Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III formally opens the Second Regular Session of the 20th Congress on Monday, marking the resumption of legislative work in the House of Representatives, hours before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) at the Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.
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UNSG’s Cyprus visit a “testament of his commitment”, Holguin says
The upcoming visit of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres in Cyprus is “a testament of his commitment”, his Personal Envoy Maria Angela Holguin said ahead of his arrival to the island on Monday evening.
She was speaking after having met with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman with whom she said she had “a good meeting”.
“We are waiting for the General Secretary this afternoon, we are going to have meetings tomorrow individually and a dinner at night with the two leaders,” Holguin said.
She pointed out that “this is a testimony of the commitment of the Secretary General with Cyprus,” adding that “this is why he is coming”.
“He mandates his good offices for years, he has been involved with the Cyprus issue for 10 years while his is a General Secretary, so he comes here to support efforts and try to move forward the possibility to have a negotiation process and just listening to the leaders,” Holguin said, concluding that they are welcoming him to Cyprus.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
After informal meetings in 2025, followed by a hiatus of several months, deliberations are underway for a new meeting in broader format to be held, as the term of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres nears its end. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties. Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto acts as the European Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus, succeeding EU special envoy Johannes Hahn.
CNA/RPA/EPH/2026S, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
How to build an automated LinkedIn, X content engine with Gemini API, Make.com
Maintaining an active brand presence across professional networks like LinkedIn and fast-paced platforms like X (formerly Twitter) is a non-negotiable requirement for a growth-minded person. However, manually tweaking every post, reformatting hooks, tweaking character counts, and scheduling entries on multiple dashboards drains dozens of hours every month.
A single piece of industry insight shouldn’t require 45 minutes of manual copy-pasting.
By building a multi-channel No-Code automation engine; linking your curated content database in Google Sheets directly through Make.com, call the Gemini API for platform-native formatting, and trigger direct API posts to LinkedIn and X, you can build an automated cross-platform distribution engine that runs 24/7.
Why cross-platform automation requires AI context switching
Simply copying the same text across LinkedIn and X rarely delivers good results because each platform has different audience expectations.
LinkedIn rewards detailed, professional content with engaging introductions, structured paragraphs, bullet points and relevant hashtags that improve readability.
X, on the other hand, performs better with concise, attention-grabbing posts that stay within the platform’s character limit while encouraging engagement.
Using Gemini API as part of your automation workflow allows a single piece of content to be rewritten automatically for each platform without additional manual editing.
Manual posting vs automated publishing
Compared to manual publishing, an automated workflow offers significant advantages:
Faster execution: Posts can be generated and published in seconds instead of spending 35 to 50 minutes formatting content manually.
Platform-specific formatting: Gemini creates separate versions optimized for LinkedIn and X instead of duplicating the same copy.
Consistent publishing: Scheduled workflows ensure content is published regularly without human intervention.
Lower operating costs: Automation reduces repetitive work while keeping API costs relatively low. Step-by-step configuration: Zero-code multi-channel automation blueprint
To set up this scenario inside Make.com in under 25 minutes, follow this visual integration blueprint:
[Google Sheets / RSS Trigger] ? [Make.com Router] ? [Gemini API (LinkedIn Prompt)] ? [LinkedIn Module] ? [Gemini API (X Prompt)] ? [X (Twitter) Module]
Zero-code multi-channel automation blueprint
The workflow can be created in Make.com using the following sequence:
Google Sheets (or RSS Feed) ? Make.com Router ? Gemini API ? LinkedIn/X ? Google Sheets Update
This enables one content source to feed multiple social platforms simultaneously.
Step 1: Create your content trigger
Begin by connecting a Google Sheets – Watch Rows module inside Make.com.
Create columns such as:
Topic or Raw Content
Publishing Date
LinkedIn Status
X Status
Configure the workflow to trigger only when the content status is marked Ready.
Step 2: Connect Gemini API
Next, insert a Router module that splits the workflow into two separate branches.
