United News of Bangladesh

A cruise ship has completed a passage through the Strait of Hormuz for the first time since the outbreak of the war, according to ship tracking data. MarineTraffic reported that the Malta-flagged vessel Celestyal Discovery—believed to be operating without passengers—successfully sailed through the strategic waterway on Friday. The ship had been anchored in Dubai for nearly 47 days after arriving there in early March, reports Al Jazeera. The tracking service added that the vessel is now en route to Muscat, Oman, with an expected arrival later the same day. The transit marks a notable development amid ongoing tensions in the region, where maritime movement has faced disruption since the conflict began.

The United States has extended a waiver permitting countries to continue purchasing Russian oil and petroleum products at sea for roughly another month, as the Trump administration seeks to stabilise global oil supplies amid disruptions linked to the conflict with Iran. According to a notice from the US Treasury Department, the extension allows transactions involving Russian oil loaded onto vessels as of Friday to continue until May 16. The earlier waiver had been due to expire on April 11, reports Al Jazeera. Russia’s presidential envoy Kirill Dmitriev previously said the initial waiver could release around 100 million barrels of crude into the market—nearly equivalent to one day of global oil production. However, the decision has drawn criticism in some Western circles. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, among others, argued that such measures could undermine sanctions aimed at cutting off revenue streams that Russia has used to finance its war in Ukraine.      

Iran has reopened the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, but warned it could shut it again if the United States continues blocking Iranian vessels and ports. In Beirut on April 18, officials said ships can pass through the key waterway—responsible for about 20% of global oil transport—but only along routes approved by Iran, indicating Tehran still maintains significant control. It remains unclear whether ships must pay fees. Data from a monitoring firm showed that traffic is still restricted to corridors requiring Iranian permission. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the American blockade will stay in place until Iran reaches a broader agreement with Washington, including over its nuclear program. Although he initially welcomed Iran’s move, he quickly clarified that the blockade would continue until negotiations are fully concluded. Iranian leaders criticized the blockade as a breach of a recent ceasefire agreement and warned the strait could be closed again if U.S. restrictions persist. Since the blockade began, U.S. forces have reportedly turned back multiple Iranian ships. Trump indicated that new talks with Iran could take place soon, after earlier discussions failed to produce an agreement, particularly over nuclear issues. Optimism around potential negotiations led to a drop in oil prices, amid concerns that continued disruption in the strait could worsen the global energy situation. However, there were mixed signals within Iran itself, as some semi-official media outlets questioned the clarity and authority behind the decision to reopen the strait, suggesting it may still require approval from top leadership. Meanwhile, a ceasefire between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in Lebanon appeared to be holding, which could ease broader tensions and support diplomatic efforts. Still, uncertainty remains about whether all parties will fully adhere to the truce, especially with Israeli troops still present in southern Lebanon. Despite the ceasefire, isolated violence continued, including an Israeli strike that caused casualties shortly after the truce began. Both sides have yet to confirm full compliance. The broader conflict has caused thousands of deaths across multiple countries, and key sticking points in ongoing mediation include Iran’s nuclear program, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation for war damages. Trump also claimed Iran might concede on its enriched uranium stockpile—though this has not been confirmed by Iran or mediators.          

