France has called for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council to address the worsening situation in Lebanon. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said that Lebanon has faced intense Israeli airstrikes over the past week, resulting in about 400 deaths according to local health authorities.

Barrot stated that France has already provided around 6.9 million dollars in emergency assistance to humanitarian organizations operating in Lebanon. Additionally, preparations are underway to send 20 tons of further humanitarian aid scheduled to arrive on Tuesday. He emphasized that France is continuing discussions with Israeli authorities to prevent Lebanon from descending into chaos and to ensure a ceasefire.

The minister also mentioned that the process of disarming Hezbollah remains an important part of ongoing efforts to stabilize the region.

The European Union’s Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission has released images showing the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln near the coast of Iran. According to the report, the carrier was positioned off the coast of Oman last Saturday before moving northwest toward the Strait of Hormuz. The images were captured and published as part of the EU satellite monitoring program.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) also shared several photos on the social media platform X, stating that the images depict the carrier’s operations at sea on the same day. The publication of these images comes amid heightened regional attention to military movements in the Gulf area.

The release of the photos highlights ongoing monitoring of naval activities in the region, though the source does not specify any official statements regarding the purpose or duration of the carrier’s deployment.

Bangladesh has requested consular access from India for two Bangladeshi nationals arrested in Kolkata in connection with the murder of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of the Inquilab Mancha. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid confirmed the request on Monday while speaking to reporters at the ministry. She said Kolkata police detained the suspects on suspicion of involvement in the killing and placed them on a 14-day remand.

According to the minister, Bangladesh has sought access to verify the detainees’ identities, as current information remains insufficient. She noted that Bangladesh and India have a prisoner exchange agreement, which could be used to bring the suspects back once their identities are confirmed. However, she did not specify how long the repatriation process might take.

Hadi was shot and critically injured on December 12 last year in Dhaka’s Paltan area and later died on December 18 while undergoing treatment at Singapore General Hospital.

Nepal is set to announce the official results of its national election tomorrow, paving the way for a new government. However, the 265 newly elected members of parliament face a pressing question: where will they convene? The country currently has no usable parliament building after protesters set fire to it during nationwide demonstrations last year, causing extensive damage.

Following the destruction, Nepal’s interim government initiated the construction of a new parliamentary complex. According to local media reports citing the Urban Development Ministry, the new building is expected to be ready by mid-March. The project had originally been scheduled for completion last October but remains unfinished.

Until the new facility is completed, the incoming parliament may face logistical challenges in holding its sessions and conducting legislative business.

Bangladesh’s Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Afroza Khanam (Rita), met with JICA’s Chief Representative in Bangladesh, Ichiguchi Tomohide, at the minister’s office on March 9, 2026. State Minister M. Rashiduzzaman Millat was also present during the courtesy meeting. The discussion focused on strengthening bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Japan and sought JICA’s assistance in expediting the operational launch of the third terminal at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.

During the meeting, the JICA representative assured continued support for the development initiatives of the current government. He also expressed JICA’s commitment to providing necessary cooperation for the advancement of Bangladesh’s tourism sector.

The meeting underscored the importance of Japan’s technical and financial collaboration in Bangladesh’s aviation and tourism infrastructure, signaling ongoing partnership efforts between the two nations.

The United States has expressed frustration following an Israeli airstrike on Iranian oil storage facilities earlier this week, which caused massive fires and killed four people, according to a report by Axios on Sunday. The attack, carried out on February 28, targeted three oil depots and a refinery in and around Tehran, leading to widespread destruction and environmental hazards.

Axios reported that Israel had informed Washington in advance, claiming the sites were used to supply fuel for missile launches. However, the scale of the attack exceeded US expectations, leaving American military officials shocked. An Israeli official told Axios that Washington’s initial reaction was one of disbelief. Neither the White House nor the Israeli Defense Forces have issued any official comments on the incident.

The strike caused uncontrolled fires, thick black smoke, and reports of “acid rain” in Tehran, prompting authorities to advise residents to stay indoors. The event marks the first major disagreement between the two allies since the start of the Iran war.

The Group of Seven (G7) nations are set to hold an emergency meeting on Monday following a sharp rise in global oil prices and a steep decline in stock markets. The surge came as the conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel intensified, pushing crude oil prices above 100 dollars per barrel. According to BBC reports, UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and other finance ministers from leading industrialized nations will discuss the economic fallout of the ongoing conflict.

Concerns over prolonged disruptions to energy supplies through the vital Strait of Hormuz have driven oil prices close to 120 dollars per barrel. The Financial Times reported that the G7 may consider coordinated oil releases from strategic reserves under the International Energy Agency’s framework. The UK’s FTSE 100 index fell 1.7 percent at the start of trading, reflecting investor anxiety over the crisis.

Analysts warn that any major disruption to energy flows from the region could further raise costs for global consumers and businesses, deepening the economic impact of the conflict.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned that global inflation could rise further if oil prices continue to increase due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The warning came from IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on March 9 during a symposium organized by Japan’s Ministry of Finance. She noted that the recent escalation between the United States, Israel, and Iran has created instability in the global energy market.

Georgieva cautioned that if crude oil prices rise by 10 percent and remain elevated for most of the year, global inflation could increase by up to 40 basis points. She described the current global situation as uncertain and urged policymakers to remain vigilant and prepare for unexpected developments. The IMF chief emphasized that the Middle East conflict has once again put the resilience of the global economy to a serious test.

The remarks highlight growing concerns that prolonged geopolitical tensions could undermine economic stability and complicate inflation management worldwide.

The government has reinstated former Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) West Zone, Md. Kohinoor Mia, 15 years after his removal from service. A notification issued on Monday by the Discipline-1 Branch of the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that the previous dismissal order had been revoked. The order, signed by Senior Secretary Manjur Morshed Chowdhury on behalf of the President, also directed that the period since his suspension be counted as part of his service tenure, entitling him to arrears and other benefits.

