The people of 31 March

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.

Business · 31 Mar

Iranian president Masoud 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.

Conflict · 31 Mar

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.

Conflict · 31 Mar

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.

Business · 31 Mar

China and Pakistan release 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.

Conflict · 31 Mar · with Ishaq Dar

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi confirms that direct contacts, although "not negotiations", with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff are under way.

Conflict · 31 Mar · with Steve Witkoff

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.

Conflict · 31 Mar

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.

Conflict · 31 Mar

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.

Conflict · 31 Mar

American freelance journalist Shelly Kittleson is kidnapped by armed men in Baghdad, Iraq.

Conflict · 31 Mar

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.

Sport · 31 Mar · with Maryam Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Fakhar Zaman

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.

Crime & Justice · 31 Mar

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.

Crime & Justice · 31 Mar