SYDNEY, March 2, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Australia said Monday it has 115,000 nationals in the Middle East who are unable to fly out because of airspace closures during the conflict unleashed by US-Israeli strikes on Iran. The government said it hoped commercial flights would resume to help Australians in the region to flee. The best way to get them home would be for commercial flights to return, because that is at scale," Foreign Minister Penny Wong told reporters. Asked if Australia would repatriate people, she said the government wanted to see if commercial flights would resume and that it was "engaging" with airlines. "No one mourns the death of the supreme leader," she added.

The league leaders were not at their fluent best at Emirates Stadium, but two goals from corner routines once again proved enough. He said winning by exploiting the small margins, particularly against a side like Chelsea, was “beautiful” in its own way. Former Everton midfielder Leon Osman also defended Arsenal’s approach, saying it made sense to lean on a proven strength. Brazilian defender Gabriel has been central to Arsenal’s routines, now directly involved in 25 Premier League goals, the most by an Arsenal centre-back in the competition. With nine league matches remaining, Arsenal remain firmly on course for their first league title since 2004.

PALM BEACH, United States, March 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump said Sunday that 48 Iranian leaders have been killed in the US-Israeli bombardments of the country and that the offensive is "very positive." And it's moving along rapidly," Trump was quoted as saying in an interview by Fox News. And everything is ahead of schedule," Trump was quoted as saying in a separate interview with CNBC. "Things are evolving in a very positive way right now, a very positive way," he said. Central Command (CENTCOM) also announced that the United States had sunk an Iranian warship at a dock in the Gulf of Oman.

A Narsingdi court on Sunday granted an eight-day remand for seven accused, including the prime accused Nur Mohammad, alias Nura, in a case filed over the rape and murder of a teenage girl. SI Omar Kaiyum, also the investigation officer of the case, said, "We sought a 10-day remand. However, the court granted an eight-day remand for seven accused, including the prime accused Nur Mohammad alias Nura." On Thursday night, the victim's mother filed a case with Madhabdi Police Station, naming nine accused. According to police, the seven arrestees are Nur Mohammad alias Nura (28), Ebadullah (38), Hazrat Ali (40), Gaffar (37), Ahmed Ali alias Ahmed Dewan (65), Md Imran Dewan (32), and Md Ayub (30).

A total of 54 flights from Dhaka to Middle Eastern destinations were cancelled over two days after several countries in the region temporarily closed their airspace following US–Israel strikes in Iran. The cancellations took place from Saturday afternoon to Sunday morning due to security concerns, leaving nearly 10,000 passengers facing uncertainty and hardship. Airport officials said, that amid the evolving situation in Iran, countries including Bahrain, Kuwait, United Arab Emirates and Qatar temporarily closed their airspace. Amid the ongoing situation, visa validity, accommodation issues and financial losses have emerged as major concerns for Middle East-bound passengers. The aviation authorities also confirmed that passengers of suspended flights are being given priority seats on upcoming flights.

For Bangladesh, whose economy relies heavily on imported energy, remittance inflows from the Middle East, and export-driven manufacturing, particularly garments, the impact could be immediate and severe. Although Tehran has not formally declared a closure, the threat alone has heightened alarm in global energy markets. Such a surge would have profound consequences for energy-importing countries, particularly developing economies like Bangladesh, where higher energy costs translate directly into increased import bills, currency pressure, and inflation. In an economy already grappling with elevated inflation, rising fuel costs could worsen the cost-of-living crisis and reduce consumer purchasing power. Although direct exposure is limited, indirect impacts through global markets, shipping routes, and financial systems remain a major concern.

