Magura rape victim Asiya’s gayebana janaza was held at the VC square of Dhaka University on Thursday. The Anti-Rape Platform (Dhorshon Birodhi Monch) organised janaza on Thursday at 7:30pm. Participants included leaders and activists from Chhatra Shibir, Chhatra Dal, and Chhatra Sangsad, along with the Vice-Chancellor of Dhaka University Professor Niaz Ahmed Khan, and university students. Magura rape victim laid to eternal rest; prime accused’s house torched At the time, the DU VC said, “No more children should be lost in this way. The country’s judicial system must be strengthened. May Allah protect Asiya’s family. We will stand by them from our respective positions.” After the gayebana janaza, the crowd marched towards the Raju Sculpture while chanting slogans for justice for Asiya. Ashrefa Khatun, a student of Shamsunnahar Hall, said, “Asiya lost her battle for survival. She could not win that fight, but now that fight has been passed on to us. One of our five demands is ensuring the rapists’ punishment. We will respect the law only as long as it can provide justice. If it fails, then burn the law books. We want to see rapists hanged in public.” Another student Umama Fatema said, “When we take to the streets demanding justice for violence against women, we are labelled and tagged. We want a Bangladesh where no other Asiya has to suffer the same fate. From our Anti-Rape Platform, we have demanded the formation of a special tribunal against rape.” Trial of Magura girl rape case to begin in seven days: Law Adviser  She added that, “There are only two labs in the entire country for collecting evidence from rape victims, and both are in Dhaka. So when will evidence be collected in these labs, and when will justice be served? Women in remote areas of Bangladesh leave their cases in the hands of lawyers because they do not understand these legal complexities.”

Bangladesh and Japan on Wednesday discussed the progress of the projects taken under the Public Private Partnership Platform in Bangladesh, particularly of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport Terminal-3 project and cooperation in the railway and road transport sector of Bangladesh. A Bangladesh delegation led by Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser M Siraz Uddin Miah held a bilateral meeting with Japanese Vice Minister for Land, Infrastructure and Transport Hirofumi Amakawa at the ministry in Tokyo and discussed the relevant issues.  Japan expresses support to Dr Yunus to establish a new govt Bangladesh delegation informed the Japanese side that the preparation for cargo and ground handling works of the terminal -3 is progressing to open the third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in the fastest possible time.  Principal Secretary M Siraz Uddin Miah assured maximum cooperation from the government of Bangladesh in this regard. During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on Kamalapur Multi-Modal Transport Hub, MRT Line 6 and Dhaka Outer Ring Road-2 and 3 projects.  Cooperation was also sought to attract Japanese investment in Bangladesh's tourism sector. Assistant Vice Minister for Engineering and Housing Affairs of Japan Yosuke Tsutsumi and senior officials of the ministry were present on the occasion. Japan’s top investors pledge increased investment in Bangladesh Senior Secretary of Road Transport and Highways Division Md. Ehsanul Hoque, Railways Secretary Md. Fahimul Islam, Civil Aviation and Tourism Secretary Nasreen Jahan, Chief Executive Officer of Public Private Partnership Authority Muhammad Rafiqul Islam, Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Japan Md Daud Ali and Director General of Chief Advisor’s office Dr Ahmed Ullah were, among others, present.  

Nepal has invited Bangladesh to attend 'Sagarmatha Sambaad', a multi-stakeholder dialogue forum committed to deliberating on the most prominent issues of global, regional and national significance.  Nepalese Ambassador to Bangladesh Ghanashyam Bhandari on Tuesday met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and handed over an invitation letter from Nepal's Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba to attend the inaugural edition of 'Sagarmatha Sambaad,' scheduled to take place in Kathmandu from May 16-18. During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the positive recent developments in economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Nepal. They discussed key areas such as trade, energy, connectivity, tourism, climate change, and the strengthening of people-to-people contacts. Russia seeks continued cooperation in Bangladesh’s gas exploration efforts The discussions also focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation within regional and sub-regional frameworks, including Saarc, Bimstec, and BBIN, aiming to accelerate mutual benefits for both nations.

