The Middle East crisis escalated dramatically with US and Israeli strikes on Iran and Lebanon, leading to demands for unconditional surrender, civilian displacement in Beirut and Tehran, and significant global economic impacts like surging oil prices.

• Live Updates: Russia is Sharing Intelligence on U.S. Forces With Iran, Officials Say — New York Times World -
• How the War in Iran Is Disrupting the World’s Oil — New York Times World -
• Here’s the latest. — New York Times World -

• With Iran, Trump Takes the U.S. to War Without the Public’s Support — New York Times World -
• Trump says Cuba is ‘going to fall pretty soon’ after White House comments – live — The Guardian -
• How We Analyzed the Strike on the Iranian School — New York Times World -
• Investors are expecting Donald Trump to back down in the war with Iran – but what if he doesn’t? — The Guardian -
• Trump Demands Iran’s ‘Unconditional Surrender’ as Israel Pounds Tehran and Lebanon — New York Times World -
• Macron speaks with Lebanon’s leader, as France seeks to broker a truce between Israel and Hezbollah. — New York Times World -
• Trump Demands Iran’s ‘Unconditional Surrender’ as Israel Pounds Tehran and Lebanon — New York Times World -
• Trump demands Iran’s ‘unconditional surrender’ as bombs pound Tehran and Beirut — The Guardian -
• New England Patriots’ Plane Ferried Americans Back From Middle East — New York Times World -
• Israel says it struck an underground bunker at Khamenei’s compound. — New York Times World -
• Cyprus raises doubts about future of British bases on island after drone strike — The Guardian -
• Families Forced to Sleep on the Streets of Beirut as Israel Pounds Hezbollah — New York Times World -
• Airspace in the region remains heavily restricted. — New York Times World -
• Israel Says It Struck Underground Bunker at Khamenei’s Compound — New York Times World -
• Beirut evacuees 'sleeping in tents and cars' — BBC World -
• Trump Demands ‘Unconditional Surrender’ by Iran — New York Times World -
• A New England Patriots plane brought Americans back from the Middle East. — New York Times World -
• Iran’s Drone Attacks Plague the Gulf States — New York Times World -
• Keir Starmer accused of ‘mimicking Trump’ with Middle East crisis TikTok post — The Guardian -
• ‘If they don’t stop, Tehran will turn into Gaza’: Iranians describe night of terror — The Guardian -
• ‘The memories stay behind’: hundreds of thousands flee the Israeli bombs in Beirut — The Guardian -
• Iran war pushes oil price above $90, threatening rise in global inflation — The Guardian -
• Iranians flee to Turkey. ‘I am in constant fear,’ says one. — New York Times World -
• Israel Pushes Farther Into Lebanon, and Readies for More — New York Times World -
• Analysis Suggests School Was Hit Amid U.S. Strikes on Iranian Naval Base — New York Times World -
• 4 Arrested in London on Suspicion of Spying on Jews for Iran — New York Times World -
• White House releases video promoting ‘justice the American way’ featuring Hollywood characters — The Guardian -
• 3 Australians Were on U.S. Submarine That Sank an Iranian Warship — New York Times World -
• Nigel Farage to discuss Chagos Islands deal at Mar-a-Lago dinner with Donald Trump tonight – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Iran delays naming a new leader out of security concerns, officials say. — New York Times World -
• Iranian mathematician missing in Canada may have been targeted by Tehran, activists say — The Guardian -
• Strikes Batter Iran’s Storied Azadi Stadium Complex — New York Times World -
• Israel issues an evacuation warning in the Qom region, near an Iranian nuclear site. — New York Times World -
• Leak from secret UK meeting about US attacks on Iran a travesty, says Lammy — The Guardian -
• Trump Remarks on U.S.S. Cole and Iran Raise Questions in Guantánamo Case — New York Times World -
• Four men arrested suspected of spying for Iran and targeting Jews in London — The Guardian -
• Iran is not Venezuela, despite Trump’s hopes of repeating ‘regime capture’ strategy — The Guardian -
• US officials increase security over fear of attack by Iran amid US-Israel bombing — The Guardian -
• US investigators believe strike on Iranian girls’ school probably carried out by US forces — The Guardian -
• Iran’s president says ‘some countries’ have begun mediation efforts to end war — The Guardian -
• First Thing: Israel launches huge strikes against south Beirut after mass evacuation order — The Guardian -
• Air travel remains disrupted across the Middle East. — New York Times World -
• Azerbaijan furious with Iran as war spills over its border — BBC World -
• As Trump Out-Putins Putin, Russia’s Global Influence Erodes — New York Times World -
• Watch: How war in Iran may affect food and fuel prices — BBC World -
• Iranian Kurdish Forces Say They May Enter Iran. Who Are the Kurds? — New York Times World -
• US grants waiver to allow India to buy Russian oil amid Iran war — The Guardian -
• Khamenei’s Killing Sparks Anger and Grief in South Asia’s Shiite Muslims — New York Times World -
• Trump Says He Wants to Destroy Iran’s Navy. Here’s What to Know. — New York Times World -
• Lebanon at ‘Tipping Point’ as It Seeks to Disarm Hezbollah — New York Times World -
• Melbourne mosque closed after suspicious package found – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Philippines orders energy cuts in response to Middle East war — The Guardian -
• ‘Geopolitical uncertainties’ amid Iran war could slow fall in mortgage rates, says Halifax — The Guardian -
• Israel Attacks Beirut and Tehran as Fighting in Middle East Accelerates — New York Times World -
• Why Torpedoed Iranian Warship Is a Problem for India — New York Times World -
• State Department Is Accused of Slow Assistance in Iran War for Americans Abroad — New York Times World -
• Iran-backed militias intensify attacks against US, Israel and allies — The Guardian -
• A lone battle: Why is Pedro Sánchez the only European leader to take on Trump? — The Guardian -
• Israel Pounds Southern Beirut, a Hezbollah Stronghold — New York Times World -
• Sri Lanka Is Caught in the Middle as Second Iranian Vessel Seeks Safe Haven — New York Times World -
• Israel strikes Beirut after evacuation warning sparks panic — BBC World -
• Three Australians were on US submarine that sank Iranian warship, PM says — The Guardian -
• Here is the latest. — New York Times World -
• Explosions heard across Tel Aviv – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Ukraine to help US and its allies counter Iranian drones in Middle East, says Zelenskyy — The Guardian -
• Israeli Evacuation Orders Spark Panic in Beirut — New York Times World -
• Two Schools in Iran Damaged in U.S.-Israeli Bombing — New York Times World -
• Iranian Drones Fall in Azerbaijan as Conflict Spreads Beyond Mideast — New York Times World -
• Trump Says He Should Have Role in Choosing Iran’s Next Leader — New York Times World -

