The Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment of Bangladesh has announced measures to assist expatriate workers stranded in the country after returning from the Middle East. Following the recent attacks in Iran involving the United States and Israel, many Bangladeshi workers on leave have been unable to return to their host countries, where their visas have expired or are about to expire. The ministry issued a public notice on Saturday outlining the steps taken by the concerned countries.

According to the notice, workers from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Bahrain must contact their employers, sponsors, or kafeels, or apply online to renew their visas. The governments of Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates have already extended the validity of entry visas by one month for those whose visas have expired or are nearing expiration.

These measures are expected to ease the uncertainty faced by Bangladeshi expatriates unable to travel back due to the ongoing regional situation, providing temporary relief until normal travel resumes.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam MP, who also oversees the ministries of Shipping and Railways, visited key bus terminals in Dhaka on Saturday to ensure safe, smooth, and comfortable travel ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. His inspection covered the Fulbaria BRTC counter, Gulistan bus stand, and Sayedabad terminal, where he interacted with passengers to assess travel conditions and potential issues.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, the minister said the government, under the direction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, is working tirelessly to make Eid travel safe and hassle-free. He noted that buses are operating on schedule with regulated fares, and sufficient fuel supplies have been secured to prevent fare hikes. Authorities are maintaining round-the-clock road management to ensure timely and safe arrivals.

The minister added that coordination among transport owners, workers, and government agencies is ongoing to monitor field operations. Mobile courts are active to prevent overcharging and passenger harassment, while toll plazas offer limited iftar arrangements for fasting travelers. Hospitals near highways are on standby for emergency care, and additional supervision has been deployed in traffic-prone areas.

Thousands of Palestinians have been forced to pray on the streets outside Al-Aqsa Mosque after Israeli authorities barred entry to the compound. The closure, imposed under security restrictions, has left worshippers performing prayers near the Bab al-Sahira gate in Jerusalem during the final days of Ramadan.

In previous years, hundreds of thousands gathered inside Al-Aqsa for Friday prayers during Ramadan. However, since the joint Israel–United States military operation against Iran began on February 28, Israel has tightened access to Jerusalem’s Old City and its holy sites. According to the report, this is the first complete closure of Al-Aqsa since 1967. Before the war, Israel had already limited entry, allowing only 10,000 worshippers from the occupied West Bank on the first Friday of Ramadan, compared to the usual half a million.

Worshippers expressed deep sorrow over being unable to enter the mosque, describing the experience as losing something precious during one of the holiest periods of the year.

Israeli military prosecutors have withdrawn charges against five soldiers accused of raping and sexually assaulting a Palestinian detainee at the Sde Teiman detention center. The decision was announced on Thursday, according to a statement from the Israeli army cited by Al Jazeera. The army said the charges were dropped due to significant developments that occurred after the indictment was filed.

The alleged assault took place in July 2025 at the Sde Teiman facility, located in Israel’s Negev desert. Reports said the detainee suffered severe injuries, including rectal tearing. Israeli media, including the state broadcaster Kan, previously reported that the victim was later sent to Gaza on October 13, 2025, as part of a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

Sde Teiman has gained notoriety for alleged human rights abuses against Palestinian detainees, including beatings, prolonged restraints, and denial of medical care. Both Palestinian and Israeli media, as well as human rights groups, have compared the facility to the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) announced that its air defense systems intercepted nine ballistic missiles and thirty-three drones launched from Iran early Saturday, according to a statement cited by Al Jazeera. The UAE Ministry of Defense said the interceptions occurred amid ongoing regional hostilities that began on February 28 when Iran initiated military actions.

The ministry’s statement added that since the start of the conflict, UAE defenses have intercepted a total of 294 ballistic missiles, 15 cruise missiles, and approximately 1,600 drones. During this period, at least six people have been killed and 141 injured in related attacks.

According to the ministry, the UAE’s air defense systems remain continuously active to counter Iranian assaults as tensions persist across the Middle East.

A large-scale conflict has erupted across the Middle East following a joint US-Israel attack on Iran on February 28, 2026. In response, Iran launched retaliatory strikes targeting American bases in the region. According to Al Jazeera, the ensuing clashes have caused hundreds of deaths across multiple countries, affecting both military and civilian populations.

