Thursday, June 18, 2026


Your Daily News Update About CALABARZON and Beyond.
ISSN 2799-1911

Home Blog Page 13

U.S. strikes near Hormuz raise fears of renewed fuel price hikes 

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
U.S. strikes near Hormuz raise fears of renewed fuel price hikes 

Iran accused the United States on Tuesday of violating a fragile ceasefire after U.S. strikes reportedly hit targets near the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, raising fresh concerns over efforts to end the conflict that has disrupted global energy markets and widened regional instability.

Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the strikes in the southern province of Hormozgan as a “gross violation” of the ceasefire that has been in place for nearly seven weeks. Iranian media reported explosions in the area early Tuesday.

The United States defended the operation, saying the strikes were conducted for defensive purposes and targeted missile sites and vessels allegedly attempting to deploy naval mines.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said negotiations to halt the conflict could still take several days despite earlier signs of progress toward an initial agreement aimed at ending hostilities and restoring shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Rubio said the waterway must remain open “one way or the other,” speaking to reporters while traveling in India.

The proposed initial agreement would reportedly provide a 60-day period for negotiators to address broader and more contentious issues, including Iran’s nuclear program. Iranian media said Tehran has pushed for the release of billions of dollars in frozen assets as part of the arrangement.

Iranian negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf recently returned from Qatar after discussions involving the release of approximately $24 billion in frozen Iranian funds, according to local media reports. Iranian news agency Fars cited an unnamed source describing the issue as the final major obstacle to an agreement.

The conflict, which began following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, has triggered major disruptions in global energy supplies. Fuel, fertilizer, and food prices have risen amid reduced shipping activity through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor responsible for transporting roughly one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas trade.

Traffic through the strait has remained significantly below normal levels since fighting began. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said 25 oil tankers and commercial vessels passed through the passage with Iranian authorization during the past 24 hours.

Global oil markets reacted to the renewed tensions, with Brent crude prices climbing approximately 3.5 percent Tuesday to around $100 per barrel.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned they reserve the right to retaliate against the latest U.S. strikes. The group said Iranian air defense systems downed one U.S. drone and engaged another drone and a fighter aircraft allegedly entering Iranian airspace over the Gulf region.

In remarks posted on Telegram during the annual hajj pilgrimage, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei issued sharply worded statements against the United States and Israel, reflecting heightened tensions following the latest military developments.

Indirect talks between Iranian and U.S. officials have reportedly produced progress toward a memorandum of understanding intended to establish a framework for future negotiations. Iranian sources said a preliminary agreement could end hostilities across multiple fronts, gradually restore maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz within 30 days, and potentially provide limited financial relief.

More complex matters, particularly Iran’s nuclear activities, would be addressed in a second phase of negotiations.

Iran has reportedly allowed selective vessel passage through the strait, prioritizing ships linked to countries maintaining close relations with Tehran.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly stated that preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons remains a central objective of U.S. policy, a claim Tehran continues to deny. Trump has also renewed calls for additional Arab and Muslim nations, including Saudi Arabia, to join normalization agreements with Israel under the Abraham Accords framework.

Saudi Arabia has maintained that it will not support such agreements without a clear pathway toward Palestinian statehood.

Beyond the Gulf, regional tensions remain elevated. Iran has called for an end to fighting in Lebanon, where a ceasefire established in mid-April has failed to stop clashes involving Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah movement. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was intensifying military operations in Lebanon and deploying substantial forces.

The broader conflict has killed thousands of people, most of them in Lebanon and Iran. Meanwhile, internet monitoring organization NetBlocks reported a partial restoration of internet connectivity inside Iran following a blackout that lasted nearly 90 days.

