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The conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran has entered its fourth week, with the Strait of Hormuz remaining effectively closed. This has led to a broadening of the global energy crisis, with the economic outlook darkening across Asia, Europe, and beyond.Japan has responded by releasing 80 million barrels of oil from its national reserves, enough to last for 45 days. The country's reliance on Middle Eastern crude oil imports stands at 90 percent.The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has warned that the conflict will have a significant impact on the UK economy, predicting inflation of 4 percent this year. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has stated that Iran cannot be allowed to hold the global economy hostage.The uncertainty surrounding Trump's policy on Iran has led to the emergence of the TACO trade, an acronym that stands for Trump Always Chickens Out. This phenomenon refers to investors betting that the US president will back down from his threats, resulting in profits for those who bought in.Observers note that Trump's inconsistent messaging has created an opportunity for investors to bet on his policy reversals. For example, Trump extended his deadline for Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz from 48 hours to five days, and later promised to hold off from attacks on Iran's energy facilities for an additional 10 days. This type of about-face has opened the door to investors willing to bet that the US president will back down.Lena Komileva, chief economist at consultancy firm (g+)economics, notes that global markets have been less inclined to rebound after Trump's Iran-related policy reversals compared to similar shifts in response to his tariff policies. This is due to the complexity of the conflict and the unique objectives of the parties involved.

A massive heist involving over 12 tons of KitKat chocolate bars has occurred in Europe, just ahead of the Easter holiday. The stolen shipment, consisting of 413,793 units of KitKat's 'new chocolate range', was pilfered on March 26 while en route to Poland.The truck, which left a factory in central Italy, was intercepted by thieves, and the vehicle and chocolate have not been recovered. No one was hurt during the heist, according to a Nestlé spokesperson.Nestlé, the parent company of KitKat, confirmed the theft and is investigating the incident with local authorities and supply chain partners. The company warned that the stolen bars could end up in unofficial markets.The stolen chocolate bars were from KitKat's new Formula One line, which features race car-molded bars with KitKat's iconic chocolate-covered wafers. This product line was launched after KitKat became the official F1 chocolate bar last year.Nestlé officials noted that law enforcement can trace stolen products through batch codes assigned to individual bars. The company also expressed concern about the increasing trend of cargo theft, stating that it has chosen to go public with its experience to raise awareness.“We've always encouraged people to have a break with KitKat,” Nestlé said in a statement. “But it seems thieves have taken the message too literally and made a break with more than 12 tons of our chocolate.”

The conflict between Iran and Israel has taken a dangerous turn with the entry of Houthi forces from Yemen, who have launched a salvo of ballistic missiles at sensitive Israeli military sites. The Houthis, close allies of Iran, have vowed to continue their military operations until the 'aggression' comes to an end on all fronts.In response, Israel has reported intercepting one missile originating from Yemen. The escalation has raised concerns about the potential for a wider regional conflict, with Pakistan attempting to host a meeting of Middle Eastern powers to find a regional approach to ending the conflict.The entry of the Houthis poses a direct threat to the Bab al-Mandab strait at the southern end of the Red Sea, a critical choke point for energy supplies and trade. A shutdown of this strait, combined with Iran's near-total closure of the Strait of Hormuz, would have a devastating impact on the global economy.The conflict has also seen an escalation in the array of weapons being used, with reports of the US dropping cluster munitions and Iran using ballistic missiles carrying cluster warheads. Experts have cited concerns about the indiscriminate nature of these weapons, which have been banned by over 100 countries.The situation remains volatile, with US President Donald Trump suggesting that he had hoped for Saudi Arabia to join other Arab countries in normalizing relations with Israel in return for the attack on Iran. However, the survival of the Islamic Republic's regime after a month of bombing has left Trump with the choice of either extricating the US from the costly war or intensifying the campaign.

A tragic incident has unfolded off the coast of Greece, where 22 people hoping to reach Europe from North Africa have died after six days at sea in a rubber boat. Survivors told the Greek coastguard that the bodies of those who had died were thrown into the Mediterranean Sea.The coastguard reported that 26 people, including a woman and a minor, were rescued by a European border agency vessel off the island of Crete. The survivors included 21 Bangladeshi, four South Sudanese, and one Chadian citizen.According to the coastguard, the boat had left Tobruk, a port city in eastern Libya, on March 21, and was bound for Greece, a common gateway for those seeking asylum in the EU. During the journey, the passengers lost their bearings and remained at sea for six days without food or water.The Greek authorities have arrested two South Sudanese men, aged 19 and 22, believed to be the smugglers, and are investigating them for "illegal entry into the country" and "negligent homicide".This incident highlights the ongoing Mediterranean migrant crisis, with the number of people who have died trying to reach European soil more than doubling in the first two months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. According to the International Organization for Migration, 559 people died in the Mediterranean during January and February, compared to 287 for the same period last year.

