New Iranian leader was wounded early in the war, Iranian and Israeli officials sayA crowd, holding images of the two, gathers to celebrate Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the recently killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as his father's successor at Enghelab Square in Tehran, Iran, on Monday. The Israeli officials spoke on condition of anonymity. (Photo: New York Times)One hint of Mojtaba Khamenei’s condition has been references on state television and the state news agency IRNA, which called him the “wounded war veteran” supreme leader. Iranian officials said they believed that the target of the strikes was Khamenei but that he was not there. Iran’s new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, the second son of late Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, attends a meeting in Tehran, Iran, on Oct 13, 2024.

Trump-Infantino 'bromance' tested by Middle East warFifa chief Gianni Infantino, right, has been a frequent visitor to the White House. "But I think it's quite rational, because he wants his World Cup to go well. And if the World Cup is a commercial success, they'll get it," the same source said. "The war undertaken by Donald Trump has not at all taken into account the interests of the Arab countries of the region engaged in a policy of influence. "On the other hand, eliminating an opponent would offer Donald Trump and his government the ideal ground to project the image and values they wish."

Iran women footballers evacuate from safe house in AustraliaThe members of Iran's women's football team who did not claim asylum in Australia arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport on March 11, 2026SYDNEY - Iranian women footballers claiming asylum in Australia evacuated from their safe house on Wednesday after one team member changed her mind and revealed their location to the Iranian embassy, Canberra said. Seven members of Iran's visiting women's football delegation had sought sanctuary in Australia after they were branded "traitors" at home for refusing to sing the national anthem. The woman exposed the location of the other aslyum seekers when she contacted Iran's embassy in Australia. Two more team members -- a player and a support staffer -- were granted asylum before the team flew out of Sydney on Tuesday evening. "The members of the Iranian Women's National Football Team are under significant pressure and ongoing threat from the Islamic Republic," said Reza Pahlavi, the son of the late shah of Iran.

Poland investigates Epstein trafficking linksThe Epstein files, some of them heavily redacted, have provided authorities in numerous countries with information that has led to investigations, as well as resignations of high-profile political and corporate figures. (Photo: AFP)WARSAW - Polish prosecutors said on Wednesday they were investigating human trafficking tied to Jeffrey Epstein that they suspect took place in the country. Shortly after, justice minister Waldemar Zurek said the secret service, prosecutors and police were teaming up to investigate Polish accomplices in Epstein’s circle. Poland has also submitted requests for help with the investigation to two as yet unnamed European countries. Human trafficking is punishable by up to 20 years in prison in Poland.

Thailand's new parliament to open this weekendParliament House in Dusit district, Bangkok. (Photo: Pornprom Satrabhaya)⁠Thailand's new ​parliament will hold its opening ceremony ​on March ‌14 following last month's election, a Royal Gazette announcement said on Wednesday. The House will likely vote on ​a ⁠candidate for prime minister on March 19, Mr Siripong added. ⁠Bhumjaithai has said it will form a coalition with third-place Pheu Thai and several ⁠smaller parties - an alliance that ​would hold 290 seats. On Tuesday, deputy government spokeswoman Aiyarin Phanrit said the cabinet has approved a draft royal decree to convene parliament, though no specific date has been set yet.

(Photo: AFP)Iran’s new supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is injured but “safe and sound”, the son of the president said Wednesday, offering the first official explanation for why the 56-year-old has not been seen since his appointment at the weekend. “I heard news that Mr Mojtaba Khamenei had been injured. But there had been mounting questions about his whereabouts and physical condition after his appointment by the Assembly of Experts clerical body, with the new supreme leader yet to be seen, let alone speak, in public. The Iranian supreme leader position is for life and he also serves as a religious guide for Shia Muslims. Before his nomination to the position, US President Donald Trump had warned that Khamenei would be “unacceptable” as new supreme leader.

Former UK ambassador to the United States, Peter Mandelson, is seen outside his residence in central London on Wednesday. (Photo: AFP)LONDON - Britain’s government was due Wednesday to publish the first tranche of documents relating to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s controversial appointment of a Jeffrey Epstein associate as UK ambassador to Washington. The release could renew pressure on Starmer who has faced questions about his judgement over his decision to name Peter Mandelson as UK envoy to the United States in late 2024. Lawmakers last month ordered the Labour government to release tens of thousands of emails, messages and documents on how Mandelson was vetted for the role. It unleashed a political storm, with two of Starmer’s top aides resigning over the row, and the prime minister himself facing down calls to resign.

(Photo: AFP)PARIS - The Group of Seven advanced economies inched closer on Wednesday to tapping strategic oil reserves to tackle the rise in crude oil prices due to the Middle East war as energy ministers said they stood ready to take “all necessary measures”. G7 finance ministers met on Monday and G7 energy ministers on Tuesday to hold talks. “It would therefore be a temporary fix,” she said, adding the announcement helped keep oil prices in check on Wednesday. The 32 members of the IEA hold over 1.2 billion barrels of public emergency oil stocks, with a further 600 million barrels of industry stocks held under government mandates. In order to ensure energy security, the IEA imposes on its members an obligation to hold emergency oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net oil imports.

