Oil and gas prices rose sharply and stock markets slid back on Thursday after Iranian strikes hit energy infrastructure in the Middle East, including Qatar's main gas facility. Brent crude was trading at just over $108 a barrel on Thursday evening, having risen as high as $119 earlier in the day
‘Gudi Padwa puja rituals in Karachi’: Family celebrates Marathi New Year in Pakistan. WatchThe content creator shared a video showcasing how he and his family celebrated Gudi Padwa in Karachi, Pakistan. Published on: Mar 20, 2026 7:52 AM IST By Trisha Sengupta Share via Copy link As the Marathi
Bharti Singh finally reveals face of her second son Yashveer; fans call him Haarsh Limbachiyaa's ‘carbon copy’. WatchFans expressed their affection for Bharti Singh and Haarsh Limbachiyaa's baby Yashveer, aka Kaju, comparing his looks to both parents. Mar 20, 2026
India is ageing fast. The population aged 60 and above in the country is projected to more than double from 100 million in 2011 to 230 million in 2036. By last year, the elderly made up 11% of the country’s population; with improvements in life expectancy and falling fertility
For frequent flyers, damaged luggage is not uncommon. Broken wheels, cracked shells, missing locks, or items mysteriously gone, well that’s as regular a trip for many as it comes. While airlines often attribute such issues to “handling errors" or “transit damage
India's auto boom at risk as Iran war chokes gas supply at car plantsMaruti Suzuki to Tata Motors and Mahindra, as well as their parts suppliers, are staring at a production loss as govt diverts gas supply to households. Updated on: Mar 19, 2026 11:23 PM IST Reuters Share via Copy link India's
The Donald Trump administration is not considering any restrictions on oil exports, a US official said on Thursday, even as Washington grapples with rising energy costs triggered by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. “Oil and gas export restrictions are not under consideration
Nottingham Forest have not had an abundance of reasons to celebrate with their fans this season. Separated from the Premier League's relegation zone only on goal difference and on their fourth manager of the season, things have been fairly bleak at the City Ground
Stock markets rattled and energy prices soar after strikes on Qatar gas hub
Oil and gas prices rose sharply and stock markets slid back on Thursday after Iranian strikes hit energy infrastructure in the Middle East, including Qatar's main gas facility.
Brent crude was trading at just over $108 a barrel on Thursday evening, having risen as high as $119 earlier in the day.
UK gas prices were 154.8p per therm, an increase of 11.3% from a day earlier. They had peaked close to 183p on Thursday.
The FTSE 100 closed at 10,049, a fall of 2.4%, while shares in Paris and Frankfurt also dropped, as investors become increasingly concerned over the potential economic impact of a prolonged conflict.
In Japan, the Nikkei share index closed down 3.4%, while the three main indexes in the US ended the day modestly lower.
Bonds on both sides of the Atlantic fell as fears of a surge in inflation continue. The UK is heavily reliant on imported natural gas, and the rise in British gilt yields on Thursday was far sharper than for German or US bonds.
Bonds are essentially government debt. The buyer eventually receives the value of the bond back, plus interest - the yield - at regular intervals.
UK bonds, known as gilts, are purchased mainly by financial institutions like pension funds, as they are seen as a relatively safe investment.
Bond yields going up usually means that investors are worried about turbulence in the economy because the government is taking on more debt.
Yields on two-year gilts were on track on Thursday for their biggest daily increase since Liz Truss's mini budget in 2022.
One reason sharp movements in bond yields matter to individuals is because they can have an impact on the mortgage market, with higher yields potentially making mortgage deals more expensive.
The jump in oil and gas prices came after Iran's South Pars gas facility – one of the world's largest natural gas fields – was hit on Wednesday evening.
Iran retaliated by targeting Ras Laffan, a major liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility in Qatar, causing "extensive damage", raising concerns over the global energy supply.
QatarEnergy, the country's state-owned energy company, said the required repairs to the facility will reduce output by 12.8m tons of LNG for three to five years.
The country, which produces a fifth of the world's LNG, had halted production earlier in March in response to the conflict.
Nick Butler, former head of strategy at BP, told the BBC's Today programme that the strike on Ras Laffan would "almost certainly cut off a level of supply of LNG to the world market".
I think the worry now is that the market is expecting things to get worse. That in their view, Mr Trump has opened a Pandora's box, and he's lost control of what is happening day-to-day in the region.
He said the gas in Ras Laffan "can't be substituted very quickly at all, and maybe not for a very long time", which will push up prices.
As well as dashing hopes of interest rate cuts around the world, the conflict is set to have a drastic effect on the global economy, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) has warned.
