Monday 9 March 2026

French president Emmanuel Macron announces that France and other states will create a naval escort mission for merchant ships in the framework of Operation Aspides.

The Inter-Services Public Relations announces that the Pakistan Navy has launched Operation Muhafiz-ul-Bahr to safeguard Pakistan's Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) and ensure the uninterrupted flow of national energy supplies amidst disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Lebanese Maronite Catholic priest Father Pierre al-Rahi is killed by an Israeli double strike on a house in the Christian-majority town of Al-Qlayaa, Lebanon.

Islamist militants conduct coordinated overnight attacks on several locations in northeastern Nigeria, killing at least 12 soldiers and three civilians in fighting with government forces. The assaults target military positions in Borno and Yobe states and result in damage to military facilities and nearby homes.

Azerbaijan reopens its border crossings with Iran to cargo traffic after closing them following a drone incident in the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Iranian president Masoud Pezeshkian, who denies Iran's involvement, tells Azerbaijani president Ilham Aliyev that Iran is investigating the incident.

NATO conducts military drills in Greenland involving over 25,000 troops from 14 nations including Denmark and the United States in a effort to de-escalate tensions over efforts by Trump to annex the island. The exercise will last until March 19.

The ruling Historic Pact coalition wins 25 of 102 seats in the Senate, becoming the largest bloc but falling short of a majority. The Democratic Centre places second with 17 seats, while other seats are distributed among several parties, resulting in a hung parliament that will require coalition negotiations.

António José Seguro is sworn in as President of Portugal, succeeding Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa.

Malagasy president Michael Randrianirina dismisses prime minister Herintsalama Rajaonarivelo and his cabinet.

Bangladesh closes all universities by advancing the Eid al-Fitr holidays as part of emergency measures to reduce electricity consumption during an energy crisis linked to the Iran war.

Bapco Energies declares force majeure on certain refinery operations in Bahrain after damage to its facilities by Iranian strikes, temporarily affecting shipments.

The United States reaches a deferred prosecution agreement with Turkey's state-owned lender Halkbank to resolve criminal charges alleging that the bank helped Iran evade U.S. sanctions. Under the agreement, Halkbank must implement compliance monitoring and avoid transactions that benefit Iran, after which the charges may be dismissed pending court approval.

A synagogue in Liège, Belgium, is damaged by an explosion. It is being investigated as a potential act of terrorism.

At least fourteen migrants are found drowned and seven others are rescued after their boat collides with a Coast Guard boat off the coast of Demre, Antalya Province, Turkey.

The death toll from floods in Nairobi, Kenya, rises to 42.