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Taiwan tracking China activity but cannot say if there will be more drills post-national day

REUTERS

TAIPEI – Taiwan is tracking Chinese activities for any early warning signs but cannot answer hypothetical questions about whether there will be a repeat of last year’s war games following Taiwan’s national day, the defense minister said on Friday.

Taiwan, formally called the Republic of China, celebrates its national day next Friday with a keynote speech by President Lai Ching-te. China, which views the island as its own, staged a day of war games around the island last year shortly after that same event in what it said was a warning to “separatist acts”.

Asked about the possibility of a repeat of that this year, Taiwan Defense Minister Wellington Koo told reporters at parliament that the armed forces are keeping a watch.

“We will continue to monitor relevant developments in China and gather any early warning intelligence. We will closely track and respond accordingly,” he said. “Regarding hypothetical scenarios, I am unable to provide answers at this time.”

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China is in the middle of its own week-long national day holiday.

Koo on Thursday visited military bases on the Penghu Islands, which sit strategically in the Taiwan Strait though closer to the main island of Taiwan than China’s coast.

His ministry published a picture of him in front of a Sky Bow III missile battery, a Taiwan-developed surface-to-air missile with a similar mission scope to the U.S.-made Patriots which Taiwan also operates.

“Facing severe enemy threats, Penghu serves as a critical defense zone for our combat operations,” the ministry cited him as telling the troops.

Koo declined to comment when asked by reporters about whether the Sky Bow III has now been fully deployed to Taiwan’s offshore islands, saying only that the system has entered service.

Penghu is home to one of Taiwan’s most important air bases.

Apart from war games, the last of which China staged around Taiwan in April, Chinese fighter jets and warships operate almost daily in the Taiwan Strait and waters and skies off the island’s north, south and east coasts.

China says Taiwan’s president is a “separatist”. He rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, saying only the island’s people can decide their future. — Reuters

Taylor Swift’s ‘Life of a Showgirl’ launches with global promotion

STORE.TAYLORSWIFT.COM

LOS ANGELES – Superstar Taylor Swift’s latest studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” arrives Friday with a promotional blitz that includes midnight sales at Target stores, a release party at movie theaters around the globe and pop-up experiences in New York and Los Angeles.

The release follows “The Tortured Poets Department,” Swift’s 11th studio album, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 album chart, and sold the equivalent of 8 million albums in the United States, according to Luminate, a firm that tracks music sales.

“She occupies a very rare position in today’s fragmented music landscape: she is an active superstar with a massive and loyal fan base,” said Tatiana Cirisano, vice president of music strategy for MIDiA Research.

These passionate followers, who self-identify as “Swifties,” help the artist break through the fragmented music landscape, and rise to the top of the charts, said Cirisano.

“So few can get such a massive number of people listening to the same thing at once. So, it would surprise me a lot if the new release did not reach her usual level of success,” she said.

Swift has been building anticipation for the new album since August 11, when she posted a countdown on her website that kept fans waiting until 12:12 a.m. ET on August 12, when she revealed the name of her 12th album “The Life of a Showgirl.”

The next day, Swift appeared on the “New Heights” podcast hosted by her fiancé, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and his brother, retired Philadelphia Eagles lineman Jason Kelce. The Top-10 rated sports and pop-culture podcast provided a friendly platform for Swift to talk about her forthcoming album, which she said had been inspired by the joy she felt while performing around the world on her record-setting Eras Tour. The August 13 episode has surpassed 23.4 million views on YouTube.

Swift has emerged as a cultural and economic force. Her globe-trotting Eras Tour was the highest-grossing tour of all time, surpassing $2 billion in ticket sales by the time it concluded in December 2024, according to Pollstar, a trade publication that tracks the concert industry. That figure does not include the boost to hotel and Airbnb rentals, restaurant tabs and merchandise sales.

Academics have said Swift rivals other pop icons, like Elvis or Michael Jackson, in terms of her cultural impact — whether it’s driving tune-in to NFL games or leading voter registration drives.

Business partners have been eager totap into the phenomenon that’s been dubbed “Swiftonomics.”

