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Martin battles Picasso for WBC Silver belt in Riyadh

Undefeated Filipino Carl Jammes Martin stakes his 28-0 record against Mexican David Picasso in a World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver featherweight title fight on Saturday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The 27-year-old Martin, who has 21 knockouts, faces a tough bout against the 26-year-old Picasso (33-1-1, 18 KOs) in the Mexico vs. The World card headlined by Canelo Alvarez and Christian Mbilli at Kingdom Arena.

‘I think this fight is going to be a difficult fight, but this is the kind of fight that Carl Martin is trained for, prepared for, and worked for in his entire life,’ MP Promotions president Sean Gibbons told the BusinessMirror on Friday.

Picasso’s lone defeat came against Japanese star Naoya Inoue, who won by unanimous decision in December last year. He bounced back with a second-round knockout of Colombian Maicol Rincon last August.

Martin welcomed the challenge despite the odds.

‘There is pressure but there is also an opportunity. This is what I have been waiting for. I have worked hard and waited a long time for this moment. I decided to take the fight regardless of the circumstances,’ Martin said.

Road Warriors, Tropang 5G gun for quarterfinal series sweeps

NLEX and TNT Tropang 5G look to sweep their quarterfinal assignments in the Season 50 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Robert Bolick and the Road Warriors go for the clincher against Phoenix Super LPG at 5:15 p.m. after taking a 2-0 lead in their best-of-five series with a 124-117 Game Two victory last Wednesday.

Bolick, who scored 31 points, said NLEX must close out the series immediately and avoid giving Phoenix a chance to recover.

‘We must go for the kill while they are still down,’ Bolick said. ‘Why give them a chance to come back? We are already here in this situation. Hopefully, we execute our game plan very well.’

Deschon Winston also scored 31 points in Game Two, while import Deonte Burton added 24 points and 10 rebounds. NLEX won Game One, 97-92.

Road Warriors coach Jimmy Alapag stressed that a lot of work is needed to secure a semifinal meeting with the winner of the Converge-Rain or Shine series.

‘The series is a race to three in a best-of-five, and it is not done yet. So, we must have the same mindset and see how we can be better,’ Alapag said.

Phoenix coach Charles Tiu remained optimistic despite falling behind 0-2.

‘We had a bit better game although we just came short,’ he said.

Defending champion TNT also seeks a sweep against Magnolia in their 7:30 p.m. Game Three after posting back-to-back victories, 90-72 and 91-73.

Three-time Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led TNT with 39 points and 15 rebounds in Game Two as the Tropang 5G continued to dominate the Hotshots.

Magnolia, however, remains determined to extend the series despite facing elimination.

‘It is not over yet but let us see what we can do,’ veteran forward Ian Sangalang said.

Sangalang, playmaker Jerom Lastimosa, import KJ Buffen and Zav Lucero will lead the Hotshots’ bid to stay alive.

Edo seals nine Chinese-owned firms over N8.982bn tax debt

The Edo State Internal Revenue Service (EIRS) has sealed off nine companies, including Rongtai Plastic Company Limited, over alleged outstanding tax liabilities of N8.982 billion.

The affected companies are located in Utesi Community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of Edo State.

Courage Eboigbe, Head of Corporate Communications and Taxpayers Enlightenment Service of the EIRS, stated this in a statement made available to newsmen on Friday in Benin City.

Eboigbe listed the affected companies, which are predominantly owned by Chinese nationals, such as Rongtai Hardware Limited, Rongtai Energy Technology Company Limited, Rongtai Building Materials Company Limited and Rongtai Food Company Limited.

Others are Five Star Wire and Cable Company, Xin Guo Technology Nigeria Limited, Changrong Wood Nigeria Limited and Shunda Nigeria Enterprise.

He said the N8.982 billion tax liabilities arose from the companies’ failure to comply with mandatory tax obligations.

According to him, the violations include failure to register employees for Pay-As-You-Earn (PAYE) tax, failure to file annual employers’ tax returns, and failure to deduct and remit PAYE taxes.

