.

Marcoleta faced the media after his hearing and he answered questions on the 16-vote conviction threshold for Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial.

Bustinera said the anti-graft body permitted members of the media after they requested to conduct a press conference within the Sandiganbayan premises.

‘It was conducted within the court premises, where BJMP personnel were present only to provide security and ensure compliance with the Court’s directives,’ he added.

During the interview, Marcoleta said he does not intend to seek a temporary release to join the senator-judges when they vote on whether to retain or revise the 16-vote requirement for conviction amid the absence of some senators.

Marcoleta is currently detained at the New Quezon City Jail in Payatas

JAMAICA-UTILITIES – Jamaica Signs CDB loan agreement for rural water programme

The Government has signed a loan agreement with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) to support the Jamaica Rural Water Supply Programme. The US$36-million project, financed largely by the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), is expected to enhance access to potable water for more than 40,000 residents through six water supply schemes spanning five parishes.

The programme will support water-supply improvements in the parishes of St. Mary; Trelawny; St. Elizabeth; St. Thomas and St. Ann.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness, says the financing represents continued progress in the Government’s efforts to expand access to reliable, utility-grade water, particularly amid increasing pressure on the nation’s water resources.

Speaking yesterday’s signing ceremony at the Consulate General of Jamaica in Miami, Holness noted that Jamaica is experiencing prolonged drought conditions caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon, with below-average rainfall leading to water restrictions in several communities across the island.

As a result, he said the initiative will help expand access to piped, centrally managed water supplies, noting that it represents continued progress in the Government’s efforts to provide utility-grade water to Jamaicans.

The Prime Minister indicated that utility-grade water currently reaches between 75 and 80 per cent of the population, with the National Water Commission (NWC) serving more than two million Jamaicans through over 400,000 customer accounts.

He explained that persons outside the NWC’s utility-grade network are not necessarily without water, as they may be served by municipal, private or other systems, pointing out that the goal is to expand the reach of centrally managed water services across the island.

Based on this, Holness said the systems, which will be handed over to the NWC upon completion, must be built to the Commission’s standards for operation and maintenance.

He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to achieving universal access to utility-grade water, noting that the decision to partner with the CDB was driven by the institution’s development mandate, technical support and financing capabilities.

‘We are edging closer to achieving universal utility-grade water access in Jamaica. Every year, we are making investments of this nature,’ the Prime Minister said.

Additionally, Holness said the loan forms part of the Government’s fiscal envelope and is not anticipated to create any fiscal risk.

Meanwhile, Minister of Water, Environment and Climate Change, Matthew Samuda, described the project as a critical investment in Jamaica’s water resilience, particularly in the face of increasingly severe weather events.

He noted that many of the targeted communities have outgrown the capacity of their existing water infrastructure and require systems that can support their continued growth and development.

‘This investment gives them, not just a chance to survive the changing climate, but a genuine chance to economically thrive,’ the Minister maintained.

Samuda noted that Jamaica’s approach to water access prioritises reliability and quality of service, rather than merely the availability of a water source within a specified distance.

He assured that the project will improve the reliability of water service for residents already connected to the utility network, while extending utility-grade water access to additional persons.

Samuda advised that the programme will include upgrades to existing treatment facilities, transmission and distribution lines, the construction of three large community tanks with a combined capacity of approximately 800,000 gallons, and several lift stations, noting that ‘these are large-scale rural water projects.’

Meanwhile, CDB President, Daniel Best, underscored the importance of reliable water access, noting that safe and affordable water is essential for social well-being, economic opportunity and sustainable development.

He pointed out that many rural communities across the Caribbean continue to grapple with water shortages, service disruptions, ageing infrastructure, inadequate storage capacity and weak distribution systems, challenges that are being exacerbated by the impacts of climate change.

‘The Jamaica Rural Water Supply Project is about far more than pipes, pumps and reservoirs… it is about improving lives,’ Mr. Best declared.

He noted that improved water services will benefit households, schools, health facilities, farmers and businesses, while strengthening communities’ resilience to climate-related challenges.

Best said the CDB is supporting the project through concessional financing from its Special Development Fund, in keeping with the Bank’s commitment to investing in resilient infrastructure and improving livelihoods.

