Day: September 11, 2025

Tokyo: The Japanese government announced plans to close all six of its economic centers in Russia, a decision stemming from deteriorating relations following Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi highlighted that the Japan Centers have completed their intended roles amidst the changing dynamics between the two nations. According to Philippines News Agency, the closure decision was influenced by Russia’s unilateral action in January, suspending the memorandum of understanding regarding these centers. An inspection by the Russian Internal Affairs Ministry took place at the Vladivostok Center in late July and August, as reported by Hayashi. The Japanese

Zamboanga city: Authorities have arrested two people, including a police officer, and seized a PHP16.1 million shipment of smuggled cigarettes in an intelligence-driven operation here early Thursday. Col. Fidel Fortaleza Jr., Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) director, withheld the identities of the suspects pending further investigation. The policeman, who is the alleged owner of the smuggled cigarettes, is assigned in Sulu. His driver is a resident of Barangay Divisoria in this city. According to Philippines News Agency, police operatives intercepted a closed van and arrested the suspects during a checkpoint operation in Sitio Bactus, Barangay Talabaan, at around 1:30 a.m.

Tokyo: Japan’s transport ministry gave a stern warning to Japan Airlines on Wednesday morning over a scandal involving a captain who drank excessively in Hawaii prior to his duties. “We deeply apologize,” JAL President Mitsuko Tottori said in a press conference after the airline received the warning. She said the company will not assign flights to pilots who have a high risk of drinking issues. According to Philippines News Agency, around 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Yasuo Ishii, director-general of the Aviation Safety and Security Department of the ministry’s Civil Aviation Bureau, handed a document to Yukio Nakagawa, managing executive officer

Bi±an city: The Barangay Information Officers (BIOs) program in Laguna will be formally piloted in Bi±an City on Sept. 15 as part of the province’s push to boost grassroots communication, an official said Thursday. In a statement, Provincial Information Officer Danilo Lucas said the initiative follows Governor Sol Aragones’ directive in August to revive the Laguna Information Officers Network at the grassroots level. The program seeks to build the capacity of BIOs in delivering accurate, timely, and engaging information to the public. According to Philippines News Agency, all 24 barangays in Bi±an will designate representatives who will serve as vital

Manila: Businesses with an online presence are given until September 30, 2025, to register for the E-Commerce Philippine Trustmark (Trustmark), a move aimed to address consumer concerns, the Department of Trade and Industry said Thursday. Online merchants are mandated by the DTI, in a Department Administrative Order, to register for the Trustmark to increase consumers’ confidence in the e-commerce space and in compliance with Republic Act 11967, known as the Internet Transactions Act of 2023. According to Philippines News Agency, the mandatory registration is also a direct response to the surge in consumer concerns, with DTI recording over 13,000 complaints