United News of Bangladesh

Earlier this year, a video by an Indian travel influencer criticizing the weak power of the Indian passport went viral. He pointed out that while countries like Bhutan and Sri Lanka are welcoming to Indian tourists, getting visas to most Western and European destinations remains difficult. His frustration mirrors the findings of the latest Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on visa-free travel access. India slipped five places this year to the 85th spot out of 199 countries, marking another decline in global mobility. The Indian government has yet to comment on the report. The BBC has reached out to the Ministry of External Affairs for clarification. Countries with smaller economies—such as Rwanda (78th), Ghana (74th), and Azerbaijan (72nd)—rank higher than India, despite India being the world’s fifth-largest economy. Over the past decade, India’s passport ranking has generally stayed in the 80s, even falling to 90th in 2021. This contrasts sharply with Asian nations like Japan, South Korea, and Singapore, which have consistently dominated the top positions. Read more: Getting e-passport without police verification in Bangladesh: Documents, fees, and online application process For the second consecutive year, Singapore topped the list, offering visa-free access to 193 countries, followed by South Korea (190) and Japan (189). In comparison, Indian passport holders can visit 57 countries visa-free, sharing the 85th position with Mauritania. A Reflection of Soft Power and Global Influence Passport rankings reflect not only travel convenience but also a nation’s soft power, diplomatic ties, and global reputation. A weak passport means more paperwork, higher visa costs, fewer privileges, and longer approval times. However, despite the drop in rank, the number of countries granting visa-free access to Indian citizens has increased over the years. In 2014, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP came to power, Indians had visa-free access to 52 countries, and the passport ranked 76th. By 2024, that number rose to 62 countries, though India’s rank still slipped to 85th in 2025. Experts say this decline is mainly due to growing global competition. More countries are signing reciprocal visa-free agreements to boost tourism and trade. According to Henley & Partners’ 2025 report, the average number of visa-free destinations worldwide has nearly doubled—from 58 in 2006 to 109 in 2025. Read more: Digital Nomad Visas in Europe in 2026: Top 10 European Countries China, for instance, has expanded its visa-free access from 50 to 82 countries in the past decade, improving its rank from 94th to 60th. India’s ranking, meanwhile, dropped from 77th in July 2025 to 85th in October, after losing visa-free access to two countries. Beyond Diplomacy: Other Factors at Play Former Indian ambassador Achal Malhotra says that factors such as political stability, security, and openness to foreign citizens also influence a country’s passport strength. For example, the U.S. passport, once among the most powerful, has fallen to 12th place, partly due to its inward-looking foreign policy. Mr Malhotra notes that in the 1970s, Indians could travel visa-free to many Western nations, but that changed after the Khalistan movement in the 1980s, which raised concerns about India’s internal stability. Read more: 7 Most Affordable Countries for Citizenship by Investment in 2026 He adds that high emigration rates and cases of visa overstays have made some nations more cautious about granting Indians visa-free access. Moreover, issues such as passport fraud and slow immigration processes also affect India’s standing. In 2024, Delhi Police arrested 203 individuals for alleged passport and visa fraud. A Path Forward Technological advances like India’s new e-passport, which stores biometric data on a secure chip, could help strengthen document security and streamline border checks. But experts agree that diplomatic outreach and bilateral travel agreements will be crucial for improving the global mobility of Indian citizens—and restoring the strength of the Indian passport on the world stage. Source: BBC Read more: Bangladesh moves up one step in global passport strength index

