People’s Bank Chairman Chandana Guniyangoda and Chief Executive Officer/General Manager Clive Fonseka met with Sri Lankan Bankers Association in the UAE Vice President Kapila Karunaratne on 23 October, 2026 to explore opportunities to expand the Bank’s services among the Sri Lankan community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Discussions focused on strengthening engagement with Sri Lankan expatriates, raising awareness of the Bank’s financial solutions and improving access to banking services catering to their personal, family and business needs.
Author: user user
DFA clarifies envoy’s Taiwan remarks on subsea cable
THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Monday clarified that the Philippines has no cooperation arrangement with Taiwan involving subsea cables or other critical undersea infrastructure, after remarks by a senior Philippine diplomat about deeper engagement with Taipei drew attention amid growing regional security concerns.
The clarification highlights a key distinction under Manila’s longstanding One China Policy. While the Philippines maintains unofficial economic, trade, cultural and technical ties with Taiwan, it does not have official political or diplomatic relations with the self-ruled island.
In a statement, the DFA reiterated its ‘longstanding and consistent One China Policy’ and stressed that ‘there is no cooperative arrangement with Taiwan on subsea cables or other critical undersea infrastructure.’
The department said discussions during an October 21 forum hosted by the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), a Washington-based think tank, focused on protecting critical undersea infrastructure, including telecommunications networks that support global communications, financial transactions and digital services.
‘The discussion at CNAS focused on the importance of protecting CUI, including through stronger public-private cooperation, particularly in the repair and recovery of damaged infrastructure,’ the DFA said.
‘It must be emphasized that the protection of CUI requires concerted efforts by all parties that benefit from these essential networks.’
The DFA also said there was ‘no mention of gray-zone activity cooperation with Taiwan.’
The statement followed remarks by Felipe F. Cariño III, deputy chief of mission at the Philippine Embassy in Washington, during a CNAS forum on protecting undersea cables and other critical infrastructure in the Indo-Pacific.
Cariño highlighted the strategic importance of the Bashi Channel, the waterway between northern Philippines and Taiwan through which major undersea communications links pass. He said the Philippines was ‘exploring deeper cooperation with our friends from Taiwan’ and described a ‘pragmatic and practical approach’ as necessary to protect mutual interests while remaining bound by the One China Policy.
Later, Cariño said the Philippines and Taiwan were exploring ‘practical and more pragmatic approaches in cooperation, including knowledge sharing and capacity building.’
When asked whether such cooperation could eventually involve measures to monitor or respond to disruptions affecting undersea cables, Cariño said discussions were continuing and some of the ideas raised during the forum could eventually take shape.
He also connected the issue to broader regional security concerns.
‘There have also been instances where our maritime capabilities were both on display and were cooperating,’ Cariño said. ‘We see this cooperation leading towards revealing and addressing the gray-zone issues in our part of the world.’
Cariño repeatedly emphasized public-private partnerships and capacity-building, areas generally associated with technical cooperation rather than formal government-to-government security arrangements.
The DFA’s clarification appears intended to underscore that distinction.
While Cariño discussed possible cooperation with Taiwan in areas such as knowledge-sharing, capacity-building and infrastructure resilience, the department stressed that no formal arrangement exists and that the forum did not involve discussions on an official security or political cooperation mechanism with Taipei.
The clarification also comes as Beijing closely watches Manila’s interactions with Taiwan. The Chinese Embassy in Manila previously expressed concern over what it described as recent Philippine moves involving Taiwan and urged the Philippines to strictly adhere to the One China principle.
Kaduna And the Meaning of Tinubu’s Second March
History has a way of choosing its own geography. When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu chose Kaduna to flag off his 2027 re-election campaign on Saturday, October 24, 2026, he chose more than a location. He was sending a historic message.
Kaduna is Nigeria’s political ground zero. From here, the old Northern Region administered the entire North. It was here that alliances were forged. By starting his campaign where the North still feels its pulse, Tinubu told northern Nigeria, ‘I have not forgotten you.’
Ranchers Bees Stadium, Kaduna, the rally venue, was packed with party supporters and sympathisers who had thronged the stadium from as early as 7 am. Some supporters slept overnight at the stadium. President Tinubu’s speech was deliberate, confident, and unusually personal.
