Iran has submitted documentation of attacks on civilians to the International Criminal Court (ICC) and several international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross. Pir-Hossein Kolivand, head of the Iranian Red Crescent Society, confirmed the submission and said the ICC prosecutor has accepted the materials as formal evidence. The cases are now being reviewed under international humanitarian law.

Kolivand added that following ongoing discussions, the Red Cross has also been involved in the process. The submission comes amid reports of heavy casualties in Iran from US-Israel attacks. According to Iran’s Ministry of Health, more than 2,000 people have been killed, including 216 children, while over 26,000 others have been injured, among them 1,767 children.

The documentation and ICC review mark a significant step in Iran’s effort to pursue international legal action regarding the civilian toll of the attacks.

The 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) concluded in Bangkok on Friday, where Bangladesh led the adoption of a landmark resolution on sustainable bio-economy. The resolution, titled “Supporting the Transition Towards a Sustainable Bio-Economy in Asia and the Pacific,” was introduced by Bangladesh and adopted unanimously by member states. According to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, this achievement reinforces Bangladesh’s growing leadership in shaping the regional development agenda.

The resolution aligns with Bangladesh’s national priorities for sustainable, innovation-driven, and inclusive growth. It emphasizes circular economy principles, efficient resource use, and the application of science and technology for economic transformation. It also calls for enhanced regional cooperation to promote knowledge sharing, capacity building, investment, and the development of sustainable bio-economy value chains across the Asia-Pacific region.

The session also adopted the Baku-Bangkok Declaration on strengthening social development for inclusive societies for all ages, reaffirming the region’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable social progress.

At least 14 people were killed and more than 38 others injured, including five children, in a bombing on the Pan-American Highway in Colombia’s southwestern Cauca region on Saturday. The explosion occurred near the El Tunel area of Cajibío, spreading panic across the region as multiple blasts and violent incidents were reported. Regional governor Octavio Guzmán confirmed the death toll and condemned the attack as an indiscriminate act of terrorism against civilians.

Colombian Armed Forces Commander General Hugo López described the incident as a terrorist attack, linking it to networks led by Iván Mordisco and the Jaime Martínez group. President Gustavo Petro strongly denounced the attackers, calling them terrorists, fascists, and drug traffickers. Videos shared on social media showed destroyed vehicles and debris scattered across the road.

Valle del Cauca Governor Francisca Toro requested urgent federal assistance, including additional security forces and enhanced intelligence surveillance. Authorities noted that the Cauca and Valle del Cauca regions have long been strongholds for illegal armed groups competing for control of drug trafficking routes through the Buenaventura port.

Two civilians were killed in a Russian drone attack in Ukraine’s northeastern Sumy region, according to the local military administration. The strike targeted a civilian area in the Bilopillia community, less than five kilometers from the Russian border. The victims were two men aged 48 and 72, local officials confirmed.

The report noted that Moscow has been conducting hundreds of drone attacks across various parts of Ukraine almost daily amid the ongoing war. In response, Kyiv has continued to strike Russian energy and military targets. Separately, in Russian-occupied Crimea’s Sevastopol, a Ukrainian drone attack killed one person inside a car and damaged several houses and a dance school.

Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have shot down 43 drones during the Sevastopol incident. The previous day, at least eight people were killed in a Russian assault on the central-southern city of Dnipro, which lasted nearly 20 hours in multiple waves, according to Ukrainian authorities.

The United States is investigating a shooting incident that occurred outside the ballroom of the annual White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday night. A gunman opened fire at a security checkpoint before being detained by security forces. The event, attended by President Donald Trump and the First Lady, prompted swift responses from several countries expressing concern and solidarity.

The United Kingdom’s ambassador to the U.S., Christian Turner, praised the quick and professional response of the U.S. Secret Service. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed relief that all attendees were safe, emphasizing that political violence has no place in democracy. Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum, Israel, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez all condemned the attack and conveyed solidarity with Trump and the First Lady.

