As many as 8,786 Bangladeshi expatriates, hailing from six districts of Cumilla region, have so far applied from seven foreign countries to be Bangladeshi voters since the Election Commission started its initiative in this regard. As of October 20 last, the Election Commission received the highest 4,235 applications from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), while 1,234 applications from Italy and 957 applications from the United Kingdom (UK). Besides, 655 applications have been received from Saudi Arabia, 1067 from Kuwait, 529 from Qatar and 109 applications from Malaysia, according to statistics placed in a meeting of the EC Secretariat on Monday. The expatriates went abroad from the Cumilla region comprising six districts -- Cumilla, Brahmanbaria. Chandpur, Noakhali, Laxmipur and Feni. The EC started the voter registration process in the UAE in May, 2023, Italy, UK and Saudi Arabia in October 2023, Qatar and Kuwait in March 2024 and Malaysia in July 2024. Among the 8,786 applicants, the biometrics of 3,817 expatriates was already taken in the Bangladeshi missions stationed in the seven foreign countries. Following investigations, 3,409 out of 8,786 applications were approved, 81 ones are now awaiting approval, and 1,087 applications were rejected. Besides, the investigations over 4,209 other applications continue by the Thana election offices. Meanwhile, a total of 162,764 people from the six districts applied seeking their enrolment in the voter lists during the seven months (March 02, 2024 to October 20, 2024). Of them, 60,523 applications from Cumilla district, 38,791 from Brahmanbaria, 22,534 from Noakhali, 19,003 from Chandpur, 11,523 from Laxmipur and 10,390 from Feni. Among the total applications, 103,398 ones were already approved, while 32,582 applications were rejected and 26,800 ones now remain pending.

A total of 51 Bangladeshi nationals evacuated from Sudan returned home from Jeddah Airport on a Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight today (May 11, 2023). They arrived in Dhaka from Jeddah at 10:20 am via Biman Bangladesh Airlines flight BG336, according to a press release by Biman. The Bangladeshi nationals from conflict-ridden Sudan took temporary shelter in Jeddah with the help of the Bangladesh Embassy and Saudi authorities.   Earlier on May 8, Biman Bangladesh Airlines brought back 136 Bangladeshi nationals -- escaping Sudan -- from Jeddah. Read more: Another 176 Bangladeshis from war-torn Sudan arrive in Jeddah Meanwhile, another 130 Bangladeshis will return home by Qatar Airlines and 238 by Biman Bangladesh Airlines from Madinah today, according to a press release from the Bangladesh Embassy in Saudi Arabia. Bangladesh is operating four chartered flights from Sudan, at its own cost, to evacuate the remaining Bangladeshi citizens to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Sudan plunged into a civil war last month that has so far claimed the lives of more than 600 people, including civilians, and displaced hundreds of thousands. Countries around the world are scrambling vessels and airplanes to evacuate their citizens from Sudan. Read More: Sudan: 25 dead in tribal fighting, as truce talks stall

Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur has urged the Bangladeshi expatriates in Malaysia to remain cautious about misinformation regarding its passport related services. The Mission delivered record number of passports over the last six to seven months, it said. The High Commission on Sunday said they are delivering passports through 36 post offices since April this year due to Covid-19 situation in Malaysia. Read:Govt offers hope for returnee expats with Tk 427-cr rehabilitation project The decision was taken considering the current Covid-19 situation and to deliver the passport related services to Bangladeshis’ doorstep without any hassle. “Expatriates brothers and sisters are requested not to get panicked,” said the High Commission urging all to avoid spreading any news that might create unnecessary panic among the expatriate Bangladeshis in Malaysia.

President Abdul Hamid on Monday said Bangladesh gives importance to developing relationships with neighbouring countries, including Afghanistan.  He made the remarks when outgoing Afghan Ambassador to Bangladesh Abdul Qayoom Malikzad paid a courtesy call on him. President's Press Secretary Joynal Abedin briefed reporters after the meeting. Hamid said Afghanistan can use Bangladesh's experience in women empowerment, basic education, healthcare, sanitation and human resource development. Also read: Bangladesh offers support to Afghanistan for development The President also praised Afghanistan's recent efforts to establish democracy.  He said 2021 is a year of great joy and pride for Bangladesh. This year, Bangladesh is celebrating the golden jubilee of independence and the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman together. Besides, this year, Bangladesh has received the final recommendation of the United Nations to become a developing country. 

Bangladesh has urged the Bahrain government to take back expatriate Bangladeshis who got stuck here due to the Covid-19 situation.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines is all set to start operating direct flights from Sylhet to London this year.

The government on Wednesday said 28,849 expatriates, mostly from the Middle East (ME), will return home within the next couple of weeks.