Human Rights Watch (HRW) has condemned Israel’s attack on a key bridge in southern Lebanon, calling for an immediate suspension of arms sales to Israel. According to the organization, Israeli forces destroyed the Qasmiyeh Bridge on April 16, just hours before a ceasefire was declared. The bridge had served as a vital route for delivering food, medical supplies, and other humanitarian aid to residents of southern Lebanon.

In a statement, HRW said the deliberate strike eliminated the last functioning access route for civilians and aid, raising concerns of disproportionate harm to non-combatants. The group urged that the incident be investigated as a potential war crime. HRW also called on governments to send a clear message to Israel that they would not risk complicity in war crimes by continuing arms transfers.

The organization’s appeal follows growing scrutiny of Israeli military actions in Lebanon and Gaza, emphasizing the need for accountability in the use of force against civilian infrastructure.

Leaders of the Chittagong University Central Students’ Union (Chaksu) staged a protest early Friday night after four students, including Jahin Sarkar Abir, the university correspondent of Somoy TV, were injured in an attack by locals near the university’s rail crossing around 9:30 p.m. The demonstration took place at the university’s Zero Point around 12:30 a.m., demanding the immediate arrest of those involved and stronger security for students.

Speakers at the protest alleged that students have long faced assaults and violence from local residents, yet the university administration has failed to take effective action. Chaksu leaders criticized the lack of active police presence on campus despite the existence of a police outpost, contrasting it with earlier times when large numbers of police were deployed to control internal political conflicts. They cited previous incidents, including a recent assault on a student during Pahela Baishakh and a large-scale attack last August that injured hundreds.

Protesters reiterated their demand for a safe campus environment, emphasizing that recurring violence has forced students to take to the streets for their own protection.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Friday hosted the third meeting with his counterparts from Egypt, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia. According to diplomatic sources, the session took place on the sidelines of the 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum in the southern Turkish city of Antalya. No details about the discussions were disclosed.

The Antalya Diplomacy Forum, running from Friday to Sunday, brings together world leaders and senior government officials. This year’s event focuses on addressing global uncertainty. The forum is held under the patronage of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey.

Anadolu Agency serves as the global communication partner for the forum, which is themed “Outlining the Future, Managing Uncertainty.”

Iraq has resumed crude oil exports from its southern region after more than a month of suspension caused by disruptions to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Middle East Eye. On Friday, loading began on a Maltese-flagged tanker named Agios Fanourios 1 near Iraq’s southern oil terminal, with around two million barrels of Basra crude expected to be loaded.

Shipping and trade data indicate that the tanker entered the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, following an earlier attempt by several tankers to pass during a U.S.-Iran ceasefire. The vessel is reportedly bound for Vietnam’s Nghi Son refinery, where it will deliver the crude oil cargo.

Officials said another tanker is expected to arrive at Iraq’s southern export terminal within the next two days, signaling a gradual normalization of oil export operations after the recent disruption.

A woman named Pinky Khatun, aged 32, died in a tragic accident on Friday night, April 17, when her scarf became entangled in the wheel of a moving autorickshaw in the Shyampur area of Dhaka, near the Postogola Bridge. She was returning home to Fatullah, Narayanganj, when the incident occurred. The scarf tightened around her neck, causing severe injury.

Bystanders rescued her and took her to Dhaka Medical College Hospital, where doctors declared her dead around 10:30 p.m. Her cousin Zahid said the family rushed to the hospital upon hearing the news but found she had already passed away. Inspector Md. Faruk, in charge of the hospital police outpost, confirmed the incident and said the body was kept in the hospital morgue. The local police station has been informed.

The deceased lived with her family in the Ramarbagh area of Fatullah, Narayanganj. Her husband’s name is Md. Rajib.

The United States has imposed sanctions on several commanders of Iran-backed Iraqi armed groups, according to a statement from the US Treasury Department cited by Al Jazeera. Among those targeted are individuals linked to Kataib Hezbollah. Treasury Secretary Scott Besant said the US would not allow Iran-backed militias in Iraq to threaten American lives or interests and that those enabling such violence would be held accountable.

The sanctions follow recent clashes involving Iran-supported Iraqi factions, which reportedly carried out rocket and drone attacks targeting US interests in the region last month. The move underscores Washington’s continued efforts to curb the influence of Iran-aligned militias operating in Iraq.

Analysts suggest the new sanctions could further heighten tensions in the Middle East, where multiple conflicts and rivalries are already straining regional stability.

Iran has rejected U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim that Tehran agreed to transfer its enriched uranium to the United States. According to Al Jazeera, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told Tasnim news agency that enriched uranium is as sacred to Iran as its own soil and will never be handed over under any circumstances.

Trump had earlier asserted that Iran consented to hand over its uranium stockpile as part of an agreement, but Tehran has consistently denied the existence of any such deal. The uranium issue remains one of the main points of contention in U.S.-Iran discussions, with both sides maintaining conflicting statements that have left the situation unresolved.

The ongoing disagreement underscores the persistent mistrust between Washington and Tehran, keeping diplomatic progress uncertain as both nations continue to defend their positions on nuclear material control.

A motion has been introduced in the UK Parliament calling for broad sanctions against Israel in response to its actions in Gaza, the occupied West Bank, and Lebanon, according to Al Jazeera. The initiative was led by Labour Party MP Richard Burgon, who urged fellow lawmakers to support the proposal. Burgon stated on social media that 75 MPs have already signed the motion.

Among the signatories are Scottish National Party spokesperson Brendan O’Hara, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, and Layla Moran, the UK’s only MP of Palestinian descent. The motion calls for a firm stance against Israel’s recent measures in Gaza, the West Bank, and Lebanon.