The Trump administration faced scrutiny over its war against Iran without public support, pursued charges against Cuba's leaders, saw key departures at federal agencies like the FDA and DHS, and dealt with controversies over tariffs and ICE detention conditions.

• As Trump Focuses on Cuba, DOJ Seeks Charges Against Its Leaders — New York Times World -
• Trump administration’s embattled FDA vaccine chief ousted for the second time — The Guardian -
• ICE arrests US Spanish-language news outlet reporter without warrant — The Guardian -

• As Trump Focuses on Cuba, DOJ Seeks Charges Against Its Leaders — New York Times World -
• ‘I’m relieved she’s gone’: Fema staffers celebrate ousting of Kristi Noem — The Guardian -
• Trump sets his sights on crisis-hit Cuba after Iran action — BBC World -
• Kristi Noem’s departure from the DHS won’t mean an end to agency’s violent tactics — The Guardian -
• US preparing system to process refunds on billions in illegal Trump tariffs — The Guardian -
• US senator seeks perjury investigation into Kristi Noem over DHS spending — The Guardian -
• DoJ releases Epstein files containing uncorroborated abuse allegations against Trump — The Guardian -
• Panel reviewing Trump’s $400m White House ballroom postpones vote — The Guardian -
• ‘Abject cruelty’: review of 911 calls from Texas ICE detention facility reveals disturbing conditions — The Guardian -
• Texas lawmaker ends re-election bid after admitting to affair with ex-staffer — The Guardian -
• Family of detainee who died under ICE custody says he was denied medical care — The Guardian -
• U.S. Restarts Diplomatic Relations With Venezuela — New York Times World -
• US and Venezuela move to restore diplomatic ties two months after Maduro’s capture — The Guardian -
• US and Venezuela agree to resume diplomatic ties after Maduro capture — BBC World -
• ‘Maga warrior’ nominated by Trump to lead DHS said shooting of January 6 rioter Ashli Babbitt was justified – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Not Just Oil: In Venezuela, U.S. Interior Secretary Pushes for Mining Access — New York Times World -
• James Luckey-Lange Recounts Being Detained, Starved and Beaten in Venezuela — New York Times World -

Various UK domestic issues were highlighted, including serious legal cases involving manslaughter and alleged sexual abuse, ongoing political debates on gender quotas and Brexit-related border rules, and concerns over social care funding and the arts amid AI advancements.