The boss of Asda, the UK's second-largest fuel retailer, has warned of temporary shortages at petrol pumps due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Allan Leighton, executive chair of Asda, stated that the company has been experiencing high demand from drivers as fuel prices have surged over the past four weeks.Leighton emphasized that the temporary shortages have only affected the odd pump at a small number of Asda's petrol forecourts, typically when customers arrive at a time the retailer is waiting for a fuel delivery. He added that these shortages are temporary and addressed quickly.Petrol and diesel prices have climbed significantly since the US and Israel began their campaign against Iran on 28 February. The average price of petrol in the UK rose above 150p a litre for the first time since May 2024, reaching 150.11p, according to the RAC. Diesel prices have also increased, averaging 177.68p a litre.Leighton rejected claims that fuel retailers might be 'profiteering' from the crisis by raising their prices, stating that Asda's profit margin is coming under pressure from higher fuel costs. He also noted that the government is benefiting from the situation through increased tax revenue.The global price of oil has moved higher again, climbing 2.5% to almost $111 a barrel. This increase is likely to keep petrol and diesel prices higher in the coming weeks, affecting motorists during the Easter weekend.

The ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran have raised questions about Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's strategy and what his endgame might be. With the complex geopolitical landscape of the Middle East, Netanyahu's actions have significant implications for regional stability.Analyzing Netanyahu's moves, experts consider factors such as Iran's nuclear program and its support for various militant groups. The situation remains volatile, with potential for escalation.Understanding Netanyahu's goals and the potential consequences of his actions is crucial for assessing the future of Israel-Iran relations and the broader Middle Eastern peace.

Sarah Strong, the 6ft 2in UConn forward, is chasing her second championship in as many years with an undefeated squad that hasn’t lost in 52 games dating back to last year. As a freshman, Strong thrived defensively in the 2025 NCAA tournament, while scoring the most points by a freshman in tournament history with 114.In her second season, Strong has been even more dominant. Her impact on both sides of the ball is so deep that she was named the Big East Player of the Year and the Big East Defensive Player of the Year. She’s the favorite to win the National Player of the Year award next month.This season Strong averaged 18.4 points, 7.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 3.3 steals all while shooting 60.0% from the field. UConn coach Geno Auriemma praised her unique ability to play like a guard and play like a big guy.Unlike other collegiate women’s players with similar talent, such as Caitlin Clark, there is nothing flashy about Strong. She plays with certainty and lets her game do the talking. Her media commitments are increasing, but she remains uncomfortable with the spotlight.Strong’s poise, calm, and off-the-charts IQ have produced results impossible to ignore. Her parents, including former WNBA player Allison Feaster, instilled in her a respect for the game and family values.UConn assistant Jamelle Elliott quietly scouted Strong in ninth grade before the hype arrived and she became the country’s top recruit. Auriemma agreed with Elliott’s assessment, noting that Strong already had the skills that great players learn over time.With her star growing rapidly, Strong has inked NIL deals with Jordan Brand, Unrivaled, and Madison Reed. She had 18 points in each game as UConn rolled to first- and second-round wins last week, setting up Friday’s Sweet 16 matchup with North Carolina.

The recent surge in attacks in the Middle East has sparked fears of an impending energy crisis in Asia, a region that heavily relies on oil imports from the volatile region. The escalating tensions have led to concerns about the security of oil supplies, which could have far-reaching implications for the Asian economy.Asia's dependence on Middle Eastern oil has long been a concern, with many countries in the region relying heavily on imports to meet their energy needs. Any disruption to these supplies could have significant impacts on the region's economic growth and stability.The situation is being closely monitored by energy experts and policymakers, who are warning of the potential risks of an energy crisis in the region. The global economy is also likely to be affected, as any disruption to oil supplies could lead to higher prices and reduced economic growth.

US President Donald Trump has extended his deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz by 10 days to April 6, 2026. The decision comes as talks between the US and Iran are described as 'going very well'.In a social media post, Trump stated: 'As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time.'Trump also mentioned that despite 'erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media,' talks with Iran are ongoing and progressing well. He had previously urged Iranian leaders to negotiate an end to the near-month-long war or face further assassinations of senior officials.The conflict has resulted in significant escalation, with Israel conducting strikes on Iranian targets, including the killing of Alireza Tangsiri, the Revolutionary Guards' naval commander. Iran has retaliated with strikes across the Middle East, including in Tel Aviv, Modi'in, and Jerusalem.Trump has claimed victory in the war, stating, 'In a certain sense, we have already won.' He has also criticized NATO allies and described Iran as producing 'great negotiators' but 'lousy fighters.'The US and Israel have destroyed much of Iran's naval capabilities, but Tehran still possesses smaller boats capable of laying mines and launching anti-ship cruise missiles. These could render the Strait of Hormuz impassable to shipping.Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, accused the US of 'double standards,' citing the US support for Israel's actions in Gaza while condemning Iran's defense in the Strait of Hormuz.The conflict has resulted in a significant death toll, with over 1,900 people killed in Iran and nearly 1,100 in Lebanon. The situation remains volatile, with fears of further escalation and potential ground invasion.