Israel has strengthened its strategic and military cooperation with Greece and Greek Cyprus to contain Turkey’s regional influence, according to the report. The collaboration includes arms sales, joint naval exercises, and the use of Greek and Cypriot airspace for Israeli air force training. These moves are part of Israel’s broader plan to reduce its geopolitical isolation and secure strategic advantages in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The report notes that tensions between Turkey and Greece stem from disputes over maritime boundaries, resource exploration rights, and the divided island of Cyprus. Israel’s alignment with Greece and Greek Cyprus has further complicated this rivalry. The three countries are also promoting a shared identity as secular, Western-style democracies, positioning themselves as a counterbalance to Turkey’s regional policies.

Analysts warn that this cooperation undermines NATO unity, as Greece and Greek Cyprus—both NATO members—are providing Israel with strategic benefits against another member, Turkey. Israel’s support for Greece’s “Achilles Shield” defense project, based on its Iron Dome system, exemplifies this growing alignment and its potential to reshape Eastern Mediterranean security dynamics.

Japan has introduced a new term, 'Kokushobi', to describe the country's increasingly severe heat conditions. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) announced the term after last summer’s record-breaking temperatures reached up to 40 degrees Celsius. The word combines 'koku', meaning 'extremely high', to denote days of intense heat. The decision followed a national online survey conducted between February and March, in which 478,000 people participated to select the most fitting term from 13 options.

According to the Japan Times, Japan experienced its hottest summer since temperature records began in 1898, with the 2025 season averaging 2.36 degrees Celsius above normal. During June to August, nine days exceeded 40 degrees, and Isesaki city recorded a national high of 41.8 degrees Celsius. Tokyo saw 25 days above 35 degrees, while Kyoto recorded 52 such days. The JMA has forecast that temperatures from June to August this year will again remain above normal.

The new terminology reflects Japan’s growing concern over climate change, as fossil fuel use and human activities continue to drive global warming.

Prime Minister and BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman is set to visit his ancestral home in Bagbari village of Gabtali upazila, Bogura, on Monday, marking his first return in nearly 20 years. The northern district is witnessing a festive atmosphere ahead of his arrival. This will also be his first visit to his home district since becoming prime minister. During the daylong official trip, he will inaugurate several development projects, including the Bogura City Corporation plaque, a new lawyers’ association building, and the e-bail bond system.

According to the schedule, the prime minister will leave Dhaka by road at 6 a.m. and reach Bogura Circuit House by 10:30 a.m. He will later visit Bagbari to launch a measles-rubella vaccination campaign and a family card distribution program, followed by inaugurating a canal excavation project in Nashipur. In the afternoon, he will address a public rally organized by the Bogura District BNP at Altafunnesa playground and inaugurate new facilities including the Bogura Press Club building and Baitur Rahman Central Mosque reconstruction.

Local residents expressed pride and excitement over the visit, while authorities have intensified security and beautification efforts across the district.

Iran’s parliament speaker Bagher Ghalibaf declared that Iran has achieved victory on the battlefield after several weeks of war. Speaking on national television, he said the country agreed to a temporary ceasefire only because its conditions were met. Ghalibaf asserted that the United States failed to achieve its objectives and that the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz remains under Iran’s control.

He emphasized that Iran’s acceptance of the ceasefire was not a sign of weakness but a result of its terms being accepted by the opposing side. According to Ghalibaf, every effort by the enemy aimed to impose its demands on Iran, but the nation prioritized defending its rights. He described negotiations as an integral part of the broader struggle.

The statement comes amid reports that maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has halted, underscoring the ongoing regional tension surrounding the conflict and its potential impact on global trade routes.

The Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners Association has welcomed the government’s decision to adjust domestic fuel prices in line with global market trends. The association’s member secretary, Mir Ahsan Uddin Parvez, said they appreciate the move as it reflects the recent rise in international fuel prices and ensures a fair adjustment in the local market.

According to the association, this decision will help reduce artificial shortages and hoarding tendencies in the fuel supply chain. They also expect the measure to bring greater transparency to market management and stabilize supply operations. The association emphasized that aligning domestic prices with international rates allows businesses to operate fairly and maintain a steady distribution system.

The statement suggests that the government’s pricing policy could contribute to a more balanced and transparent fuel market in Bangladesh, benefiting both suppliers and consumers.

The Noakhali health department has completed preparations for a large-scale measles vaccination campaign targeting 505,350 children across the district. The announcement was made by Civil Surgeon Dr. Anwar Hossain at a press conference held on April 18, 2026. The campaign will cover all nine upazilas, eight municipalities, 91 unions, 279 wards, 1,385 schools, and 1,480 madrasas, focusing on children aged six months to five years. A total of 2,241 vaccinators and 4,482 volunteers will participate in the drive.

According to the Civil Surgeon, the initiative follows a recent rise in suspected measles cases, with 273 suspected patients identified and 61 currently under treatment. Laboratory tests confirmed eight positive cases. The health department has mapped high-risk areas and strengthened surveillance, with local administration and media engaged to raise awareness. Parents have been urged to ensure timely vaccination and ignore misinformation.

Officials stated that no deaths from measles have been reported in the district so far, and most hospitalized patients are in stable condition. The campaign aims to ensure no child remains unvaccinated.

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy has issued a warning that any ship attempting to approach the Strait of Hormuz will be targeted. According to a statement broadcast by Iran’s state-run Press TV, the IRGC declared that vessels anchored in the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman must not leave their designated positions. The force stated that any movement toward the Strait of Hormuz would be considered cooperation with the enemy and that such ships would be treated as hostile targets.

The statement further instructed all ships and their owners to rely solely on official IRGC Navy communication channels for the latest updates. It also dismissed recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz as lacking credibility. The warning comes amid heightened regional tensions, with no signs of ship movement currently observed through the strategic waterway.

The IRGC’s announcement underscores Iran’s intent to assert control over maritime activity in the region, signaling potential risks for international shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

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.