UK and Vietnam reach deal on curbing illegal migration

October 30, 2025 | 6:08 pm

London-Tower Bridge, The Shard — REUTERS

LONDON — Britain said on Wednesday it had agreed to a deal with Vietnam to curb illegal migration in what it described as the strongest Hanoi had ever agreed with another country.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, under pressure to reduce the number of undocumented migrants reaching Britain to help arrest his government’s plunge in opinion polls, struck the deal with Vietnamese Communist Party Chief To Lam in London.

Vietnamese nationals were the most numerous among foreign migrants arriving in Britain by small boat from continental Europe in the six months to June 2024, accounting for 17% of all such arrivals in this period, according to official data.

According to the latest government data, small-boat arrivals accounted for 43,000 of the total of 48,000 irregular arrivals in the year ending June 2025.

The deal reached by Mr. Starmer and Mr. Lam aims to cut red tape and make it faster and easier to return migrants with no right to be in the United Kingdom (UK), the British government said.

“The number of illegal arrivals from Vietnam has already been cut by half, but more can be done,” Mr. Starmer said in a statement. “Today’s agreement shows that through international cooperation —not shouting from the sidelines — we can deliver for the UK and for working people.”

Mr. Lam, Vietnam’s paramount leader, has taken a central role in shaping foreign policy since becoming party chief last year, an effort previously led by the president and prime minister.

Mr. Starmer’s Labor government has seen its popularity slide since it took office last year — partly due to an increasing public backlash over immigration. Under pressure from the surging populist Reform UK party, the government has pledged to slash the number of migrants who arrive illegally.

Polling shows immigration is one of British voters’ main concerns after the high cost of living.

A joint declaration following the two leaders’ meeting said the partnership would also strengthen political trust, economic cooperation and science and technology. It would also include sectors such as energy and education.

The two countries also agreed to boost maritime security cooperation and monitoring through training, technology transfer and port visits, urging peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea, where Hanoi is often at odds with China over contested boundaries.

Before the leaders’ meeting, the BBC said it was “deeply concerned” about the well-being of one of its Vietnamese journalists who has been unable to leave Vietnam for months. The broadcaster covers the country from Bangkok.

In the joint statement, Britain and Vietnam agreed to ensure respect for human rights. — Reuters

Revamped Australian environment law will help business and nature, government says

October 30, 2025 | 6:08 pm

CANBERRA/SYDNEY — Australia’s government on Thursday introduced an environmental protection bill into parliament that it said would better conserve nature while simplifying approvals for resource and construction projects.

The legislation should deliver up to A$6.9 billion ($4.5 billion) a year in economic benefit by speeding up decisions on whether gas facilities, mines, renewable energy projects and homes can be built, the government said.

It said typical environmental approval times have more than doubled in the last two decades to over two years.

Australia is a major exporter of liquefied natural gas, metals and coal and is working with allies including the United States to ramp up production of critical minerals and break China’s dominance of that industry.

The country is also mired in a housing shortage and trying to pivot rapidly to wind and solar power, while biodiversity is in decline.

Environment Minister Murray Watt said years of wrangling over new legislation should end.

“We’ve seen housing, renewables and other projects strangled in red tape at a time that we desperately need them delivered,” he said.

Mr. Watt said he aimed to pass the legislation through both houses of parliament by the end of the year.

That will require votes in the Senate from either the center-right Coalition or the left-wing Greens. The Coalition wants the bill to be more business friendly, and the Greens seek stricter environmental protection.

Mr. Watt, from the center-left Labor party, said he was negotiating with both.

The Business Council of Australia welcomed the reform as an opportunity to fix a broken system but its chief executive officer (CEO), Bran Black, said changes, including greater clarity around greenhouse gas reporting requirements, were needed to make sure it works for the economy and the environment.

Mr. Watt said the bill aimed to provide clear definitions of “unacceptable impacts” and higher penalties for breaches. It would also establish an independent National Environmental Protection Agency to enforce rules.

Clean Energy Council CEO Jackie Trad called it a step in the right direction. Renewable energy project approval times have blown out in recent years.

“We cannot afford to wait another five years to secure this,” Ms. Trad said. ($1 = 1.5389 Australian dollars). — Reuters

New Zealand targets shadow fleet in expanded Russia sanctions

October 30, 2025 | 6:07 pm

New Zealand flag — STOCK PHOTO | Image by Kerin Gedge from Unsplash

WELLINGTON — New Zealand on Thursday announced expanded sanctions on Russia’s oil industry and shadow fleet while meeting with the Nordic 5 foreign ministers in Stockholm.

