Global energy markets have become increasingly unstable following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28, with analysts now warning that oil prices could rise to between 150 and 200 dollars per barrel. Brent crude reached nearly 120 dollars on March 9 and has not fallen below 100 dollars since March 13. Prices rose again after attacks on Iran’s South Pars gas field and retaliatory strikes on energy facilities in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Analysts identify the Strait of Hormuz as the most critical factor, as nearly one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through it. Iran initially declared the strait closed and threatened ships entering the area, severely restricting navigation. Limited passage is currently allowed for vessels from India, Pakistan, Turkey, and China. The International Energy Agency has coordinated a release of 400 million barrels from emergency reserves, but experts say this cannot fully offset a daily shortfall of about 10 million barrels.

Economic research groups warn that oil prices above 150 dollars could strain the global economy, raising inflation and slowing growth. Experts caution that a 200-dollar price level would deliver a major shock across multiple industries.

Global oil markets experienced a sharp rise after a joint US-Israel attack on Iran, pushing Brent crude futures above $115 per barrel early Thursday, March 19, 2026. The escalation followed Iran’s obstruction of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and retaliatory strikes on oil and gas facilities in four Gulf countries, creating widespread market instability. Gas prices also jumped by nearly 30 percent, according to Al Jazeera.

Vandana Hari, founder of Vanda Insights, told Al Jazeera that Middle Eastern benchmark oils such as Oman and Dubai crude have already exceeded $150 per barrel. She noted that while Brent and West Texas Intermediate have not yet reached that level, $200 per barrel no longer seems distant. Hari added that future price movements depend largely on how long the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Analysts warn that prolonged disruption in the Strait could drive energy prices even higher, intensifying global economic pressure if the regional conflict continues.

Eid al-Fitr is being celebrated today, Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Afghanistan, Niger, and Mali following the sighting of the Shawwal moon. The announcement was made on Wednesday, after which final preparations for the festival began overnight in these countries. The celebration marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, and ushers in a period of joy and festivity for Muslims.

The date of Eid varies across countries depending on local moon sightings. While some nations are observing Eid today, others will celebrate it a day later. According to the report, 23 countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey, and Canada, will begin Eid celebrations on Friday, March 20, 2026.

The variation in celebration dates highlights the regional differences in moon sighting practices that determine the Islamic calendar’s transition from Ramadan to Shawwal.

Oil analysts are increasingly warning that crude prices could surge toward $200 a barrel as the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran disrupts global energy flows. Since the February 28 attacks on Iran, Brent crude has climbed above $100 and reached nearly $120 by March 9. An Israeli strike on Iran’s South Pars gasfield on March 18 and subsequent Iranian attacks on regional energy facilities have further tightened supply. With the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, only limited shipping continues, and emergency stockpile releases have failed to offset a daily shortfall estimated at 10 million barrels.

Experts told Al Jazeera that the duration of the strait’s closure will determine how high prices climb. Some Middle Eastern crude benchmarks have already exceeded $150, and Iran has warned that $200 oil is possible. The International Monetary Fund estimates that sustained price increases would raise global inflation and slow growth. While some analysts see $200 as plausible, others argue that rising production from countries such as the US and Brazil, along with alternative pipelines, could moderate prices.

If the disruption persists, analysts caution that oil above $150 would heavily strain the global economy, affecting inflation, employment, and industrial supply chains.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that global hunger could reach record levels in 2026 if the ongoing conflict in the Middle East continues. The agency estimates that more than 45 million additional people could face severe food insecurity, adding to the current 318 million already struggling worldwide. Rising oil prices above 100 dollars per barrel and disruptions to shipping routes have intensified the crisis.

According to the WFP, the situation mirrors the global food shock seen during the 2022 Ukraine war. Even though the conflict is not directly affecting major food-producing regions, higher fuel costs are driving up transportation, fertilizer, and agricultural expenses, pushing food prices higher. A WFP official warned that those already vulnerable will suffer the most if humanitarian aid remains insufficient.

The near-closure of the Strait of Hormuz and increased risks in the Red Sea have disrupted maritime trade, further raising the prices of oil, fertilizer, and food. Sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia are identified as the most at risk, with food insecurity projected to rise by up to 24 percent in some regions.

A global energy crisis has erupted as the war in the Middle East disrupts oil supplies, prompting Asian nations to rush for Russian crude. On March 13, the United States temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil and petroleum products for 30 days, allowing trade of previously stranded shipments. This move has triggered intense competition among countries such as India and China to secure Russian oil reserves.

