UK energy bills forecast to rise more than £300 this summer amid Iran crisis Conflict in the Middle East has driven up wholesale gas prices The Independent UK · Mar 20
Eid ul Fitr 2026: A Rare Moment of Global Alignment In a rare instance of near-global consensus, countries across North Africa, the Middle East, and even Europe have officially announced that Eid ul Fitr 2026 will be celebrated on Friday, March 20, marking the end of Ramadan for millions of Muslims worldwide. From Morocco and Egypt to Belgium, this unified… Whats Hot · Mar 20
France's Macron urges ceasefire as Hormuz shipping risks grow French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday called for de-escalation of the three-week conflict in the Middle East, as France and five other countries said they were ready to help ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Radio France Internationale · Mar 20
US bombers fly from Britain to join Hormuz battle as Trump slams UK for being 'too slow' It comes amid reports the US could deploy ground troops against Iran after weeks of strikes Evening Standard · Mar 20
How Iran’s Shahed drones are reshaping the economics of war A seemingly modest weapon has become a symbol of shifting military power: Iran’s Shahed‑136 drone. Currently used by Iran's ally Russia in Ukraine and by Iran in the Middle East, the weapon represents a new type of warfare that focuses on affordability and mass production rather than technological sophistication. Radio France Internationale · Mar 20
Middle East crisis may divert millions of tourists to Europe The blow to tourism in the Middle East and Gulf opens up both an opportunity and a risk for Europe. Euronews · Mar 20
If you still need to fly amid global travel chaos, here’s what to know We are now three weeks into the war between the United States, Israel and Iran, which has grown to engulf much of the Middle East. There are few signs the conflict will slow down or stop anytime soon. The Conversation · Mar 20
'Life savings could vanish in minutes': 8,000 fake websites target Middle East users amid unrest, experts warn While geopolitical and social unrest make everyday life difficult, creating a consistent environment of panic and anxiety among residents, illegal actions have been on the rise in the Middle East. As the authorities battle to ensure safety, fraudsters and scammers are targeting innocent citizens in times of stress, aiming to… The Times of India · Mar 20
Syndicate allegedly shipped stolen cars to Middle East A criminal syndicate allegedly stole hundreds of high-end cars in Victoria and Queensland before shipping them to the Middle East for profit. AAP · Mar 20
Eid ul Fitr 2026 date in Morocco, Egypt, Belgium: Eid Friday trends worldwide as countries align festive celebrations across continents Eid ul Fitr 2026 will be celebrated on Friday, March 20, by millions across North Africa, the Middle East and Europe, marking a rare global alignment. This synchronised observance highlights evolving religious practices in an interconnected world, though some nations like India will celebrate a day later due to local… The Times of India · Mar 19
Trump Reveals Iran Troop Plans To Press — Seconds Before Refusing To Share Strategy President Trump denies plans to deploy troops in the Middle East while hinting at hidden strategies, causing market volatility. International Business Times UK · Mar 19
Labor considers windfall gas tax amid Iran price spike A new tax on extraordinary gas profits caused by the Middle East conflict could raise an extra $27 billion per year for the federal budget, advocates say. AAP · Mar 19
‘Joy in the midst of much grief’: Australian Eid and Nowruz celebrations overshadowed by war in the Middle East ‘So many people that I love and care about are worried about the survival of people they love overseas,’ Inaz Janif says The Guardian - AU · Mar 19
EU leaders vow to support Cyprus in talks over future of British bases Akrotiri and Dhekelia bases have become targets for Iran after outbreak of Middle East crisis The Guardian - UK · Mar 19
Euronews · Mar 19 Ukraine may restart peace process as Iran war escalates and EU aid remains blocked Ukraine is preparing to resume peace talks with the US, even as Moscow gains from eased American sanctions and soaring energy prices, and Kyiv faces the potential loss of EU aid for the first time.
The Independent UK · Mar 19 Japan's Takaichi tries to reaffirm alliance with Trump as he seeks help securing Strait of Hormuz There appears to be some tension as President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi answer questions from White House reporters about Japan’s support for the Iran war
International Business Times · Mar 19 The Middle East Oil Crisis Just Reached Japan's Snack Aisle and Wasabeef Is First to Go No heavy oil, no boilers, no chips. The Middle East oil crisis is now food inflation news, and Japanese food trends may never look quite the same.
Latin Times · Mar 19 Trump Reportedly Considering Sending Thousands Of Additional Troops To Middle East To Strengthen Iran War Operation The Trump administration is considering sending thousands of additional troops to the Middle East to support the war operation in Iran, according to a new report.
The Independent UK · Mar 19 Which airlines are still flying to the Middle East and what happens if I fly there? The ‘Middle East 3’ – Emirates and Etihad of the UAE and Qatar Airways – are resuming flying
The Conversation · Mar 19 Why Iran is attacking Gulf energy infrastructure Iran targeted energy facilities across the Middle East on March 18, including the world’s largest liquefied natural gas hub in Qatar, in retaliation for Israeli strikes on an Iranian gas field hours earlier.
The Times of India · Mar 19 US F-35 struck by Iranian fire? Jet makes emergency landing; IRGC releases video A US F-35 fighter jet made an emergency landing after being struck by Iranian fire during a combat mission over Iran. The stealth jet landed safely at a US air base in the Middle East, with the pilot reported to be in stable condition. This incident is currently under investigation.
The Guardian - UK · Mar 19 ‘Doomsday scenario’: a visual guide to the oil and gas site attacks in the Middle East Attacks on facilities by both sides in the conflict this week threaten grave consequences for the global economy
International Business Times UK · Mar 19 Behind the Incident on the USS Gerald R. Ford: Fire, Crew Fatigue, and Unanswered Questions The USS Gerald R. Ford is heading to Crete for repairs after a fire and a challenging deployment, raising questions about the Pentagon's strategy in the Middle East.
The Independent UK · Mar 19 Why $138 is the key mark for oil prices and what it means for the future of the US economy Analysts are keeping a close eye on the developments in the Middle East amid President Donald Trump’s war on Iran, and are paying particular attention to oil prices
Evening Standard · Mar 19 Bank of England holds interest rates but hints at possible hikes The Bank left rates unchanged in a unanimous vote among all nine members of its Monetary Policy Committee (MPC).