Bangladesh’s export performance in February saw a slide from January, but there was a steady growth of 2.77 percent compared to February of the previous year. According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the export earnings in February 2025 reached US $3.97 billion, reflecting a 2.77 percent growth compared to the same month last year. Meanwhile, total exports for the July-February period of FY 2024-25 stood at $32.94 billion, marking a 10.53 percent increase from $29.81 billion recorded during the same period in the previous fiscal year. As in previous months, the apparel sector remained the dominant contributor, with exports amounting to $3.24 billion, posting a modest 1.66 percent growth compared to February 2024. Bangladesh's RMG exports show moderate growth, EU remains key market Several non-traditional sectors registered notable growth in February 2025, including: 1. Leather and leather goods: 34.37 percent 2. Frozen and live fish: 26.66% 3. Plastic products: 7.97 percent 4. Agricultural products: 7.03 percent But some sectors experienced a decline in export earnings during the same period. These include: 1. Jute and jute goods minus (-) 11.39 percent 2. Light engineering products (-) 1.56 percent 3. Home textiles (-) 0.23 percent Despite challenges in certain sectors, the overall positive growth trajectory underscores Bangladesh’s resilience and competitiveness in the global export market, said Md Anwar Hossain, the Vice-Chairman of EPB. The export target for FY 2024-25 has been set at $50 billion, representing a projected growth of 12.44% over the previous fiscal year. Bangladesh Bank eases loan rescheduling policy for raw jute exporters This ambitious goal reflects the nation’s commitment to expanding its global trade footprint and strengthening its position in the international marketplace as stated by the EPB in an official remark on exports.

