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President Ilham Aliyev addresses participants of 5th Meeting of Secretaries of Security Councils of OTS member states

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev addressed the participants of the Fifth Meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States.

“Dear participants of the event,

I extend my heartfelt greetings to you on the occasion of the Fifth Meeting of the Secretaries of the Security Councils of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States in the city of Baku. Welcome to Azerbaijan! It is a source of great satisfaction that this prestigious event is being organized in Azerbaijan for the first time.

Common ethnic roots, language, culture, and traditions unite our brotherly peoples as one strong family. Formalizing our natural alliance, the Organization of Turkic States stands as a vivid example of the unity and effective cooperation of our friendly and brotherly countries, spanning a broad geography and possessing vast political and economic potential.

Today, the Turkic world has entered a period of development. The conditions of peace, tranquility, and stability prevailing in our countries, along with the successfully pursued development processes, represent a great achievement for our peoples and states.

Six years ago, Azerbaijan’s Garabagh Victory-our shared source of pride and honor-laid the foundation for a new geopolitical reality in the region. At the same time, this Victory paved the way for the realization of the Zangezur Corridor-a historical gateway connecting our countries economically, logistically, and strategically. Taking this opportunity, I express my gratitude to the countries you represent for the support provided in the reconstruction and restoration of our liberated territories. These initiatives are met with deep appreciation and gratitude by the Azerbaijani people.

Our unwavering friendship and brotherhood are among the primary factors defining the growing international standing and potential of our united family-the Organization of Turkic States-and the Organization’s transformation into one of the world’s powerful geopolitical centers.

Within the framework of its chairmanship of the Organization of Turkic States, Azerbaijan spares no effort to further strengthen unity and solidarity among our countries, realize the broad potential of our cooperation, and contribute to the sustainable development, peace, and security of our region as a whole. The Declaration adopted at last year’s Gabala Summit serves as an important roadmap encompassing close cooperation and integration among member states in the political, economic, energy, humanitarian, military, and security spheres.

Under our chairmanship, we are striving to develop the Middle Corridor-a vital transport and logistics project connecting Europe and Asia that contributes to the prosperity of the Turkic states-including the Zangezur Corridor and other transport links.

One of the landmark events coinciding with our chairmanship of the Organization of Turkic States is the holding of Turkic World Week in Azerbaijan, dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the First Turkological Congress.

Taking this opportunity, I express my deep respect to the esteemed leaders of the Organization’s member states and convey my gratitude for their addresses to the Congress and for their continuous support for the efforts of the Republic of Azerbaijan’s chairmanship of the Organization of Turkic States.

Dear participants of the event,

In the modern world, alongside traditional threats, new challenges to humanity-including cyber threats-are emerging, new hotbeds of instability are forming, and a crisis of international law is being observed. All of these make it imperative to define our shared agenda for addressing regional and global problems, formulate our unified stance on crucial issues, and coordinate our activities across all areas. The military exercises we conduct on a bilateral basis contribute to our cooperation in the field of defense, vividly reaffirming once again the strategic nature of our interstate relations.

Cooperation between the security councils of the member states of the Organization of Turkic States demonstrates that the integration process of the Turkic world is not limited merely to the political, economic, and cultural spheres, but also has a long-term strategic character.

The regular gathering of the Secretaries of the Security Councils to exchange views on topical security issues is of exceptional importance in terms of identifying common global and regional threats and risks and exploring ways to neutralize them. Elevating the security dialogue across the space of the Organization of Turkic States to an entirely new level, it serves to help form a common security architecture. Indeed, issues such as combating international terrorism, transboundary organized crime, illicit drug trafficking, religious extremism, hybrid threats, and protecting critical infrastructure are matters that no single state can resolve alone. For this reason, as a vital coordination mechanism, a great responsibility rests upon the security councils.

I am confident that the discussions to be held on the important issues on the agenda during the Meeting, as well as the initiatives and proposals to be put forward, will make a significant contribution to the peace and secure future of our countries, turning the Turkic world into a more resilient and unshakable force in the face of global threats.

I wish the Meeting every success.”

Excise tax hikes seen to push 2027 inflation to 4.5%

An increase in excise tax on sweetened beverages, alcohol and tobacco could push inflation to as high as 4.5 percent in 2027, adding to price pressures as the country continues to grapple with the oil shock fallout.