New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters said in a statement that New Zealand was sanctioning a further 65 shadow fleet vessels and actors from Belarus, Iran and North Korea involved in refining and transporting Russian oil, and in facilitating oil-related payments.

The so-called shadow fleet is made up of tankers that transport sanctioned cargoes from countries such as Iran, Russia and Venezuela, concealing their trade with fake locations, documents and names.

“These actors are part of a broader network enabling the trade in Russian oil, undermining global efforts to curtail funding for Russia’s illegal war,” Mr. Peters said. “By targeting the oil supply chain, New Zealand is acting decisively in support of international efforts to bring Russia to the negotiating table.”

The announcement comes after Reuters first published on Tuesday that Maritime Mutual, a small insurer headquartered in New Zealand, had helped in the trade of tens of billions of dollars of Iranian and Russian oil by providing vessels skirting Western sanctions with the insurance they need to enter ports. — Reuters

Canon Philippines promotes business solutions offerings to expand market reach

October 30, 2025 | 5:41 pm

Canon Marketing (Philippines), Inc. said it aims to expand customer engagement by promoting its business solutions alongside hardware products.

“We, Canon, provide the solutions, not just the hardware,” Canon Marketing (Philippines) Inc. Office Imaging Products Director Kenichiro Kitamura told reporters in a press conference.

“Canon is known as the hardware, but we also provide solutions that cater to all businesses, especially Philippine SMEs (small, and medium enterprises),” he added.

Although the multibillion-dollar company is known for its extensive product lines of digital imaging devices, Canon also offers services that help streamline business processes.

Among the business solutions are digitization services, which ensure all documents are digitally accessible, and document process outsourcing that helps turn data into “business intelligence”.

“Our solution can be customized. It’s not one package. We can customize based on the customers and the process,” Mr. Kitamura said.

“For example, solutions to improve customer efficiency or process. Our solution can be customized for all business styles. So customization is the key,” he added.

The pandemic is one of the factors that has motivated Canon to explore more opportunities in providing business solutions, according to Canon Singapore Pte. Ltd. Senior Vice President Norihiro Katagiri.

“Through this experience of COVID, we really, you know, [became] closer to the customer or even more than before,” he said. “You know, not only for Asia, but also Canon globally, we largely focused, we need to study, we need to understand more customers.”

In a separate interview in 2023, the company said it aims to become a P5.5-billion solutions-selling firm by 2026 through its expanded automated business imaging offerings.

Backing this statement, Anuj Aggarwal, president and chief executive of Canon Marketing (Philippines), noted that the company is seeing “growth” in the country’s market in the following years.

“We have been growing more than double-digit in the last couple of years, and we target to grow more than double-digit in the next few years,” he said. — Almira Louise S. Martinez

Trump tells Pentagon to immediately resume testing US nuclear weapons

October 30, 2025 | 5:17 pm

SOUTH KOREA — US President Donald Trump ordered the US military on Thursday to immediately resume testing nuclear weapons after a gap of 33 years, minutes before beginning a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Mr. Trump made the surprise announcement on Truth Social while he was aboard his Marine One helicopter flying to meet Mr. Xi for a trade negotiating session in Busan, South Korea. He said he was instructing the Pentagon to test the US nuclear arsenal on an “equal basis” with other nuclear powers.

“Because of other countries’ testing programs, I have instructed the Department of War to start testing our Nuclear Weapons on an equal basis. That process will begin immediately,” Mr. Trump posted.

“Russia is second, and China is a distant third, but will be even within 5 years.”

A senior Russian lawmaker said Mr. Trump’s decision would herald a new era of unpredictability and open confrontation, state news agency RIA reported.

China’s Foreign Ministry called for the US to abide by its commitment to a moratorium on nuclear testing and uphold the global strategic balance and stability.

It was not immediately clear whether Mr. Trump was referring to nuclear-explosive testing, which would be carried out by the National Nuclear Security Administration, or flight testing of nuclear-capable missiles.

No nuclear power, other than North Korea, has carried out explosive testing in more than 25 years.

NUCLEAR TESTING SITES TO BE DETERMINED LATER
Later, on his way back to Washington, Mr. Trump said testing was needed to ensure the US keeps up with its rival nuclear powers.

