Day: October 21, 2025

Tokyo: The Diet, or Japan’s parliament, on Tuesday nominated Sanae Takaichi, president of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, as prime minister to succeed Shigeru Ishiba. Takaichi became the first Japanese woman to serve as the country’s prime minister. She is set to launch her cabinet in the evening after the attestation ceremonies for the new prime minister and other members of the cabinet. According to Philippines News Agency, her election came after the LDP and Nippon Ishin no Kai (Japan Innovation Party) agreed to form a coalition government, following Komeito’s departure from the LDP-led ruling bloc earlier this month. Takaichi

Calbiga: The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Samar 2nd District Engineering Office is seeking PHP140 million for the retrofitting and repair of the Calbiga Bridge, following a recent structural assessment that revealed several issues affecting its stability. According to Philippines News Agency, the proposed fund will cover the retrofitting of critical components of the bridge within the country’s Maharlika Highway, including the expansion joint at abutment 1, damaged bearing and restraint steel bed at pier 1, and corroded bottom flanges of girders at span 1. The assessment also noted corrosion and section loss in the bridge’s railings and

Manila: Defending champion National University (NU) and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) scored contrasting wins Tuesday to reach the Shakey’s Super League (SSL) Unity Cup semifinal round. Open spiker Celine Marsh delivered 23 points off 21 attacks and two blocks as the Lady Bulldogs prevailed over the San Beda University Lady Red Spikers, 26-24, 25-27, 25-18, 25-16. According to Philippines News Agency, Marsh led the charge in the absence of key players Sam Cantada and Denesse Daylisan, who are competing at the 2025 Asian Youth Games in Bahrain. Marsh commented on the team’s performance, stating, “It wasn’t our A-game.

Butuan city: More than a thousand households in Butuan City have officially graduated from the government’s flagship anti-poverty initiative, the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps), after achieving self-sufficiency in their living conditions. The Department of Social Welfare and Development in the Caraga Region (DSWD-13) said 1,129 partner-beneficiaries were recognized during the “Katumanan 2025” graduation and exit ceremony in Butuan City on Monday. According to Philippines News Agency, ‘Katumanan,’ a Cebuano word meaning fulfillment, reflects the program’s goal of breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty. DSWD-13 said the households reached the well-being status of self-sufficiency, as determined by the Social Welfare

Pasay city: An official of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) on Tuesday underscored demographics as a factor that will likely counter the impact of the high tariff rate imposed on the Philippines by the U.S. According to Philippines News Agency, since Aug. 7, 2025, the tariff rate for Philippine products bound to the U.S. is 19 percent, and trade officials have said they continue to talk with their American counterparts to lower the rate, to make Philippine products more attractive to U.S. consumers. Perry Ferrer, PCCI Innovation Committee chair and chief executive officer of EMS Group of