This is according to Chinabank Research’s latest commentary, which said the tax increases proposed by the Department of Finance (DOF) could push inflation to 4.2 percent based on their first-round effects alone and to as high as 4.5 percent when potential second-round effects are included.

If realized, the country’s inflation rate will be above the 3-percent target of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the upper end of its 2-percent to 4-percent tolerance band. It will also be higher than Chinabank Research’s own 3.9-percent inflation forecast for 2027.

Still, the print will be below the BSP’s 5.4-percent projection for next year.

‘Although the measures could advance public health objectives by discouraging consumption of harmful products, higher excise taxes would likely be passed on to consumers, as observed following the Sin Tax Reform Law of 2012 and the Train (Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion) Law of 2017,’ Chinabank said.

‘Nevertheless, the inflationary impact should be relatively contained and largely concentrated in the affected product categories, with limited knock-on effects compared with broad-based shocks such as higher oil, electricity, or rice prices,’ it added.

The DOF’s proposed tax hikes form part of the government’s measures to offset revenue losses from the proposed tax relief package, which seeks to raise income tax thresholds and provide exemptions for micro and small businesses. The tax hikes are expected to generate an average of P74.78 billion annually from 2027 to 2030.

If implemented at the start of 2027, Chinabank estimated that the proposed tax measures could add as much as 0.6 percentage point to headline inflation once second-round effects are included.

On the direct impact alone, the tax hikes are estimated to add 0.3 percentage point to inflation.

Among the affected products, tobacco is estimated to add 0.038 percentage point to inflation, based on the proposed 3-percent increase in prices. Alcohol, the prices of which may rise by 20-percent, could contribute another 0.094 percentage point.

Sweetened beverages, including soft drinks and concentrated fruit juices, are estimated to contribute 0.105 percentage point and 0.021 percentage point, respectively, based on the planned price hikes of 26 percent and 14 percent.

Meanwhile, ice cream, yogurt and other frozen desserts are estimated to add 0.031 percentage points to inflation, based on a projected 9-percent price increase.

Armenia’s new constitution text expected to be made public by year-end

Armenia’s new constitution text is expected to be made public by the end of the year, Armenian Justice Minister Srbuhi Galyan told reporters on Wednesday.

Galyan said work on the draft had slowed following Armenia’s parliamentary elections on June 7 and has now entered a discussion phase among various government departments.

‘If you recall, there were [parliamentary] elections in our country [on June 7], and the work [on Armenia’s new constitution] slowed down a little [because of that]. Now it is in the discussion phase in various departments. The text is complete. The Constitutional Reform Council has not yet approved the text, we will have sessions soon, allowing the council members to get familiarized [with the text of the new constitution],’ Galyan said.

Asked whether there were provisions in the draft that had prompted disagreements, the minister rejected the suggestion.

‘I would not say that there are such points,’ she said.

Galyan was also asked whether the draft constitution could be provided to parliamentary opposition forces.

‘At least the parliamentary opposition forces have the legal opportunity to participate in the Constitutional Reform Council; and if they wish, they can come and participate in the council sessions. We have always wanted to include our opposition colleagues also in the process, but they have never taken advantage of that opportunity and have not participated,’ she said.

The draft must still be considered and approved by the Constitutional Reform Council before the text is formally presented to the public.

Bringing Ukrainian children back home

Sasha, a young Ukrainian boy, was only 11 years old when the Russians attacked.

He and his mother sought refuge in a basement in their town of Mariupol, in southeastern Ukraine.

Russian soldiers stormed the city and took Sasha away from his mother. He was told he would have a Russian mother, a Russian passport and a Russian name. They sent him to occupied Donetsk. But Sasha didn’t give up, according to an article on the European Commission website titled ‘Bringing Ukrainian children back home.’

On a stop on the way, so goes the story, Sasha asked to borrow a stranger’s phone. He called his grandmother, Liudmyla, who was living in free Ukraine.

Liudmyla moved mountains to get to him. With the help of the Ukrainian government, she traveled to Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Russia and finally into occupied Ukraine. She got Sasha back, according to the article.

Sasha is just one of tens of thousands of Ukrainian children caught in Russia’s war against the Eastern European country.

There are many more Ukrainian children who remain under Russian control and Ukraine, the EU and the international community are working together to bring them home.

No less than the European Commission has reported that since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, more than 20,500 Ukrainian children have been unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred to Russia and the temporarily occupied territories.

