KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday for an unannounced visit at a time when the war in Iran has spurred interest among Gulf countries in Ukrainian military technology. &quot;Arrived in Saudi Arabia. Important meetings are scheduled. We appreciate the support and support those who are ready to work with us to ensure security,&quot; Zelensky wrote on social media. This is a developing story....

Middle East

Ukrainian president says he has arrived in Kingdom for important meetings, expressing gratitude for support and backing those willing to work together to ensure security, amid war in the Middle East.

Zelensky arrives in Saudi Arabia on surprise visit

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Thursday expressed grief over the death of a Pakistani national killed by falling debris, as Islamabad continues diplomatic efforts to help de-escalate the ongoing conflict between Iran and the United States.&nbsp;&ldquo;We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of a Pakistani national in an incident involving falling debris in Sweihan Street, Abu Dhabi, today,&rdquo; the embassy said in a statement.&nbsp;The mission extended condolences to the bereaved family and assured support during the difficult time.&nbsp;&ldquo;In this difficult time, we stand with the bereaved family, offering our heartfelt condolences and prayers,&rdquo; it added.&nbsp;The embassy said it was coordinating closely with local authorities to assist the family and expedite repatriation.&nbsp;The incident comes as the widening Middle East conflict increasingly impacts civilians across the Gulf.&nbsp;Pakistan has stepped up diplomatic engagement, with officials confirming that indirect talks between Washington and Tehran are ongoing, with Islamabad relaying messages between the two sides as part of broader efforts to reduce tensions and prevent further escalation.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Embassy is in close coordination with local authorities to extend all possible support and to facilitate the earliest repatriation of the deceased,&rdquo; the statement said.

Pakistan mourned a citizen killed by falling debris in UAE, offering condolences and support to the family. Meanwhile, Islamabad continues mediating between the United States and Iran, relaying messages to help reduce tensions.

Pakistan mourns citizen killed in UAE as it mediates ongoing Iran war

BRUSSELS: Ukraine is still getting essential defense equipment despite the war in the Middle East, which is depleting stockpiles in Europe and the United States, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said Thursday.&nbsp;&quot;The good news is that essential equipment into Ukraine continues to flow,&quot; he told reporters. That included American-made Patriot missile interceptors, which Ukraine desperately needs, he added.&nbsp;The PURL program, launched last year, allows Ukraine to receive US equipment financed by European countries.&nbsp;Some 75 percent of the missiles used by Patriot batteries in Ukraine have been supplied through the program, and 90 percent of the munitions used by other air-defense systems, Rutte added.&nbsp;Questioned about the state of the stockpiles and the pressure they are under due to the need for missile interceptors in Israel and the Gulf states, Rutte declined to comment. But he did call on European countries to increase their own production capacity.&nbsp;&quot;They need to produce more extra production lines, extra shifts, opening new factories. The money is there,&quot; he said.

Americas

Europe

NATO chief Mark Rutte said Ukraine is still receiving key weapons, including Patriot interceptors, despite Middle East war pressures on Western stockpiles, and urged European countries to expand arms production capacity.

Ukraine still receiving arms despite Mideast war: NATO

YAOUNDE: The global trading system is experiencing the &quot;worst disruptions in the past 80 years&quot;, World Trade Organization chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warned as the WTO ministerial conference opened Thursday. &quot;The world order and the multilateral system we use to know has irrevocably changed,&quot; she said, adding: &quot;We cannot deny the scale of the problems confronting the world today.&quot; The World Trade Organization&#39;s 166 members appear deeply divided as trade ministers gather in the Cameroonian capital for the WTO&#39;s top conference, amid global economic turmoil linked to the Middle East war. Over four days in Yaounde, WTO members will try to revitalize an institution weakened by geopolitical tensions, stalled negotiations and rising protectionism against the backdrop of the war in the Middle East, which poses a serious threat to international trade. &quot;The scale of the problems confronting the world today, even before the conflict in the Gulf, destabilized trade in energy, fertiliser and food,&quot; Okonjo-Iweala said. &quot;National governments and international institutions alike have been struggling to navigate rising geopolitical tensions, intensifying climate pressures and rapid technological change. &quot;Accompanying these shifts has been an increasingly loud questioning of multilateralism.&quot; Okonjo-Iweala said these disruptions were just one symptom of broader upheavals shaking the international order created after World War II to prevent a repeat of the disasters of the first half of the 20th century. &quot;It feels appropriate that at the moment when the world is in turmoil with conflict in the Middle East, Sudan, Ukraine, and elsewhere, at this time of great disruption and uncertainty, we have gathered in Africa to discuss the road ahead for the global trading system,&quot; she said. &quot;Africa is the continent of the future.&quot; she said. WTO ministerial conferences are typically held every two years. This is the second to be held in Africa, after Nairobi in 2015.