AMC Theatres announced plans to distribute “The Official Release Party of a Showgirl,” an 89-minute film that features the first music video from the album, “The Fate of Ophelia,” behind-the-scenes footage from the making of the music video, and Swift’s reflections on songs from the album. The film will be in limited release, from Friday through Sunday, in more than 50 markets.

Retailer Target plans to open some stores at midnight Friday to sell a limited-edition vinyl pressing of the album with a “gold shimmer,” and three CDs featuring exclusive album and poster art.

Music streaming service Spotify opened a three-day pop-up in New York City on Tuesday, to let Swift fans step into the world of the album, with song lyrics hidden among displays that included a dressing room and other trappings of a concert tour. On Friday, TikTok opened its own “Life of a Showgirl” installation in Los Angeles.

Taylor Nation, the artist’s promotional team, released a schedule of promotional appearances to tout the new album, including stops on “The Graham Norton Show” on Friday, “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Monday and “Late Night with Seth Meyers” on Wednesday. — Reuters

Fuji-Haya Electric expands to Davao, strengthening presence in Mindanao

Fuji-Haya Electric Corporation of the Philippines officially opened its doors in Davao City with a momentous launching event that brought together industry partners, clients, and company leaders. The occasion marked a significant step forward in the company’s mission to bring world-class electrical engineering solutions closer to Mindanao.

The celebration began with a solemn blessing of the new office premises, symbolizing gratitude and a hopeful start for Fuji-Haya’s growing presence in the region. This was followed by the ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by company executives alongside honored guests, signifying the formal opening of the Davao branch.

After the ceremonial opening, the program transitioned into an afternoon of meaningful exchanges with valued partners and guests. Company executives shared insights about Fuji-Haya’s growth journey — from its strong beginnings in Manila, its expansion in Cebu, and now, the exciting establishment in Davao. The message was clear: this expansion is not just about geographic presence, but about strengthening partnerships, ensuring accessibility, and delivering reliable solutions to the entire country.

The highlight of the program was a presentation of Fuji-Haya Electric’s expertise and solutions — including transformers, panelboards, capacitor banks, switchgears, busducts, unit panels and many more. These products represent the company’s continuous drive to meet the evolving demands of industries and communities with safety, efficiency, and innovation at the forefront. 

The event was made even more meaningful with the participation of Fuji-Haya’s global partners. LS Electric of Korea affiirmed its long-standing partnership and support for Fuji-Haya’s expansion in the Philippines. Fuji Electric Co. of Japan, meanwhile, conducted a technical presentation on advanced innovations and critical power solutions, showcasing how international expertise strengthens local industries.

Guests enjoyed an atmosphere of collaboration and optimism, with many expressing enthusiasm about the opportunities that Fuji-Haya’s presence in Mindanao will bring. Beyond the event, the launch reinforced the company’s commitment to powering industries, infrastructure, and communities across the Philippines.

As the company officially plants its roots in Davao, Fuji-Haya Electric remains steadfast in its mission to be a trusted partner in delivering reliable power distribution solutions nationwide — a step that ensures not just growth for the company, but progress for the communities it serves.

 

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Shein plans to open its first bricks-and-mortar shop in France in November

SHEIN.COM

Online fast-fashion retailer Shein plans to open its first bricks-and-mortar shops in France in November under an agreement with department store owner Société des Grands Magasins, a move that sparked criticism from French retailers.

The stores in the BHV department store in central Paris and Galeries Lafayette department stores in five other French cities mark a new step for Shein, which has up to now only hosted temporary marketing-driven pop-ups around the world.

SGM president Frédéric Merlin said the launch would attract a younger clientele, adding that a customer might buy a Shein item and a designer handbag on the same day.

Galeries Lafayette, which sold the stores operated by SGM under its name through a franchise agreement, said it opposed the move, which would violate the franchise agreement, and plans to stop it from happening.

“Galeries Lafayette profoundly disagrees with this decision with regards to the positioning and practices of this ultra fast fashion brand that is in contradiction with its offer and values,” the group said in a statement.

