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Border with Cambodia to remain shut amid concerns

Thailand will not reopen its border checkpoints with Cambodia until its key concerns are addressed, Prime Minister and Interior Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said.

Speaking on the programme Talk with PM Anutin on Saturday, Mr Anutin said there was no timeline for reopening the border and no indication that bilateral relations would return to their previous level soon. He cited unresolved land and maritime boundary issues, transnational scam operations and the safety of Thai citizens.

The border had been closed for some time and the government must prioritise Thailand’s interests, he said.

Key considerations included tackling illegal imports, addressing concerns over agricultural trade, combating cross-border criminal networks and ensuring national security.

Mr Anutin said the government would not allow political considerations to outweigh the country’s interests.

Economic indicators had improved since the closure and public sentiment remained supportive of the measure.

While dialogue with Cambodia remained possible, several steps had to be completed before relations could be restored to their previous level.

Christians urged to face life’s challenges with joy, strength of God

Teenage preachers of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Oke-Ife, Agbowo, Ibadan, have urged Christians to face life’s challenges with the joy and strength of God, stressing that God’s time is always the best in every situation.

The young preachers, Peter Omotoso, who delivered the sermon in English, and Tolulope Abioye, who interpreted it in Yoruba, made the call penultimate Sunday during the church’s 31st Children’s Anniversary, themed ‘The Joy of the Lord Is Your Strength,’ taken from Nehemiah 8:10.

They stressed that the joy and strength derived from knowing and trusting God not only provide comfort in times of trial but also lead to salvation and eternal life.

They added that such joy and strength were among the best antidotes to the numerous challenges facing Nigeria and its citizens, as well as the best means of managing personal difficulties, which God would address in His own time and way.

‘The joy of earthly things and possessions is nothing compared to the joy of the Lord. Hence, sinners should seek the forgiveness of God and the joy of His salvation,’ they said.

The young preachers admonished Christians not to allow their troubles to make them forsake God or the joy, strength and wisdom that come from knowing Him and committing their affairs into His hands.

The chairman of the anniversary committee, Ezekiel Afolabi, described the theme as apt, given the challenges facing many people, including Christians. He called for stronger faith in God to navigate the difficult times and experience His joy and strength.

Similarly, the chairperson of the anniversary, Madam Victoria F. Aluko, noted that those who put their trust in God during difficult times would reap joy, adding that living according to His word leads to a fulfilling life.

The Assistant General Superintendent (AGS) and Children’s Coordinator of the church, Pastor Samuel Ogungbemi, said the theme was relevant to the challenges confronting Nigeria and Nigerians, including insecurity and economic hardship. He prayed that such challenges would not rob God’s children of their joy.

Ogungbemi said the mission of the church’s Children’s Department remained to nurture children in the full knowledge of God through Christ, enabling them to grow in Christian character, righteousness, academics and leadership, and ultimately become God’s generals.

Another AGS, Pastor M. A. Ategbero, urged children to depend on God at all times, saying that doing so would strengthen them and give them everlasting joy that no one else could provide.

Relating the anniversary theme to Nigeria’s current situation, Ategbero said the country’s circumstances could not, on their own, guarantee anyone lasting joy. He maintained that personal decisions rooted in the fear of God could help people navigate life’s challenges with the assurance that God would address them at the appropriate time.

As part of the event, nine Senior Secondary Two (SS2) students of the church graduated and were charged to become God’s ambassadors wherever they found themselves and to participate actively in church activities.

The graduation session was anchored by Ogungbemi and Pastor M. O. Olowe, who was represented by Mr Femi Alabi, a children’s teacher and chairman of the anniversary committee.

Kogi to distribute 3.1 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets

The Kogi State Government, in collaboration with the Malaria Consortium and the National Malaria Elimination Programme (NMEP), is set to distribute more than 3.1 million insecticide-treated mosquito nets to households across the state from November 8 to 15, 2026.