For the LinkedIn branch, use an HTTP request to Gemini API with instructions similar to:
Rewrite the topic into an engaging LinkedIn post with four paragraphs, a strong opening hook, three bullet points and three professional hashtags. Return the response in JSON using the key linkedin_text.
For the X branch, use a different prompt instructing Gemini to produce a concise post under 240 characters and return the response using the key x_text.
This allows Gemini to tailor the same topic for each platform automatically.
Step 3: Publish automatically
Connect the LinkedIn branch to the Create a Text Post module and map the generated linkedin_text output.
On the X branch, connect the Create a Tweet module and map x_text.
Finally, update the corresponding Google Sheets row by changing the publishing status to Published to prevent duplicate posts.
Common troubleshooting and API edge cases
The biggest mistake teams make with social media automation is broadcasting raw, unformatted text across every platform.
Integrating an LLM like Gemini directly into an automated Make.com workflow acts as an intelligent context switch: the model reads the master topic once and automatically generates distinct, platform-optimised copy for both LinkedIn and X within a single execution cycle.
To ensure your automated publishing engine runs without breaking, keep these technical safeguards in mind:
Respect X character limits
Standard X API endpoints reject posts that exceed the character limit.
To reduce failures, instruct Gemini clearly to never generate posts longer than 240 characters, leaving room for links or hashtags.
Keep OAuth tokens active
LinkedIn API access relies on OAuth authentication.
Expired tokens can interrupt automated workflows, so review your Make.com connection regularly and reauthorize it when necessary.
Prevent duplicate publishing
Add a filter immediately after the trigger module to ensure previously published rows are ignored.
For example, configure the workflow to continue only when the LinkedIn or X status is not already marked Published.
Automating LinkedIn and X publishing with Gemini API and Make.com eliminates repetitive formatting, improves consistency and ensures each platform receives content tailored to its audience.
Rather than manually rewriting every post, creators and businesses can maintain an active online presence through a no-code workflow that operates continuously in the background, saving time while improving content quality.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you securely format the JSON payload when sending social copy prompts to the Gemini API?
To ensure Gemini returns clean JSON without formatting errors or unescaped quotes, specify ‘responseMimeType’: ‘application/json’ in the generationConfig block of your HTTP API request. Wrap raw topic text using Make.com’s stripHTML() formula to remove HTML tags or special characters before submitting the payload.
Can Make.com schedule posts to publish at specific optimal times for LinkedIn and X?
Yes. You can place a Sleep / Delay module before the social publishing nodes or use Make.com’s native scenario scheduling settings (e.g., set the scenario to run strictly at 09:00 AM EST on weekdays) to ensure your posts drop during peak user engagement hours.
What are the API rate limits for automated publishing on LinkedIn and X?
LinkedIn allows up to 150 posts per day per user account via their API, which is more than sufficient for brand automation. X (Twitter) API Free and Basic tiers enforce monthly tweet posting caps (e.g., 1,500 tweets/month on Basic), so ensure your Make.com run frequencies stay well within your tier limits.
Cyprus project shortlisted among Europe’s top 25 Cohesion Policy projects for 2026
The transformation of Nicosia’s Old Municipal Market into a state-of-the-art Research and Innovation Centre, now home to the CYENS Centre of Excellence, has been selected among the 25 best EU Cohesion Policy projects for 2026.
According to the Directorate General for Growth of the Ministry of Finance, the project, implemented under the THALIA 2021-2027 Cohesion Policy Programme with co-financing from the European Union, the Republic of Cyprus and the Nicosia Municipality, has reached the final stage of the REGIOSTARS Awards 2026.
Officially named CYENS Hub Nicosia, the project was chosen from 274 submissions across Europe and is competing in the category “A Competitive and Smart Europe”. Finalists will present their projects during the European Week of Regions and Cities in Brussels on October 13, with the winners announced the following day.
The Ministry described the nomination as significant European recognition for a project that successfully combines heritage preservation, urban regeneration, research, innovation and entrepreneurship.
With an investment of pound 7.8 million, the historic market has been transformed into a modern innovation hub while preserving its architectural heritage. Today, it houses research laboratories, collaborative workspaces, seminar rooms, multimedia studios, demonstration facilities and specialized infrastructure supporting research, technology development and innovative start-ups.