The Bangladesh government has officially removed police verification from the e-passport application process. In a February 18, 2025 circular, the Security Services Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that e-passports will now be issued based solely on the information available in the National Identity Card (NID). For minors and expatriate Bangladeshis, the birth registration certificate (BRC) registered online will serve as the primary verification document. This update aims to streamline passport issuance and reduce processing time. Let’s take a look at the overall application procedure for obtaining an e-passport without police clearance. Essential Documents for E-Passport Application . Primary Documents Based on Age Category Applicants below 18 years: BRC in English, registered online.Applicants aged 18 to 20 years: Either a NID card or an online-registered BRC in English.Applicants above 20 years: A NID card is mandatory. However, those residing abroad can submit an online-registered BRC issued by Bangladesh Missions.For minors: Both parents' NID cards must be provided.Proof of residence: A recent utility bill (gas, electricity, or water) of the applicant’s residential address.For adoptees or legal guardianship cases: An official order from the Department of Protective Services, Ministry of Home Affairs.For marital status verification: Marriage certificate or Nikahnama for married applicants; in case of divorce, a Talaqnama must be submitted if applicable. Additional Documents for Various Professionals Technical or skilled professionals (e.g., drivers, engineers, doctors): A relevant vocational or professional certification.Students: A certificate from the head of the educational institution, the latest educational qualification certificate, or a valid student ID card.Private sector employees: An official employment certificate issued by the respective institution.Government employees: Any one of the following official documents, as published on the issuing authority’s website:- Government Order (GO)- No Objection Certificate (NOC)- Employment Certificate- Post-Retirement Leave (PRL) Order- Pension BookFarmers and agricultural workers: A copy of their land title deed as proof of agricultural engagement.Business owners: A copy of a valid Trade License for their business establishment. Mandatory Attachments at the Time of Application Submission Along with the primary and profession-specific documents, applicants must also submit: - A printed summary of the application form, including the scheduled time for biometric registration.- A printed copy of the fully completed online application form.- Receipt of passport fee payment as proof of submission.- For children below six years, a recent passport-sized photograph taken in a lab with a gray background is required.- For applicants above six years, no separate photograph is required. Most importantly, there is no requirement to have any of the above documents attested for submission. Read more: Bangladesh E-passport Error Correction Process Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for an E-Passport . Filling Out the Online Application Form To initiate the e-passport application process, access the official website at www.epassport.gov.bd using an internet browser. Select the ‘Apply Online’ tab, where the first step involves determining the designated e-passport issuing office. This is done by choosing the relevant district and police station from the drop-down menu, after which the affiliated passport office will be automatically assigned. For applicants seeking to identify the nearest e-passport office separately, the necessary information can be found at this link: https://dip.gov.bd/site/page/4d4ea063-50df-46ee-a326-492d8ef2dbb0/-. Following the selection of the passport office, an account must be created on the e-passport online registration portal. This requires entering an email address, NID card or BRC, and a mobile number, followed by setting a unique password. Once the account has been successfully created, future logins can be performed using either the email or mobile number and the designated password. All information provided in the form must match exactly with the details on the applicant’s NID card. Once the required mandatory fields are completed, the system will prompt for passport fee payment. If the payment is made online, the receipt number will be automatically linked to the application. The next step involves scheduling an appointment for biometric registration. A date can be selected from the available slots displayed on the screen. At the final stage, after submission, a summary of the completed application, including the scheduled biometric appointment, will be displayed. A printed copy of both the summary and the submitted online registration form must be attached to other required documents before proceeding with the next steps. Read more: E-Passport for Children in Bangladesh: Application process, necessary documents E-Passport Fee Payment Options The Department of Passports and Immigration has approved multiple payment methods for e-passport processing fees. The available options include: Debit and Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard, and American ExpressMobile Financial Services (MFS): bKash, Nagad, Rocket, UPay, DMoney, OK Wallet, and MBL RainbowAuthorized Banks:Bank Asia, BRAC Bank, Eastern Bank, City Bank, United Commercial Bank, Arab-Bangladesh Bank, Dutch-Bangla Bank, and Midland Bank. E-Passport Fee Structure and Processing Time The fee for an e-passport varies depending on the number of pages, validity period, and delivery speed. Applications are categorized into Regular, Express, and Super Express services: Super Express Service: The fastest option, delivering the passport within 2 working days from the date of biometric registration.Express Service: Processing takes a minimum of 7 working days which extends to a maximum of 10 days from the date of biometric registration.Regular Service: The most extended timeframe, with a processing period of at least 15 working days or 21 days from the date of biometric registration. Read more: No police verification required for passports: CA E-Passport with 48 Pages (5-Year Validity) Regular Service: BDT 4,025Express Service: BDT 6,325Super Express Service: BDT 8,625 E-Passport with 64 Pages (5-Year Validity) Regular Service: BDT 6,325Express Service: BDT 8,625Super Express Service: BDT 12,075 E-Passport with 48 Pages (10-Year Validity) Regular Service: BDT 5,750Express Service: BDT 8,050Super Express Service: BDT 10,350 E-Passport with 64 Pages (10-Year Validity) Regular Service: BDT 8,050Express Service: BDT 10,350Super Express Service: BDT 13,800 Document Submission and Biometric Registration Applicants must visit the designated e-passport service center on the scheduled date, bringing all required documents. During this visit, the biometric data, including photographs and fingerprints, will be collected. To ensure smooth processing, candidates must wear colored clothing when having their photograph taken at the passport center. Upon completing the biometric process, a delivery slip will be issued, specifying the estimated date of passport collection. This slip serves as proof of biometric registration and must be kept safely for submission on the day of passport collection. Read more: Government issues guidelines over revoking diplomatic “red” passports Checking E-Passport Application Status From the day of biometric registration until the estimated passport collection date, applicants can track their application status online. For this, visit: https://www.epassport.gov.bd/authorization/application-status- A 13-digit application ID will be provided on the distribution slip. Applicants must use this Application ID or the OID (Online Registration ID) found in the application form to check the current progress of their e-passport. Collection of E-Passport Without Police Verification Previously, police verification was required after biometric registration. However, under the new regulations, this step has been eliminated. Once the e-passport is ready for collection, a notification will be sent to the mobile number and email address provided in the application form. To collect the passport, applicants must visit the designated passport issuing office on the specified date, bringing along the original delivery slip and NID card. Verdict Online application process for Bangladesh e-passport is easy and user-friendly. From February 18, 2025, the removal of the requirement for police verification has streamlined the e-passport application process, offering a more efficient and accessible approach for all. Applicants now only need to provide their NID card or BRC, removing the traditional requirement for police clearance. The process includes completing an online application, submitting necessary documents, and attending bio-enrollment at the designated passport office. Applicants can track their application status and collect their passports upon notification, making the overall experience faster. Read more: Visa-free Travel for Bangladeshi Passport Holders in 2025: Top Destinations to Explore

Visiting European Commissioner Hadja Lahbib on Monday stressed more cooperation in preparedness, disaster management and climate change, including flood control, saying that the European Union (EU) is keen to exchange “good practices" and preparedness strategies with Bangladesh. "You did an extraordinary job at an extraordinary time. My main message is that we are ready to reinforce our cooperation,” the European Commissioner told Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus lauding his leadership at the critical juncture of the country. The Chief Adviser said the interim government is committed to holding a "free and fair" election and the vote would likely be held by December this year, according to the Chief Adviser’s press wing. She said the European Union is providing 68 million euros this year for the Rohingya response, including host communities in Bangladesh and for the Myanmar conflict, notably for the people caught in violence in Myanmar's Western Rakhine state. The EU commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management made the announcement when she called on Bangladesh Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka. But despite the fact that the amount is more than the initial EU contribution last year, it is still not enough to avoid the risk of a significant deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the camps, the Commissioner said, due to the growing funding gap. Prof Yunus reiterated his government's support for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis, saying it is a "big issue" for Bangladesh. “It has been going on for several years without any solution. There’s no expiry date. “We are very happy to see you visit Bangladesh. The UN secretary-general is coming. We are trying to draw international attention to the Rohingya crisis,” said Prof Yunus. The EU Commissioner said the only answer to the crisis is peace. “We need to remain prepared for all kinds of disasters, including man-made disasters. Such disasters also include disinformation,” she said. A fugitive party trying to destablise Bangladesh: Dr Yunus tells BBC Bangla

