Britain and France have announced a joint international mission aimed at safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer made the announcement after a meeting in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron, stating that the mission will begin once conditions are favorable. The initiative is described as peaceful and defensive, focusing on protecting commercial vessels and assisting in mine clearance at sea.

Starmer called on other nations to join the mission, noting that at least a dozen countries have already pledged resources and equipment. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route for global energy trade, and recent tensions have heightened concerns over maritime security in the area.

According to Starmer, maintaining the safety of this route is a collective responsibility of the international community to protect global trade interests.

Factory, a startup developing autonomous AI coding agents called Droids, is in discussions to raise $150 million at a $1.5 billion valuation. The funding round will be led by Khosla Ventures, with venture capitalist Keith Rabois joining the board. Other investors include Sequoia Capital, Insight Partners, and Blackstone. Factory’s technology allows its Droids to switch between AI models such as OpenAI’s GPT, Anthropic’s Claude, and China’s DeepSeek, depending on task complexity and customer needs.

The company’s flexibility has attracted enterprise clients including Morgan Stanley, Ernst & Young, and Palo Alto Networks. Factory’s CEO and co-founder, Matan Grinberg, said the ability to dynamically route between models has proven valuable, especially during outages at Anthropic. The startup positions itself as an enterprise-focused AI agent developer, contrasting with competitors like Cursor, which targets individual developers.

Grinberg, who left his PhD program at the University of California, Berkeley after being encouraged by Sequoia investor Shaun Maguire, founded Factory in 2023. The company now competes with Cursor, Cognition, and major AI labs developing their own coding tools.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is currently verifying recent announcements regarding the reopening of the Hormuz Strait for commercial navigation. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated on Friday that the organization is focusing on ensuring freedom of navigation for all commercial vessels and adherence to the IMO’s Traffic Separation Scheme to guarantee safe passage. He emphasized that under international law, no country has the right to close this international waterway.

Earlier, Iran and the United States had separately declared that the Hormuz Strait would remain open to commercial ships, particularly during the ongoing ten-day ceasefire in Lebanon. Tehran confirmed that there would be no restrictions on maritime trade during this period. Dominguez added that the safe repatriation of around 20,000 seafarers stranded in the Persian Gulf and the establishment of a humanitarian corridor are among the IMO’s top priorities.

He called on all parties to engage in constructive diplomatic dialogue to calm the situation and restore normal maritime supply routes, stressing that reopening this vital route is essential for global stability and energy security.

Canva has announced a new integration with Anthropic Labs’ Claude Design, combining the Canva Design Engine and Visual Suite with Claude’s AI drafting capabilities. The collaboration allows users to transform AI-generated drafts and ideas from Claude into fully editable designs within Canva. These designs can then be customized, branded, and shared collaboratively, streamlining the process from concept to publication.

The update also introduces HTML importing and artifact editing, expanding Canva’s drag-and-drop editor to support interactive code and AI-generated content. This makes Canva the first platform to unify visual, document, and interactive content in one collaborative environment. Users can now edit coded creations from Claude directly in Canva, adjust layouts, and embed them into presentations or websites without regenerating code.

The announcement follows the launch of Canva AI 2.0 and builds on two years of collaboration between Canva and Anthropic. It reflects Canva’s broader goal of becoming the design layer of the internet, enabling users to refine and scale AI-generated content efficiently.

YouTube has introduced a new update allowing users to completely turn off the Shorts feed on its mobile app. The platform now lets users set the 'Shorts Feed Limit' to zero minutes, effectively removing short-form videos from their feed. This change expands on a feature first launched in October of the previous year, when the minimum limit was 15 minutes and users were prompted to take breaks after reaching that duration.

According to YouTube, the feature was initially part of parental controls but is now available to all users. When the setting is changed, some users may still see individual Shorts even if scrolling is paused. To activate the feature, users must go to Settings > Time Management > Daily Limit > Shorts Feed Limit and select zero minutes. The update also allows users to set a maximum viewing limit of up to two hours.

The new option aims to give users more control over their viewing habits and time management within the YouTube app.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer jointly chaired a meeting on Friday to discuss forming a multinational force to secure the Strait of Hormuz after the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel ends. The video conference, held at noon GMT, included nearly 30 European leaders and several others from outside the region. According to the Élysée Palace, the mission would ensure freedom of navigation and protect commercial shipping once conditions allow.