“With others doing testing, I think it’s appropriate that we do also,” Mr. Trump said on board Air Force One, adding that nuclear test sites would be determined later.

Asked whether the world was entering a more risky phase around nuclear weapons, Mr. Trump dismissed the threat, saying US stocks were “well locked up” before adding he would welcome denuclearization.

“I’d like to see a denuclearization because we have so many and Russia’s second and China’s third and China will catch up within four or five years,” he said.

“We are actually talking to Russia about that and China would be added to that if we do something.”

CHINA MORE THAN DOUBLED NUCLEAR ARSENAL IN LAST 5 YEARS
Mr. Trump’s decision to restart nuclear weapons testing follows a rapid expansion by China of its nuclear stockpile in recent years, and comes just after Russia announced what it called a successful test of a nuclear-powered and nuclear-capable cruise missile as well as a nuclear-powered torpedo.

Mr. Trump addressed the Russian moves on his way to Asia earlier this week, telling reporters that Russian President Vladimir Putin should be working to end the war in Ukraine “instead of testing missiles.”

Beijing has more than doubled the size of its arsenal to an estimated 600 nuclear weapons in 2025 from 300 weapons in 2020, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank.

It said US military officials estimate that China will have more than 1,000 nuclear weapons by 2030. A Victory Day parade in September revealed five nuclear capabilities that can all reach the continental United States, CSIS said.

The Washington-based Arms Control Association says the United States has a stockpile of 5,225 nuclear warheads and Russia has 5,580.

Mr. Putin said on Wednesday Russia had successfully tested a Poseidon nuclear-powered super torpedo that military analysts say is capable of devastating coastal regions by triggering vast radioactive ocean swells.

As Mr. Trump has toughened both his rhetoric and his stance on Russia, Mr. Putin has publicly flexed his nuclear muscles with the test of a new Burevestnik cruise missile on October 21 and nuclear launch drills on October 22.

NEGATIVE REACTIONS TO TRUMP’S POST
The reaction to Mr. Trump’s announcement on testing was swift. Representative Dina Titus, a Democrat from Nevada, said on X: “I’ll be introducing legislation to put a stop to this.”

Daryl Kimball, director of the Arms Control Association, said it would take the United States at least 36 months to resume contained nuclear tests underground at the former test site in Nevada.

“Trump is misinformed and out of touch. The US has no technical, military, or political reason to resume nuclear explosive testing for the first time since 1992,” Mr. Kimball said on X.

Mr. Trump’s announcement could “trigger a chain reaction of nuclear testing by US adversaries, and blow apart the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.”

Apart from providing technical data, a US test would be seen in Russia and China as a deliberate assertion of Washington’s strategic power. Mr. Putin has repeatedly said that Russia will test if the United States does.

In August, Mr. Trump said he had discussed nuclear arms control with Mr. Putin and wanted China to get involved. Beijing responded by saying it was “unreasonable and unrealistic” to ask the country to join in nuclear disarmament negotiations with the two countries, since its arsenal was much smaller.

Mr. Trump had first laid out his intention to pursue nuclear arms control efforts in February, saying he wanted to begin discussions with both Mr. Putin and Mr. Xi about imposing limits on their arsenals.

Most major nuclear powers except North Korea stopped explosive nuclear testing in the 1990s. North Korea conducted its last nuclear test in 2017. Russia’s last confirmed test was in 1990, followed by the last US test in 1992, and by China’s in 1996.

The United States opened the nuclear era in July 1945 with the test of a 20-kiloton atomic bomb at Alamogordo, New Mexico, and then dropped atomic bombs on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August 1945 to force Japan to surrender in World War Two. — Reuters

I AM SECURE 2025: ISOGx Season 3 unites over a thousand cyber forces of the Philippines in a powerful hybrid event

October 30, 2025 | 4:00 pm

The Information Security Officers Group (ISOG), in partnership with XMS, alongside key sponsors, institutional partners, and organization alliances, successfully concluded I AM SECURE 2025: ISOGx Season 3 — a powerful hybrid event inspired by the TEDx format of concise, impactful, and dynamic presentations on Oct. 2, 2025 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Aura Premier, Bonifacio Global City.

Gathering over a thousand cybersecurity leaders, professionals, and advocates, the event marked the culmination of the I AM SECURE 2025 series, reinforcing the nation’s collective commitment to cyber defense and resilience while uniting top minds in national and financial security.

