A fire that broke out on Monday afternoon at the third floor of an 11-storey commercial building, LA Plaza, opposite the stadium in Mirpur-2, Dhaka, has been brought under control after about one and a half hours of effort by the Fire Service and Civil Defence. The blaze, reported at 1:52 p.m., was tackled by seven fire service units and fully controlled by 3:22 p.m. A total of 23 people, including 13 men and 10 women, were rescued from different floors of the building. One woman suffering from breathing difficulties was sent to Shaheed Suhrawardy Hospital for treatment, while others received primary care and were reported to be in stable condition. Witnesses said smoke first appeared on the third floor before the fire spread quickly, causing panic among occupants. Firefighters used ladders and rescue equipment to bring people to safety. Fire Service Inspector Anwarul Islam said the operation was conducted swiftly and in coordination. The exact cause and extent of damage are yet to be determined, though an electrical fault is suspected. A detailed investigation will follow once the building is fully secured.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei has denied allegations that attacks were launched from Iranian territory toward Turkey, Cyprus, and Azerbaijan. Speaking at a weekly press briefing, Baghaei said reports claiming that Iranian ammunition was fired toward those countries last week were baseless. He asserted that no attacks had been initiated from Iran against any of the mentioned nations. Baghaei further suggested that some of the alleged attacks might have been staged. He warned that hostile parties could be attempting to create divisions between Iran and other countries by orchestrating such incidents. His remarks came amid heightened regional sensitivities and media reports citing cross-border hostilities. The statement reflects Iran’s effort to dismiss accusations that could strain its relations with neighboring states, while also signaling concern about external attempts to provoke diplomatic friction.

The Ministry of Health of Bangladesh has decided to suspend all classes and examinations at both public and private medical colleges starting Tuesday. The decision was made on Monday during a meeting at the ministry, according to the Director General of the Directorate General of Medical Education, Professor Dr. Nazmul Hossain. The suspension will remain in effect until after the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holidays, when academic activities are expected to resume. A formal notice has already been issued, confirmed the ministry’s public relations officer Mahmudul Hasan. The move follows a government directive aimed at conserving electricity and fuel nationwide in response to the ongoing war in the Middle East, which has affected energy supplies. The Ministry of Education had earlier announced a similar suspension for all public and private universities across the country. The coordinated closures reflect the government’s broader strategy to manage energy consumption during a period of heightened global uncertainty and domestic energy-saving measures.

The Local Government Division has appointed Additional Secretary Muhammad Moniruzzaman as the new Managing Director (MD) of Dhaka Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (WASA). The appointment order was issued on Monday, granting him the position as an additional responsibility under existing government regulations. According to the official order, Moniruzzaman will receive an additional duty allowance as per the applicable rules. Before this appointment, Moniruzzaman was serving as the Additional Secretary of the Water Supply Wing under the Local Government Division. The decision marks a continuation of his involvement in water management and local government administration. The Local Government Division issued the order as part of its administrative restructuring within the water supply sector. The appointment is expected to ensure administrative continuity within Dhaka WASA, as Moniruzzaman brings direct experience from the water supply division of the same ministry.

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the Rajya Sabha on Monday, outlining the country’s position on the ongoing Middle East conflict. He stated that India stands for peace and revealed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has spoken with leaders of the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, and Israel. According to Jaishankar, these leaders assured the safety of Indian nationals residing in their respective countries. Jaishankar added that several thousand Indians remain stranded in Iran, where communication with the country’s leadership is currently difficult. He noted that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has raised public concern over potential fuel shortages in India, but urged citizens to remain calm. He emphasized that the government prioritizes public welfare and is maintaining diplomatic dialogue with the United States. In a subsequent address to the Lok Sabha, Jaishankar said arrangements are being made to bring back Indians from Iran via Armenia, with assistance from the Indian embassy in Tehran and cooperation from Iranian authorities.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Iran on the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as the country’s new Supreme Leader. Russian media reported that Putin expressed confidence that the new leader would continue his father’s legacy and challenge U.S. dominance. Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, was officially chosen to succeed his father. According to the report, Putin praised the decision and conveyed his support for Iran’s leadership transition. In contrast, U.S. President Donald Trump was reportedly displeased with the outcome. Fox News host Brian Kilmeade said Trump told him he was “not happy” about Mojtaba Khamenei’s selection, though the U.S. president has not made any public statement on the matter. The differing reactions from Moscow and Washington highlight the geopolitical tensions surrounding Iran’s leadership change, with Russia signaling alignment and the United States expressing concern.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that discussions about a ceasefire are not relevant at this moment due to the ongoing military conflict. Speaking to Al Jazeera, he emphasized that the situation remains too volatile for mediation efforts to be meaningful. Baghaei explained that Iran’s focus is on defending its homeland, asserting that the country neither initiated nor provoked the current war. He described the conflict as one imposed on Iran, calling it a war of necessity rather than of choice. The statement reflects Iran’s position that the continuation of hostilities leaves little room for diplomatic negotiation until the situation stabilizes.

Saimum Reza Talukder, a prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal, has resigned citing personal reasons. His resignation marks the first departure of a prosecutor since the removal of former Chief Prosecutor Muhammad Tajul Islam. The development was confirmed on March 9, 2026. On the same day, two new prosecutors were appointed to the tribunal. According to a notification from the Ministry of Law, Majina Raihan (Madina) and Mohammad Zahirul Amin have been named as the new prosecutors. The appointments aim to fill the vacancy created by Talukder’s resignation and strengthen the tribunal’s prosecutorial team. The tribunal continues its work on ongoing cases, and the new appointments are expected to maintain continuity in its judicial proceedings.

