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Nagbukas ng bagong coast guard base ang Pilipinas sa pinag-aagawang South China Sea

Venus L Peñaflor
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Nagbukas ng bagong coast guard base ang Pilipinas sa pinag-aagawang South China Sea

MAYNILA — Pormal na pinasinayaan ng Pilipinas ang isang mahalagang base ng Coast Guard sa Thitu Island noong Huwebes, bilang bahagi ng pagpapalakas ng presensya ng bansa sa gitna ng patuloy na tensyon sa South China Sea.

Inilarawan ng mga opisyal ang bagong coast guard district command bilang isang “matatag na bantay ng ating soberanya” sa rehiyong inaangkin din ng China, gayundin ng Vietnam at Taiwan. Matagal nang okupado ng mga Pilipino ang isla, na kilala rin bilang Pag-asa, at tinitirhan ng humigit-kumulang 400 residente.

Pinangunahan nina Giovanni Lopez, Erwin Tulfo, at Ronnie Gil Gavan ang seremonya ng pagbubukas, kasabay ng paggunita sa Araw ng Kagitingan. Ayon kay Lopez, layunin ng pasilidad na ipakita ang kahandaan ng bansa na ipagtanggol ang karagatan, kabuhayan ng mga mangingisda, at pambansang soberanya.

Samantala, iniulat ng Philippine Coast Guard na pinaputukan ng flare ng mga puwersa ng China ang kanilang patrol aircraft sa ibabaw ng Subi Reef at Mischief Reef, na tinawag nitong isang malinaw at sinadyang pananakot na naglagay sa panganib sa mga tauhang Pilipino. Wala pang opisyal na pahayag ang China hinggil dito.

Patuloy na inaangkin ng China ang halos buong South China Sea sa kabila ng desisyon noong 2016 South China Sea Arbitration na nagpawalang-bisa sa malawak nitong claim sa ilalim ng United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Ang bagong pasilidad ay pamumunuan ng isang commodore at susuportahan ng mga tauhan, barko, at sasakyang panghimpapawid para sa pagpapatupad ng batas, pagmamanman, pangangalaga sa kalikasan, at search and rescue operations. Plano ring magtayo ng mas maliliit na outpost sa iba pang bahaging kontrolado ng Pilipinas.

Matatagpuan sa lalawigan ng Palawan, ang Pag-asa Island ay isa sa siyam na isla at bahura na hawak ng Pilipinas mula pa noong dekada 1970. Sa kabila ng mga modernisasyong tulad ng internet, runway, at mas maayos na suplay ng tubig at kuryente, nananatili itong isang maliit na pamayanan kumpara sa malalaking pasilidad na itinayo ng China sa mga kalapit na bahura.

Ayon sa lokal na opisyal na si MP Albayda, malaking tulong sa moral ng mga residente ang bagong base, lalo na’t araw-araw nilang nasasaksihan ang presensya ng mga barko ng Chinese coast guard at militia sa paligid ng isla.


Inaprubahan ni Marcos ang P10-per-liter fuel subsidy para sa PUV

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Inaprubahan ni Marcos ang P10-per-liter fuel subsidy para sa PUV

MAYNILA – Inaprubahan ni Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr. ang pagbibigay ng P10 kada litro na subsidy sa krudo para sa mga public utility vehicle (PUV) upang maibsan ang pasanin ng mga tsuper at operator sa gitna ng pagtaas ng presyo ng langis dulot ng tensyon sa Middle East.

Sa isang video message noong Huwebes, sinabi ng Pangulo na may takdang limitasyon ang subsidiya na hanggang 150 litro kada linggo at ipatutupad ito sa loob ng tatlong buwan. Uunahin ang implementasyon sa National Capital Region sa susunod na linggo, simula sa Commonwealth Avenue, bago palawakin sa iba pang pangunahing kalsada tulad ng Quezon Avenue, España, Zapote, A. Bonifacio, Rizal Avenue, at Marcos Highway, hanggang sa maipatupad sa buong bansa.

Ayon kay Marcos, layunin din ng hakbang na mapigilan ang pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin at serbisyo. Idinagdag niya na ipatutupad lamang ang subsidiya sa mga lehitimong gasolinahan na aprubado at mino-monitor ng Department of Energy upang matiyak na hindi ito maaabuso.

