Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and Adviser Humayun Kabir met UK Trade Minister Sir Chris Bryant in London. Separately, UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh Baroness Rosie Winterton of Doncaster called on the foreign minister and the prime minister's adviser at the Bangladesh High Commission in London. During the meeting, both sides reviewed prospects for enhanced cooperation in the aviation sector and explored initiatives aimed at developing Bangladesh as a regional aviation hub. The Bangladesh delegation also held discussions with stakeholders to advance the country's aviation sector. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the existing cooperation between Bangladesh and the UK in multilateral forums and intergovernmental elections, reaffirming their commitment to further strengthening the partnership.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Tuesday launched the Family Card program for women-led households, fulfilling a key election pledge. The inauguration included recitations from the Holy Quran and other religious texts, followed by the BNP party song “Prothom Bangladesh Amar Shesh Bangladesh,” with the prime minister and attendees joining in applause. Social Welfare Secretary Dr Abu Yousuf delivered the welcome speech. A Ministry of Social Welfare press briefing on Monday said the program was being implemented on a pilot basis in 15 wards across 13 districts. Social Welfare Minister AZM Zahid Hossain said committees at ward, union, upazila, and district levels, comprising representatives from various government departments, are responsible for collecting data, verifying information, and finalizing beneficiary lists.

Dhaka ranked second among the world’s most polluted cities on Tuesday morning, recording an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 212 at 9:10am. Dhaka air was classified as “very unhealthy,” indicating a serious health threat, according to the AQI report. The AQI, which reports daily air quality, informs residents how clean or polluted the air is and highlights potential health effects. Dhaka has long struggled with air pollution. Air quality usually deteriorates in winter and improves during the monsoon season.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman and Prime Minister’s Adviser Humaiun Kobir held a bilateral meeting with Sir Chris Bryant, MP, the UK Minister of State for Trade, in London on Monday. UK Trade Envoy to Bangladesh Baroness Rosie Winterton of Doncaster, DBE, called on Khalilur and Humaiun at the Bangladesh High Commission in London. They discussed potential cooperation in the aviation sector and steps to make Bangladesh a regional aviation hub. The delegation also held two separate meetings to advance Bangladesh’s aviation sector. Professor Dapo Akande, UK’s candidate for the position of judge of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for the 2027–2036 term, called on the foreign minister Rahman and prime minister’s adviser and presented his candidature.

US President Donald Trump said Monday that US military operations in Iran would be ending soon, reassuring markets that have been thrust into chaos by a war still reverberating across the Middle East. Iran's Revolutionary Guards replied Tuesday that they, not the Americans, would "determine the end of the war". Kamal Kharazi, a foreign policy adviser to Iran's supreme leader, told CNN that Tehran was calculating that economic pressure would eventually prompt other countries to intervene and end the war. RalliesIran faced a fresh blitz of US and Israeli strikes after its Assembly of Experts, the top clerical body, appointed its first new supreme leader in 37 years. Iranian state media carried images of tens of thousands of people celebrating Mojtaba Khamenei's selection in central Tehran, many carrying his picture.

JAKARTA, March 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Indonesian rescuers have called off the search for victims of a landslide at the country's largest open landfill after pulling seven bodies out from under debris, an official said Tuesday. Rescuers recovered three bodies on Sunday and four more on Monday, Jakarta search and rescue agency head Desiana Kartika Bahari said in a statement. Rescuers used backhoes, tracking dogs and thermal drones to search for victims, she said. Bantargebang, one of the world's largest open landfills, spans more than 110 hectares and contains approximately 55 million tonnes of trash, according to a local environment agency official. A landfill landslide killed 143 people in West Java in 2005, triggered by a methane gas explosion and heavy rain in the area.

CARACAS, March 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The National Assembly of Venezuela on Monday moved forward with mining reforms pushed by the United States, which is anxious to secure access to the country's critical minerals. The bill, according to a draft seen by AFP, would allow for private companies to become more involved in Venezuelan mining endeavors, as well as outline mechanisms for arbitration and dispute resolution between parties. Last week, US Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, who is in charge of mineral resources in the United States, visited Venezuela to push for a liberalization of the country's mining laws. Mining activity is concentrated in a territory known as the Orinoco Mining Arc, where armed groups are active. Monday's legislative debate was the first round of two required by Venezuelan law, with the proposal now proceeding to public comment.

