Ministers from about 60 countries are gathering this week in Santa Marta, Colombia, for the first global summit aimed at phasing out fossil fuels. The United States was not invited to the meeting. The event takes place amid a worldwide energy crisis, intensified by the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which has disrupted global energy markets and led to shortages, price hikes, and restrictions in several countries.

Instability in the Strait of Hormuz, through which around 20 percent of the world’s oil and gas pass, has forced many nations to reconsider their dependence on imported fossil fuels. Some are increasing investment in renewable energy, while others are turning back to domestic sources such as coal. The summit, co-led by Colombia and the Netherlands, seeks to form an alliance of countries committed to ending fossil fuel use. Participants include Turkey, Australia, the European Union, several Latin American nations, and Pacific island states, as well as major producers like Canada, Nigeria, Norway, and Brazil.

China, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states are not participating in the conference.

The big-budget biopic 'Michael', based on the life of pop icon Michael Jackson, has stormed the box office despite negative reviews and a complex production process. Released in North America, the film earned 97 million dollars in its first week and 217 million dollars worldwide, setting a new record for the highest-grossing biopic opening in history. Starring Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson, the film grossed 120.4 million dollars internationally, surpassing the opening records of 'Oppenheimer' (2023) and 'Bohemian Rhapsody' (2018).

Critics have accused the film of downplaying controversial aspects of Jackson’s life, reflected in a 38% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences gave it a 97% rating. The production faced legal and creative hurdles, including reshooting scenes related to the Jordan Chandler case at a cost of about 50 million dollars, limiting the story to events before 1988. Despite family opposition and legal restrictions, the film’s success has prompted producers to consider sequels.

The film, produced by Lionsgate and distributed internationally by Universal, is yet to release in Japan, where Jackson has a large fan base. Its release there is scheduled for June.

International oil prices climbed after the collapse of a second round of ceasefire talks between Washington and Tehran. On Sunday, Brent crude, the global benchmark for oil pricing, rose by more than 2 percent. As of 12:30 a.m. GMT, the price stood at 107.35 dollars per barrel, nearly 47 percent higher than before the conflict began.

Despite the diplomatic deadlock, major Asian stock markets opened on a positive note. Investors appeared to largely disregard the uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire discussions. Japan’s Nikkei 225 index gained about 0.4 percent in early trading, while South Korea’s KOSPI index rose by as much as 1.5 percent.

The stalled negotiations have heightened concerns over energy supply stability, but market sentiment in Asia suggests cautious optimism amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency (IEA), stated that the U.S.-Israel invasion of Iran has permanently changed the global fossil fuel industry. In an interview published by The Guardian on Friday, he said the conflict has eroded global confidence in fossil fuels and reduced demand, prompting countries to shift toward safer energy sources such as renewables and nuclear power.

Birol explained that governments are now reassessing their energy strategies, with growing interest in renewable and nuclear energy and a stronger move toward electrified systems. He warned that the crisis has caused irreversible damage to the global energy market, describing it as a permanent turning point. He also urged caution in approving new fossil fuel exploration and production projects.

Commenting on the UK’s plan to explore North Sea resources, Birol said it would not significantly alter Britain’s energy security or global oil and gas prices. He added that renewable energy holds vast potential, though rising oil and gas prices could push developing nations toward cheaper coal, even as solar power becomes increasingly competitive.

The football world has been stunned by the soaring price of a single ticket for the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. According to the report, one ticket has been listed for sale at nearly 2.3 million US dollars, equivalent to about 282.2 million Bangladeshi taka. The final match is scheduled to take place on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States. Four seats in row 45, block 124, seats 33 to 36, have been made available for purchase.

These tickets are being offered through FIFA’s official resale or exchange marketplace, where prices are set by agreement between buyers and sellers rather than by FIFA itself. The organization, however, charges a 15 percent fee from both parties for each transaction. The minimum listed price for a final ticket stands at 10,923 dollars, placing it far beyond the reach of most fans.