Gary Lineker has revealed he believed the BBC preferred him to step down from Match of the Day, despite his desire to continue. Speaking to Amol Rajan, Lineker said, “Perhaps they want me to leave. There was the sense of that.” The BBC did not comment on the claim but had called Lineker a “world-class presenter” when his departure was announced in November. While stepping back from the long-running football show, which he has hosted since 1999, Lineker will continue with FA Cup and World Cup coverage. Lineker explained he had been negotiating a new contract and sensed the broadcaster wanted to refresh the programme as new rights periods approached. “I think it was their preference that I didn’t do Match of the Day for one more year, so they could bring in new people,” he said. In January, the BBC introduced new presenters: Kelly Cates, Mark Chapman, and Gabby Logan. He expressed satisfaction with his continued involvement in BBC football podcasts and other coverage, calling the arrangement “a scenario that suits me perfectly.” Lineker also addressed his controversial tweets from March 2023, criticising the UK government’s immigration policy. His suspension sparked a major backlash and a presenter walkout in solidarity. Though he stood by his comments, Lineker admitted he wouldn’t repeat them due to the "damage" caused to the BBC. Ronaldo is rested and returning his attention to an Asian Champions League title The row led the BBC to review its social media guidelines, now requiring impartiality from high-profile presenters. Lineker criticised the revised rules, saying they unfairly shifted expectations for those outside news and current affairs. Lineker also backed calls to reinstate the pulled documentary Gaza: How to Survive a War Zone on BBC iPlayer. The programme was removed in February after concerns were raised about the narrator’s connection to Hamas. Lineker said the BBC had “capitulated to lobbying” and insisted viewers should be trusted to make their own judgements. The BBC has acknowledged “significant and damaging” flaws in the documentary’s production and is continuing its investigation. Source: With inputs from BBC

Apple has announced that it will update, rather than suspend, its new artificial intelligence (AI) feature that generated inaccurate news alerts on its latest iPhones. In its first response to concerns, the company confirmed on Monday that it is working on a software update to "further clarify" when notifications are summaries generated by Apple’s AI system, the BBC reports. What to know about Apple's $95 million settlement of the snooping Siri case The BBC raised concerns last month after an AI-generated summary of its headline mistakenly informed readers that Luigi Mangione, the man accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, had shot himself. Recently, Apple’s AI inaccurately summarised BBC app notifications, claiming that Luke Littler had won the PDC World Darts Championship hours before it started, and that Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal had come out as gay. This is the first time Apple has formally acknowledged the issues raised by the BBC, who pointed out that these errors appeared as though they originated from the BBC’s own app. The BBC said that these AI summaries by Apple do not reflect – and in some cases completely contradict – the original BBC content. Apple to pay $95 million to settle lawsuit accusing Siri of eavesdropping "It is critical that Apple urgently addresses these issues as the accuracy of our news is vital for maintaining trust." Apple said that the update would be available "in the coming weeks." The company had previously explained that its notification summaries aim to allow users to "scan for key details" by combining and rewriting multiple recent app notifications into a single alert on the lock screen. "Apple Intelligence features are in beta and we are continuously making improvements with the help of user feedback," the company said in a statement on Monday. It also emphasised that receiving the summaries is optional. The feature, along with other AI tools, is only available on iPhone 16 models, iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max handsets running iOS 18.1 and above, and some iPads and Macs. RSF urges Apple to scrap AI feature after misleading headline incident Reporters Without Borders, an organisation representing journalists, urged Apple to disable the feature in December, saying that the false headline about Mangione showed that "generative AI services are still too immature to produce reliable information for the public." Apple is not the only company that has launched generative AI tools capable of creating text, images, and more. Google’s AI summary feature, which provides written summaries of search results, also faced criticism last year for delivering some erratic responses. A Google spokesperson said these were "isolated examples" and that the feature was generally working well.