The representative of the state government, Maji Enoch, disclosed this on behalf of Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, Commissioner for Health, while addressing journalists at the Kogi State Insecticide-Treated Universal Coverage Campaign Orientation of Media Parley, noting that the distribution would be carried out under the state’s Malaria Elimination Programme.

According to him, the programme is to reduce malaria infections and strengthen preventive healthcare across the state’s 21 local government areas.

‘A total of 3,141,485 insecticide -treated nets would be distributed to households as part of efforts to reduce the burden of malaria in the state,’ he said.

The government explained that malaria remained a major public health concern, contributing to school and workplace absenteeism, reduced productivity and significant economic losses through treatment costs and lost working hours.

Citing the 2025 Nigeria Malaria Indicator Survey, he said that malaria prevalence in Nigeria had declined from 22 per cent in 2021 to 15.2 per cent in 2025, while Kogi State recorded a prevalence rate of 8.9 percent, noting that Nigeria accounted for 24.3 percent of global malaria cases annually, while approximately 30.3 percent of the estimated 579,000 malaria-related deaths recorded worldwide each year were attributed to the country, according to the World Health Organisation’s 2025 figures.

The government emphasised that sleeping under insecticide-treated nets remained one of the most effective ways to prevent malaria, citing studies indicating that their use reduced malaria incidence by 50 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Commissioner equally disclosed that Kogi State had not benefited from a free distribution of insecticide-treated nets in the past nine years, describing the forthcoming campaign as an important opportunity for residents to strengthen household protection against the disease.

Under the distribution arrangement, personnel wearing uniforms bearing the malaria campaign logo would visit households to register residents and distribute the nets free of charge.

The government urged households to ensure that at least one representative was available during the exercise to complete the registration process and collect the allocated nets.

Beneficiaries were also advised to air their newly collected nets in a shaded area for 24 hours before hanging them for use, stressing that residents should sleep under the nets every night throughout the year, ensuring that the nets were properly tucked around their sleeping areas for maximum protection.

The state government equally called on residents to cooperate with the distribution teams and make proper use of the nets, stressing that collective participation was essential to reducing malaria infections and achieving a malaria-free Kogi State.

More than 400 athletes to compete in Fire and Rescue World Championships in Baku

Baku will host the 21st Men’s and 12th Women’s World Championships in Fire and Rescue Sports from November 2 to 8.

According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES), more than 400 participants from over 20 countries are expected to take part in the championships, which are being jointly organised by the MES and the International Sports Federation of Firefighters and Rescuers.

The competitions will be held at the stadium of the Azerbaijan Sport Academy. The event is expected to contribute to the development of fire and rescue sports, strengthen international cooperation in the field and promote the exchange of experience among athletes from different countries.

During the championships, which will run until November 8, athletes will compete in four events: climbing to the second and fourth floors of a training tower using a hook ladder, a 100-meter obstacle course, a 4×100-meter fire relay and combat deployment.

Participants will demonstrate their speed, agility, physical fitness and professional skills as they compete for the world championship titles.

Senior officials from relevant national agencies and international organizations are also expected to visit Azerbaijan during the championships.

PM says he’s not dodging censure

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has dismissed accusations that his government is avoiding a no-confidence debate, insisting he is ready to face parliament in December and the coalition remains stable.

Speaking on the programme Talk with Anutin’s Cabinet on Saturday, Mr Anutin said he had instructed all cabinet ministers not to travel during the proposed debate week so they would be available to answer questions in parliament.

However, when the government and opposition failed to agree on the schedule, the administration was accused of running away from parliament. “We never ran away,” he said.

The debate has been set for Dec 7-11, with the vote on the final day, following disagreement over whether the session should have been held last week.

Mr Anutin, who is on an official visit to Bhutan from Friday until Sunday at the invitation of Bhutanese Prime Minister Dasho Tshering Tobgay, defended his overseas trips as necessary missions involving meetings with foreign leaders and investors.

Direct engagement by the prime minister carried more weight than delegating such meetings, he said, adding the government had to balance parliamentary politics with national interests, including investment, exports and international confidence.