Building Cyber Resilience, Block by Block

In his opening remarks, Mr. Chito Jacinto, President of ISOG, shared that ISOGx Season 3 draws inspiration from Lego building blocks, symbolizing how strategy, structure, and creativity come together to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks.

“What building blocks teach us about strategy, structure, and creativity is the same principle that makes Lego so addictive — it’s also what helps leaders build strong teams, scalable systems, and innovative cultures,” Jacinto said. “In leadership, your baseplate is your foundation — your values, your purpose, your team trust. If those aren’t secure, your most brilliant strategy will eventually collapse under pressure. Before you chase innovation, make sure your core is strong.” he added.

Cyber Defense and Financial Security Leaders Take the Stage

Keynote speakers from both the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) shared vital insights on strengthening national resilience across digital and financial domains.

From BSP, Atty. Eugene Teves, Chief Information Officer, Technology and Digital Innovation Office, virtually delivered a message from the Office of the Governor. Meanwhile, Mhel Plabasan, Senior Director, Technology Risk and Innovation Supervision Department(TRISD) and longtime ISOG ally, discussed “Shields Up! Cyber Resilience as a Pillar of Financial Security.”

Representing the AFP, Colonel Francel Margareth Padilla, AFP Spokesperson and honorary ISOG member, spoke on “Cybersecurity as the 4th Domain of Operations in National Defense: Safeguarding the Country’s Digital Frontier.”

I AM SECURE launches Its First Cyber Caravan at ISOGx

ISOGx Season 3 introduced the first-ever organization and institution Cyber Caravan, participated by AFP, Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group (PNP-ACG), and Rural Bankers Association of the Philippines (RBAP).

At the AFP Cyber Caravan, Col. Roland Ong, Brigade Commander of the 1503rd Infantry (Excellence) Brigade (Ready Reserve), discussed “Strengthening the AFP’s Cyber Defense Posture.” The session was attended by personnel from Joint Task Force-NCR, Army Signal Regiment, Cyber Battalion – Reserve Command of the Philippine Army , and the Naval Forces Reserve National Capital Region (NFR-NCR),with the Naval Reserve Center NCR (NRCen-NCR) of the Philippine Navy.

Meanwhile, the PNP- ACG, caravan, led by PLt. Jun Dagoro, PMaj. Sonny Galicia, and PLt. Emmanuel Tampis, focused on cryptocurrency-related cases, cybercrime investigation procedures, and digital forensics.

RBAP hosted its members’ forum, tackling “From App to SuperApp: A Practical Playbook” and “Trust Decision.”

These initiatives reflected the program’s continuing mission to foster collaboration and strengthen cyber resilience through shared knowledge and partnerships.

Showcasing Cyber Defense Excellence

Institutional and media partners elevated cyber awareness through exhibits and showcases from sponsors including BSP, PNP-ACG, Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC), NFR- NCR, and BusinessWorld.

The event also featured a special exhibit on Cybersecurity Unmasked, a book by Donald Lim, highlighting real-world insights into cyber leadership.

These exhibits demonstrated how government, private institutions, and innovators work together to advance the Philippines’ cyber defense ecosystem.

Cyber Innovators Prime the Troops

Industry leaders representing Titanium, Platinum, Gold, and Silver sponsors took the stage with cutting-edge presentations on security technologies and best practices.

Titanium Sponsors:

Benjo Aganon Major Account Manager of F5 (through Westcon), Edsel Paglinawan VP, Revenue and Innovation Head, Eastern Telecommunications Philippines Inc.(for NMI), Jason Heng, Regional Director, ASEAN of Rapid7, Anthony Mejilla Country Manager PH ofArista (through Netsec), Jayesh Panicker, Global Sales Engineer of Sophos (through WSI), Christopher Alviar, Systems Engineering Leader and Presales Head for Datacenter, ASEAN at Cisco (through Trends), Ryan Ty, country manager PH of Qualys, Bambi Escalante Country Manager of Fortinet (through Netsec and VST-ECS), Kyle Herrera ,Presales Consultant of Trend Micro (through VST-ECS), Cloudflare’s solution was presented via audio visual presentation.