The conflict has quickly spread as Iran’s regional allies became involved, intensifying violence in several Middle Eastern nations. The situation has grown increasingly complex, with rising casualties and expanding fronts of confrontation. The report indicates that the fighting has not been confined to Iran but has drawn in neighboring territories as well.

Instability has also emerged in key energy transport routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, raising concerns about disruptions in global energy markets. The ongoing hostilities have heightened regional tensions and created uncertainty over the next phase of the crisis.

The Special Task Force (STF) of West Bengal Police arrested Philip Sangma on Saturday morning from the Shantipur Bypass area in Nadia district, India. He is accused of helping the suspects in the murder of Shahid Sharif Osman Hadi, spokesperson of Inquilab Mancha, to flee. According to Indian media reports, the arrest followed information obtained from two previously detained suspects, Faisal Karim Masud and Alamgir Hossain, who were captured on March 7 near the Bongaon border.

During initial questioning, Philip reportedly admitted that he had long been involved in cross-border smuggling for money. After Hadi’s killing, he crossed into India to avoid pressure from Bangladeshi police and later planned to return to Bangladesh with Faisal and Alamgir’s help. However, their arrests led to increased scrutiny, resulting in his capture.

Hadi was shot by assailants on a motorcycle in Dhaka’s Paltan area on December 12 and later died in Singapore on December 18 after receiving treatment in Dhaka and Singapore hospitals.

Two United States airbases in Iraq came under eight separate attacks within a 24-hour period, according to a report published on March 14, 2026. The assaults, carried out between early Friday and early Saturday, were claimed by the Islamic Resistance, a coalition of Iran-aligned armed political groups in Iraq. In a statement, the group said its fighters launched drones and missiles targeting the Al-Harir and Al-Asad airbases, though no further details were provided.

The statement also claimed missile strikes on the US embassy in Iraq, which reportedly damaged the embassy’s helipad, according to Iraqi security officials. Neither the US Department of Defense nor the airbases issued any comment regarding the incidents.

The attacks followed the collapse of nuclear talks between Tehran and Washington, which ended without agreement on February 27. Shortly afterward, the United States launched “Operation Epic Fury,” while Israel began “Operation Roaring Lion,” signaling heightened military activity in the region.

The government of Bangladesh has announced extensive safety preparations for travelers during the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holiday. According to information from a recent meeting of the Ministry of Home Affairs’ law and order committee, helicopters will be used for rapid rescue operations in case of major accidents on highways or railways. Armed forces and law enforcement helicopter units will remain on standby to reach accident sites quickly.

The plan also includes the use of air routes to access remote or traffic-congested areas for immediate rescue efforts. Fire Service diving teams, rescue boats, modern firefighting equipment, and ambulances will be kept ready at all times. The Coast Guard may assist if necessary, and hospitals and trauma centers along highways have been instructed to prepare for emergency medical services.

Experts cited in the report emphasized that the first few hours after an accident are crucial for saving lives, and timely rescue operations can significantly reduce fatalities.

Pope Leo has called on Christian political leaders who have initiated or participated in wars to confess their sins in church. Speaking at a conference in the Vatican on Friday, he urged these leaders to examine whether they are truly following the teachings of Jesus. In his address to priests, the Pope did not name any specific leaders or conflicts but questioned whether those responsible for armed conflicts have the courage to face their conscience and seek confession.

He emphasized that confession brings personal purification and helps establish peace and unity in society. The appeal comes amid renewed global tensions following a joint U.S.-Israel airstrike in Iran on February 28, which marked the beginning of a new conflict in the Middle East. According to Reuters, although Pope Leo avoided naming any war or leader, his message was clearly directed at those involved in current hostilities.

The Catholic Church traditionally opposes war based on Jesus’ principle of nonviolence, though it recognizes the “just war” doctrine to assess moral justification for conflicts. Earlier this week, Washington’s Cardinal Robert McElroy said the U.S.-Israel strike in Iran failed to meet the Church’s just war standards.