The extraordinary ticket prices have already become a major topic of discussion surrounding the world’s biggest football event, months before the tournament begins.

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.

Shipping companies are now paying up to four million dollars to secure priority passage through the Panama Canal, according to the Associated Press. The sharp rise in fees follows the effective shutdown of vessel traffic through the Hormuz Strait, which has disrupted global shipping routes and forced many ships to seek alternative passages.

Normally, the Panama Canal charges fixed rates, but auction prices for priority slots have surged as demand increased. Ships rerouting to avoid the Hormuz Strait are competing for faster transit options to prevent multi-day delays, significantly raising costs.

The situation highlights the broader impact of the Hormuz crisis on global trade and shipping expenses, underscoring how regional disruptions can ripple through international supply chains.

The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2026 confirmed famine in parts of the Gaza Strip and Sudan in 2025, marking the first dual famine confirmation since formal reporting began. The report, compiled by 18 humanitarian and development partners, found that 22.9 percent of populations across 47 crisis-affected countries—about 266 million people—faced acute food insecurity last year. Although slightly lower than 2024’s total, the decline reflected fewer countries analyzed rather than an improvement in conditions.

The Gaza Strip was the worst affected, with 640,700 people—32 percent of its population—facing famine conditions, followed by Sudan with 637,200 people. Four other countries, including South Sudan, Yemen, Haiti, and Mali, recorded smaller groups in catastrophic food shortages. Conflict and violence were the leading causes of hunger in 19 countries, affecting 147.4 million people, while weather extremes and economic shocks drove crises in others. Humanitarian and development funding for food crises dropped to levels last seen in 2016–2017.

The report warned that without sustained action to address structural drivers of hunger, fragile countries will continue to bear a disproportionate burden into 2026, with ongoing risks from conflict and market disruptions.

The ongoing war between Iran and the Israel-United States alliance has severely disrupted the global energy market. Within just 50 days of conflict, the world has lost oil production worth about 50 billion dollars. Analysts estimate that the financial loss equals the entire economy of countries like Estonia or Latvia.

Following the outbreak of the crisis, fuel prices in the United States have risen above four dollars per gallon, while Europe faces energy rationing in its industries. Emerging economies are also suffering from acute supply shortages. According to energy analysts and Reuters data, since the war began at the end of February, around 500 million barrels of crude oil and condensate have been removed from the market, marking one of the largest supply shocks in modern history.

Energy expert Johannes Robl noted that with oil prices hovering near 100 dollars per barrel, the conflict has triggered massive revenue losses and intensified global inflation and transport costs. Experts warn that even if the war ends soon, the energy market may take months or even years to recover.

Tensions between Beijing and Washington have escalated after Donald Trump claimed that a Chinese ‘gift’ was found on an Iranian cargo ship seized by the United States. On Friday, China’s Foreign Ministry rejected the allegation, stating it had no factual basis. The ministry emphasized that China is a responsible state and that normal trade flows between countries should not be disrupted. Earlier in the week, Beijing had described similar claims as ‘malicious lies.’

China has consistently called for a ceasefire and dialogue since the start of the war, portraying itself as a neutral party despite being Iran’s largest trading partner and top buyer of Iranian oil. Beijing maintains that it does not supply weapons to Iran.

Trump’s new accusation has cast uncertainty over his planned mid-May visit to China, which was intended to stabilize bilateral relations after being postponed once due to the war. On the same day, China’s Commerce Ministry imposed export controls on seven European firms accused of supplying arms to Taiwan, adding another layer of strain to its international relations.

OpenAI has introduced a new specialized artificial intelligence model named GPT-5.4-Cyber to enhance cybersecurity and protect digital infrastructure. Announced on April 24, 2026, the model is designed to help security experts quickly identify and fix vulnerabilities in systems, making data and user protection more efficient. The initiative underscores OpenAI’s growing focus on cyber defense amid rising digital threats.

