The Middle East remains volatile with Iran confirming top security chief Ali Larijani's killing by Israeli strikes, sparking increased anxiety in Iran and questions about leadership succession, as the US considers targeting Kharg Island and allies like Europe and Australia refuse to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, forcing Trump to re-evaluate relations with China and allies amidst his **“Epic Fury” operation**.

• What the Iran War Means for the U.S.-China Relationship — New York Times World -
• Iran War Live Updates: Iran Confirms Israeli Strikes Killed Top Security Chief — New York Times World -
• News live: Turnbull says Trump’s ‘lashing out’ at Australia and allies shows he ‘does not respect smaller countries’; national cabinet to meet over fuel crisis — The Guardian -

• Middle East crisis live: Iran confirms security chief Ali Larijani has been killed — The Guardian -
• Ali Larijani, Iran’s De Facto Political Leader, Killed by Israel — New York Times World -
• Tulsi Gabbard, who warned of war with Iran, now defends Trump’s decision to attack – US politics live — The Guardian -
• Here’s the latest. — New York Times World -
• Iranian security chief Ali Larijani killed in air strike — BBC World -
• Ali Larijani, a Top Iranian Politician and Emissary, Is Dead at 67 — New York Times World -
• Trump Says U.S. Doesn’t Need Allies to Reopen Strait of Hormuz — New York Times World -
• What to Know About Ali Larijani, Iran’s Top Security Official — New York Times World -
• Kharg Island Is an Appealing Target for Trump, With High Risks — New York Times World -
• Top US counterterrorism official resigns over Iran war, urging Trump to 'reverse course' — BBC World -
• Iran’s national security council confirms death of its chief, Ali Larijani — The Guardian -
• Israel Keeps Killing Key Iranian Leaders. Will It Work? — New York Times World -
• Joe Kent, a Top Counterterrorism Official for the Trump Administration, Resigns, Citing Iran War — New York Times World -
• Ali Larijani Killing Fuels Anxiety in Iran — New York Times World -
• Trump says US does not need Nato after being rebuffed over strait of Hormuz — The Guardian -
• Israel’s Killing of Ali Larijani Could Allow Military to Tighten Grip on Iran — New York Times World -
• Another Tanker Is Attacked Near the Strait of Hormuz — New York Times World -
• Who Runs Iran Now? Charting the Top Leaders Killed in the War So Far. — New York Times World -
• Joe Kent, a Top Counterterrorism Official for the Trump Administration, Resigns, Citing Iran War — New York Times World -
• Why Won’t Europe Help Trump in Iran? Let’s Count the Reasons. — New York Times World -
• What is the Basij? — New York Times World -
• Death of influential Ali Larijani would be bigger loss to Iran than Khamenei — The Guardian -
• Trump counter-terrorism chief quits over Iran war, blaming Israel — The Guardian -
• UK security adviser attended US-Iran talks and judged deal was within reach — The Guardian -
• In Choosing ‘Epic Fury,’ Trump Names a War and Defines His Presidency — New York Times World -
• Sucked Into War, Gulf Countries Face the Limits of U.S. Security Guarantees — New York Times World -
• Trump relied on unverified intelligence to blame Iran for deadly school strike — The Guardian -
• Europe Rejects Trump’s Demands for Warships to Reopen the Strait of Hormuz — New York Times World -
• This is what happened on March 16. — New York Times World -
• In Iraq, the U.S. Tried to Bring Allies on Board. Not in Iran. — New York Times World -
• Tuesday briefing: How the conflict in Iran shattered the Gulf state image of peace and luxury — The Guardian -
• A Predictable Problem — New York Times World -
• As American Bombers Take Off From R.A.F. Fairford in UK, Iraq War Looms Large — New York Times World -
• Here’s the latest. — New York Times World -
• UAE reopens airspace after Iran attack – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Here’s What Happened in the War in the Middle East on Monday — New York Times World -
• Will the strait of Hormuz torpedo Trump’s war? – podcast — The Guardian -
• All living former US presidents deny Trump’s claim one of them privately backed his war on Iran – as it happened — The Guardian -
• What Are Trump’s Positions on Iran? They Can Change by the Sentence. — New York Times World -
• Intrigue, Power Plays and Rivalries: Inside the Rise of Mojtaba Khamenei — New York Times World -
• Surge in US gas prices deepens political peril for Trump over Iran — BBC World -
• Trump's confidence is undimmed - but every Iran option comes with risk — BBC World -

The Middle East conflict fuels significant global economic and energy repercussions, driving Democrats to propose a windfall tax on oil companies as gas prices rise and shipping routes are disrupted, while Sri Lanka declares energy holidays, Australian households fear recession from rate and petrol surges, UK officials scrutinize household energy bills, and the RBA makes controversial rate increases.

