Pope Leo XIV has renewed his call for peace in the Middle East, urging an immediate ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran. Speaking after the weekly Angelus prayer at the Vatican City on Sunday, he appealed to both sides, as well as the United States, to halt hostilities and resume dialogue. The Pope, the first American to hold the position, said people in the region have endured severe violence since the conflict began two weeks ago.

He warned that violence can never bring the justice, stability, and peace that ordinary people have long awaited. His appeal came amid escalating drone and missile exchanges between Israel and Iran, which have caused widespread instability across the Middle East over the past 14 days.

The Pope’s statement coincides with ongoing diplomatic efforts by world leaders to prevent the conflict from expanding into a full-scale regional war.

The Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education (DSHE) in Bangladesh has issued an urgent directive to all educational institutions to report on measures taken against drug abuse, eve-teasing, and disorderly 'Rag Day' activities. The directive, sent on March 15, 2026, instructs regional and deputy directors to compile and submit progress reports by March 30 via a designated email. Institutions are also asked to encourage students to focus on nighttime study and to show anti-drug documentaries and theme songs produced by the Department of Narcotics Control.

The order follows a February 25 meeting chaired by the Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division, where several law and order decisions were made. The DSHE letter emphasizes the urgency of implementing awareness programs and social campaigns to combat drug abuse and maintain discipline in educational environments.

Regional officials must collect data from district and upazila-level institutions, including implementation rates, reasons for non-compliance, and relevant comments, and compile them according to a prescribed format before submission.

Pirojpur-1 Member of Parliament Masud Saeedi stated in the National Parliament on Sunday that public confusion has arisen because the BNP did not take the oath as members of the Constitutional Reform Council formed under the July National Charter. He said that despite a referendum showing strong public support for constitutional reform, the BNP’s hesitation raised doubts about its commitment to the July Charter and the people’s aspirations for a reformed Bangladesh.

Saeedi expressed hope that the BNP would soon end speculation by taking the oath and implementing the July National Charter Implementation Order 2025 in line with the 2026 referendum results, where 70 percent voted in favor. He emphasized the government’s responsibility to enforce the people’s decision and called for justice, independence of the judiciary, and a zero-tolerance policy against corruption.

He also urged all parliament members to unite beyond political divisions to build a welfare-oriented state based on equality and justice, describing the July Charter as a historic milestone reflecting the people’s revolutionary aspirations.

Major airlines including Qantas, SAS, and Air New Zealand have announced fare increases following a sharp rise in jet fuel prices triggered by U.S.-Israel attacks in Iran. The conflict disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, driving oil prices up and destabilizing global air travel. Air New Zealand said jet fuel prices jumped from 85–90 to 150–200 dollars per barrel, prompting it to suspend its 2026 financial forecast.

SAS stated that it raised ticket prices to offset costs and maintain operations, while Qantas is considering rerouting aircraft to Europe to avoid Middle East airspace. Finnair, which had hedged over 80 percent of its first-quarter fuel needs, warned that prolonged conflict could threaten fuel availability. Hong Kong Airlines announced a fuel surcharge increase of up to 35.2 percent, particularly affecting flights to South Asia. Some European carriers, such as British Airways’ parent IAG, said they have sufficient fuel hedging and no immediate plans to raise fares.

Oil prices briefly peaked at 119 dollars per barrel before easing, and airline stocks fluctuated sharply. Analysts warned that sustained high fuel costs and restricted airspace could further strain the global travel industry.

The Ministry of Education has called a meeting on Monday to review a demonstration of the new transfer software for MPO-listed teachers working in private schools and colleges across Bangladesh. The meeting will be chaired by Secondary and Higher Education Division Secretary Abdul Khaleque, with Education Minister Dr. A N M Ehsanul Haque Milan and the Minister of Primary and Mass Education also expected to attend. Officials said the software, jointly developed by the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education and Teletalk, has already undergone a successful trial and may receive final approval after the demonstration.

