State Department warns Americans to leave more than a dozen Middle East countries immediately as Iran war intensifies, citing "serious safety risks" across the region.

The warning comes as Iran retaliates against a joint U.S.-Israeli attack that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and dozens of top Iranian officials on Saturday.

Government security briefings on the Middle East conflict give Northern Ireland "a seat at the table" to raise issues, an Alliance Party MP has said. Sorcha Eastwood was responding after First Minister Michelle O'Neill refused to join a second Cabinet Office briefing with senior officials.

The U.S. has evacuated diplomats in the Middle East and closed several embassies as war in Iran intensifies. And, what to expect from the Senate races in the North Carolina and Texas primary elections.

Escalating Middle East tensions see U.S. and Israeli forces launch strikes against Iran and its proxies. Iranian missiles hit Israel and Kuwait as Qatar downs Iranian jets.

Iran's ongoing conflict with the U.S. and Israel has led to sporting events being postponed in several countries, while competitions elsewhere have been hit by travel disruption, with thousands of flights cancelled in some of the world's busiest transit ​hubs.

Disruption to LNG supplies could dent European growth and harm reindustrialization ambitions.

Middle East airspace closures have created a visible gap in global flight paths, forcing long-haul reroutes, increasing fuel costs and disruption, with potential knock-on effects for schedules and fares worldwide.

By Anna Wlodarczak-Semczuk and Alan Charlish WARSAW, March 3 (Reuters) - Ryanair has seen a surge in Easter holiday bookings to European destinations as travelers avoid the Middle East due to the escalating regional conflict,

South Korean stocks plunged more than 7 percent Tuesday to close below the 5,800-point mark as investor sentiment was dampened by escalating geopolitical concerns triggered by the ongoing Middle East conflict.

The cost of hauling crude oil from the Middle East to China rose more than 94% to hit a record high of $423,736 per day on Monday.