Ikpeba, Mutiu, others to feature in Legends football match on November 8

Lagos fans are in for a whole lots of excitement come November 8, 2026 as former Super Eagles stars Mutiu Adepoju and Victor Ikpeba join other icons in the game and celebrities from all other fields in ‘Legends Football Match.’

The match scheduled at the famous Onikan Stadium was put together by TopTier Sports Management in conjunction with African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), through its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme.

‘Thirty years ago, a generation of Nigerian footballers showed the world what African talent was capable of. The Legends Football Game is our way of saying thank you to them, and our chance to ask harder questions: what are we building for this generation and the next? We want to build the infrastructure that lets African athletes turn a playing career into a lasting one, on and off the field; this is a huge gap that must be addressed. That’s what this partnership with Afreximbank seeks to achieve,’ Chichi Nwoko, Founder and CEO of TopTier Sports Management said at a press conference.

Also at the event was Temwa Gondwe, Director of Creatives and Diaspora at Afreximbank, he said: ‘The 1996 Super Eagles did more than win Olympic gold; they re-wrote the global narrative, proving to the world that African talent is an unstoppable force. Today, the intersection of sports, entertainment, and culture is the heartbeat of Africa’s creative economy. The Legends Game is more than a celebration of our glorious past – it is a strategic and formidable platform to discuss the future commercialisation and empowerment of African athletes and creatives globally.’

The 90’s represented some of the finest moments of footballing excellence for Nigeria as the Golden Eaglets with the likes of Kanu Nwankwo and Wilson Oruma won the 1993 U-17 World Cup, followed by the Super Eagles lifting the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) after losing in the 1990 final to Algeria then the Dream Team led by Kanu, mercurial Austin Jay Jay Okocha, Emmanuel Amuneke and Victor Ikpeba delivered the Olympic Football Gold, which was the first for Africa at the time.

Nasal congestion: Doctor lists natural ways to unclog stuffy nose

A stuffy nose may sound like a simply annoyance, but for some, it is the beginning of illness that could get worse.

Clogged or runny noses make one harder to breathe, and with the head feeling heavy, it often accompanies other symptoms like a headache, aching joints or muscles, and an itchy throat.

According to Dr. Paulo Angelo D.C. Catindig, an otorhinolaryngologist at Makati Medical Center, stuffy noses or nasal congestion is the response of a person’s immune system to the presence of the cold virus in one’s nasal lining.

“As the immune system releases white blood cells to fight the infection, the blood vessels in your nasal passages become inflamed and swell,” the doctor explained. “This narrows the airways, leaving little room for air and mucus to pass through. This results in the stuffiness you experience.”

The common cold often lasts a week but individuals can bear it by taking non-prescription decongestants – whether as a pill, syrup, or nasal spray – which shrink the nasal passages’ swollen vessels.

Dr. Catindig suggested looking for decongestants with ingredients like phenylephrine or pseudoephedrine, but only as prescribed by one’s doctor or according to package they come in, or to try trustworthy home remedies.

The most popular examples are nasal inhalers like Vicks, Hong Thai, and Katinko, which mix camphor, menthol, and natural herbs for a cool sensation when inhaling through the nostril. The doctor, however, reminded that these only give quick, temporary relief rather than full unclogging. Older generations will be familiar with steam inhalation: pouring boiled water into a bowl and leaning over it with a cover over the head to trap moisture.

“Keep your eyes closed and your face about 12 inches away from the boiling water,” advised Dr. Catindig, reiterating it gives temporary decongestion. “Inhale slowly through your nose. The steam softens and loosens thick, trapped mucus, allowing you to breathe better.”

Lastly, the doctor recommended eating hot soup and broths for sore throat and a stuffy nose.

Dr. Catindig suggested adding some spice to the soup to help thin mucus, lessen nasal swelling, and stimulate sinus drainage. Steam from hot tea offer the same relief, especially peppermint or ginger flavors, which act as a natural decongestant.

Adequate rest must also accompany all these natural remedies amid the temporary recovery they give.

“With these home remedies and a few days at home, you will be breathing better in no time,” ended Dr. Catindig. “See your doctor if your cold does not improve after 10 days and if it comes with symptoms like a fever, a persistent sore throat, pain in the ear, and difficulty breathing.”