Nauna nang sinabi ng Pangulo na sasamantalahin ng Pilipinas ang dalawang linggong ceasefire sa pagitan ng Estados Unidos at Iran upang makapag-angkat ng sapat na suplay ng petrolyo. Ayon naman sa isang source mula sa industriya ng langis, inaasahan ang bahagyang ginhawa o posibleng rollback sa presyo ng krudo sa mga susunod na araw.

Bukod dito, inanunsyo rin ng Pangulo ang pagpapatupad ng service contracting program na magbibigay ng bayad na mula P40 hanggang P100 kada kilometro para sa mga driver at operator ng PUV. Kalakip nito ang hindi bababa sa 20 porsiyentong diskwento sa pamasahe para sa mga pasahero.

Ipapatupad ang programa sa pangunguna ng Department of Transportation simula Abril 15, at inaasahang sasaklaw sa humigit-kumulang 50,000 PUV, 1,000 operator, at hanggang 15 milyong pasahero sa buong bansa.

Tiniyak ni Marcos na magkakaroon ng GPS monitoring ang mga sasaling sasakyan upang masiguro ang maayos at aktwal na biyahe, lalo na sa mga oras na hindi rush hour. Layunin nitong matiyak na tuloy-tuloy ang serbisyo ng pampublikong transportasyon at ang kabuhayan ng mga tsuper.

Dagdag pa ng Pangulo, ang mga rutang saklaw ng programa ay tututok sa mga lugar na may koneksyon sa mga linya ng tren at pangunahing bus routes upang maging mas episyente, mabilis, at maaasahan ang biyahe ng mga commuter.


Pope Leo embarks on African tour to call for support for the continent’s needs

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Pope Leo embarks on African tour to call for support for the continent’s needs

Vatican City — Pope Leo is set to begin a 10-day visit to four African nations next week, aiming to draw global attention to the continent’s challenges and opportunities in his first major overseas trip of 2026.

From April 13 to 23, the pontiff will travel nearly 18,000 kilometers across 11 المدن and towns in Algeria, Cameroon, Angola, and Equatorial Guinea, in a demanding itinerary that includes 18 flights.

Senior Vatican official Cardinal Michael Czerny said the trip reflects the pope’s intention to bring sustained international focus to Africa, home to more than one-fifth of the world’s Catholics.

“By heading to Africa so early in his pontificate, the pope shows that Africa matters,” Czerny said. “He wants to make sure the continent is not overlooked as nations focus on their own concerns.”

The visit is considered a personal priority for Leo, the first American pope, and highlights the Church’s recognition of Africa as the fastest-growing region for Catholicism. Vatican data indicate that over 20 percent of Catholics worldwide live on the continent, with several countries reporting Catholic-majority populations.

In Equatorial Guinea, where more than 70 percent of citizens identify as Catholic, the pope’s visit will mark the first papal trip since 1982. By contrast, Algeria remains predominantly Muslim, with a small Catholic minority.

During the tour, Leo is expected to deliver 25 speeches and hold meetings with political leaders and local communities. In Algeria, he will promote interfaith dialogue and visit the Great Mosque of Algiers, marking only his second visit to a mosque as pope. He will also travel to Annaba to visit the historic site of Hippo, associated with St. Augustine of Hippo, a central figure in the Augustinian tradition to which Leo belongs.

In Cameroon, the pope will attend a “meeting for peace” in Bamenda, a region affected by years of conflict between government forces and separatist groups.

Church leaders say the visit carries a message of hope and reconciliation. Rev. Agbonkhianmeghe Orobator noted that the trip would highlight Africa’s resilience while addressing ongoing humanitarian and political challenges.

“It will afford Pope Leo an opportunity to bring his message of hope, peace, and reconciliation to places where instability and intolerance have caused suffering,” he said.

The pope is also scheduled to visit the city of Bata in Equatorial Guinea, where he will pray at the site of a 2021 military barracks explosion that killed more than 100 people.

Observers say the tour underscores the Vatican’s effort to elevate Africa’s role in global discussions. Djamila Cassoma, a lawyer and entrepreneur in Angola, said the visit could help drive international awareness and action.

“The choice of Africa for this tour is not random,” she said. “Many of the major global challenges are concentrated here, but it is also where solutions can be reimagined.”

Iran publishes chart showing it may have put sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz as a fragile ceasefire holds

Venus L Peñaflor
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Iran publishes chart showing it may have put sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz as a fragile ceasefire holds

Dubai — Semiofficial media outlets in Iran on Thursday released a chart indicating that the country’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps may have deployed sea mines in the Strait of Hormuz during recent hostilities, signaling potential leverage as a fragile ceasefire enters its early days.