China’s special envoy for Middle East affairs, Zhai Jun, visited Saudi Arabia as part of Beijing’s mediation efforts to halt the ongoing war involving Iran. During his visit, he met with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and expressed China’s willingness to work with Riyadh to maintain peace and stability in the Gulf region. Zhai described China as a good friend and partner of Saudi Arabia and voiced deep concern over the current regional tensions. He emphasized that the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Gulf countries must not be violated and condemned any attacks targeting civilians or non-military sites. The envoy reiterated Beijing’s call for an immediate end to the ongoing military operations. The visit underscores China’s growing diplomatic engagement in the Middle East amid escalating conflict and efforts to position itself as a mediator in regional disputes.

A Bangladeshi expatriate named Mosharraf Hossain, aged 40, from Kirtankhola village in Sakhipur upazila of Tangail, was killed in a missile attack in Saudi Arabia’s Al Kharj city on Sunday evening. The missile strike, reportedly launched by Iran, hit the camp of Al-Towaik Baladiya Company just before iftar. Mosharraf, who worked there as a cleaner, died on the spot. His cousin Zakir Hossain, also a Saudi expatriate, confirmed the incident. Mosharraf had been working in Saudi Arabia for eight years to support his family. He left behind his wife, Kabari Akter, and two sons—Mahim, a ninth-grade student, and Mihan, a first-grader. The family last spoke with him by phone before the attack. Local MP Advocate Ahmed Azam Khan expressed condolences via video conference, promising support for the bereaved family. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Abdullah Al Rony also visited the family home and said efforts were underway with the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare to repatriate the body. Officials assured that the affected family would receive necessary assistance once the repatriation process is completed.

US Senator Tim Kaine has called for an end to what he described as an unnecessary and dangerous war in Iran. Speaking on March 9, 2026, Kaine criticized President Donald Trump for initiating the conflict without congressional approval and pledged to do everything within his power to stop the war. The Democratic senator argued that the Iran war not only lacks justification but also poses serious risks to American troops and the broader Middle East. He condemned the president’s approach as unacceptable, saying it has drawn American soldiers into perilous combat. Kaine also referenced past US wars in Iraq, Libya, and Afghanistan, asserting that those conflicts brought no tangible benefits to the United States and failed to stabilize the region. The report further noted that the Iran war has already triggered economic concerns abroad, including fears of inflation in the United Kingdom and rising energy prices in Germany.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Md. Ali Hossain Fakir stated that the July uprising or movement does not belong to any individual but represents a collective struggle and right of the people. He said this during a press conference held on Monday, March 9, 2026, at the Police Headquarters Media Center on Abdul Gani Road in Dhaka. The IGP added that the police were also present on the streets during the movement and that the Ministry of Home Affairs is working on related matters. The press conference was attended by several senior police officials, including Additional IGP (Administration) A.K.M. Awlad Hossain, Additional IGP (Finance) Md. Akram Hossain, Additional IGP (Crime and Operations) Khondkar Rafiqul Islam, Additional IGP (Logistics and Asset Acquisition) Mosleh Uddin Ahmed, and Additional IGP (Development) Sardar Nurul Amin. The remarks highlight the police leadership’s stance that the July movement was a collective national event rather than a personal or partisan cause, with ongoing administrative attention from the Home Ministry.

The Cabinet Division has issued a directive instructing all district administrations to conduct mobile court operations to prevent illegal hoarding of fuel oil and ensure uninterrupted supply across the country. The order, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Nahida Akter Tania, was released on Monday, March 9, 2026. According to the circular, the move aims to maintain discipline in the fuel market and prevent artificial shortages. District commissioners have been asked to take action against illegal storage, sales above fixed prices, open-market trading, and smuggling of fuel oil. The directive emphasizes the need for strict monitoring to keep the fuel supply stable and accessible to consumers. The instruction comes amid concerns about potential disruptions in fuel distribution, prompting authorities to strengthen enforcement measures at the local level.

The United States military carried out a strike on a boat suspected of drug trafficking in the eastern Pacific Ocean on Sunday, resulting in six deaths, according to US forces. The report, cited by AFP from Washington, said the boat was believed to be operated by drug traffickers, though no evidence was released to support the claim. Since similar operations began in September, more than 150 people have reportedly been killed. General Francis Donovan, head of the US Southern Command, stated on social media that intelligence indicated the vessel was traveling along a known drug trafficking route in the eastern Pacific. However, the operations have drawn criticism, with some describing them as extrajudicial killings. Families and some governments have claimed that certain victims were fishermen. The Trump administration has described its campaign as a war against what it calls “narco-terrorists” active in Latin America. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said last Thursday that the missions to detect drug-carrying boats from South America have been so effective that finding new targets has become increasingly difficult.

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren has sharply criticized the United States' attack on Iran, calling it illegal and a betrayal of the American people. In a video message shared on social media, she accused President Donald Trump of dragging the country into war without congressional approval. Warren questioned the motives behind the attack, asking what interest justified risking American lives and citing top military advisers who described such a war as extremely dangerous. She emphasized that the United States once had an agreement to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, but instead of pursuing diplomacy, Trump chose to start a new war in the Middle East. Warren described the decision as reckless and dangerous, arguing that it would not make the country safer. She reiterated that initiating war with Iran amounted to a betrayal of the American public. Her remarks reflect growing concern among some lawmakers about the legality and consequences of unilateral military actions without congressional consent.