Microsoft has announced the launch of Copilot Health, a new secure space within its Copilot platform designed to help users make sense of their personal health information. The service integrates medical intelligence to provide personalized, actionable insights based on users’ health records, wearable data, and medical history. Copilot Health aims to enhance doctor visits by helping users arrive better prepared with relevant questions and context. The rollout begins with a waitlist for early users in the United States.

According to Microsoft, Copilot Health consolidates data from over 50 wearable devices and more than 50,000 U.S. hospitals through HealthEx, as well as lab results from Function. It uses advanced AI, including the Microsoft AI Diagnostic Orchestrator, to identify health patterns and generate insights. The platform emphasizes privacy and security, with encrypted data storage, strict access controls, and no use of personal data for model training. It has achieved ISO/IEC 42001 certification for AI management systems.

Initially available in English for U.S. adults aged 18 and older, Copilot Health will expand to additional languages and regions in future phases. It is not intended to diagnose or treat medical conditions.

The United States has instructed non-essential government employees and their family members to leave Oman as regional tensions escalate. The directive was issued after the US State Department updated its travel advisory on Friday, citing increased security risks in the Middle East. The advisory warned of ongoing threats of drone and missile attacks originating from Iran, which have also disrupted commercial flight operations in the region.

According to Oman's state media, two people were killed in a drone strike in the country's northern region. The report linked the incident to the broader conflict in the Middle East, where Iran has been carrying out retaliatory attacks in neighboring countries. The situation underscores the growing instability across the region and the heightened caution among foreign governments regarding the safety of their citizens.

The updated travel advisory reflects Washington’s concern over the expanding conflict and its potential to affect US personnel and operations in the Gulf region.

Iran’s Unified Combatant Command has warned that any attack on its oil and energy infrastructure will trigger immediate retaliation against US-linked oil companies in the Middle East. The statement came after an assault on Kharg Island, a key terminal responsible for about 90 percent of Iran’s oil exports.

The Khatam al-Anbia Central Headquarters said in a statement that if Iranian energy facilities are targeted, US-affiliated oil and energy infrastructure will be destroyed and reduced to ashes. The warning followed US President Donald Trump’s announcement that American forces had destroyed military targets on Kharg Island, though he clarified that oil infrastructure was not targeted.

Trump also cautioned that if Iran or any other party disrupts free and safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, he would reconsider that restraint. The development marks a sharp escalation in tensions following earlier US reluctance to strike Iranian energy sites and comes amid ongoing regional conflict involving Israel and Iran.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas has undergone successful surgery and is currently under special observation at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka. Doctors confirmed that there was no brain hemorrhage but an infection was detected. Due to limited medical support in the country, his family and party are making efforts to transfer him abroad for advanced treatment.

Professor Dr. Shahabuddin Talukder, the specialist overseeing his care, stated that the surgery was completed successfully and that the decision to move him abroad depends on his physical improvement. According to BNP’s media cell, his CT scan results are satisfactory, but the necessary specialized support and intensive monitoring facilities are insufficient locally.

Mirza Abbas was admitted to Evercare Hospital last Wednesday after suddenly falling ill during iftar and losing consciousness. His family and party have requested prayers from the public for his recovery.

The government has appointed Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leaders as administrators in five city corporations—Barishal, Rajshahi, Mymensingh, Rangpur, and Cumilla. According to a circular issued by the Ministry of Local Government on Saturday, these administrators will serve until the corporations are formally constituted or until further orders are issued.

Bilkis Akter Jahan Shirin, the BNP’s Barishal divisional organizing secretary, has been named administrator of Barishal City Corporation. Mahfuzur Rahman, general secretary of Rajshahi city BNP, will oversee Rajshahi City Corporation. Rukunuzzaman Rokon, member secretary of Mymensingh South District BNP, will manage Mymensingh City Corporation. Mahfuz Un Nabi Chowdhury, member secretary of Rangpur city BNP, has been appointed for Rangpur, while Yusuf Molla, general secretary of Cumilla city BNP, will serve as administrator there.

Earlier, on February 23, the government appointed BNP-affiliated figures as administrators in six other city corporations, including Dhaka, Khulna, Sylhet, Narayanganj, and Gazipur, continuing a similar pattern of appointments.