The development comes amid uncertainty surrounding a two-week truce involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, with further negotiations expected to take place in Pakistan.

While the ceasefire has largely held, Tehran and Washington have presented conflicting interpretations of its terms. Iran has claimed it secured the right to control the Strait of Hormuz, impose transit tolls, and continue uranium enrichment. In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump has maintained that the agreement requires the waterway to remain open and mandates Iran to relinquish its uranium stockpile.

The chart, published by ISNA and Tasnim news agencies, depicted a “danger zone” over established shipping lanes in the strait, a critical chokepoint through which roughly 20 percent of global oil and gas supplies have historically passed. The map suggested vessels diverting closer to Iranian territorial waters near Larak Island, a route reportedly used by some ships during the conflict. It remains unclear whether any mines have since been cleared.

Global markets reacted cautiously to the ongoing tensions. Oil prices climbed above $97 per barrel, with Brent crude rising 2.9 percent to $97.46 and U.S. benchmark crude gaining 3.7 percent to $97.94. Asian equities declined, reflecting skepticism over the durability of the ceasefire.

Shipping activity through the strait appeared limited. Data from maritime analytics firm Kpler showed only four vessels with active tracking systems transiting the waterway on the first day of the truce, although the figure excludes so-called “dark fleet” ships that operate with tracking systems turned off, often transporting sanctioned Iranian oil.

Trump signaled continued military pressure, stating that U.S. forces would remain deployed in the region until full compliance with what he described as the “real agreement.” In a social media post, he warned of a significantly escalated response should the terms not be met, while reiterating that Iran would not be permitted to develop nuclear weapons and that the Strait of Hormuz would remain open and secure.

Despite the ceasefire, violence has persisted in the region. Israel intensified strikes against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including attacks in Beirut that resulted in at least 182 fatalities, according to reports. Additional overnight strikes in southern Lebanon reportedly killed at least seven more people, though the Israeli military did not immediately comment.

The continued hostilities have raised concerns about the stability of the agreement. JD Vance described the truce as “fragile,” while Iran’s parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, said planned negotiations were “unreasonable,” citing alleged violations of Tehran’s conditions, including continued Israeli strikes and reported incursions into Iranian airspace.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted that the ceasefire extended to Lebanon. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump have both said the agreement does not cover operations there. Pakistani officials, who helped mediate the deal, have suggested it applies broadly across the region.

A U.S.-based think tank, The Soufan Center, warned that the ceasefire remains at risk of collapse, noting that the scale of Israeli strikes could be perceived as escalatory regardless of formal terms.

The White House confirmed that Vance will lead the U.S. delegation to upcoming talks in Islamabad scheduled to begin Saturday. Iran is expected to send a negotiating team, although details remain unclear after initial announcements were withdrawn.

Iran has indicated it will push for a framework based on 10 conditions, including uranium enrichment and control over the Strait of Hormuz, positions that U.S. officials have repeatedly rejected.

U.S., Iran agree to two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan as uncertainties persist

Venus L Peñaflor
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U.S., Iran agree to two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan as uncertainties persist

The United States and Iran have agreed to a two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan, raising hopes of a temporary halt to a six-week conflict that has left thousands dead, destabilized the Middle East, and severely disrupted global energy supplies—though details remain unclear, according to the Associated Press.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced the agreement late Tuesday, just two hours before a deadline he had set for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face what he warned would be the destruction of its “whole civilisation.”

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif confirmed that delegations from both countries have been invited to meet in Islamabad on Friday. According to Trump, the ceasefire is contingent on Iran pausing its blockade of oil and gas shipments through the strategic waterway, which typically carries about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran would halt counter-attacks and allow safe passage through the strait, provided that attacks against Iran cease.

The announcement triggered immediate reactions in global markets, with oil prices falling sharply and stock markets rallying amid optimism that one of the most severe disruptions to energy flows in recent history may ease.

In Iran, crowds gathered overnight in celebration, waving national flags while also expressing caution about the durability of the agreement. “Israel will not allow diplomacy to work and Trump might change his view tomorrow. But at least we can sleep tonight without strikes,” said Alireza, a 29-year-old government employee in Tehran.

The ceasefire temporarily suspends hostilities that began on February 28, when Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a military campaign aimed at curbing Iran’s regional influence, dismantling its nuclear program, and encouraging internal political change.