In its forecast for global trade this year, the WTO predicted growth in global goods trade would slow from 4.6% last year to 1.9% this year, but if higher oil and gas prices were sustained, then that could be just 1.4%.
"The global economy is full of uncertainty at this point in time, I think that's the biggest issue," WTO Director General Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala told the BBC.
She added that interruptions to oil and gas markets were also harming fertilizer supplies and this could reduce food availability and push up prices. Thailand, India and Brazil were particularly vulnerable, she said.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the country will show "zero restraint" if its infrastructure is attacked again.
"The ONLY reason for restraint was respect for requested de-escalation," he wrote on X.
US President Donald Trump said on Thursday he had told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to attack Iranian energy fields, which he said Netanyahu agreed not to do.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Thursday the US was considering suspending sanctions on Iranian oil as it looks for ways to keep oil prices in check.
The move would affect about 140 million barrels of oil already on the water, he told Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business.
It adds to other US efforts to boost oil supplies, including the suspension of sanctions on Russian oil and moving to relax shipping rules to ease shipments of oil and other commodities between US ports.
The world consumes about 100 million barrels per day of oil.
Earlier efforts by world leaders to ease price pressures, including an unprecedented release of oil reserves, have done little to reduce prices.
Meanwhile, Iran has also suspended the flow of gas to Iraq to shore up domestic supplies, a senior Iraqi official told Reuters.
The vast majority of Iran's gas supply - 94% - is used domestically, according to data from the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.
Additional reporting by Jonathan Josephs.
Source: BBC
Related Posts: Indian stock markets plummet over 2% rattled by West Asia tensions UAE halts stock markets for two days after Iran strikes Oil prices continue to soar after US strikes on Iran European gas prices spike by 35% after Iran strikes Qatar’s LNG hub Stock markets rebound tracking drop in crude oil prices Stock markets slump as oil prices surge over Strait of Hormuz fears Penny stock under ₹5 edges higher despite weak trends in Indian stock market Small-cap stock under ₹50 jumps 8% despite volatility in Indian stock market Angel One 1:10 Stock Split 2026: Broking Stock Fixes Record Date Gas price soars 25% after strikes on Qatar hub
Nothing Phone (4a) Pro reflects maturity with design, performance and experienceFoundations for Nothing’s newest phone include a sharper design, consistent performance and usability elements that seem to be growing into its ambition Published on: Mar 19
Just now
Just under 100 ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz since the start of March, according to data analysed by BBC Verify, despite periodic attacks on shipping in the area by Iranian forces. While some energy and everyday goods are still moving through one of the world's busiest shipping
Just now
The United States and Japan announced Thursday a $40 billion project to build nuclear reactors in Tennessee and Alabama, after a meeting of the two countries' leaders in Washington. The countries announced the first tranche of projects under the new investment fund in February
Just now
The Delhi High Court has given former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, and others a week to respond to the Enforcement Directorate's plea. The ED wants the court to remove critical remarks made by a special CBI court. These remarks were made while discharging 23 individuals in the Delhi
Just now
Aston Villa were urged not to become a "maybe" team. Yet maybe this is their year. When Emi Martinez charged up the pitch to celebrate after his quick thinking set up John McGinn's opener there was no doubt their Europa League dream would continue.Aston Villa were urged not to become a "maybe" team
Just now
Dhurandhar 2: The Revenge finally hit theatres on March 19. But some paid previews of the film were also held in certain theatres across the country. While it was meant to be an exclusive preview of Aditya Dhar’s directorial, it turned into a night of confusion
Just now
Saumya Tandon, who plays Rehman Dakait’s wife in Dhurandhar, has shared some inside pictures from the film’s success bash, which was held in Mumbai on Thursday night. In one of the pictures, the actress is all smiles as Ranveer Singh takes a selfie with her. In another
Just now
Stocks to watch: Shares of firms like Vedanta, HDFC Bank, Manappuram, Nazara Tech, UltraTech Cement, and others will be in focus on Thursday’s trade Stocks to Watch On March 19, 2026: Stocks Indian benchmark indices — the BSE Sensex and Nifty 50 — are likely to open sharply lower on Thursday
Just now
In a move that sent ripples across the paddock (not the type that plagued Fernando Alonso at Shanghai), Adrian Newey is set to step down from his team principal role at Aston Martin F1 Team, just months after taking charge. The man widely regarded as Formula One’s greatest designer isn’t
Just now