Niger's military junta has suspended the BBC for three months, accusing the broadcaster of disseminating false information in its coverage of an extremist attack that purportedly claimed the lives of dozens of Nigerien soldiers and civilians, according to authorities on Thursday, reports AP. Raliou Sidi Mohamed, Niger’s communications minister, stated in letters addressed to radio stations that rebroadcast BBC content that the broadcaster was “spreading false information aimed at destabilising social calm and undermining troops' morale.” Mohamed instructed these stations to halt all BBC programming “with immediate effect. ”In Nigeria's lithium boom, many mines are illegal and children do much of the work The BBC declined to comment on the suspension. The BBC, widely popular in Niger, airs several programmes, including Hausa-language content, through local radio partners to cater to a significant audience across the region. On Wednesday, the broadcaster reported in Hausa on its website that armed attackers had killed over 90 Nigerien soldiers and more than 40 civilians in two villages near the border with Burkina Faso. Similarly, the French broadcaster Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported on the attack, describing it as a jihadi assault and providing the same death toll figures. However, Niger's authorities denied the occurrence of any attack in the area. In a statement broadcast on state television, they announced plans to file a complaint against RFI for “incitement to genocide.” For over a decade, Niger and its neighbours Burkina Faso and Mali have faced insurgencies led by jihadist groups affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State. In recent years, military coups in these nations have resulted in the expulsion of French forces and a pivot towards security partnerships with Russia’s mercenary groups. Despite these changes, analysts note that the security situation in the Sahel has deteriorated, with an unprecedented rise in attacks and civilian casualties attributed to both Islamic militants and government forces. In addition to grappling with security challenges, the juntas in these nations have intensified crackdowns on political dissent and press freedom. Earlier in the year, Malian authorities prohibited media coverage of political parties and associations, while Burkina Faso suspended both the BBC and Voice of America radio stations over their reporting on a mass killing of civilians by state forces. Gunmen kidnap some 50 people in Nigeria Niger itself banned French broadcasters France 24 and RFI in August 2023, a month after its military leaders seized power in a coup. Sadibou Marong, head of Reporters Without Borders' sub-Saharan Africa office, observed in September that the juntas typically impose media censorship whenever security issues or state abuses are reported in an unfavourable light. He added that obtaining reliable, impartial information on government actions or covering the security situation in these nations has become increasingly challenging.

Muhammad has emerged as the most popular name for baby boys in England and Wales in 2023, with over 4,600 babies registered under the name, according to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), as reported by the BBC. This marks a significant milestone, as the name has been in the top 10 since 2016 but has now overtaken Noah, the previous favorite. Other spellings of the name, including Mohammed and Mohammad, also ranked within the top 100. The ONS treats these variations as distinct names, each contributing to the broader popularity of Muhammad over the years. For girls, Olivia continues its reign as the most popular name, followed by Amelia and Isla, unchanged from 2022. Hyphenated names have seen a surge, with over 19,140 instances recorded in 2023, up significantly from around 12,330 the previous year. New entries to the top 100 include Lilah, Raya, and Hazel for girls, and Jax, Enzo, and Bodhi for boys. The ONS highlighted the role of pop culture in shaping naming trends, pointing to influences such as singers Billie Eilish, Lana Del Rey, and music icons Miley Cyrus, Kendrick Lamar, and Elton John. The rise of names like Miley, Rihanna, and Elton coincided with high-profile album releases and tours in 2023. Television also played a role, with names like Wednesday gaining popularity, likely inspired by Netflix's Wednesday, released in late 2022. Seasonal names also trended, with Summer climbing to 86th place and Autumn ranking 96th. Royal names saw a decline in 2023, continuing a downward trend from recent years. Names like George, Archie, Harry, Charlotte, Elizabeth, and Charles became less popular compared to previous years. The ONS noted that changing cultural and media influences continue to shape naming preferences in the UK. The data for 2023 provides a snapshot of these evolving trends, with the list of 2024's most popular names yet to be announced.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have wished Catherine, Princess of Wales, "health and healing" after she announced her cancer diagnosis. Prince Harry and Meghan expressed hope that Catherine and her family may heal "privately and in peace" in a brief statement, reports BBC. Catherine described the news as a "huge shock" after a "incredibly tough couple of months" on Friday. She stated that she was "well" and "getting stronger every day". The specifics of the cancer have not been disclosed. According to Kensington Palace, the princess is sure that she will fully recover, the report said. What is known about Kate's cancer diagnosis Catherine had abdominal surgery in January, although the presence of cancer was unknown at the time. Following testing indicated the presence of cancer. Harry and Meghan stood down as senior royals in January 2020. They moved to California in June, citing a need for more room to raise their son, Archie. Lilibet, the second child, was born the following year. King Charles was also recently diagnosed with cancer, and Harry went to London in early February to meet his father just one day after he began treatment. He did not meet his older brother during the trip. King Charles ‘proud of Catherine for her courage’ Harry's relationship with his brother is said to have deteriorated since he made the announcement that he was leaving his royal responsibilities, the report also said. Harry talked about his falling out with William in his book, “Spare”. In recent years, the brothers have rarely been seen together.