Middle East war: global economic fallout'Diesel run out and gasoline run out' reads a sign at a gas station in Vientiane in Laos on March 10, 2026. (Photo: AFP)PARIS — Here are the latest economic events in the Middle East war on Wednesday:G7 eyes oil reservesEnergy ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) said they "stand ready" to take "all necessary measures" in coordination with the International Energy Agency (IEA) to tackle the rise in crude oil prices due to the Middle East war. The IEA has proposed its largest ever release of oil reserves to counter soaring crude prices driven by the war, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, prompting oil prices to stabilise. India tightens gas controlsIndia ordered tighter controls over natural and cooking gas following import disruptions, with restaurants warning the war could spark widespread closures. The world's most populous nation is the fourth largest liquefied natural gas buyer and second-largest buyer of liquefied petroleum gas used for cooking -- much of which is sourced from the Middle East.

No new Cambodian workers allowed in ThailandCambodian workers return to their home country via a checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province amid ongoing border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia in December last year. The employment of Cambodian workers became a contentious issue following last year's Thai-Cambodian border clashes. Ms Treenuch said the Labour Ministry has reaffirmed five key principles for managing Cambodian workers now in Thailand. Second, the government will not allow new Cambodian workers to enter the country. Third, all Cambodian workers must be formally registered and have clear employer certification confirming their employment with a specific company.

Oil prices have surged and markets have see-sawed since the end of last month, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran, killed its supreme leader and plunged the Middle East into war. Separately, the Thai bulk carrier Mayuree Naree and a container ship were hit in the Gulf off the United Arab Emirates. Iran’s health ministry said on March 8 that more than 1,200 people had been killed in US and Israeli strikes, and more than 10,000 civilians injured. In Iraq, Iranian-linked groups said Tuesday that five of their fighters died in strikes they blamed on the United States. New Israeli strikes were reported in Beirut’s southern suburbs on Wednesday, with the health ministry saying another five people had been killed in the southern town of Qana.

Bank of Thailand concerned by baht's misalignment with economic fundamentalsTraffic on Ratchadamnoen Klang Road near the Democracy Monument, Bangkok. (Photo: Nutthawat Wichieanbut)Thailand's economy is projected to ​grow below ‌its potential and unevenly across sectors, the minutes of the Bank of Thailand's (BoT) Feb 25 policy meeting showed on ​Wednesday. At the meeting, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) unexpectedly cut the one-day repurchase rate ‌by 25 basis points to 1.00%, to support growth. It said a policy rate of 1.00% was sufficiently accommodative and consistent with ​the outlook. Amonthep Chawla, chief economist with the research centre of CIMB Thai Bank, has warned that Thailand is at risk of stagflation as oil prices skyrocket during the Middle East conflict, and the Thai economy could experience quarter-on-quarter contractions in the first half of this year.

20 Thai crewmen on bulk carrier Mayuree Naree rescued, three still on boardSmoke pours from the Thai-flagged bulk carrier Mayuree Naree after two projectiles struck the hull above the waterline on Wednesday. (Photo: Precious Shipping Plc)A Thai‑flagged bulk carrier was struck by Iranian missiles near the Strait of Hormuz on Wednesday, with 20 Thai crew rescued by the Royal Navy of Oman and three still on board, according to the Royal Thai Navy. Omani naval units were working to assist the remaining three crew members, the Thai navy said. The Thailand-flagged carrier was among three vessels hit by projectiles in or near the Strait of Hormuz, maritime security agencies and sources said on Wednesday. The Thai vessel was reported to have suffered the heaviest damage among those struck.

TANGAIL — Bangladesh's Tangail sari is fighting for survival as weavers warn that automation and economic pressures are pushing the centuries-old craft to the brink despite its global acclaim. Raghunath Basak, president of a local sari traders' association, whose family has preserved Tangail weaving for generations, fears the craft may end with him. (But) girls now wear sari only on special occasions." "The Tangail weavers inherited fine yarn techniques from their ancestors and adapted with unique designs in Tangail sari," Akand told AFP. "Tangail sari will evolve.

Stock markets in Tokyo and Seoul have seen some of the widest swings since the Middle East crisis started. (Photo: AFP)LONDON - Oil prices rallied and equities mostly dropped on Wednesday as traders assessed the latest developments affecting global markets as a result of the Middle East war. “Oil prices remain the main driver of market sentiment,” he added. Certain countries’ plans to release part of their strategic oil reserves “are undoubtedly part of a highly coordinated strategy”, French Finance Minister Roland Lescure said on Wednesday. The German arms maker Rheinmetall, meanwhile, said that the Middle East war offered new business opportunities, especially for its air defence systems, as it forecast continued strong growth this year.