Ina at 4-anyos na anak, pinaslang sa San Pablo City; 14-anyos na suspek sumuko sa pulis

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
Ina at 4-anyos na anak, pinaslang sa San Pablo City; 14-anyos na suspek sumuko sa pulis

SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna — Isang 32-anyos na ina at kanyang apat na taong gulang na anak ang nasawi matapos umanong pagsasaksakin ng isang 14-anyos na binatilyo sa loob ng kanilang bahay sa Barangay Del Remedio noong gabi ng Linggo, Mayo 24.

Kinilala ng pulisya ang mga biktima sa pangalang Maria at ang kanyang anak na si Kid, na mga pseudonym lamang at hindi ang kanilang tunay na pangalan, alinsunod sa Republic Act No. 9344 o Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006.

Batay sa paunang imbestigasyon, natagpuan ang mga biktima ng asawa ng babae sa loob ng kanilang bahay at bakuran. Dinala pa sa ospital ang bata, ngunit idineklara itong dead on arrival.

Agad na rumesponde ang mga opisyal ng barangay at ipinagbigay-alam sa pulisya ang insidente. Narekober din ng mga awtoridad ang ilang ebidensya sa pinangyarihan ng krimen.

Noong Lunes, Mayo 25, kusang sumuko sa mga pulis ang suspek na isang menor de edad.

Sa hiwalay na impormasyong nakalap mula sa mga source, lumalabas na posibleng may personal na alitan ang insidente, kabilang ang alegasyon na umano’y binully ng ama ng biktima ang suspek. May lumulutang ding ulat na posibleng may kinalaman sa umano’y pagnanakaw ng binatilyo sa bahay ng mga biktima, bagaman hindi pa ito kumpirmado ng mga awtoridad.

Patuloy ang follow-up investigation ng pulisya upang matukoy ang tunay na motibo sa krimen.


Patuloy ang rescue sa gumuhong gusali sa Angeles City, pag-asa sa mga survivor humihina

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
-
0
Patuloy ang rescue sa gumuhong gusali sa Angeles City, pag-asa sa mga survivor humihina

Angeles City, Pampanga — Ipinagpapatuloy ng mga rescuer ang masusing paghahanap nitong Lunes, mahigit 24 oras matapos gumuho ang isang gusaling ginagawa sa Angeles City, habang patuloy ang pag-asang may mga buhay pang maaaring masagip sa ilalim ng mga guho.

Maingat na inaalis ng mga tauhan ng rescue team ang mga bato at tipak ng kongkreto gamit ang kamay, dahil hindi maaaring gumamit ng mabibigat na makinarya sa takot na lalo pang gumuho ang hindi matatag na estruktura at madaganan ang posibleng mga buhay pa.

Ayon sa mga awtoridad, mahirap at mabagal ang operasyon dahil sa matinding init at delikadong kondisyon sa lugar, na matatagpuan humigit-kumulang 80 kilometro hilaga ng Metro Manila.

Habang tumatagal ang operasyon, lumalalim ang pangamba at pagkabigo ng mga pamilya ng mga nawawala, na nag-aabang sa gilid ng pinangyarihan ng sakuna at nagsasabing wala pa silang nakukuhang malinaw na impormasyon.

“Paulit-ulit akong tinatanong ng bunso ko, pero wala akong maisagot,” pahayag ni Lea Casilao, 47 anyos, na ang asawa ay kabilang sa mga pinaniniwalaang na-trap sa gumuhong gusali. Ayon sa kanya, umaasa pa rin siya na kung matatawag lamang ang pangalan ng kanyang asawa, maaari pa itong sumagot.

Kasama ng search and rescue teams ang mga K9 dogs na patuloy na umaamoy at naghahanap ng senyales ng buhay. Nauna nang iniulat ng mga opisyal na may nakitang posibleng tibok ng puso at paghinga sa ilalim ng mga guho gamit ang thermal scanning noong nakaraang gabi.

Gumagamit din ang mga rescuers ng mga flexible na tubo upang maghatid ng hangin sa mga posibleng “air pockets” sa ilalim ng nagkalat na kongkreto, bakal, at scaffolding.