‘Many have been forced to change their identity, placed for adoption and given the aggressor’s citizenship,’ it said.

We have been watching from faraway, here in our corner of the world, and it seems that there’s still no end in sight in this senseless and ugly war.

I sat down last week with Ukraine Ambassador Yuliia Fediv and we talked about a wide array of issues from war to trade.

One pressing issue she put the spotlight on is the importance of bringing Ukraine’s children home.

‘We do not want to end up under Russian occupation because we have 20 percent of our territory already occupied by Russia. And we have tons of evidence about the erasure of Ukrainian culture, the creation of concentration camps and re-education camps for our children. Many of our children are abducted and adopted by Russians and re-educated,’ she said.

As such, she said the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children was created.

Officially launched in Kiev in 2024, the coalition coordinates ‘joint efforts and cooperation between Ukraine and partner states to address the issue of the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation,’ according to an article on the coalition posted on Global Affairs Canada.

The government of Canada co-chairs the coalition alongside the government of Ukraine.

Reunification of families

In all, the coalition aims to bring Ukrainian children home to their families and communities.

This will be done in compliance with international law, by keeping the best interests of the child at the core of the coalition’s actions.

In support of these efforts, Canada and Ukraine are working together to address challenges related to the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of children.

Initiatives include:

Information sharing. This aims to ensure timely, accurate and ethical sharing of information, supporting the creation of robust statistics and coordinating the ethical sharing of relevant case details between Ukrainian authorities and partners, and to response mechanisms supporting the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children.

Capacities alignment: This is to synchronize the diverse capacities, expertise and financial resources of Ukraine and partners to support the coalition’s work.

Advocacy and communication: This is meant to advance efforts to secure the release of children through awareness raising meetings and in international forums via high-level diplomatic engagements.

These efforts will continue until all the children are brought home, says Ambassador Fediv.

‘Now more than 51 countries have joined this coalition. The main aim is to return the children which were abducted by Russia back to Ukraine,’ she said.

As a mother, I cannot imagine the horror of this, but I also know this is even more traumatizing for the children – their childhood is stolen and a cycle of conflict could be passed on from one generation to another.

Against this backdrop, Ambassador Fediv said Ukrainians strive to go on with life despite the war.

The people move in between the sirens, she said. The children need to go to school so the Ukrainians try to adapt.

‘Yeah, we adapt, we build shelters in schools, in the universities, in the offices,’ said Ambassador Fediv.

Sitting across her during our interview, I found myself sometimes at a loss for words as I ponder on how difficult it must be to be a citizen of a country that is fighting an invasion.

Yet, she keeps her hopes alive for peace.

Ambassador Fediv, I learned, grew up in a family of doctors and, for a time, thought she would follow the same path. But in eighth grade, she was introduced to another profession: diplomacy, and this became her own way of serving her country.

Today, she sees her role not only as representing Ukraine but also working for peace.

‘Diplomacy is also about making friends and making peace,’ she said. ‘That’s why, as a diplomat, I want to do everything possible to bring peace to my country and also to build the broader networks and to find friends around the world.’

NAIMOS Launches ‘Operation Water Shield’

The National Anti-Illegal Mining Operations Secretariat (NAIMOS) has launched a sustained national enforcement campaign to protect major rivers from the destructive effects of illegal mining in the country.

The campaign, dubbed ‘Operation Water Shield’, marks a shift from intermittent raids to a sustained campaign designed to secure priority river systems from their source areas to downstream communities and water-treatment facilities.

Operation Water Shield will focus enforcement operations along some of the most threatened river systems, including the Ankobra, Tano, Bia, Pra and Offin rivers, as well as affected sections of the Black and White Volta.

Priority will also be given to strategic source areas and upper catchments whose degradation ultimately affects downstream water quality.

The operation will be intelligence-led and conducted in collaboration with relevant security and state agencies. Its broader mission is to protect critical water bodies, deny illegal miners access to strategic river corridors, disrupt the networks that support illegal mining, support investigations and prosecutions, and create the conditions for environmental recovery.

A statement issued by the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources said Operation Water Shield would pursue six principal objectives, including protecting strategic river source areas; denying illegal miners access to riverbanks and waterways; dismantling mining logistics networks; disrupting the criminal and financial structures that support illegal mining; supporting the restoration of degraded water bodies; and establishing enduring monitoring and enforcement systems to prevent miners from returning to cleared areas.