RETAILERS CRITICIZE DEPARTMENT STORE DEAL WITH SHEIN
The move was, however, criticized by Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, who said it went against the broader goals of Paris to promote what Hidalgo described as ‘sustainable local commerce’, such as by backing local businesses and locally-made goods.

“We are extremely concerned by BHV’s decision to host, in November, the first permanent store of the Shein company in France,” wrote Hidalgo on LinkedIn.

Shein, which sells 12-euro dresses and 20-euro jeans, faces pressure from other retailers, politicians and regulators in France, where lawmakers have backed a draft law regulating fast fashion that would, if implemented, ban Shein from advertising.

“In front of the Paris City Hall, they are creating the new Shein megastore, which – after destroying dozens of French brands – aims to flood our market even more massively with disposable products,” Yann Rivoallan, head of fashion retail association Fédération Francaise du Pret-a-Porter, said in a statement.

French retailers were already struggling to compete with Zara and H&M when Shein launched, drawing cost-conscious consumers in with its discounts.

Several French fast-fashion retailers such as Jennyfer and NafNaf went into insolvency proceedings earlier this year.

SHEIN’S BRICKS-AND-MORTAR LAUNCH BRINGS CHALLENGES
Shein sells clothes and accessories at rock-bottom prices thanks to its business model of sending parcels direct from factories in China to shoppers around the world, benefiting from customs rules giving low-value e-commerce parcels an exemption from duties.

Shein executives have said its success is due to its online-only business model, meaning it has little unsold inventory, unlike bricks-and-mortar retailers.

Setting up physical stores is a big departure from that model, requiring the company to maintain inventory in stores, which will add to running costs.

It comes as Shein adapts to changes in its biggest market, the U.S., where its “de minimis” duty exemption for low-value parcels is ending. The European Union is planning to do the same.

Shein’s first store, on the sixth floor of the BHV, will open in early November, with later openings planned in Galeries Lafayette department stores in Dijon, Grenoble, Reims, Limoges, and Angers.

Executive Chairman Donald Tang has said in interviews that Shein is especially popular in provincial and rural areas where he says customers have fewer options for fashionable clothes. — Reuters

US banks expect victory in capital requirements as Trump regulators revamp rules

REUTERS

WASHINGTON – As President Donald Trump’s regulators revamp bank rules, big lenders expect their capital requirements could fall, in a stunning victory for the industry which faced a big hike under former President Joe Biden, according to senior industry executives.

Aiming to cut red tape that Trump’s agency picks say is hurting the US economy, they are working on the most sweeping overhaul of US capital rules since the global financial crisis of 2008.

In addition to narrowing the “Basel Endgame” capital hikes which sparked unprecedented pushback from Wall Street banks, the Fed plans to reduce a capital surcharge levied on risky global banks, shrink a key leverage constraint, and overhaul annual tests that gauge whether lenders can withstand an economic shock.

The country’s largest lenders, which have lobbied hard for the long-sought review, are optimistic that the changes combined will result in their capital levels remaining flat or falling, said six industry and regulatory sources, including three top bankers.

That expected outcome, reported here for the first time, marks a dramatic turnaround for the industry which faced a 19% hike in 2023 under the draft Basel capital rules which proposed changes to how big banks gauge lending and trading risks.

While the Fed last September said that hike would be halved, the plan was never finalized and died with Trump’s election.

Big banks have long complained that capital rules are excessive and poorly calibrated, and that some of that cash could better serve the economy through lending. They also argue that they weathered the COVID-19 economic shock just fine.

Critics say efforts to chip away at the capital regime are dangerous, and could leave the industry vulnerable at a time when the outlook for the US economy is growing cloudy.

With big banks including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Citigroup together holding around $1 trillion in capital, even a small dip could free up billions of dollars for lending, trading, dividends and share buybacks.

“You’re going to see here the most aggressive streamlining or easing of bank regulations that we’ve seen certainly since Dodd-Frank and probably sometime before that,” said Ian Katz, managing director at Capital Alpha Partners, referring to the landmark 2010 post-crisis law that overhauled bank rules.