• London man charged with manslaughter in case that links alleged domestic abuse to suicide — The Guardian -
• Revealed: the Ukrainian facility where UK engineers help fix vital weapons — The Guardian -
• Police search home of former Labour MP’s husband amid China spying investigation — The Guardian -

• Man accused of Natalie McNally’s murder beat previous partner, court told — The Guardian -
• Met interviews women supected of facilitating Mohamed Al Fayed’s alleged sexual abuse — The Guardian -
• Labour urged to listen to progressive voters or face ‘political earthquake’ in London — The Guardian -
• Tory peer to leave House of Lords after investigation finds he breached standards over Covid PPE deals — The Guardian -
• Teenagers killed themselves in Dorset after baby taken into care, inquest finds — The Guardian -
• Crypto billionaire Christopher Harborne no longer interested in Reform-Tory pact — The Guardian -
• Peter Mandelson released from bail conditions — The Guardian -
• Weight-loss drugs alone will not solve UK’s obesity crisis, says Chris Whitty — The Guardian -
• Man given whole-life order for murder of woman and children in Bradford fire — The Guardian -
• ‘Illegitimacy tax’: new UK border rules for dual nationals throwing lives into chaos — The Guardian -
• Rail passengers warned over six-day Easter shutdown on west coast mainline — The Guardian -
• Home Office may forcibly remove child asylum seekers from UK in handcuffs — The Guardian -
• Vice-chancellor calls for review into student loans for those without A-levels — The Guardian -
• Louise Casey: England’s social care system faces ‘moment of reckoning’ — The Guardian -
• UK arts must not be sacrificed for speculative AI gains, peers say — The Guardian -
• Sci-fi surgery as doctor in UK directs robot to remove a prostate in Gibraltar — The Guardian -

The global economy felt the strain with a significant loss of US jobs in February, surging oil prices impacting inflation, a major acquisition of the Telegraph by Axel Springer, and criticism over Royal Mail price hikes and water company debt collection practices.

• North Korean agents using AI to trick western firms into hiring them, Microsoft says — The Guardian -
• German twist in the Telegraph tale shatters Lord Rothermere’s dreams — The Guardian -
• Telegraph sold for £575m as German buyer elbows out Daily Mail — The Guardian -

• US economy unexpectedly sheds 92,000 jobs in February — BBC World -
• Royal Mail criticised as first-class stamp price rises to £1.80 despite ‘failing service’ — The Guardian -
• US lost 92,000 jobs in February just before Trump joined Iran conflict — The Guardian -
• BP’s new boss will take home at least £11.7m this year, more than double her predecessor — The Guardian -
• Water firms sent bailiffs to tens of thousands of homes for debts under £1,000 — The Guardian -

Several international tensions and challenges emerged, including Hungary seizing Ukrainian cash and gold, debates over defense cooperation without US help among allies, Mexico's World Cup security plans, and Australia's complex relationship with China.

• Ex-Liberal MP says the party must introduce gender quotas to start winning elections — The Guardian -
• Here Is Mexico’s Plan to Keep the Country Safe During the World Cup — New York Times World -
• Ukrainian bank workers released after detention in Hungary — BBC World -

• Defense Without U.S. Help Is a Live Topic for Canada, Japan and Australia — New York Times World -
• Hungary ‘demands answers’ over seized Ukrainian gold and cash as Kyiv accuses Budapest of ‘hostage’ situation – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Hungary seizes millions of euros in cash and gold from Ukrainian convoy — The Guardian -
• Paul Keating savages Nine on anniversary of ‘irresponsible prediction’ Australia faced looming China war — The Guardian -
• A Different Kind of War in Mexico — New York Times World -
• Jamil Jivani, a Friend of JD Vance, Channels Charlie Kirk in Canada — New York Times World -
• After Gen-Z Revolution, Nepal Votes for a Fresh Slate of Leaders — New York Times World -
• The young women who fought in Ethiopia's last civil war and don't want to see another one — BBC World -

Across the globe, social and legal issues included a landmark ruling in Peru on forced sterilization, allegations of police misconduct and deaths in custody in Australia, mass killings in Nigeria, and a memorial for civil rights leader Bernard LaFayette.

• Jesse Jackson hailed as ‘ambassador of hope’ at memorial attended by Clintons, Obama and Biden — The Guardian -
• Arkansas man accused of killing daughter’s alleged abuser wins Republican sheriff’s nomination — The Guardian -
• Peruvian state responsible for mother’s death in forced sterilisation, court rules — The Guardian -

• 'Massive' numbers killed by gunmen in latest Nigeria attack, senator tells BBC — BBC World -
• NSW coroner ‘very troubled’ by health policy change after Stolen Generations member dies in custody — The Guardian -
• NSW police admit to making ‘very unfortunate’ wrong claim after officer shot man dead — The Guardian -
• Homeless people camping in Queensland park ‘not treated as humans’ during council evictions, court finds — The Guardian -
• He Had a Purple Heart, PTSD and a Rap Sheet. He Had to Leave the U.S. — New York Times World -
• NSW’s top prosecutor scores legal win in bias claim against senior judge — The Guardian -
• Man charged with aggravated murder in killings of three women in Utah — The Guardian -

Developments in technology, media, and culture ranged from Indonesia's ban on social media for children and pornographic sites blocking Australian users to the sale of the Telegraph newspaper, AI's role in cyber espionage, and updates in the entertainment world with Harry Styles and the Oscars.