Eboigbe said the sealing of the companies was carried out pursuant to orders of an Edo State High Court.

He explained that before the enforcement action, formal notices detailing the established tax liabilities had been individually served on the companies.

According to him, despite repeated reminders and demands for compliance, the companies failed to settle their outstanding obligations, compelling the EIRS to exercise its legal powers to seal their operational sites pursuant to valid court orders.

‘The enforcement orders will remain in effect, while the seals will only be removed upon settlement of all outstanding tax liabilities by the defaulting companies,’ he said.

CSE crosses 20,000-point mark, ends 1.5% on the up

The Colombo stock market ended up sharply yesterday, extending a rally into three days and crossing the 20,000 mark.

The ASPI ended up 1.49% or 296.93 points at 20,267.15 and the active S and P SL20 gained 1.43% or 81.35 points to 5,773.92.

Market turnover was nearly Rs. 2.3 billion on over 117.4 million shares traded and foreign investors were net sellers on a net outflow of Rs. 21 million.

First Capital Research said renewed positivity in the bourse continued, underpinning the ASPI to reclaim the 20,000 mark. At the global outset, oil prices fell yesterday amid expectations for peace talks to de-escalate the Middle-East conflict, which could have further bolstered investor confidence.

DIST, HNB, DIAL, SUN and SAMP emerged as the top positive contributors to the ASPI. Both retail and HNW participation remained active, with HNW investors particularly showcasing interest towards selected Banking sector counters. Banks led the daily turnover with a share of 29%, followed by the diversified financials, and materials sectors collectively contributing 31%.

Expect more epidemics, warns health ministry

Government health officials and scientists have warned that the country should prepare for increases in emerging epidemics driven by shifting environmental patterns, climate change, alongside a rising burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as the population ages.

This warning was sounded in Kampala on Monday, during the first day of the ongoing 20th Joint Annual Scientific Health (JASH) Conference and the 2nd National Annual Conference on Non-Communicable Diseases (NACNCD).

Dr Diana Atwine, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health, in her remarks, highlighted that environmental shifts and natural survival instincts among disease-causing organisms are fueling the emergence of epidemics.

‘Because of climate change and because of survival for the fittest principle, the organisms and everything else will try to survive. And we are going to see more and more organisms emerging, and we are going to witness more epidemics and more infectious diseases. That is the reality,’ she said.

Dr Atwine emphasised that Uganda remains geographically situated in a zone highly favourable to infectious diseases and that climate change will worsen the trends. She also highlighted how they will protect the population from emerging epidemics, which she said may not be stopped.

‘So, our approach, may not be completely to stop these diseases from emerging, but to understand how best we can address, prevent, manage and control the diseases so that we don’t lose lives and we don’t have higher morbidity in our community,’ she said.

Furthermore, Dr Atwine pointed to a secondary demographic shift as a major risk factor.

‘The second reality is that in Uganda, we are moving towards having a more aged population, and the aged population is associated with more non-communicable diseases,’ she added.

Echoing similar concerns, Minister of Health Dr Chris Baryomunsi noted that the country’s unique geolocation leaves it exceptionally vulnerable, rendering accurate epidemiological forecasting difficult.

‘Given our geolocation, we are still prone to these epidemics, making it extremely difficult to accurately predict the epidemiological destiny of our country. This challenges all of us, that we should invest in research, and we should be able to share lessons,’ he said.

‘We are happy that we have researchers and academicians from various universities and the discussions we are going to have in the next few days will be very crucial in inform policymakers in order to translate research findings into policy and meaningful interventions that will improve the quality of lives of Ugandans,’ Dr Baryomunsi added.

During the conference, the minister also launched near-point-of-care TB testing devices to improve access to quality diagnostic services for TB. The ministry said this will bolster TB disease prevention and help in the reduction of close to 10,000 annual TB deaths.

Prof Moses Joloba of Makerere University said the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends that ‘everybody should be tested with molecular recommended diagnostic’, yet access to this remains a big challenge to Ugandans.