Trump described the ceasefire as a “total and complete victory,” asserting that U.S. military objectives had been achieved. However, analysts note that Iran retains its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and its capacity to launch missile and drone attacks, raising questions about the long-term impact of the conflict.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council claimed the country had inflicted a “historic and crushing defeat” on its adversaries, signaling competing narratives over the outcome of the war.

Israel expressed support for the temporary suspension of strikes, though the agreement has drawn criticism domestically. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the ceasefire a “diplomatic disaster,” while former military deputy chief Yair Golan described the outcome as a “complete failure” that left key security threats unresolved.

Despite the truce, tensions persist across the region. Israel said Lebanon is not included in the ceasefire, and military operations there will continue, according to reports by Reuters. Forces under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remain engaged in strikes against the Iran-aligned Hezbollah. Lebanese authorities reported ongoing airstrikes and artillery shelling in the south, including an attack near a hospital that killed four people. A senior Lebanese official said Beirut had not been informed of any inclusion in the ceasefire agreement, underscoring the limited scope of the truce.

Shipping companies remain cautious about resuming operations through the Strait of Hormuz. Danish shipping giant Maersk said it would continue to assess risks before allowing vessels to transit the area.

The ceasefire leaves core demands unresolved. U.S. officials are expected to push for Iran to dismantle its nuclear program and missile capabilities, while Tehran has previously demanded sanctions relief, compensation for damages, and guarantees against future military action.

With negotiations set to begin in Islamabad, the coming weeks are expected to test whether the fragile truce can evolve into a more lasting resolution or collapse under longstanding tensions.

Volunteers digitize 10,000 concert recordings from music fan into online archive

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Volunteers digitize 10,000 concert recordings from music fan into online archive

On July 8, 1989, Aadam Jacobs, a young music enthusiast, attended a small Chicago show by an emerging rock band from Washington called Nirvana. With a compact Sony cassette recorder tucked into his pocket, he captured the band’s raw debut performance, documenting 20-year-old Kurt Cobain introducing the group and launching into their first song, “School,” more than two years before the release of their landmark album Nevermind.

Over the next four decades, Jacobs recorded more than 10,000 concerts in Chicago and other cities, gradually upgrading from cassette tapes to digital audio recorders. His extensive collection includes performances by alternative and experimental artists like R.E.M., The Cure, The Pixies, Depeche Mode, Sonic Youth, Stereolab, Björk, as well as hip-hop pioneers Boogie Down Productions and jam band Phish. Many lesser-known acts are also represented, providing a comprehensive snapshot of indie and punk rock from the 1980s to the early 2000s.

Now, a dedicated group of volunteers in the U.S. and Europe is systematically cataloging, digitizing, and uploading the recordings to the nonprofit Internet Archive, making them available for streaming and free download. Jacobs’ earliest Nirvana recording has been cleaned up for online release.

Jacobs, now 59, said he started taping music as a teenager, initially from the radio and later at live shows, often facing resistance from club owners before becoming a recognized figure in the local music scene. “I was using, at times, pretty lackluster equipment, simply because I had no money to buy anything better,” he recalled.

Volunteers such as Brian Emerick, who collects boxes of tapes from Jacobs’ home each month, convert the analog recordings into digital files. Emerick has digitized over 5,500 shows since late 2024, using multiple working cassette and DAT decks simultaneously. Other volunteers across the U.S., U.K., and Germany provide metadata, clean audio, and verify song titles, occasionally consulting artists directly.

Neil deMause, one of the volunteers, praised the quality of the recordings, noting that even early cassette tapes sound impressive despite primitive equipment. Gems such as a 1984 James Brown show have been rediscovered in the process.

Jacobs said most artists appreciate having their work preserved, and only a handful have requested removal. Copyright experts note that while artists technically own their live recordings, the non-commercial nature of the project reduces legal risks. Notably, The Replacements incorporated one of Jacobs’ 1986 recordings into a 2023 live album release.

Although Jacobs has stopped recording due to health reasons, he enjoys revisiting live music online and observes that “since everybody’s got a cellphone, anybody can record a concert.” The Aadam Jacobs Collection now stands as a unique online repository preserving decades of live music history for fans worldwide.

Iran signals possible limited reopening of Strait of Hormuz ahead of U.S. talks

EDGARDO HERNAL
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Iran signals possible limited reopening of Strait of Hormuz ahead of U.S. talks

DUBAI — Iran may allow a partial and tightly controlled reopening of the Strait of Hormuz as early as Thursday or Friday, a senior Iranian official said, in a move that could ease tensions ahead of planned talks with the United States in Pakistan.