• Democrats urge windfall tax as big oil set to make billions from Iran war — The Guardian -
• Gas Prices Keep Rising as Seasonal Changes Add to Oil Price Pressure — New York Times World -
• The Iran War Is Pushing Some Countries to Cut Back On Energy Use — New York Times World -

• U.N. Says Attacks on Iran Set to Drive Hunger to Record Levels — New York Times World -
• Reform UK may breach data laws with free energy bills competition — The Guardian -
• Oil flows again through controversial California pipeline after Trump order — The Guardian -
• Energy minister: ‘every penny’ levied on household energy bills will be scrutinised — The Guardian -
• Rachel Reeves reveals push for fiscal devolution to English regions, says Brexit caused damage, and admits student loan system is ‘broken’ – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Reeves plans to give regional leaders a share of national tax revenues — The Guardian -
• Australian households fear double whammy of rate hikes and higher petrol prices will lead to recession — The Guardian -
• New mortgages up by £800 a year amid ‘Trumpflation’ from Iran war — The Guardian -
• How Pakistan’s people-led solar boom is easing impact of Middle East energy crisis — The Guardian -
• UK energy: about 14m households getting ‘below-average’ service — The Guardian -
• The RBA has made one of its most controversial calls in recent years - and this rate rise may not age well — The Guardian -
• ‘If we have to change tack, we will’: RBA hikes rates but not aiming to put Australia into recession, Bullock says — The Guardian -
• Central bank increases cash rate amid global energy shock – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Gas on the line: will the Iran war squeeze India's piped gas next? — BBC World -
• Gas on the line: will the Iran war squeeze India's piped gas next? — BBC World -
• Sri Lanka declares Wednesdays off as Asian countries try to conserve fuel — BBC World -
• Chris Bowen declares rush on jerry cans ‘un-Australian’ as he urges end to panic buying of petrol — The Guardian -

US politics feature Chief Justice Roberts warning against judicial hostility, Senate debates on restrictive voting bills, and Attorney General Pam Bondi's subpoena regarding Epstein files, as President Trump signals potential intervention in Cuba amidst mocking comments about learning disabilities and counterterrorism officials resigning over the Iran war, with airport security lines persisting due to DHS funding negotiations.

• Chief justice John Roberts calls for end to ‘dangerous’ hostility toward judges — The Guardian -
• Is Latin America Abandoning Cuba? — New York Times World -
• Pam Bondi subpoenaed over Epstein files release by House committee — The Guardian -

• As Trump belittled European allies, the Irish leader pushed back, gently. — New York Times World -
• US Senate heeds Trump’s call to debate restrictive Save America Act voting bill — The Guardian -
• Kemi Badenoch calls Trump’s repeated criticisms of Starmer ‘childish’ — The Guardian -
• Trump’s threats to ‘take’ Cuba signal rising US pressure as island grapples with power crisis — The Guardian -
• We Traced How U.S. Guns Get to Mexican Cartels — New York Times World -
• Inside the Supply Line Delivering American Guns to Mexican Cartels — New York Times World -
• US Attorney General Bondi formally summoned to Congress in Epstein case — BBC World -
• Trump Administration Seeks to Remove Cuba’s President From Power During Negotiations — New York Times World -
• Security lines persist at US airports as Congress negotiates DHS funding — The Guardian -
• Florida Republican student group sues university after suspension over Nazi salute post — The Guardian -
• Trump Signals He May Intervene in Cuba Following Iran and Venezuela — New York Times World -
• Illinois heads to elect next senator and five congressional district candidates — The Guardian -
• Trump administration to slash fee to renounce US citizenship from $2,350 to $450 — The Guardian -
• Trump Says He Will Have the ‘Honor’ of ‘Taking Cuba’ — New York Times World -
• Trump says presidents 'should not have learning disabilities' as he mocks Newsom's dyslexia — BBC World -
• Trump says presidents 'should not have learning disabilities' as he mocks Newsom's dyslexia — BBC World -
• Trump says presidents 'should not have learning disabilities' as he mocks Newsom's dyslexia — BBC World -

