Escalating Middle East crisis highlights confusion over Iran's response to US peace proposals, with Israel continuing strikes in Lebanon and deploying more troops amid a backdrop of denials and signals of openness to talks from Tehran. The conflict's human cost is evident in warnings of expanding West Bank settler violence and a death penalty bill for Palestinian prisoners, while Australia has blocked Iranian tourists and investigators seek answers in attacks on Jewish sites in Europe possibly linked to Iran.

• Middle East crisis live: confusion over Iran’s response to US proposal to end war — The Guardian -
• Iran War Live Updates: Tehran Dismisses Trump’s Cease-Fire Offer but Signals Openness to Talks — New York Times World -
• Israel Races to Hit Iran Hard While It Still Can, Leery of Possible Talks, Officials Say — New York Times World -

• Israel Keeps Up Strikes in Lebanon as Hezbollah Signals Defiance — New York Times World -
• Here’s the latest. — New York Times World -
• Iranians Reject Trump’s Offer for Cease-Fire but Signal Openness to Talk — New York Times World -
• Iran gives negative response to US ceasefire plan amid push for talks — The Guardian -
• Iraq Summons U.S. Diplomat After Attack on Military Base — New York Times World -
• Trump Had His Eye on China, Then Plunged Into a New Mideast War — New York Times World -
• NATO’s ‘Trump Whisperer’ Faces Blowback Over Support for Iran War — New York Times World -
• U.S. and Iran Are Talking About Ways to End Their War: What to Know — New York Times World -
• Iran Signals Resilience With Volley of Missiles Across Middle East — New York Times World -
• Israel used white phosphorus to scorch earth in south Lebanon, researcher says — The Guardian -
• Israel’s death penalty bill for Palestinian prisoners moves to final vote — The Guardian -
• Investigators Seek Answers in Attacks on Jewish Sites in Europe — New York Times World -
• 'There's no safety anymore': Palestinians warn of expanding West Bank settler violence — BBC World -
• First Thing: US reportedly poised to send airborne troops to Middle East — The Guardian -
• US set to deploy airborne troops amid Trump claims of ‘very good’ Iran talks — The Guardian -
• Trump’s war in Iran exposes US’s shift from a global guardian to an arbiter of chaos — The Guardian -
• Professor sues Texas university that terminated contract after Palestine talk — The Guardian -
• Cheap Drones Remain Wild Card in Iran war — New York Times World -
• Pentagon Orders 2,000 Airborne Troops to Middle East — New York Times World -
• Iran Says ‘Non-Hostile’ Ships Can Sail Through the Strait of Hormuz — New York Times World -
• ‘Massive betrayal’: Iranian nationals with valid tourist visas blocked from entering Australia for six months — The Guardian -
• Fire at Kuwait airport after drone attack – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Australia backs Lebanon’s sovereignty and opposes occupation, Penny Wong tells Israel — The Guardian -
• A Missile Fragment in a Schoolyard — New York Times World -
• The Maga divide over Iran – podcast — The Guardian -
• Plan to Disarm Hamas in Gaza Is Detailed at U.N. — New York Times World -
• Pakistan Offers to Host Talks Between Iran and the United States — New York Times World -
• Here’s the latest. — New York Times World -

The ongoing Iran war significantly impacts global markets, with oil prices rising and Shell warning of potential fuel shortages in Europe by April if the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted. Australia and the Philippines face energy emergencies due to soaring fuel costs, with food prices also expected to rise and economists warning against fuel excise cuts that could worsen shortages.

• Stocks rise and oil dips on hopes of 15-point Iran peace plan — The Guardian -
• Iran war threatens to delay large offshore wind projects in EU and UK — The Guardian -
• Australians can expect high fuel costs to linger for far longer than the war in Iran — The Guardian -

• Small petrol stations urge Albanese government to crack down on fuel wholesalers as operators run dry — The Guardian -
• ‘Makes Covid look like a tea party’: Australian food prices could rise for the next year, farmers warn — The Guardian -
• Europe could face fuel shortage by April as Iran throttles supplies, says Shell boss — The Guardian -
• We need more plumbers and fewer lawyers in AI age, says BlackRock boss — BBC World -
• For Australia’s Farmers, Fuel Crisis Comes at ‘Worst Possible Time’ — New York Times World -
• Australia prepares for oil prices above US$120 a barrel as diesel passes $3 a litre nationwide — The Guardian -
• Marcos promises 'flow of oil' as Philippines declares energy emergency — BBC World -
• Boss of financial giant BlackRock warns of global recession if oil price hits $150 — BBC World -
• UK inflation held at 3% before global energy price hit from Iran war — The Guardian -
• ‘Political Band-aid’: cutting Australia’s fuel excise could make petrol shortages worse, economists say — The Guardian -
• Philippines declares ‘national energy emergency’ and boosts coal power as Iran war grinds on — The Guardian -
• Asia’s Energy Crisis Stings — New York Times World -

The US government shutdown continues to impact agencies like the TSA, leading to **workers missing nearly $1 billion in pay, while Democrats have flipped a Florida state seat that includes Mar-a-Lago. Other key developments include a new bill to pause AI datacenter construction, changes in army recruitment age and marijuana restrictions, and investigations into Trump's handling of classified documents**.