According to the notification, the decision followed a review of two departmental cases and the disposal of two related criminal cases in court. After these proceedings, Kohinoor Mia submitted a review petition seeking reconsideration of his dismissal. Upon evaluation, the President approved the cancellation of the earlier order, leading to the withdrawal of the 2011 suspension notification issued by the Home Ministry.

The reinstatement marks the conclusion of a long administrative process that began with his suspension in February 2011.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed officials to explore ways to make Bangladesh’s zakat management system more effective and organized. The directive came during a meeting on zakat management held on Monday at the Cabinet Division, confirmed by Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Rony. The meeting discussed how efficient zakat management could contribute to poverty alleviation and decided to restructure the Zakat Board.

A proposal was made to form a committee led by Religious Affairs Minister Shah Mofazzal Hossain Kaykobad, including Baitul Mukarram Mosque’s Khatib Allama Mufti Abdul Malek, As Sunnah Foundation Chairman Shaykh Ahmadullah, and several Islamic economists and scholars. The Ministry of Religious Affairs will propose the full list of committee members within ten days. The committee will soon submit its recommendations to the Prime Minister regarding zakat management and board restructuring.

The meeting followed the Prime Minister’s remarks at an iftar event on March 7, where he emphasized that proper zakat management could play a vital role in eradicating poverty within 10 to 15 years.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman will inaugurate the special 'Family Card' program for women-led households at an event in Banani’s T&T playground near Karail slum in Dhaka tomorrow. The announcement was made at a press conference organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare in Dhaka on Monday. The program is being piloted in 15 wards across 13 districts, where data from 67,854 women-led families have been collected and verified through multi-level committees.

Based on a software-driven proxy means test, 37,567 families have been finalized as eligible beneficiaries. Each selected household will receive a contactless Family Card equipped with QR code and NFC technology. The beneficiaries will get a monthly allowance of Tk 2,500 through direct digital transfer to their mobile wallet or bank account. Families with government jobs, pensions, large businesses, or luxury assets are excluded from eligibility.

For the pilot phase, Tk 38.07 crore has been allocated, with Tk 25.15 crore for direct cash support and Tk 12.92 crore for data collection, system setup, and card preparation. The Family Card Implementation Guideline 2026 has been published on the ministry’s website.

Bangladesh’s Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the government is taking steps to bring back two suspects in the murder of Inquilab Mancha leader Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi. The main accused, Faisal Masud, and his associate, Alamgir Hossain, were arrested in West Bengal, India. Speaking to reporters after a district law and order committee meeting in Cox’s Bazar on Monday, the minister confirmed that discussions are underway with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to ensure their return.

He explained that Bangladesh and India have a bilateral agreement on the extradition of accused persons, under which the two suspects can be repatriated soon. The Home Ministry has already initiated the necessary procedures in this regard. Responding to another question, the minister said it is wrong to label every incident as mob violence, adding that the government does not tolerate such acts and is working to prevent them.

Salahuddin Ahmed also announced that the government has decided to launch a nationwide anti-terror operation immediately after Ramadan, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to ensuring that no criminal operates outside the law.

China has described Iran’s appointment of Ayatollah Sayyid Mojtaba Hosseini Khamenei as its new Supreme Leader as a completely internal affair. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said at a press conference that the decision was made in accordance with Iran’s constitution. Earlier, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged respect for Iran’s sovereignty and warned against any external attempts to alter its political system, saying that so-called color revolutions or regime-change plans would never gain public support.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the new Iranian leader, according to a Fox News program. Host Brian Kilmeade said he spoke with Trump after the announcement, and Trump told him he was “not happy,” though no further details were provided.

The Assembly of Experts, an 88-member body, selected Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran’s third Supreme Leader shortly after midnight Tehran time on Sunday, following the death of Ali Khamenei in a U.S.-Israeli attack on February 28.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has warned Iranian civilians that it cannot guarantee their safety if they are located inside or near facilities used for military purposes. In a statement posted on social media platform X on Sunday, CENTCOM said that Iran’s authorities are using densely populated civilian areas to conduct military operations. The command identified cities such as Isfahan, Shiraz, and Dezful as locations being used to launch one-way drone and ballistic missile attacks.

CENTCOM cautioned that such practices endanger civilians and that any site used for military purposes would lose its protected status and become a lawful military target under international law. The command accused Iranian authorities of knowingly putting civilian lives at risk and urged civilians to remain in their homes for safety. It also alleged that Iranian forces have carried out indiscriminate attacks on civilian airports, hotels, and residential areas, threatening the safety of innocent people across the Middle East.

The warning underscores rising tensions over Iran’s military activities and the potential humanitarian risks in densely populated areas.

Authorities in Chattogram closed the Bayezid–Faujdarhat Link Road early Monday ahead of a joint forces operation in Sitakunda’s Jungle Salimpur to arrest suspected criminals and recover weapons. Police set up checkpoints at both ends of the road, halting all civilian traffic from morning to evening except for administrative vehicles. The closure caused major inconvenience for university students and city-bound commuters who rely on the route for quick access to Chattogram.

Residents and students expressed frustration that the road was sealed without prior notice. Two private universities, Asian Women’s University and Southern University, were particularly affected as hundreds of students struggled to reach their campuses. Local businesses reported that shops and restaurants along the road were ordered to remain closed, while vehicles bound for other districts were forced to take longer routes through congested city areas.

Police officials said the restrictions were temporary and would be lifted once the operation concluded. They confirmed that Jungle Salimpur was now under full control, with two temporary camps established to prevent the return of armed groups.