‘My good people of Kaduna, it’s good to be back here again. You have listened to many speeches. I’m not going to bore you down. I’m happy to be here with you.’
The President thanked Kaduna people for their support in the 2023 election, but stated that he had come to seek their support again for a second mandate to keep a promise of prosperity, continuity, progress and development.
For three years, Tinubu’s biggest vulnerability has been the economy. On Saturday, he did not dodge it.
He said: ‘I hear my opponents talking about hunger and poverty. Who created it? They did. They created the hunger. We are trying to eradicate it.’
He declared that his administration had demonstrated its commitment to improving Nigerians’ welfare through economic reforms, regular salary payments, and development initiatives implemented by APC Governors across the federation.
President Tinubu could not have chosen Kaduna without addressing insecurity. Three years ago, Birnin-Gwari was synonymous with fear. Today, the Kaduna-Abuja road is safer, and farming is returning to Giwa and Soba. Tinubu credited the military push and Governor Uba Sani’s non-kinetic approach.
Governor Uba Sani himself highlighted these achievements in security, infrastructure, and more, commending the President for his support and interventions in the state. For Kaduna, that resonance matters more than any statistic from Abuja.
Unlike in 2023, President Tinubu came to Kaduna this time with receipts showing his performance. These include GDP steady growth, falling inflation, naira stability, doubled FAAC allocations to states, rising foreign reserves, infrastructure renewal, NELFUND loans for indigent students, and consumer credit for young people, among others. The message was clear: The first term was surgery; the second term will be recovery, progress and prosperity.
It is a powerful argument, because even his critics admit state governors now have more money than ever. President Tinubu doubled down on the governors’ performance: ‘We pay salaries regularly. Our governors are working. I’m proud of them. They are developing. I salute all our governors today. I can see the development strides they are making in their various states.’
For the North, it’s a debt repaid. President Tinubu got about 62% of his votes from the North in 2023. He made promises to the region. He has kept his promises in terms of road and rail infrastructure, interventions in healthcare, improving security, and governmental appointments,
The Kaduna rally also included key strategic moments worth mentioning.
Both Vice President Kashim Shettima and Tinubu/ Shettima Presidential Campaign Director-General, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, harped on Tinubu’s strategic support for key Northerners in the previous bid for the presidency.
In 2007, President Tinubu offered former Vice President Atiku Abubakar his ACN platform to run when former President Obasanjo hounded him out of the PDP. The President also backed Nuhu Ribadu in 2011 and late Muhammadu Buhari to be president in 2015 and 2019.
According to them, Tinubu supported our sons for 20 years. Now, we should support him again for a second term. VP Shettima maintained that supporting Tinubu’s re-election is a matter of honour, integrity, political loyalty, and appreciation for the President’s contributions to advancing Northern political leaders over the years.
With VP Shettima beside him, APC National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, Campaign DG Yari, and even former opponents like FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and Governors Chukwuma Soludo and Ademola Adeleke now on his expanded Campaign Council, President Tinubu projected something the opposition lacks-a broad national coalition.
Why Kaduna Matters for 2027
The APC says it wants 2 million votes from Kaduna State. That is ambitious, but the symbolism is more important than the number. If President Tinubu can hold the North-West, with a Sokoto rally billed for December 5 and Kano for December 17, win the South-West, and split North-Central, the math becomes very difficult for Atiku’s ADC, Makinde’s APM, and Obi/Kwankwaso’s camp to solve.
The opposition is still running from one small party to another. Tinubu is running on a solid pan-Nigerian structure. Last Saturday in Kaduna, President Tinubu did not just flag off a campaign. He framed the 2027 election as a choice between continuity and chaos, between finishing the reforms and abandoning them midway. He is clear about what he thinks should be done: finish the job.
Rahman, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Special Duties, is a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors
Zamboanga braces for arrival of 10,000 deportees from Malaysia
The city government is mobilizing an inter-agency unit to assist 10,000 arriving Filipino deportees, as Malaysia began their repatriation on Friday.
City administrator Percival Ramos said the help was based on the request of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for assistance in transporting all the deportees.
Mayor Khymer Olaso has committed to assist the DSWD and ensure the welfare of the deportees, who will use the city as a drop-off point.
Reports from the Bureau of Quarantine here indicated that the repatriation from Malaysia would be done in batches of 800, beginning last Friday and with an interval of seven days.
