Trump says new Iran leader won't last long without his approvalTEHRAN, March 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump warned on Sunday that Iran's next supreme leader would not last long without his approval, as Tehran prepared to reveal the successor to the slain Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. "He's going to have to get approval from us," Trump told ABC News on Sunday, referring to Iran's next leader. Several blasts were heard over Israel's commercial hub of Tel Aviv after the Israeli military said it had detected a salvo of missiles from Iran. Two Israeli soldiers were killed during the fighting in southern Lebanon, the Israeli military said. Trump has suggested Iran's economy could be rebuilt if a leader "acceptable" to Washington replaces the late supreme leader.

BEIJING, March 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - China's envoy to the Middle East urged de-escalation in the conflict-ridden region and called for attacks on civilians to be condemned during talks with Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Beijing said Monday. The war, triggered by US and Israeli strikes on Iran, has threatened global energy security and trade, as well as China's oil supplies. Beijing was "deeply concerned" by the current situation in the region, special envoy Zhai Jun told Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan during talks on Sunday, according to a Chinese foreign ministry readout. In a separate meeting with Jasem Mohamed Al-Budaiwi, head of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Zhai called for a "return to the negotiating track as soon as possible". China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday that the war "should never have happened" and called for an end to fighting.

From cyclone shelters to early warning systems, we have shown the power of community mobilization to save countless lives. Yet, it is also putting lives at risk, especially with false claims during disasters - whether about poisoned food, biased aid, or fabricated inaction. Such baseless narratives not only demoralize those risking their lives but also weaken public confidence in humanitarian responses. Misinformation spreads faster than truth, and in the age of social media, rumours can escalate into panic within minutes. Bangladesh must therefore treat misinformation as a disaster risk in itself.

February’s figures tell the story starkly: Food prices have pushed inflation to 9.13%. It has been years, and inflation continues to be a problem we are having difficulties to find a solution for. Far from being a festive and spiritual month and occasion, the constant inflation only adds trouble and misery to the lives of the everyday citizen. That means curbing hoarding and profiteering, and ensuring that subsidies and support reach those who need them most. Growth figures, export targets, and infrastructure projects matter little if inflation continues to erode the purchasing power of the majority.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, March 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Saudi defence ministry said Monday it had thwarted a drone attack targeting an oil field in the kingdom's east, near the Emirati border. "Four drones heading towards the Shaybah oil field were intercepted and destroyed," a defence ministry statement said.

HRW accuses Israel of 'unlawfully' using white phosphorus in new Lebanon attacksBEIRUT, Lebanon, March 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Human Rights Watch on Monday accused Israel of "unlawfully" using white phosphorus over residential parts of a southern Lebanese town last week. "The Israeli military unlawfully used artillery-fired white phosphorus munitions over homes on March 3, 2026, in the southern Lebanese town of Yohmor," the New York-based rights group said in a report. White phosphorus, a substance that ignites on contact with oxygen, can be used to create smokescreens and to illuminate battlefields. "Israel should immediately halt this practice and states providing Israel with weapons, including white phosphorus munitions, should immediately suspend military assistance and arms sales and push Israel to stop firing such munitions in residential areas," he added. Lebanese authorities and HRW have over the past years accused Israel of using controversial white phosphorus rounds, in attacks authorities say have harmed civilians and the environment.

JAKARTA, March 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - A landslide on Indonesia's biggest landfill buried trucks and food stalls, killing four people, rescuers said Monday as they searched for at least five more reported missing. The landslide struck at 2:30 pm on Sunday (0730 GMT) at Bantargebang, a landfill just 25 kilometres outside the capital, according to the national search and rescue agency. The collapse took place after hours of heavy rain in the area, local media reported. The Jakarta environmental agency did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comments. A landfill landslide killed 143 people in West Java in 2005, triggered by a methane gas explosion and heavy rain in the area.

PARIS, France, March 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - France will host a video meeting of G7 finance ministers on the Middle East crisis on Monday, as the war fuels fears for the global economy. French finance minister Roland Lescure earlier told Franceinfo radio he had agreed with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and other G7 finance ministers to hold the meeting over a week after the start of the US-Israel war against Iran. Finance ministers and the central bank governors of the member countries would attend, he added. A first meeting of finance ministers under the French presidency was held on January 27. Frederik Ducrozet, chief economist at asset manager Pictet, said the G7 finance ministers and central bankers would likely issue a statement after the meeting to calm markets.

