European allies are reportedly losing patience with the ongoing war involving Iran, as both the United States and Iran continue to believe time favors them. The observation came from Mohammad Elmasry, an analyst at the Doha Institute of Graduate Studies, who noted that the prolonged conflict has strained transatlantic unity.

Elmasry referenced a recent statement by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who remarked that Iranians are negotiating with great skill. According to Elmasry, this indicates that former U.S. President Donald Trump is under increasing pressure from European partners who believe he led them into a major crisis and has failed to resolve it. The analyst added that such remarks are unlikely to please Trump and highlight growing discomfort among allies.

Elmasry further suggested that the situation reflects a broader trend of the United States and Israel becoming increasingly isolated, even from their traditional allies, as the conflict drags on without resolution.

A visual investigation by Al Jazeera’s fact-checking team has revealed that the historic city center of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon has been reduced to rubble. The 400-year-old Grand Mosque, once a symbol of the city’s cultural heritage, has been destroyed along with more than 1,500 buildings. The report attributes the devastation to Israel’s ongoing military operations in the region.

According to the investigation, satellite imagery and open-source intelligence analysis indicate that Israel has implemented a deliberate policy aimed at making southern Lebanon permanently uninhabitable. The destruction pattern in Bint Jbeil closely resembles the devastation seen in Gaza, with residential and cultural structures systematically demolished.

The report concludes that Israel’s “wipe out” strategy in southern Lebanon has placed local communities in extreme distress, effectively erasing parts of the region from the map.

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) leaders convened an emergency in-person summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday to address the escalating Iran crisis. This marks the first such gathering since the Iran-Israel war began on February 28. A GCC official told Reuters that the meeting aims to develop a coordinated response to Iran’s recent missile and drone attacks, which have targeted key infrastructure, including U.S.-linked facilities and military bases across the six member states.

Although a ceasefire between the United States and Iran took effect on April 8, attacks have decreased but discussions have yet to yield a final resolution. The ongoing uncertainty has heightened anxiety among Gulf monarchies. Saudi state media reported that Qatar’s Emir, Kuwait’s Crown Prince, Bahrain’s King, and the UAE’s Foreign Minister have arrived in Jeddah, while Oman’s representation remains unclear.

UAE senior official Anwar Gargash criticized the GCC’s current stance, saying that while member states cooperate on logistics, their political and military positions are at their weakest in history, a situation he did not expect from the GCC.

Russia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, stated that Iran has the full right to control ship movements in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking at the UN, he accused Western countries of hypocrisy and piracy, arguing that attempts are being made to unfairly blame Iran for regional attacks. Nebenzya said that any coastal nation under threat during wartime can restrict or regulate navigation within its territorial waters for security reasons.

He further compared Western nations to pirates, claiming that by supporting Ukrainian attacks on Russian commercial ships in the Black Sea, European countries are violating international law. According to Nebenzya, unlike pirates who attack under a black flag, Western states hide their illegal actions behind unilateral coercive measures, such as sanctions.

The remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, underscore Russia’s alignment with Iran amid rising maritime tensions and its criticism of Western policies in both the Middle East and the Black Sea.

US President Donald Trump has expressed dissatisfaction with Iran’s latest ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the two-month-long conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States. According to a US official, Trump’s disapproval has dimmed hopes for resolving the crisis, which has already disrupted global energy supplies, fueled inflation, and caused thousands of deaths. Iran’s proposal calls for a complete halt to the war and resolution of maritime disputes in the Persian Gulf before any discussion on its nuclear program.

A US official said Trump wants the nuclear issue included at the start of talks. White House spokesperson Olivia Wells stated that the United States remains firm on its “red line” regarding ending the war launched with Israel in February. Planned peace talks mediated by Pakistan stalled after the cancellation of visits by US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s adviser Jared Kushner.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has sought support from allies in Islamabad, Oman, and Moscow, securing backing from Russian President Vladimir Putin. With no sign of compromise, global oil prices rose another 3 percent on Tuesday as tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropped sharply.