A Fed spokesperson declined to comment. The Fed’s new regulatory chief, Michelle Bowman, said last week that she wants the rules to “work well together” and did not necessarily expect capital to fall. Regulators will unveil a new Basel draft by early 2026, she added.

The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which are also working on the Basel draft, also declined to comment.

“America’s largest banks are the strongest in the world,” said Amanda Eversole, CEO of the Financial Services Forum which represents the country’s eight biggest banks. “Modernizing capital rules will let them put that strength to work – fueling growth for consumers, small businesses, and the economy.”

‘EXTREMELY CONSEQUENTIAL’
The sources, who declined to be identified discussing confidential regulatory issues, said they expect the new Basel draft to be broadly “capital-neutral” at a minimum. That means it would neither increase nor decrease system-wide capital, but change how it is distributed.

Trump’s pick for FDIC chair, Travis Hill, in January said “roughly” capital-neutral would be a “prudent starting point.”

To get there, regulators are expected to abandon a “dual stack” that would have required banks to comply with the stricter of two methods for measuring their risk capital which penalized banks with large trading businesses, and to ease a requirement to put capital aside for operational risks, like cyberattacks or lawsuits, two of the people said.

Capital reductions could then come as the Fed updates the “GSIB” surcharge to better account for economic growth, and as regulators tailor the enhanced supplementary leverage ratio, a risk-blind capital safety net, to each individual bank, three of the sources said.

After the industry sued the Fed in December, the central bank is also working to make its stress tests, which partly determine big lenders’ capital buffers, more transparent, likely helping them to optimize their results.

Two of the sources cautioned, however, that the regulatory discussions are ongoing and that Democrats on the Fed board may oppose changes that are too favorable to the industry.

Based on an analysis of industry materials, Washington-based group Better Markets, which advocates for tougher financial rules, estimates that banking system capital could fall by $200 billion if the industry secures all the relief it has been pushing for.

“It’s huge and extremely consequential,” said Phillip Basil, director of economic growth and financial stability at Better Markets. “It’s going to take a lot less to bring down a big bank.” — Reuters US

Google says hackers are sending extortion emails to corporate executives

STOCK PHOTO | Image by geralt from Pixabay

WASHINGTON – Alphabet’s Google said hackers are sending extortion emails to an unspecified number of executives from various companies, claiming to have stolen sensitive data from their Oracle business applications.
In a statement, Google said a group claiming affiliation with the ransomware gang cl0p claimed to have stolen sensitive data from their Oracle E-Business Suite.” Google described the email campaign as high volume but declined to share further details.

Google cautioned that it “does not currently have sufficient evidence to definitively assess the veracity of these claims.”

Messages seeking comment from Oracle were not returned.

Cynthia Kaiser, the head of cybersecurity firm Halcyon’s Ransomware Research Center, said her company had seen extortion demands ranging from millions to tens of millions of dollars, with the highest coming in at $50 million.

Kaiser noted some dispute over the connection to cl0p but said there are early indications that the perpetrators are potentially connected to the group.

“There’s so much overlap amongst all these groups, and there are copycats across the ecosystem,” Kaiser said.

In an email to Reuters, cl0p said the hackers were “not prepared to discuss details at this time.” — Reuters

Singapore Airlines eyes passenger growth via virtual travel fair, additional flights

Singapore Airlines Head of Marketing and PR Aiza S. Garcia (left) with Mastercard Philippines VP Judith Dayrit. — SIA

Singapore Airlines (SIA) said it aims to boost passenger traffic in the Philippines through its online travel fair and additional daily services to Manila.

“Transitioning into a virtual travel fair is a very good move for us. It’s a good decision because it provides our customers with convenience and nationwide access,” SIA Head of Marketing & PR Aiza S. Garcia told reporters on Thursday.

Ms. Garcia added that the shift to a virtual format for the annual travel fair was driven by changes in travel trends brought about by the pandemic.

“I think this holds for everybody as well, that people have become more comfortable in digital and cashless transactions,” she said. “Of course, we want to encourage a lot of Filipinos to book online at their convenience.”

Despite transitioning to an online travel fair, the market segment of the airline remains mixed.