The project forms part of Nicosia’s Integrated Urban Development Strategy and demonstrates how EU Cohesion Policy investments can link cultural heritage protection with sustainable urban development and economic growth.
Officials said the investment has strengthened Cyprus’ research and innovation ecosystem, expanded CYENS’ activities and fostered collaboration among researchers, universities, businesses and the wider community. It has also contributed to job creation, attracted businesses and researchers, and reinforced the regeneration of Nicosia’s historic walled city.
CNA/MC/EC/EPH/2026S, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY
NSDC moves to cut cost of sugar production in Nigeria
The National Sugar Development Council (NSDC) has intensified efforts to reduce the cost of sugar production in Nigeria.
The Council said Nigerian factories pay between two and 10 times more than their competitors for power, credit and logistics.
According to a statement by the Council, discussions at the National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment (NCITI) meeting held in Enugu showed that disciplined pricing of production inputs, as seen in Nigeria’s urea industry, can transform an importing nation into a top-10 global exporter.
The Executive Secretary of the NSDC, Mr Kamar Bakrin, said Nigeria must now choose between competing for the African market or conceding it to others.
He asked the Council to consider two factory managers – one in Aba and the other in Ho Chi Minh City – running the same machines, employing equally skilled workers and serving the same customers.
‘By the time their products reach the factory gate,’ he said, ‘the Nigerian manufacturer has paid between two and 10 times more for the three things every manufacturer in the world must buy: power, money and movement.
‘Industrial power costs a Vietnamese factory about 8 US cents per kilowatt-hour and a Chinese factory about 10 cents. The Nigerian factory pays about 15 cents on the grid, rising to nearly 30 cents once diesel generators take over.
‘Nigerian manufacturers spent an estimated ?1.34 trillion last year generating their own electricity. In Mr Bakrin’s words, ‘Every factory in Nigeria is running a second, unwanted business as a private power station.”
Bakrin noted that working capital costs between 27 and 35 per cent in Nigeria, compared to about 9 per cent in Vietnam and 3 per cent in China. He also said Nigeria ranks 88th out of 139 countries on the World Bank’s Logistics Performance Index, compared to Vietnam’s 43rd and China’s 19th.
‘The result is that, in a country of 230 million consumers, with duty-free access to 1.4 billion more under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), manufacturing contributes barely 8 per cent of GDP, while capacity utilisation has dropped to 57.7 per cent.
‘None of this is a demand problem. Nobody on this continent needs persuading to buy what Nigeria makes,’ he said. ‘It is a cost-of-production problem, and that distinction matters because costs, unlike demand, are within our power to fix.’
The NSDC boss said the timing could not be more significant.
‘The government’s macroeconomic reforms have delivered greater stability, with inflation roughly halved from its peak and foreign reserves standing at $51 billion, the highest since 2009. This gives factories, for the first time in years, the confidence to plan and invest.
‘Global supply chains are being redrawn as companies diversify, and a factory established in another country this decade is unlikely to relocate. AfCFTA also cuts both ways: either our goods cross borders into other markets, or other countries’ goods flood ours. We are either going to compete or concede the market.’
He pointed to Nigeria’s urea industry, which expanded from a production capacity of 500,000 tonnes in 2005 to 6.5 million tonnes today, making Nigeria one of the world’s top 10 exporters of nitrogen fertiliser.
According to him, the transformation was driven by one key policy decision: pricing natural gas as an industrial input rather than treating it solely as a source of government revenue.
‘The whole lesson is in one sentence: when a country prices inputs as if it wants industry to thrive, industry thrives.’
Bakrin then presented four resolutions for the Council’s consideration. These include requiring every state to designate at least one industrial cluster for a dedicated power arrangement within 12 months; establishing a federal-state compact to harmonise levies and eliminate informal checkpoints along industrial corridors; introducing an annual State Industrial Competitiveness Index to publicly rank states on power, land, levies and logistics; and enforcing the Nigeria First procurement policy at both federal and state levels through quarterly compliance dashboards.