Container ships at the Port of Oakland on 8 March 2023 in Oakland, California. (AFP/FILE)

Africa

World Trade Organization chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warned global trade faces its worst disruptions in 80 years as ministers meet amid deep divisions and geopolitical turmoil.

Global trading system hit by 'worst disruptions in the past 80 years': WTO chief

ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari led a high-level consultative meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr to assess the evolving economic and energy situation amid oil supply constraints and rising petroleum prices, as well as regional security developments, according to a press release issued by the President&#39;s Secretariat on Thursday. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir also attended the meeting. Other participants included cabinet members and senior government officials. The meeting reviewed the impact of fluctuations in global oil and gas supplies and prices on Pakistan&rsquo;s economy, with particular focus on managing inflationary pressures and ensuring energy security.&nbsp; The ministers for finance and petroleum briefed the meeting on ongoing measures to stabilize petroleum prices, manage the effects of rising fuel costs on other sectors of the economy, and enforce fiscal discipline through austerity measures to reduce expenditure pressures.&nbsp; The broader regional situation also came under discussion, including its implications for Pakistan&rsquo;s security, economic outlook and food security.&nbsp; The meeting emphasized the need for a coordinated national response, noting that policy decisions must prioritize stability while safeguarding the public interest. The meeting underscored the importance of maintaining national consensus and strengthening institutional coordination in view of emerging regional challenges. It was agreed that economic management, energy planning, food security, and broader security concerns must stay closely aligned to address this challenging situation. The meeting also emphasized the need for public awareness to reduce fuel consumption, encourage the use of public transportation and promote shared ride systems.

President Asif Ali Zardari chairs a high-level meeting attended by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir at Aiwan-i-Sadr on March 26, 2026. — Photo courtesy President’s Secretariat

Security

Meeting highlights need for national consensus and stronger institutional coordination to tackle regional challenges. Economic management, energy planning, food security, and security issues must stay aligned.

Pakistan's President chairs high-level meeting on economic stability, energy security, and rising oil prices

ISLAMABAD: A sexual-abuse case in India, involving the 20-year-old son of a BJP councillor in Goa, has triggered public outrage and political scrutiny after police arrested the man and shifted the investigation to the state Crime Branch.&nbsp;&nbsp;According to media reports carried by The Print, Soham Sushant Naik is accused of circulating sexually explicit videos, including those of minor girls, and blackmailing victims.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Economic Times reported that the allegations span roughly three years and may involve 25 to 30 minor girls, though that figure remains part of an ongoing investigation.&nbsp;The political sensitivity arises from Naik&rsquo;s family ties. Several outlets have identified him as the son of a BJP-linked councillor in South Goa.&nbsp; In a post on this issue on X, Congress said, &quot;<span style='color: rgb(15, 20, 25); font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;' id="isPasted">Soham Sushant Nayak, son of BJP councillor Sushant Nayak in Goa, gang-raped and sexually assaulted approximately 20-30 minor girls&quot;.&nbsp; <span style='color: rgb(15, 20, 25); font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;'>The post added, &quot;He then made videos of them and circulated them.He was doing this work continuously for the last 3 years, but the BJP government was silent&quot;.&nbsp; <span style='color: rgb(15, 20, 25); font-family: TwitterChirp, -apple-system, "system-ui", "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 17px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;'>It also highlighted that, &quot;The local police, government, and Chief Minister claimed they were unaware of the incident. A case was registered only after people took to the streets in solidarity with the victim&#39;s family&quot;.&nbsp;&nbsp;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-2" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-2&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2037062525683179619&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=28c3122c7356918d167c3372c4e331288e97b585&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 702px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2037062525683179619"></iframe></div></div>The arrest came after large protests outside the police station in Curchorem, increasing criticism that the authorities did not respond quickly enough.&nbsp;&nbsp;Public outrage intensified, along with allegations that the accused may have been protected due to his political connections.&nbsp;<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-3" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-3&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2036733674474144157&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2Fnew%2F&sessionId=28c3122c7356918d167c3372c4e331288e97b585&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 883px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2036733674474144157"></iframe></div></div>The case has also revived opposition claims that politically connected abuse cases are mishandled under BJP governments.&nbsp;&nbsp;In the Ankita Bhandari murder case, renewed allegations surfaced in late 2025 naming BJP national general secretary Dushyant Kumar Gautam and former BJP MLA Suresh Rathore in connection with the still-contested, unknown &ldquo;VIP&rdquo; angle.&nbsp;With the Crime Branch now in charge, the focus is on victim statements, the scope of the alleged abuse, and whether investigators uncover evidence that others helped shield the accused or suppress complaints.

India

Goa police have widened a sexual-abuse probe against a son of a BJP councillor after protests forced action, reviving scrutiny of whether politically connected abuse cases are mishandled under the BJP.