According to the statement, NAIMOS would make enforcement ‘firm, sustained and uncompromising, within the law’.

‘So illegal miners operating on water bodies and riverbanks should expect their operations to be disrupted and their equipment seized, permanently and immobilised in accordance with applicable law and established procedures,’ it added.

The statement added that excavators, chanfang machines, water pumps, dredging equipment and other machinery used to destroy water bodies would remain key targets of enforcement operations.

It noted, however, that the campaign would extend beyond miners found at the riverbanks, adding that ‘NAIMOS will also target the broader network that sustains illegal mining, including facilitators and those who provide machinery and logistical support to illegal miners’.

‘Consequently, those who manufacture chanfang machines without authorisation and other equipment for illegal mining, as well as individuals and companies that rent or supply excavators, pumps and other machinery to illegal miners, will face increased scrutiny and enforcement action,’ it stated.

‘Operation Water Shield sends a clear message – Ghana’s rivers are not mining sites. They are not dumping sites for wastewater from mining activities.

‘NAIMOS will sustain pressure on illegal miners and the networks that support them until critical water bodies and river corridors are brought under effective protection and conditions are created for their recovery,’ it stressed.

The statement called on traditional authorities, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, equipment owners, communities and the public to support the operation.

‘We also call on them to provide credible information on illegal mining activities and the individuals or organisations that finance, facilitate or supply equipment for such operations,’ the statement said.

BARBADOS-ENVIRONMENT – Barbados explores harvesting sargassum at sea before it reaches beaches

Barbados is exploring the use of pump harvesters to collect sargassum at sea before the seaweed reaches the island’s heavily affected beaches. National Project Coordinator of the Sargassum Seaweed Collection Unit, David Carter, said the initiative is aimed at reducing the amount of sargassum reaching shorelines while limiting the environmental damage associated with removing large quantities of seaweed from beaches.

‘We’re using the pump harvester to get away from destroying the beaches,’ Carter told reporters on Wednesday.

He was speaking as a visiting team from the Dominican Republic explored opportunities for sustainable sargassum management in Barbados.

Carter said the equipment would be placed in the water and use floating booms and mesh to help prevent fish and turtles from being drawn into the harvesting system.

‘It is just to get the sargassum out of the water through a pump system, so that this sargassum can be used later for biogas and stuff like that,’ he said.

The Sargassum Seaweed Collection Unit, part of the Ministry of the Environment, is considering River Bay in St Lucy as a possible location for the first pump harvester. Skeetes Bay in St Philip is also being assessed.

Carter said River Bay’s relatively calm conditions make it more suitable for the equipment, while rougher seas at Skeetes Bay could present logistical challenges.

The proposed approach would allow sargassum to be harvested before it reaches the shoreline, where its removal can contribute to coastal erosion.

Meanwhile, about 150 workers are deployed daily to clear sargassum from beaches across the island. Carter said approximately 3.6 million pounds of the seaweed had been removed from Barbados’ beaches so far this year.

Among the most challenging locations are River Bay, Skeetes Bay and Long Beach in Christ Church.

Carter said some beaches, including Enterprise, also known as Miami Beach, have gone several weeks without being cleared, creating frustration for beachgoers and seaside businesses.

He said the authorities are continuing to examine ways to harvest and utilise the seaweed, including its potential use in the production of biogas and other products.

SLIM holds successful certification ceremony 2026

Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) celebrated its latest certification recipients recently at the BMICH, Colombo recognising students completed professional marketing qualifications across programs including PCM (in English, Sinhala and Tamil), CDM, Pharmaceutical Marketing, and BPE.

Chief Guests were Hemas Holdings PLC Deputy Chairman Murtaza Esufally and Brandix Group Director and CEO Asanka Wimalaratna. Guests of Honour included Past Presidents Chinthaka Perera and Gayan Perera.

SLIM President Enoch Perera reaffirmed the institute’s vision. ‘Our vision is ‘From Local Strength to Global Influence.’ We are committed to positioning SLIM as an internationally recognised marketing institute and creating greater opportunities for every learner,’ he said.

Esufally encouraged awardees to look beyond conventional marketing. ‘Great marketers do more than sell products or promote brands. They understand people, solve real problems and inspire change. In a world shaped by AI, continue to learn and adapt, but never lose sight of integrity,’ he stated.

Wimalaratna stressed on continuous learning. ‘The knowledge and skills you have gained will provide a strong foundation, but lasting success belongs to those who embrace continuous learning and personal growth,’ he said encouraging further development through SLIM.