He added that all four proposals are built on one guiding principle.
‘Public support must be earned continuously and transparently. Every tax credit, every unit of subsidised power and every act of government patronage should be tied to measurable performance that is independently verified and publicly reported,’ the Executive Secretary said.
The National Council on Industry, Trade and Investment (NCITI) is Nigeria’s highest policy advisory body on industry, trade and investment. It brings together federal and state governments annually. Its 17th meeting was held in Enugu under the theme, ‘Enhancing Competitiveness in Industry, Trade and Investment for Inclusive Growth and Global Market Integration.’
Cayetano urges President Marcos critics to watch SONA
Senate minority leader Alan Peter Cayetano yesterday urged both supporters and critics of President Marcos to watch the fifth State of the Nation Address (SONA) today, saying Filipinos should listen to the presidential assessment of the country’s condition regardless of political affiliation.
Addressing followers in a Facebook livestream on the eve of the SONA, Cayetano said even those opposed to Marcos should hear his speech because he remains the country’s leader.
‘To those who are anti-Marcos, I still urge you to watch. Why? Because he is our President. We only have one President,’ Cayetano said.
He said the SONA serves as the government’s report on the country’s situation and should be treated as a starting point for informed public discussion.
‘The State of the Nation Address tells us the condition of our country. We need to know where we are starting from,’ he said.
Cayetano said citizens who claim to love the country should remain informed about national issues, regardless of their political leanings.
He urged the public to focus on the substance of Marcos’ speech instead of judging it based on the President himself.
‘Don’t look at the messenger. Look at the message. Let’s listen to what the President says, determine where we agree and where we disagree,’ he said.
Cayetano is scheduled to deliver his own message at the traditional ‘kontra-SONA’ of the Senate minority bloc tomorrow, a day after the President addresses Congress.
ST. VINCENT-EDUCATION-Organisation praises blind student for remarkable CXC performance
Voice of the Disabled (VOD), an organisation that helps people living with disabilities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, has congratulated Faith Grant, a blind student for her remarkable performance at this year’s examinations set by the Barbados-based Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC).
Grant, who was born blind, and is among special education students accommodated at the Fair Hall Government School, performed exceptionally well in this year’s Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) to gain entry into the country’s top high school for females. Grant, who placed 19th among girl students and 43rd among the 1,760 students in St. Vincent and the Grenadines who wrote this year’s (CPEA) exam, has earned a place at the Girls’ High School.
‘God has blessed Faith, kept her and provided guidance along the way. With a mother who has been passionate and persistent, Faith successfully completed her primary education and ultimately showed the country that all people are capable of achieving greatness, despite differences,’ VOD said in a press statement.
It said that nearly a decade ago, Sister Samuel, who served as programme coordinator for an annual event recognising persons with disabilities at Calder Adventist Church, introduced VOD president and founder Cheryl Adams to the Faith’s mother, Yolanda Grant, .
‘This introduction would begin a friendship that blossomed and grew into partnership. As a parent of a child with a visual impairment, Ms Grant recognised the importance of educating herself, connecting with a supportive community, and seeking out the proper resources’.
The statement said that Yolanda Grant was invited to become a member of VOD and shortly after joining, she was assigned to the role of public relations officer and served as parent group coordinator.
‘Throughout her time at VOD, she delivered training for teachers and parents, and along with Mrs. Adams, worked collaboratively with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment.
‘Not only did Ms. Grant commit to enhancing the life of her own child, but she dedicated her time to serving the community and contributing to a meaningful cause for differently abled Vincentians,’ VOD said, adding that Adams and Grant worked to identify a school for Faith and advocated for proper accommodations.
‘Securing resources for Faith required a great deal of engagement with the Ministry of Education. Ms. Grant had been using her own money to cover the expenses for specialised support and services for Faith,’ VOD said, adding that it raised the family’s needs to the Ministry of National Mobilisation, which at the time was responsible for people with disabilities.
