International News 30 March 2026

Australia Stock Market Today: ASX 200 Falls 1.1% as Iran War Fears Hit Shares Before Easter Break

Australia Stock Market Today: ASX 200 Falls 1.1% as Iran War Fears Hit Shares Before Easter Break

Australian shares fell 1.1% Thursday, their steepest drop since March, after U.S. President Trump signaled more strikes on Iran with no end date for the war. Miners led losses as Rio Tinto dropped 3.3% and BHP 2.5%. The Australian dollar slid 0.6% to $0.6882. Prime Minister Albanese announced up to A$1 billion in interest-free loans for critical businesses as fuel market disruptions deepen.
April 2, 2026
Oil Prices Surge as Iran War Widens, Asian Stocks Slide and UK Weighs Emergency Measures

Oil Prices Surge as Iran War Widens, Asian Stocks Slide and UK Weighs Emergency Measures

Brent crude headed for its biggest monthly rise since 1988 after Houthi attacks on Israel and Trump’s remarks on seizing Iranian oil rattled markets. German inflation rose to 2.8% in March, and UK petrol hit 152 pence a litre. Japan’s Nikkei fell 2.8%, while London’s FTSE 100 gained 0.6%. EU energy ministers plan emergency talks Tuesday as Shell warned of possible refined fuel shortages in April.
March 30, 2026