The memoirs of Britney Spears and the Duke of Sussex Prince Harry have been shortlisted for Book of the Year at the British Book Awards. Prince Harry's Spare, the best-selling book in 2023, is nominated in two categories, reports BBC. It comes three decades after his father, the King, was crowned author of the year in 1990, the inaugural year for the awards. This is the actor Pierce Brosnan thinks would make a ‘magnificent’ Bond Other memoirs nominated include that of Star Trek's Sir Patrick Stewart and comic book figure Alan Partridge. Britney Spears' much-anticipated autobiography, The Woman in Me, released in October 2023, was one of the year's best-selling autobiographies. In the book, the pop sensation recounted her career and what it was like to be controlled by her father for 13 years while under conservatorship. Prince Harry and Meghan pursued in their car by photographers in New York She also discussed a medical abortion she had while dating Justin Timberlake in the early 2000s and the emotional impact it had on her. The shortlist reflects the growing number of author-podcasters, with Steven Bartlett garnering two nominations for The Diary of a CEO, named after his hit podcast, and former cabinet minister Rory Stewart nominated for Politics on the Edge. Yomi Adegoke's The List, which explores cancel culture and influencers, has also been shortlisted in two categories: Audiobook: Fiction and Debut Fiction. Several of the shortlisted writers have BookTok hits, a hashtag with over 200 billion views on TikTok that refers to a community of book fans sharing their favourite readings and reviews, the report said. Britney Spears' husband seeking financial support and attorneys' fees in divorce

Former James Bond star Pierce Brosnan has stated that fellow Irishman and Oscar contender Cillian Murphy would make a "magnificent" 007. "Cillian would do a magnificent job as James Bond on His Majesty's Secret Service," Brosnan told the BBC. According to reports, Murphy might be in the running; however there have always been whispers about who could play Bond next. Brosnan was speaking at the annual Oscar Wilde Awards in Los Angeles, which honour Irish creative brilliance, reports BBC. Murphy is expected to win best actor at the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday for his portrayal in Christopher Nolan's Oppenheimer. Read more: Amazon Prime Originals in March 2024: List of New Shows and Movies He stated that he had not heard the Bond speculations and that he had not given any attention to perhaps winning the Academy Award: "I just want to go in and have a good time." He faces up against Paul Giamatti (The Holdovers), Colman Domingo (Rustin), Bradley Cooper (Maestro), and Jeffrey Wright (American Fiction), said the report. Murphy also spoke about his 16-year-old son Aran, who will make his cinematic debut in Taika Waititi's Klara And The Sun. "I'm very proud of him, he's a great actor," he told reporters on the Irish-themed green carpet, adding that Aran did not need his father's instruction. Brosnan said he was "greatly honoured" to receive an Oscar Wilde award for his achievements to the cinema and television industries. He hailed the "kinship" between Ireland and America, saying he arrived to the US in 1982 "on a wing and a prayer... and then got a job, [on the drama series] Remington Steele". Read more: Prince Harry, Britney Spears’ memoirs shortlisted for British Book Awards

