International oil prices rose sharply after the United States decided to extend sanctions on Iran’s ports, raising concerns about prolonged supply disruptions from the Middle East’s key energy-producing region. According to the Wall Street Journal, Brent crude prices climbed 3 percent on Wednesday, reaching their highest level in a month.

The report said President Donald Trump instructed his aides on Tuesday to prepare for extending the sanctions, aiming to maintain pressure on Iran’s economy and oil exports by keeping its ports closed to shipping. Despite a temporary ceasefire between Iran and the U.S.-Israel alliance, the conflict remains unresolved. Brent crude futures for June rose by $3.33, or 3 percent, to $114.59 per barrel, while July contracts increased 2.9 percent to $107.43. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures for June climbed 3.6 percent to $103.48 per barrel, the highest since April 13.

Analysts noted that the Hormuz Strait blockade is the main driver of the price surge. Investors are also assessing the impact of the United Arab Emirates’ sudden exit from OPEC, though experts expect limited short-term effects.

FIFA has announced a major change to its yellow card regulations ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Under the new rule, players who receive a yellow card during the group stage will not carry that booking into the knockout rounds. The FIFA Council approved the proposal in a recent meeting, explaining that the change aims to ensure fair participation for players as the expanded 48-team format increases the number of matches.

According to the new system, all yellow card records will be wiped after the group stage, allowing players to start fresh in the knockout phase. The same reset will occur after the quarterfinals, ensuring that top players remain eligible for the semifinals and final. Previously, yellow cards were only cleared after the quarterfinals. FIFA stated that the adjustment was necessary due to the addition of an extra knockout round in the new format.

FIFA also announced a 15 percent increase in total financial allocations for participating teams, raising the fund to 871 million dollars. The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19 across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump held a significant phone conversation on Wednesday, April 29, lasting about ninety minutes. According to the Kremlin, the two leaders discussed the ongoing ceasefire involving the United States, Israel, and Iran. Putin reportedly presented several proposals aimed at easing tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program and emphasized the need for a diplomatic solution.

A Kremlin official stated that Putin also proposed a temporary ceasefire in Ukraine next month to coincide with the anniversary of the end of World War II. The conversation additionally touched on the broader context of the war in Ukraine.

Analysts cited in the report suggested that this dialogue could signal renewed diplomatic activity amid the current global tensions.

A range of cricket and football matches are scheduled for live broadcast on April 30, 2026. The second T20 match of the Bangladesh-Sri Lanka women’s cricket series will be shown live at 1:30 p.m. on Fancode and YouTube. Football fans can watch multiple European competitions, including the UEFA Europa League semifinals, with Sporting Braga facing Freiburg and Nottingham Forest meeting Aston Villa at 1:00 a.m. on Sony Ten 1/2 and Tapmad.

The UEFA Conference League will feature Rayo Vallecano against Strasbourg and Shakhtar Donetsk against Crystal Palace, both airing live at 1:00 a.m. on Sony Ten 5 and Sony Liv. In addition, the CONCACAF Champions Cup match between Los Angeles and Toluca will be broadcast at 8:30 a.m. on Fancode and YouTube. The Saudi Pro League fixture between Al Akhdood and Al Ettifaq will air at 10:00 p.m. on Fancode.

These broadcasts provide a full day of international sports coverage for viewers, spanning women’s cricket and top-tier football leagues across Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

The OPEC Fund for International Development has announced a $1.5 billion aid package to support developing countries facing energy and trade disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran war. According to Reuters, the Vienna-based organization stated that the funds will be distributed in phases through 2028 to help nations manage rising economic pressures.

The OPEC Fund explained that the conflict has severely disrupted the supply of essential goods such as food, fuel, and fertilizer, driving prices sharply higher. The newly created demand-based fund aims to assist governments in covering increased costs and maintaining stable supply chains. The organization emphasized that the package will provide special protection to countries struggling with the negative global market impacts and trade stagnation resulting from the war.

The fund has previously extended financial assistance to developing nations during various global crises, continuing its role as an international development partner.

International oil prices continued to climb following reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump instructed his aides to extend sanctions on Iranian ports. According to The Wall Street Journal, U.S. officials said the move aims to increase pressure on Iran’s economy and restrict its oil exports by limiting ship movements at the country’s ports.

In global trading, Brent crude for June delivery rose by 52 cents, or 0.47 percent, reaching $111.78 per barrel as of 01:54 GMT. The July contract, which saw higher trading volumes, increased to $104.84 per barrel, up 0.4 percent. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for June delivery gained 57 cents, or 0.57 percent, to $100.50 per barrel after a 3.7 percent rise in the previous session. Prices have now risen in seven of the past eight trading days.

Analysts cited continued Middle East tensions and supply uncertainties as factors likely to sustain the upward trend in global energy markets.

FIFA has removed a referee from its 2026 World Cup panel following his arrest in the United Kingdom over allegations of sexually assaulting a minor. According to British media outlet The Sun, the 30-year-old match official was detained by London’s Metropolitan Police while staying at a hotel during a European competition. He was later released on bail, but the investigation remains ongoing.

FIFA responded swiftly, stating that the allegation is being treated with utmost seriousness and that the official will not be assigned to any FIFA competitions until the investigation concludes. UEFA has taken the same stance, suspending him from officiating in its matches as well. The referee’s name has not been disclosed due to the ongoing investigation.

