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.

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.