A looming jet fuel shortage in Europe and Asia sparked by the Iran war and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz could further upend world travel within weeks if oil doesn’t start flowing again soon — meaning higher airfares and flight cancellations as the summer travel season approaches. In an exclusive Associated Press interview Thursday, International Energy Agency Director Fatih Birol said Europe has “maybe six weeks” of remaining jet fuel supplies and said the global economy faces its “largest energy crisis.” In general, some European countries hold several months’ worth of jet fuel inventory at a time, according to an IEA report released this week. Jet fuel — a refined kerosene-based oil product — is airlines’ biggest cost, making up about 30% of overall expenses, according to the International Air Transport Association. And jet fuel prices have roughly doubled since the war began. Shortages could start next. “Every passing day that the Strait of Hormuz remains shut, Europe is edging closer to supply shortages,” said Amaar Khan, head of European jet fuel pricing at Argus Media. “The strait accounts for around 40% of Europe’s jet fuel imports, but no jet fuel has passed the strait since the war broke out.” Airline officials have largely reacted with caution, acknowledging potential fuel issues but working to reassure customers. Still, some carriers have already passed costs on to consumers by increasing fees for baggage and other add-ons, embedding costs into ticket prices, or raising fuel surcharges. A handful of airlines already are cutting flights. Experts say other parts of air travel — such as scheduling flexibility and routes — would likely be impacted. Here’s a look at how jet fuel supplies work and how consumers might see effects. How does jet fuel get to the plane? Jet fuel is made from crude oil at refineries, which also create gasoline and diesel. Airlines generally buy jet fuel from refineries or fuel companies, similar to drivers buying gasoline from stations, but on a much larger scale. Jet fuel travels on ships and through pipelines and is stored by airlines at airports. Purchasing is handled by airlines. If fuel supplies are running out in a region, that doesn’t necessarily mean there will be no flights. Some airlines might have more stored than others. But remaining flights are likely to be expensive, reflecting fuel costs. Larger airlines have advantages in regions with shortages. They have the financial means to deal with high prices, said Jacques Rousseau, managing director at financial firm Clearview Energy Partners. In Europe, a number of countries are now relying on less than 20 days of coverage in their fuel supplies, according to this week’s IEA report. Supplies haven’t dropped below 29 days since 2020, the report said. If that falls under 23 days, physical shortages may emerge at some airports, resulting in flight cancellations and lower demand, the report warned. Which regions could feel pain? Asia-Pacific countries are the most reliant on oil and jet fuel from the Middle East, followed by Europe, Rousseau said. Most of Europe’s jet fuel is produced by European refiners, but about 20-25% of its supply is missing because of the war, Rousseau said. To fill some gaps, the U.S. has increased its exports of jet fuel to Europe considerably, sending about 150,000 barrels per day in April, or about six times the normal level, Rousseau said. Availability of jet fuel is less of an issue in the U.S., a major oil producer, he added. “I tell my kids ... we’re not so much going to run out of supply,” Rousseau said. “It’s just going to cost more here, whereas in different parts of the world you could actually get to a point where there’s just no fuel.” How much is the world supply of jet fuel lagging? The world is losing 10 million to 15 million barrels of oil a day due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, said Pavel Molchanov, senior investment strategist at investment firm Raymond James & Associates. “There are exactly the same refineries in exactly the same places in Asia and Europe, but if there is not enough oil for those refineries to operate, it’s going to lead to physical supply disruption,” he said. Even though the IEA has released 400 million barrels of oil from members’ emergency reserves, that won’t help in the short term, he added. “It could take until the end of the year to get all of those barrels onto the market,” he said. How will my travel be affected? Christopher Anderson, a professor of operations, technology and information management at Cornell University, said travelers should prepare for more than just higher airfares. “This is no longer just a fuel-price story. For airlines, it is now a network-planning story,” he said. “Higher fuel costs matter, but so do longer routings, reduced scheduling flexibility and greater uncertainty about what demand will look like even a few weeks out.” Travelers might see “a market with later booking patterns, more schedule volatility and fewer low-fare options if this disruption lasts into the core summer season,” he said. What are airlines doing? Dutch airline KLM and U.K. budget carrier easyJet told AP they weren’t experiencing current fuel shortages, without commenting further on the IEA’s warning. Still, both airlines are among those that have seen higher costs eat into their budgets. On Thursday, KLM said it would cut 160 flights next month — about 1% of its total European routes. The airline cited “rising kerosene costs” and said a limited number of flights are “no longer financially viable to operate.” In a Thursday update, EasyJet said it expects to see a pretax loss of 540 million to 560 million pounds (about $731 million to $758 million) for the first half of the 2026 fiscal year. Still, CEO Kenton Jarvis said demand remains strong overall — noting that Easter travel was easyJet’s busiest ever for that holiday period. Lufthansa said Thursday that labor disputes and high fuel prices are forcing it to immediately shut down feeder airline CityLine, earlier than planned, and take its 27 older, less fuel-efficient planes out of service. The decision accelerates a shutdown that had been expected for next year. U.S. carrier Delta Air Lines — which frequently flies to European destinations — said on Thursday that it was “aware of the potential jet fuel supply issue” on the continent and monitoring the situation. Delta, which bought a refinery in Philadelphia in 2012 to manage its largest expense, said it doesn’t expect any “near-term impact to our operations.” How are prices affected? Other airlines have sounded the alarm about rising fuel prices, with some already passing along new costs to travelers, often embedded into ticket prices and add-on fees. U.S. carriers Delta, United, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and JetBlue have all increased checked baggage fees, for example, in recent weeks. United CEO Scott Kirby said in a recent memo to staff that if fuel prices stay elevated, it could add $11 billion in annual costs. “For perspective,” Kirby wrote, “in United’s best year ever, we made less than $5B.” Meanwhile, Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific recently bumped fuel surcharges by roughly 34% across all routes, while Air India added up to $280 in fees to some flights earlier this month. Emirates, Lufthansa and KLM have also adjusted fees or fares to keep pace with the price volatility.