SLIM Vice President – Education and Research Manthika Ranasinghe said: ‘To become a great marketer, you must continue learning, observing, and staying alert to everything happening around society. Every human insight matters, because every marketing decision ultimately connects with people.’

SLIM Vice President – Events and Sustainability Rajiv David said: ‘Today marks the reward for your hard work and perseverance, but it is also the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning and leadership,’

SLIM CEO Chamil Wickramasinghe said: ‘The business landscape is evolving rapidly, presenting both challenges and opportunities. I am confident that the knowledge, skills, and values you have gained will empower you to navigate these changes successfully.’

Best Performance Medals and Subject Prizes honoured outstanding students, while the ceremony reinforced SLIM’s mission to develop competent, globally competitive marketing professionals. An after-party followed for networking and celebration.

BASKETBALL-WOMEN-Bahamas and Virgin Islands surge in latest FIBA World Ranking

The latest FIBA World Ranking for Women has revealed a seismic shift in the global basketball landscape, with Caribbean nations making significant strides up the ladder.

While the United States continues its undisputed reign at the top with 1076.1 points, the real story for fans in the region is the impressive upward mobility of several island nations. The Bahamas has emerged as the standout performer in the Caribbean, leaping an astounding 20 spots to claim rank No. 67 globally. With 97.8 points, the Bahamian squad has signalled their intent to become a major force in the region.

Right behind them in terms of momentum are the U.S. Virgin Islands. The territory climbed 16 places to land at No. 48 with 138.1 points. This significant jump places them as the third-highest-ranked Caribbean team in the world, behind only Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.

Further down the table, Guyana recorded the largest point movement of any nation in the update. The Guyanese squad skyrocketed 23 places to rank No. 95 (52.6 points), marking the biggest climb of any team in the ranking.

Among the traditional powerhouses, Puerto Rico remains the highest-ranked Caribbean side. Las Boricuas moved up one spot to No. 12 with 543.5 points, sitting just behind Canada (No. 11) and Brazil (No. 10).

The Dominican Republic also continued its ascent, moving up four spots to No. 32 with 206.1 points.

Jamaica also saw positive movement, rising four places to No. 105 (40 points). While they sit at the bottom of the Caribbean pecking order in this update, the upward trend is a positive sign.

Not all news was positive for the region. Cuba experienced a slight setback, dropping two spots to No. 52 with 127.1 points. They were the only Caribbean nation to see a decrease in their ranking in this update.

At the very top, the USA remains untouchable with zero movement. Brazil and Canada both experienced slight drops (down one and four spots respectively), allowing Puerto Rico to close the gap in the top 15.

Top Caribbean Rankings (FIBA Women’s World Ranking):

Puerto Rico: No. 12 (+1)

Dominican Republic: No. 32 (+4)

Virgin Islands: No. 48 (+16)

Cuba: No. 52 (-2)

Bahamas: No. 67 (+20)

Guyana: No. 95 (+23)

Jamaica: No. 105 (+4)

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

LTO suspends Niño Muhlach’s license for 2 years

Movie actor Niño Muhlach is not allowed to drive a motor vehicle for two years after the Land Transportation Office (LTO) suspended his license in connection with a road accident in Antipolo, Rizal.

Investigation conducted by the LTO showed that Muhlach suffered from extreme fatigue, causing him to lose control of the wheel along Marcos Highway on Aug. 23.

The vehicle crashed into a row of commercial establishments and a motorcycle parked along the road before hitting a pedestrian.

The LTO found Muhlach liable for reckless driving and declared him an ‘improper person to operate a motor vehicle.’

Earlier, Muhlach admitted that he was the one driving the vehicle and acknowledged liability for the incident.

He said he had dozed off while driving.

The LTO said Muhlach’s vehicle would remain under ‘alarm status to ensure enforcement of penalty and to prevent any transactions involving it while the resolution is in effect.’

‘The LTO is serious about enforcing traffic laws, especially regarding violations that could endanger other road users,’ LTO chief Markus Lacalinao said.

‘We will impose appropriate penalties based on the results of the investigation and hearing, regardless of a person’s status,’ Lacanilao added.

The agency said it strictly enforces road laws and regulations to safeguard the safety of all motorists and road users.

Motorists have been urged to practice responsible driving and follow rules to prevent accidents that could result in loss of life or damage to property.