Data from the DSWD-Protective Service Division showed that up to 50 percent of the repatriates are from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.
Tinubu seeks Senate approval for $20.52bn, pound 1.05bn foreign loans
President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve a fresh external borrowing plan of $20.52 billion and pound 1.05 billion for 2026 and 2027 to fund infrastructure and development projects across Nigeria.
The request was contained in a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during plenary on Tuesday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
Tinubu said the proposed loans would support key sectors, including power, transportation, healthcare, agriculture, education, water supply, security and job creation. The funds would also support reforms aimed at improving public financial management.
The President explained that the borrowing was necessary to address Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit and provide funds for projects expected to boost economic growth and improve living conditions.
Loans to fund projects across Nigeria
Tinubu said the proposed projects were selected after technical and economic assessments to determine their importance to national development.
According to him, most of the projects would be carried out across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He added that Nigeria needed substantial investment to tackle its infrastructure challenges and close the funding gap.
‘In light of the need for significant infrastructure investment in the country and the vast financial resources needed to address this gap, it has become essential to pursue prudent external borrowings to close the financing shortfall,’ the President said.
He urged the Senate to consider the request quickly, saying approval would enable the government to release funds on time and ensure effective implementation of the projects.
Senate refers request to committees
Akpabio said the borrowing plan had been included in the Federal Government’s previously approved borrowing programme.
He noted that the external borrowing plan had been approved as far back as 2025 for the 2025 to 2027 period.
The Senate President referred the request to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for further consideration, alongside the Committees on Appropriations and Finance.
The committees are expected to examine the proposal before the Senate takes further action.
Nigeria’s public debt rises to N166.79 trillion
The latest borrowing request comes as Nigeria’s public debt continues to increase.
Data from the Debt Management Office showed that the country’s total public debt rose to N166.79 trillion as of June 30, 2026, up from N159.35 trillion at the end of March.
Domestic debt accounted for N91.59 trillion, representing 54.91 per cent of the total debt.
Nigeria’s debt has also increased significantly since Tinubu became president in 2023. The country’s total public debt stood at N87.38 trillion as of June 30, 2023.
External debt rose from $42.49 billion in December 2023 to $51.86 billion by December 2025, while domestic debt increased from N59.1 trillion to N89.4 trillion over the same period.
Zelensky: Delays in Patriot, NASAMS supplies help Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday that delays in delivering interceptor packages for Patriot and NASAMS air defense systems were “directly helping Russia achieve” its military objectives, following a large-scale overnight attack on Ukraine.
Russia launched 16 ballistic missiles and more than 280 drones overnight, striking multiple regions, including Kyiv, where attacks caused casualties and hit the South Bridge, he reaffirmed.
The strikes also targeted energy facilities, logistics infrastructure and urban areas. “Unfortunately, strikes are taking place every day. Russia is constantly taking new steps toward escalation. Pressure on Russia and real support for Ukraine are needed to change the situation.”
Eala faces Australia’s Gibson for Toray Pan Pacific quarters entry
A shot at redemption at last from consecutive stumbles, Alex Eala guns for a breakthrough quarterfinal stint in the Asian Swing against a familiar foe in Australia’s Talia Gibson in the WTA500 Toray Pan Pacific in Tokyo, Japan.
It’s the first meeting for the 21-year-old Pinay and the 22-year-old Aussie in the women’s pro circuit slated at the Ariake Tennis Forest Park at a still-to-be-determined court and match time after their two encounters back in their juniors days at the ITF.
And if that would be the basis, Eala is heavily favored to reassert mastery on Gibson after a 2-0 record in the ITF – on top of her advantage in the world rankings.
Eala, World No. 19, swept WTA No. 38 Gibson in the W25 Palma del Rio, 6-3, 6-1, in Spain in June 2023 before pulling off 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 comeback win in the W25 Aldershot in England.
It’s also Eala’s first time as a pro in Tokyo, making it a perfect chance to finally right her ship after a slew of massive stunners in the three previous tournaments including as the 20th Asian Games’ No. 1 seed in the same country last month.
But for Eala, the only way is forward, staying gracious in every bump and turn of her just blooming career as part of her growth and learning along the long, winding journey.
‘I don’t think comfort is the right word but it’s definitely the trait that I value – learning how to be gracious in defeat. That’s something that was really pushed by my parents and family. I try to be as strong in that (aspect) as I possibly can,’ said Eala.