Deadly conflicts persist beyond the Middle East, with a Pakistani airstrike on a Kabul rehab center killing hundreds and witnesses describing horrific scenes, while suspected suicide attacks in Nigeria kill at least 23 people, South Sudan faces civil war, and Zelenskyy warns Europe to prepare for drone strikes by terrorists and criminals.

• Europe must prepare for drone strikes by terrorists and criminals, warns Zelenskyy — The Guardian -
• Air strike hit Kabul rehab centre as patients ate dinner, survivor tells BBC — BBC World -
• Dozens Dead in Pakistani Airstrike on Kabul — New York Times World -

• ‘Everything was burning, people were burning’: witnesses describe strike on Kabul drug rehab centre — The Guardian -
• Pakistan air strike kills at least 100 at Kabul drug rehab centre — BBC World -
• Suspected suicide attacks kill at least 23 in north-east Nigeria — BBC World -
• Suspected suicide attacks kill at least 23 in north-east Nigeria — BBC World -
• At Least 23 Killed in Nigeria as Insurgent Attacks Go On Despite U.S. Help — New York Times World -
• At least 23 people killed in suspected suicide attacks in north-eastern Nigeria — The Guardian -
• Afghanistan says 400 killed in strike by Pakistan on Kabul hospital — The Guardian -
• 'Fire came from the sky and burned them' - life on the brink of civil war in South Sudan — BBC World -
• 'Fire came from the sky and burned them' - life on the brink of civil war in South Sudan — BBC World -

The UK grapples with the Scottish parliament rejecting assisted dying legislation, Labour's Angela Rayner warning of party decline, concerns over jury trial cuts impacting abused women, and an unprecedented meningitis outbreak in Kent prompting targeted vaccinations, as MI5 apologizes for alleged agent abuse and preparations begin to sue Roman Abramovich over Chelsea FC sale proceeds.

• Scottish parliament votes against legalising assisted dying — The Guardian -
• Rayner: government ‘cannot just go through the motions in the face of decline’ — The Guardian -
• Cutting jury trials risks ‘undermining justice’ for abused women and girls, Lammy warned — The Guardian -

• A Smelly Ice Cream Ad Tempts Few London Commuters — New York Times World -
• UK prepares to sue Abramovich over £2.4bn proceeds of Chelsea FC sale — The Guardian -
• Desperate parents calling pharmacies for meningitis jab as stocks run low — The Guardian -
• Kent students to be offered targeted meningitis B jabs after two more cases — The Guardian -
• An ‘Unprecedented’ Outbreak of Meningitis Raises Alarm in Britain — New York Times World -
• Arts Council England must change or face ‘disaster’, culture department is told — The Guardian -
• Lisa Nandy vows to give BBC permanent charter to prevent political interference — The Guardian -
• Police and media launch charter to ‘reset’ relations after Nicola Bulley case — The Guardian -
• UK nationals fleeing Middle East reach 100,000 as evacuation efforts continue — The Guardian -
• MI5 apologises and pays compensation to woman allegedly abused by agent — The Guardian -
• Under Roman Abramovich, Chelsea Broke Rules for Years, Premier League Says — New York Times World -
• Being in Sinn Féin not the same as being in the IRA, Gerry Adams tells high court — The Guardian -
• Kent meningitis outbreak: a timeline of the health authorities’ response — The Guardian -
• Bentley to cut hundreds of UK jobs amid ‘challenging global market environment’ — The Guardian -
• Close Brothers banking group to cut 600 jobs and roll out AI ‘at pace’ — The Guardian -
• Hartlepool council stops residents from installing memorial benches — The Guardian -
• Glasgow Central main concourse to partly reopen after fire disruption — The Guardian -
• Women feel coerced during maternity care in England, charity says — The Guardian -
• UK must learn lessons from AI race and retain its quantum computing talent, says minister — The Guardian -
• ‘National disgrace’: pothole repair backlog hits record £18.6bn in England and Wales — The Guardian -
• Train delays: compensation claims to be easier under Great British Railways — The Guardian -

International relations saw a diplomatic clash between Colombia and Ecuador over charred bodies near the border and an unexploded bomb, while China ramps up scrutiny of Meta's acquisition of Manus, a Belgian court clears the way for trial over the 1961 murder of Congo PM Lumumba, Norway investigates links between Jeffrey Epstein and its foreign office, and Canada charges two individuals in the murder of an Iranian activist.

