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Police Told to Tighten Security at Power Plants Nationwide

Home Ministry has directed police units across the country, including the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP), to strengthen security at power plants.

The directive was issued on September 17 following a decision at a core committee meeting of the ministry on August 26, according to ministry offi cials.

On September 23, DMP headquarters also sent a letter to its units instructing them to take necessary measures to reinforce security at power plants.

DMP Deputy Commissioner for Media and Public Relations Akter Hossain said security at power plants was monitored regularly.

Asked about the directive, Home Ministry Senior Secretary Manjur Morshed Chowdhury said he was unaware of it.

However, he added that ensuring the security of key point installations (KPIs) was the responsibility of the relevant agencies.

Gin Kings one win away

Strike back for San Miguel Beer? No, make it a second strike for Barangay Ginebra.

Clicking on all cylinders, the Gin Kings stifled the Beermen anew, 126-99, to move a win away from a 3-0 sweep of their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

In Justin Brownlee-esque numbers, Ginebra import Jordan Murphy turned in a near triple- double of 33 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists to go with two steals to lead the crowd darlings’ efforts in replicating their winning performance in Game 1 (104-95).

This put the troops of coach Tim Cone on the doorstep of the best-of-five semifinals with a golden chance to close it out in Game 3 in Dasmariñas, Cavite Tuesday.

‘Everyone is as surprised as I am about this. We didn’t dream we’d be able to get out even, 1-1, much less 2-0,’ said Cone.

‘We’re definitely on a roll. Our offense is clicking and guys are locked in defensively and we just try to keep the pressure on San Miguel, keep attacking, keep going at them and so far it’s working,’ he added.

RJ Abarrientos rifled in 22 markers spiked by four treys. Stephen Holt delivered his best offensive game of the series with 19 highlighted by a 5-of-6 clip from the three – all while serving duties as one of the team’s main defensive stoppers against SMB import George King (only 13 points).

Scottie Thompson had 12 markers and 11 dimes with seven boards.

A team that struggled to make the playoffs, Ginebra is now in striking position for the F4.

And Cone gave Murphy, who helped the Gin Kings secure a playoffs stint with a 3-1 record at the end of group play, much of the credit.

Later, Converge got back at Rain or Shine, 130-125, to force a 1-1 standoff in their side of the Last-8.

The FiberXers blew a 15-point upperhand but regrouped to put together the vital bounceback to their 120-124 opening loss.

Azerbaijan’s external surplus gives manat stronger support heading into 2027

Azerbaijan enters the final months of 2026 with an external trade position that supports confidence in the manat. In January-September, the country exported goods worth $23.865 billion and imported $13.346 billion, producing a positive trade balance of $10.519 billion. Total foreign trade turnover reached $37.211 billion, up 5.2% year on year. Exports grew 28.3%, while imports declined 20.4%. These figures form a persuasive economic case for expecting the manat to remain around its current rate of 1.70 per US dollar through year-end, provided current policy conditions continue.

At $10.5 billion, the nine-month balance was 5.7 times the level recorded a year earlier, according to customs data reported in October. The result reflects stronger export receipts and lower import spending, creating a cushion in the country’s external accounts. When exporters receive foreign currency and domestic demand for imports absorbs a smaller share of it, the supply-demand balance in the foreign-exchange market becomes more favourable to the national currency.

The Central Bank of Azerbaijan has also been accumulating reserves. Its official foreign exchange reserves rose from approximately $11.515 billion at the end of 2025 to $15.363 billion on September 30, 2026. That represents an increase of about $3.849 billion, or 33.4%, in nine months. The Central Bank reported that it purchased $1.5 billion in foreign currency during August alone, amid a current-account surplus and continued de-dollarization in the financial sector. Governor Taleh Kazimov has said that purchases could continue, with around $1 billion in additional buying possible by the end of the year, depending on market conditions and inflation risks.

These developments matter because the manat operates under a de facto fixed exchange-rate arrangement, with the official rate maintained at 1.7000 per dollar. In such a framework, strong foreign currency inflows can help the Central Bank meet market demand and build a reserve buffer. Currency purchases also allow the regulator to absorb part of the dollar supply entering the market, while converting those purchases into manat liquidity that requires careful monetary management.