‘In Uganda, only 24 percent of facilities can access a molecular diagnostic, leaving the 76 percent relying on a microscopy, a technology which is 140 years old, or send a sample referral. These near-point-of care (devices) will ensure services come closer to people,’ he said.

‘It costs around $300 (Shs1.2 million), and each test is about $3.6 (Shs15,000) and it’s coming down to about $1 (Shs4200). This will improve access and reduce TB mortality. Uganda is an early adopter of this near-point-of-care, thanks to Global Fund and the Government of Uganda,’ he added.

According to the WHO, ‘near-point-of-care nucleic acid amplification tests (NPOC-NAATs) are swab-based molecular tests for TB detection that can produce results from a primary sputum or tongue swab sample in less than one hour.’

The device can be battery operated and do not require specialised infrastructure for use or storage, according to the WHO.

At the same conference, which is running from October 28 to 30, Minister Baryomunsi also launched the Uganda National Oral Health Strategy.

‘This strategy elaborates clearly, the dos and don’ts regarding maintaining oral hygiene. Sometimes, people neglect oral hygiene. The mouth and the content in the mouth cavity are extremely important – the tongue, the teeth, the gum. If not cared for, they can be an area which can be hit with serious diseases. Things like smoking and alcohol affect oral health,’ he said.

‘The need to brush and clean your mouth every morning and evening, all this we have put a strategy to ensure we reach every Ugandan wherever he or she is even at the lowest level for them to understand the importance of keeping oral hygiene and oral health, in order to avoid illnesses,’ the minister added.

Information from the Ministry indicates that fewer than 4 percent of Ugandans access essential oral health services. This strategy seeks to boost access to care and prevention interventions, according to the Ministry.

Cinnamon Grand Colombo-Caroline J Global Holdings ‘The Pink Tea Runway’ supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Cinnamon Grand Colombo, in partnership with Caroline J Global Holdings Holdings Ltd., hosted The Pink Tea Runway, a special Pink High Tea Buffet and Fashion Runway, on 24 October 2026, at the hotel’s Tea Lounge.

Held in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the initiative raised awareness about breast cancer while celebrating the strength, courage and resilience of women. Bringing together fashion, hospitality and a meaningful social cause, the event encouraged conversations around women’s health, the importance of early detection and the value of supporting individuals and families affected by breast cancer.

Through this initiative, Cinnamon Grand Colombo and Caroline J Global Holdings created an engaging platform that brought people together in support of a cause that touches lives across the world, while inspiring greater awareness and solidarity.

Cinnamon Grand Colombo General Manager Nazoomi Azhar said: ‘At Cinnamon Grand Colombo, we believe hospitality goes beyond creating memorable experiences. It is also about bringing people together for meaningful causes. Through The Pink Tea Runway, we aim to raise awareness about breast cancer while celebrating the strength, courage and resilience of women. We are pleased to collaborate with Caroline J Global Holdings on this initiative, using fashion and hospitality as a platform to encourage conversations around women’s health and wellbeing.’

The fashion runway was organised and coordinated by Caroline Jurie, Former Mrs. World 2020 and Founder and Chairperson of Caroline J Global Holdings, who led the fashion presentation and model coordination. The runway featured a specially curated pink collection by fashion label Diamanté by Venuka, with models showcasing creations that reflected the event’s central themes of strength, confidence and femininity.

The collaboration brought together the worlds of fashion and hospitality to communicate a message that extended beyond the runway, encouraging women to prioritise their health and wellbeing while promoting empowerment and mutual support.

Caroline J Global Holdings Founder and Chairperson Caroline Jurie said: ‘Fashion has always been a powerful way to express confidence, individuality and strength. Through The Pink Tea Runway, we want to celebrate the resilience of women while reminding them of the importance of prioritising their health. Breast cancer awareness is a cause that deserves continued attention, and I am pleased to collaborate with Cinnamon Grand Colombo to bring this meaningful initiative to life. Together, we hope to inspire women to support one another and encourage greater awareness.’