Public sentiment in India is turning increasingly critical of the United States despite the two nations maintaining a strong strategic partnership. The shift follows a controversial social media post by U.S. President Donald Trump, who referred to India as a “hellhole,” prompting a sharp response from India’s Ministry of External Affairs, which called the remark ignorant and distasteful.

The India-U.S. relationship, traditionally rooted in economic, security, and technological cooperation, has recently faced strain. Disputes over Kashmir mediation, U.S. tariffs on Indian oil imports from Russia, and tightening visa policies have deepened mistrust. Economic disruptions, including rupee depreciation and stock market declines, have further affected Indian businesses and the middle class.

Indian mainstream media and online influencers are increasingly critical of Washington, reflecting a broader shift in public opinion. Analysts suggest that while strategic ties remain intact, the relationship is becoming more transactional, driven by pragmatic interests rather than shared ideals. This evolving perception may shape the future dynamics between the two countries.

A liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier owned by the United Arab Emirates’ state oil company ADNOC has successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the outbreak of war in the Middle East. The vessel, named Mubarak, departed from Das Island on March 2 carrying 132,890 cubic meters of LNG. According to data analyzed by AFP and shipping tracker Kpler, the ship’s AIS transponder was turned off for nearly a month before its signal reappeared off India’s coast last Monday.

Kpler analyst Charles Kosteras indicated that the tanker likely passed through the Strait of Hormuz around April 18–19, when several other vessels also attempted the crossing. ADNOC has not issued any official comment regarding the ship’s route or status. Since the war began on February 28, LNG shipments through the strait had been nearly halted.

The successful passage of the Mubarak is seen as a positive sign for global energy markets, which had faced disruptions in LNG supply routes. The vessel is reportedly en route to China.

Bangladesh’s Foreign Minister Dr. Khalilur Rahman has said that a verdict from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on the ongoing case concerning the Rohingya crisis is expected soon. The case, filed against Myanmar for alleged genocide against the Rohingya population, seeks to determine Myanmar’s responsibility, end ongoing persecution, ensure justice and compensation for victims, and prevent future atrocities. Written and oral hearings have been completed, and the case has reached an advanced stage.

Speaking during a parliamentary question session chaired by Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed, the minister stated that, according to UNHCR data as of April 13, there are 1,189,213 Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. He emphasized that the government continues to provide moral and diplomatic support to the ICJ proceedings and remains committed to a sustainable and peaceful resolution of the crisis through international cooperation.

The minister reaffirmed Bangladesh’s humanitarian commitment and its active role in upholding international justice while maintaining efforts to repatriate the displaced Rohingya population to Myanmar.

The contest to select the next Secretary-General of the United Nations has intensified as four leading candidates—Michelle Bachelet, Rafael Grossi, Rebeca Grynspan, and Macky Sall—faced rigorous questioning from member state representatives. UN General Assembly President Annalena Baerbock described the process as one of the world’s toughest job interviews. Despite extensive discussions, no clear frontrunner has yet emerged. Current Secretary-General António Guterres’s term ends on January 1, and additional candidates may still join the race.

All four contenders emphasized strengthening the UN’s three core pillars of peace, development, and human rights. They pledged to enhance the organization’s effectiveness in resolving conflicts in crisis regions such as Iran, Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan. Bachelet called for a more proactive UN presence, Grossi stressed the need for strong leadership to overcome global divisions, Grynspan urged moral courage and risk-taking, and Sall positioned himself as a bridge-builder focused on restoring global trust.

Some controversies have surfaced, including criticism of Bachelet’s stance on women’s rights by US lawmakers and protests surrounding Sall’s candidacy. The final decision will rest with the 15-member Security Council, followed by approval from the 193-member General Assembly.

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami has expressed deep sorrow and sympathy over two separate fatal accidents in South Sudan and Indonesia. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the party’s Secretary General, Mia Golam Porwar, conveyed condolences following the deaths of 14 people in a plane crash near Juba, the capital of South Sudan, and at least 14 deaths and 84 injuries in a train collision in Bekasi Timur, near Jakarta.

Porwar described the loss of innocent lives in both incidents as tragic and irreparable. He extended condolences to the families of the victims and wished a speedy recovery for the injured. The statement emphasized that the grief of the bereaved families cannot be compensated in any way.