• TSA official says workers have missed out on nearly $1bn in pay as airport turmoil continues amid shutdown – live — The Guardian -
• 'Men need to be perp-walked' after Epstein files release, US Congressman Massie tells BBC — BBC World -
• Democrats flip Florida state seat that includes Trump's Mar-a-Lago home — BBC World -

• Democrats flip Florida state seat that includes Trump's Mar-a-Lago home — BBC World -
• US army raises upper age for recruits to 42 and scraps marijuana restrictions — The Guardian -
• US left without functioning vaccine panel as adviser says ‘drama distracts’ — The Guardian -
• Inside Trump’s Secret Deal to Deport Migrants to Cameroon — New York Times World -
• Prosecutors examined whether Trump disclosed classified map on plane after leaving office — The Guardian -
• Markwayne Mullin sworn in as homeland security secretary; Trump suggests he won’t be happy with any DHS funding deal – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Court blocks California effort to stop Republican sheriff’s ballot recount — The Guardian -
• Democrats flip seat in Florida state house in district that includes Trump’s Mar-a-Lago — The Guardian -

Denmark faces complex coalition talks after its Prime Minister failed to secure a majority in the recent election, while the UK implements new caps on political crypto donations and appoints a former Google executive as the new BBC Director-General. Broader European political trends suggest the far-right may be suffering a 'Trumplash' in local elections, and hundreds of UK teenagers will trial social media curbs as part of a major study.

• Block on political crypto donations and a £100k cap from Britons abroad to take effect today – UK politics live — The Guardian -
• Danish PM Frederiksen resigns and coalition talks begin following close election – Europe live — The Guardian -
• Denmark braces for lengthy and challenging coalition talks — The Guardian -

• Could the continent’s far right be suffering from a Trumplash? — The Guardian -
• Hundreds of UK teenagers to trial six-week social media curbs for major study — The Guardian -
• Former Google executive Matt Brittin selected to be next BBC director general — The Guardian -
• Lars Løkke Rasmussen: Denmark’s pipe-smoking kingmaker who cleans his teeth with soap — The Guardian -
• Ex-Tory minister Crispin Blunt fined £1,200 for possession of crystal meth — The Guardian -
• Overseas political funding capped and crypto donations blocked in blow to Reform UK — The Guardian -
• Morgan McSweeney did not disclose his No 10 job in phone theft 999 call, transcript shows — The Guardian -
• From YouTube to Trump: six urgent issues for BBC’s new boss, Matt Brittin — The Guardian -
• Four Takeaways From Denmark’s Election — New York Times World -
• ‘Doge of the left’ could save UK taxpayers up to £30bn, says new green thinktank — The Guardian -
• Danish PM fails to secure majority in party's weakest election showing since 1903 — BBC World -
• Danish PM fails to secure majority in party's weakest election showing since 1903 — BBC World -
• ‘Seriously wrong’: flood-hit Lincolnshire residents at odds with Reform MP over climate — The Guardian -
• After Standing Up to Trump Over Greenland, Denmark’s Prime Minister Leads in Election — New York Times World -

Russia has launched a massive drone attack on Ukraine, signaling a potential spring offensive, while Moldova declared an energy emergency after a key power line was cut by Russian strikes. Stray Ukrainian drones have also reportedly hit territories in Estonia and Latvia, underscoring the conflict's regional instability.

• Ukraine Finally Got Battlefield Momentum. Now Comes a Russian Offensive. — New York Times World -
• Russia Launches Daytime Attack on Ukraine With Over 500 Drones — New York Times World -
• Estonia and Latvia say territories hit by stray Ukrainian drones — BBC World -

• Estonia and Latvia say territories hit by stray Ukrainian drones — BBC World -
• Ukraine war briefing: Moldova declares emergency after Russian attack cuts key power line — The Guardian -

Australia is grappling with a fuel crisis, prompting calls for government intervention against wholesalers and concerns from farmers about rising food prices, while animal cruelty prevention laws have been shelved in Victoria. Other domestic stories include journalists going on strike at the ABC, arrests in a Sydney kidnapping and murder case, and a tropical cyclone intensifying off Western Australia.