The official, who is involved in the negotiations, said Tehran is considering reopening the vital shipping route “in a limited, controlled way” if both sides reach an initial understanding on a framework for dialogue. Under the proposed arrangement, all vessels would be required to coordinate closely with Iranian military authorities.

The development comes amid a fragile two-week ceasefire following weeks of escalating conflict involving Iran, the United States, and regional actors. Despite the truce, tensions remain high, raising uncertainty over whether diplomatic efforts can lead to a lasting agreement.

Iranian officials said the country prefers a sustainable peace but remains prepared to return to conflict if negotiations fail or if it faces further provocation. The Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route through which about a fifth of the world’s supply passes, has been central to the crisis. Its recent disruption has affected international shipping and energy markets.

Recent reports indicate that limited shipping activity has cautiously resumed under strict monitoring, though many global shipping firms remain hesitant due to security risks and the lack of firm guarantees. Oil prices, which surged during the height of the tensions, have shown slight easing following the ceasefire, although volatility persists.

Talks between U.S. and Iranian officials expected in Pakistan are seen as a crucial step toward de-escalation. Diplomatic sources said mediation efforts helped prevent a breakdown in negotiations, but key differences remain unresolved, including issues related to maritime access

Supreme Court directs House to comment on petitions vs VP Sara Duterte impeachment proceedings

Carlo Juancho Funtanilla
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Supreme Court directs House to comment on petitions vs VP Sara Duterte impeachment proceedings

MANILA – The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday instructed the House of Representatives and its justice committee to comment on petitions seeking to halt the impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte, restraining order (TRO) on the proceedings.

House Speaker Faustino ‘Bojie’ Dy III said the chamber “welcomes the Supreme Court’s non-issuance of a temporary restraining order. We have the highest respect for the Court and its processes, and we defer to its authority on matters properly brought before it. In the absence of any legal restraint, the House of Representatives will continue to discharge its constitutional mandate.”

The petitions, filed by lawyers Israelito Torreon, Vic Rodriguez, Rescie Angelli Rizada-Nolasco, Martin Delgra III, Wendel Avisado, James Patrick Bondoc, Raul Lambino, Luna Maria Acosta-Manlitoc, Jesus Hinlo Jr., and Dr. Richard Mata on March 27, asked the SC to halt the impeachment proceedings. Duterte filed a separate petition on March 30.

In her certiorari petition, Duterte argued that the House justice panel’s proceedings are unconstitutional and that it lacks the authority to conduct a trial. “It is evident that the proceedings before the respondent committee are, in truth and substance, a trial in disguise. Its members’ use of various nomenclatures such as a ‘mini-trial,’ a ‘hearing proper,’ or a ‘process akin to a preliminary investigation’ does not change its true nature,” the petition read.

Duterte claimed allowing the committee to conduct a trial would permit it to “circumvent the limits of their function and usurp the prerogatives of the impeachment court solely vested in the Senate.” She also questioned the panel’s prior findings on the sufficiency of the Saballa and Cabrera complaints and described the proceedings as a “fishing expedition” to shore up allegedly inadequate complaints.

The Vice President’s camp further argued that the proceedings lacked due process, noting that procedural due process requires more than mere notice but a “genuine and meaningful opportunity to be heard.” They emphasized that the impeachment complaints do not allege “ultimate facts” but only legal conclusions or evidentiary matters. Duterte also requested a final injunction nullifying and setting aside the impeachment proceedings related to the Saballa and Cabrera complaints and enjoining both the House and Senate from acting on them.

In response, Bicol Saro Rep. Terry Ridon, a member of the House justice panel, said Duterte’s petition “is anchored on a misrepresentation of facts and a distorted interpretation of the Constitution and prevailing jurisprudence.”

The Supreme Court’s directive now sets a 10-day window for the House and its justice committee to submit their comments on the consolidated petitions, after which the high court will decide on the next steps.

Trump and Iran agree to two‑week ceasefire as Strait of Hormuz deadline passes

Venus L Peñaflor
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Trump and Iran agree to two‑week ceasefire as Strait of Hormuz deadline passes

Dubai, United Arab Emirates — In a dramatic last‑minute shift in a conflict that had threatened to engulf the Middle East, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a two‑week ceasefire agreement with Iran on Tuesday, just hours before his self‑imposed deadline for Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face devastating strikes. The agreement, mediated by Pakistan, establishes a mutual pause in military operations and is contingent on Iran fully and safely reopening the vital waterway through which about one‑fifth of the world’s oil flows.