“We do have travelers who have been frequent fliers of Singapore Airlines and those who are younger who used to aspire to flying with us, are now flying with us, so it really is a mix,” Ms. Garcia said.

She also noted that passengers who want “additional convenience” for holiday planning can book flights through travel agencies.

To further meet the demands of the Philippine market, the carrier in August added a fifth daily service (SQ913 and SQ914), increasing seat capacity by 27%. This marks SIA’s first expansion of flight services in the country since July 2009.

“Definitely, we are very optimistic in terms of the growth, especially with the capacity increase of SQ913 and SQ914,” Ms. Garcia said.

“With the additional service of SQ-913 and SQ-914, that already gives a very positive testament that there is demand and we are meeting that demand with capacity,” she added.

SIA, together with low-cost subsidiary Scoot, currently operates 86 weekly flights to and from Manila, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, and Clark. — Almira Louise S. Martinez

Former Facebook and SpaceX communications executive Dex Hunter-Torricke to unveil Silicon Valley’s blueprint at DMAP’s DigiCon 2025

The Digital Marketing Association of the Philippines (DMAP), the leading organization known for its excellence and innovation in digital marketing, will spotlight the power of communication and social innovation with global emerging technologies expert and former communications executive at Facebook and SpaceX Dex Hunter-Torricke as its keynote speaker at the tenth edition of the Digital Congress (DigiCon) on Oct. 16 to 17, 2025, in Pasay City, Metro Manila.

DMAP’s DigiCon 2025 is sponsored by DoubleVerify, Hit Productions, Unilever Philippines, McDonald’s, Meltwater, Near Creative, UnionBank of the Philippines, Gigil Metama, Google, and Inquiro, Inc.

Esteemed outlets AGC Power Holdings Corp., Cignal TV, GMA 7, MBC Media Group, Rappler, The New Channel, Inquirer, Outcomm, The Pod Network, The RJ Ledesma Podcast, ZOE TV, adobo Magazine, BusinessMirror, BusinessWorld, CoinGeek, DiscoverMNL, DOOH, The Philippine STAR, and WhenInManila.com serve as this year’s media partners.

Meanwhile, Certified Digital Marketer, Eastern Communications, Havas Ortega, IDEASXMACHINA Hakuhodo, Manila Marriott Hotel at Newport World Resorts, Meta, Synergy Market Research + Strategic Consultancy, Uniquecorn Strategies, Creative Collective — Lennon Group, Tony &, and Leron Leron Sinta, a11y media, QR Tiger, and Slash by Mineski serve as the DigiCon 2025 event partners.

Currently serving as an independent strategic communications adviser to major technology companies and political leaders in the US and the UK, Mr. Hunter-Torricke brings over a decade of experience from the heart of the technology industry, having managed communications for some of Silicon Valley’s most influential leaders and companies. Headlining the first day of the two-day conference, his keynote is expected to provide over 2,000 attendees with a blueprint for navigating personalization in a tech-driven world and unlocking strategies for scalable, impactful connections.

Dex Hunter-Torricke

Prior to his career at Silicon Valley, Mr. Hunter-Torricke began his career at the United Nations in 2008 as a speechwriter and spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. He later served as Mark Zuckerberg’s personal speechwriter and led the executive communications team at Facebook from 2012 to 2016. He then joined Elon Musk’s SpaceX as a senior director of communications and, later, served as the head of communications for the Oversight Board for Meta, the independent body responsible for overseeing the most challenging content issues for Facebook and Instagram. He was also Google’s first executive speechwriter, supporting CEO Larry Page and Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt.

Weighing on this year’s theme, Mr. Hunter-Torricke highlights the imperative for organizations to invest in building effective and meaningful end-consumer experiences.

“The entire future of communications and reputation-building depends on personalization. Every organization and industry today is facing a vortex of massive challenges and intensified competition. Investing in meaningful experiences that truly meet the needs of individuals is critical for building long-term connections between consumers and businesses.”

