United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said that international law is being trampled across the world, particularly in the Middle East. Speaking to journalists at the UN headquarters in New York, he noted that rules governing the use of force are being ignored and emphasized the urgent need for restraint and adherence to international norms.

Guterres stated that there is a strong possibility of renewed talks between the United States and Iran. He also described the ongoing discussions between Israel and Lebanon as very important for improving conditions on the ground. The Secretary-General stressed that the crisis in the Middle East has no military solution and called for the resumption of dialogue with strong goodwill while maintaining any existing ceasefires.

His remarks, reported by Al Jazeera, come amid heightened regional tensions and underscore the UN’s call for diplomacy and respect for international law as the only viable path to stability.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said that the United States and Iran may engage in discussions within the next two days. He made the comment in an interview with the New York Post, suggesting that some development could occur soon and noting an interest in visiting Pakistan.

Earlier, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance met with Iran’s parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf and other officials in Islamabad over the weekend. That meeting concluded without any agreement. Meanwhile, Iranian state media reported on Tuesday that Tehran and Pakistan had exchanged messages but stated there was no information confirming any agreement to hold further talks with the United States.

The statements indicate ongoing diplomatic movement but no confirmed schedule or venue for a new round of U.S.–Iran negotiations.

France and the United Kingdom will jointly organize a video conference on Friday to discuss measures for ensuring security in the Strait of Hormuz, according to Al Jazeera. The meeting will bring together countries interested in contributing to a fully defensive mission aimed at protecting maritime routes in the region. French President Emmanuel Macron and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will co-chair the session.

The conference will focus on ways to restore freedom of navigation once the security situation in the Strait normalizes. Over recent weeks, France and the UK have been developing a plan to help oil tankers and container ships cross the strait safely. As part of this initiative, the possibility of escorting vessels is also under consideration to guarantee secure passage through this vital waterway.

The joint effort underscores growing international concern over maritime safety in the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global energy transport.

A Chinese-owned oil tanker named 'Rich Starry' crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Tuesday, defying a newly imposed US naval blockade. The vessel, operated by a company already under US sanctions, carried about 250,000 barrels of methanol from the UAE’s Hamriyah port. According to shipping data, the tanker had previously been blacklisted in 2023 for allegedly helping Iran evade fuel sanctions and was formerly known as 'Full Star'.

The blockade, announced by President Donald Trump and effective since Monday, aims to halt Iran’s oil exports. The tanker’s passage marked its second attempt within 24 hours, after initially turning back near Iran’s Qeshm Island. Analysts described the move as a test of the US blockade’s enforcement capacity. Another tanker, 'LPC', was also reported entering the Gulf of Oman after docking at an Iranian port.

The incident has heightened concern among Asian nations reliant on Middle Eastern oil. In response to the rising tension, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for diplomatic dialogue between Tehran and Washington to resolve the situation.

Barcelona and Liverpool face crucial second-leg matches in the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, both seeking dramatic turnarounds. Barcelona will play Atlético Madrid in Spain’s capital after losing the first leg 2–0 while reduced to ten men. Liverpool, meanwhile, host Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield, also trailing 2–0 from the first leg. Both matches are scheduled to start at 1 a.m. Bangladesh time.

Barcelona enter the match under pressure but buoyed by recent domestic form. The team, led by Hansi Flick, recently defeated Espanyol 4–1 in La Liga, with Lamine Yamal becoming the youngest player to reach 100 appearances while contributing a goal and two assists. Atlético’s past elimination after winning a first leg offers further encouragement for Barcelona.

Liverpool’s challenge is equally steep after goals from Désiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia gave PSG a strong advantage. Yet Anfield’s history of famous comebacks, including a 4–0 win over Barcelona in 2019, fuels optimism. A recent 2–0 victory over Fulham ended a three-match losing streak, and four wins in their last five home games have strengthened belief in another memorable night.

Pope Leo XIV responded to sharp criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump by asserting that he and the Catholic Church are not politicians but messengers of peace. Speaking to journalists aboard the papal plane before his visit to Algeria, the Pope said he does not fear the Trump administration and will continue to proclaim the Gospel’s message strongly, describing it as both his and the Church’s duty.

He emphasized that the Church views foreign policy differently from political leaders, focusing instead on peace and faith in the Gospel. Trump had recently accused the Pope of being weak on crime and poor in foreign policy through social media posts. Reports suggest Trump’s remarks followed the Pope’s criticism of U.S.-Israeli military actions surrounding Iran.

The exchange highlights ongoing tension between religious advocacy for peace and political responses to international conflicts, particularly in the Middle East.

Russia has strongly criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement to block the Strait of Hormuz. According to Moscow, implementing such a move would negatively affect the global energy market. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said several aspects of Trump’s declaration remain unclear and warned that such a decision could destabilize world markets.

The U.S. military stated that all vessel movements from Iranian ports would be halted as scheduled, with the blockade set to take effect at 10 a.m. Washington time. If enforced, the measure could prevent around two million barrels of Iranian oil per day from entering the global market, potentially worsening the ongoing energy crisis.

Shipping data indicated that two Iran-linked tankers had already crossed the Strait of Hormuz before the blockade’s start time. The situation has heightened tensions in the Middle East and raised concerns about its impact on the global economy.

Pope Leo XIV has declared that he will remain steadfast in his anti-war position despite sharp criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump. Speaking to journalists aboard a flight to Algeria, the Pope said he is not afraid of the Trump administration and will continue to advocate for peace worldwide. He emphasized that he does not wish to engage in debate with Trump but expressed regret that the message of Christianity is being misused in some cases.