The discussions followed Iran’s blockade of the vital waterway after the U.S. and Israel launched military action against Tehran on February 28, which sharply increased global oil prices. Although a fragile ceasefire is in place, the U.S. continues to enforce its own blockade on Iranian ports. European leaders fear prolonged restrictions could worsen inflation, food shortages, and fuel disruptions. France’s foreign minister warned that the blockade is severely affecting the global economy and French citizens’ daily lives.

Officials said the proposed mission would only deploy after the war ends. Macron and Starmer are also leading efforts to form a European force to support Ukraine once its conflict with Russia concludes.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that Iran will participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States despite ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Speaking at an economic conference organized by CNBC, Infantino said he remains confident that Iran will play its scheduled matches on U.S. soil. He emphasized that sports should remain separate from politics and expressed hope that the situation in the region would stabilize before the tournament begins.

Infantino explained that Iran earned its place in the tournament and represents its people, adding that FIFA’s role is to maintain bridges even during political tensions. His remarks followed Iran’s earlier request to change the World Cup venue due to its conflict with the United States and Israel, a proposal FIFA rejected.

According to the tournament schedule, the World Cup will open on June 11, 2026, across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Iran is set to begin its campaign on June 15 in California against New Zealand, followed by matches against Belgium and Egypt later in the group stage.

International oil prices declined after Asian markets opened, driven by optimism that the ongoing Middle East conflict could end soon following the implementation of a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. As of 00:21 GMT on Friday, Brent crude futures dropped by more than one percent to 98.05 dollars per barrel, while U.S. crude prices fell below 94 dollars.

Earlier in March, oil prices had surged nearly 50 percent to record highs amid tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Recently, prices have fallen below 100 dollars, though they have remained around the 90-dollar range throughout the week. The easing of geopolitical risks has contributed to the latest downward trend.

U.S. President Donald Trump stated that American officials may meet Iranian representatives in Pakistan this week, a potential diplomatic initiative that has drawn investor attention and added a positive tone to market sentiment.

Pope Leo condemned what he described as a world ruled by autocrats following an online attack from former U.S. President Donald Trump, according to Al Jazeera. Speaking during his visit to Cameroon, the Pope sharply criticized global leaders who spend hundreds of billions of dollars on wars, calling his remarks unusually forceful.

In his speech, Pope Leo said that war heroes pretend not to know that destruction takes only a moment, while rebuilding can take a lifetime. He added that leaders ignore the truth that vast sums are spent on killing and devastation, yet resources for healing, education, and recovery remain scarce.

The Pope’s comments were seen as a strong message to world leaders, urging them to invest more in humanitarian sectors instead of warfare.

A global energy crisis has emerged after the closure of the Hormuz Strait following attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel, raising fears of a major collapse in air transport by May or June. The strait, which handles about 20 percent of the world’s oil supply, has been blocked, putting Asian and European countries at the greatest risk due to reduced jet fuel availability.

Market analysis firm Rystad Energy and the International Energy Agency (IEA) have forecast that flight cancellations could begin as early as May because of fuel shortages. The IEA warned in its monthly report that if Europe fails to replace at least half of its Middle Eastern oil imports, its reserves could fall to a critical 23-day level by June. OECD European countries, including EU members, the UK, and Norway, import over 30 percent of their jet fuel, most of which passes through the Hormuz Strait.

The European Commission stated that while total fuel depletion has not yet occurred, supply disruptions are now unavoidable. Spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Ikonen cautioned that if the situation remains uncontrolled, global air transport could face unprecedented paralysis starting in May.

Bangladeshi expatriates across the world celebrated the Bengali New Year 1433 with vibrant cultural events reflecting their heritage and traditions. In Porto, Portugal, the Centro Cinema Batalha and Porto Bangladesh Community jointly organized a pitha festival featuring traditional sweets and a screening of the Bangladeshi film 'Borbad'. Organizers said such initiatives help preserve Bengali culture abroad.

