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Ube has gone from a local favorite to an international food phenomenon. Purple lattes, cheesecakes, doughnuts, ice cream and premium desserts have helped fuel a worldwide craze, turning the distinctly Filipino crop into what many now call the latest “purple gold.” The challenge is making sure the world knows where the best ube comes from.

The Philippines is ramping up efforts to prepare its construction workforce for the green economy, with new training programs aimed at equipping workers with practical sustainability skills as climate-resilient building practices become increasingly important.

A new Senate majority consolidated power on Wednesday, electing Senator Sherwin Gatchalian as Senate President and ending Senator Alan Peter Cayetano’s turbulent tenure at the helm of the chamber. The leadership shakeup was sealed after Senator Joel Villanueva crossed over to the emerging bloc, providing the crucial 13th vote needed to formally install Gatchalian. In a broader realignment of Senate leadership, former Senate President Vicente Sotto III was elected Senate President Pro Tempore, while Juan Miguel Zubiri took over as majority leader and chairman of the Committee on Rules, which controls the chamber’s legislative agenda. The new majority also allocated committee chairmanships, leaving the Blue Ribbon Committee now investigating the flood control controversy with Senator Erwin Tulfo.

Airbus Defence and Space has secured a contract to develop new multi‑mission features for France’s A400M military transport aircraft, working with the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR) and French defense authorities.

The unified 911 emergency hotline now serves more areas with operators who speak local languages, removing language barriers that slow help down.