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IN METRO MANILA
VOL. XL • NO. 57 • 2 SECTIONS 12 PAGES APRIL 12, 2026
Photo credit: Manny Palmero
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NEWS / A2
US, Iran ‘make or break’ peace negotiations start
US to host talks between Lebanon, Israel on Tuesday WASHINGTON will host talks between Lebanon and Israel Tuesday next week to discuss a ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah war and the start of negotiations between the neighbors. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has repeatedly expressed readiness for direct talks with Israel since Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the Middle East war on March 2 with rocket fire at Israel in support of its backer Iran, sparking massive Israeli strikes and a ground invasion. A statement from Aoun’s office said that a first telephone call was held on Friday between the Lebanese and Israeli ambassadors to Washington and the US ambassador to Lebanon, who was also in the American city.
3 areas at dangerous heat level
Talks to end MidEast war overshadowed by mutual distrust
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SLAMABAD – Senior Iranian and American delegations met Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad on Saturday to begin negotiations toward a deal to end the Middle East war unleashed six weeks earlier by US-Israeli strikes on Tehran.
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With the talks underway at Islamabad’s Serena Hotel, Iranian media said the negotiating format going forward had yet to be determined, and it was not clear whether the two sides would meet face-to-face or continue to exchange messages via the Pakistanis.
MAKE OR BREAK. This handout photograph taken and released by Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on April 11, 2026, shows (from left) Pakistan’s Army Chief Syed Asim Munir, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar at the Nur Khan air base in Rawalpindi, near Islamabad. Inset photo shows US Vice President JD Vance (left) shaking hands with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif during their meeting before US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad. AFP
But both sides had arrived at the venue when the Iranian delegation led by parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf met Sharif, followed by US Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by White House envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner. “Commending the commitment of both delegations to engage constructively, the Prime Minister expressed the hope that these talks would serve as a stepping stone toward durable peace in the region,” Sharif’s office said. “The Prime Minister reiterated that Pakistan looks forward to continue its facilitation of both sides in making progress towards sustainable peace in the region.” Iran has previously said that any agreement on a permanent end to fighting must include the unfreezing of sanctioned Iranian assets as well as an end to Israel’s war against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which Vance has said will not be up for discussion in Islamabad. The warring parties still appeared to be far apart on key issues – including sanctions, Lebanon and the opening of the strategic Strait of Hormuz – and made no attempt to hide their mutual suspicion. Turn to A4
329,000 barrels of diesel arrive from Malaysia By Maricel V. Cruz
BINI MAKES HISTORY! (From left) Aiah, Maloi, Sheena, Gwen, Stacey, Jhoanna Robles, Mikha and Colet of BINI perform at the Mojave Tent during the 2026 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival at Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. AFP
BINI makes historic debut for P-pop with Coachella Festival performance By Angelica Villanueva “NATION’S girl group” BINI brought Filipino pop to one of the world’s biggest music festivals as it made history as the first Filipino act to perform at Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California
The eight-member group took the Mojave Stage for a 45-minute set at the in Indio, California, performing before a crowd of mixed Filipino and foreign fans. BINI’s appearance marked a milestone not only for the group but for
SOME 329,000 barrels (52.311 million liters) of diesel from Malaysia arrived in the country as part of the second government-secured diesel shipment amid the ongoing war in the Middle East, the Department of Energy said yesterday. “This latest shipment from Malaysia further strengthens our supply position at a time when external risks remain and the situation in the Middle East continues to evolve,” Energy Secretary Sharon Garin said. “The government is taking deliberate and forward-looking steps to build up available supply, support essential
sectors, and help ensure that the country remains prepared for possible disruptions in the global oil market,” she added. The procurement is in line with the government’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s fuel supply amid global oil market volatility caused by developments in the Middle East, pursuant to the directive of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. under Executive Order 110. The newly arrived shipment follows the first delivery of 142,000 barrels (22.578 million liters) from Japan, which arrived in the country on March 26. At the House of Representatives, lawmakers are fast-tracking a pack-
age of measures to address rising fuel costs, with legislation expected to be ready when Congress resumes session on May 4. The push is being led through the Legislative Energy Action Development (LEAD) Council, a multi-committee body tasked with aligning immediate relief and long-term reforms as oil prices continue to climb amid tensions in the Middle East. Marikina 2nd District Rep. Miro Quimbo, chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means and presiding officer of the LEAD Council, said lawmakers are working through the break to ensure concrete measures are in place when the session resumes. Turn to A4
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Ombudsman officer, Madriaga to appear in VP’s impeach hearing Tuesday—Ridon By Maricel V. Cruz THE House Committee on Justice expects the attendance of an officer from the Office of the Ombudsman as well as detained witness Ramil Madriaga during the next hearing on the impeachment complaints against Vice President Sara Duterte on Tuesday, a lawmaker said yesterday. “I think the Office of the Ombudsman has confirmed but I think Ombudsman [Jesus Crispin] Remulla
stated that he will deploy the officer who has access to the Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth of the Vice President,”said Bicol Saro party-list Rep. Terry Ridon, chairman of the House Committee on Public Accounts. “But of course, the Ombudsman himself is welcome to attend the impeachment proceedings,”Ridon added. He said the committee is also expected to put Madriaga’s affidavit and credibility under verification as
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DOMESTIC SUPPLY BOOST. About 329,000 barrels, or 52.311 million liters, of diesel from Malaysia arrive in the country as the government stocks up on supply amid the ongoing Middle East war. FB page of Energy Secretary Sharon Garin
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