In New York, USA, festivities at Times Square and Jackson Heights included processions, music, dance, and folk performances, creating a festive atmosphere reminiscent of Bangladesh. Traditional foods like panta-ilish and pitha, along with children’s participation, added to the celebration. In Cairo, Egypt, Bangladeshi students from several universities held a Boishakhi event at Heliopolis International Park with cultural shows, sports, and local cuisine. Malaysian expatriates also marked the day with songs, poetry, and traditional foods in red-and-white attire.

Participants emphasized that these events not only bring joy but also serve as a bridge for younger generations to connect with Bengali culture, reaffirming that the spirit of Boishakh endures across distances.

Arsenal secured a place in the UEFA Champions League semifinals after a goalless draw against Sporting CP at the Emirates Stadium on April 16, 2026. Despite failing to score in the second leg of the quarterfinal, Arsenal advanced with a 1–0 aggregate win, thanks to their first-leg victory in Lisbon. The home side dominated possession with 55 percent and attempted 16 shots, though only one was on target, while Sporting managed 10 shots with one on target.

Sporting pressed early in the match, but Arsenal created several counterattacking chances, including a Leandro Trossard header that struck the post. Goalkeeper David Raya and the Arsenal defense held firm in the closing stages to preserve the aggregate advantage. Arsenal will now face Atlético Madrid in the semifinals, after the Spanish club eliminated Barcelona 3–2 on aggregate.

The first leg of the semifinal will take place on April 30 at Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium, with the return leg scheduled for May 6 at the Emirates. In the other semifinal, PSG will meet Bayern Munich after both sides recorded decisive quarterfinal victories.

Erika Guevara Rosas, Senior Director of Research, Advocacy, Policy and Campaigns at Amnesty International, has called for an immediate end to all forms of military cooperation with Israel. In a post on social media platform X on April 16, 2026, she alleged that Israel continues to commit serious human rights violations in multiple regions in breach of international law.

According to Rosas, these violations include genocide in the Gaza Strip, violence and illegal settlement expansion in the West Bank, apartheid and occupation policies, as well as attacks and mass displacement in Lebanon. She warned that any military cooperation with Israel could risk complicity in international crimes.

Rosas specifically urged the Italian government to take a firm stance in favor of suspending the European Union–Israel Association Agreement. She emphasized that statements alone are insufficient and that concrete and decisive actions are urgently needed to stop human rights violations and genocide.

The latest edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack has sharply criticized India’s expanding dominance and political entanglement in global cricket administration. Editor Lawrence Booth described the current state of world cricket as increasingly “Orwellian,” claiming that political influence over the sport is now stronger than ever. The report highlights that both the International Cricket Council’s chief executive and chairman are Indian nationals, with chairman Jay Shah also being the son of India’s Home Minister Amit Shah and a close associate of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Wisden argues that India’s cricket board has effectively functioned as a sporting arm of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, strengthening India’s control over international cricket. The 2025 Asia Cup was cited as an example of politics infiltrating the game, with Indian and Pakistani players refusing to shake hands amid military tensions. Booth also noted symbolic gestures such as India’s captain dedicating a victory to the armed forces and Modi’s social media message framing the win in militaristic terms.

The report further mentions regional ripple effects, including Bangladesh’s cricketing uncertainties linked to political and security concerns. Wisden concludes that world cricket now faces a critical question over whether it can preserve its competitive integrity under India’s growing political shadow.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reduced its global economic growth forecast to 3.1 percent for this year, down from its earlier projection of 3.3 percent. The revision follows escalating tensions after the United States and Israel began their war on Iran on February 28, prompting Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz and attack regional energy infrastructure. These developments have disrupted oil and gas supplies, driving up global energy and food costs and hitting import-dependent economies hardest.

The IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook report highlights that the slowdown marks a decline from last year’s 3.4 percent growth. Iran’s 2026 forecast was cut by 7.2 points to a contraction of 6.1 percent, while Saudi Arabia’s growth outlook dropped from 4.5 percent to 3.1 percent. The Middle East and North Africa’s 2026 forecast was reduced to 1.1 percent, and the Middle East and Central Asia’s to 1.9 percent. The IMF also expects global inflation to rise to 4.4 percent, up 0.6 points from January.

Oil prices remain volatile, though they eased slightly on hopes of renewed US-Iran talks. The IMF warned that the conflict’s economic impact will be uneven, with low-income and emerging economies facing the greatest strain.