Previously, MPO teachers had no formal system for transfers and could only change institutions through public notifications issued by the NTRCA. That process was discontinued after the third notification, prompting teacher protests and leading the ministry to draft a new transfer policy. However, implementation was delayed due to legal challenges, software development issues, and policy revisions.

If approved, the new system could mark the beginning of a structured digital process for teacher transfers in private educational institutions.

Debris from an Iranian ballistic missile struck a building used by US diplomats in Israel, according to a CNN report citing Israeli outlet Channel 12. The report included an image showing damage to part of the building’s roof, which appeared to be over a parking area. The exact location of the damaged building was not specified by the Israeli media.

The United States maintains its embassy in Jerusalem and a large branch office in Tel Aviv, which previously served as the main embassy. CNN said it had contacted the US State Department for comment on the incident, but no official response had been received at the time of reporting.

The incident comes amid heightened regional tensions, with recent reports of missile and drone attacks involving Iran and Israel, though the source did not provide further details on casualties or broader implications.

A drone struck an Italian military base in Kuwait that is jointly used with the United States, according to the country's military. The incident occurred as the Iran–Israel conflict entered its 16th day, with Iran continuing to launch strong counterattacks. The report was confirmed by Al Jazeera, citing official sources.

Authorities have not released details about the origin or ownership of the drone involved in the strike. According to an AFP report quoting officials, there were no casualties from the incident. The attack adds to regional tensions as hostilities between Iran and Israel persist without signs of a ceasefire or negotiation.

The situation underscores the growing risks to foreign military installations in the Middle East as the conflict continues to expand beyond direct combat zones.

Operations have resumed at the Fujairah oil terminal in the United Arab Emirates after a drone strike temporarily disrupted activities on Saturday. The attack caused smoke and panic in the area, but authorities confirmed that the situation is now under control. According to port officials, the fire began when debris from a downed drone fell after being intercepted by the air defense system.

A Bloomberg report cited sources confirming that oil loading operations at the port have returned to normal. Fujairah is strategically significant, located about 70 miles from the Strait of Hormuz. With shipping through the strait currently halted, vessels have been using Fujairah as an alternative route to avoid the riskier passage.

The incident occurred amid ongoing regional tensions that have raised concerns about potential disruptions to global oil supplies. However, the swift resumption of operations at Fujairah has eased some of those fears.

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said he expects the ongoing war with Iran to end within the next few weeks. Speaking in an interview on ABC News’ program ‘This Week,’ Wright expressed optimism that the conflict could conclude even sooner.

He noted that once the war ends, energy supplies are likely to return to normal and fuel prices may decrease. According to Wright, the instability in global energy markets caused by the conflict should gradually subside after peace is restored.

The comments come amid continuing hostilities between Iran and Israel, with reports of missile and drone attacks in the region, and international calls for a ceasefire.

Prime Minister and BNP Chair Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Dinajpur on Monday to inaugurate a canal excavation program. He will arrive at Saidpur Airport at 10 a.m. by air and then travel to Dinajpur in a special bulletproof bus. The visit was confirmed by Abdur Gafur Sarkar, president of the organizational district BNP of Saidpur. Local BNP members have organized a welcome procession in Saidpur to greet him along the route from the airport to the city.

According to the schedule, after landing in Saidpur, Tarique Rahman will travel by bus to Kaharol to inaugurate the canal excavation project. Following the event, he will visit Dinajpur town to pay respects at his grandparents’ graves and attend an iftar at the Circuit House field. He is expected to return to Dhaka by air at 8 p.m. the same day.

Additional Superintendent of Police Anwar Hossain stated that strict security measures have been arranged for the Prime Minister’s visit, with SSF, intelligence personnel, and 3,000 police officers deployed across the area.

The Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued a 16-point directive to ensure uninterrupted emergency healthcare during the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays across Bangladesh. The order, signed by Dr. Abu Hossain Md. Moinul Ahsan, Director of Hospitals and Clinics, instructs all government hospitals to keep emergency departments, labor rooms, operating theaters, laboratories, blood banks, CT scan, and MRI services operational around the clock.

