European natural gas prices rose by up to 35 percent on Thursday following attacks on energy infrastructure in the Gulf region. The benchmark Brent crude price climbed to 112 dollars per barrel, up from 107.38 dollars the previous day. Since the start of the conflict, crude oil prices have increased by more than 48 percent and have not fallen below 100 dollars per barrel since March 13.

In the United Kingdom, gas prices jumped more than 20 percent in the morning and later stood 23 percent higher at 171 pence per therm. Meanwhile, oil traded around 113 dollars per barrel, marking a 5 percent increase. Qatar’s state-owned energy company reported that two Iranian attacks caused significant damage to its main gas hub.

The developments have intensified concerns over global energy supply stability, with markets reacting sharply to the disruptions in the Gulf region.

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said member states will discuss possible steps to keep the Strait of Hormuz open. She made the remarks ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, emphasizing that maintaining the strait’s openness is in Europe’s own interest.

According to the report, about 20 percent of the world’s oil passes through this narrow waterway. However, several ships have come under attack since the recent war began, raising concerns about maritime security in the region. The issue has drawn international attention, with U.S. President Donald Trump earlier warning that failure of allies to help secure the route would be “very bad for NATO’s future.”

The British Prime Minister’s Office stated that Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer discussed the importance of reopening the strait to restore normal global shipping operations.

Speculation has emerged in European football ahead of the summer transfer window, with reports suggesting that Barcelona has held discussions with Manchester City regarding Norwegian striker Erling Haaland. However, Haaland’s agent Rafaela Pimenta stated in a Spanish television interview that the talks are not at a decisive stage. She added that any decision will depend on future circumstances and that a quick transfer is unlikely at this point.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United is planning to strengthen its midfield, reportedly considering Italy’s Sandro Tonali and Monaco’s young midfielder Lamine Camara. Manchester United is monitoring 21-year-old Portuguese midfielder Mateus Fernandes, who could move if his current club faces relegation from the Premier League.

In addition, Newcastle is also tracking 19-year-old German winger Said El Malak from FC Cologne, while Juventus has shown interest in Barcelona’s veteran Polish striker Robert Lewandowski, whose contract may expire this summer, leaving open the possibility of a move.

Natural gas prices across Europe and the United Kingdom rose sharply on March 11, 2026, as fears grew that ongoing tensions in the Middle East could disrupt energy supplies. According to Al Jazeera, the increase followed unverified reports that Iran had begun placing mines in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical routes for oil and gas transport.

Market analysts noted that any disruption in the strait could significantly affect liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries to Europe and Asia. During morning trading, European gas prices climbed by about 5.7 percent, while the UK’s main wholesale gas contract rose nearly 6 percent. The situation intensified after the US Central Command announced that American forces had “eliminated” 16 Iranian vessels allegedly involved in mine-laying near the waterway.

Analysts warned that further deterioration of security in the Strait of Hormuz could have major consequences for global energy markets, heightening international concerns over Middle East stability and supply reliability.

European Union Commissioner for Defense and Space Andreas Kubilius has warned that the United States is struggling to maintain adequate missile supplies amid the ongoing Middle East instability and the war in Ukraine. In a statement on Friday, he said the recent crisis centered on Iran has made it urgent for Europe to increase production of air defense and anti-ballistic missiles.

Kubilius explained that the U.S. is finding it difficult to meet the simultaneous demands of its own military, Gulf allies, and Ukraine, posing a major challenge for Europe. The warning comes as Ukraine continues to face Russian missile attacks and Gulf nations remain on high alert over possible Iranian strikes.

Reports indicate that Washington’s stockpiles of key weapons, including Tomahawk land-attack missiles and SM-3 interceptors, have fallen sharply. Pentagon sources say heavy use of Patriot missiles during the four-year Ukraine conflict has worsened the shortage. The EU commissioner called for urgent steps to strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities and accelerate missile production.

A European Union official stated on Wednesday that the ongoing war involving Iran has not disrupted Europe's oil supply. Despite the conflict, the official noted that oil continues to flow normally to EU member states. However, the rising price of oil remains a major concern for the bloc, as it could affect economic stability if the trend continues.