Editorial independence is core to our work. Some links may earn us a commission, without influencing our opinions.This Samsung smart TV price drop is turning premium screens into irresistible dealsSamsung smart TVs are now available at reduced prices
Just now
The Asom Gana Parishad has announced 26 candidates for the upcoming assembly polls. Its ally, the Bharatiya Janata Party, is part of the NDA alliance. The Congress party has also released its third list, bringing their total declared candidates to 102. The state of Assam has 126 assembly seats
Just now
Viral baby monkey Punch-kun finds ‘girlfriend’ Momo-chan after being abandoned at Japan zoo | See videoBaby macaque Punch-kun goes viral again for forming bond with Momo-chan. Updated on: Mar 20, 2026 7:42 AM IST By Prakriti Deb Share via Copy link A baby macaque captured global attention for
Just now
The Uttarakhand High Court on Thursday told gym owner Deepak Kumar, who opposed the harassment of an elderly Muslim shopkeeper by alleged Bajrang Dal members, that he was attempting to sensationalise the matter by seeking police protection as part of his petition, Bar and Bench reported
Just now
The BJP’s Christian outreach, which has been a talking point in Keralam for long, is now taking clearer electoral shape. The party is banking on gains among Christian voters in the assembly elections this time as the early momentum appears to be driven by sections of the Syro-Malabar community
Just now
Jammu and Kashmir police have dismantled a sophisticated international cyber fraud network in Srinagar. Seven individuals were arrested for targeting victims in the USA, UK, and Canada. The syndicate used fake online advertisements and psychological tactics
Just now
Anurag Dobhal shows injury scars from car crash, seeks fans' advice on comeback: 'New zindagi ki shuruaat dekhoge?'YouTuber Anurag Dobhal, who is recovering from a car crash during an Instagram Live, seeks followers' opinions on starting a new phase of vlogging. Mar 20, 2026
Just now
Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Amit Bansal acquitted Jamsheed Zahoor Paul and Parvaiz Rashid Lone of the offences of terrorist act and association of ISIS under Section 18 and 20 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and Arms Act
Just now
The execution of 19-year-old Iranian wrestler Saleh Mohammadi has thrust Iran’s crackdown on dissent back into the global spotlight. According to reports from Euronews, Iranian authorities executed three men on March 19 — Mohammadi, Mehdi Ghasemi
Just now
In the domestic market, shares of the country’s largest private lender were among the top laggards, falling as much as 8.66 per cent to hit an intraday low of Rs 770, compared to the previous close of Rs 843. Also Read :New Income-tax Act 2025 To Be Implemented From April 1: How Does It Impact
Just now
Cuba anticipates its first Russian oil shipment this year amid ongoing power outages. A Russian tanker carrying 730,000 barrels is en route, potentially easing the island's energy crisis. Another vessel with diesel is also reportedly heading to Cuba. These shipments aim to support critical sectors
Just now
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he held talks with Qatar PM Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and condemned the latest Iranian attack on Qatar’s energy infrastructure. In a post on X, PM Modi said: “Spoke with my brother, H.H. Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Amir of Qatar
Just now
![Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], March 20 (ANI): Manvir Singh’s spectacular first-half strike from his own half helped Namdhari SC secure a hard-fought 1-1](http://newsorbit360.com/files/news/en/imgs/sreenidi-deccan-rally-to-earn-point-against-namdhari-sc.webp?height=520)
Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], March 20 (ANI): Manvir Singh’s spectacular first-half strike from his own half helped Namdhari SC secure a hard-fought 1-1 draw against Sreenidi Deccan FC in Star Cement Indian Football League (IFL) 2025-26 at the Deccan Arena on Thursday.Despite being held at home
Just now
Tarot Horoscope Today for March 20, 2026: Emotions may feel intense; rely on intuitionThis article will dive into the daily tarot reading for each zodiac sign for March 20, 2026, with our expert's predictions. Published on: Mar 20, 2026 7:00 AM IST By Neeraj Dhankher Share via Copy link The tarot
Just now
Income Tax: While overall tax burden for individuals remains largely unchanged, the new tax law introduces structural changes in the way income is assessed and returns are filed. India’s direct tax framework is set for a major overhaul from April 1, 2026, when the new Income-tax Act, 2025
Just now
The Salt Path author Raynor Winn wrote a book published in 2012 – despite repeatedly claiming her controversial 2018 release documenting a life-changing walk was the first she had ever written. In a new BBC Sounds podcast Secrets of the Salt Path
Just now
Summer in India brings relentless heat and humidity, and dehydration is a real risk. Different parts of the country have been facing unprecedented temperatures in March, and there have been warnings of heat waves hitting the country as well. A heatwave is a prolonged period of excessively hot
Just now
Love and Relationship Horoscope for March 20, 2026: A random moment may spark joy in your love lifeDaily Love Horoscope for March 20, 2026 Explore relationship insights and emotional guidance for all sun signs today Published on: Mar 20, 2026 6:01 AM IST By Neeraj Dhankher Share via Copy link
Just now