Isa pang kaanak, si Noby Batar, ang nananawagan din ng balita tungkol sa kanyang asawang si Emmanuel na kabilang din sa mga pinaniniwalaang natabunan.

“Manny, kung buhay ka pa, pakita ka lang. Hindi namin alam kung ano ang gagawin namin,” ani Batar habang umiiyak ang kanilang anak na si Stephanie.

Umabot na sa apat ang kumpirmadong nasawi matapos makuha ang ikatlong bangkay mula sa mga guho. Labimpito pa ang patuloy na pinaghahanap, ayon sa mga awtoridad.

Ayon kay Maria Leah Sajili, information officer ng Regional Bureau of Fire Protection, isa sa mga unang nailabas na biktima ay may pulso pa ngunit kalaunan ay binawian din ng buhay. Isa pa umano ang inatake sa puso habang nasa ilalim pa ng mga guho.

Kabilang sa mga nasawi ang isang 65-anyos na Malaysian national na narekober mula sa katabing hotel na naapektuhan din ng pagbagsak ng gusali.

Patuloy ang imbestigasyon sa sanhi ng insidente. Sinisikap din ng mga awtoridad na mahanap ang may-ari ng proyekto upang matukoy ang kabuuang bilang ng mga manggagawa sa construction site.

Batay sa mga record ng pagplano, ang gusaling gumuho ay isang nine-storey condo-hotel na may permit, ngunit may iniulat na ginagawang swimming pool sa dagdag na ika-10 palapag, ayon sa mga opisyal.

Ayon kay Geraldine Panlilio, regional director ng Department of Labor and Employment, nagpalabas ang ahensya ng work stoppage order noong Setyembre 2025 matapos matukoy ang mga paglabag sa occupational health and safety standards. Inalis lamang ang naturang order makalipas ang isang buwan matapos umano sumunod ang kumpanya sa mga kinakailangan.

Imee Marcos binatikos sa ‘hao siao’ video; MBC nanawagan ng independiyenteng Senado

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
Imee Marcos binatikos sa ‘hao siao’ video; MBC nanawagan ng independiyenteng Senado

MAYNILA— Umani ng matinding batikos mula sa ilang senador ang isang video na ipinalabas ni Senadora Imee Marcos sa plenaryo ng Senado noong Lunes, Mayo 25, matapos nitong maglaman ng umano’y usapin kaugnay ng Charter Change at posibleng pagharang sa presidential bid ni Vice President Sara Duterte sa 2028.

Sa video na ipinakita ni Marcos, makikita umano ang isang pagpupulong na kinasasangkutan nina Senate Minority Leader Vicente Sotto III, House Speaker Bojie Dy, Cong. Ferdinand Hernandez, at dating Senate Secretary Mark Llandro Mendoza. Ayon sa senadora, tinalakay umano sa naturang pagpupulong ang Constitutional Assembly o Con-Ass, kabilang ang posibleng pagpapalawig ng termino ng mga mambabatas at pagtaas ng minimum age requirement para sa pagtakbo bilang pangulo mula 45 patungong 50 taong gulang.

Mariing kinuwestiyon ng ilang senador ang nilalaman at presentasyon ng video.

Tinawag ni Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri ang video na propaganda at naghain ng mosyon upang alisin ito sa opisyal na rekord ng Senado. Aniya, hindi naaayon sa parliamentary standards ang naturang presentasyon at nagdudulot lamang ito ng intriga sa loob ng kapulungan.

“Inday Badiday na ba tayo dito sa Senado? Kaya ang sinasabi, we are a circus. I apologize to those who are watching. Do you think we are a circus, because this type of language that we are pushing in this August chamber,” pahayag ni Zubiri.

Mariin ding itinanggi ni Sotto ang anumang partisipasyon sa Charter Change at nagpahayag ng suporta sa mosyon ni Zubiri.