 Europe has “maybe six weeks or so” of remaining jet fuel supplies, the head of the International Energy Agency said Thursday in a wide-ranging interview, warning of possible flight cancellations “soon” if oil supplies remain blocked by the Iran war. IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol painted a sobering picture of the global repercussions of what he called “the largest energy crisis we have ever faced,” stemming from the pinch-off of oil, gas and other vital supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. “In the past there was a group called ‘Dire Straits.’ It’s a dire strait now, and it is going to have major implications for the global economy. And the longer it goes, the worse it will be for the economic growth and inflation around the world,” he told The Associated Press. The impact will be “higher petrol (gasoline) prices, higher gas prices, high electricity prices,” said Birol, speaking in his Paris office looking out over the Eiffel Tower. Economic pain will be felt unevenly and “the countries who will suffer the most will not be those whose voice are heard a lot. It will be mainly the developing countries. Poorer countries in Asia, in Africa and in Latin America,” said the Turkish economist and energy expert who has led the IEA since 2015. But without a settlement of the Iran war that permanently reopens the Strait of Hormuz, “Everybody is going to suffer,” he added. “Some countries may be richer than the others. Some countries may have more energy than the others, but no country, no country is immune to this crisis,” he said.

    Apr 16 (UNB)--Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the ceasefire was Lebanon’s first goal in landmark talks that took place with Israel in Washington on Tuesday between the country’s ambassadors to the U.S. “While I congratulate all Lebanese on this achievement, I offer my condolences to the families of the martyrs who fell, and I affirm my solidarity with their families, with the wounded, and with the citizens forced to flee their cities and villages,” Salam said. Earlier, US President Donald Trump has announced that Lebanon and Israel have agreed to a 10-day ceasefire, set to begin at 5pm EST, following what he described as “excellent conversations” with the two countries’ leaders. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he spoke with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, adding that both sides had agreed to the temporary truce “in order to achieve PEACE between their Countries.” He said the agreement follows the first direct meeting between officials of the two countries in 34 years, held in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, reports Al Jazeera. Trump said he had directed Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Rubio and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Dan Razin’ Caine, to work with Israel and Lebanon to achieve a “lasting PEACE.” “It has been my Honor to solve 9 Wars across the World, and this will be my 10th, so let’s, GET IT DONE!” he added.  