Platinum Sponsors:

Terrence Tan, Solution Architect, Southeast Asia of Forcepoint, Aizel Barcia, Cortex Domain Consultant of Palo Alto Networks (through Westcon), Tomasz Osiadlo ,Senior Sales Engineer of Zscaler (through Westcon), Jason Tay, Senior Enterprise Account Executive of KnowBe4, Karen Kim, CEO of Human Managed, and Ganesh Vikram, Product Security Specialist of Infoblox

Gold Sponsors:

Han Yang Lau, Senior Manager, Solutions Architect, APAC, of SecurityScorecard (through WSI), Edwin Lim, Senior Sales Engineer of Menlo Security (through Novare), and Arnie S. Alvarez, Chief Technology Officer of Huawei

Silver Sponsors:

Grant Mappatao, Senior Solutions Manager of Sangfor (through WSI), John Henri Ralleta, Sales Engineer of Gigamon Philippines with Darren Chen, Sales Engineering Manager of Extrahop, and Kashyap Vuppuluri, Global Leader in Identity & Access Management and Governance of Arcon

Media partners included BusinessWorld, DWDD AFP Radio, DIGI.PH, and Tech Travel Monitor.

A Unified Cyber Force for the Future

I AM SECURE 2025 – ISOGx Season 3 not only celebrated the remarkable achievements of this year’s cybersecurity campaigns but also reaffirmed ISOG’s steadfast commitment to empowering organizations and leaders to strengthen their digital defenses through priming, collaboration, and innovation.

Nilda Dimaano, Operations Manager of ISOG, shared valuable insights on membership opportunities:“As the leading professional information security organization in the Philippines, ISOG provides a platform for companies to be recognized as active contributors to the country’s growing cybersecurity community.”

Meanwhile, Pam Valmonte, Head of I Am Secure and Operations Manager of XMS, wrapped up the series by expressing gratitude and reflection:“We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us throughout this successful series of events. Centered on the theme ‘Priming for Cyber Defense: The Consummate Strategy,’ we at XMS deeply value our partnership with ISOG and our shared commitment to consistently deliver interactive, engaging events that empower our delegates and stakeholders to take an active role in advancing the ever-evolving cybersecurity sector.”

Looking ahead, Xiameer Valdeavilla, I Am Secure partner, ISOG consultant, and CEO of XMS, shared hes vision for the future:“Over the years, we’ve seen this movement grow — building alliances, nurturing organizations, and strengthening a thriving ecosystem. I Am Secure has proven itself not only as the country’s grandest cybersecurity event series but also as a catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and industry growth. Soaring high and being future-ready in the age of intelligent threats — see you all again at I Am Secure 2026!”

Through the collaborative efforts, of ISOG and XMS, and their growing network, the program will continue to lead the charge in cultivating a unified cyber force for the future, empowering organizations to rise above the challenges of today’s evolving digital landscape.

Stay Connected:

🌐 Website: https://iamsecure.ph

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/i-am-secure-ph

▶️ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@iamsecure.campaign

📘 Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/iamsecureofficial

📧 Sponsorships & Partnerships: pam.valmonte@xmsmarketing.com

📧 General Inquiries: i sogcybersec@gmail.com

📧 ISOG Membership: isogiamsecure@isog.org.ph

🎥 Watch the official recap video: https://youtu.be/YZje4mVeCfo

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Grab, MOVE IT, DICT launch first Asenso Center to scale an AI-enabled gig economy in the Philippines

October 30, 2025 | 3:30 pm

Grab Philippines and MOVE IT, in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), officially inaugurated the Asenso Center in Marikina City — the first livelihood hub of its kind in Grab’s Southeast Asia network.

The one-hectare facility is designed to elevate and professionalize the onboarding of platform workers and entrepreneurs, accelerate AI-enabled earning opportunities for Filipinos, and streamline access to social protection programs via guided enrollment with SSS, Pag-IBIG, and PhilHealth, complemented by micro-insurance and welfare protection from Chubb and AXA.

Grab Philippines Country Managing Director Ronald Roda shares, “Grab is one of the Philippines’ most mature platform-work ecosystems, and that gives us a precise, ground-level understanding of what Filipino platform workers and micro-entrepreneurs truly need to thrive. The Asenso Center turns that insight into action. It opens dignified, digitally powered livelihoods, equips our partners with practical AI co-pilots, and helps families convert opportunity into income at scale.”

DICT Secretary Henry Aguda underscored the importance of digital enablement in the agency’s bid to create 8 million digital livelihoods. “Sa bawat byahe nyo, may anak na kakain, may tuition na babayaran, may medical bills na maso-solve at yan po ang kinabukasan. Ito po yung tunay na pagbabago — yung mga frontline for the digital economy. Ito na po ang Bagong Pilipinas. Karamihan ng mga serbisyo digital na. Ang kailangan na lang natin ay I-spread ito.”