The baby traffickers paradedby Oyo police

THERE must be something inherently wrong with the minds of those who engage in stealing and selling children. It is especially troubling now that investigations have revealed that they not only abduct and exchange other people’s children for money, but also sell their own children! It was once unimaginable, but that is the reality the recent investigation, arrest, and parade of a child-trafficking syndicate by the Oyo State Police Command has thrown up.

The suspects allegedly involved in this criminal and morally reprehensible act are said to have organised themselves into a multi-state human trafficking syndicate. The ring reportedly specialises in stealing children at worship centres and at social and cultural functions, keeping them in custody while awaiting buyers for their ‘merchandise’. Unfortunately, in this case, six of the stolen children, aged three years and below, died in custody, while 13 survived. But for the arrest of the main suspect, the deaths of the six children would not have represented a total loss to the criminals, as the bodies of the deceased would have been passed on to money ritualists. This is the asocial and horrible ‘enterprise’ that some mindless citizens have elected to engage in 21st-century Nigeria. It is simply horrific.

This is a strange and scary development: people stealing and selling children, and sometimes including their own. One of the traffickers reportedly sold her own twins, claiming that God had given her the gift of pregnancy and that she got pregnant so easily, so she sold the children if their fathers did not accept them. This, undoubtedly, is a marker of societal degeneration. Some people’s moral values have become so warped that there are questions about their humanity and sanity. There are too many people out there who will do anything for money. Why would any person of sound mind steal, exchange for money, or cause impressionable children-fellow human beings-to be used for money rituals? It is utterly bizarre and barbaric. Horrible cases of child trafficking and baby factories, prevalent in the South-East and South-South and once seen by many in the South-West as mere statistics, are now happening under their noses. And in a region reputed for elaborate social, cultural, and religious functions, which investigations have shown are fertile ground for traffickers to abduct victims, citizens must be extra vigilant.

We commend the police for busting this multi-state human trafficking syndicate, but they should widen their investigative dragnet because this group is unlikely to be the only one in the region. There may be other syndicates perpetrating similar heinous crimes in the South-West. The criminals must be fished out, apprehended, and made to face the full wrath of the law. This is a monstrous challenge that must not be allowed to fester, as it has the potential to damage the future of innocent children and portray the country and its people, locally and internationally, as lawless and savage.

It is particularly saddening that in this case, six of the abducted children died in the custody of their captors. But that is not unexpected given their age. Some were trafficked shortly after birth or before they reached three years of age. Apparently, the suspects cared nothing about taking care of the vulnerable children while in captivity. It is callous. And for the delinquents who claim they sold their own children because their fathers would not accept responsibility, their argument does not hold water because alternatives exist. First, there are many privately owned orphanages in every state of the federation that are willing and able to relieve mothers of the responsibilities of motherhood if they are not ready to raise their children. Second, state governments have schemes to care for abandoned children. Therefore, selling your own child is a poor choice that smacks of plain cruelty.

The two main factors reputed to drive the abduction, sale, and purchase of children are poverty and the desperation of parents who cannot have biological children. Yet, neither of these factors is tenable or capable of explaining away the egregiously abhorrent conduct that child trafficking represents in any civilised society. There is no level of misery or depravity that should drive anyone to steal children and trade in human beings. That is the turf of reckless people with fundamentally flawed character, the kind of people who will readily engage in precipitate actions, including killing, just to make money, even if they are not poor.

Again, parents who cannot have biological children are not without alternatives. They can engage surrogate mothers or make a recourse to adoption via official channels, if their objective is honest and it is simply about filling the void in their lives without sinister intentions. There is no reason to patronise criminals whose actions inflict enduring pain and distress in one family while pretending to bring smiles to the faces of members of another. It is cruel and preposterous. There can be no rationalisation of human trafficking of any hue, but it degrades our collective humanity even more when the victims are impressionable children, as in this case. This patently base conduct reflects the criminally selfish and poor choices of irresponsible adults who are themselves products of a society experiencing the near collapse of moral order, decency, and decorum.