The coordinated international reactions underscored global concern over political violence and reaffirmed support for democratic values and peaceful political processes.

In April 2026, the Middle East descended into one of its bloodiest chapters as direct and indirect clashes among Iran, the United States, and Israel turned vast areas into ruins. Within forty days, Iran suffered massive destruction, with over 225,000 civilian structures—including homes, schools, and hospitals—reduced to rubble. More than 3,000 people were killed, and around five million were displaced, forming a refugee wave stretching to Lebanon. The economic toll exceeded 145 billion dollars, crippling infrastructure and essential services.

A two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran began on April 10, 2026, though doubts persist about its durability. Pakistan has been mediating talks, but tensions remain high as Washington demands Iran abandon its nuclear program, a condition Tehran rejects as a violation of sovereignty. The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as a flashpoint, with both sides warning of severe consequences if control is challenged.

Despite temporary calm, the region remains volatile. The Lebanon front shows signs of renewed conflict, and analysts warn that without a sustainable, justice-based peace process, the cycle of destruction and displacement will continue to haunt the Middle East.

The 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) concluded in Bangkok on Friday, where Bangladesh led the adoption of a landmark resolution on sustainable bio-economy. The resolution, titled “Supporting the Transition Towards a Sustainable Bio-Economy in Asia and the Pacific,” was introduced by Bangladesh and adopted unanimously by member states. According to the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology, this achievement reinforces Bangladesh’s growing leadership in shaping the regional development agenda.

The resolution aligns with Bangladesh’s national priorities for sustainable, innovation-driven, and inclusive growth. It emphasizes circular economy principles, efficient resource use, and the application of science and technology for economic transformation. It also calls for enhanced regional cooperation to promote knowledge sharing, capacity building, investment, and the development of sustainable bio-economy value chains across the Asia-Pacific region.

The session also adopted the Baku-Bangkok Declaration on strengthening social development for inclusive societies for all ages, reaffirming the region’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable social progress.

The Israeli military has announced that its forces killed three additional Hamas fighters, according to a report by Al Jazeera. Among those killed was a commander who allegedly led Hamas operations on October 7, 2023. The military said another was a platoon commander involved in multiple attacks against Israeli forces in Gaza, while the third was a member of Hamas’s military intelligence unit. The statement did not specify where or when the killings took place, and Hamas has not issued any immediate comment.

Since October 2023, Israeli attacks in Gaza have reportedly killed at least 72,585 Palestinians, most of them women and children. Following a ceasefire agreement last year, renewed strikes have caused at least 809 additional Palestinian deaths.

The latest announcement underscores the continuing intensity of the conflict in Gaza, with both sides maintaining military operations despite previous ceasefire efforts.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi may travel to Pakistan again after completing his visit to Oman and before departing for Russia. The report stated that part of the Iranian delegation has already returned to Tehran under a foreign ministry plan to discuss ceasefire and related issues.

According to IRNA, the delegation members are expected to rejoin Araghchi in Islamabad on Sunday night, though no details were provided about the specific topics or participants of the upcoming discussions. The report noted that Araghchi had concluded a previous visit to Pakistan only a few hours earlier, describing his talks with Pakistani officials as very productive.

Araghchi also commented that it remains unclear whether the United States is genuinely sincere about diplomacy, though no further context was given in the report.

Iran’s armed forces have issued a strong warning to the United States against launching any new military aggression. In a statement released by the Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters, the Iranian military pledged to maintain control over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key maritime route in the region.

According to the statement published by the state-run Tasnim news agency, Iran cautioned that if U.S. forces continue what it described as “blockade, piracy, and maritime banditry” in the area, they will face a powerful counter-response from Iran’s armed forces. The statement added that Iran remains prepared and determined to deliver a more severe blow to what it called American-Zionist enemies in the event of another act of aggression.

The Iranian military further emphasized that it will continue monitoring the movements and activities of hostile forces in the region while maintaining management and control over the Strait of Hormuz.