Themed “The Age of ‘i’: The Power of Personalization,” the tenth iteration of Southeast Asia’s premier digital convention will gather global and local experts, thought leaders, and pioneers to offer opportunities to learn, interact, and collaborate across five focused tracks: Innovation (AI), Intelligence (Data Science), Immersive (Retail and Activations), Impact (Brand Building), and Integration (Business Transformation). These tracks, along with various practical and immersive activities, aim to enable attendees to explore the latest trends and emerging technologies in personalized marketing, fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration among industry professionals.

In today’s tech and AI world, brands leverage personalization to create more engaging and relevant customer experiences by using AI algorithms to analyze data, predict behaviors, and tailor content, recommendations, and marketing messages. About 71% of consumers expect personalization, and companies with high growth see 40% more revenue from it, underscoring the critical role of personalization in meeting consumer expectations and driving customer satisfaction.

This year’s DigiCon is a testament to DMAP’s mission to equip marketers with crucial insights and skills amid evolving consumer behaviors and rapid technological shifts.

To secure your spot and learn more about DMAP DigiCon The Age of ‘i’ 2025, you may visit https://www.digicon.com.ph or email conference@dmap.com.ph.

 

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Top 40 sim racers head to TGR Philippines eSports GT Championship Finals

Live national final rounds to be held Oct. 11 and 12 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay

Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) has announced the top 40 racers who will be competing in the quarterfinals of its premier sim racing tournament, the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing eSports GT Championship 2025.

More than 250 participants from across the country put in their fastest lap time around the Suzuka East Short Course on Gran Turismo 7 on the Toyota Supra RZ’20. From this pool, only 40 players will be advancing to the quarterfinals, which will be held on Oct. 11 at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay.

Below are the Top 40 sim racers who will be competing in the quarterfinals:

Final Lineup for Quarterfinals
Enzo Ison 0:56.272
Matthew Spencer D. Ang  0:56.352
Victor Lorenzo Ancheta  0:56.442
Corwin Josiah Mercado  0:56.467
Russo Gabriel Formoso 0:56.564
Jether Miole  0:56.606
Jon Steven Chua  0:56.695
Michael Vincent W. Velasquez  0:56.709
James Talanay  0:56.790
Bien Matthew Buenaventura  0:56.836
Michael Vincent Canicosa  0:56.904
James Patrick Lopez  0:56.905
Voltaire Sayco  0:56.906
Alonso Marcus Lacambra  0:56.914
Christopher Harris Tejada  0:56.915
Zeph Marcelo  0:56.946
Kryz Axl Aranzanso  0:56.953
Victor Emmanuel Baylosis  0:56.963
Francis Angelo Gonzales  0:57.024
Arlie Jophen Matubis  0:57.028
Reinier Tolentino  0:57.046
Ethan Gabriel A. Rubio  0:57.071
Joseph Eid  0:57.093
Jiro Marcelino Cruz  0:57.127
Jo Hashimoto  0:57.142
Jhan Vernon Ablir  0:57.166
Mark Voltaire Elman  0:57.194
Paolo Ayo  0:57.237
Sean Mervin Ronquillo  0:57.240
Karl Bryan Bonono  0:57.250
Elizabeth Mae Gumila  0:57.253
Bernard Villangca  0:57.271
James Michael Ortiz  0:57.275
Matt Frederic See  0:57.275
Sherwin Rada  0:57.286
Prince Von Erico Contreras  0:57.297
Alanzo Matteo Gonzaga  0:57.317
Vito Clodualdo Paul Manas  0:57.318
Diomel Railey Pingul  0:57.337
Corban Guerrero  0:57.340

The Top 20 from the quarterfinals will head on to the semifinals on Oct. 12. The Top 10 from the semifinals will then go head-to-head in the national finals later in the day, where the Philippine representatives for the TGR Asia eSports GT Championship will be decided.

ESports fans can look forward to thrilling races, as well as other activities such as the sim racing rigs, game booths, and original GR merchandise for sale.

There will also be car displays of the GR Yaris, GR Supra and GR 86, as well as the Vios one-make-race (OMR) car and Tamaraw OMR that were driven during the 2025 TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippine Cup.

“We congratulate the sim racers who made it to the quarterfinals and look forward to seeing them push their limits for better at the live event at Ayala Malls Manila Bay. We invite everyone to come experience the thrilling world of eSports with us this October,” shared TMP Vice-President for Marketing Services Elvin Luciano.

The TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines eSports GT Championship 2025 is sanctioned by the Automobile Association Philippines and is brought to you by Official Fuel & Lubricants Partner Petron and Official Tire Partner GT Radial.

This event is also supported by Official Timekeeper Seiko, Toyota Financial Services Philippines, Tuason Racing, AVT, 3M, Denso, OMP, ROTA, Autoplus, PIAA, Vinyl Frog Premier Vehicle Wraps, AutoQuix, Sparco, myTOYOTA Wallet and Kinto One.

For more information on the TGR Philippines eSports GT Championship and other TGR events, follow TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Philippines on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube and TikTok.

Follow TMP’s official pages — ToyotaMotorPH on Facebook, Instagram, and X, and join the Viber community at Toyota PH for updates.

 

Spotlight is BusinessWorld’s sponsored section that allows advertisers to amplify their brand and connect with BusinessWorld’s audience by publishing their stories on the BusinessWorld Web site. For more information, send an email to online@bworldonline.com.

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Trump determines US is at war with drug cartels, document to Congress says

LOREN BISER-UNSPLASH

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has determined the United States is engaged in “a non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels, according to a document notifying Congress of its legal justification for deadly US strikes on boats off Venezuela.

The text of the document, which was reviewed by Reuters on Thursday, was briefed to lawmakers by the Pentagon’s top attorney this week as experts question the legality of killing suspected drug traffickers at sea instead of apprehending them and their cargo.

The US military has blown up at least three suspected drug boats in the past month and killed at least 17 people, in what critics say is the latest effort by Trump to test the scope of his powers as US president. The document describes those killed as “unlawful combatants.”

The document did not appear to provide any new legal rationale other than what Trump and his allies have said publicly, arguments that some former military lawyers say fail to satisfy requirements under the law of war.

It was not clear if the determination was intended to provide a justification for future military strikes on cartels, or if it was mainly to explain past actions.

Trump said on Tuesday his administration is considering attacking drug cartels “coming by land” in Venezuela, actions that could raise further legal questions.

The document said Trump had determined that drug cartels were effectively non-state armed groups whose actions “constitute an armed attack against the United States.”

“The President determined that the United States is in a non-international armed conflict with these designated terrorist organizations,” according to the text of the document.

“The President directed the Department of War to conduct operations against them pursuant to the law of armed conflict,” it said, using the Republican president’s preferred name for the Defense Department.

The Pentagon did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

LEGAL AUTHORITY FOR STRIKES IN QUESTION
Legal experts have questioned why the US military is carrying out the strikes instead of the Coast Guard, which is the main US maritime law enforcement agency, and why other efforts to halt the shipments aren’t made before resorting to deadly strikes.

“Applying a new label to an old problem does not transform the problem itself – nor does it grant the US president or the US military expanded legal authority to kill civilians,” wrote Mark Nevitt, a former Navy lawyer who is now an associate professor at Emory University School of Law.

The Trump administration has argued so far that the strikes send a clear message to the drug cartels and noted that it designated them terrorist organizations earlier this year.

Addressing a gathering of senior generals and admirals this week in Quantico, Virginia, Trump defended the strikes by saying each boat has enough narcotics to kill 25,000 people. He also said the strategy was stemming the flow of seaborn drugs through the Caribbean.

“Now we have a problem. General Caine says, sir, there are no boats out there, not even fishing boats. They don’t want to go fishing,” Trump said, referring to General Dan Caine, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“I don’t blame them. There’ll be no fishing today, you know. But it’s amazing what strength will do,” Trump said.

US Senator Jack Reed of Rhode Island, the top Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, said the Trump administration has failed to provide Congress with any credible justification or intelligence to justify its actions.

“Every American should be alarmed that their president has decided he can wage secret wars against anyone he calls an enemy,” Reed said in a statement. — Reuters

Paolo intensifies into typhoon, slams Isabela

PAGASA.DOST.GOV.PH

Tropical Cyclone Matmo, locally named Paolo, has intensified into a typhoon category and made its first landfall over Dinapigue, Isabela, according to the state weather bureau on Friday.