The directives include maintaining adequate staffing by arranging phased leave schedules, ensuring the presence of on-call specialist doctors at upazila level, and keeping sufficient stocks of medicines, IV fluids, and surgical supplies before the holidays. Ambulance services must remain active, and hospital authorities are required to coordinate with local administration and law enforcement for security. Fire safety precautions and continuous communication between hospital heads and staff are also mandated.

Private hospitals and clinics are instructed to keep emergency and maternity services open under registered physicians and to provide primary care before referring patients. Any disaster or accident must be immediately reported to the DGHS control room.

The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) has accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of spreading false information about the US aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. In a post on its Persian-language page on social media platform X, CENTCOM stated that the IRGC had once again claimed to have disabled the warship. CENTCOM clarified that the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group continues to maintain full control over Iranian airspace from the sea.

The report added that, in addition to the Abraham Lincoln, the US Navy’s largest aircraft carrier, the USS Gerald R. Ford, is also currently deployed in the region. According to US media reports cited in the source, the United States is sending additional troops to the Persian Gulf, including an amphibious ready group composed of about five thousand marines and sailors.

The developments come amid heightened tensions in the region, with multiple reports of military movements and exchanges involving Iran and other regional actors.

Iran has launched a large-scale ballistic missile and drone attack on Israel on Sunday, March 15, 2026, marking the 16th day of the ongoing conflict between the two nations. According to reports, missiles struck Tel Aviv and at least two other cities, injuring two people in central Israel and three more in the occupied West Bank. The Times of Israel cited emergency service Magen David Adom confirming that two 50-year-old men were wounded in the attack.

The report added that one of the missiles carried cluster munitions, dispersing submunitions across southern and central Israel, including the city of Eilat. Local authorities in Eilat stated that an Iranian ballistic missile equipped with cluster bombs was intercepted by Israel’s air defense system before impact. The attack occurred amid heightened tensions as Iran accused Israel and the United States of imposing an “unjust war.”

The situation underscores the intensifying hostilities between Iran and Israel, with no indication of ceasefire or negotiation efforts from Tehran, according to related reports.

Yemen’s Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, has threatened to close the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in support of Iran as the joint U.S.-Israeli offensive against Tehran enters its 16th day. Houthi military official Abed al-Thawr said on Saturday that if a decision for intervention is made, their first step could be to impose a naval blockade against the United States and Israel. Citing Press TV, he added that commercial ships, warships, and even aircraft carriers heading toward those countries could be detained.

Al-Thawr further stated that the Houthis are considering a complete closure of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait to all vessels bound for Israeli ports. The joint U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran began on February 28, targeting Tehran and several major Iranian cities. The White House claimed the strikes were aimed at neutralizing Iran’s potential missile and nuclear threats.

In response, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched counterattacks on Israeli facilities and U.S. bases in Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. Reports also claimed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several senior officials were killed in the strikes.

India’s Election Commission has announced the schedule for assembly elections in four states—Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, and West Bengal—and the union territory of Puducherry. The announcement was made in New Delhi by Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on March 15, 2026. In West Bengal, voting will take place in two phases, on April 23 and April 29, with counting scheduled for May 4 across all states and the union territory.

In West Bengal, the first phase on April 23 will cover all districts except Kolkata, Howrah, Hooghly, Nadia, East Burdwan, South 24 Parganas, and North 24 Parganas, which will vote in the second phase on April 29. The announcement came shortly after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee declared that pending dearness allowances for government employees would be cleared and monthly stipends for mosque muezzins and Hindu priests would be increased.

The decision follows previous protests by state employees demanding payment of pending allowances, and a Supreme Court directive ordering the state government to settle the dues. A day before the schedule was announced, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a rally in Kolkata and unveiled development projects worth 180 billion rupees for West Bengal.