The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation claims that oil tanker Al Salmi has been hit by an Iranian drone at a port in Dubai, causing a fire onboard and damage to the vessel. Dubai authorities say that the fire has been contained hours after the incident.
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March 31, 2026 (Tuesday)
2.7 minutes to read
Armed conflicts and attacks
The Israeli defense ministry halts sales of defense products to France following president Emmanuel Macron's decision not to allow U.S. aircraft to pass through French airspace en route to Israel.
Italy denies the United States Air Force the use of the Sigonella base in Sicily for operations related to the Iran war.
Poland refuses a request by the United States to relocate its Patriot air defense systems to the Middle East for the Iran war.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirms that direct contacts, although "not negotiations", with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff are under way.
U.S. defense secretary Pete Hegseth says that the talks between Iran and the United States "are very real" but also states that the U.S. will "negotiate with bombs" until a ceasefire is reached.
U.S. president Donald Trump says that U.S. forces plan to end operations in Iran within about two to three weeks while continuing military action, stating that the withdrawal is not contingent on reaching an agreement with Iran.
Iranian President Masud Pezeshkian says that Iran has the "necessary will" to end the war, provided that the "guarantees required to prevent repetition of the aggression" are met.
China and Pakistan releases a five-point peace plan for the Iran war following a meeting between the two countries' foreign ministers, Wang Yi and Ishaq Dar, respectively. The plan includes a ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Israeli defense minister Israel Katz announces that Israel will destroy "all houses" near the Blue Line as part of its creation of a new buffer zone.
Business and economy
The Dow Jones Industrial Average surges over 1,000 points and the Nasdaq increases to 3.4% after Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian says that Iran has signaled it is willing to end the conflict if security guarantees and assurances are met.
The American Automobile Association reports that the United States national average gas price has reached $4.02 a gallon, the highest since 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Stocks in the U.S. also rise following reports that president Donald Trump has told aides that he is willing to end the war without securing the Strait of Hormuz.
Disasters and accidents
Dozens of people are killed and many others are injured after multiple explosions occur at a military ammunition depot in Bujumbura, Burundi, causing extensive damage to nearby residential areas.
Law and crime
The U.S. Supreme Court overturns Colorado's ban on conversion therapy in an 8–1 decision, ruling that it infringed on the First Amendment, thereby invalidating similar bans in 22 other states.
A court in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, nullifies a fine of more than R$16 million (US$3 million) imposed on football player Neymar in 2023 over alleged environmental violations linked to construction at his Mangaratiba property, citing procedural flaws in the investigation.
Politics and elections
Senegalese president Bassirou Diomaye Faye approves a law increasing penalties for same-sex sexual acts to up to 10 years in prison and criminalizing the promotion or financing of such acts. The measure amends existing provisions in the penal code that already penalize these acts.
Sports
Pakistani cricketer Naseem Shah receives a record fine of Rs. 20 million (US$71,500) for a social media post criticizing Punjab chief minister Maryam Nawaz, while other disciplinary cases arise in the Pakistan Super League, including a fine for Shaheen Shah Afridi and a ball-tampering charge against Fakhar Zaman.
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