A flagship for professionalized, AI-enabled livelihoods

The Asenso Center is poised to support Grab’s commitment to generating 500,000 livelihood opportunities for the Philippine government. The leading superapp said it has already delivered new livelihoods equivalent to 73% of its five-year target, putting the company on track to exceed its goal ahead of schedule. Merchant participation is also rising, with the number of Community Merchants up 30% year on year as more local entrepreneurs formalize online.

Furthermore, the Asenso Center embeds AI enablement into the growth pathways of partners, offering mobile-first tools like Merchant AI Assistant and AI Driver Companion, and pairing these with merchant and driver training to ensure that they can leverage these tools responsibly and safely.

Merchants can use a mobile-first “Merchant AI Assistant,” which is an AI co-pilot that aids in day-to-day tasks such as setting up seasonal promotions, automating menu set-ups, producing ready-to-post marketing content, and surfacing demand insights for inventory and staffing. Drivers, on the other hand, access an in-app “AI Driver Companion” for real-time route optimization and demand hotspot guidance — reducing idle time and lifting overall earnings. Among those leveraging the Merchant AI Assistant is Marvin Catimbang, chief operating officer of Coffee Blanc, and a GrabFood 5-Star Eats Merchant-Partner. “The Merchant AI Assistant is an incredible day-to-day help for us, especially in tasks previously done manually, such as generating descriptions for our menu items or updating our store hours. It’s a handy partner for MSMEs like us. The AI assistant has also been very helpful in analyzing consumer insights, which is critical to the growth of our business.”

“Used responsibly, AI becomes a force multiplier — an exponent on every hour of work online,” Mr. Roda added. “Our goal is to make enterprise-grade tools accessible on a smartphone, raise standards of safety and service, and broaden the preparedness and participation of our partners in the rising AI economy.”

Viable Earnings and Accessible Social Protection

Grab said platform productivity is also calibrated, so active partners at least eight hours a day can hit family-sustaining income levels. Many surpass that benchmark based on active hours, time of day, service type, and demand patterns.

MOVE IT rider-partner and community leader Nica “Khang” Brieta shared how her earnings as a moto-taxi rider has emnabled her to fund her education and that of her sister. “Dahil po sa kita ko sa MOVE IT, napag-aral ko po ang aking sarili pati ang aking kapatid. Nasisiguro ko rin na natutustusan ko ang medikal na pangangailangan ng aking anak, na napakahalaga para sa akin bilang isang solo parent. Sa MOVE IT, empowered kaming mga kababaihan na makipagsabayan sa kalsada para kumita nang patas para sa aming mga pamilya.”

To align earnings with flexibility in social protection, partners can choose which programs to contribute to and when. At the Asenso Center, enrollment counters for SSS, Pag-IBIG and PhilHealth sit alongside onboarding and skills assessments, and private coverage is available on an opt-in basis, allowing workers to tailor benefits to their needs. For top performers, Grab and MOVE IT subsidize Pag-IBIG contributions and provide free life-insurance coverage in addition to the standard on-trip insurance.

MOVE IT General Manager Wayne Jacinto said: “Professionalization and protection go hand-in-hand. From safety training and service standards to modular benefits and on-trip coverage, the Asenso Center helps driver-partners build sustainable, future-proof livelihoods.”

Grab’s AI follows four simple rules: it must improve safety, protect privacy, keep people in control, and be easy to learn. That means tested features that encourage safer behavior and fair reviews, data minimization with in-app controls, human override on all AI-suggestions, and bite-sized tutorials so drivers and merchants can use AI confidently to lift earnings and service quality.

“AI should reward effort, and not replace it,” Mr. Roda said. “Our responsibility is to lower the barrier to entry for the AI economy, protect user trust, and ensure Filipino workers and MSMEs capture the upside.”

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Third suspect arrested over Louvre heist, French TV reports

October 30, 2025 | 3:14 pm

FRANCE-CRIME-LOUVRE-crown — A CROWN worn by French Empress Eugenie, which was targeted by thieves during a heist at Paris’ Louvre Museum on Oct. 19 but was dropped during their escape, on display in this undated still frame from a video. — LOUVRE MUSEUM/HANDOUT VIA REUTERS

A third suspect has been arrested in connection with the Louvre robbery in Paris, French TV station BFM reported on Thursday.