The proposal reflects growing parliamentary concern over Israel’s regional operations, though the source does not specify when or how the motion will be debated or voted on.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman announced that the government will take new initiatives to further reduce Hajj expenses from next year. He made the statement on Friday night at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport while inaugurating the first Hajj flight of the year. Rahman said that despite forming the government on February 18, when most Hajj arrangements were already completed, the administration still managed to lower costs by about 12,000 taka this year.

The Prime Minister expressed optimism that expenses for next year’s pilgrims could be reduced further and that the government is working to improve management to ease pilgrims’ difficulties. He urged the departing pilgrims to pray for the peace and well-being of the nation and wished them a safe return.

The event was attended by Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita, State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat, and Saudi Ambassador Abdullah Zafar H. Bin Abiyah. The first Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight carrying 418 pilgrims departed for Saudi Arabia at 12:20 a.m.

At least two students were injured in a clash between two factions of the Chhatra Dal at the Mymensingh Medical College hostel in the city’s Baghmara area on Friday evening, April 16. Police arrested one student, identified as Nafiu Islam of the BDS-14 batch, in connection with the incident. The injured include Mir Hamidur, a supporter of the group led by senior joint convener Nure Jawad Rutap, who was later transferred to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in critical condition, and Aman Ullah Muaj from the group of convener Tanvir Abdullah.

Witnesses said the altercation began over refueling a motorcycle and escalated into a physical fight. Hamidur was first attacked by Muaj with a steel pipe, leading to a chase and further clashes between the two groups. Several others were also injured during the confrontation. Police have deployed additional forces to maintain order.

College authorities and police confirmed that the situation is now under control, though the atmosphere at the hostel remains tense. Officials said the conflict may have stemmed from personal disputes among the student leaders.

Two leaders of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD) have been temporarily suspended following allegations of involvement in an attack on journalists at Kabi Nazrul Government College in Dhaka. The organizational action was taken under a central decision of the JCD, as confirmed in a notice signed by central office secretary Md. Jahangir Alam on Thursday night, April 17, 2026.

According to the notice, Meherab Hossain Nahid, a member of the college unit’s convening committee, and Jibon Ahmed, a primary member, have had their positions suspended for one month on charges of violating organizational discipline. The decision was approved by JCD central president Rakibul Islam Rakib and general secretary Nasir Uddin Nasir.

The disciplinary action follows a clash between two JCD groups on April 15 in front of the college’s main gate, during which two journalists were assaulted while covering the incident. The victims, representatives of Daily Campus and Sonali News, were reportedly attacked and had their phones taken while photographing the altercation.

Iran has warned that it will respond if the United States continues to enforce a blockade around Iranian ports. The warning came after US President Donald Trump announced that the blockade would remain in place, despite Tehran’s declaration that the Strait of Hormuz would stay open. The statement was reported by Al Jazeera on April 18, 2026.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei issued the warning through a post on social media platform X, saying Tehran would be compelled to take action if Washington persisted with the blockade. He also clarified an earlier post by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, though details of that clarification were not elaborated in the report.

The exchange underscores renewed tension between Tehran and Washington over maritime access and regional security, particularly around the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route.

International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez has called on the global shipping industry to remain cautious following Iran’s recent claim that the Strait of Hormuz remains open. In an interview with BBC NewsHour, Dominguez said that while any progress is welcome, he is still verifying the circulating information about the situation.

Dominguez highlighted that around 20,000 sailors and nearly 2,000 ships remain stranded, describing this as the main concern. He emphasized that when vessel movement through the Strait resumes, it must do so safely. The IMO chief also noted that he currently has no specific security assurances regarding the area.

Until the situation becomes clearer, Dominguez urged all maritime operators to maintain heightened vigilance and prioritize safety in their operations through the region.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited the Ashkona Hajj Camp in Dhaka on Friday night. He arrived at 10:50 p.m., toured various sections of the camp, and exchanged greetings with pilgrims preparing for Hajj. During the visit, he inquired about their overall well-being and instructed officials to ensure a smooth journey for all pilgrims. He also joined a prayer session with those staying at the camp and stated that the government is working to make Hajj management more efficient and traveler-friendly.

Later, at 11:15 p.m., the Prime Minister went to Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, where he met passengers of the year’s first Hajj flight, BG-3001. He exchanged greetings with them and handed over gifts as a gesture of goodwill. Religious Affairs Minister Kazi Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad and Health and Family Welfare Minister Sardar Md. Sakhawat Hossain accompanied him during the visit.

The visit highlighted the government’s ongoing efforts to improve Hajj services and ensure better facilities for Bangladeshi pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia.

The International Monetary Fund has lowered its global growth forecast for 2026 from 3.3 to 3.1 percent, citing the economic fallout from the United States-Israeli war on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. The conflict has disrupted vital energy exports and damaged Gulf infrastructure, while a prolonged war could push global growth down to 2.5 percent. Low-income and developing nations are expected to suffer most from rising energy and commodity prices, and global shipping faces additional strain.

Despite the downturn, several industries are thriving amid the turmoil. Wall Street banks such as Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and JP Morgan Chase reported double-digit profit increases in early 2026, driven by heavy trading activity. The crypto-based prediction platform Polymarket has also surged, earning millions in daily fees from users betting on geopolitical outcomes. Meanwhile, global defence firms are benefiting from rising military spending, and the AI sector remains resilient, with Taiwan’s chip exports and TSMC’s profits reaching record highs.

The war has also accelerated the global shift toward renewable energy. Governments across Asia are implementing emergency measures and new incentives to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, driving a 70.92 percent annual rise in the S&P Global Clean Energy Transition Index.