Samantala, tinawag naman ni Sen. Erwin Tulfo na “fake news” ang ipinakitang video, habang sinabi ni Sen. Risa Hontiveros na peke ang nilalaman nito. Nilinaw rin ni Sen. JV Ejercito na wala umanong naging talakayan sa Senado hinggil sa Charter Change o Constitutional Assembly.

Tinukoy naman ni Sen. Raffy Tulfo ang presentasyon bilang “hao siao” at nagbabala laban sa paggamit ng plenaryo upang magpalaganap ng mga conspiracy theory.

“First time lang ako nakakita ng ‘hao siao’ presentation kanina but before that let me tell you this. Sana huwag natin gamitin ‘yung plenary para sa conspiracy theories natin. Sana maging totoo lang tayo,” ani Tulfo.

Samantala, nanawagan ang Makati Business Club (MBC) sa Senado na pairalin ang batas at pambansang interes habang naghahanda itong umupo bilang impeachment court kaugnay ng kaso ni Vice President Sara Duterte.

Sa inilabas na pahayag, binigyang-diin ng MBC ang kahalagahan ng isang malaya at kapani-paniwalang liderato sa Senado. Ayon sa grupo, nakasalalay sa Senate President ang pagpapanumbalik ng kredibilidad at integridad ng institusyon bilang “moral compass, administrative guardian, and public face” ng Senado.

“If the public perceives the Senate President as someone who is purely partisan, and does not possess the necessary independence and moral ascendancy that such a position requires, public confidence in the institution is eroded,” ayon sa MBC.

Dagdag pa ng grupo, mahalagang manatiling nakabatay sa Konstitusyon at sa pambansang interes ang mga senador sa paghawak ng impeachment proceedings.

“At this important moment, we encourage senators to remain guided by the Constitution, uphold institutional responsibility, and keep the broader national interest at the center of the process,” saad ng MBC.

Inilabas ang pahayag matapos mag-convene ang Senado bilang impeachment court.

Matatandaang noong Mayo 11 ay nagkaroon ng pagbabago sa liderato ng Senado at naupong Senate President si Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano, kasabay ng botohan sa Kamara kaugnay ng pagsusulong ng impeachment complaint laban kay Vice President Duterte dahil sa mga alegasyon ng graft and corruption at iba pang umano’y paglabag.

Noong Mayo 14, kabilang ang MBC sa mga grupong nanawagan sa Senado na isagawa ang paglilitis nang patas, walang kinikilingan, at nakabatay sa ebidensya at sa Konstitusyon.

“The Makati Business Club respectfully reminds all our senators that you were elected by the people to serve the people and not pursue personal, political or business interests,” ayon pa sa grupo.

“Will you prioritize long-term democratic stability over short-term political survival? History will judge you by your actions during this critical period,” dagdag nito.

Tsitakakantsa, Madagascar’s ancient giant baobab, faces final years after storm damage

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
-
0
Tsitakakantsa, Madagascar’s ancient giant baobab, faces final years after storm damage

A giant baobab tree believed to be more than a millennium old is now showing severe signs of decline in southwestern Madagascar, raising alarm among conservationists and local communities who regard the tree as both a natural monument and a sacred cultural symbol.

Known as Tsitakakantsa, the massive baobab is considered the largest recorded on the island nation, with a trunk measuring nearly 29 meters in circumference and a height of about 25 meters. Local traditions describe the tree with a poetic meaning in the Malagasy language: so large that a song sung from one side cannot be heard from the other.

Scientists and local environmental observers say the tree’s condition has worsened rapidly following Tropical Storm Jude, which struck Madagascar in March 2025. Heavy rainfall reportedly entered the tree’s hollow interior through an opening near the top, accelerating internal decay and weakening the structure that has stood for centuries.

Visible cracks, collapsing sections of the trunk, and unstable roots have increased concerns that the ancient baobab may not survive the next few years.