“Whether people like the government or not, the country must come first. Politics is not even my second priority. It comes much further down the list,” he said.

Asked whether the opposition might target ministers from certain coalition parties to undermine government relations, Mr Anutin said it was free to choose its targets. He insisted the coalition was stable and said grilling him alone would effectively cover the accountability of the entire cabinet.

House Speaker Sophon Zarum on Saturday rejected claims the debate had been delayed by up to 60 days after the motion was submitted, saying the facts did not support them.

Mr Sophon said the government had been ready from the outset for four days of debate and one day of voting, and had been prepared to proceed as early as Oct 27-29.

However, he said the opposition told negotiators it was not ready and requested a postponement until November or December within the current parliamentary session.

50 YEARS OF COLLECTING RECORDS | Part 3: Did I ever stop buying records?

Did I ever stop buying records?

Yes, I did to a certain degree.

When I began working in advertising agencies, I thought I now had the purchasing power to buy what I wanted. Meaning more records, more comic books, more books, with travel thrown in.

Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to buy all my luho. I was focused on making a name for myself in the highly competitive world of advertising as well as winning awards.

While my workstation had my boom box, turntable with an amplifier, and speakers, I was working long hours that didn’t leave me time to check out record stores or even buy the old music magazines that kept me updated years earlier. Even my comic book collection somewhat suffered,

My father operated two record stores called Rhythm of the City, located at Rustan’s Cubao and Makati. At that time, in the early 1990s, almost his entire stock was cassettes with some compact discs.

In 1990, a CD was priced at Php375 (with vinyl records at Php 125 and tapes selling at Php100). Music fans rightfully felt CDs were expensive.

By 1992, the landscape changed. Compact discs were now seen as a better alternative to records. It was said to sound better (I agree), easier to store (I concur), and was indestructible (er, definitely not).

Even record stores were downsizing literally in floor space because you could stack CDs atop each other unlike records.

The first CD I ever purchased was The Singular Adventures of the Style Council followed by R.E.M.’s Out of Time, and U2’s Achtung Baby.

Then the local alternative music scene exploded, and it was released either on CD or cassette. Hence, my CD collection quickly grew.

I still picked up the odd record here and there (and what pickups they were) – Nirvana’s Nevermind, Pearl Jam’s Ten, My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless, and others from that time. But the problem was space, especially in a small apartment.

Moving to Hong Kong later, even HMV was stocking up more CDs than records.

So, I began to buy CD versions of my records. The exception to that was the punk and hardcore albums. I think the music and the format work well together. The graphic and jarring artwork really stand out. To wit – the Clash’s London Calling, the Ramones’ self-titled debut album, Minor Threat’s self-titled debut that inspired Rancid’s And Out Come the Wolves, the Misfits’ Earth A.D.Wolf’s Blood, Agnostic Front’s Victim In Pain, and Cro-Mags’ Age of Quarrel, to name but a very few.

And while I am particular about sound quality, punk isn’t ‘clean’ like shoegaze, metal, or even jazz. It is raw, aggressive. It’s punk.

And my return to punk was because of Rancid.

My office was a stone’s throw away from the Silvercord Center, a popular mall and office complex along Canton Road in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, where I lived in 1995. Working for Universal Records then moving to Hong Kong (where I was still in the music business) not soon after that made me fall in love with music all over again.

I often went to the Silvercord Centre for lunch and once in a while passed by the KPS music store on the ground floor. I preferred the massive three-story HMV on nearby Haiphong Road as well as the numerous small shops in TST.

billboards do the job socmed

But that particular day, on display on the magazine rack was Spin Magazine with Rancid on the cover. I bought the magazine and read the article on Rancid when I got to my apartment, ran back out, and purchased And Out Come the Wolves, the Offspring’s Smash, and Ramones’ Adios Amigos.

So, while I was purchasing a lot of CDs (I have since amassed a collection of over 5,000 CDs), when it came to punk and hardcore, I stuck to vinyl.

It was in 2012 that I made the first step to returning to vinyl full time.