• Long-promised animal cruelty prevention laws quietly shelved by Victorian government — The Guardian -
• Australia refuses to say how many Chinese nationals are arriving by boat, saying it may damage bilateral relations — The Guardian -
• 'Major player' in alleged mistaken identity kidnap of Sydney grandfather charged — BBC World -

• Graffiti conviction for Australian woman who stuck googly eyes on sculpture — BBC World -
• Queensland government scraps emissions target for Brisbane Olympics – as it happened — The Guardian -
• BBC and NWA: the day ABC staff went on strike – and left Aunty looking ‘a bit different’ — The Guardian -
• Tropical Cyclone Narelle intensifies off WA as it continues rare path across Australia — The Guardian -
• Journalists at Australia's national broadcaster strike for first time in 20 years — BBC World -
• Pauline Hanson wants to work with Liberals and Nationals to defeat Labor – but rules out official coalition — The Guardian -
• Third man charged with murder over alleged kidnapping and killing of Sydney man Chris Baghsarian — The Guardian -
• ABC strike: national broadcaster switches to BBC programming as staff walk off the job for 24 hours — The Guardian -
• Sydney teenager charged with terror offences allegedly accessed ‘guides’ to mass casualty attacks, court hears — The Guardian -

New research confirms the bond between dogs and humans dates back over 15,000 years, predating agriculture, while the **US has been linked to $10 trillion in climate damage since 1990. In tech, OpenAI has ended its partnership with Disney, closing its Sora video-making app, and US lawmakers propose a moratorium on new AI datacenters** to address environmental and societal concerns.

• Bond between dogs and humans dates back more than 15,000 years, study finds — The Guardian -
• US has caused $10tn worth of climate damage since 1990, research finds — The Guardian -
• Humans Had Dogs Before They Had Farming, Ancient DNA Confirms — New York Times World -

• Bernie Sanders and AOC introduce bill to pause building of new datacenters — The Guardian -
• OpenAI ends Disney partnership as it closes Sora video-making app — BBC World -
• OpenAI closes Sora video-making app and cancels $1bn Disney deal — BBC World -

Air Canada's CEO faced criticism for delivering condolences only in English, a South African police chief is to appear in court over a controversial health contract, and investigators are searching for answers in attacks on Jewish charity ambulances in London. Meanwhile, a skeleton believed to be d'Artagnan has been found in the Netherlands, and Ghana is demanding compensation for slavery in a landmark UN vote.

• Air Canada C.E.O. Draws Scorn for Delivering Condolences Only in English — New York Times World -
• Savannah Guthrie says her family is ‘in agony’ in first interview since mother’s disappearance — The Guardian -
• Skeleton of Three Musketeers hero d’Artagnan may have been found — The Guardian -

• South Africa's police chief to appear in court over controversial health contract — BBC World -
• Sexual Misconduct Report Leaves I.C.C.’s Path Ahead Unclear — New York Times World -
• Dagenham leaseholders left homeless by fire could be forced to pay for cladding works — The Guardian -
• Ghana demands compensation for slavery in landmark UN vote — BBC World -
• Musketeer d'Artagnan's remains believed found under Dutch church — BBC World -
• Sarah Mullally, the First Female Archbishop of Canterbury, is About to Be Enthroned — New York Times World -
• Teenager in Wales handed life sentence after killing his mother with a hammer — The Guardian -
• ‘They can reach me wherever’: China using financial tactics to coerce people who flee, says report — The Guardian -
• Two Men Arrested in Attack on Jewish Charity Ambulances in London — New York Times World -
• Mother was allegedly trafficked to US and illegally detained by ICE while accused abuser is free, lawyers say — The Guardian -
• Epstein accountant and lawyer say federal agents never questioned them — The Guardian -
• Talk show host Stephen Colbert to write new Lord of the Rings film — BBC World -
• Dozens of bodies, mostly infants, discovered in Kenya mass grave — BBC World -
• Dozens of bodies, mostly infants, discovered in Kenya mass grave — BBC World -
• Estate of Mike Lynch ordered to pay £920m to Hewlett Packard Enterprise — The Guardian -
• 'Fearless' Mel Schilling remembered by Married at First Sight co-star — BBC World -
• An American in Russia Is Linked to Neo-Nazi Terror Cells Across Europe — New York Times World -
• Ex-teammate of quadruple amputee US cornhole pro accused of murder says case shocks him — The Guardian -
• Two men arrested in connection with arson attack on Jewish community ambulances — The Guardian -
• NHS trust took two days to raise alarm about Kent meningitis outbreak, says report — The Guardian -
• Wednesday briefing: ​Can Sarah Mullally steer the Church of England back into safer waters? — The Guardian -
• In pictures: Hunting lynx snatches top prize in photo competition — BBC World -
• Has banning phones improved performance at Dutch schools? — BBC World -
• 'He liked the fear in our eyes,' Epstein survivors tell BBC — BBC World -
• Gambia Says the Island Is Cursed. Migrants Saw an Opportunity. — New York Times World -
• Sara Duterte impeachment hearings start as political death match heats up — BBC World -
• Lebo M sues comedian Learnmore Jonasi claiming Circle of Life misrepresentation — The Guardian -
• BTS comeback concert on Netflix draws 18.4m global viewers — BBC World -
• More young people want to vote in New Zealand’s Māori electorates. What are they and how do they work? — The Guardian -
• Packed cinemas and whistling fans: A spy thriller sequel revives Bollywood — BBC World -
• Reacher star Alan Ritchson acted in self-defense in neighbor fight, Tennessee police say — The Guardian -
• Public satisfaction with the NHS rises for first time since 2019 — The Guardian -