“This is not just the loss of a tree,” one conservation researcher involved in monitoring the area told local media. “It represents the disappearance of a living archive of Madagascar’s environmental history.”

Baobabs are among the world’s most iconic trees and are deeply linked to Madagascar’s ecological identity. The country is home to seven of the world’s eight known baobab species, six of which are found nowhere else on Earth.

Many ancient baobabs naturally develop hollow interiors as multiple stems fuse together over time. Scientists say this unusual structure allows the trees to survive harsh climates and store large amounts of water during droughts. However, the same feature can also leave aging trees vulnerable to intense storms and prolonged climate stress.

Environmental researchers have increasingly warned that climate instability is affecting Madagascar’s fragile ecosystems. Studies on ancient baobabs across Africa have documented unusual mortality rates among some of the continent’s oldest specimens over the last decade, with scientists linking the pattern to extreme weather conditions and long-term shifts in climate.

For communities living near Tsitakakantsa, the threat is personal as much as environmental. The tree has long served as a spiritual gathering place and cultural landmark. Local customs reportedly require visitors to offer gifts such as honey or rum before approaching the site, reflecting the reverence attached to the ancient giant.

Despite its deteriorating condition, Tsitakakantsa continues to attract attention from conservation advocates who hope emergency preservation efforts could slow its decline or help document its legacy before it is lost.

Whether the tree survives another decade remains uncertain. What is clear is that one of Madagascar’s oldest living witnesses is now struggling against forces that even twelve centuries of resilience may no longer withstand.

Libreng Tuli 2026 brings free medical services to San Pablo youth

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
Libreng Tuli 2026 brings free medical services to San Pablo youth

SAN PABLO CITY, Laguna, May 25, 2026 — A free circumcision program titled “Libreng Tuli: Basta Pogi, Nagpapatuli!” is set to take place in Barangay Sto. Niño on Sunday, May 31, 2026, offering free medical services to young residents in the community.

The initiative, organized by Paolo Jose “Pamboy” Lopez, will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at the Barangay Sto. Niño Barangay Hall.

According to organizers, interested participants are encouraged to register at Barangay Sto. Niño to secure inclusion in the program. Parents or guardians are likewise advised to accompany their children on the day of the procedure.

Medical volunteers and local health workers are expected to assist during the activity to help ensure participant safety and proper medical care. Organizers also advised attendees to arrive early and bring basic necessities such as towels, extra shorts, and drinking water.

Slots for the free circumcision program will be accommodated on a first come, first served basis, organizers said.

The program aims to provide accessible medical circumcision services while promoting proper hygiene and community-based healthcare initiatives among young residents in Barangay Sto. Niño.e community while promoting proper hygiene and accessible healthcare initiatives in the barangay.

Iranian envoys meet Qatar leaders as talks on possible U.S. deal continue, official says

EDGARDO HERNAL
-
0
Iranian envoys meet Qatar leaders as talks on possible U.S. deal continue, official says

NEW DELHI / DUBAI — Senior Iranian officials, including the country’s top negotiator and foreign minister, held discussions in Doha with Qatar’s prime minister over a possible framework agreement with the United States aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, according to an official briefed on the visit on Monday.

The talks come after statements from both Washington and Tehran that tempered expectations of an imminent breakthrough, even as diplomatic channels remain active.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in New Delhi that Washington remains committed to giving diplomacy a chance before considering alternative measures in dealing with Iran. He described what he called a “substantial” proposal involving reopening key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, alongside time-bound negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.

In a separate statement posted on Truth Social, U.S. President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran were progressing and encouraged more Arab and Muslim-majority countries to join the Abraham Accords, which seek to normalize relations with Israel. He specifically called on Saudi Arabia and Qatar to participate.

Trump also reiterated that any agreement with Iran would either be “significant” or there would be no deal.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said during a weekly briefing that while progress had been made on several issues, it did not indicate that an agreement was close to being signed. He added that a draft memorandum under discussion includes 14 points focused on ending hostilities and addressing maritime tensions in the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for measures ensuring safe passage through the waterway.