Google says it will recalibrate its AI-powered art tool, after it enthusiastically embraced diversity to the point of rewriting history. Gemini bot that generates images based on text prompts, has been churning out illustrations that are as diverse as a United Nations conference, regardless of historical context. Picture this: America’s founding fathers, but not as you know them. Instead, users were surprised to find images populated with a mix of genders and ethnicities, sparking debates about accuracy versus inclusivity. “Gemini’s AI image generation does generate a wide range of people. And that’s generally a good thing because people around the world use it. But it’s missing the mark here,” Jack Krawczyk, senior director for Gemini Experiences, was quoted by BBC. Woke revolution: The latest fad in fashion! This isn’t the first rodeo where AI has tripped over diversity. OpenAI previously faced flak for its Dall-E generator, which seemed to cast CEOs as white men, sparking discussions on stereotypes and bias in AI. This latest AI misadventure comes at a time when Google is eager to showcase its prowess in AI innovation. After the latest version of Gemini was released last week, critics slammed the bot for being overly politically correct, or as some have quipped, “laughably woke”. Debarghya Das, a computer scientist, expressed frustration over Gemini’s reluctance to depict white individuals, highlighting the tool’s overcorrection. Meanwhile, author and humorist Frank J Fleming, known for his work with right-wing PJ Media, shared his disbelief when his request for a Viking image returned results that seemed to prioritize diversity over historical authenticity. Gender Dichotomy: Woketopian Impact on Human Lifestyle The backlash gained traction in conservative circles, adding fuel to ongoing debates about perceived liberal biases in big tech. In response, Krawczyk emphasized Google’s commitment to representation and bias mitigation, promising adjustments to better honour historical context. “Historical contexts have more nuance to them and we will further tune to accommodate that,” he commented on X, encouraging ongoing feedback from users. As Google navigates the tricky waters of AI, representation, and historical fidelity, the saga of Gemini’s diversity-driven missteps serves as a reminder of the complex interplay between technology, culture, and history. The tech giant’s efforts to adjust course highlight the ongoing challenge of balancing inclusivity with accuracy, a journey that continues to evolve based on user feedback and societal expectations. OpenAI CEO warns that 'societal misalignments' could make artificial intelligence dangerous

Israel has to stop killing children and women in Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron has told the BBC.During an exclusive interview, Macron said that there was "no justification" for the attack, adding that Israel would gain from a ceasefire. While acknowledging Israel's right to self-defense, he said, "We do urge them to stop this bombing" in Gaza.However, he also emphasised that France "clearly condemns" Hamas' "terrorist" activities, the report said. Thousands who were sheltering at Gaza City’s hospitals flee as Israel-Hamas war closes inLike Israel, the United States, the United Kingdom, and other Western countries, France views Hamas as a terrorist group.When asked about whether he wanted other world leaders to support his demands for a ceasefire, including those in the US and the UK, Macron said, "I hope they will." Civilians flee north Gaza or shelter at a hospital as Israel and Hamas battle in the cityFollowing almost two weeks of main ground incursion into the territory and a month of Israeli shelling, the health ministry headed by Hamas in Gaza said on Friday that 11,078 Palestinians had died and 1.5 million had left their homes.Israel claimed that it followed international law when attacking military targets and that it takes precautions to lessen the number of civilian deaths by alerting civilians in advance and urging them to flee.Speaking a day after a conference in Paris on humanitarian aid related to the Gaza conflict, Macron stated that all participating governments and agencies had reached the "clear conclusion" that there is “no other solution than first a humanitarian pause, going to a ceasefire, which will allow [us] to protect... all civilians having nothing to do with terrorists.""De facto — today, civilians are bombed — de facto. These babies, these ladies, these old people are bombed and killed. So there is no reason for that and no legitimacy. So we do urge Israel to stop," the French president said.Macron, however, stated it was not for him to determine whether or not international law had been breached. Fights in bread lines, despair in shelters: War threatens to unravel Gaza's close-knit society