• Kennedy Center exodus continues as National Symphony director Jean Davidson exits — The Guardian -
• David Copperfield announces last Vegas show, weeks after Epstein ties revealed — The Guardian -
• Indonesia to Block Children Under 16 From Social Media — New York Times World -

• Fatbikes are wreaking havoc in Sydney's wealthy beach suburbs — BBC World -
• Indonesia to ban social media for children under 16 — The Guardian -
• ‘Liquor Capital of China’ Is Trying to Save Its Fortunes — New York Times World -
• Leslie Odom Jr, Broadway’s original Aaron Burr, to join London cast of Hamilton — The Guardian -
• Oscar race enters final stretch as Sinners gains ground with Actor awards win — The Guardian -
• Indonesia to ban social media and other online platforms for under 16s — BBC World -
• Italy wins claim over name of Spanish restaurant chain The Mafia Sits at the Table — The Guardian -
• Italian activists and journalist targeted by spyware in 2024, prosecutors confirm — The Guardian -
• Jackie O says she ‘did not quit or resign’ from hit radio show after on-air bust with Kyle Sandilands — The Guardian -
• Porn websites begin blocking Australian users as deadline for age verification looms — The Guardian -
• Anthropic vows to sue Pentagon over supply chain risk label — BBC World -
• Britney Spears arrested in California on suspicion of driving under the influence — BBC World -
• Britney Spears arrested in California on suspicion of driving under the influence — BBC World -

Conservation efforts and wildlife incidents were reported, including mass whale strandings in Scotland attributed to pod loyalty, the Wildlife Trusts' century anniversary project, and the recovery of the critically endangered Kakapo parrot.

• A century of care: Wildlife Trusts mark 100th birthday with woodland project — The Guardian -
• Mass stranding of whales on Scottish beach caused by loyalty to their pod, report finds — The Guardian -
• Twenty pregnant women evacuated from NT hospital as two states prepare for major flooding — The Guardian -

• Canadian backpacker Piper James died ‘as a result of drowning’ following dingo attack at K’gari, coroner says — The Guardian -
• Canadian teen died from drowning after dingo attack in Australia — BBC World -
• Superfood Fuels Mating Frenzy for Critically Endangered Kakapo — New York Times World -

The news featured reminiscences of influential historical figures, including political leaders like Margaret Thatcher and Indira Gandhi, filmmakers Agnès Varda and Leni Riefenstahl, activists such as Mother Teresa and Wangari Maathai, and Portuguese novelist António Lobo Antunes.

• From 2013: Margaret Thatcher, ‘Iron Lady’ Who Set Britain on New Course, Dies at 87 — New York Times World -
• From 2003: Leni Riefenstahl, Filmmaker and Nazi Propagandist, Dies at 101 — New York Times World -
• From 1984: Indira Gandhi, Born to Politics, Left Her Own Imprint on India — New York Times World -

• From 2001: Beate Uhse, 81, Entrepreneur in the Business of Erotic Goods — New York Times World -
• From 2019: Agnès Varda, Influential French New Wave Filmmaker, Dies at 90 — New York Times World -
• Christine Keeler, Central Figure in British ‘Scandal of the Century,’ Is Dead at 75 — New York Times World -
• From 1978: Golda Meir, 80, Dies in Jerusalem; Israelis Acclaim ‘Stalwart Lioness’ — New York Times World -
• From 2011: Wangari Maathai, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, Dies at 71 — New York Times World -
• From 2007: Benazir Bhutto, 54, Who Weathered Pakistan’s Political Storm for 3 Decades, Dies — New York Times World -
• From 2000: Sirimavo Bandaranaike of Sri Lanka Dies at 84; First Woman Premier — New York Times World -
• From 1997: Mother Teresa, Hope of the Despairing, Dies at 87 — New York Times World -
• From 2007: Vilma Espín, Rebel and Wife of Raúl Castro, Dies at 77 — New York Times World -
• From 1957: Gabriela Mistral, Poet, Is Dead; Won Nobel Prize for Literature — New York Times World -
• From 2011: Nancy Wake, Proud Spy and Nazi Foe, Dies at 98 — New York Times World -
• From 2011: Madame Nhu, Vietnam War Lightning Rod, Dies — New York Times World -
• From 1991: Suicide of Jiang Qing, Mao’s Widow, Is Reported — New York Times World -
• António Lobo Antunes, One of Europe’s Most Revered Writers, Dies at 83 — New York Times World -
• António Lobo Antunes, Portuguese novelist who chronicled dictatorship and war, dies aged 83 — The Guardian -
• Bernard LaFayette, civil rights leader who helped launch Voting Rights Act, dies aged 85 — The Guardian -