BERLIN, March 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Berlin airport had to briefly suspend takeoff and landing operations on Wednesday after a drone sighting, the latest in a series of such incidents in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. An airport spokesman told AFP operations were suspended "as a safety precaution" for around half an hour after "an unidentified flying object was seen" near a helicopter hangar used by the German army. Police were called in to investigate the sighting, but the object was not spotted again. Shortly after 7:10 pm (1810 GMT), restrictions were lifted and traffic resumed as normal, the spokesman said. In October, drones spotted over the southern city of Munich twice shuttered its airport, grounding thousands of passengers after their flights were cancelled or rerouted.

US embassy warns Iran, proxies might target US-owned oil facilities in IraqBAGHDAD, March 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The US embassy in Baghdad warned on Wednesday that Iran and Tehran-backed Iraqi armed groups might target US-owned oil facilities in Iraq. Several oil fields and facilities in Iraq have been hit by drones since the Middle East war began on February 28. "Iran and Iran-aligned terrorist militias may be planning to target US-owned oil and energy infrastructure in Iraq," the embassy said on X.Iraq's oil ministry spokesperson Saheb Bazoun told AFP on Tuesday that many foreign company employees have left the country since the start of the war. Last month, Iraq and US energy giant Chevron signed deals to manage and develop several oil fields, mostly in the country's south. Iraq is a founding member of the OPEC cartel, and crude oil sales make up 90 percent of the country's budget revenues.

What we know about the strike on an Iran schoolPARIS, France, March 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran has accused the United States and Israel of conducting a deadly missile attack on a school on the first day of the Middle East war. Here is what we know about the strike:- What Iran says -The strike and an initial toll were first reported by Iranian media citing the governor of Minab, a county in southern Iran, on February 28. The New York Times reported on Wednesday that the school was hit by a US Tomahawk missile because of a targeting mistake. The newspaper, citing US officials, said the investigation was ongoing, but preliminary findings were that the United States was responsible. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last week the United States would not intentionally target a school.

That has sent global fertiliser prices soaring, with the UN expressing concern in particular about the impact on developing countries. - The Gulf is a key manufacturer -Natural gas is a key feedstock to make artificial fertilsers, and with its ample gas supplies the Gulf region has become a key manufacturer. It also produces a quarter of globally traded ammonia, another feedstock for fertiliser production, she said. INREA models that without these three key fertiliser inputs, global crop production would fall by a third. - Uncertain outlook -In addition to the uncertainty about how long the war will last, the other question is the amount of damage that fertiliser production facilities will suffer from the fighting.

Iran military says will hit US, Israeli economic targets in regionTEHRAN, March 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's military vowed on Wednesday to launch strikes against US and Israeli economic targets in the region, including banks, after overnight attacks hit an Iranian bank. It urged people across the region to refrain from going within one kilometre (half a mile) of banks. Iranian media said US and Israeli strikes hit a bank in Tehran overnight, killing an unspecified number of staff. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later said that "a branch of my country's oldest bank was bombed while full of employees". "Our Powerful Armed Forces will exact retribution for this crime," he added on X.

UNITED NATIONS, United States, March 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The UN Security Council on Wednesday passed a resolution calling for Iran to immediately halt its attacks on Gulf states, saying they breach international law and pose a "serious threat to international peace and security." The resolution, passed by 13 votes with two abstentions, "demands the immediate cessation of all attacks by the Islamic Republic of Iran against Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan." It also "condemns any actions or threats by the Islamic Republic of Iran aimed at closing, obstructing, or otherwise interfering with international navigation through the Strait of Hormuz." Iran has struck Gulf states in retaliation to US-Israeli attacks that killed Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Islamic republic has also fired on commercial ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial sea passage for the global fuel trade, in a bid to inflict pain on the global economy.

On Feb. 21, 2026, I marked my second anniversary at the helm of Sol del Valle. Two years ago, I was given the opportunity and the trust to take the reins of Sol del Valle. Not long ago, I heard someone say that Sol del Valle is one of the most complete newspapers in the region. For me, Sol del Valle has been an extraordinary opportunity — not only professionally, but also personally and as a mother. Because in the end, Sol del Valle has always been, and will always be, a reflection of our people.

At least 25 Iranian attacks have targeted US sites: AFP analysisPARIS, France, March 12, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - At least 25 Iranian attacks have targeted US sites or locations housing US military personnel in the Middle East since the start of the war, according to an AFP analysis. The other 21 Iranian missiles or drone attacks targeted 13 different military sites housing American personnel. These included the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia and Erbil airport in Iraq, which houses a US base. The Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar and Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates were each targeted at least twice. AFP counted 16 Iranian strikes targeting oil and gas fields or complexes in seven different Gulf states.

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Yet rather than compile a list, I decided it was more impactful to let the Cornell community speak for itself. I’m an international student, and Cornell is a community of belonging in which students can feel at home. I made a really nice group of friends here. Before I began compiling the list from 30 students, I thought I would receive 30 individual reasons. I did not simply find a list of 30 generic reasons why college is fun.

The High Court has granted bail to former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque in a corruption case filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over alleged irregularities in securing a RAJUK plot. The bench of Justice Sheikh Md Zakir Hossain and Justice Md Zakir Hossain delivered the verdict following a final hearing on the bail petition. Khairul, who served as the chief justice from September 2010 to May 2011, had previously secured bail in four other cases on Mar 8. The former chief justice moved the High Court after being denied bail by lower courts. On Oct 26, 2025, the High Court issued a rule on his bail pleas, which was finalised through Wednesday's proceedings.

The third terminal of Shahjalal International Airport could become operational within nine months, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat has said. Responding to questions about the timeline following instructions from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman to expedite the project, Millat said: “Even if we try to complete it quickly, our assessment shows it will take six to nine months. The project to build the terminal was initiated in 2017 by the former Awami League government. Former prime minister Sheikh Hasina partially inaugurated the terminal on Oct 7, 2023. According to the state minister, Chinese investors are interested in conducting a feasibility study on developing Cox’s Bazar beach into an international-standard tourist destination.

BERLIN, March 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Germany has evacuated staff from its consulate in Erbil, northern Iraq, a foreign ministry source said Wednesday, following similar moves in Baghdad and Tehran amid the Middle East war. "In view of the risk assessment on the ground, Foreign Minister (Johann) Wadephul has decided to take further measures to protect our personnel in Iraq," the source said. "The staff of the consulate in Erbil have been temporarily relocated from Iraq." The foreign ministry had already reported that staff from its embassy in Tehran were being relocated to an undisclosed location. In Riyadh, he called on Iran to "cease its indiscriminate attacks on neighbouring states, diplomatic missions and civilian infrastructure".

DORTMUND, Germany, March 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday announced the extension of Felix Nmecha's contract by two years until 2030. German tabloid Bild said the Germany midfielder would have improved terms under the new deal. I want to repay that trust by giving my best for Borussia Dortmund," Nmecha said in a statement. Having improved under coach Niko Kovac, who also managed him at Wolfsburg, Nmecha reportedly attracted the attention of several Premier League clubs, including a potential return to City. Alongside captain and centre-back Nico Schlotterbeck, Nmecha is among Dortmund's most promising players and has made himself key to the team's midfield under Kovac.

WASHINGTON, United States, Mar 11, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - President Donald Trump on Wednesday promised "great safety" for oil tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran tightened its chokehold on the vital sea passage amid the US-Israeli war with Tehran. "I think you're going to see great safety, and it's going to be very, very quickly," Trump told reporters at the White House when asked how he was going to ensure security in the crucial waterway for the global oil trade.