‘In response to the request for intervention, the Ministry of Mobilisation relieved some of the financial burden by coordinating assistance through SVG’s Youth Empowerment Service (YES) programme.
‘There were many challenges and obstacles. However, Faith proved to be a determined, talented, intelligent and resilient young person with a strong desire to learn,’ VOD said, noting Faith’s performance in CPEA.
VOD said ‘every child deserves a fair opportunity to reach their highest potential. Learning institutions, at all levels, should continue to evolve to meet the demands and needs of our diverse population.
‘Creating adaptive materials, providing assistive technology, incorporating Braille and other alternative communication methods, offering family support, providing specialised training to staff and improving accessibility to physical spaces are just a few ways to promote inclusivity.’
VOD said SVG still has a long way to go as a society and a country.
‘Parents and guardians, please take note of Faith’s story. We hope that you feel inspired by Ms. Grant’s unwavering pursuit of a quality life for her child. She understands the value of education, the power of advocacy and the importance of being present. This is only the beginning,’ VOD said.
It said that Faith will need much love, encouragement and support as she tackles the different phases of life.
‘As a person with visual impairment, Faith will also need assistive devices and other tools, which can be costly. If you find it in your heart and are able to offer your support, reach out to the family. You can use your voice and your actions to support local causes in your community and help other children like Faith.’
VOD said it will maintain its commitment to serving the community by advocating for change, encouraging independence through education and training, offering parent support, engaging with local churches and other entities, performing outreach, partnering with local, regional, and international stakeholders.
ECMP provides funds for 47 housing projects
THE government has approved a total of 47 projects during the first year of the Enhanced Community Mortgage Program (ECMP), according to the Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD).
The ECMP provides financing to organized communities, particularly low-income and informal settler families, so they can legally acquire the land they have long occupied.
Implemented by the Social Housing Finance Corp. (SHFC), the approved projects involved more than P870.6 million in land acquisition loan assistance for more than 8,100 families nationwide.
This translates to an average of around P107,000 per beneficiary, although the actual amount may vary depending on the cost of the property and the number of families covered by each project.
While all 47 projects have been approved, the release of financing remains underway. DHSUD said 25 communities have so far received their land acquisition assistance, benefiting more than 4,000 members of homeowners’ associations.
Based on the agency’s figures, another 22 approved projects are awaiting the release of their loan proceeds.
The latest approvals cover four homeowners’ associations in Palawan, Camarines Norte, and Isabela, extending the program’s reach to more communities outside Metro Manila. The agency, however, did not disclose their respective project costs, loan terms or number of beneficiaries.
Introduced in 2025, the ECMP is among the housing assistance modalities under the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay para sa Pilipino Program (4PH).
Unlike housing projects involving the direct construction of residential units, the ECMP primarily addresses security of tenure through land acquisition. Beneficiaries may therefore still require separate financing to construct or improve their homes after acquiring the property.
Housing Secretary Jose Ramon P. Aliling said the agency and SHFC intend to expand the program to allow more organized communities to secure legal ownership of their properties.
He added that each approved project brings low-income families closer to permanent land ownership and provides communities with greater protection against displacement.
Multiple hydrogen power projects started in PH – Marcos
The Philippines has begun its efforts in establishing hydrogen power plants to achieve energy security, particularly in off-grid areas, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said during his fifth State of the Nation Address.
‘We have begun to embark on the establishment of hydrogen power plants. Multiple projects are now in their pre-developmental stage in Marinduque, Masbate, Zamboanga Sibugay, Basilan, and other potential areas,’ Marcos said.
The president has long advocated for alternative energy sources, including hydrogen power, which Marcos describes as ‘the world’s clean fuel of the future.’
In 2023, the Department of Energy began its push for hydrogen power research.
Marcos also shared that there have also been four service contracts awarded for the production of hydrogen.
He noted that hydrogen power will ‘serve as back-up fuel for our power plants,’ especially for rural areas.
Along with hydrogen power, Marcos encouraged Congress to pass the ‘Sariling Kuryente Act’ to simplify the use of solar power.