MUSCAT, Oman, March 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Three ships were attacked in the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday, maritime security agencies said, as Iran pressed a second day of strikes in response to ongoing US-Israeli air raids. One ship, off the coast of Oman, was "struck by an unknown projectile above the waterline. Although the engine room was originally reported as on fire it has now been reported that the fire is under control," the British maritime security agency UKMTO said in a statement. In a separate incident, another vessel was "struck by an unknown projectile causing a fire. On Sunday, Iranian state television said an oil tanker was "sinking" after being struck while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Son of Iran's last shah urges people to 'shout' down governmentWASHINGTON, United States, March 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The exiled son of Iran's last shah urged Iranians Sunday to stage nightly street protests to help overthrow the government as the United States and Israel maintained massive air strikes on the country's military and leadership. US-based Reza Pahlavi said the death of Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on the first day of the war Saturday means the current regime is now "drawing its final breaths." Pahlavi urged the "remaining officials of this republic of terror" to hand over power without bloodshed. "Force the world to hear the Iranian people's support for this humanitarian intervention and our demand for the complete fall of the regime," Pahlavi wrote. The war quickly decapitated Iran's theocratic government by killing supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior leaders.

KARACHI, March 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - At least 17 people were killed Sunday across Pakistan as protesters outraged over the death of Iran's supreme leader took to the streets, with some attempting to storm US diplomatic buildings. Israel and the United States launched their mass aerial campaign on Iran early Saturday, quickly killing the long-ruling supreme leader and prompting outrage in neighouring Pakistan. At Sunday's Karachi protest, people chanted slogans against the United States, Israel and their allies. "We don't need anything in Pakistan that is linked with the US," a protester, Sabir Hussain, told AFP. The embassies of the United States and Britain both urged citizens in Pakistan to be cautious in the country.

Protesters, police clash near US embassy in Baghdad: AFPBAGHDAD, March 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Angry Iraqi protesters clashed Saturday evening with security forces near the US embassy in Baghdad, AFP journalists said. Protesters tried to storm Baghdad's Green Zone, where the US embassy is located, but security forces used tear gas to disperse them. It was their second attempt Saturday to enter the area. The US embassy had warned earlier that demonstrations near its compound "may turn violent."

TEHRAN, March 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Two further powerful explosions rocked Tehran on Sunday, rattling the apartment windows of two AFP journalists living several kilometres apart, on the second day of US-Israeli strikes against Iran. The explosions, which were of considerable force, came around 9:00 pm local time (1730 GMT), the same time that state television said it was being attacked. It was not immediately clear what the target was.

ISTANBUL, March 1, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday said he was "saddened" by the death of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a wave of US and Israeli air strikes on Iran. "I was saddened to learn of the passing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as a result of the attacks that took place yesterday," he said, his words relayed in a post on X, extending Turkey's "sympathies" to the people of Iran.

Bahrain confirmed that an Iranian missile attack targeted facilities associated with the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, headquartered in Manama. Israeli casualties and expanding frontIn Israel, air raid sirens sounded repeatedly as Iranian missiles targeted military facilities and urban areas. Authorities said at least nine people were killed in Beit Shemesh, a town west of Jerusalem, after a missile struck a residential area. Israeli officials said several projectiles were intercepted, but some penetrated defences. US embassies in several Gulf states advised American citizens to shelter in place or prepare for possible evacuation.

Three people, including a Bangladeshi, were killed in the United Arab Emirates following an Iranian attack, while 58 others were injured. The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed the figures in a statement on Sunday. The Bangladeshi victim has been identified as Saleh Ahmed, according to a fellow expatriate. Saleh Ahmed was killed in the Azman area while working on water supply projects. Originally from Beanibazar in Sylhet, Saleh Ahmed later lived in Gazitek, Borolekha, Moulvibazar.

Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) Affairs Minister Dipen Dewan on Sunday called on all the institutions to work sincerely for the development of the hill region, prioritizing the government's 180-day action plan. The meeting organized by the Rangamati District Administration was chaired by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Najma Afreen. The CHT Affairs Minister urged all concerned to ensure balanced distribution of development benefits across all communities and sectors on a priority basis. He also emphasized the need for all the institutions to play a responsible role in maintaining communal harmony in the hills. During the meeting, officials from various government departments of Rangamati district presented updates on their respective activities, challenges and other relevant information to the minister.