A wider national reserve picture adds another layer of reassurance. By September 30, Azerbaijan’s strategic foreign exchange reserves, including the Central Bank’s holdings and the State Oil Fund’s assets, had reached approximately $89.38 billion, up 9.7% year on year. The Central Bank accounted for about $15.36 billion, while the State Oil Fund held roughly $74.17 billion. This combined pool gives the country substantial capacity to withstand external shocks and support macroeconomic stability.

Still, the trade surplus should be read with an understanding of its limits. A positive goods balance is a major strength, yet the exchange rate also reflects services, investment income, capital flows, domestic credit conditions, inflation and policy choices. Energy remains central to the export story: oil and gas accounted for 72.1% of exports during the first nine months. That concentration makes export earnings sensitive to global energy prices, production volumes and demand from major buyers. A sharp fall in oil prices could narrow the trade surplus and reduce foreign currency inflows.

The monetary side also deserves attention. When the Central Bank buys dollars, it pays in manats. If the resulting liquidity moves quickly into consumer spending or lending, it can add to inflationary pressure. The regulator has said it evaluates this risk when making currency purchases. Its ability to manage liquidity, maintain confidence and preserve adequate reserves will therefore remain as important as the trade balance itself.

For the final quarter, the available indicators point toward continuity. The $10.5 billion trade surplus, rising Central Bank reserves, strategic reserves of $89.38 billion and the established exchange-rate framework all support the expectation that the manat will remain near 1.70 per dollar through December. This is a reasoned outlook rather than a guarantee: external shocks or a policy change could alter the picture.

Azerbaijan’s strongest argument for currency stability is the combination of export earnings, reserve accumulation and a clear monetary framework. The next test is to preserve that balance while expanding non-oil exports and strengthening the economy’s capacity to earn foreign currency from a wider range of sectors. Stability becomes more durable when it rests on diverse sources of income as well as substantial reserves.

We must give our children confidence, capability to be part of digital future – Awolowo Dosumu

It is a pleasure to welcome you to this year’s Byte Busters Coding Club Showcase, and to celebrate once again the energy, imagination and promise of our young people.

When we gathered for the inaugural Showcase last year, we were witnessing the early fruits of an ambitious idea. Today, that idea has grown in reach, confidence and substance. Byte Busters now operates across all six South-West states, and the quality of the projects before us shows clearly that our students are not merely learning how to use technology, they are learning how to think with it, build with it, and apply it to problems that affect their schools, families and communities.

That distinction is important.

Our young people are growing up in a world in which artificial intelligence, digital platforms and new technologies will shape how they learn, work, communicate and create. It is therefore not enough for them to become passive users of technologies developed elsewhere. We must give them the confidence and capability to participate actively in shaping the digital future.

This is the purpose that sits at the heart of the DEFINED Project.

I wish to commend Professor Seun Kolade, Project Director, for the clarity of vision and sustained leadership he continues to bring to this work. I also congratulate the Assistant Project Manager, Temilorun Okediji and the DEFINED Project team, our Project Assistants, ICT teachers, our fantastic college of mentors, school leaders and all those working quietly behind the scenes across the various centres. The progress we celebrate today is the result of their collective persistence, creativity and commitment.

I am especially delighted by the continued expansion of the programme and by the increasing sophistication of the projects being developed by the students. From applications addressing learning and accessibility to ideas connected with agriculture, commerce, public safety and indigenous language, these young people are showing us what becomes possible when talent is given opportunity.

The Foundation has also widened its approach through the Digital Literacy Training for Teachers programme, recognising that sustainable transformation in education must include those who stand in our classrooms every day. By equipping teachers with practical digital skills and using a Train-the-Trainer model, we are building capacity that can multiply far beyond the first cohort.

Yet we must not become satisfied too quickly.

The success of Byte Busters should strengthen our determination to reach more pupils, particularly in under-served communities. There are many more children across our region with the same curiosity and potential as those presenting here today. What they need is access.

I therefore call on our six owner states, corporate partners, philanthropists, old students’ associations and friends of the Foundation to deepen their support for this work. The task before us is one of scale, continuity and shared responsibility.

To our Byte Busters, I say this: keep learning, keep experimenting and keep believing in what you can build.

Shin dominates ICTSI Apo

Micah Shin shrugged off rain-soaked conditions and an early charge from Russell Bautista to pull off a breakaway nine-shot victory in the ICTSI Apo Golf Classic at Apo Golf in Davao City yesterday.

