Global oil prices are climbing and stock markets are falling, including a €17 billion loss for Greek stocks, as investors perceive no immediate end to the ongoing war, exacerbating Middle East tensions and driving up fuel costs. Markets are particularly rattled by concerns over potential blockages of key chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb strait, with Wall Street's 'fear gauge' spiking and Asian airlines raising ticket prices. Irish economists warn of escalating global recession risks, while New Zealand's Pharmac monitors medicine supply risks, all contributing to looming energy and supply crises.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the United Arab Emirates, securing a new defense cooperation agreement and discussing security. This visit follows a defense deal with Saudi Arabia, as Ukraine seeks broader arms partnerships with Gulf states to counter Iranian drones.

The UN human rights chief expressed 'visceral horror' over the deadly bombing of an Iranian school, demanding justice and urging Washington to conclude its probe. This comes as Israel launched extensive attacks on Tehran and Iran attacked Kuwait's port, with rescue teams finding children's toys in the rubble.

The Sierra Leone-flagged oil tanker Altura, carrying Russian oil and subject to sanctions, was attacked by a drone in the Black Sea near Turkey, marking one of several recent incidents involving sanctioned vessels in the region.

Russia has launched a massive drone attack, firing nearly 400 drones at Ukraine, with signs indicating the start of a spring offensive, following previous massive strikes on critical infrastructure that caused power outages in multiple regions. On March 24, Russia launched nearly 1,000 UAVs, with Ukrainian air defense downing 541. These strikes on Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, and Vinnytsia oblasts resulted in one person killed and 13 injured.

Ukrainian President Zelenskiy has stated that Ukraine is seeking financial aid and technology in exchange for its assistance with drone operations in the Middle East, reiterating his country's conditions for such support.

Zelenskyy: Ukraine is not at war with Iran, deployment of personnel is for expertise

Iran has rejected US President Trump's warnings about the safety of its team at the World Cup, with the team labeling the US as unfit to host the tournament. This follows Iran's shock announcement of its refusal to participate in the 2026 World Cup, escalating the geopolitical dispute into the realm of global athletics.

The strategic waterway has not been shut since the 1980s. The move comes amid ongoing tensions with the US

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived in Saudi Arabia for unannounced 'important meetings,' kicking off a surprise tour of Gulf States with a defense pitch and offering Ukraine's drone expertise with renewed urgency as the US increasingly focuses on Iran.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has again stated that the US is conditioning strong security guarantees for Ukraine on Kyiv ceding the entire eastern Donbas region to Russia, a demand Ukraine firmly rejects, asserting it will not give up territory.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sparked controversy after saying American forces would show “no quarter, no mercy” to enemies during the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Ukraine and Qatar have signed a 10-year defense agreement aimed at deepening cooperation in combating missile and drone threats, including technological collaboration and development, as Kyiv seeks to leverage its battlefield expertise and secure new partnerships amid rising regional tensions.

The Kremlin has denied reports that President Vladimir Putin pressured leading Russian businessmen to donate money to stabilize the country's finances for the Ukraine war, clarifying that while contributions are welcomed, they are voluntary. This comes after earlier reports indicated Putin was demanding funds from oligarchs for the ongoing conflict.

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has rejected a US-Russian proposal that would link future security guarantees for Ukraine to Kyiv's agreement to withdraw from the Donbas region, warning that such a concession would endanger both Ukraine and European security.

Iran has rejected a US ceasefire proposal and dismissed claims of ongoing negotiations, dampening hopes for de-escalation, though markets like the S&P 500 still reacted positively to initial hopes for peace talks, with oil prices falling.

During a demonstration in Rome against the government's judicial reform and the war in the Middle East, protesters burned images of US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. A few thousand people joined the march.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has reiterated his accusation that Russia is supplying Iran with Shahed drones, stating it is '100% facts' that Iran has used them in attacks on American bases in the Middle East, a claim also reported in German liveblogs. Zelenskyy further specified that these Shahed drones supplied by Russia to Iran contain Russian components.

A 15-year-old girl was killed and her parents severely injured in a Russian attack on a village near Chernihiv, Ukraine, which also damaged two residential buildings.

Ukraine, Russia and US officials resume peace talks for a second day in Geneva, after the first day of talks were described as having been "tense" by Russian media outlets. Follow the latest.