‘To make it simple, easy, and affordable to install solar panels and battery storage systems in their homes, I request the help of Congress to pass the ‘Sariling Kuryente’ Act,’ the president pressed.
Marcos urged to turn promises into concrete actions
As President Marcos Jr. delivers his fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) today, Filipinos from across the country are urging his administration to move beyond promises and deliver concrete solutions to the problems they say continue to burden their daily lives.
From fisherfolk grappling with rising fuel costs and tensions in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) to farmers fighting to keep their land and indigenous peoples seeking to protect their ancestral domains, many hope this year’s Sona will focus on concrete action rather than accomplishments.
In Zambales, fishermen said protecting their livelihoods begins with a stronger government presence in the WPS and sustained assistance amid soaring fuel prices.
Regino Renato Romero, chair of the Subic Hook and Line Fishermen’s Association, urged the government to intensify maritime patrols to protect Filipino fishermen from harassment while expanding fuel and food assistance for those fishing near Bajo de Masinloc, also known as Scarborough Shoal.
‘I hope the government will strengthen its patrols in the West Philippine Sea to prevent the harassment of Filipino fishermen,’ Romero said in Filipino.
Romero also appealed for larger fuel subsidies for municipal fishermen, saying the existing P3,000 assistance is often enough only for those fishing closer to shore.
The concern was echoed by Argie Aringo, 43, who has spent two decades fishing in municipal waters.
He said rising diesel prices have reduced daily earnings from about P1,000 to P500-P700, forcing many fishermen to stay ashore whenever fuel costs spike.
The Archipelagic Women of the Philippines also urged the President to prioritize small-scale fishers and give women a greater role in fisheries governance.
‘We are not merely beneficiaries of government programs. We are partners in crafting solutions,’ the group said.
Public utility vehicle drivers likewise said rising fuel prices continue to erode their income.
Roderick Aguinaldo, 55, a jeepney driver in Subic and father of four, said his daily earnings have dropped from more than P1,000 to P400-P700 after he reduced his trips because of higher fuel costs.
He also urged the President to hold accountable officials allegedly involved in anomalies in flood control projects.
Ancestral land protection
Leaders of indigenous communities in Zambales and Olongapo called for stronger protection of ancestral domains and better access to education.
Trollie Romualdo, chieftain of the Iram Resettlement in Barangay New Cabalan, Olongapo City, said ancestral lands should not be entered without the consent of indigenous peoples.
Joseph Santos, another Aeta resident, said students in their community must cross about 10 bridges to reach the nearest high school.
He hopes the government will build a school closer to their village and provide students with basic school supplies.
Residents also urged the government to protect agricultural lands from conversion.
Marilou Dabon, 41, said preserving farmlands is essential to protecting the livelihoods of farmers and indigenous communities while reducing the risks of flooding and landslides.
In Lucena City, farmers, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples and agrarian reform beneficiaries will gather for a Mass and prayer rally before the President’s address to call for the restoration of land rights and genuine agrarian reform.
The coalition Kilusan Para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo at Katarungang Panlipunan urged Mr. Marcos, as chair of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council, to protect agricultural lands, resolve long-pending land disputes, halt the reversal of agrarian reform gains and stop the criminalization of farmers defending their rights.
A Catholic priest from Quezon province also appealed to Mr. Marcos to intervene in the decades-old land dispute involving former agrarian reform beneficiaries in Sariaya.
Fr. Warren Puno, director of the Ministry of Ecology of the Diocese of Lucena, urged the President to immediately release the findings of the long-delayed investigation into the cancellation of farmers’ Certificates of Land Ownership Award.
‘For many years, these farmers have been waiting for justice over lands that were once awarded to them but were later taken back,’ Puno said.
Seniors vs corruption
In Baguio City, about 20 retired professionals and elderly activists marched on Saturday, demanding stronger action against alleged corruption.
Calling themselves Seniors Kontra sa Kurakot, the protesters criticized what they described as the slow pace of investigations into alleged multibillion-peso infrastructure anomalies.
Jeanette Ribaya-Cawiding of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers said the country continues to suffer from political patronage and weak accountability.