Shin, who entered the final round with a seven-stroke lead over Bautista, closed with a 2-under 70 for a wire-to-wire 17-under 271 winning total – his second on the 2026 Philippine Golf Tour after ruling the flagship The Country Club Invitational last January.

Despite the softened course and a shaky bogey-birdie-bogey stretch from No. 2, Shin steadied himself with birdies on Nos. 6 and 8.

Why food producers are moving towards clean-label products

Years ago, launching a packaged food product meant catering to uniform mass-market preferences with heavy preservatives and standard sugar profiles.

That is no longer the winning formula. A growing number of health-conscious consumers are now demanding hyper-transparent ingredient lists, functional nutrition, and authentic local flavor profiles.

This is the commercial food formulation shift. It is genuinely transforming small-scale agribusiness, and it has fundamentally changed how regional food creators design their products.

Why traditional packaged foods are losing market share

The shift began as urban buyers grew increasingly fatigued by processed foods laden with artificial additives and hidden sugars.

Health-conscious consumers started scrutinizing back-of-package labels for functional benefits, natural preservation, and nutrient density. The movement stuck because it answered a real need: you focus on clean, wholesome formulation, while mass-market brands struggle to pivot away from synthetic ingredients.

The micro-processing techniques making clean labels possible

A handful of accessible, small-scale production methods now let independent producers create shelf-stable goods without chemical stabilizers.

Natural sun-drying, cold-pressing, and traditional spice-blending are the techniques that keep coming up. Some producers focus on single-origin unadulterated powders, while others formulate specialty snack items using locally sourced crops.

Turning dietary health trends into sustainable revenue

It’s worth being clear that this isn’t a niche urban experiment anymore.

Small food enterprises utilizing clean-label formulations report surging demand as retail buyers and everyday shoppers prioritize functional wellness. Independent processors are scaling up production of traditional grains, organic oils, and natural flavorings without needing massive industrial factories.

That scale of commercial growth only happens when creators align their recipes with what modern bodies actually need.

How independent food creators are rewriting product recipes

The individual stories behind those product pivots are worth knowing too.

One widely reported example: a small-scale agro-processor replaced synthetic stabilizers in their spice mixes with natural dehydration techniques, instantly capturing a loyal customer base looking for unadulterated ingredients. In another documented case, a regional entrepreneur redesigned traditional snack packaging to extend shelf life naturally, opening up retail distribution across multiple cities.

These aren’t cherry-picked outliers from massive multinational food labs. They’re the kind of small, specific, genuinely useful product improvements that used to be overshadowed by industrial giants.

Focusing on the exact nutritional gaps worth filling

The clearest commercial value shows up in a specific kind of dietary demand.

Low-sodium seasoning blends, high-fiber flour alternatives, and nutrient-dense natural sweeteners. One widely shared example: a food creator noticed local markets lacked clean, unadulterated cocoa powder, then launched a small milling process to supply pure, additive-free powder directly to consumers.

The hidden challenges of scaling natural food recipes

Here’s where the honest picture gets more complicated.

A producer moving from a home kitchen to commercial packaging often overlooks shelf-life stability, leading to natural spoilage or nutrient degradation when products sit on retail shelves too long. Without understanding basic moisture control, a batch of natural fruit chips or unrefined oils can quickly go rancid or lose its texture.

When artisanal formulations meet strict retail standards

This isn’t a one-off phenomenon either.

A food industry study found that a significant percentage of small-scale product launches fail not because the recipe lacks taste, but because inconsistent batch formulation makes commercial scaling difficult. One specific vulnerability occurs when makers change ingredient suppliers without adjusting their moisture parameters, ruining the final texture.

How modern packaging technology protects organic freshness

One packaging shift in particular has become a widely cited talking point.

Affordable vacuum sealers and biodegradable barrier films are now helping independent food makers protect natural items from humidity and oxidation. While this extends geographic reach, it also risks inflating packaging costs if creators don’t optimize their batch sizes.

Speed versus shelf-life in independent food businesses

The pattern across most of these formulation hurdles isn’t that the creator has bad intentions.

It’s that rapid market entry and rigorous shelf testing are quietly traded against each other, and most new makers don’t realise a trade is happening. The quick recipe optimises for ‘it tastes amazing right out of the bowl,’ not for ‘it survives three months in a humid retail store without synthetic preservatives.’

The honest way to think about food formulation

Commercial food formulation is a genuinely powerful tool for a specific kind of wellness demand, not a magic replacement for proper food science on items entering large-scale retail distribution.

