TEHRAN, March 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Iran's military called on its neighbour Azerbaijan to "expel the Zionists" from its territory on Saturday in order to preserve its security, a day after Baku accused Tehran of plotting attacks on its territory. Israel is a close ally of Azerbaijan's and a key arms supplier, while Tehran has long accused Israel of using Azerbaijani territory for intelligence operations. Azerbaijan on Friday said it had foiled a series of planned Iranian terrorist attacks on its territory including on a key oil pipeline, a synagogue and Jewish community leaders. On Thursday at least four drones crashed into Azerbaijan's exclave of Nakhchivan, including one that hit an airport, with Baku blaming Tehran. Tehran denied the allegation and accused Israel of trying to stage a provocation.

MADRID, March 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Nicolas Gonzalez netted twice for Atletico Madrid in an entertaining 3-2 win over Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday. It was only the second defeat for Real Sociedad coach Pellegrino Matarazzo in 14 matches at the helm, with the Basque side rising to eighth since his arrival. Atletico substitute Antoine Griezmann created the goal with a tidy backheel, and Gonzalez showed poise before stroking home. Real Sociedad immediately equalised, with Mikel Oyarzabal smashing in from the edge of the box, inside Jan Oblak's near post. However, Gonzalez netted again for Simeone's side, leaping high to nod home Matteo Ruggieri's curling cross from the left.

ISTANBUL, March 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Turkey's foreign minister warned against efforts to stir up a civil war inside Iran, while cautioning Tehran after NATO intercepted a Turkey-bound ballistic missile launched from Iran earlier in the week. Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said any effort to stir up a civil war inside Iran in a bid to bring about regime change would be a 'historic' mistake. "We are against all scenarios that aim to instigate a civil war in Iran, that target ethnic or religious fault lines," Fidan told journalists in Istanbul. "We hope the Kurdish opinion leaders in the region will not make the mistake of shouldering such a historical responsibility," he said. "After Iraq and Syria, a long period of uncertainty, war and turmoil in Iran is not in anyone's interest," he said.

DORAL, United States, March 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - US President Donald Trump on Saturday urged Latin American nations to use military power against the "cancer" of drug cartels and offered to support them with US missile strikes targeting narco kingpins. They're extremely accurate," Trump told a dozen right-wing leaders from Latin America and the Caribbean at his Doral golf club near Miami. Irene Mia, a Latin America expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said drug cartel violence has hit countries in the region that until recently were considered fairly safe such as Ecuador and Chile. Trump urged regional leaders to use military force to stamp out criminal organizations, which he likened to a cancer, saying: "We don't want it spreading." "I'll take care of Cuba," Trump told leaders.

New attacks in Gulf as Iran vows for moreDUBAI, March 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Gulf nations on Saturday reported new missile and drone attacks, while Iran vowed to press on with its strikes against neighbouring countries. Hours later, Iran said it would continue conducting strikes on sites in Gulf countries which were "at the disposal of the enemy". - Dubai airport closed, reopens -Earlier in the day, Dubai closed its main airport -- the world's busiest for international traffic -- after authorities said an unidentified object was intercepted nearby. Flights from Dubai's main airport had partially resumed on Monday despite daily drone attacks targeting sites in the UAE. Elsewhere in the Gulf on Saturday, Qatar's defence ministry said its military had intercepted two missile attacks targeting the country.

Bronze and Stanway on target for England in World Cup qualifyingPARIS, France, March 8, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - European champions England made it two wins from two in their World Cup 2027 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 win over Iceland at the City Ground in Nottingham on Saturday. Lucy Bronze, earning her 145th cap, powered England ahead midway through the first half after a cross from Lauren James on the left. England and Spain meet in a repeat of the Euro 2025 final and the 2023 World Cup final next month. Only the winners of each of the four European 'League A' groups will qualify automatically for the World Cup. The other 12 teams go into play-offs, which will also involve the four League B group winners and the six group winners and two best runners-up from League C.

DHAKA, Mar 7, 2026 (BSS)- International Women's Day will be observed tomorrow across the country as elsewhere in the world with the theme 'Digit ALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality'. The United Nations has been observing the day as International Women’s Day since 1975. On February 28, 1909, the first international women’s conference was organised at a women’s rally arranged by the Social Democratic women’s organisation in New York under the leadership of German socialist leader Clara Zetkin. Clara, a German politician and one of the architects of the German Communist Party, later proposed at the second International Women’s Conference held in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1910 that March 8 be observed annually as International Women’s Day. United Nations formally recognised March 8 as International Women’s Day in 1975 and called upon countries to observe it.

Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and Livestock Minister Mohammed Aminur Rashid today spoke at an iftar and doa programme at the Cumilla Stadium Gymnasium. The minister said, "Bangladesh currently has sufficient oil stock to meet domestic demand for at least one month while the next shipment carrying oil has already set sail for the country." Cumilla Shop Owners Association President Syed Jahangir Alam presided over the programme. BNP Divisional Co-Organising Secretary (Cumilla Division) Mostak Mia, President of Bangladesh Shop Owners Association Helal Uddin, Secretary General Mohammad Zahirul Haque Bhuiyan and Cumilla City BNP General Secretary Yusuf Molla Tipu spoke as special guests. General Secretary of Cumilla Shop Owners Association Jamal Khandakar delivered the welcome speech, while leaders of different business organisations in Cumilla also addressed the programme.

The upazila administration conducted a price monitoring drive on oil and gas at Taherpur Municipal Market in Bagmara on Saturday. During the drive, Assistant Commissioner (Land) Saiful Islam Bhuiya fined two traders Tk 1,500 for selling LPG gas at prices higher than the government-fixed rate. Saiful Islam Bhuiya said that taking advantage of the ongoing war and crisis in the Middle East, a group of dishonest traders has been trying to charge extra money from consumers. As a result, two traders were fined for selling gas at higher prices. He added that the drive will continue during the ongoing Ramadan and ahead of Eid to ensure that the general public does not suffer.

A mobile court fined a man Tk 1 lakh for illegally excavating soil in Gazipur’s Kapasia upazila of Gazipur on Saturday. The fined individual is Aminul Islam, 50, a resident of Targao village. According to sources, a team of officials led by Kapasia Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Md Nahidul Haque conducted a drive near Safaishri Ghat in Targao union and fined Aminul for illegally excavating soil. The excavator used for illegal soil removal was also confiscated. Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Md Nahidul Haque confirmed the drive and said that strict legal action will be taken against offenders.

Tarique Rahman said Islamic teachings encourage Zakat to be distributed in such a way that a Zakat recipient should not need to receive Zakat again the following year after receiving it once. Experts say that if Zakat is distributed in a planned and systematic way, it can play a revolutionary role in eliminating poverty, he said. Considering this reality, the government has taken plans to make Zakat management more effective and goal-oriented, said the Prime Minister. Addressing the Islamic scholars, he said, "If you find this concept of Zakat management for poverty alleviation reasonable, you can play the most important role in raising awareness among wealthy people." To achieve poverty alleviation through Zakat management, the existing Zakat Board under the Ministry of Religious Affairs could be restructured, involving leading Ulama, Islamic scholars, government officials, and other stakeholders, he said.

DINAJPUR, March 7, 2026 (BSS) - Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) arrested five alleged drug dealers in separate operations in Dinajpur district on Saturday and recovered 24 kilograms of marijuana and 299 bottles of Eskuf Indian syrup. Roni Mia in Balandur village of Birol upazila around 10:00 am. During the raid, Roni and Tariqul Islam were arrested and 299 bottles of Indian intoxicating syrup were seized from their possession. The arrested individuals were identified as Tariqul Islam, 27, son of Chaber Ali, and Md. Roni, 19, son of Rafiqul Islam, both residents of Balandur village in Birol upazila.

MOSUL, Iraq, March 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - An Iraqi fighter was killed Saturday in airstrikes on military bases belonging to the former paramilitary coalition Hashed al-Shaabi in the country's north, authorities said. One fighter was killed and three others wounded, the media cell said, without specifying in which of the strikes. The Hashed al-Shaabi is an alliance of factions now integrated into the regular army. Bases belonging to Hashed have been hit several times since the start of the war in the Middle East, with strikes hitting Tehran-backed armed groups. Pro-Iran factions have brigades that operate within the Hashed al-Shaabi, but have a reputation for acting on their own.

More than five decades after independence, Bangladesh’s women’s rights movement continues to advance -- often unevenly -- through a mix of progress and persistent challenges. While laws exist to protect women, issues such as violence, child marriage, workplace discrimination and limited political participation continue to shape the realities faced by many women. According to Election Commission data, women initially entered parliament through 15 reserved seats in the first parliament (1973–1975). Rights groups say such figures reflect both the persistence of gender-based violence and the barriers women face in accessing protection and justice. Meanwhile, participation of women in Bangladesh’s garment sector -- long seen as a driver of female economic empowerment -- has also shown signs of contraction.

Adequate Fuel Oil Stocks in the Country: Energy Minister Staff Correspondent, Dhaka (Saturday, March 7, 2026)Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku has said that Bangladesh has sufficient stocks of all types of fuel oil, including diesel, petrol and octane. He added that there is no reason for the public to be worried about the fuel situation. On Saturday, the minister held a meeting with Prime Minister Tareq Rahman regarding the country’s fuel supply situation. The minister urged people not to purchase excessive fuel out of rumors or panic, saying that such actions create unnecessary pressure on the supply system. Two more fuel oil tankers are expected to arrive in the country on March 9, and there is no risk of any shortage in the supply system.