According to the official briefed on the Doha discussions, the agenda focused heavily on maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Iran’s central bank governor also joined the delegation to discuss the possible release of frozen Iranian funds as part of any final arrangement.

Baghaei said nuclear negotiations would only begin in a later phase, potentially over a 60 day period, if a broader framework agreement is reached.

Tensions over the strategic waterway remain central to the talks. The Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor, has seen disrupted traffic since the conflict escalated earlier this year. Iran has insisted it will not impose transit tolls, though it may charge for services such as navigation support and environmental protection under a protocol expected to be coordinated with Oman, which lies across the waterway.

Iranian state media reported that 32 vessels and five oil tankers passed through the strait in the past 24 hours with authorization from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. Tehran has maintained that vessels must coordinate passage with its forces.

Energy markets reacted to the diplomatic signals, with oil prices falling more than 4 percent to two week lows amid expectations that progress could reduce supply risks linked to the waterway.

Despite diplomatic movement, major differences remain over Iran’s nuclear program, regional conflicts involving Israel and Hezbollah, and demands for sanctions relief alongside access to frozen assets abroad.

Iranian sources cited by Reuters said future phases of negotiation could involve technical solutions for Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, including dilution under International Atomic Energy Agency supervision.

Meanwhile, reports suggest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has privately acknowledged limited influence over U.S. decision making regarding the Iran conflict.

The broader conflict has caused significant regional instability, including casualties in Iran and Lebanon following military exchanges involving Israeli forces and Iran aligned groups. Tensions in the Gulf have also contributed to disruptions in global energy supplies and rising prices.

UPLB, San Pablo City forge five-year partnership for sustainable management of Seven Lakes

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
UPLB, San Pablo City forge five-year partnership for sustainable management of Seven Lakes

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna – The City Government of San Pablo and the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) have formalized a five-year partnership aimed at strengthening research, environmental protection, and sustainable management initiatives for the city’s famed Seven Lakes.

The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed on May 19, 2026, at the Chancellor’s Conference Room of UPLB. Signatories to the agreement were San Pablo City Mayor Najie B. Gapangada and UPLB Chancellor Jose V. Camacho Jr. The signing ceremony was witnessed by city and university representatives, including city officials and public information personnel.

The partnership, known as the “UPLB-7LAKES” Program, will run from September 1, 2025 to August 30, 2030. It is designed to advance science-based solutions addressing environmental degradation, sustainable resource utilization, lake restoration, and community participation in managing the Seven Lakes of San Pablo City.

Under the agreement, UPLB will lead the technical, scientific, and research components of the program while the City Government of San Pablo will provide local coordination, stakeholder engagement, and policy implementation support. The collaboration also covers environmental monitoring, research coordination, capacity building, technology transfer, policy development, and public awareness initiatives.

Several research and extension projects are included under the agreement, reflecting a comprehensive approach to environmental conservation, fisheries management, public health, and sustainable development.

Among the major initiatives is the LEAD41PH Project, which focuses on leadership and capacity-building programs for stakeholders involved in aquatic resource management using One Health and Planetary Health frameworks. Complementing this is the CHANGE-PH Project, which seeks to develop educational materials and digital knowledge systems centered on Planetary Health.

The program also includes studies on invasive mollusks and fish species affecting lake ecosystems, as well as the formulation of conservation strategies. Sustainable land and lake-use planning projects will be undertaken for Sampaloc, Palakpakin, and Pandin Lakes to support long-term watershed and environmental protection.

Public health and environmental monitoring form a major component of the partnership. Researchers will conduct studies on waterborne pathogens such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia, assess endocrine disruption and pollution impacts on fish populations, and monitor microplastic contamination in water, sediment, fish, and mollusks across the Seven Lakes.