Indian BJP councillor’s son arrested in sexual abuse case involving minors

ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has conveyed warm felicitations to the government and people of Bangladesh on the occasion of their Independence Day, reaffirming a commitment to strengthening bilateral relations. In an official message shared on the social media platform X on Thursday, Pakistan wished continued peace, progress, and prosperity, and expressed its desire to further deepen the cordial ties and cooperation between the two countries.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 873px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2037024682818625890&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=d4fc22dcbaf8a1bf0e1d0ebd121356497db7e0bf&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px"></iframe></div></div>&quot;On the occasion of the Independence Day of Bangladesh, the government and people of Pakistan extend their warmest felicitations and good wishes to the government and people of Bangladesh,&quot; the message said.&nbsp;

Bangladesh

In an official message shared on the social media platform X on Thursday, Pakistan wished continued peace, progress, and prosperity, and expressed its desire to further deepen the cordial ties and cooperation between the two countries.

Pakistan extends greetings to Bangladesh on its independence day

Web Desk/AFP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&#39;s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed Thursday that indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran are ongoing to end their conflict, with Islamabad serving as an intermediary. Dar, who is also deputy prime minister, described speculation about &quot;peace talks&quot; as &quot;unnecessary,&quot; adding: &quot;In reality, US-Iran indirect talks are taking place through messages being relayed by Pakistan.&quot; &quot;In this context, the United States has shared 15 points, being deliberated upon by Iran. Brotherly countries of Turkiye and Egypt, among others, are also extending their support to this initiative,&quot; he wrote on X.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 345px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2037109327719522764&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=d4fc22dcbaf8a1bf0e1d0ebd121356497db7e0bf&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>Dar&#39;s comments are the first on-the-record confirmation from Islamabad that Pakistan is playing a facilitating role. PM Sharif&nbsp;spearheading negotiation effortsMeanwhile, the Foreign Office said on Thursday that&nbsp;Pakistan&#39;s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is spearheading the efforts for negotiations between relevant parties to de-escalate the situation in the Persian Gulf and move toward a peaceful settlement. <div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 640px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2037100140700606603&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F4917%2F&sessionId=77cc430a02c17313999da36161d89bf876622f2b&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div><div> </div>During a weekly press briefing, Tahir Andrabi stated that Pakistan has actively engaged with the regional actors to de-escalate the situation, cease hostilities, and move toward a peaceful settlement. PM Sharif called Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Wednesday, condemning recent attacks on the Kingdom and pressing for an immediate end to hostilities. He conveyed Pakistan&#39;s &quot;firm support and steadfast solidarity to the Kingdom in these challenging times,&quot; Andrabi said. PM Sharif also pressed for &quot;de-escalation and end to hostilities and unity within the Ummah,&quot; the spokesperson stated. Earlier, the prime minister spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. Both sides agreed on &quot;the urgent need for de-escalation, dialogue, and diplomacy,&quot; Andrabi said. Between March 18 and 20, PM Sharif also called the leaders of Kuwait, Turkey, Jordan, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, and Bahrain. The spokesperson stated that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar flew to Riyadh on March 18. He met foreign ministers from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Syria, Turkey, and the UAE. The foreign minister separately held calls with counterparts from Norway, Saudi Arabia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, and the UAE. He also held talks with the EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, between March 13 and 25. Srinagar&rsquo;s historic mosque closure&nbsp;Pakistan also condemned the closure of Srinagar&#39;s historic Jama Masjid during Ramadan and Eid in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. &quot;Preventing worshippers from offering congregational prayers constitutes a serious violation of religious freedoms and fundamental human rights,&quot; Andrabi said. The spokesperson stated that the mosque has remained closed for the seventh consecutive year since India&#39;s actions on August 5, 2019, in IIOJK. He called on the United Nations and international human rights bodies to press New Delhi on the matter. International Day to Combat Islamophobia On the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, observed March 15, Pakistan&rsquo;s FM issued a statement pointing to &quot;attacks on mosques, women, and holy texts&quot; and calling for &quot;international cooperation, dialogue, and respect,&quot; Andrabi stated. &ldquo;Pakistan had played a key role in securing the United Nations&#39; designation of March 15 for the observance,&rdquo; the spokesperson stated.

Foreign Affairs

'In this context, the United States has shared 15 points, being deliberated upon by Iran. Brotherly countries of Turkiye and Egypt, among others, are also extending their support to this initiative,' he wrote on X.

