The International Energy Agency says it will release 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves to help offset supply disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. According to the agency, the move is intended to stabilize global oil markets and reduce pressure from rising crude prices as the war affects supply routes and production in the region. The IEA said the decision represents the largest coordinated release of emergency oil stocks in the agency’s history. The organization has not yet confirmed when the oil will begin entering global markets or how quickly the

An explosive-laden drone struck a secondary school and a health care centre in southern Sudan on Wednesday, killing at least 17 people, most of them schoolgirls, according to a hospital official and a medical group. Dr. Musa al-Majeri, director of Douiem Hospital, said the attack occurred in a village served by the facility, which is the nearest major hospital in the area. He said at least 10 other people were wounded and were being treated after the strike. The drone strike has been blamed on Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, which have been fighting the Sudanese military since civ

Spain’s government has decided to halt the appointment of a new ambassador to Israel as tensions rise following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran. According to a Spanish cabinet decision on March 10, the government accepted a recommendation from the foreign minister to suspend the appointment of Ana María Salomón Pérez as Spain’s ambassador to Israel. The decision came after a meeting of Spain’s council of ministers. Spanish officials said the country’s embassy in Tel Aviv will now be led by a chargé d’affaires instead of a full ambassador. Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez

Tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate following reported military actions involving the United States and Israel targeting Iran. Bahrain’s armed forces say the country’s air defence systems have intercepted and destroyed 105 missiles and 176 drones since Iran began what officials described as retaliatory attacks. According to a statement from Bahrain’s military, defence systems have been responding continuously to incoming aerial threats. Authorities said the interceptions took place as regional forces remain on heightened alert amid fears of a wider escalation across the Gulf

The United States says it will allow India to continue purchasing Russian oil for 30 days as global energy markets face pressure during the ongoing conflict involving Iran. According to the U.S. Department of the Treasury, the temporary waiver is intended to help maintain stability in global oil supply while shipments already in transit are completed. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday the decision was made to prevent disruptions in the international oil market. Bessent said the measure applies only to oil cargoes that are already moving through maritime routes and would other

Sri Lanka’s navy says it has recovered 87 bodies and rescued 32 people after a U.S. submarine sank an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean off the island nation’s southern coast. Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath told Parliament that authorities received information the vessel, identified as IRIS Dena, was in distress with about 180 people on board. He said Sri Lanka dispatched naval ships and air force aircraft to carry out a search-and-rescue operation. According to Sri Lanka Navy spokesperson Commander Buddhika Sampath, there was no sign of the ship when rescue teams arrived.

More than 250 flights were cancelled at four major Indian airports as tensions escalate between the United States, Israel and Iran, airport authorities said. According to airport officials, 80 flights were cancelled at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, while 107 flights were cancelled at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. In Bengaluru, approximately 42 flights were cancelled for the day at Kempegowda International Airport, and 30 flights were cancelled at Chennai International Airport. Officials said the cancellations are linked to disruptions in inter

Israel’s military has entered parts of southern Lebanon and ordered evacuations in 59 areas following renewed cross-border attacks involving the Lebanese group Hezbollah. According to statements carried by international media, the Israeli military said the evacuation orders were issued as it targeted what it described as Hezbollah positions. Israeli forces carried out airstrikes for a second consecutive day, with the military saying the operations were aimed at degrading Hezbollah’s capabilities. Lebanese authorities reported that more than 50 people were killed and over 150 injured in str

Air Canada says it is suspending all flights to Israel and Dubai until March 22 because of ongoing conflict in the Middle East. In a passenger advisory, the airline said services are expected to resume March 23 if conditions permit. The suspension applies to flights to Tel Aviv and Dubai, according to the company’s statement. Air Canada said customers affected by the cancellations can change their bookings without additional charges. Travellers who choose to cancel their trip will receive a full refund, the airline said. The carrier also issued a flexibility policy for some Middle East route