Complementing the fashion presentation, Cinnamon Grand Colombo’s culinary team presented a specially curated Pink High Tea Buffet at the Tea Lounge, featuring an assortment of sweet and savoury creations inspired by the event’s theme. From pink-themed delicacies to thoughtfully presented culinary selections, the experience complemented the runway presentation, offering guests an elegant afternoon centred on awareness, connection and togetherness.

The event was further supported by Sothys Paris, which presented exclusive gift packs to guests attending The Pink Tea Runway. Naturals Unisex Salon also contributed to the event’s fashion and beauty experience, complementing the pink collection presented by Diamanté by Venuka.

Through The Pink Tea Runway, Cinnamon Grand Colombo continued its commitment to meaningful community engagement by creating opportunities for guests, partners and industry collaborators to come together in support of important social causes. The initiative highlighted the role hospitality can play in encouraging awareness, building connections and inspiring conversations that extend beyond the event itself.

Troops kill 48 terrorists in separate attacks in Northeast

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have killed at least 48 suspected Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters and repelled coordinated attacks on military positions in Borno and Yobe States respectively.

The attacks began at about 9pm on Thursday, with insurgents launching an assault on troops stationed in Buni Yadi that continued into the early hours of Friday.

According to a statement by Mohammed Goni,

Acting Media Information Officer, Operation Hadin Kai, on Friday, foiling their attacks on military positions in Bitta, Gwoza LGA of Borno State and North East Theatre Training School (NETTS), Buni Yadi, Gujba LGA of Yobe State between 29 and 30 October 2026.

In Bitta, troops decisively disorganised an attempted terrorist assault on the night of 29 October 2026. The combined response of ground troops and air support overwhelmed the attackers, thwarting their plan and inflicting heavy casualties.

Goni said a combined counter-offensive involving ground forces, fighter aircraft and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets forced the attackers to retreat, leaving behind 48 bodies.

One soldier was killed during the engagement, while two others sustained injuries.

Troops also recovered a large cache of weapons and ammunition, including 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT guns, four general-purpose machine guns, a 60-millimetre mortar and 105 AK-47 magazines.

‘The decisive counter-offensive resulted in 48 terrorists killed, with troops recovering a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition. Recovered items include 42 AK-47 rifles, five PKT machine guns, four General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG), one 60mm mortar, 105 AK-47 magazines and two video cameras.

‘Also recovered were 30 rounds of 12.7mm armour-piercing incendiary ammunition, 2,738 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 223 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition and 2,054 rounds of PKT ammunition.

Two video cameras were also recovered, and two soldiers were wounded during the encounter.

Women MPs to lead islandwide breast cancer early detection drive

An islandwide special national program to promote the early detection of breast cancer will be held on 2 November, 2026, led by the Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus and the Ministry of Health.

The decision was taken at a recent Caucus meeting chaired by Women Parliamentarians’ Caucus Chairperson and Minister Saroja Savithri Paulraj.

Ministry of Health officials told the meeting that about 6,000 new cases of breast cancer are reported in Sri Lanka annually and about 1,000 women die from the disease each year. Although breast cancer can be completely cured when detected early, delays in seeking treatment due to fear, embarrassment or a lack of awareness remain a major challenge, they said.

On 2 November, women MPs will organise health clinics and awareness programs at electorate and district level and take part directly. Women MPs and school and university students will also wear pink ribbons, wristbands and clothing to mark Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Special attention will be given to encouraging women in rural communities, plantation areas, urban high-rise housing complexes and underserved areas to attend Suwanari Clinics. Only about 50% of women aged 35 to 45 currently attend these clinics.

A comprehensive program is planned for next year to refer all women aged 35 to 45 for screening, bringing together stakeholders, including women’s societies at Grama Niladhari division level. The meeting also discussed holding cervical cancer awareness programs in January, led by women MPs.

The meeting also took up gender-responsive budgeting, which means considering the impact on women and men when drawing up Budgets, and the care economy. It discussed obtaining technical advisory support to implement the National Care Policy and to incorporate gender-responsive policies into the budgetary process.

The meeting emphasised the need to expedite amendments to address shortcomings in laws on the prevention of domestic violence, maintenance and the prohibition of corporal punishment of children, in coordination with the Ministry of Justice.