VFS Global has launched a new Generative AI-powered chatbot to enhance customer support for travellers to the UK. The AI-powered Chatbot not only utilises advanced Generative AI technology to offer human-like, conversational support, but does so through both voice and text commands, providing instant, accurate, and accessible information for customers travelling to the UK. Developed by VFS Global’s AI team, headquartered in Dubai, the AI-powered Chatbot addresses the increasing demand for efficient customer support, allowing users to easily access the information needed to navigate the application process. VFS Global to deliver UK visa services in Bangladesh, 141 other countries Jen Vidler, Deputy Director, Cross Cutting Service Operations, Visa, Status and Information Services, Customer Services Group, UK Visas and Immigration, said the rollout of VFS Global’s AI-powered chatbot demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring our visa services are accessible, efficient and meet the needs of all customers. "Providing instant access to accurate information about the visa application process will ensure we continue to offer the best service to our customers.” Zubin Karkaria, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, VFS Global, said technology and innovation have always been the cornerstones of our operations at VFS Global, and they are pleased to launch this AI-powered information solution which will significantly enhance the visa application experience for our customers travelling to the UK from across the globe. "We are developing a range of AI and digital technology driven products to drive the next transformation in visa and consular services for our Client Governments and customers. We remain deeply committed to the responsible development of AI in accordance with the policies and requirements of our client governments.” The AI-powered Chatbot was developed using advanced Generative AI technologies, each trained exclusively on publicly available data from their respective VFS Global Country-to-UK websites, said the VFS Global in a media release on Wednesday. Built and hosted entirely on VFS Global’s secure IT infrastructure, the AI models adhere to rigorous data privacy and security standards. A dedicated team of data scientists and AI specialists collaborated on the project, leveraging in-house expertise to uphold the highest quality and security standards, with VFS Global’s AI centres based in Dubai (the headquarters for AI and Digital Operations), Mumbai, and Berlin. Ethical AI practices were a key focus, with VFS Global partnering with the ‘Responsible AI Institute’ to integrate ethical considerations and bias mitigation into the development process. Besides, the project utilised proprietary AI platforms, including our AI Foundation Model and Super Alpha Application Platform, both equipped with built-in guardrails to ensure data safety, security and regulatory compliance. Key Features of the GenAI-Powered chatbot • Human-like interactions: The AI-Powered Chatbot delivers responses that closely mimic human conversation, enhancing user engagement• Country-specific information: Focussed solely on the customers’ needs, the information is highly accurate and relevant• Data masking and PII detection: This process detects and masks any Personally Identifiable Information (PII); therefore, no sensitive data is stored• Secure AI hosting: Deploys our Large Language Model (LLM) in a safe environment to prevent data sharing with external platforms• Ethical AI practices: Minimises biases and ensures fair and consistent responses• 24/7 availability: Customers can access assistance anytime• User feedback mechanism: User feedback helps refine responses over time. END/UNB/MK/SAM

Bangladesh and Algeria on Sunday emphasized expanding educational collaboration, strengthening defense cooperation through training and exchange programs, and enhancing agricultural partnerships. The two sides also discussed removing trade barriers and considering agreements on double taxation avoidance and investment promotion. Ambassador of Algeria to Bangladesh Dr. Abdelouahab Saidani had a meeting with Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and reviewed the outcomes of the recent bilateral consultations in Cairo and explored avenues to enhance cooperation. Discussions focused on boosting economic ties through investments, business exchanges, and trade facilitation. The dignitaries reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian cause and discussed the Rohingya crisis, with the Foreign Secretary highlighting Bangladesh’s plans to host an international conference on the issue. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening Bangladesh-Algeria relations through sustained dialogue and collaboration.  