• An Unexploded Bomb Near the Colombia-Ecuador Border Leads to a Diplomatic Clash — New York Times World -
• China Ramps Up Scrutiny of Meta’s Acquisition of Manus — New York Times World -
• Colombian president accuses Ecuador after ‘27 charred bodies’ found near border — The Guardian -

• Belgian court sends ex-diplomat, 93, to trial over 1961 murder of Congo leader — The Guardian -
• Norway to investigate links between Jeffrey Epstein and foreign office — The Guardian -
• Belgian court clears way for trial over 1961 killing of Congo PM Lumumba — BBC World -
• As Carney Seeks Canadian Alliances with China, India and Qatar, He Looks Away on Human Rights — New York Times World -
• Man and woman charged with murder of Iranian activist in Canada — The Guardian -
• Trump seeks to delay meeting with Xi in China — BBC World -
• Trump seeks to delay meeting with Xi in China — BBC World -
• Trump Says He Wants to Delay Visit to China Because of Middle East Conflict — New York Times World -
• Trump’s Threat to Delay Summit With Xi Casts New Shadow Over China Relations — New York Times World -
• China is Tight-Lipped on Trump’s Request to Delay His Xi Summit — New York Times World -
• China is Tight-Lipped on Trump’s Request to Delay His Xi Summit — New York Times World -
• Two Arrested in Death of Anti-Iranian Regime Activist in Canada — New York Times World -

Australia is managing radio host Kyle Sandilands' high-profile sacking, Pauline Hanson's undeclared flights from Gina Rinehart and Labor's accusations of her exploiting public frustrations, a Queensland government backflip on native title claims, and a regional NSW council abandoning plans to ban the Aboriginal flag, alongside concerns about the environment minister's ocean protection plans.

• Kyle Sandilands sacked and top-rating radio show cancelled as host vows to fight to return to air — The Guardian -
• Pauline Hanson exploiting the frustrations of Australians who have been ‘left behind’, Labor says — The Guardian -
• Australia’s environment minister wants to ban fishers and drillers from more ocean – and avoid a culture war — The Guardian -

• Labor appears set to reform capital gains tax discount after parliamentary inquiry findings — The Guardian -
• ‘Removing flags doesn’t stop racism’: regional NSW council abandons plan to stop flying Aboriginal flag — The Guardian -
• Pauline Hanson fails to properly declare more free flights from Gina Rinehart — The Guardian -
• Why did only two Iranian football players stay in Australia? — BBC World -
• Queensland government backflips on plan to contest all native title claims — The Guardian -
• Let the games begin: Victorian Liberals fail at sport but surprise with teamwork in viral video — The Guardian -
• Naveed Akram’s family members could be killed if their identities aren’t suppressed, court told — The Guardian -

The justice system sees US rapper Mystikal plead guilty to third-degree rape, a Utah mother found guilty of poisoning her husband, and a tribunal calling for a retrial of the Vatican's 'Trial of the Century', while Columbia University protesters are released from immigration custody, Dutch Jews experience deeper unease due to antisemitic attacks, and a UK inquest finds missed opportunities in a prison cell fire death.

• US rapper Mystikal pleads guilty to third-degree rape in 2022 arrest — The Guardian -
• United Farm Workers union cancels Cesar Chavez events over abuse allegations — The Guardian -
• Tribunal Calls for Retrial of the Vatican’s ‘Trial of the Century’ — New York Times World -

• ‘Missed opportunities’ to prevent woman’s death in prison cell fire, inquest finds — The Guardian -
• Antisemitic Attacks Bring Deeper Unease to Dutch Jews — New York Times World -
• Utah mother who wrote book about grief found guilty of poisoning husband — BBC World -
• Utah mother who wrote book about grief found guilty of poisoning husband — BBC World -
• Columbia University protester released after one year in immigration custody — BBC World -
• Columbia University protester released after one year in immigration custody — BBC World -
• Moving English tests for migrants online risks criminal abuse, providers warn — BBC World -
• Judge orders ICE to release Minneapolis man after 50 days of unlawful detention — The Guardian -
• Leqaa Kordia, a pro-Palestinian activist, released after a year in ICE custody — The Guardian -

Health concerns include a meningitis outbreak in Kent prompting desperate calls for jabs and targeted vaccinations for students, as a US raw milk distributor's cheese is linked to an E. coli outbreak, and a charity reports that women feel coerced during maternity care in England.