‘In the end, it makes you come out of the other end stronger. And that makes you a better player and a better person. Losses come, they always do, but the way you handle yourself in those moments can really set the tone on how you can improve afterwards.’
Eala gained a shot at that redemption after finally dodging an upset in Round 1 of the Tokyo tournament.
As the No. 8 seed in the 500-level tour, Eala trounced No 411. Mika Stojsavljevic of Great Britain, 6-1, 6-2, in only 75 minutes of play.
Gibson, for her part, also advanced with ease after a 6-0, 7-5 win over compatriot Daria Kasatkina.
Eala never lost a serve in the methodical win, allowing just three games to the lower-ranked and wildcard foe, for a stark contrast of her showing against similar opponents in the last three tournaments.
As the No. 3 seed, Eala fell prey to No. 180 Tatiana Prozorova of Russia in the WTA500 Singapore Open Round of 16 and exited in Round 1 of the WTA1000 Wuhan Open in China as the No. 13 seed after bowing to No. 217 Han Shi of China.
Eala, as the top seed and heavy title favorite without No. 1 Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, reigning champion and Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen of China and No. 18 Naomi Osaka of Japan, also settled for bronze in the Nagoya Asiad after folding to No. 85 Xiyu Wang of China.
She had a Round of 16 finish in the WTA500 Ningbo Open in China last week but to a higher-ranked opponent in world No. 13 and No. 6 seed Diana Shnaider of Russia, 7-5 6-4.
In Tokyo, Eala is out to finally flip the script for a maiden Last 8 finish in the WTA leg closer to home.
‘First time ko maglaro as a WTA dito sa Tokyo kasi ITF lang dati. I will just try to focus on every schedule and every game and try to get the work done. It’s very normal to have different moments during the year. The season is very long so with my team and the work we put in, I can maintain a level of confidence throughout,’ she beamed.
With Filipina-American star Desirae Krawczyk, Eala was also listed to play in the Tokyo doubles, but pulled out at the last minute with Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan and Liudmila Samsonova of Russia taking their place against the Taiwanese-Japanese duo of Chan Hao-Ching and Miyu Kato.
No More Policy Changes Without Impact Assessment – FG
The minister of finance and coordinating minister of the economy, Taiwo Oyedele says the federal government is proposing mandatory impact assessments before major economic policy changes to reduce uncertainty for businesses and investors.
He made the disclosure on Monday at the ongoing 32nd Nigerian economic summit (NES) in Abuja, while presenting the proposed Nigeria economic policy framework for public consultation.
He said the framework would require policymakers to explain the problems a proposed intervention seeks to solve, the evidence supporting it, who would benefit, who would bear the cost, and the conditions under which the policy would end.
The framework, which he said is still a consultation draft, is intended to establish enduring principles for economic policymaking across successive administrations rather than serve as a development plan or the manifesto of a particular government.
‘Our challenge has never been a shortage of ambition or good ideas. It has been the absence of an enduring economic philosophy, consistent policy making, and disciplined implementation,’ Oyedele said.
He said frequent policy reversals, inadequate impact assessments and limited consultation with businesses had undermined investment and economic growth.
‘Policy uncertainty is an invisible tax on enterprise, and unlike most taxes, it generates no revenue for the government. It only destroys value and discourages investment,’ he said.
According to Oyedele, the proposed framework would organise Nigeria’s economic priorities around seven interconnected areas: stability, productivity, enterprise, capital, people, markets and institutions.
He said the framework would also introduce an annual national economic scorecard, to be published on or before October 1, to track indicators such as real wages, productive employment, and poverty.
‘GDP growth matters, but per capita income matters even more,’ he said, adding that economic progress should be measured by improvements in household incomes, employment, and business productivity rather than aggregate figures alone.
Oyedele said the framework would be guided by three principles: enterprise as the engine of growth, open but fair markets, and coordination across government institutions.
He said the government would support private enterprise by providing public goods, maintaining the rule of law, addressing market failures and protecting vulnerable groups.
On trade policy, he said tariffs should support the development of local industries rather than shield inefficient businesses from competition indefinitely.
‘A tariff must serve as a runway for local industry to take off, never a permanent shelter from competition,’ he said.