Leo reiterated his commitment to speak strongly against war, calling for peace, dialogue, and the strengthening of multilateral relations among nations to find fair solutions. He lamented the loss of innocent lives and stressed that someone must stand up to say there is a better way.

The Pope, the first American to hold the position, began a ten-day visit to four African countries as part of his mission to promote peace and interfaith understanding.

Several countries have issued statements in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s threat to blockade Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz. Spain’s Defense Minister Margarita Robles delivered the strongest criticism, saying the proposal made no sense. China urged calm and restraint, emphasizing that keeping the strait open serves the common interests of the international community. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) called for a full and effective ceasefire implementation and the protection of maritime and air navigation freedom.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France and the United Kingdom will organize a conference in the coming days to restore freedom of navigation in the strait. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the United Kingdom does not support any blockade. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stressed the importance of navigation freedom in the Strait of Hormuz and called for strong coordination among EU member states.

The coordinated responses highlight growing international concern over regional stability and the potential impact of U.S. actions on global maritime security.

Tensions have arisen between Pope Leo XIV and U.S. President Donald Trump following the Pope’s comments on the Middle East war. Despite the friction, Pope Leo made it clear that he has no intention of engaging in any political debate. Speaking to journalists, he defended his earlier remarks, emphasizing that his message remains focused on peace, not politics.

Earlier, on Saturday, while Iranian and American negotiators met in Pakistan to discuss ending the war, Pope Leo urged the international community to stop what he called the “madness of war.” He also condemned the use of Christian religious language to justify conflict. In response, Trump reacted sharply, labeling the Pope as dangerous and criticizing him as weak on crime and terrible for foreign policy.

The exchange underscores growing tension between religious and political leaders over the ongoing Middle East conflict and the moral framing of warfare.

Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have welcomed the ceasefire between the United States and Iran, describing it as a step toward a lasting solution and regional stability. In a joint statement, the ten-member bloc highlighted the global importance of energy flows and trade routes and called for the restoration of safe, uninterrupted navigation for ships and aircraft through the Strait of Hormuz. The ministers also urged all parties to ensure the safety of sailors and vessels in accordance with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS).

The ASEAN ministers praised Pakistan and other involved parties for their mediation efforts and encouraged Washington and Tehran to continue dialogue aimed at a permanent resolution of the conflict. They emphasized the importance of upholding international law, maintaining regional peace and prosperity, and promoting sincere dialogue and diplomacy.

The statement noted that although Southeast Asia holds significant fossil fuel reserves, the region remains heavily dependent on imported oil and gas, much of which passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that NATO has agreed to assist in clearing mines from the Strait of Hormuz. He made the statement in an interview with Fox News following warnings about a possible blockade of the vital maritime route. Trump said the United States had previously been frustrated with NATO but now welcomed its support in ensuring the waterway remains open.

According to Trump, the mine-clearing operation will not take long, and the strait will soon reopen for shipping. He confirmed that the United States is deploying mine-removal vessels and that the United Kingdom and several other NATO member countries are also sending minesweepers to participate in the operation.

The report also noted that Russia strongly criticized Trump’s earlier blockade announcement, while Pope Leo maintained a firm anti-war stance despite Trump’s criticism. The issue has drawn global reactions, reflecting heightened international concern over stability in the region.

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly developing an AI clone of himself to attend meetings and provide feedback to employees, according to the Financial Times. The AI version is being trained on Zuckerberg’s image, voice, mannerisms, tone, and public statements so that employees can feel more connected to him through digital interactions. Zuckerberg is personally involved in training the avatar and spends several hours each week coding and reviewing Meta’s AI projects.

The Financial Times report adds that if the experiment with Zuckerberg’s AI avatar proves successful, Meta may allow creators to build their own AI avatars. In 2024, Meta demonstrated a live example of an AI persona for creators and began letting them create AI versions of themselves to respond to Instagram comments. The company also offers custom AI chatbots, though it recently restricted teen access to the feature.

A separate project, reported by The Wall Street Journal in March, involves Zuckerberg creating an AI agent to help him complete tasks, distinct from the avatar being developed for Meta’s internal use.

Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner reclaimed the world number one ranking after defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets in the Monte Carlo Masters final on April 13, 2026. Despite windy conditions that disrupted both players’ rhythm, Sinner held his composure to win 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, securing both the title and his return to the top of the ATP rankings.

This victory marked Sinner’s third Masters 1000 title of the season, following earlier wins at Indian Wells and Miami. It also extended his winning streak at Masters-level tournaments to 22 consecutive matches, underscoring his dominant form this year. After the match, Sinner said that winning the trophy and regaining the number one position meant a lot to him, adding that adapting to clay courts had been challenging but rewarding.

In women’s tennis on the same day, Mira Andreeva captured her fifth WTA title by defeating Anastasia Potapova 1-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the Linz Open final.

FIFA has rejected Iran’s request to move its 2026 World Cup group-stage matches from the United States to Mexico, citing logistical and strategic reasons. The decision means Iran must play its scheduled games on the U.S. West Coast as originally planned. The confirmation came after Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum disclosed that the request had been denied.

Iran’s football federation had sought the change due to political tensions and security concerns following heightened friction between Iran and the United States since February 28. The issue gained further attention when former U.S. President Donald Trump questioned Iran’s participation on social media, prompting Iranian officials to warn they might withdraw if safety could not be guaranteed.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino intervened to calm the situation, meeting Iranian players and officials in Turkey on March 31. He reaffirmed that Iran would compete and that football must remain above politics, with player safety as the top priority. Iran is placed in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.