JERUSALEM, March 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Israel said Tuesday that it had struck an Iranian missile launcher shortly after a barrage fired from the Islamic republic triggered air raid warnings in several Israeli areas. Late Monday, Israel's military said it identified a round of Iranian missile fire and was working "to intercept the threat." The Iranian launches sparked air raid warnings in several parts of Israel, forcing people to head for shelter. The Israeli military then said it "had struck the missile launcher that launched missiles toward the State of Israel a short while ago." Before the latest Iranian attack, Israel had announced what it called a "broad wave" of strikes on Tehran, the second such assault launched on Monday.

February fifth warmest on record, extreme rain in Europe: EU monitorPARIS, France, March 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The world logged its fifth hottest February on record, with western Europe drenched by extreme rainfall and widespread flooding, the European Union's climate monitor said on Tuesday. Global temperatures last month were 1.49C above preindustrial times, defined as the 1850-1900 period before large-scale fossil fuel use drove climate change. But western, southern and southeast Europe experienced above-average temperatures, according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service. In the Arctic, the average sea ice extent was at its third lowest level for the month at five percent below average. "Exceptional atmospheric rivers -- narrow bands of very moist air -- brought record rainfall and widespread flooding to western and southern Europe," she said.

TOKYO, March 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Stock markets in South Korea and Japan rose sharply in early trade Tuesday after the US crude oil benchmark, WTI, fell more than six percent. South Korea's benchmark Kospi rebounded more than five percent, recovering after a sharp drop the previous day. Around 0030 GMT, the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was down 6.54 percent at $88.57 a barrel. Prices had soared Monday, with WTI hitting as high as $119.48 and the Brent international benchmark reaching $119.50 before dropping. Developments were "enough to spark hopes of some normalisation in supply and logistical dynamic", said Chris Weston, an analyst with Pepperstone.

NAMIE, Japan, March 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Not far from the Fukushima nuclear disaster site, former plant worker Toru Akama tends to dozens of pets abandoned after the catastrophe 15 years ago, work he sees as part of his quest for redemption. "They should have been able to go on living their lives as pets, but because of this accident they were abandoned. The tsunami it unleashed killed or left missing 18,500 people, and a wall of water crashed into the Fukushima nuclear plant on the northeast coast causing a devastating meltdown. He says he has "felt outrage" at the pet owners, who have sometimes left their animals in front of his house. After the nuclear disaster, some residents had to flee by bus, and animals were not allowed aboard.

War in the Middle East: economic impact around the worldPARIS, France, March 10, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Here are the latest economic events in the Middle East war on Tuesday:- Oil prices fall -- Comments from President Donald Trump declaring the Middle East war "pretty much" over sent oil prices down, and pushed US stocks skyward. - US to roll back oil sanctions -- Trump announced on Monday that he will waive some sanctions on oil due to the market turmoil. - "We're also waiving certain oil-related sanctions to reduce prices," Trump told reporters after his administration previously signaled it would roll back sanctions on oil exports from Russia. - G7 finance ministers -- France's finance minister said the G7 was "not there yet" in terms of any release of strategic oil reserves as the world's leading industrialised nations held crisis talks on the economic fallout of the Middle East war, even as they stand ready to do so. - Lufthansa and Air France extended flight cancellations to Middle East destinations.

"I think the war is very complete, pretty much. They have no navy, no communications, they've got no air force," Trump told CBS News by phone. Trump told the US broadcaster that the United States was "very far" ahead of his initially stated war time frame of four or five weeks. When asked if he thought the war could end in days or weeks, he replied: "I think soon. Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts focused Monday on the Strait of Hormuz, which has been blocked to nearly all oil tankers.

Set to an infectious beat, the video of the Rocinha favela has exploded on social media at a time when the city is drawing record tourist numbers. However, Renan Monteiro, 42, founder of the tourism company Na Favela Turismo, told AFP that the drone footage was the fruit of efforts to show tourists "the positive side of the favela." The success of the drone video has drawn influencers, local officials, and even a marriage proposal. Monteiro was inspired to find a safe way to show visitors the sprawling favela, which is home to over 70,000 people. - 'An exotic contrast' -With world-famous beaches, Carnival, and sights like the Christ the Redeemer statue, tourism in Rio has surged.

Mikel Arteta's men won all eight matches in the league phase to cruise into the last 16, where success against Leverkusen will set up a tie against Bodo/Glimt or Sporting. Chelsea reignited their chase for Champions League qualification for next season last midweek as Joao Pedro's hat-trick inspired a 4-1 win at Aston Villa. - Real Madrid v Man City -Alvaro Arbeloa's record 15-time European champions stumbled at home against Manchester City in the league phase, back when Xabi Alonso was in charge. City and Real have met in 15 previous Champions League matches. Winger Jens Petter Hauge is Glimt's danger man, having scored six goals in 10 Champions League appearances this season.