The arrest happened in the Paris region late on Wednesday, BFM said, adding that the man is suspected of being present at the crime scene when the heist took place.

Four hooded thieves stole precious jewels from the Louvre’s Apollo gallery, home to the French Crown Jewels, during opening hours on the morning of October 19, exposing security lapses at the world’s most-visited museum.

Two men arrested last weekend on suspicion of breaking into the museum through an upstairs window and stealing the precious pieces have “partially admitted” their involvement in the heist, the Paris prosecutor said on Wednesday.

The jewels remain missing.— Reuters

TikTok Shop eyes tie-ups with LGUs to train MSMEs

October 30, 2025 | 11:43 am

launchpadjpg — TikTok Shop Philippines has partnered with Taguig City through its Unlad Lokal Roadshow Caravan. —ALMIRA S. MARTINEZ

By Almira Louise S. Martinez, Reporter

TIKTOK Shop Philippines said it aims to partner with more local government units (LGUs) under its Unlad Lokal program to equip micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with digital skills.

“It’s only natural for us to go to the source directly. And to go to the source directly is to partner with the different LGUs,” TikTok Shop Philippines Marketing Lead Franco S. Aligaen told reporters in a press conference.

“We hope to create an ecosystem that is safe for both buyers and sellers,” he added.

The Unlad Lokal Roadshow Caravan, in partnership with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), aims to train entrepreneurs on how to utilize the available tools on the platform to boost their sales and market reach.

“We want to be able to impart knowledge on how to navigate the platform, how to do content, how to do live streaming,” Mr. Aligaen said. “It’s really just imparting knowledge to them, and then them being able to use that knowledge for their own business.”

For businesses in rural areas, the TikTok Shop executive noted that the training program will be available through both webinars and on-site sessions.

“For people who have limited access to connectivity, we hope that partnering up with the LGU will solve that,” Mr. Aligaen said.

“Otherwise, our other option in order for more people to have access is through the online webinars that we will conduct with each of the LGUs,” he added.

Apart from digital skills, the program aims to teach small businesses how to obtain essential business permits and registrations at the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR).

“They are not sure how to navigate the system, and sometimes people are convincing them to go online,” DTI Division Chief for NCR Area 2 Rowena D.B. San Jose told reporters at the event.

“But then, since they are not really knowledgeable, they are not sure if those people are trustworthy or not,” she added.

According to the 2024 Philippine MSME Statistics, 99.63% or 1,236,908 of registered business establishments in the country are MSMEs, while only 0.37% (4,568) are large enterprises.

Among the registered MSMEs, 90.66% are micro enterprises, 8.60% are small enterprises, and 0.37% are medium enterprises.

The participants of the upskilling program would also receive assistance from the LGUs in securing permits.

“A lot of small businesses are afraid to register for fear that there might be penalties or fees imposed on them,” Taguig City Mayor Maria Laarni “Lani” L. Cayetano said, highlighting the platform’s partnership launch with the city.

“After the training, they undergo a session for financial literacy…After that, they were taught how to secure permits in the city, especially when it comes to food, the aspect of food safety,” she added.

The online platform said that the program, which was launched in March, has trained over 17,000 participants across Metro Manila, Pampanga, Naga, and Cavite.

It aims to explore partnerships with the LGUs of Bacolod, Baguio, Cebu, and Davao within the year, up to next year.

Filipina cybersecurity expert honored by ACES Council for exemplary leadership in digital safety

October 30, 2025 | 10:45 am

The Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability (ACES) Council has recognized Filipina cybersecurity expert Mel Migriño, country head and general manager of Gogolook Philippines, for her outstanding leadership in advancing digital safety, cybersecurity awareness, and trust technology across Asia.

Ms. Migriño was cited for fusing cybersecurity, regulatory alliances, and social trust into a unified mission for digital protection.

Under her leadership, Gogolook’s local arm — developer of the Whoscall anti-scam application — has expanded its reach and strengthened partnerships that help Filipinos identify and block scam communications.

“Her accomplishments in scaling Gogolook’s national footprint, championing anti-scam campaigns, and advancing cyber literacy position her among Asia’s most inspiring executives,” the ACES Council said in a statement. “Her leadership continues to influence policy, public awareness, and corporate innovation with measurable societal benefit.”