Deputy Chairperson of Committees of Parliament and Caucus Deputy Co-Chairperson Hemali Weerasekara, MP Chamindrani Kiriella, several other women MPs, Ministry of Health officials and representatives of the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) in Sri Lanka also took part.

3 late reports leave MGen, Pemhi with P5.8-M PCC fine

THE Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) has held Pilipinas Enterprise Management Holdings Inc. (PEMHI) and Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen) jointly liable for P5.8 million in penalties over delayed merger-related reports.

The penalty covers three violations of Section 29(b) of the Philippine Competition Act, after the companies repeatedly failed to meet reporting deadlines imposed as a condition for the Commission’s clearance of a major power-sector transaction.

The case stemmed from the acquisition of interests in power generation and industrial companies by MGen and Therma NatGas Power Inc. through Chromite Gas Holdings Inc. and San Miguel Global Power Holdings Corp.

To address competition concerns over possible coordinated conduct in energy sales and the exercise of market power, the parties submitted an Undertaking containing commitments that the PCC accepted as conditions for approving the transaction.

One requirement obligated the notifying parties to submit to the PCC’s Mergers and Acquisitions Office, within 15 days after each calendar quarter, copies of the Comparative Retail Electricity Market reports that retail electricity supplier entities had filed with the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC).

The PCC took up the matter following a complaint from its mergers office concerning delayed submissions by Global Energy Supply Corp., a retail electricity supplier subsidiary of Pemhi.

It found Pemhi and MGen liable for three counts of non-compliance involving reports for the first three quarters of 2025. The first-quarter report was submitted 215 days late, the second-quarter report 126 days late and the third-quarter report 34 days late.

The companies argued that the delays resulted from oversight, human error and a misunderstanding of the reporting requirements.

The commission rejected their explanation, ruling that the reporting schedule was part of their own voluntary commitments and could not be relaxed by citing flexibility under ERC regulatory resolutions.

MGen paid the P5.8-million administrative fine in full on October 16, with the amount remitted to the Bureau of the Treasury.

‘Voluntary commitments submitted as a condition for merger approval are binding obligations that must be fulfilled in good faith,’ PCC Chairperson Michael Aguinaldo said.

He added that the ruling underscored that regulatory deadlines could not be treated as a matter of corporate convenience, particularly in priority sectors such as energy.

‘Unsubstantiated delays compromise our capacity to monitor transactions effectively.’

Tinubu performs Umrah in Mecca, prays for peace, unity, stability in Nigeria

President Bola Tinubu has performed the lesser Islamic pilgrimage, Umrah, in the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, offering prayers for peace, national unity and an end to insecurity in Nigeria.

Tinubu performed the spiritual exercise early Friday at the Grand Mosque, Masjid al-Haram, where he circumambulated the Holy Ka’abah and offered prayers of gratitude to Almighty Allah for His blessings on Nigeria and its people.

Speaking with journalists shortly after completing the pilgrimage, the President described the exercise as significant, linking it to his commitment to Nigeria, the responsibilities of leadership and his faith in Allah.

‘I believe this Umrah is very significant for the love of our people, commitment to the job and our country, Nigeria; commitment to the will of Allah that His words must prevail, and that there’s no other God but Him and He’s the only one that makes a human being what he can be and what he would be in life,’ he said.

The President said he had prayed for Nigerians to enjoy lasting peace, harmony, happiness and stronger faith in God.

‘I am grateful to Allah for being able to perform this Umrah. We have just prayed for our nation, for everyone to live in peace and harmony, happiness and faith in God Almighty,’ Tinubu stated.

He also sought divine guidance for Nigeria’s leaders, asking Allah to strengthen national unity, promote peaceful coexistence and deliver the country from insecurity and other challenges.

The President expressed hope that Nigeria would continue to make progress in economic prosperity and social development while building a more secure future for its citizens.

Tinubu further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a peaceful, united and prosperous country where Nigerians, irrespective of their religious beliefs or backgrounds, can live in safety, dignity and harmony.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Friday, October 30, 2026, by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.