We strongly urge a painstaking official inquiry into this dastardly incident. All culprits, including sellers, enablers, and buyers of children, should be apprehended, diligently prosecuted, and sanctioned to the fullest extent of the law if found guilty. It is disturbing that perpetrators and beneficiaries of child trafficking, driven by a vaunting quest for filthy lucre and an aversion to doing things the right way, are bent on reliving, albeit locally, the loathsome transatlantic slave trade of the 16th century, which was abolished some three centuries later.

PNP: EO formalizing anti-drug stance will help legitimize police ops

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said an executive order to be issued by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. formalizing the government’s anti-drug stance will help legitimize the agency’s operations.

‘The evolving strategies and stable support system from the national government… serve as the guiding light towards aggressive operations anchored on the rule of law and due process,’ PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. explained in a statement on Thursday.

‘For the PNP, the formalization of the government’s strategy will also reinforce the legitimacy of police operations,’ he maintained.

Earlier this week, Marikina Rep. Marcy Teodoro, who sponsored the Dangerous Drugs Board’s 2027 budget at the House of Representatives, said Marcos will issue an executive order enhancing the 2018 Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy by this coming December.

For its part, the PNP touted that law enforcement agencies had confiscated over P122 billion worth of illegal drugs, arrested over 206,000 individuals for drug-related charges and ‘cleared’ over 30,000 barangays from drugs since July 1, 2022.

‘The PNP has started to bounce back from the stigma brought by its role in the illegal drugs campaign in the past, with high trust and satisfaction ratings in the recent survey results,’ Nartatez claimed.

‘Police forces will continue to carry out their mandate within the bounds of law and due process,’ he added.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jonvic Remulla previously asserted that the police force’s anti-drug campaign had worked ‘without killing anyone’ and focused more on reducing the supply of illegal drugs apart from the demand

SAJ expands product range through growing Lakarcade network

SAJ Associates Ltd., is expanding its product range through the growing network of Lakarcade, which currently holds a significant share of Sri Lanka’s souvenir and gift market.

Lakarcade has recently strengthened its market presence with the opening of a new souvenir shop at a hotel in Colombo.

Through its expanding network of showrooms across the country, the company is taking the skills and capabilities of Sri Lankan craftsmen directly to tourists.

SAJ Associates Founder Jayampathy Arambepola said the company was pleased to introduce a new range of products to cater to the increasing number of tourists arriving in Sri Lanka this season.

‘We are extremely happy to state that we are moving forward to cater to the increasing tourist arrivals this season with an additional new range of products through the expanding network of Lakarcade.’

He further explained that SAJ Associates had been working closely with Lakarcade for the past one and a half years.

‘We initially started with 12 glycerine-based soaps and then expanded our range with another 12 products, comprising four shampoos, four conditioners and four liquid soaps. We are now privileged to add four more face creams and two face washes, bringing our total range to 30 high-quality products targeted at the tourist and diaspora markets.’

Arambepola said Lakarcade’s expanding network of exclusive outlets in key tourist locations would further improve the availability of SAJ products to visitors.

‘The expanding network of Lakarcade, with exclusive shops at very important locations, will enhance the availability of our products to tourists,’ he said.

He added that Lakarcade’s focus on the specialised tourist gift market, together with its new showrooms, including the outlet at Shangri-La Hotel, would create further opportunities for growth.

‘They are in the specialised tourist gift market and have added more showrooms, including one at Shangri-La Hotel. I am sure they will expand further in this segment in the future. They are also satisfying the needs of the Sri Lankan diaspora, which is another growing market. They are looking for quality products to take back to their respective homes as gifts for themselves and others.’

Arambepola said the rapidly expanding tourist industry required specialised, high-quality products capable of meeting international standards.

‘They need specialised products like those we produce at SAJ to cater to the fast-expanding tourist market. We are very happy to work with a good company such as Lakarcade. We process high-quality glycerine-based products targeted at international markets, and together we are working to take Sri Lankan product quality to the next level.’

Arambepola also highlighted the positive impact of the expanding distribution network on rural communities involved in the production of specialised ingredients used in SAJ products.

‘The huge contribution made through this network will also help more than 500 female farmers who are growing these specialised ingredients in the North Central Province. This will help them achieve better economic conditions, increase their incomes and improve their quality of life. We are very grateful to Lakarcade for supporting these rural women and contributing to their livelihoods,’ added.