Built on the company’s flagship GPT-5.4 model, GPT-5.4-Cyber aims to support real-time detection and prevention of cyberattacks. To prevent misuse, OpenAI has expanded its Trusted Access for Cyber (TAC) program, allowing thousands of authorized security professionals and hundreds of teams to use the advanced AI tool. The company described this as an example of democratizing access to cutting-edge technology.

OpenAI acknowledged that while AI can strengthen defenses, it can also be exploited by hackers. The firm has therefore added strict safeguards to ensure vulnerabilities are patched before criminals can exploit them. The launch follows Anthropic’s release of its Mythos model and builds on OpenAI’s earlier success with its Codex Security tool, which has resolved over 3,000 major security flaws.

International oil prices rose sharply as shipping disruptions in the Hormuz Strait intensified. The benchmark Brent crude price exceeded $106 per barrel early Friday, reaching $106.80 by 1 a.m. GMT, about 5 percent higher than Wednesday’s closing price. The closure of the strait and vessel seizures by the United States and Iran have complicated the situation.

On Wednesday, oil prices had crossed the $100 mark for the first time in two weeks. The Hormuz Strait, a key global energy route, typically handles about one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas shipments. The current halt in maritime traffic has raised concerns about supply stability and market volatility.

Meanwhile, U.S. stock markets declined overnight, with the S&P 500 index down 0.41 percent and the technology-heavy Nasdaq Composite falling 0.89 percent, reflecting broader investor unease linked to the energy market turmoil.

Pope Leo XIV has called on the United States and Iran to continue peace talks aimed at ending the ongoing war. Speaking on his return flight to Rome after visiting four African countries, the Catholic leader said the conflict has caused immense suffering among Iran’s civilian population. He urged all parties to make every effort to establish peace, eliminate the threat of war, and uphold international law.

The appeal came shortly after a widely discussed dispute between Pope Leo and U.S. President Donald Trump. The Pope had been vocal in criticizing the U.S.-Israel military operations in Iran, prompting Trump to respond with a lengthy and aggressive social media post. In his remarks, the Pope emphasized that as a clergyman, he cannot support war and called on people to reject hatred and division in favor of a culture of peace.

The comments reflect the Vatican’s continued concern over escalating tensions in the Middle East and its advocacy for dialogue as the path to stability.

The ongoing war centered on Iran is severely disrupting global energy and fertilizer supplies, potentially pushing more than 30 million people into poverty in the coming months, according to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) chief Alexander De Croo. In an interview with Reuters, he said that even if the conflict ended immediately, its economic and humanitarian impacts had already begun, warning that food insecurity would soon reach critical levels.

De Croo noted that the crisis has already caused a loss of about 0.5 to 0.8 percent of global GDP, erasing development progress that took decades to achieve. He emphasized that the war’s economic shock is spreading rapidly across vulnerable economies, threatening to reverse hard-won gains in poverty reduction.

Meanwhile, reports from France 24 and PassBlue said UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s proposal to secure fertilizer shipments through the Strait of Hormuz has yet to be implemented. Iran’s UN ambassador, Amir Saeid Iravani, stated that Iran would allow ship passage if formally requested by the UN, while the US mission to the UN has not yet responded.

International Energy Agency (IEA) Executive Director Fatih Birol has warned that the ongoing Iran war and continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz are severely disrupting global energy flows. In an interview with Reuters, Birol said the world is facing the biggest energy security threat in history as a result of these developments.

Birol explained that the conflict has already removed 13 million barrels of oil per day from the market and caused major disruptions in the supply of key commodities. Before the war, about 20 million barrels of oil and petroleum products passed through the Strait of Hormuz daily. He described the current situation as a “dual blockade,” with neither Iran nor the United States allowing ships to enter or leave the strait.

He also warned of growing risks to Europe’s jet fuel supply, noting that the region previously relied on Middle Eastern refineries for about 75 percent of its jet fuel, which has now dropped to almost zero. Europe is seeking alternative supplies from the United States and Nigeria.