Trump said on social media that the ceasefire would be “double sided” and reflected progress toward a broader peace agreement based on a 10‑point proposal from Tehran. He also claimed that U.S. military objectives had already been met.

Earlier, just hours before announcing the ceasefire, Trump had issued one of his most extreme warnings yet, claiming that “a whole civilization will die tonight” if Iran failed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. He threatened devastating strikes against bridges, power plants, and other critical infrastructure. Iranian officials described Trump’s rhetoric as provocative and “arrogant.” Despite limited military capabilities compared to the United States, Iran maintained control of the strait, causing disruptions in global oil flows and sharp increases in prices.

In response to the threats, Iranian authorities mobilized civilians. Alireza Rahimi, secretary of the Supreme Council of Youth and Adolescents, urged young people, athletes, artists, students, and professors to form human chains around power plants and other critical infrastructure to protect national assets. President Masoud Pezeshkian said on social media that 14 million Iranians had volunteered to defend the country. He declared, “I too have been, am, and will remain ready to give my life for Iran.”

The conflict began on Feb. 28, with U.S. and Israeli strikes targeting Iranian leadership and military facilities. Since then, Iran has launched missiles and drones at U.S. forces, Israel, and Gulf Arab states. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz had disrupted global energy supplies. Oil prices spiked sharply, while Gulf stock markets fell amid fears of a prolonged conflict.

Diplomatic efforts intensified in the days leading up to the ceasefire. Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt, and Turkey played key roles in negotiating the temporary truce. Pakistan’s prime minister directly communicated with both Tehran and Washington to broker the agreement. Iran, however, insisted that any deal should include permanent safeguards, compensation, and lifting of sanctions, not just a temporary pause. The ceasefire represents only a fragile window for diplomacy, and full compliance remains uncertain.

Since the conflict began, thousands of people have been killed, including civilians. Infrastructure has suffered widespread damage. Experts warned that threats to civilian sites could violate international law and amount to war crimes.

As the two‑week ceasefire takes effect, key questions remain about whether Iran will fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz, whether both sides can reach a permanent peace deal with guarantees and compensation, and whether the ceasefire will hold amid ongoing missile activity. Global markets and governments are closely monitoring the situation for any signs of escalation or compliance with the temporary truce.

Bangladesh launches emergency vaccination drive amid deadly measles outbreak

Paraluman P. Funtanilla
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Bangladesh launches emergency vaccination drive amid deadly measles outbreak

Dhaka, Bangladesh — The Bangladesh government has launched an emergency measles-rubella vaccination campaign following a deadly outbreak that has claimed the lives of more than 100 children in less than a month.

In coordination with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, and the Gavi vaccine alliance, authorities began vaccinating children aged 6 months to 5 years across 18 high-risk districts on Sunday. The campaign is set to expand nationwide in phases beginning next month, according to a joint statement.

Health officials raised alarm over the rapid increase in infections, with more than 900 confirmed measles cases out of 7,500 suspected infections reported since March 15. UNICEF warned that the outbreak is placing the youngest and most vulnerable children at significant risk.

“This resurgence highlights critical immunity gaps, particularly among zero-dose and under-vaccinated children,” said Rana Flowers, UNICEF representative in Bangladesh. She added that infections among infants under nine months who are not yet eligible for routine vaccination are especially concerning.

Measles, a highly contagious airborne disease, can cause fever, respiratory illness, and a distinct rash, and may lead to severe or fatal complications, particularly in young children. The World Health Organization said at least 95% vaccination coverage is needed to prevent widespread transmission.

Health Minister Sardar Mohammed Sakhawat Husain attributed the outbreak to lapses in vaccine management by previous administrations, citing shortages that affected immunization programs for measles and other diseases. He pointed to disruptions during recent political upheavals, including the 2024 mass uprising that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the subsequent interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.

Medical authorities are urging parents to seek immediate hospital care for children showing symptoms of measles.

“They should avoid taking medicine from shopkeepers unnecessarily,” said Dr. F. A. Asma Khan of the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Dhaka. “If a child has a high fever, they must be taken to a hospital as soon as possible because our medical officers can provide proper treatment.”

Bangladesh has significantly improved its immunization coverage since launching a nationwide program in 1979, increasing the rate of fully vaccinated children from 2% to over 81%. However, health officials warn that gaps in coverage persist, leaving many children vulnerable to preventable diseases.

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