I was at the old Hong Kong Records shop at the Gateway Arcade in Harbour City, TST, buying CDs and some DVDs when I saw they had record racks dedicated to vinyl. I was drawn to the remastered version of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ Legend album.

During a trip to Kingston, Jamaica, in 2004, I found myself in a record store and managed to buy the original Jamaican pressing of the record as well as quite a few others! They were selling for a dollar each. And although it was second-hand, I didn’t mind.

So, in 2012, there was a remastered version. I bought the record.

Except I had no turntable.

About a year later, my girlfriend gifted me with a Paul Weller record (his debut solo album) along with a portable turntable with Bluetooth.

Of course, I was thankful, but that portable player reminded me of my first ever one that my dad got as a young boy. No way was that needle of that portable player going to touch the grooves of my Bob Marley and Paul Weller.

I went on to buy a proper rig that set me back by about 70k. I still had many of my old records (I had lost most of them through the years when my mom threw a lot of them away, while some were destroyed during Ondoy and badly damaged during a fire that hit my parents’ home). I had my records back in New York shipped back.

And since then, I never looked back. Unlike before, this time, I took care and kept my CD collection, although I hardly buy them now. CDs sound better, but when we are talking about warmth and the listening experience, vinyl is still tops.

Who would have thought my old Misfits, New York hardcore punk, my old OPM albums, and others would be valuable today? Luckily, I bought them the first time around.

Sandra Ababio Becomes Part of Tebi Paints Brand

Kumawood actress and popular social media influencer Sandra Ababio has joined Tebi Paints, a fast-growing Ghanaian-owned paint company, in a move expected to strengthen the company’s visibility and expand its reach among consumers.

The partnership brings together one of Kumawood’s recognisable faces and a locally owned business seeking to grow its presence in Ghana’s competitive paint industry.

Ababio, who has built a following through her work in the Ghanaian movie industry and her influence on social media, is expected to help promote the Tebi Paints brand and connect the company with a wider audience.

Her appointment reflects the growing role celebrities and social media personalities play in brand promotion, as businesses increasingly turn to familiar faces to attract customers, build trust and communicate their products to the public.

Tebi Paints is funded by Ghanaian entrepreneur Stephen Kwadwo Tebi, whose investment in the business places him among local entrepreneurs seeking to build and expand Ghanaian-owned brands.

The company’s partnership with Ababio is expected to provide an additional platform for promoting its products and strengthening its identity in the local market.

For a business operating in the paint sector, brand visibility and customer confidence are important factors in attracting homeowners, contractors, property developers, retailers and other consumers who require paint products for construction, renovation and decoration.

Ababio’s involvement could therefore help the company reach audiences beyond its existing customer base, particularly through entertainment platforms and social media channels where she has an established presence.

Ababio’s appointment further demonstrates how actors and influencers can contribute to the promotion of locally produced goods and services.

With businesses increasingly competing for public attention, personalities who can connect with audiences across traditional entertainment and digital platforms have become valuable partners in marketing campaigns.

Her role at Tebi Paints is expected to centre on promoting the brand and helping it gain wider recognition among prospective customers.

About TEBI Paints

TEBI Paints is committed to providing high-quality, innovative, and reliable decorative coating solutions for residential, commercial, and industrial properties.

Founded in 2021, it is an emerging name in Ghana’s paint and coatings industry, focusing on product quality, durability, aesthetic excellence, and customer satisfaction.

Based in Accra, with a showroom at Agbogba, the company serves homeowners, developers, contractors, painters, and businesses.

Founded by Ghanaian entrepreneur Stephen Kwadwo Tebi, the company grew from a passion for entrepreneurship, innovation, and quality building finishes. Through ongoing formulation improvements and practical product testing, TEBI Paints works to develop coating solutions suited to Ghana’s climate and diverse construction needs.

Tebi Paint Products Are:

Acrylic Graffiato: Decorative textured exterior coatings for attractive finishes and surface protection.

Premium Semi-Gloss Paint: Acrylic-based coatings developed for durability, washability, and elegant finishes.

