Philippine president Ferdinand Marcos Jr has declared a state of national energy emergency amid surging fuel prices in the country, impacted by the Middle East conflict. The Middle East is a vital supplier, rich in both mineral reserves and the gas needed to produce nutrients for staples like corn, wheat and rice. Israel and Iran exchanged airstrikesIsrael and Iran exchanged air strikes on Wednesday, as Iran again rejected Donald Trump’s claim the United States was in negotiations to end to the war. The Trump administration has offered a 15-point ceasefire plan to Iran, according to a person briefed on the contours of the proposal. - APThe US is poised to deploy about 3,000 additional soldiers from its elite 82nd airborne division to the Middle East

Source: The Irish Times March 25, 2026 08:23 UTC