A major earthquake jolted parts of the country including Dhaka and Chattogram on Friday, according to Bangladesh Meteorological Department. The tremor measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale was felt at 12:21 pm, it said. The Epicentre of the earthquake was Mandalay, Myanmar, 597 km South- East off BMD Seismic Centre, Agargaon, Dhaka. However, no causalities were reported. Meanwhile, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a slightly higher magnitude of 7.7. According to the USGS, the epicentre was 16 kilometres north-northwest of Sagaing, Myanmar, at a depth of 10 kilometres. A 7.7 magnitude earthquake rocked Thailand and neighbouring Myanmar midday on Friday, killing at least three people in Bangkok and burying dozens when a high-rise building under construction collapsed, reports AP. The midday temblor with an epicenter near Mandalay, Myanmar's second largest city, was followed by a strong 6.4 magnitude aftershock. Myanmar and Thailand hit by major earthquakes Following this, Myanmar's military-run government declared a state of emergency in six regions and states including the capital Naypyitaw and Mandalay. A dramatic video of the building's collapse near Bangkok’s popular Chatuchak market circulated on social media showed the multi-story building with a crane on top toppling into a cloud of dust, while onlookers screamed and ran. Elsewhere, people in Bangkok evacuated from their buildings were cautioned to stay outside in case there were more aftershocks. Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention said the quake was felt in almost all regions of the country. Although no deaths or injuries have been reported in Bangladesh so far, the event has raised fresh concerns about the country's ability to handle a major earthquake disaster. Experts point out that with more than 60 tremors recorded since 2024, the increasing frequency underscores the critical need for stronger disaster preparedness measures. Another tremor of a 7.1 magnitude earthquake shook Bangladesh on January 7. The tremors were also felt across Nepal, India, Bhutan and China, highlighting the regional dimensions of such disasters

Former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, during his meeting with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, on Thursday said Bangladesh progressed a lot but "should have done better" politically and democratically. Dr Yunus sought support and advice from the fomer UN Secretary-General for a smooth transition to democracy in Bangladesh. “We want to start anew; we need your support and advice. We are having a great opportunity now,” Dr Yunus told Ban Ki-moon as they met on the sidelines of the BOAO Forum Asia Annual Conference. Ban Ki-moon, also Chairman of the Boao Forum for Asia, praised the leadership of Prof Yunus and said that under his leadership, Bangladesh will do much better. “Bangladesh now has a leader in you who is respected worldwide,” said Ban Ki-moon. The former UN Secretary-General recalled his role in seating up diplomatic relationships between Bangladesh and South Korea when he was a young diplomat posted in New Delhi. Dr Yunus holds talks with Chinese Vice Premier, Ban Ki-moon, other foreign leaders  “It was my pen that was used to sign the agreement to formalise Korea’s diplomatic relationship with Bangladesh,” he recalled. Professor Yunus said that once Korea and Bangladesh were on the same line, but now Korea has zoomed ahead. “People of Bangladesh are wonderful, but political leadership destroyed us,” he said. Ban Ki-moon said that he introduced Bangladesh to Kihak Sung, the Chairman of Youngone Corporation and one of the most respectful business leaders in Korea, who later went on to expand his business in a specialised economic zone in Bangladesh. The Chief Adviser said that Bangladesh recently settled a long-pending land issue with the Korean EPZ in Chattogram, hoping that it would encourage more Korean business people to invest in Bangladesh. Asia must strengthen cooperation as destinies are intertwined: Dr Yunus Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, informed the meeting that Kihak Sung would lead a 26-member strong business delegation from Korea in the upcoming Business Summit in Dhaka next month, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told UNB. The Chief Adviser also sought Ban Ki-moon’s support in settling the Rohingya crisis and invited him to visit Bangladesh at an opportune time.  