He further stated that Jamaat-e-Islami shares the sorrow of the victims’ families, as well as the governments and people of both countries, expressing hope that South Sudan and Indonesia will soon overcome the immense losses caused by these disasters.

Iran’s state television IRIB reported that 155 people were killed in a devastating attack on a primary school in Minab on February 28, the first day of the new Middle East war. The victims included 73 boys, 47 girls, 26 teachers, seven parents, a school bus driver, and a pharmacy technician from a nearby clinic. The updated figure revises an earlier death toll of 175.

According to the report, the attack occurred as the United States and Israel launched strikes on various locations in Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate against Israel and targets in the Gulf region. The New York Times cited a preliminary U.S. military investigation suggesting that a Tomahawk cruise missile may have mistakenly hit the school.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the incident in a video address to the UN Human Rights Council as a “planned, sequential attack,” rejecting the notion of an accidental strike and accusing technologically advanced nations of deliberate targeting.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong stated that the near shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz is having a comparatively greater impact on the Asia-Pacific region, which remains heavily dependent on energy imports. She made the remarks during a meeting in Tokyo with Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, emphasizing that the close linkage between Australian and Japanese supply chains has helped maintain some stability in energy imports from Japan.

Wong noted that amid global instability, economic ties between the two nations have become increasingly vital. She stressed the need for coordinated responses following the effective closure of the key maritime route. The Strait of Hormuz typically handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil shipments, and its disruption has particularly affected Asian countries that rely on it for a major share of their energy needs.

The situation underscores the vulnerability of regional economies to disruptions in global energy transport routes and highlights the importance of cooperative strategies to mitigate supply risks.

A luxury superyacht linked to Russian billionaire Alexei Mordashov, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, has crossed the Strait of Hormuz despite heightened tensions and blockade conditions. The 142-meter vessel, named Nord, traveled from Dubai to Muscat, Oman, over the weekend, navigating one of the world’s most critical maritime routes for oil and LNG transport.

The passage occurred amid increased restrictions by Iran on regional navigation and growing U.S. military presence. U.S. President Donald Trump recently announced a blockade on Iranian ports, further complicating the situation. Despite these challenges, the Russian-flagged yacht safely reached Oman’s Al Mouj Marina, one of the few private vessels to do so recently.

Mordashov, chairman of steel company Severstal, remains under Western sanctions, though his assets, including the Nord, have not been fully seized. It remains unclear whether he was aboard during the voyage.

At least 21 people were killed and 56 injured in a powerful bombing on a highway in southwestern Colombia, the government confirmed on Monday, April 27, 2026. The explosion occurred on the main road connecting Cali and Popayán, leaving a large crater and causing severe casualties. Authorities described the attack as one of the deadliest assaults on civilians in recent decades, allegedly carried out by a cocaine-trafficking rebel group.

Defense Minister Pedro Sánchez called it one of the largest guerrilla attacks in recent times. President Gustavo Petro blamed the armed group led by Iván Mordisco, a dissident faction of the former FARC rebels who rejected the 2016 peace deal and continued violent activities. The bombing underscores the persistence of armed conflict despite past peace efforts.

The attack comes just weeks before Colombia’s presidential election scheduled for May 31. Analysts warned that the surge in guerrilla violence, including at least 31 attacks in the southwest last weekend, could significantly affect the country’s political climate and security outlook.

At least 14 people were killed and 84 others injured when two trains collided near Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital, on the night of April 27, 2026. According to the country’s rail operator, the crash occurred in Bekasi when a long-distance train struck a stationary commuter train at the station. Rescue teams immediately began operations to free passengers trapped in the wreckage.

Mohammad Saifi, head of Indonesia’s National Search and Rescue Agency, said the rescue process was extremely complex and dangerous, adding that some passengers might still be alive inside the debris. Authorities reported that the women-only coach suffered the most damage in the collision.

President Prabowo Subianto has ordered a full investigation into the cause of the crash and directed officials to strengthen railway safety measures. The report also noted that Indonesia has experienced several train accidents in recent years, including one in West Java in 2024 that killed four people and injured many others.