Washable Matte Paint: Smooth wall finishes designed for everyday maintenance and cleaning.

Flat Matte Paint: Decorative coatings with a refined, low-sheen appearance.

Satin Paint: Elegant finishes for interior decorative applications.

Ceiling Pro: Coatings developed for ceiling applications.

Skimming Paint: Acrylic-based surface-finishing products for smooth walls and ceilings.

Allweather Procoat: Exterior decorative coatings for weather-exposed surfaces.

2027: Pantami makes INEC updated list, Adebutu, Gwarzo missing

Former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, has been included as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Gombe State in the updated list of candidates for the 2027 general elections released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

His running mate, Haruna Ahmadu Hasan, was also listed.

However, the names of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Kano State, Abdulsalam Gwarzo, and the PDP candidate in Ogun State, Adebutu, were missing from the updated list.

The NDC column for Kano State was left blank, with INEC indicating ‘court Order’ in the comments section. The commission said Gwarzo’s final clearance would depend on the outcome of the pending court case.

INEC also listed former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, as the NDC senatorial candidate for Delta Central and Iyabo Obasanjo as the PDP candidate for Ogun Central.

The electoral commission published the updated list of candidates for the national elections, covering the presidential and National Assembly seats, as well as state elections for governorship and Houses of Assembly, on Saturday.

The inclusion of Omo-Agege and Obasanjo had attracted attention because both were aspirants in their respective parties before joining the NDC and PDP. Their eligibility had been questioned in connection with the Supreme Court judgment on the validity of Section 77 of the Electoral Act.

INEC also left the Accord Party’s presidential candidate column blank, despite a Federal High Court judgment in Abuja directing the commission to recognise Olawepo Hashim as the party’s candidate.

The party has appealed the judgment, arguing that Hashim failed to meet the deadline for the expression of interest and purchase of nomination forms.

In Kaduna State, where the NDC candidate was omitted from the final list published on October 10, INEC listed Mohammed Sani Abbas instead of Danjuma La’ah, whose name appeared during the claims and objections period.

The updated list contains 20 new governorship candidates. One additional candidate was listed in each of Jigawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Kwara, Niger, Oyo, Taraba and Zamfara states.

Two new candidates were added in each of Kaduna, Cross River and Nasarawa states, while Gombe and Kano had three additional entries each, including the blank NDC slot in Kano.

The number of parties contesting the governorship election in Abia State was also reduced from 15 to 14.

According to the list, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) have candidates in 28 of the 28 states where governorship elections will hold, while the PDP and NDC have candidates in 26 states each.

The PDP has no governorship candidates in Kebbi and Ogun states, while the NDC has none in Abia and Ogun. The NDC candidate in Abia, Ndubuisi Ogah, whose name appeared on the earlier final list, was omitted from the updated version.

New NDC governorship candidates included John Odey Upan in Cross River, Shammah Danladi Dodo in Nasarawa and Muktar Farouk Alhaji in Kebbi.

INEC also listed former Minority Whip, Ali Isa JC, as the APC candidate for Balanga/Biliri Federal Constituency in Gombe State, despite a Federal High Court judgment in the state nullifying his nomination and barring him from participating in another primary election.

The commission stated that none of the candidates published before the Supreme Court judgment had been affected by the latest changes.

Confirming the update, the Chairman of INEC’s Information and Voter Education Committee, Mohammed Haruna, said some petitions submitted by political parties had succeeded while others were rejected.

He disclosed that INEC received 69 petitions from 12 political parties across 26 states concerning governorship elections. Of the petitions, 41 were successful, while 28 failed.

For State Houses of Assembly elections, Haruna said the commission received 61 petitions from 11 parties across 11 states, with 25 succeeding and 36 failing.

House impeach panel offers VP trial evidence to OMB, BIR

THE House impeachment prosecution panel is prepared to turn over documents and other evidence gathered during the impeachment proceedings to the Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) and the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to assist separate investigations into allegations involving Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, her husband and officials of government agencies.

