Iran has formally demanded the return of its frozen assets and compensation for war-related damages ahead of direct talks with the United States in Islamabad, mediated by Pakistan. Iran’s ambassador to the United Nations sent a letter to Secretary-General António Guterres seeking reparations from various countries. Government spokesperson Fatemeh Mahajerani told Russian media that preliminary estimates put the losses at around $270 billion, covering infrastructure damage and industrial shutdowns. According to Iranian state and semi-official media, billions of dollars in Iranian assets have been frozen worldwide since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, initially under an executive order by US President Jimmy Carter. Although partial returns occurred under the 1981 Algiers Accords and the 2015 nuclear deal, most funds remain inaccessible. The 2023 prisoner swap with the US briefly allowed Iran limited access to $6 billion in oil revenue held in Qatar, but that access was later suspended after renewed conflict. Iranian officials have stated that the release of frozen assets is a non-negotiable condition for progress in any future negotiations with the United States.

Former U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris has accused President Donald Trump of engaging in a war that, she said, the American people do not want and that puts U.S. troops at risk. Speaking at a Democratic Party fundraising event in Detroit on Saturday, Harris claimed that Trump entered the conflict under the influence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Harris, who lost to Trump in the 2024 presidential election, described the war as unnecessary and harmful to ordinary Americans. In response, Netanyahu rejected Harris’s allegation. He had previously stated at a press conference last month that no one could tell President Trump what to do. The exchange has added new tension to U.S. domestic politics amid ongoing unrest in the Middle East. The remarks have intensified political debate in Washington as the U.S. faces scrutiny over its role in the region, with both leaders’ statements drawing attention to the influence of foreign policy decisions on internal political divisions.

The Bangladesh government has initiated a process to increase electricity prices in response to heavy subsidy pressures and mounting financial losses in the power sector. A high-level committee, formed on April 9 and led by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, has begun reviewing proposals to adjust wholesale and retail electricity rates. The Power Development Board (PDB) reported that the current production cost per unit is around Tk 12, while the average selling price is just over Tk 7, resulting in a loss of about Tk 5 per unit. Despite Tk 38,637 crore in subsidies during the 2024–25 fiscal year, the sector still recorded a Tk 17,021 crore loss. Officials indicated that consumer-level prices may rise by Tk 0.70 to Tk 1.80 per unit, and wholesale rates by Tk 0.50 to Tk 1.20, though prices for small users consuming up to 70 units may remain unchanged. The committee will submit its recommendations to the cabinet after reviewing the proposals. Energy experts said the government has little alternative but to raise prices amid global fuel instability, though they urged accountability for past corruption and mismanagement that inflated production costs.

A new survey by Brazilian research institute Genial/Quest has revealed that public opinion is split over Neymar Jr.’s potential inclusion in Brazil’s 2026 World Cup squad. The poll, conducted from April 10 to 13 and published on April 18, found that 47 percent of Brazilians support Neymar’s return to the national team, while 45 percent oppose it. The final squad will be announced by coach Carlo Ancelotti on May 18, leaving uncertainty about Neymar’s participation. The survey also highlighted a broader sense of pessimism among Brazilian fans. Fifty-four percent of respondents said they feel no excitement about the upcoming World Cup, and 68 percent believe Brazil will not win the tournament to be held across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Only 12 percent expressed strong enthusiasm for the event. Ancelotti’s approval rating as Brazil’s coach stands at 41 percent, with 29 percent dissatisfied and 30 percent undecided. Under his leadership, Brazil has played ten matches, winning five, drawing two, and losing three, reflecting a 56 percent win rate.

More than 4,500 people have died in lightning strikes across Bangladesh over the past fifteen years, according to data from the GDStar Forum. Despite the rising number of incidents each year, experts say that government measures to prevent lightning-related deaths have been largely ineffective and wasteful. On April 18, twelve people died in separate lightning incidents in Sunamganj, Rangpur, Mymensingh, and Netrokona districts. The Disaster Management Department reported 21 deaths and 16 injuries so far this year, while last year saw 243 deaths. Weather experts note that Bangladesh experiences an average of 3.36 million lightning strikes annually, killing around 350 people, with the highest risks in Sunamganj, Netrokona, and Sylhet. The Meteorological Department began issuing lightning alerts in April last year, focusing on forecasts and public awareness. A previous palm tree planting project intended to reduce lightning deaths was criticized for mismanagement and financial waste. Authorities have since shifted to installing lightning arresters, which divert high-voltage strikes safely into the ground. Officials emphasize that public awareness remains the most effective protection against lightning hazards.

UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Saeed bin Mubarak Al Hajeri described the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as “economic terrorism” in an interview with the Indian Express, urging the international community to respond immediately. He sharply criticized Iran for blocking the vital waterway and insisted that any resolution to the ongoing war involving Iran must include the “complete and unconditional reopening” of the strait. Al Hajeri emphasized that a ceasefire alone would not be sufficient to end the conflict. He stated that a sustainable solution must address all threats posed by Iran, including its nuclear capabilities, ballistic missiles, drones, and proxy groups, alongside ensuring the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He added that success should be measured not by halting hostilities but by achieving a final settlement with binding guarantees, accountability, and assurances against future aggression. His remarks have heightened concerns over ongoing Middle East tensions and global energy security, according to the report.

According to the Hajj management portal of Bangladesh’s Ministry of Religious Affairs, a total of 78,500 Bangladeshi pilgrims will travel to Saudi Arabia for Hajj in 2026 under the country’s allocated quota. Of them, 65 percent are men and 35 percent are women. Dhaka Division has the highest share of pilgrims at 36.37 percent, while Barishal Division has the lowest at 3.03 percent. Flights carrying pilgrims began on Friday night, with 4,565 traveling under government management and 73,935 under private agencies. The ministry’s data shows that 32.68 percent of pilgrims are aged between 50 and 60 years, while 5.94 percent are over 70. Chattogram Division accounts for 20.2 percent of pilgrims, followed by Rajshahi with 13.13 percent, Rangpur with 8.08 percent, and Khulna with 7.07 percent. Sylhet and Mymensingh each contribute about 6 percent. Professionally, 40 percent of this year’s pilgrims are businesspeople, and 31 percent are homemakers. Private-sector employees make up 10 percent, while government employees, teachers, doctors, and students each represent 1 percent. Farmers account for 5 percent, retirees 3 percent, and others 6 percent.

Talks between the United States and Iran aimed at easing Middle East tensions have made some progress but remain stalled on major issues. Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that while certain areas of understanding have been reached, significant gaps persist, making a final agreement uncertain. He emphasized that Iran prefers a step-by-step approach based on mutual commitments and cannot act unilaterally. According to Anadolu Agency, Ghalibaf stated on state television that disagreements continue over Iran’s nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz. Despite these challenges, Tehran remains interested in achieving long-term peace. He also claimed that US and Israeli military actions have failed to meet their objectives and that Washington is now sending messages through mediators after agreeing to a temporary ceasefire. The first round of US-Iran talks took place last week in Pakistan, which is now attempting to host a second round in Islamabad. The current two-week ceasefire, effective since April 8, has temporarily paused hostilities.

The political distance between Bangladesh’s ruling BNP and the main opposition Jamaat-e-Islami has widened since the February 12 parliamentary election. Initially cooperative in building a fascism-free Bangladesh, the two sides are now divided over constitutional reform, implementation of the July Charter, and recognition of ordinances issued by the interim government. Disagreements that began in parliament have spilled onto the streets, with the opposition launching rallies and awareness campaigns demanding the July Charter’s implementation. Tensions escalated after BNP lawmakers declined to take an oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council, prompting Jamaat’s boycott of the government’s swearing-in ceremony. Subsequent disputes over ordinance approvals and ignored committee recommendations led to multiple opposition walkouts from parliament. Jamaat leaders accused the government of breaching trust, while BNP officials insisted the issues could be resolved through parliamentary dialogue. Political analysts warned that the growing mistrust threatens the post-revolution unity that followed the July uprising. Analysts urged both parties to return to negotiation, cautioning that continued confrontation could erode public confidence in the new democratic order and derail expectations for stability and reform.

US Vice President JD Vance has expressed gratitude to Pope Leo for clarifying recent remarks that had sparked tension with former President Donald Trump. The Pope explained that his speech in Cameroon, where he said the world was being troubled by 'a few dictators,' was not directed at Trump. He emphasized that the address had been prepared two weeks earlier and was misinterpreted, not intended to provoke political conflict. Vance, a Catholic himself, wrote on social media platform X that he was thankful for the Pope’s clarification. He noted that the media often amplifies conflicts and that while differences exist, the reality is more complex. Vance added that the President and the administration strive to apply moral values within a complicated reality, saying the Pope would remain in their prayers. Earlier, Pope Leo had criticized the US-Israel stance on the Iran conflict, prompting Trump to call him weak on crime and poor on foreign policy. The episode has reignited global debate over the balance between religious and political positions.

Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry has entered a severe downturn since July of the current fiscal year, with exports falling steadily due to global instability and the Middle East war. According to BGMEA data, March 2026 exports dropped to USD 2.78 billion, down over 19 percent from a year earlier. The industry now faces a fourfold crisis—declining orders, surging shipping and transport costs, and worsening power shortages. BGMEA warns that if the situation persists, many factories may be forced to close. Former BGMEA vice president Nasir Uddin Chowdhury said the Middle East conflict has intensified existing global economic disruptions, making buyers cautious and pushing Bangladesh behind China and Vietnam. Shipping costs have soared, with container rates to Europe rising from USD 1,600 to as high as USD 2,400, while Middle East-bound freight now costs up to USD 5,000 per container. Domestic transport and fuel costs have also nearly doubled, and frequent load-shedding has crippled production. BGMEA leaders have urged the government for greater policy and financial support, including soft loans, to help sustain the sector amid prolonged global and regional instability.

A student of Jahangirnagar University was detained by dormitory authorities while allegedly consuming drugs inside a female dormitory room. The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026, in room 116 of Nawab Faizunnesa Hall. The detained student, Inisha, is from the Department of Drama and Dramatics, 48th batch, and a resident of Begum Khaleda Zia Hall. Authorities recovered marijuana, bottles of local and foreign liquor, smoking equipment, lighters, cigarette remnants, and a suspicious liquid from the room. According to the hall provost, Professor Golam Mostafa, the incident came to light after students reported a strong odor from the room. The student was found consuming drugs and was not a resident of that hall. The Begum Khaleda Zia Hall administration has been informed. The seized items have been confiscated, and the matter is under serious investigation. A five-member investigation committee has been formed, headed by Professor Dr. Sultana, with Deputy Registrar Ear Hossain as member secretary. The committee also includes Rasheda Khatun, Nadia Sultana, and Shahanaj Akter.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that military operations will continue in southern Lebanon’s so-called “security zone.” According to Middle East Eye, Netanyahu stated that the aim of these operations is to prevent any threats against Israeli forces and border towns. Israeli Army Radio reported that the military has established a “yellow line” surrounding 55 villages, where residents have been prohibited from returning. In Beirut, Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said that a ceasefire cannot come solely from the resistance forces and must involve both sides. Meanwhile, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said he discussed with President Joseph Aoun the country’s readiness for dialogue and the implementation of decisions to bring weapons under state control. The developments highlight ongoing tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border and differing positions on how to achieve stability and ceasefire in the region.

At least six people were killed and fourteen others injured in a shooting in Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, on Saturday, according to authorities. The attacker, a resident of the Holosiivskyi district in southern Kyiv, first opened fire on people in the street before entering a nearby supermarket and taking several hostages. Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said police attempted to negotiate with the gunman for about forty minutes, but he remained unresponsive and agitated. President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that four people were killed on the street, and a woman in her thirties later died in hospital. The attacker also killed one of the hostages. Klymenko stated that police tried to persuade the gunman to surrender to allow medical aid for the wounded, but he made no demands and did not respond. After killing a hostage, police were ordered to neutralize him. The gunman was killed during an exchange of fire inside the supermarket. The motive for the attack remains unknown, and among the injured is a twelve-year-old child, according to Zelensky.

Sudanese refugees fleeing the war that erupted in Sudan in April 2023 are increasingly stranded along Morocco’s eastern border, caught between Algerian and Moroccan security forces. Many, like 17-year-old Amir Ali, have endured torture, trafficking, and repeated detentions while crossing Libya and Algeria before reaching Morocco, which they view as a safer destination to seek asylum. Despite being a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, Morocco has yet to implement a national asylum law, leaving the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) to handle registration and refugee status determinations under its international mandate. By the end of 2025, UNHCR had registered 22,370 refugees and asylum seekers in Morocco, with Sudanese nationals forming the largest group of new arrivals. However, refugees face severe challenges: limited access to healthcare, housing, and formal employment, and reports of police pushbacks to southern Morocco or the Algerian border persist. Aid groups such as Fondation Orient-Occident describe the Sudanese community as deeply traumatized and living in precarious conditions. UNHCR officials warn that a humanitarian funding crisis in 2025 has slowed registration and reduced assistance, leaving many refugees vulnerable to arrest, removal, and worsening health conditions while awaiting resettlement or medical care.