A clean-label spice blend, a locally sourced oil, an unadulterated cocoa powder these are strong, practical product lines. Anything scaling across national supermarket chains still requires rigorous laboratory testing and regulatory validation, whether you formulated it in a home kitchen or a specialized micro-factory.

Afternoon rains, high heat index forecast for ‘Undas’ in Mindanao

Cemetery visitors joining the annual exodus on All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day on November 1 and 2 are advised to adjust their schedules.

The recommendation is due to the expected afternoon rains and high heat indices forecast across Mindanao.

Justine Navarro, a specialist at the state weather bureau’s Mindanao Regional Services Division, gave the information to the Inquirer on Saturday morning, October 31.

Navarro predicted that localized rain showers might occur in Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental and Lanao del Sur, mostly in the afternoon and evening.

He suggested that the public should visit cemeteries early in the morning to avoid the anticipated rainfall.

On Saturday, October 31, the trough of a Low Pressure Area (LPA) inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) is expected to bring scattered rain showers and thunderstorms across Mindanao.

There might also be moderate to occasionally heavy rains in the afternoon, particularly over the Zamboanga Peninsula and adjacent areas.

An improvement in weather is expected on November 2, with fair weather and less rainfall forecast for Bukidnon and neighboring provinces.

However, weather forecasters still urged visitors to bring umbrellas and drink water to prevent heat cramps.Bukidnon is projected to reach a 35-degree Celsius heat index on October 31 and 34 degrees Celsius on November 1.

Navarro also noted that under the ongoing El Niño conditions, northwestern Bukidnon has a 40 percent chance of rainfall from November through January.

The official declaration of the Northeast Monsoon (Amihan) season was made on October 27.

In observance of Undas 2026, national government agencies and several local government units implemented half-day work schedules and afternoon class suspensions on Friday, October 30.

INEC vows tough action against those threatening electoral officials, NYSC members

The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash O. Amupitan, has warned that anyone who attacks or threatens electoral officials, including National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed for election duties, will face the full force of the law.

Amupitan gave the warning on Saturday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, during a meeting with INEC staff from the South-South region to assess preparations for the 2027 general elections.

He said INEC was working with security agencies through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to protect voters, electoral officials and election materials.

The INEC chairman also warned electoral officers against favouritism, absence from duty, negligence and financial misconduct. He said any officer found guilty of such acts would face disciplinary action.

According to him, the meeting was organised to assess the commission’s level of preparedness, identify challenges and improve its operations ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said INEC was using lessons from governorship elections in Anambra, Ekiti and Osun states, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections and 16 by-elections to improve its preparations.

Amupitan disclosed that the South-South region had 15,823,550 registered voters, with Rivers State accounting for 3,736,434.

He stressed that no eligible voter should be denied the opportunity to vote because of poor planning, administrative mistakes or logistical problems.

On election technology, he said INEC was preparing its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), including 57,000 newly purchased devices. The commission was also checking its electronic result management systems to improve the transparency of result transmission through the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) portal.

Speaking on concerns about suspicious photographs in the preliminary voters’ register published online, Amupitan said the commission was investigating the records and would take action based on verified findings.

He urged Nigerians to take part in the ongoing display of the voters’ register, where they can check their details and report errors or objections. The final voters’ register is scheduled for publication on December 15, 2026.

The INEC chairman also addressed the challenges of conducting elections in riverine and coastal communities across the South-South region. He said the commission had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Maritime Transporters Union to ensure the safe and timely movement of election officials and materials.

On staff welfare, Amupitan highlighted improved salaries, hazard and field allowances under the Consolidated Election Management Body Salary Structure (CEMBSS). He also said monthly allocations to state offices had increased by 150 per cent from July 1, 2026.

Earlier, the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner said the meeting would help INEC assess its readiness and address challenges before the elections.

He noted that credible elections required adequate logistics, trained personnel, functional technology, effective security and voter education. He also called for greater participation by women, young people and persons with disabilities.

The Director of Planning and Monitoring, Mrs Helen Ajayi, said the assessment would cover voter registration, Permanent Voter Card collection, staff training, election security, voter education, technology and election operations across the six South-South states.

Ajayi urged electoral officers to cooperate with the assessment teams and work with traditional rulers to encourage eligible citizens to participate in the elections.