“There are no dates yet,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told reporters Thursday. “We will announce the timing of these talks as and when it is decided,” he said, urging the media to avoid speculation. Andrabi said Pakistan’s role as a mediator and facilitator did not end when the first round of talks concluded over the weekend. “It continued,” he said. He said Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is visiting Iran with a delegation, while Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is also traveling to regional countries to promote peace. “We will continue to advocate for peace, prosperity and stability,” he said. Asked about the first round of talks, Andrabi said there was “certainly not a major breakthrough in terms of any concrete document emanating from these talks, but there was no breakdown as well.”  

Discussions over a new round of face-to-face talks between the United States and Iran are ongoing, the White House said on Tuesday, even as Washington has fully enforced a blockade on Iranian ports and regional mediation efforts have intensified, with no date yet set for the next round of negotiations. On Wednesday, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt told a press briefing that the U.S. willingness to hold talks with Iran is contingent on the reopening of the Strait "with no limitations or delays," adding that the next round of talks is likely to take place again in Islamabad, Pakistan. She also denied reports that Washington had formally requested an extension of the current ceasefire, saying both sides remain engaged in dialogue. U.S. officials were cited by media reports as saying that U.S. and Iranian negotiators made progress in talks on Tuesday, moving closer to a framework agreement to end the war. One official said both sides have maintained backchannel communications with all the countries and are "getting closer," while another noted that although the U.S. side is eager for a deal, consensus within the Iranian government remains a key hurdle. Meanwhile, Pakistan has stepped up its shuttle diplomacy to bridge differences between the two sides. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, beginning a four-day tour that will also take him to Qatar and Türkiye. On the same day, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff Asim Munir led a delegation to Tehran, where Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi received him. According to Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency, Tehran will assess the outcome of its discussions with the Pakistani delegation before deciding whether to engage in another round of talks with the United States. A source cited by the report said that the ceasefire in Lebanon will be a "positive signal" for Iran's decision for the next round of negotiations, while stressing that Washington must drop "excessive demands" and avoid "violating the promises it made before the ceasefire." Uncertainty also persists over whether the ceasefire between the United States and Iran will be extended. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Tuesday that such speculation could not yet be confirmed, citing what he described as inconsistent U.S. positions and questioning Washington's commitment to honoring any potential agreement. At the same time, the U.S. military said on Tuesday that U.S. forces have completely halted economic trade going into and out of Iran by sea in less than 36 hours since the blockade was implemented. However, a report by British maritime analytics firm Windward indicated that some ships have managed to bypass the restrictions. It said that "Iranian crude and refined product exports remained active, supported by dark loading activity at Kharg Island, Bandar Abbas, and sanctioned tanker movements." Diplomatic efforts have also drawn broader international attention. Russia and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday underscored the need to continue political and diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran under Pakistan's mediation. In a phone call on Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud expressed support for an inclusive dialogue involving all stakeholders aimed at guaranteeing long-term stability and security in the region. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying on Wednesday that the United States had rejected its proposal that Russia take all of Iran's enriched uranium out of the country as a way to help resolve the Middle East conflict, but Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to return to it. "This would be a good decision. But unfortunately the American side rejected this proposal," he said. Despite signs of diplomatic movement, key differences remain and the path toward a comprehensive agreement remains uncertain.