India has doubled its Russian oil imports to 1.8 million barrels per day to safeguard energy security, though experts warn it cannot fully replace the 2.6 million barrels previously sourced from the Middle East. China’s state-owned firms, including Sinopec and PetroChina, have resumed talks with suppliers to restart purchases halted since November. Southeast Asian nations like the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia are also showing new interest in Russian oil despite earlier caution over U.S. sanctions.

Analysts caution that the U.S. waiver is temporary, leaving uncertainty about long-term supply stability. Experts note that while Russian oil may ease short-term shortages, it cannot fully offset the Middle Eastern deficit, suggesting continued competition in Asia’s energy markets.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has convened an emergency two-day session in London to assess the impact of the ongoing Middle East conflict on global maritime transport. The meeting, which began on Wednesday, is focusing on the safety of thousands of stranded ships and seafarers. The IMO’s 40-member council is expected to vote on several proposals, including the creation of a ‘safe maritime corridor’ to evacuate vessels and crews trapped in the Persian Gulf. Any adopted resolutions, however, will not be legally binding.

According to the IMO, around 3,200 ships with some 20,000 crew members are stranded west of the Strait of Hormuz, where at least 21 vessels have been attacked since the conflict began. The United Arab Emirates reported that over 18 commercial ships have been damaged by missiles, drones, naval craft, and sea mines, resulting in at least eight deaths and four missing sailors. The UK, France, and Germany have accused Iran of targeting commercial shipping and called for an end to such attacks, while Iran has blamed Israel and the United States for provoking the crisis.

Japan, Panama, Singapore, and the UAE have urged the IMO to establish a framework for the safe withdrawal of ships from high-risk zones, as industry groups call for coordinated international security measures and improved crew welfare.

Manus has introduced 'My Computer,' a new capability within the Manus Desktop application that extends its AI agent from the cloud to users’ local computers. The feature allows Manus to interact directly with local files, tools, and applications through command line instructions, enabling it to read, edit, and organize files or control software on macOS and Windows systems. This marks a major shift from Manus’s previous cloud-only operation, bridging the gap between online intelligence and local computing environments.

The new functionality enables users to automate repetitive tasks such as sorting photos or renaming files, and even to build complex desktop applications using local development tools like Python, Node.js, or Swift. Manus can also leverage local GPUs for machine learning tasks, turning idle devices into active AI assistants capable of remote operation. The system maintains user control by requiring explicit approval for each command, with options for one-time or always-on permissions.

According to the announcement, 'My Computer' is available immediately for macOS and Windows users, offering a new way to integrate cloud-based AI with personal computing power.

At its GTC event, NVIDIA announced new accelerated computing platforms designed to extend artificial intelligence capabilities into space. The company introduced the NVIDIA Space-1 Vera Rubin Module, which delivers up to 25 times more AI compute than the H100 GPU for space-based inferencing. Alongside it, NVIDIA’s IGX Thor and Jetson Orin platforms provide energy-efficient, high-performance AI inference and data processing for orbital environments, while the RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell Server Edition GPU supports rapid ground-based geospatial intelligence analysis.

NVIDIA said these technologies bring data-center-class performance to size-, weight-, and power-constrained environments, enabling AI applications to operate seamlessly from ground to orbit. Industry partners including Aetherflux, Axiom Space, Kepler Communications, Planet, Sophia Space, and Starcloud are adopting these platforms to power next-generation missions, from autonomous satellite operations to real-time geospatial analytics.

According to NVIDIA, the Space-1 Vera Rubin Module and related platforms will enable orbital data centers, autonomous spacecraft, and advanced sensing systems to process data locally, reducing latency and bandwidth demands while supporting increasingly complex mission profiles.

U.S. President Donald Trump urged several countries, including the United Kingdom, China, France, Japan, and South Korea, to help keep commercial shipping lanes open in the Strait of Hormuz. The appeal received mixed responses, with some nations declining to participate in any military or NATO-led operations.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK is working with allies on an effective plan but will not join a NATO mission or engage in a wider war. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius rejected Trump’s call, saying it was not Germany’s war. Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told parliament that Japan is not considering any maritime security operation under current conditions in Iran. Australia’s cabinet member Catherine King also ruled out sending warships to the area.