Representatives of the six states presented reports on their preparations, including progress made, outstanding tasks and challenges.

Amupitan formally opened the meeting by urging INEC officials to demonstrate integrity, professionalism and commitment to delivering credible, transparent and inclusive elections in 2027.

Cops destroy P108.8-M marijuana plants in Tinglayan, Kalinga

Police eradicated 544,000 fully grown marijuana plants worth an estimated P108.8 million during an anti-illegal drug operation in Tinglayan, Kalinga, this week.

In a statement on Thursday, Oct. 29, the Kalinga Police Provincial Office (PPO) said the operation covered seven marijuana plantation sites spanning 48,500 square meters in Barangay Loccong.

The operation, conducted on Tuesday, was led by the Kalinga PPO Drug Enforcement Unit, with support from the provincial intelligence unit, Tinglayan Municipal Police Station and other municipal police stations in the province, as well as the Regional Mobile Force Battalion and the Philippine National Police Special Action Force.

The marijuana plants were uprooted and destroyed through on-site burning following coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.

No cultivators were arrested during the operation.

Police collected marijuana samples for qualitative examination by the Kalinga Police Forensic Unit.

Kalinga PPO officer-in-charge Police Col. Peter Ngabit Jr. urged residents to report suspected drug-related activities and cooperate with law enforcement.

Apayao village becomes a sanctuary for threatened, endemic birds

In the rivers and wetlands of Barangay Sta. Filomena in Calanasan, Apayao, hundreds of birds have found a refuge, including species threatened with extinction and others found nowhere else in the world but the Philippines.

A three-day wildlife survey conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Cordillera Administrative Region recorded 427 birds belonging to 23 species.

Among the birds documented were the endangered rufous hornbill (Buceros hydrocorax), vulnerable Luzon hornbill (Penelopides manillae) and vulnerable Philippine duck (Anas luzonica).

The three species are classified as threatened wildlife under DENR Administrative Order No. 2019-09.

But one species stood out in the survey: the Philippine duck, an endemic waterbird that accounted for 322 of the 427 birds recorded.

Its large presence highlights the importance of Sta. Filomena’s wetlands and freshwater ecosystems in supporting bird populations, particularly species that depend on these habitats for survival.

A refuge for rare birds

The survey, spearheaded by the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Calanasan, covered four observation sites selected for their favorable habitats and proximity to rivers and wetlands.

These were Mawanan Resort and Casiggaman in Purok 7, and Sinigpit and the Bridge Area in Purok 3. These locations provide habitats for resident birds and migratory waterbirds.

Survey teams documented the species present, assessed their abundance and gathered baseline information that could guide future habitat management and wildlife protection initiatives.

The findings revealed the diversity of birdlife in Sta. Filomena, with the presence of threatened species adding significance to the area’s conservation value.

According to DENR-CENRO Calanasan, the presence of threatened and endemic birds reinforces the need for sustained habitat protection, regular wildlife monitoring and science-based conservation measures.

Such efforts are essential to safeguarding the ecosystems that support these species and ensuring their long-term survival. Conservation meets ecotourism

Beyond its importance as a wildlife habitat, Sta. Filomena is also emerging as a potential destination for nature-based tourism.

The DENR said the area’s bird diversity presents opportunities to develop responsible birdwatching activities that could attract nature enthusiasts while promoting environmental awareness.

Birdwatching and other nature-based activities could also create sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities, provided that tourism development does not compromise the habitats supporting the birds.

The survey findings point to the possibility of combining biodiversity conservation with community-based ecotourism, allowing residents to benefit from the area’s natural resources while helping protect them.

Maintaining the integrity of rivers, wetlands and surrounding habitats would be central to such efforts.

Protecting Apayao’s natural heritage

The survey was conducted through a partnership between CENRO Calanasan and the local government of Calanasan.

Their collaboration sought to establish scientific information that could support conservation planning, habitat management and future monitoring activities.

For environmental authorities, the survey provides a clearer picture of Sta. Filomena’s importance as a habitat for threatened and endemic wildlife.

The findings also strengthen the barangay’s recognition as an important biodiversity area in Apayao, where conservation efforts could help protect vulnerable species while opening opportunities for responsible ecotourism.

With 23 bird species documented across four observation sites, Sta. Filomena’s rivers and wetlands have emerged as valuable habitats whose protection will depend on continued cooperation among government agencies, local communities and other conservation stakeholders.