Bangladesh and China are set to sign several agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) as Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus and Chinese President Xi Jinping prepare to hold a bilateral meeting in Beijing on March 28. The bilateral cooperation documents are likely to be signed in the areas of human resource development, economic and technical assistance, cultural and sports cooperation and cooperation between the media. In addition, announcements related to economy, investment and economic zones are likely to be made. Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin briefed the reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday afternoon. MoFA Spokesperson Mohammad Rafiqul Alam, Directors General were present. The bilateral meeting will be held at the Great Hall of China. They will discuss various strategic bilateral issues between Bangladesh and China, trade and investment promotion, cooperation in agriculture, infrastructure, renewable energy sectors, and resolving the Rohingya issue, among other matters of mutual interest between the two countries, said the Foreign Secretary. He said China is Bangladesh's best friend, closest neighbor, strategic partner and one of the largest commercial and development partners. Bangladesh and China enjoy excellent diplomatic relations, which are deepening, he said, adding that this year the two countries have undertaken programs to celebrate the 50 years of China-Bangladesh diplomatic relations. The Foreign Secretary said the visit would add a new dimension in Dhaka-Beijing relations with further momentum. The Chief Adviser will attend roundtable discussions on Sustainable Infrastructure and Energy Investment; Bangladesh 2.0 Manufacturing and Market Opportunities; Social Business, Youth Entrepreneurship and the World of Three Zeros. The Chief Adviser will pay an official visit to China from March 26-29. Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen on Sunday said Chief Adviser Prof Mohammad Yunus’ visit to China would be "very successful, productive and a milestone visit" with some announcements. Chief Adviser Dr Yunus' scheduled visit to China from March 26-29 is going to be the “most important visit” by a Bangladesh leader over the last 50 years, as the two countries are eyeing to take the relations to a new height. Dr Yunus' China visit to be very productive, successful with some announcements   “This is going to be the most important visit by a Bangladeshi leader in 50 years,” said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, quoting Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen who met Dr Yunus on March 16. Alam said a big focus will be given on relocation of Chinese factories to Bangladesh to make the country a manufacturing hub. "We want to create a revolution in the manufacturing sector," said the press secretary, adding that it helps create more jobs and boost exports from Bangladesh to the global market. He said there will be a series of engagements during the chief adviser's China visit. On the sidelines of the forum, Alam said, the chief adviser is likely to have meetings with CEOs of some companies. Dhaka and Beijing are eyeing stronger ties, marking the 50th anniversary of Bangladesh-China diplomatic relations. The chief adviser will attend a programme on March 29 at Peking University and will return to Dhaka at night (same day). As per the plans, the chief adviser will first attend the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA) Annual Conference 2025 in Boao, South China's Hainan Province. On March 27, Dr Yunus will participate in the inaugural plenary session of the BFA and Executive Vice President of the State Council will meet the Chief Adviser the same day. On August 25 last year, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen conveyed the Chinese leadership's invitation to Dr Yunus to visit China at his convenience. This will be most important visit by any Bangladesh leader, says Ambassador Yao ahead of Dr Yunus' visit “China and Bangladesh are best friends and trustworthy partners. So, whatever change is taking place internationally or domestically in Bangladesh, our policy remains steadfast,” Ambassador Yao said recently, adding that no matter who forms the government China wants to be their partner and their policy is not related to any particular government. He said they believe their cooperation is for the benefit of all the Bangladeshi people and the people of China as well. BFA Secretary General Zhang Jun said with the theme "Asia in the changing World: Towards a shared Future," this year's event will focus on development, foster dialogue, explore innovative formats and value tangible outcomes, all aimed at promoting international development and cooperation.   He said the theme is intended to reinvigorate multilateralism, promote openness and development, jointly respond to global challenges, and carry out the commitments of the UN Summit of the Future while focusing on the development of Asia. Many heads of international and regional organisations, ministerial-level officials, entrepreneurs of Fortune Global 500, and renowned experts and scholars have already confirmed their participation in the annual conference, Zhang said. Guterres: Societies "stronger, more resilient" in Bangladesh when everyone can play "meaningful role" He said the event will focus on four subject areas: building trust and promoting cooperation in a fast-changing world; rebalancing globalisation for inclusive development; accelerating the Sustainable Development Goals for more effective responses to global challenges; and strengthening AI application and governance for innovation-driven development.

Bodies of a woman and her daughter were recovered from their house in Phulbari upazila of Dinajpur district on Tuesday. The deceased were identified as Lucky Aktar, 32, and her seven-year-old daughter Moriyam, of Lichupara area under Eluari union parishad of the upazila. Phulbari police station’s Inspector (investigation) Shafiqul Islam said on information  they recovered the bodies lying on a bed in the house at noon. Police constable’s hanging body found in Kushtia UP Chairman Nabiul Islam said on Monday night Lucky, second wife of Mahram Ali, was caught red-handed with a man of the same area with whom she apparently had an extra-marital relationship. Arbitration was scheduled to be held over the matter on Tuesday morning. The bodies were sent to Dinajpur Medical College Hospital morgue for autopsy. Her husband Mahram was detained.

Bangladesh and Australia on Monday emphasized enhancing collaboration between Bangladesh’s Technical Training Centres (TTCs) and Australia’s Technical and Further Education (TAFE) for ensuring mutual recognition of degrees and upgrading technical education standards of Bangladesh to enable the mobility of the skilled workforce. Australian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Susan Ryle met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and discussed various issues of mutual interest including trade, investment, migration and visa facilitation. "We are working together to strengthen our growing trade and investment ties, support Bangladesh’s development goals and work together to shape a safe, prosperous and free Indo-Pacific," said the Australian High Commission in Dhaka. The Adviser reiterated that the international community must demonstrate their will to ensure the repatriation of the Forcibly Displaced Myanmar Nationals (the Rohingyas) to their motherland in Rakhine State through a roadmap and the process should start immediately. The Australian High Commissioner expressed the readiness of her government to work with Bangladesh regarding the Rohingya issue and assured to extend necessary support for the early repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland, said the MoFA. The Foreign Affairs Adviser congratulated the High Commissioner for her new role and assured her to provide necessary support during her tenure in Bangladesh.  

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