Pakistan’s army chief is visiting Tehran on Thursday to hold talks with Iranian officials, aiming to revive negotiations between the United States and Iran and extend an existing ceasefire that has paused nearly seven weeks of conflict in the region. The war — involving Israel, the U.S. and Iran — has left thousands dead and shaken global markets, particularly by disrupting oil supplies. Although the ceasefire has held so far, doubts remain over whether ongoing diplomatic efforts can produce a lasting agreement as it reaches the midpoint of its initial two-week duration. The visit comes amid broader diplomatic activity. US President Donald Trump said leaders of Israel and Lebanon could speak later Thursday about ending hostilities, which would mark their first direct contact in over three decades. However, officials from both sides have not confirmed the possible talks, while cross-border attacks between Israel and Hezbollah continued. The White House indicated that any renewed negotiations between Washington and Tehran may be held in Islamabad, though no final decision has been made. Despite tensions — including a US naval blockade of Iranian ports and threats of retaliation from Tehran — the ceasefire remains largely intact. Pakistan has positioned itself as a key mediator after previously hosting direct US-Iran discussions in Islamabad, which reportedly helped narrow differences. Efforts are underway to resume dialogue before the ceasefire expires next week. The conflict has had widespread economic repercussions, disrupting shipping routes and damaging infrastructure across the Middle East. Oil prices have shown signs of easing amid hopes for peace, while US stock markets have rebounded to record levels. Meanwhile, uncertainty persists over possible Israel-Lebanon talks. Though an Israeli minister suggested Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could speak with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, neither government has officially confirmed such plans. Hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah have continued, with rocket and drone attacks reported alongside intensified Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon. Regional officials say there has been some progress in US-Iran negotiations, with reports of a preliminary understanding to extend the ceasefire. However, divisions remain, particularly over Iran’s nuclear programme, the Strait of Hormuz, and compensation for wartime damages. Iran has signalled willingness to discuss limits on uranium enrichment but insists on maintaining its right to continue the programme. At the same time, military and political tensions remain high, with threats from Iranian officials and continued pressure from the US, including potential new sanctions. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives across the region, including in Iran, Lebanon, Israel and Gulf countries, as well as US personnel. Separately, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif arrived in Qatar on Thursday as part of a regional tour focused on supporting peace efforts and promoting stability in the Middle East. China has also called for de-escalation, urging that the Strait of Hormuz remain open to ensure global energy security, as the sitation stands at a critical point between war and peace.  

TIME magazine has explained how it compiles its annual list of the 100 most influential people, highlighting that influence is not measured by a single standard but by impact on the world. In July 1969, TIME published a detailed report on “la causa,” the protest movement ignited by California’s Mexican American farmworkers. Its cover featured the cause’s leader, Cesar Chavez, and the story inside described a “tiny, tough assistant” named Dolores Huerta. Just a few weeks ago, we learned, yet again, how tough Huerta is when she came forward to join other women in claiming that they had been sexually assaulted by Chavez, a lion of America’s left. “I have kept this secret long enough. My silence ends here,” said Huerta, a fierce advocate for women and workers. Fifty-seven years after first appearing in these pages, Huerta joins the 2026 TIME100, which recognizes the world’s most influential people. Editor-in-Chief of Time Sam Jacobs said the selection process involves year-round discussions. “There is no single metric that defines influence. Our selections are led by the stories shaping the world each year and the people behind them,” he said. He noted that while some individuals on the list are widely known, others are recognised mainly within their fields. Selections are made through input from editors, reporters and global sources, along with daily recommendations. Jacobs said the diversity of the list is part of its appeal, adding that TIME has expanded its focus in recent years to areas shaping the future, including artificial intelligence, climate, health, philanthropy and emerging fields such as digital content creation. He also highlighted TIME’s efforts to build a global community through events such as the TIME100 Summit and Gala in New York, with a new TIME100 Sports list set to be launched in June. According to TIME, influence takes many forms—from literature and cuisine to photography and sport. The 2026 list includes figures from diverse backgrounds, ranging from athletes and doctors to political leaders and cultural icons. Jacobs said the list reflects a changing world shaped by politics, culture and global events, noting that leaders such as Donald Trump, Mark Carney and Mette Frederiksen have played significant roles in recent global developments. The 2026 covers feature personalities from entertainment and culture, including comedian Nikki Glaser, actors Zoe Saldaña and Wagner Moura, and singer Luke Combs. Jacobs said the enduring relevance of the TIME100 lies in its ability to capture influence in its many forms, adding that it remains to be seen which of this year’s figures will continue to shape the world decades from now.