Oyedele said the framework will be open for public consultation from November 27, 2026, with Nigerians invited to respond to 17 questions through the federal ministry of finance’s website.
He said the draft would proceed to the federal executive council for approval and the national economic council for endorsement after the consultation and validation process.
Also speaking, the Chairman of NESG, Niyi Yusuf noted that transformation cannot be delivered by any single institution, as it requires collaborative effort.
‘Government must sustain stability, and deepen reforms that lower production costs, strengthen infrastructure, secure lives and improve shared prosperity. State Governments must improve their investment climates and develop their productive advantages.
‘Governments should do more to privatise public assets that can benefit from private sector management, expertise, know-how and capital to unlock investments. Businesses must invest, innovate, develop skills and create decent jobs.
‘Development partners, civil society and the media must support evidence and accountability. Our priority is to strengthen the transmission from stability to investment, from investment to productivity, from productivity to jobs, and from jobs to rising incomes and shared prosperity,’ he explained.
Surfing aces converge in cloud 9
A wave can put an island on the world map. For 10 days, one reef break will carry a whole community and a whole country onto the global stage.
From Oct. 30 to Nov. 8, the World Surf League (WSL) Philippines Pro Championship Tour, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), brings 40 of the sport’s elite to Cloud 9.
For Philippine sports tourism, this is the moment the island has been paddling toward with a lineup that sells a destination.
The field is a billboard no campaign could build. World No. 1 Yago Dora of Brazil, Italy’s Leonardo Fioravanti, Japan’s Kanoa Igarashi, and Brazilian heavyweights Italo Ferreira, Miguel Pupo, Gabriel Medina and Filipe Toledo are showcased on the men’s side.
Equally impressive is the women’s side with Australia’s top-ranked Molly Picklum, US sensation Caroline Marks, rising talent Erin Brooks, and Hawaii’s Gabriela Bryan.
PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio, also the chairman of the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC), was unequivocal that the biggest tourism events are sports events such as the WSL CT, and their value extends far beyond competition.
“Sports tourism is more than staging competitions. It is a powerful platform that showcases destinations, drives local economies, inspires communities, and places the Philippines on the global map,” said Gregorio.
Cyprus Department of Meteorology – Forecast for the Sea Area of Cyprus (D)
FOR THE PERIOD FROM 0000 28/10/2026 UNTIL 2400 28/10/2026
Area covered is 8 kilometers seawards.
Winds are in BEAUFORT scale. Times are local times.
Atmospheric pressure at the time of issue: 1014hPa (hectopascal)
Low pressure starts affecting the area. The weather will be at times mainly cloudy with isolated and later local showers and isolated thunderstorms. IN STORM THE WIND IS EXPECTED TO BE VARIABLE STRENGTHENING, WITH RISK GUSTING TO 7 TO 8 BEAUFORT.
Visibility: Good, but moderate to poor in showers
Sea surface temperature: 25°C
Warnings: NIL
AREA PERIOD WIND STATE OF SEA
West Coast
Night Northeast to Southeast 3, at times locally 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight
Morning Southeast to Southwest 3 to 4, at times 4 Slight
Afternoon Southeast to Southwest 3 to 4, at times locally Variable 4 Slight
Tonight East to Southeast 4 to 5, gradually Southeast to Southwest Slight, gradually Slight to Moderate
South Coast
Night Northwest to North 3, at times locally Southwest to West Smooth to Slight
Morning Northwest to North 3, gradually Southeast to Southwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight
Afternoon South to Southwest 3 to 4, locally 4 to 5 Smooth to Slight, locally Slight
Tonight Southeast to Southwest 3 to 4, later 4 to 5 Slight
East Coast
Night Northwest to North 3, at times West to Northwest Smooth to Slight
Morning Southwest to Northwest 3, later Southwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight
Afternoon South to Southwest 4, at times 4 to 5 Smooth to Slight
Tonight Southeast to Southwest 4, at times 4 to 5 Smooth to Slight, at times Slight
North Coast
Night Southeast to Southwest 3, at times locally 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight, at times locally Slight
Morning Southeast to Southwest 3 to 4 Smooth to Slight, locally Slight
Afternoon Southwest to Northwest 3 to 4, at times South to Southwest 4 Smooth to Slight, at times Slight
Tonight Southeast to Southwest 3 to 4, gradually 4 to 5 Slight