Additional projects include the Bangus Exposomics Project, which focuses on milkfish health and environmental assessment, and the Kulantro Biotechnology Project, which explores the use of aquatic plants for fish feed additives and biofertilizers. Studies on fish ecology, environmental exposure, and antibiotic residues in fish and water samples from selected lakes are likewise expected to provide valuable scientific data for fisheries management and food safety.

Community engagement and environmental education are also central to the partnership. Through the “Pitong Lawa, Pitong Likha” campaign, UPLB and the city government aim to strengthen conservation awareness while promoting ecotourism and public appreciation of the Seven Lakes.

City officials said the agreement is expected to provide San Pablo with access to scientific expertise, stronger environmental governance, improved fisheries and aquaculture management, enhanced environmental and public health monitoring systems, and long-term conservation strategies.

The MOA does not impose direct funding obligations on the local government for the research projects. Most initiatives will be financed through UPLB and partner funding institutions, including the Department of Science and Technology, the Asia-Pacific Network for Global Change Research, the European Commission Erasmus Mundus program, and other funding agencies.

The City Government’s role will focus on administrative and logistical assistance, coordination with communities and stakeholder groups, facilitation of site visits and monitoring activities, dissemination of research outputs, and support for the implementation of policies and ordinances arising from the studies.

The local government is also expected to provide institutional support by facilitating community engagement, granting access to project sites, coordinating with fisherfolk groups and non-government organizations, and helping advance sustainable lake management policies.

Mayor Gapangada described the partnership as a significant step toward positioning San Pablo City as a model for sustainable lake management and environmental research collaboration in the country, aligning with one of the major priorities of his administration.

Trump says Iran peace framework largely negotiated, Strait of Hormuz reopening eyed

EDGARDO HERNAL
-
0
Trump says Iran peace framework largely negotiated, Strait of Hormuz reopening eyed

WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD — U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington and Iran have “largely negotiated” a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the three-month conflict and reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

The proposed agreement, reportedly brokered by Pakistan, could pave the way for restoring commercial navigation through the waterway, whose closure since February has intensified a global energy crisis following military actions involving the United States and Israel against Iran.

Trump announced on Truth Social that negotiations were nearing completion, saying final details of the agreement were still under discussion and would be announced soon. He did not disclose the full terms of the memorandum.

Reports from U.S. and Iranian media indicated that the framework seeks to end months of fighting, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and ease restrictions on Iranian shipping. Discussions regarding Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium are reportedly expected to continue within 30 to 60 days.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking during a visit to India, said additional developments could emerge as early as Sunday. A senior Iranian source told Reuters that if Iran’s Supreme National Security Council approves the draft memorandum, it would be forwarded to Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei for final approval.

Despite signs of progress, obstacles remain. Iranian outlet Tasnim reported that disagreements persist over certain provisions and warned that a final agreement would be unlikely if Washington continued to impose obstacles during negotiations.

Markets have closely monitored the talks as the conflict continues to weigh heavily on global energy supplies. Brent crude prices remain sharply elevated, rising about 43 percent since the outbreak of hostilities in February. Industry leaders have cautioned that even with an immediate ceasefire, full shipping capacity through the Strait of Hormuz may not be restored until 2027.

According to reports from U.S. outlet Axios, the draft agreement could include the lifting of the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports and limited sanctions relief for Iranian oil exports. The framework also reportedly contains Iranian commitments not to pursue nuclear weapons.

Trump has repeatedly said the U.S. military campaign was intended to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Tehran, however, continues to deny seeking nuclear arms and insists its uranium enrichment program is intended for civilian energy purposes.

Iranian media also reported that the draft proposes mutual non-aggression commitments. Under the reported terms, the U.S. and its allies would refrain from attacking Iran or allied groups, while Iran would pledge not to launch preemptive attacks.

Regional security concerns remain a complicating factor. Israeli politician Benny Gantz warned against linking any Iran agreement to a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israeli forces continue operations against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah movement.

