Remittances Under Pressure: Bangladesh’s Gulf cashflow is taking a hit as the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain see sharp drops in remittances amid the wider Middle East crisis—UAE down to $586.37m in Jan–Mar 2025-26 (from $1.18b), with Qatar and Bahrain also falling. Lebanon Escalation: Iran warns of “painful” retaliation after Israeli strikes hit Beirut’s Dahiyeh, while Trump calls for more “surgical” attacks on Hezbollah and says Lebanon won’t be required in any Iran deal. Iran-US Talks Stalemate: At the 100-day mark, Trump says the US won’t unfreeze Iranian assets or lift sanctions before an agreement, but threatens to “blow the hell out of” Iran if talks fail; he also floats joint recovery and destruction of enriched uranium. Iraq Jobs & Investment: Iraq’s new oil minister pledges better terms for foreign investment and aims to expand oil and gas output beyond traditional zones, with infrastructure and gas use to cut flaring. Aviation Cost Shock: IATA warns global airline profits could halve in 2026 as Middle East conflict and jet fuel prices squeeze earnings. OFW Recruitment Crackdown: The Philippines’ DMW rescued 206 job applicants from illegal housing by recruitment agencies, including cases where passports were confiscated and fees demanded for release. Israel-Lebanon Security Claims: IDF says it uncovered a Hezbollah tunnel network in southern Lebanon, alleging Iranian planning and funding. Gold Moves: Gold drops about 3% after strong US jobs data keeps rate-hike pressure on markets.