The Middle East conflict intensified with US Marines arriving and Houthis entering the war, triggering Israeli airstrikes on Tehran, further civilian casualties in Lebanon, and condemnation of media assaults.

• Iran War Live Updates: U.S. Marines Arrive in Middle East, as Houthis Enter War — New York Times World -
• Here’s What Happened in the War in the Middle East on Saturday — New York Times World -
• In Dubai, a famed horse race goes on, despite the war. — New York Times World -

• Three Lebanese journalists killed in Israeli strike, say broadcasters — BBC World -
• Airstrikes batter a university and residential zones in Tehran. — New York Times World -
• Iran-backed Houthis join war with attack against Israel — BBC World -
• Israeli Strike Kills 3 Journalists in Southern Lebanon, Officials Say — New York Times World -
• Potential Houthi threat to Red Sea shipping could further damage global economy — BBC World -
• Tears and defiance as Lebanese family bury child, 11, killed in Israeli strike — BBC World -
• Media association condemns ‘violent assault’ on CNN crew by Israeli soldiers — The Guardian -
• Yemen’s Houthis Fire at Israel and Vow Further Attacks — New York Times World -
• Lebanon condemns ‘blatant war crime’ after Israel kills three journalists — The Guardian -
• Houthi forces enter Iran conflict with missile attacks on Israeli military sites — The Guardian -
• As US troops sail to Middle East, how likely is Trump to order boots on the ground? — The Guardian -
• Hundreds of organised protests show resilience of Iranian regime, experts say — The Guardian -
• 12 U.S. Troops Injured in Attack on Saudi Base, Officials Say — New York Times World -
• Gaza peace doubts deepen as attention shifts to Iran — BBC World -
• 'Our home is gone': BBC speaks to displaced families in Lebanon — BBC World -
• Yemen’s Houthis launch first attack on Israel since outbreak of conflict, as Rubio says war to end in ‘weeks’ — The Guardian -
• Gulf countries warn of rising threat from Iran-backed militias and proxies — The Guardian -
• UAE targeted with missiles and drones – as it happened — The Guardian -
• Iranian Strike on U.S. Base in Saudi Arabia Injures 12 American Troops, Officials Say — New York Times World -
• Iran Moves to Assert Control Over Strait While Trading Strikes With Israel — New York Times World -
• Government Trolls Sling Memes in the Online Trenches of Mideast War — New York Times World -
• Iran war splits older and younger conservatives - as pressure builds for Trump to find exit ramp — BBC World -
• Here’s What Happened in the War in the Middle East on Friday — New York Times World -

The US political landscape saw JD Vance leading CPAC polls for the Republican presidential nomination, widespread 'No Kings' protests against the Trump administration, a prolonged DHS funding standoff causing travel chaos, and concerns over FBI investigations into lawmakers.

• JD Vance leads CPAC poll for next Republican presidential candidate — The Guardian -
• No Kings protests live updates: millions rally in cities around the world against Trump and his administration — The Guardian -
• No Kings protests across the US rally against Donald Trump — BBC World -

• Third No Kings protests to see millions across US push back on Trump administration — The Guardian -
• US treasury department demands retraction of story on increased oversight of Federal Reserve — The Guardian -
• ‘No Kings’ Protests Decry Trump and His Agenda — New York Times World -
• F.B.I. Said to Dig Up Old Investigative Files on Democratic Lawmaker — New York Times World -
• ‘No kings, just vaccines!’: demonstrators gather at NIH headquarters to protest against cuts to medical research — The Guardian -
• US House passes stopgap DHS funding bill after Republicans reject Senate deal — The Guardian -
• How Trump’s deportation campaign has changed tack after deep unpopularity — The Guardian -
• US embassy in Mexico prompts outrage with AI video promoting ‘self-deportation’ — The Guardian -
• House Republicans reject Senate deal, prolonging partial US government shutdown — BBC World -
• House Republicans are ‘the only thing standing’ in the way of ending DHS shutdown, Hakeem Jeffries says – as it happened — The Guardian -
• US House to vote on DHS funding as travel chaos deepens — BBC World -

A deepening global energy crisis led to early business closures in Egypt and free public transport in Australia to curb fuel demand, while the UK debated North Sea oil drilling amid warnings of medicine shortages from the Iran war.

• Shops and restaurants in Egypt told to close early as energy crisis deepens — BBC World -
• Victorians and Tasmanians get free public transport as state governments seek to ease surge in fuel demand — The Guardian -
• Badenoch criticised for ‘peddling dangerous fantasy’ about North Sea oil drilling — The Guardian -

• Castro Heirs Emerge Across Cuba’s Political Scene Amid Energy Crisis and Trump Threats — New York Times World -
• Can This Russian Bakery Survive a 3,500% Tax Increase? — New York Times World -
• Expectant mothers in Cuba struggle under fuel blockade — BBC World -
• How EVs could be part of answer to UK’s fuel reserve worries — The Guardian -
• Hundreds of North Sea licences granted by Conservatives have ‘so far produced only 36 days worth of gas’ — The Guardian -
• UK ‘weeks away’ from medicine shortages if Iran war continues, experts say — The Guardian -

Significant social and public safety concerns included migrant deaths off Greece, a large KitKat chocolate heist in Italy, the Epstein lawsuit settlement by Bank of America, and public health warnings regarding an E. coli outbreak.