BNP Acting Chairman Tarique Rahman on Saturday said unity among the democratic forces is crucial to protect Bangladesh and its people from conspirators. "If we want to protect the people of the country and, above all, safeguard Bangladesh, we must all remain united at any cost," he said while virtually addressing the council of the Jashore district unit BNP at Central Eidgah Maidan.  The BNP leader warned that autocratic forces are attempting to resurface and that conspirators are not sitting idle. "They are continuing their plans under various pretexts, but we cannot allow them to succeed.” Fakhrul urges democratic forces to build livable Bangladesh "There may be differences of opinion among us. We’ll sit together and discuss. If one discussion is not enough, we will sit again. Through discussions, we’ll find solutions to our problems," he said. He highlighted the BNP’s commitment to rebuilding the country, stating that the party had presented a 31-point outline for the reform of the state structure, which includes plans for education, employment, healthcare, and agriculture. Tarique said the main goal of his party is to restore the collapsed state structure to rebuild the country. “Many people are talking about reforms now, but in the past, they were nowhere to be seen on the streets. Only BNP has faced the bloodshed of dictatorship, discussed reforms, and announced a 31-point plan,” he said. People will resist if fascism emerges again:Rizvi The BNP leader also said if the BNP returns to power with the people’s votes, its first priority will be to rebuild the country. Tarique accused Sheikh Hasina of resorting to killings and enforced disappearances to stay in power. He said during Hasina's long autocratic rule, BNP and some other political parties protested on the streets, enduring repression and suppression. Tarique observed that those who now speak ‘big talks’ were absent during the anti-dictatorship movement at that time. He also mentioned that action had already been taken against leaders and activists of his party involved in unlawful activities. “So, the people of the country cannot be misled by the carrying out propaganda against BNP.” Tarique emphasised the importance of holding a credible and transparent national election as soon as possible to rebuild the country in line with the people's hopes and aspirations.      

Bangladesh and India have agreed to take concrete measures to eliminate border killings, strengthen security and enhance cooperation on cross-border issues, following the 55th Border Conference between Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and India’s Border Security Force (BSF). The four-day conference (February 17 to 20) in New Delhi, saw a 13-member Bangladeshi delegation, led by BGB Director General Maj Gen Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman Siddiqui, engage in discussions with the Indian delegation, headed by BSF Director General Shri Daljit Singh Chawdhary, according to a BGB media release. During the meeting, the BGB chief expressed deep concern over the killings of Bangladeshi citizens along the border and urged BSF to take necessary measures to bring the incidents down to zero. Bangladesh, India want effective border management without any killing In addition, the BSF was requested to inform the appropriate authorities about the construction and renovation of embankments along the banks to prevent erosion of the border river and the unexpected floods caused by opening the embankments upstream in Bangladesh and releasing water without prior notice, said the release. The BGB DG stressed the effective implementation of the ‘Integrated Border Management Plan’ to ensure peace, order and security along the border. In response, BSF reiterated its commitment to a non-lethal policy while upholding human rights and pledged continued cooperation to curb border crimes, including drug trafficking and smuggling. Key outcomes of the conference In order to reduce the incidents of shooting/killing/injuring/beating of unarmed citizens on the border to zero, both sides agreed to intensify joint patrols in vulnerable areas, exchange intelligence promptly, undertake awareness campaigns among border communities and implement socio-economic development initiatives. Any killings along the border will be thoroughly investigated, with necessary measures taken. Dhaka, Delhi eye "good working relations" addressing problems Any construction within 150 yards of the border, including fences and bunkers, will require prior inspection and approval by a joint verification team. Development projects stalled within this zone will be resolved through mutual consultation. Both forces committed to strengthening cooperation in preventing smuggling, particularly of drugs such as Phensedyl, Yaba and cannabis, as well as human trafficking, gold smuggling, illegal weapons trade, and circulation of counterfeit currency. Real-time intelligence sharing was also agreed upon. Both sides will take measures to prevent misunderstandings and tensions caused by illegal border crossings, increasing surveillance and awareness campaigns to prevent unauthorised movements. Stronger efforts will be made to dismantle human trafficking networks, with a focus on the rescue and rehabilitation of victims in accordance with national laws. Besides, establishment of suitable water treatment plants to remove waste water from 4 border canals flowing from Agartala to Akhaura; opening of Rahimpur canal mouth with Kushiyara River in Zakiganj; fruitful discussions were held on the possible location of regional separatist armed terrorist groups and their activities, the release added. EU wants Bangladesh to succeed in its transition from “autocracy to democracy” Both sides praised the implementation of the Coordinated Border Management Plan (CBMP) and pledged to continue collaborative efforts. Plans were also made to conduct joint sports events and a ‘Joint Retreat Ceremony’ to foster mutual trust and cooperation.