US-Iran indirect talks underway via Pakistan: Foreign Minister Dar

BANGLADESH: Bangladesh&rsquo;s Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman called for intensified global efforts to combat slavery and all forms of oppression at a UN General Assembly commemorative meeting.&nbsp; He made the call while speaking at a meeting marking the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Wednesday, Bangladeshi media reported on Thursday. &nbsp; The foreign minister paid solemn tribute to the millions of victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade and honored the courage and resilience of those who resisted it.&nbsp; Reaffirming Bangladesh&rsquo;s firm stance against injustice, Rahman said the country remains opposed to slavery, apartheid, genocide, and all forms of oppression. He highlighted that Bangladesh&rsquo;s Constitution rejects imperialism, colonialism, racism, and discrimination, and reiterated the nation&rsquo;s solidarity with oppressed people worldwide. The minister reflected on key historical milestones, including the centenary of the 1926 Slavery Convention and nearly 80 years since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Despite these landmark achievements, he warned that the legacy of slavery continues to shape modern society, economy, and politics, with various forms of exploitation persisting globally. Rahman emphasized that remembrance alone is not enough. He called for concrete action, including stronger efforts to combat human trafficking, enhanced international cooperation in digital forensics, and greater investment in education and dialogue about the human and civilizational costs of slavery. Concluding his remarks, he urged the international community to work collectively toward building a world free from slavery and oppression.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman. (File Photo: BSS)

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman urged global action at the United Nations to combat modern slavery and oppression beyond remembrance.

Bangladesh urges global action against slavery, oppression worldwide

MANILA: A ship carrying more than 700,000 barrels of Russian crude oil has arrived in the Philippines, a source with knowledge of the matter told AFP Thursday, days after the country declared a national energy emergency over the US-Israeli war on Iran. The purchase, unthinkable before longtime treaty ally the United States eased sanctions tied to <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/democrats-accuse-trump-of-aiding-russia-with-sanctions-relief" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Russia&#39;s war</a> in Ukraine, comes as the import-dependent archipelago scrambles to expand its options in a suddenly volatile oil market. The Sierra Leone-flagged Sara Sky and its cargo from Russia&#39;s ESPO pipeline arrived Monday, with documents showing the consignee as Petron Corp, operator of the Philippines&#39; sole oil refinery, said the source, who asked to remain anonymous as they were not authorised to speak to the press. Historic highs&nbsp; The Philippines has seen the price of fuel hit historic highs since the US-Israeli war with Iran forced the partial closure of the <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/what-cargo-ships-are-passing-hormuz-strait" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">Strait of Hormuz</a>, with President Ferdinand Marcos saying the country&#39;s dwindling stocks could last about 45 more days. Presidential spokeswoman Claire Castro later confirmed the Russian oil purchase to reporters in a group chat on a messaging app. An AFP journalist on Thursday saw the Sara Sky at anchor in Limay port just outside Manila, where the Petron refinery is located. It is believed to be the first shipment of Russian oil to the country in five years. Ramon Ang, CEO of Petron, told AFP last week the company was &quot;in talks&quot; to potentially purchase Russian oil. Ang declined Thursday to confirm the arrival of the shipment. President Marcos said on Wednesday that the Philippines was casting a wide net in its search for fuel. &quot;We have not only gone to our... traditional oil suppliers, we have tried to explore other sources that are not affected by the war that is ongoing in the Middle East,&quot; he said in a press briefing addressing the state of emergency. &quot;Nothing is off the table. We are looking at everything, everything that we can do.&quot; &#39;All possible partners&#39;&nbsp;Asked about the Russian oil, the Philippines&#39; foreign affairs department told AFP on Thursday the country would cooperate with &quot;all possible partners to contribute to regional and global stability, balanced with our duty to protect and secure Philippine national interests&quot;. The United States this month eased some restrictions on sales of Russian crude, allowing countries to purchase oil that was already at sea until April 11. Ateneo de Manila University economist Ser Pena Reyes said buying the Russian crude -- equivalent to about two days of national demand -- was a pragmatic move that might help stabilise prices in the short term. Ongoing geopolitical volatility, however, made Moscow less attractive as a long-term partner, he told AFP. &quot;Russia can be a useful supplementary supplier... but the Philippines will likely benefit more from a balanced approach, maintaining strong ties with traditional partners while gradually investing in renewable energy and regional energy cooperation,&quot; Pena Reyes said. On Thursday, the Philippines&#39; Department of Energy activated a 20 billion-peso ($332 million) emergency fund that energy secretary Sharon Garin called a &quot;proactive step&quot; to securing fuel supplies. Garin said earlier this week that the archipelago nation also planned to boost the output of its coal-fired power plants to keep electricity costs down as the war wreaks havoc with gas shipments. With the cost of liquefied natural gas (LNG) soaring, Garin said the country would &quot;temporarily&quot; be forced to lean even more heavily on the fossil fuel, the main contributor of climate-warming carbon dioxide emissions from human sources.

Business

The Sierra Leone-flagged Sara Sky and its cargo from Russia's ESPO pipeline arrived Monday, with documents showing the consignee as Petron Corp, operator of the Philippines' sole oil refinery, said the source, who asked to remain anonymous as they were not authorised to speak to the press.

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