In response to the recognition, Ms. Migriño thanked the ACES Council and said the award is a reminder of how much talent and passion Asia holds in shaping a safer digital world.

“I’m truly grateful to the ACES Council for this honor. It’s more than just an award — it’s a celebration of the incredible talent we have across Asia. This recognition inspires me to keep pushing for a future where technology builds trust, empowers people, and keeps communities safe.”

Beyond her corporate role, Ms. Migriño has also been recognized for promoting inclusivity and education in the cybersecurity field. She leads the Women in Security Alliance Philippines (WiSAP), which builds talent pipelines and conducts nationwide programs equipping communities with real-time protection tools and digital safety knowledge.

Her work spans classrooms, hackathons, and national campaigns — demonstrating a blend of vision, execution, and empathy that continues to inspire both private and public sectors.

The Asia Corporate Excellence & Sustainability (ACES) Awards, established in 2014, is regarded as one of the region’s most prestigious platforms honoring leadership and sustainability.

It celebrates individuals and organizations that exemplify visionary governance, responsible growth, and impactful business practices contributing to the global sustainability agenda.

Through independent assessments and research-driven evaluation, the ACES Awards provides third-party validation of excellence — enhancing the reputation of winners and connecting Asia’s most influential leaders and brands with global opportunities.

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AboitizPower to acquire 25% stake in Vietnam power plant

October 30, 2025 | 10:40 am

Screen Shot 2025-10-30 at 10.33.36 AM — Van Phong 1 Power Plant Project — CPCL.VN

Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower) said on Thursday that it will acquire a 25% equity stake in Vietnam’s Van Phong Power Co. Ltd. (VPCL) from Japan’s Sumitomo Corp. for $220 million.

VPCL owns and operates a 1,320-megawatt (MW) high-efficiency, low-emission coal-fired power plant located in Khánh Hòa Province, Vietnam, AboitizPower said in a disclosure.

The power company said the investment marks its first major venture outside the Philippines.

The Van Phong 1 power plant, which began commercial operations in January 2024, operates under a 25-year power purchase agreement with Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and supplies about 8.5 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) annually, or around 4% of Vietnam’s total power generation.

The completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, AboitizPower said.—SJT

DOST signs partnership to bring digital learning to remote areas

October 30, 2025 | 10:34 am

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) on Wednesday signed an agreement for the technology transfer of a digital learning solution aimed at helping students in disadvantaged areas gain access to the internet and learning materials.

The initiative, called the Resilient Education Information Infrastructure for the New Normal (REIINN), was developed by the DOST–Advanced Science and Technology Institute (DOST–ASTI), while its mass production and distribution will be led by Jassen Harris Industries Corp. (JHIC).

The agreement was formalized through a Limited Manufacturing Licensing Agreement signed during the Handa Pilipinas–Visayas leg held in Bacolod City.

REINN project leader Philip A. Martinez said the technology has two components: LokalFi, a community WiFi infrastructure that can be installed in last-mile communities to enhance signal strength, allowing facilities in need, such as schools, to gain access to the internet.

The other component is the RuralCasting (RCast), a technology that uses digital television signals to deliver educational content to remote communities with limited or no internet access.

RCast can come in the form of a digital television box or a dongle with embedded learning materials such as modules and videos, which can be projected onto a TV screen or a projector.

It also includes a built-in learning management system that lets teachers upload modules offline, deliver lessons to students, and manage activities such as quizzes and grading.

“The DepEd has been producing educational videos, but these do not reach schools in the last mile,” Mr. Martinez said during a press conference at the signing event.

“By creating an internet and internet-based solution for delivering educational content, we provide additional value to schools so they can compete with those in highly urbanized areas.”

Household internet access in the Philippines reached 48.8% in 2024, according to the National Information and Communications Technology Household Survey, marking a 31.1%‑point increase from 17.7% in 2019.

This figure refers to internet connections generally available for use by all members of the household, based on a nationwide survey of more than 44,000 households.

Meanwhile, the project leader said that RCAST’s learning materials cover Grades 1 to 12 and are aligned with the current MATATAG curriculum.

Since its initiation in 2021, REINN has served at least 20,000 students across twelve schools and one community center where the technology was installed, Mr. Martinez said.

Although the initiative is currently limited to Luzon due to logistical challenges, it is expected to expand to the Visayas and Mindanao by next year, he said. — Edg Adrian A. Eva