Lanao del Sur Rep. Zia-ur Rahman Alonto Adiong, House prosecution spokesperson, said the panel was willing to cooperate with both agencies, which are examining allegations involving the alleged misuse of confidential funds, bribery and possible tax violations involving companies linked to Duterte and her husband, lawyer Manases Carpio.

Adiong said the prosecution’s evidence, much of which was presented during congressional hearings and the Senate impeachment trial, could be made available to authorities upon request.

‘We are focused on the impeachment trial, but if the BIR requests the documents we already have, the prosecution panel is more than willing to provide them because these are public records,’ Adiong said.

The offer comes as the Office of the Ombudsman continues investigating allegations involving confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd). Lead prosecutor Batangas Rep. Gerville Luistro said the Ombudsman had been investigating the confidential funds and bribery allegations involving officials of the two agencies since 2024.

That same year, the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability investigated P612.5 million in confidential funds allocated to the OVP and DepEd during Duterte’s tenure. The committee examined questions involving liquidation records, acknowledgment receipts and the disbursement of public funds before transmitting its findings to the Ombudsman for further investigation.

Luistro said the withdrawal of three impeachment articles covering confidential funds, bribery and grave threats did not terminate separate investigations or prevent the filing of possible criminal or civil cases.

‘We are prepared to submit the pieces of evidence in our possession in response to Ombudsman Remulla’s interest in examining the prosecution’s evidence. These may be used in investigations or preliminary investigations that could lead to criminal or civil cases,’ Luistro said.

The prosecution’s offer also extends to financial records involving three companies associated with Duterte and Carpio: Metro City Chow Inc., Cale88 Foods Corp. and Gencorp.

Adiong said the financial analysis presented during the impeachment proceedings identified an alleged P1.41-billion discrepancy between the companies’ bank inflows and declared revenues from 2022 to 2025.

He also disclosed that the BIR had issued a letter of authority for a tax examination of Cale88 Foods Corp., although there was no confirmation that similar audit authorizations had been issued for the other two companies.

‘We are talking about not just one company, but three companies,’ Adiong said, identifying Metro City Chow, Cale88 and Gencorp.

The lawmaker said the financial discrepancies warranted examination by tax authorities, which have the means to obtain and evaluate the necessary corporate and banking records. However, he stressed that the BIR would have to independently determine whether the questioned bank deposits represented taxable income or legitimate transactions such as loans and fund transfers.

Adiong said government agencies could coordinate in sharing information and documents when necessary to protect the interests of the state and support appropriate investigations.

Meanwhile, the Senate impeachment trial is scheduled to resume on November 9, with Duterte’s defense set to present evidence on the remaining Article II charge involving alleged unexplained wealth. The defense had originally requested 30 trial days to present its evidence covering all four impeachment articles.

Luistro said she expects the defense’s requested time to be substantially reduced to 10 full trial days following the withdrawal of three of the four articles. She said the trial could conclude before the end of November if the defense limits its presentation to 10 days.

However, she cautioned that the proceedings could extend into December if the defense requires additional time to present its witnesses and documentary evidence.

Nearly 2,000 runners take part in Baku’s sixth Victory Run

The traditional “Victory Run”, dedicated to the sixth anniversary of Azerbaijan’s historic victory in the 2020 Patriotic War, has started in Baku.

The event opened with the national anthem, followed by a one-minute silence in memory of those who lost their lives defending the country.

Participants started the 10-kilometre race near the Seven Beauties Fountain in the Seaside National Park.

Organised jointly by the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Baku City Circuit Operations Company, the race is being held under the slogan “Forward with Pride” this year.

The sixth edition of the Victory Run has brought together a record number of participants, with nearly 2,000 people taking part.

The event also has a charitable purpose. Each participant made a minimum donation of 20 manats during registration, with all proceeds to be transferred to the YASAT Foundation.

The first runners to cross the finish line will receive awards. Following the race, participants and guests will enjoy a concert featuring People’s Artist Roya, Murad Arif and other well-known performers.

The Victory Run has been held annually since 2021.