According to Reuters, the official added that EU member states are not planning any immediate measures in response to the current oil market situation. The statement comes amid reports of nearly 200 tankers stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and other regional tensions including a Hezbollah attack on Israel Aerospace Industries’ headquarters.

The EU’s position suggests a cautious approach, focusing on monitoring market developments rather than taking emergency action at this stage.

European Council President Antonio Costa spoke by phone with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to reaffirm the European Union’s full support for Spain. The conversation came after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to halt all trade with Spain for refusing to allow the use of its military bases in a mission related to Iran.

In a post on social media platform X, Costa said he had expressed the EU’s full solidarity with Spain. He added that the Union would always ensure the complete protection of its member states’ interests, while reiterating its commitment to international law and the global rules-based order.

The exchange has brought renewed attention to diplomatic tensions between the European Union and the United States following Trump’s warning, highlighting potential strains in transatlantic relations.

The European Union’s Gas Coordination Group will meet on Wednesday to assess the impact of the spreading conflict in the Middle East on gas supplies. An EU spokesperson confirmed the meeting on Monday, noting that the group will review the situation following recent disruptions in energy production.

The meeting follows QatarEnergy’s announcement to halt liquefied natural gas (LNG) production at its Ras Laffan and Mesaieed industrial facilities after Iranian drone attacks on those sites. The production halt has led to a sharp rise in European gas prices, reportedly increasing by about 50 percent. The Gas Coordination Group includes representatives from EU member state governments and is responsible for monitoring gas storage and supply security across the bloc.

The group also coordinates emergency measures during supply crises, and the upcoming meeting is expected to focus on evaluating potential risks to Europe’s energy stability and possible response strategies.

European unity has fractured following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, with France, Norway, Spain, and Belgium publicly opposing the attacks. While most European nations have backed Washington and Tel Aviv, these four countries criticized the military action and called for a diplomatic resolution to the escalating crisis.

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth said Israel’s claim of a preemptive strike was inconsistent with international law, emphasizing that such actions require an imminent threat. Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot expressed regret that earlier diplomatic efforts had failed to prevent the conflict, stressing that Iranian civilians should not suffer for their government’s choices. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the strikes as unilateral military actions that worsen instability and undermine the international order, urging immediate de-escalation and respect for international law.

French President Emmanuel Macron voiced deep concern over the growing war situation around Iran, warning that the conflict could have severe consequences for global peace and security. He called for urgent restraint to prevent further escalation.

The UEFA Champions League round of 16 draw for the 2025–26 season was held in Nyon, producing several high-profile matchups. Real Madrid and Manchester City will face each other for the fifth consecutive season, continuing their intense rivalry in Europe’s top club competition. Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea will also meet again, recreating last year’s FIFA Club World Cup final in a battle for a quarterfinal spot.

Other fixtures include Barcelona against Newcastle, Liverpool facing Galatasaray, and Atlético Madrid taking on Tottenham Hotspur. Bayern Munich will meet Atalanta, Arsenal will play Bayer Leverkusen, and Sporting CP will face Bodø/Glimt. Arsenal appears to have a relatively favorable path, with a potential quarterfinal against the winner of Sporting CP and Bodø/Glimt if they overcome Leverkusen.

The first-leg matches of the quarterfinals are scheduled for March 10 and 11, with the return legs on March 17 and 18, according to the draw details.

Real Madrid secured a place in the UEFA Champions League last 16 after defeating Benfica 2-1 in the second leg of the playoff, winning 3-1 on aggregate. Despite missing Kylian Mbappé due to injury, Real overcame an early setback when Rafa Silva scored for Benfica. Aurélien Tchouaméni equalized with a long-range strike before Vinícius Júnior sealed victory with a late goal, marking his sixth in five matches. Real’s potential next opponent will be either Manchester City or Sporting Lisbon.