South Korea stated it would maintain close communication with the United States and decide after careful review. A Chinese embassy spokesperson in Washington avoided a direct comment but emphasized that ensuring stable and uninterrupted energy supplies is a shared responsibility.

Germany and Greece have announced they will not participate in a US-led military operation in the Strait of Hormuz, despite a call from President Donald Trump. According to Al Jazeera, a German government spokesperson stated that the ongoing war involving Iran has no connection to NATO, and Germany will not take part in it or in any military effort to keep the strait open. The spokesperson emphasized that there will be no involvement of any kind as long as the conflict continues.

Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis also confirmed that Greece will not join any military mission in the Strait of Hormuz. The US had urged allied nations to help secure the strategic waterway amid rising tensions in the Middle East, but several European countries have shown reluctance to participate.

The refusal by Germany and Greece highlights divisions among Western allies over military engagement in the region and signals a cautious approach by European governments toward escalating conflict near Iran.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called on governments and societies worldwide to take stronger measures against Islamophobia. In a video message posted on social media platform X to mark the International Day to Combat Islamophobia, he said Muslims across the world face discrimination and exclusion. Guterres noted that nearly two billion Muslims come from diverse regions and cultures but often encounter institutional bias and social barriers.

He warned that Muslims are frequently subjected to socio-economic exclusion, biased immigration policies, and unjustified surveillance, adding that anti-Muslim rhetoric fuels these trends. The UN chief urged governments to counter hate speech, safeguard religious freedom, and uphold international human rights law. He also called on online platforms to protect individuals from harassment and hate speech based on religion or belief.

Guterres concluded by urging renewed commitment to equality, human rights, and dignity for all, regardless of faith, and called for the elimination of Islamophobia from every country and community. The UN General Assembly had unanimously declared March 15 as the International Day to Combat Islamophobia in 2022.

U.S. President Donald Trump has failed to secure allied participation in maintaining open navigation through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. Both Australia and Japan have rejected his call for assistance in patrolling the vital global oil supply route. Australian Transport Minister Catherine King stated that her country would not send ships to the strait, emphasizing that Australia is already providing aircraft for defense support in the United Arab Emirates, considering the number of Australians in the region.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told parliament that Tokyo has no plans to dispatch vessels to escort oil tankers through the strait. She added that Japan is still examining what actions it can take independently within its legal framework. Meanwhile, France said it is considering participation in an international mission to protect ships, but only after the ongoing conflict ends. Germany expressed skepticism about the plan and made clear it does not want to be directly involved in the war.

Iran has effectively blocked the narrow waterway, heightening tensions over global energy security and maritime safety in the region.

Major airlines including Qantas, SAS, and Air New Zealand have announced fare increases following a sharp rise in jet fuel prices triggered by U.S.-Israel attacks in Iran. The conflict disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, driving oil prices up and destabilizing global air travel. Air New Zealand said jet fuel prices jumped from 85–90 to 150–200 dollars per barrel, prompting it to suspend its 2026 financial forecast.

SAS stated that it raised ticket prices to offset costs and maintain operations, while Qantas is considering rerouting aircraft to Europe to avoid Middle East airspace. Finnair, which had hedged over 80 percent of its first-quarter fuel needs, warned that prolonged conflict could threaten fuel availability. Hong Kong Airlines announced a fuel surcharge increase of up to 35.2 percent, particularly affecting flights to South Asia. Some European carriers, such as British Airways’ parent IAG, said they have sufficient fuel hedging and no immediate plans to raise fares.

Oil prices briefly peaked at 119 dollars per barrel before easing, and airline stocks fluctuated sharply. Analysts warned that sustained high fuel costs and restricted airspace could further strain the global travel industry.

Several human rights organizations have written to FIFA expressing concern over safety and freedom issues ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The letter, sent to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, highlights worries about the impact of U.S. immigration and visa policies on fans, journalists, and migrant workers traveling to the tournament. The Sport and Rights Alliance stated that ensuring the safety of all foreign participants and visitors is essential for a global event of this scale.

The 2026 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada across 16 cities, marking the first time 48 teams will compete. However, discussions have already begun worldwide about the strict U.S. visa and travel regulations. The White House responded that the administration is focused on hosting a successful tournament, with spokesperson Davis Ingle noting President Donald Trump’s goal of ensuring one of the most secure World Cups in history.

Human rights groups warned that most host cities have yet to publish their human rights plans and urged early action to identify and mitigate potential risks before the tournament begins.