“At 9:00 a.m. today, the center of Typhoon Paolo has made landfall over Dinapigue, Isabela,” the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) said in its latest advisory.

Afterwards, PAGASA said that the typhoon is expected to cross large parts of Cagayan Valley, the Cordillera region, and the Ilocos region from Friday morning until afternoon, before reaching the West Philippine Sea by early evening.

Paolo has maximum sustained winds of 130 kilometers per hour (kph) near its eye and gustiness of 180 kph, moving west-northwestward at 25 kph, according to PAGASA’s 8:00 am advisory.

Tropical Wind Signal No. 3, bearing strong force winds, was hoisted in the northern portion of Aurora, the central and southern portions of Isabela, the northern portion of Quirino, the northern portion of Nueva Vizcaya, Mountain Province, and Ifugao.
It is likewise in effect in the southeastern portion of Abra, the northern portion of Benguet, the central and southern portions of Ilocos Sur, and the northern portion of La Union.

Signal No. 2, bringing gale force winds, was raised in the central and southern portions of mainland Cagayan, the rest of Isabela, the rest of Quirino, the rest of Nueva Vizcaya, the central portion of Aurora, the northern portion of Nueva Ecija, the central and southern portions of Apayao, Kalinga, the rest of Abra, the rest of Benguet, the central and southern portions of Ilocos Norte, the rest of Ilocos Sur, the rest of La Union, and the northern portion of Pangasinan.

Meanwhile, Signal No. 1 was declared in the rest of mainland Cagayan including Babuyan Islands, the rest of Aurora, the northern portion of Quezon including Polillo Islands, Camarines Norte, the northern portion of Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, the rest of Apayao, the rest of Ilocos Norte, the rest of Pangasinan, the rest of Nueva Ecija, the northern portion of Bulacan, Tarlac, the northeastern portion of Pampanga, and the northern portion of Zambales.

PAGASA also raised a storm surge warning in various areas primarily in Aurora, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Isabela where 2.1 to 3 meters of surge may occur.

The public is advised to avoid going near coasts or beaches along the storm’s path, as well as to refrain from any type of marine activity. PAGASA also reiterated warnings on the possibility of flooding and landslides, especially in areas that are highly prone to these hazards. — Edg Adrian A. Eva

‘It was love’ – Philippine family mourns daughter who died saving kin in quake

Residents affected by the magnitude-6.9 earthquake sit and wait at the roadside for help in Bogo, Cebu, Philippines, Oct. 2, 2025. REUTERS/ELOISA LOPEZ

BOGO, Philippines – In front of Juvy Ytang lay 11 caskets— all victims of a landslide triggered by a powerful 6.9-magnitude earthquake on Tuesday in the central Philippines.

Among them was her 17-year-old daughter, Lady Jane, who died saving her family, one of at least 72 people killed in the quake that struck off the island of Cebu.

Ytang, 45, recounted how her daughter rushed into a room in their home in Bogo City, shouting frantically as the ground shook, telling her to protect her two-month old baby brother.

Lady Jane threw herself over her family members in a desperate attempt to shield them from falling debris.

Moments later, she was struck fatally on the head when a landslide partially buried their house.

“It was love. She protected her mother, her siblings, her family,” Ytang said, holding her baby as she stared at her daughter’s coffin during a funeral on Thursday held outdoors under a makeshift tent.

Her baby survived with minor bruises, while her husband, Silvestre, had head and foot injuries.

“She saved us. She was the reason we lived, but she was the one who died,” he said.

Many of the victims were killed when buildings and homes collapsed – either due to the quake itself or landslides that followed. Heavy rain and the absence of power also hampered rescue efforts and more than 300 people were injured.

During a visit to hard-hit Bogo city on Thursday, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr assured victims of financial support and food and water for thousands of displaced families.

Ytang’s family is devastated and in limbo. With their home buried and aftershocks still being reported, they cannot return.

“We prayed for her,” Ytang said of her daughter. “We just pray and leave it to the Lord.” — Reuters

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