• Desperate parents calling pharmacies for meningitis jab as stocks run low — The Guardian -
• Kent students to be offered targeted meningitis B jabs after two more cases — The Guardian -
• An ‘Unprecedented’ Outbreak of Meningitis Raises Alarm in Britain — New York Times World -

• Kent meningitis outbreak: a timeline of the health authorities’ response — The Guardian -
• Women feel coerced during maternity care in England, charity says — The Guardian -
• Cheese from largest US raw milk distributor linked to E coli outbreak — The Guardian -

Environmental headlines feature Italy's warning about a Russian tanker possibly exploding in the Mediterranean, a meteor over Ohio causing a large boom, a water supply cut in Moldova due to an oil spill blamed on a Russian strike, and half a million US homes losing power during a storm as the US West Coast prepares for a dangerous heatwave.

• Italy warns Russian tanker could explode in Mediterranean at any time — BBC World -
• Meteor over Ohio causes large boom heard as far away as Pennsylvania — The Guardian -
• Water supply cut in Moldova after oil spill blamed on Russian strike in Ukraine — BBC World -

• Half a million lose power as storm lashes US from midwest to east coast — The Guardian -
• US west coast prepares for 'dangerous' heatwave in early spring — BBC World -
• US west coast prepares for 'dangerous' heatwave in early spring — BBC World -

Business and labor news includes Starbucks shareholders pushing to oust board members over stalled union talks, and Arizona charging Kalshi for alleged illegal gambling with election bets.

• Arizona charges Kalshi, alleging illegal gambling with election bets — The Guardian -
• Starbucks shareholders push to oust board members over stalled union talks — The Guardian -

The technology and media sectors report CBS News workers on a 24-hour walkout for a new contract, a US media mogul seeing opportunity in Washington Post cuts, Warner Bros CEO in line for a massive payout from a Paramount deal, and AI firm Anthropic seeking a weapons expert to prevent misuse of its systems.

• CBS News workers hold 24-hour walkout for new contract — The Guardian -
• US media mogul sees a big opportunity in the cuts at the Washington Post — The Guardian -
• Warner Bros CEO David Zaslav in line for $700m payout from Paramount deal — The Guardian -

• AI firm Anthropic seeks weapons expert to stop users from 'misuse' — BBC World -
• AI firm Anthropic seeks weapons expert to stop users from 'misuse' — BBC World -

In lighter news, a **Dune: Part Three trailer is released, London bars shun Margot Robbie's gin over allergen concerns, the phone number 867-5309 is repurposed for cancer support, and scientists discover a heavier version of the proton, while Michael B Jordan celebrates an Oscar win with a burger**.

• War, inheritance and … a baby? First Dune: Part Three trailer is here — The Guardian -
• Aspiring female Zambian politicians asked for sexual favours, official says — BBC World -
• Aspiring female Zambian politicians were asked for sexual favours, official says — BBC World -

• Peter Thiel Fears the Antichrist Is Coming. In Rome, Some Call His View Heresy. — New York Times World -
• London bars shun Margot Robbie’s gin over shellfish allergen concerns — The Guardian -
• ‘These connections are overlooked’: how British companies profited from slavery in Brazil long after abolition — The Guardian -
• 867-5309: number from 1980s hit song Jenny now routes callers to cancer support — The Guardian -
• Scientists discover heavier version of proton with upgraded detector — The Guardian -
• ‘We are the family’: low-budget thriller highlights Hungary’s election tension — The Guardian -
• And the burger goes to... Michael B Jordan marks Oscars win at In-N-Out — BBC World -
• And the burger goes to... Michael B Jordan marks Oscars win at In-N-Out — BBC World -