• Michigan student disciplined for protesting against war on Gaza reaches settlement with school — The Guardian -
• Sugar high(st): more than twelve tons of KitKat’s ‘new chocolate range’ stolen in Italy — The Guardian -
• Murder inquiry launched after death of young woman in Leeds — The Guardian -

• Two Sudanese men face court in Greece after at least 22 people die off Crete coast — The Guardian -
• Bank of America to pay out $72.5m over Epstein lawsuit — BBC World -
• Twenty-two migrants die off Greek coast after six days at sea — BBC World -
• Two Iowans accused of lacing lasagna with drugs to cause woman’s miscarriage — The Guardian -
• Nine people sick from E coli linked to raw cheese from California farm, more than half of them children — The Guardian -
• Met police investigate stabbing death near Westminster Abbey — The Guardian -
• Looksmaxxing influencer Clavicular arrested on battery charge in Florida — BBC World -
• North Carolina woman forgives mom for disappearing without a word 24 years ago — The Guardian -
• 'The gravest crime against humanity': What does the UN vote on slavery mean? — BBC World -
• 'We're having a moment' - fear and denial in Silicon Valley over social media addiction trial — BBC World -

In Europe, a foiled bomb attack in Paris and thousands marching against the far-right in London highlighted security and political tensions, while **Italy’s government faced youth voter dissent and the UK discussed ending the two-child benefit cap**.

• Man in Paris Accused of Attempted Attack on Bank of America — New York Times World -
• ‘The tide is turning’, Green party leader tells crowd at march against far right – live — The Guardian -
• Thousands march against far right in London in biggest ever multicultural protest — The Guardian -

• BBC Arabic defended as lone voice in region for giving ‘Israeli perspective’ — The Guardian -
• Reform UK’s ‘pro-family’ policies are an exclusionary sham, minister says — The Guardian -
• Police in Paris foil attempted bomb attack outside Bank of America building — The Guardian -
• Young voters shake Italy’s political calm as referendum exposes tensions for Giorgia Meloni — The Guardian -
• End to two-child benefit cap offers £300-a-month lifeline to cash-strapped families — The Guardian -

On the international stage, **Nepal’s ex-PM was arrested over protest crackdowns, Australia braced for cyclone impacts, Ukraine finalized air defense deals, and Pakistan prepared to host diplomats for Iran war talks, alongside Maldives' challenge over the Chagos Islands**.

• D-day for Moira Deeming as she faces preselection challenge for Victorian Liberal seat — The Guardian -
• Coroner to investigate after Northern Territory records two deaths in custody in a week — The Guardian -
• Frosting, sprinkles and layers of fun: Giant cake picnic hits Sydney — BBC World -

• Ukraine Finalizes Air Defense Deals With Gulf Nations Amid War in Mideast — New York Times World -
• Two Cuba-bound aid ships found days after disappearing — BBC World -
• Pakistan Set to Host Top Regional Diplomats for Talks on Iran War — New York Times World -
• Nepal's ex-PM arrested over fatal protest crackdown — BBC World -
• KP Sharma Oli: Nepal’s former prime minister arrested over alleged role in deadly protest crackdown — The Guardian -
• ‘No one has had a dry run’: weather warnings for storm-ravaged WA after Cyclone Narelle downgraded to tropical low — The Guardian -
• Maldives tells UK it does not recognise Chagos Islands deal with Mauritius — BBC World -

Notable cultural and lifestyle stories included global landmarks observing Earth Hour, the passing of actor James Tolkan, concerns about AI's threat to polling data integrity, the release of Tiger Woods on bail, and BBC Russian's 80 years of defiance.

• Watch: Iconic global landmarks turn off lights for Earth Hour — BBC World -
• James Tolkan, known for his roles in Top Gun and Back to the Future, dies aged 94 — The Guardian -
• Halfway Through Lent, a Small Quebec Island Celebrates With Masks and Jigs — New York Times World -

• Winter’s Gloomy Spirit Lifts as Baseball’s Blue Jays Land — New York Times World -
• ‘Our assumptions are broken’: how fraudulent church data revealed AI’s threat to polling — The Guardian -
• ‘It was bonkers’: Samba the runaway capybara inspires a wild rodent hunt — The Guardian -
• Tiger Woods released on bail after DUI arrest — BBC World -
• Pope Leo heads to Monaco 488 years after the last papal visit — The Guardian -
• From jammed broadcasts to a blocked website: BBC Russian's 80 years of defiance — BBC World -
• Noah Wyle is back in A&E with new drama The Pitt: 'I hope people watch with empathy' — BBC World -