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.

Iran has launched extensive attacks on US military bases located in three Middle Eastern countries, according to a report by Al Jazeera on Saturday, March 14, 2026. The Iranian Navy claimed responsibility for multiple strikes targeting US installations in the region. Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, stated that the attacks were directed at the Al-Dhafra base in the United Arab Emirates, the Al-Adiri base in Kuwait, and the Sheikh Isa base in Bahrain. The strikes reportedly targeted US Patriot radar systems, military aircraft, and fuel storage tanks. The escalation follows a US attack on an Iranian warship in the Indian Ocean that killed 104 naval personnel. Iranian Army Chief Amir Hatami condemned the incident, vowing retaliation. According to Iran’s state news agency IRNA, the IRIS Dena destroyer was returning from a military exercise when it was struck. Hatami described the crew’s deaths as a symbol of courage and duty, pledging to strengthen Iran’s naval capabilities to defend its maritime borders. The developments mark a sharp rise in regional tensions, with both sides signaling readiness for further military action.

Iran has allowed a limited number of Indian ships to pass safely through the Strait of Hormuz despite ongoing regional conflict. The announcement was made by Iran’s ambassador to India, Mohammad Fathali, during a conclave organized by India Today in New Delhi. He did not specify how many ships received permission. Due to current hostilities, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has been largely suspended. Iran imposed extensive restrictions on navigation in the key waterway amid heightened tensions with the United States and Israel. The decision to permit certain Indian vessels safe passage is being viewed as an unusual exception under the circumstances. The development comes as regional tensions remain high, with reports of threats to U.S. oil facilities and military actions across several Middle Eastern countries.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has claimed responsibility for what it described as a large-scale precision strike on Iran’s Kharg Island. According to a brief statement posted on social media platform X, the operation destroyed more than 90 Iranian military targets, including naval mine storage facilities and missile bunkers. CENTCOM stated that the island’s oil infrastructure was deliberately left intact during the attack. An Iranian official earlier said that oil exports from Kharg Island were continuing normally and that operations of oil companies had not been disrupted. Kharg Island serves as Iran’s main oil export hub, handling the majority of the country’s crude shipments to international markets. The report did not specify the timing or duration of the strike, and no details were provided about casualties or potential retaliatory actions.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Saturday inaugurated a new financial assistance program for religious leaders of all faiths at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka. The event brought together imams, muezzins, khadems, priests, monks, and pastors from across the country. Rahman emphasized that people of all religions and beliefs in Bangladesh stand together in harmony and must not allow division or discord to arise among them. The program was launched by handing over a check to Hossain Ahmed Abdullah, the imam of Bogura’s Baitul Rahman Central Mosque, followed by the transfer of funds to designated bank accounts through the IBAS system. Rahman announced that the initiative would gradually extend financial support to khatibs, imams, muezzins, and other religious figures nationwide. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring the financial and social security of all citizens, regardless of religion or profession. The initiative marks a state-backed effort to promote interfaith solidarity and provide economic support to religious service providers across Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has inaugurated a government honorarium program for imams, muezzins, and leaders of various faiths across the country. The initiative was described as a milestone for religious harmony and social security. Following the announcement, Sargis Alam, chief organizer (northern region) of the National Citizens Party (NCP), publicly thanked the prime minister in a Facebook post on Saturday, March 14, 2026. According to the program details, 4,908 mosques, 990 temples, 144 Buddhist monasteries, and 396 churches are included in the first phase. Under the pilot project, each mosque will receive 10,000 taka, distributed among the imam, muezzin, and khadem. Each temple, monastery, and church will receive 8,000 taka, shared among their respective religious leaders and assistants. The initiative aims to strengthen interfaith respect and provide financial recognition to religious service providers, marking a new step in the government’s approach to promoting social inclusion and religious coexistence.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) has suspended the planned implementation of the 'Scientific Lifestyle Development and Mental Health Service Program' in educational institutions across Bangladesh. The suspension was announced through an office order signed by Professor Dr. Khan Moinuddin Al Mahmud Sohel, Director (Secondary) of DSHE, on Thursday, March 14, 2026. The order halts the directive issued on March 5 that instructed all institutions under DSHE to gradually implement the program. Earlier, on March 8, DSHE had announced that the initiative would be carried out under the Ministry of Education’s guidance, based on a manual prepared by the Quantum Foundation. A memorandum of understanding between DSHE and the foundation outlined free one-day training sessions for teachers and students, with school heads coordinating schedules with designated trainers. Institutions were also instructed to form monitoring pools to oversee daily practice and repeat training for new students annually. The directive emphasized that activities must remain within the approved manual and not expand beyond its scope. The reason for the suspension was not specified in the order.

BNP Standing Committee member Mirza Abbas remains under treatment at Evercare Hospital in Dhaka after undergoing a second successful surgery. Professor Dr. Shahabuddin Talukder informed that a new CT scan would be conducted on Saturday, March 14, to assess his condition. He clarified that Abbas suffered from an infection in the brain, not bleeding, and that his recovery progress would determine whether he could be moved abroad for further treatment. According to the medical team, Mirza Abbas is currently under intensive observation, and the next steps will depend on the results of the latest CT scan. Dr. Talukder stated that any decision regarding foreign treatment would be based on the stability of his physical condition. Earlier, on Friday, March 13, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman visited Abbas at the hospital, inquired about his treatment, and instructed officials to take necessary measures for his possible transfer to Singapore. Abbas was admitted to Evercare Hospital on Wednesday after losing consciousness during iftar.

An Iranian official stated that oil exports from Kharg Island are continuing normally, with oil company operations on the island proceeding without disruption. The statement was reported by Iran’s state news agency IRNA and the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, according to Al Jazeera. The announcement came after the United States claimed to have carried out airstrikes on military installations on Kharg Island. Washington also warned that if Iran continues to block the Strait of Hormuz, key oil facilities on the island could become targets. Kharg Island is a vital hub for Iran’s oil exports, accounting for more than 90 percent of the country’s total crude shipments. The situation underscores the island’s strategic importance and the potential risks to global oil supply if tensions in the region escalate further.

Iran has claimed responsibility for attacks on US military bases located in Abu Dhabi and Bahrain, according to a report by Al Jazeera citing Iranian media. The announcement came on the fifteenth day of ongoing US-Israeli strikes on Iran. Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, head of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Navy, stated that Iranian naval forces carried out several consecutive strikes on three US bases in the region. Tangsiri said the targeted sites included Al-Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Isa Base in Bahrain. He claimed that the attacks specifically hit Patriot radar systems, aircraft, and aviation fuel storage tanks. However, details about the extent of damage or any official response from the United States were not immediately available. The situation reflects escalating tensions in the Gulf region, with Iran continuing to retaliate against US and Israeli actions while regional security remains uncertain.