The Australian government has announced it will not repatriate any citizens suspected of links to ISIS from Syria. The statement came after reports that several Australian families were attempting to return home from a camp in northeastern Syria. According to national broadcaster ABC, four Australian women and nine of their children and grandchildren left the Roj camp on Friday, with Syrian authorities reportedly taking them to Damascus to facilitate their return.

A government spokesperson told AFP that Australia is neither repatriating nor planning to repatriate anyone from Syria. The spokesperson added that security agencies are monitoring the situation and remain prepared for any Australians who may attempt to return. The government warned that anyone found guilty of crimes would face the full force of the law, emphasizing that national security and the country’s interests remain top priorities.

The group is part of 34 Australians who failed to return in February due to coordination issues. The issue of repatriating families of ISIS members remains controversial in Australia, with some politicians viewing them as potential security threats.

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for the reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the need to ensure freedom of navigation without tolls or fees. Speaking at a joint press conference in Athens with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Macron said the goal is to fully reopen the strait within the coming days or weeks under international law to help stabilize the situation.

His remarks came a day after Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of French energy giant TotalEnergies, warned that a prolonged conflict with Iran could trigger a global energy shortage. Pouyanné cautioned that if the situation continues for another two or three months, the world could face a severe energy crisis already affecting Asian countries.

He further noted that halting 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas supply would have catastrophic consequences, underscoring the urgency of restoring stability in the region.

Tensions between Turkey and Israel have intensified following a series of mutual accusations and legal actions. Turkey previously filed charges against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and 35 others over an attack on the Global Sumud Flotilla in international waters. In response, Netanyahu accused Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of atrocities against Kurdish citizens. The dispute has since expanded, with former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett also making provocative remarks, calling Turkey the new Iran.

The ongoing verbal conflict reflects deeper divisions over Israel’s actions in Gaza, Syria’s political changes, and Israel’s growing ties with Greece and Cyprus. Analysts suggest that if relations deteriorate further, Turkey could take punitive measures such as halting oil supplies through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline or closing its airspace to Israeli flights. These steps could temporarily disrupt Israel’s energy and aviation sectors but may have limited long-term impact due to alternative routes and markets.

Despite reduced bilateral trade since 2024, some Turkish goods still reach Israel through third countries. Turkey’s growing defense capabilities and regional alliances are seen as part of its broader strategy to counter Israeli influence while maintaining strategic ties with NATO and other regional powers.

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has strongly condemned the recent reciprocal seizures of commercial vessels by the United States and Iran, calling the actions violations of international law. The organization urged both countries to immediately release detained seafarers and ensure their safety. The statement was made in an interview with Al Jazeera on April 25, 2026.

ICS Marine Director John Stawpert emphasized that seafarers must be allowed to travel and work freely at sea without harassment. Representing nearly 80 percent of the world’s commercial fleet, the ICS stressed that crew members are simply performing their duties and should not be caught in political disputes. Stawpert added that detaining ships for political gain is unacceptable and that innocent seafarers should not face imprisonment for doing their jobs.

The ICS’s remarks highlight growing concern within the global shipping community over the safety of maritime workers amid escalating geopolitical tensions between the United States and Iran.

The Israeli army has again warned residents of southern Lebanon not to return to their villages, saying large areas remain under its control. The military has reportedly extended its control up to the Litani River, establishing what it calls a 'yellow line.' Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated that access to the Litani River, Wadi Salhaniya, and Saluki areas is prohibited. He also listed numerous villages where residents are barred from returning.

In a separate development, the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) condemned the recent seizure of commercial vessels by the United States and Iran. The organization described the actions as violations of international law and called for the immediate release of detained sailors. ICS Marine Director John Stawpert told Al Jazeera that seafarers must be allowed to work and travel freely without harassment.

Representing nearly 80 percent of the world’s commercial fleet, ICS emphasized that seafarers are innocent workers and should not be caught in political disputes or used for political leverage.