A joint forces operation is underway in Jungle Salimpur of Sitakunda upazila of Chittagong to dismantle criminal hideouts. “A joint forces’ operation is underway in Jungle Salimpur. He added that law enforcement agencies cordoned off the entire Jungle Salimpur area early in the morning. As of the latest reports, members of the joint forces have divided into several groups and begun search operations inside Jungle Salimpur. Hill cutting and plot trading are still ongoing in Jungle Salimpur.

Prof Sakhawat Ali Khan, one of the pioneers of journalism education in Bangladesh, passed away on Sunday night at a private hospital in the capital. According to his family, Khan had suffered a stroke a few days earlier. Prof Sakhawat Ali Khan is survived by his wife, a son, a daughter, two grandchildren, and numerous students and admirers. Prof Sakhawat Ali Khan was the founding president of the Consumer Association of Bangladesh and the chairman of the Society for Environment and Social Development. He also served as a member of the management board of the Bangladesh Press Council and the Press Institute of Bangladesh.

NEW YORK, March 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Oil prices surged above $100 a barrel for the first time in nearly four years on Sunday over worries that the spiralling Middle East war could create prolonged supply disruptions. Both crude oil benchmarks, the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent, jumped by over 15 percent as markets opened Sunday evening, touching levels not seen since the early months of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Iran accounts for about four percent of world oil production, according to the US Energy Information Administration. Its oil industry is subject to international sanctions but some is still exported, mainly to China, oil industry data shows. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday that the government was considering lifting sanctions on more Russian oil, a day after it temporarily authorized India to buy from Moscow as global oil prices surged.

TEHRAN, March 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran fired missiles at Israel early Monday in the name of the Islamic republic's new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who was selected to succeed his slain father despite threats by the United States and Israel to target him next. State media soon afterwards showed a projectile said to be launched at Israel bearing the slogan, "At Your Command, Sayyid Mojtaba", using an Islamic honorific. The younger Khamenei is considered a fellow hardliner who will pursue his father's rejection of dissent. US President Donald Trump had previously dismissed the younger Khamenei as a "lightweight", and insisted again Sunday that he should have a say in appointing a new leader. "If he doesn't get approval from us he's not going to last long," he told ABC News before the announcement was made.

HONG KONG, March 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Hong Kong shares plunged more than three percent Monday amid a painful selloff across Asian markets as oil prices soared more than 25 percent and the Middle East crisis continued into a second week. The Hang Seng Index sank 3.2 percent to 24,933.96 in the morning as the US-Israel war on Iran showed no signs of abating.

BEIJING, March 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - China's consumer prices rose last month at the quickest pace in three years, official data showed Monday, as authorities aimed to boost spending during the week-long Lunar New Year holiday. The consumer price index, a key measure of inflation, rose 1.3 percent year-on-year in February, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. It was the biggest year-on-year jump since January 2023 when consumer prices rose 2.1 percent compared to the same period a year prior. Local authorities across China had vowed to encourage domestic spending ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday, which fell in February and typically sees travel and shopping expenditure spike. It is the lowest growth target since 1991, according to AFP research, except for in 2020 when no target was set as the economy reeled from the Covid-19 pandemic.

AHMEDABAD, India, March 9, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - India thrashed New Zealand in the final of the T20 World Cup in Ahmedabad to retain their crown in style. - Double super-over drama -South Africa and Afghanistan played out a tie followed by a first-ever double super over in a T20 World Cup to decide the winner of their gripping group contest. The drama unfolded after Afghanistan posted 187 all out in response to South Africa's 187-6 in Ahmedabad. Afghanistan batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz needed four sixes off four balls in the second super over to pull off a win but only managed three before being caught out. - Shock Australia exit -Former champions Australia suffered a shock loss to the tournament's surprise packages Zimbabwe in a group game after they were dismissed for 146 while chasing 170 for victory.