Paris Saint-Germain also advanced after a 2-2 home draw with Monaco, progressing 5-4 on aggregate. Monaco led early but were reduced to ten men after Mamadou Koulibaly’s red card. Marquinhos and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored for PSG before Monaco’s stoppage-time equalizer. PSG will face either Barcelona or Chelsea in the next round.

Atalanta produced a remarkable comeback, defeating Borussia Dortmund 4-1 to win 4-3 on aggregate, while Juventus were eliminated by Galatasaray, who triumphed 7-5 overall. The teams advancing from the playoff round include Atalanta, Atlético Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Bodø/Glimt, Newcastle, Galatasaray, PSG, and Real Madrid.

The European Union Parliament has decided not to finalize its trade agreement with the United States at this time, citing uncertainty created by former President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. The decision follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent annulment of Trump’s earlier tariff measures, after which Trump imposed a new 15 percent export tariff on all goods. This move has led to renewed instability in transatlantic trade relations.

A vote on U.S. industrial export tariffs was expected in the EU Parliament’s trade committee on Tuesday, but it has now been postponed. European Commission spokesperson Olof Zill stated that Brussels cannot make any decision until Washington clarifies its position. He added that the EU expects a proper explanation from the United States regarding the current developments.

The delay underscores the EU’s cautious approach to trade negotiations with the U.S. as both sides navigate the implications of shifting American trade policies and their impact on global commerce.

A new European study under the 'Toxfree Life for All' project has found harmful chemicals in popular headphone brands, including Bose, Panasonic, Samsung, and Sennheiser. Researchers tested 81 in-ear and over-ear headphones and discovered endocrine-disrupting substances such as Bisphenol-A (BPA) and Bisphenol-S (BPS), which can interfere with the human hormone system. The study warns that prolonged headphone use may increase the risk of cancer and other serious diseases.

According to the findings, nearly 98 percent of the tested headphones contained BPA, while more than three-quarters contained BPS. Some samples showed chemical levels as high as 315 milligrams per kilogram, far exceeding the European Chemicals Agency’s safety limit of 10 milligrams per kilogram. Experts explained that these chemicals can slowly leach from the plastic parts of headphones and be absorbed through the skin.

Emese Gulyas, head of the Toxfree Life for All project, urged European policymakers to ban all hormone-disrupting chemicals to protect consumers. Researchers cautioned that long-term use could allow these substances to enter the body through skin contact.

French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will jointly chair a video conference of Ukraine’s “Coalition of the Allies” on February 24, according to Macron’s office. The meeting coincides with the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and aims to coordinate continued support among partner nations.

Separately, the European Commission has authorized the German government to assume trusteeship of the German assets of the US-sanctioned Russian oil company Rosneft. The decision ensures that Germany retains control over Rosneft’s operations, including the PCK Schwedt refinery, which supplies most of Berlin’s fuel, after the current arrangement expires on March 10.

These developments highlight ongoing European coordination on both military and energy fronts as the war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, with key allies reaffirming their commitment to Ukraine and energy security within the European Union.

Across Europe, labour and civic movements are intensifying campaigns to boycott Israeli goods in response to the war in Gaza. The movement gained visibility after a supermarket worker in Ireland refused to sell Israeli produce, prompting suspension and later reinstatement following union and public support. Similar actions have spread, with unions in Ireland, the UK, and Norway passing motions allowing workers to refuse handling Israeli products, and retail cooperatives in the UK and Italy removing some Israeli items from shelves.

The campaigns are part of the broader Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which calls for economic and cultural pressure on Israel until it complies with international law. Activists cite historical parallels with Ireland’s 1980s boycott of apartheid South Africa. Governments in Slovenia and Spain have since restricted imports from Israeli settlements, while Ireland’s proposed Occupied Territories Bill remains stalled amid alleged external pressure. Pro-Israel groups, including B’nai B’rith International and ELNET, are lobbying against such measures, warning of legal and economic risks.

Leaked documents suggest Israeli ministries have funded legal efforts to monitor and counter BDS activities in Europe, underscoring the growing geopolitical and legal dimensions of the boycott debate.