Israeli media, citing unnamed officials, reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Trump that Israel would retain operational freedom against perceived threats, including in Lebanon. Trump later described his conversation with Netanyahu as having gone “very well.”

Sources familiar with the talks said the proposed framework could unfold in three phases: formally ending the war, resolving navigation issues in the Strait of Hormuz, and opening a 30-day negotiation window for a broader and more comprehensive agreement.

Pakistani sources said the Strait could reopen immediately after Washington lifts its blockade on Iranian shipping. Rubio noted that the arrangement could lead to fully open maritime passage without tolls.

Iranian officials, however, stressed that maritime normalization would depend on the fulfillment of U.S. commitments. Tasnim also reported that Tehran seeks the release of frozen Iranian assets during the first phase of any deal.

Trump, whose approval ratings have faced pressure amid rising domestic energy prices, remained in Washington over the weekend and cited the Iran crisis among the reasons for postponing personal commitments. Reports said he held discussions with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan, many of whom reportedly encouraged support for the emerging framework.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said negotiations had moved toward reducing disputes but acknowledged that unresolved issues remain, particularly regarding the threat of renewed U.S. military action and the conflict in Lebanon.

Iran’s lead negotiator Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Iranian armed forces had rebuilt their capabilities during the ceasefire and cautioned that any resumption of war would bring consequences “more forceful and bitter” than those seen at the beginning of the conflict.

Suicide bombing near a railway track in southwest Pakistan kills at least 23 people, dozens wounded 

Venus L Peñaflor
-
0
Suicide bombing near a railway track in southwest Pakistan kills at least 23 people, dozens wounded 

QUETTA, Pakistan  — A suicide bombing struck a railway track in Quetta, southwestern Pakistan, on Sunday, killing at least 23 people and injuring more than 70 others, according to officials.

Authorities said a suicide attacker detonated an explosives-laden vehicle near the railway line as a passenger train passed through the area. The blast was powerful enough to derail and set on fire two train carriages, sending thick black smoke into the air, based on footage shared online.

The attack occurred in a heavily monitored area where security forces are usually deployed. Witnesses and images circulating on social media showed significant damage to nearby buildings and more than a dozen vehicles parked along the road.

Doctors at local hospitals said they were treating the wounded, with at least 20 people in critical condition. Security officials said the bodies of the victims were transferred to hospitals following the explosion. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media.

The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement sent to reporters. The group said it had targeted a train carrying security personnel. The BLA has long sought independence from Pakistan’s central government.

Quetta, the capital of insurgency-hit Balochistan province, has been the site of a prolonged low-level separatist conflict. The resource-rich region has frequently seen attacks on security forces, government infrastructure, and civilians.

Balochistan provincial government spokesperson Shahid Rind condemned the attack, saying it targeted innocent civilians. He said a medical emergency had been declared in Quetta hospitals and that an investigation has been launched.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also strongly condemned the bombing, calling it a “cowardly act of terrorism” and expressing condolences to the families of the victims in a post on X.

Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack as well, saying militants targeted “innocent civilians, including women and children,” and vowed to “hunt them down.”

Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari said the bombing was intended to undermine Pakistan’s role in regional and international peace efforts.

The attack comes amid ongoing instability in Balochistan, where authorities say they have largely contained the insurgency but violence continues. In a similar incident in 2024, at least 26 people, including soldiers, were killed in a suicide attack on a train station in the province.

1...121314...839Page 13 of 839




Tutubi Digital News will shape up the way you stay up to date with the goings-on around Calabarzon, and the world. Tutubi is committed to keep you socially active. Tutubi updates on the Go!


Contact us:

info@tutubi.ph

Popular Posts

Popular category

PH News3603World News3519Asia1573Curiosity1074War Reports and Updates676

Developed by Tutubi News Magazine |Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions of Use | Cookie Policy | All rights reserved