The decision comes shortly after FIFA announced the list of 52 referees, 88 assistant referees, and 30 video match officials for the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico starting June 11.

Shipping through the Panama Canal has increased sharply amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East, particularly surrounding Iran. According to the canal authority’s chief financial officer, Victor Vial, around 300 additional vessels have passed through the canal since October compared with the same period last year. He noted that this trend is expected to continue until the regional situation stabilizes, as reported by Reuters.

The main reason for the surge is the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, prompting commercial ships to use the Panama Canal as an alternative route. In some cases, supply sources have also been shifted to avoid the Iranian coastline. The Associated Press reported that while the average cost of crossing the canal ranges from 300,000 to 400,000 US dollars depending on vessel type, some ships have recently paid up to 425,000 dollars for faster passage.

Analysts believe the increased pressure on this vital trade route is raising both transportation costs and delivery times, potentially affecting the broader global economy.

Experts and political scientists have long warned that sanctions rarely achieve their intended goals, often failing to topple governments while increasing hardship for ordinary citizens. Despite these warnings, the United States has continued to expand its sanctions programs. The current geopolitical situation has made the ineffectiveness of such punitive measures more evident.

According to the report, the ongoing Iran-Israel war has further accelerated the weakening of the long-standing impact of U.S. sanctions. The conflict is reshaping both regional and global political dynamics. Countries facing sanctions are now reducing their dependence on the U.S. dollar and turning toward alternative currencies for trade. In addition, barter systems and informal money transfer networks such as hundi are becoming more common.

As a result, the United States’ traditional sanctions regime is losing its effectiveness against Iran and its trading partners, contributing to a broader restructuring of global economic patterns.

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.

The ongoing Middle East tensions are placing immense pressure on the global economy, with analysts estimating that the crisis could add nearly $1 trillion in extra costs. While the world faces rising economic burdens, major oil and gas companies are reporting soaring profits. The situation has intensified concerns that U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran are worsening global inequality, poverty, and hunger in a world still heavily dependent on fossil fuels.

According to climate group 350.org, based on International Monetary Fund data, even if the Strait of Hormuz returns to normal, high oil and gas prices could generate $600 billion in additional expenses. Continued supply disruptions could push losses beyond $1 trillion. Experts warn that this estimate likely understates the full impact, excluding long-term inflation, food and fertilizer price hikes, slower economic activity, and rising unemployment.

350.org has called for an emergency windfall tax on excess corporate profits to fund social protection and renewable energy investments. The demand was echoed at an international conference in Santa Marta, where over 50 countries discussed reducing fossil fuel dependence amid protests and warnings from developing nations about severe economic strain.

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.

Meta has introduced a new feature in its ‘Teen Account’ supervision system that allows parents to see the general topics their children discuss with AI assistants. The information will appear in a separate ‘Insights’ tab, showing categorized subjects such as education, entertainment, writing, health, and mental well-being. The feature will operate across Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger, summarizing conversations from the past seven days without revealing specific messages.

The update comes as Meta faces growing scrutiny over child and teen safety. The company recently lost two major child protection lawsuits alleging that its products were designed to be addictive and lacked adequate safety measures. Internal documents revealed in court suggested Meta’s AI-driven virtual companions sometimes engaged in inappropriate conversations. Meta said it would appeal the rulings.

Alongside the new feature, Meta is collaborating with the Cyberbullying Research Center to create parental guidance on AI use and has formed an ‘AI Wellbeing Expert Council’ including university and suicide prevention specialists. However, advocacy group Fairplay criticized the move, arguing it shifts responsibility to parents instead of making the platforms safer.

A sharp verbal confrontation erupted between the United States and Iran at the United Nations Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in New York after Iran was nominated as one of the conference’s vice presidents. The 11th review session of the treaty, which came into force in 1970, appointed 34 vice presidents from various country groups, with Iran nominated by the Non-Aligned Movement and other states, according to conference chair Do Hung Viet of Vietnam.

US Assistant Secretary for Arms Control Christopher Ayo called the decision a blow to the NPT’s credibility, accusing Iran of long ignoring its commitments and failing to cooperate with the UN nuclear watchdog. Iran’s ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency, Reza Najafi, rejected the allegations as baseless and politically motivated, arguing that the US, as the only country to have used nuclear weapons, lacked moral authority to judge others.

The dispute comes amid heightened tensions involving Iran, the US, and Israel. Iran has proposed suspending nuclear discussions until regional conflicts ease, while Washington reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s stance that Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons.

International crude oil prices continued to rise as diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran to ease tensions remained stalled. As of 00:51 GMT, Brent crude futures for June delivery increased by 45 cents, or 0.4 percent, reaching $108.68 per barrel. The previous session saw a 2.8 percent gain, marking the seventh consecutive day of upward movement. Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate crude for June delivery rose by 58 cents, or 0.6 percent, to $96.96 per barrel after a 2.1 percent increase the day before.

Analysts attributed the sustained price rise to geopolitical uncertainty in the Middle East and the deadlock in US-Iran discussions, which have raised concerns about potential supply disruptions. These factors have maintained upward pressure on oil prices in global markets.

The ongoing instability in the region and lack of diplomatic progress suggest that volatility in energy markets may persist if the situation remains unresolved.